That's a good distinction to make, but I'm definitely talking about actually developed palates. I think that there are many delicious "American Chinese" dishes

That's a good distinction to make, but I'm definitely talking about actually developed palates. I think that there are many delicious "American Chinese" dishes that can be prepared in a very flavorful and delicate way- but I think most of the time, they aren't. How well do flavors blend, how subtly are the spices added, what's the freshness and texture of the meats, sauces, and carbs- this is the quality that I say 9/10 Asian restaurants are lacking. Really, it's more like 9/10 American restaurants are lacking it, and the numbers might be worse than that.