Annika, 20, and Mark, 70, are on the hunt for the Mission’s most remarkable noodles.

Annika,

Completely disgusted by the disintegration of the Dubs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, I was desperate for comfort food.

Since you introduced me to the world of noodles, I have discovered the subtle pleasures of noodles, especially garlic noodles.

So I ordered the Pepper Chicken Wings with Garlic Noodles from Chic n’ Time.

With my mind overwhelmed by the brutal fact of losing the Dubs, I had no interest in socializing or having any real-world experience. I needed fiction, so I decided to watch the “Winning Time” docudrama.

First of all!

What fantastic garlic noodles!

Maybe because it’s egg noodles infused with garlic and butter, rather than coated or drowned for days in garlic sauce. The noodles were thick, proud, chewy (in a good way) strings of inner flavor that stood out both as individuals and as a collective. And very with garlic.

National Geographic calls noodles “the world’s ultimate comfort food” and the health benefits of garlic are well known. Not only does Chic n’ Time infuse its noodles with garlic, but small bits of garlic stick to the outer skin.

The garlic is backed up with green onions and parsley (or something green). A few peppercorns are strategically added for a bit of spice. Not many, but a few. The result is a taste with depth and endurance.

“Winning Time” has little depth and is an inaccurate portrayal of a minor historical event, the birth of the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, which became the template for modern NBA production. The show features a number of outstanding performances, quirky characters, and, if not great drama, at least a narrative that creatively deals with the psyche of contemporary American casinos.

The real NBA eschews anything remotely comfortable and/or healthy. Good fiction always helps my mind clear reality.

Or maybe it’s the noodle effect. And garlic.

I liked the chicken wings, fluffy and flavorful, but the noodles were so good I had a hard time paying attention to the bird.

The only downside to the meal was a few broccoli sprouts thrown away. They added nothing but an encore of the hated Celtics. Is there a Boston fan behind the counter?

By the end of the meal and a few episodes, I had relaxed. The modern NBA was designed to serve as an escape from the doldrums of everyday existence. If you need an escape from the escape, I suggest ordering the Garlic Noodles from Chic n’ Time.

Chic n’ Time saves time.

* * *

To mark,

I apologize for the late response to your review, but I’ve been very busy lately. This may be hard for you to understand, but while you’re lounging around watching games, some of us are getting real work done.

When I read your review, I was shocked. I’ll admit in some recent articles that you’ve had success throwing zingers, and what better time to dunk myself than basketball season? But no. No sass, no digging, no verve. You know, you’re supposed to take him to the final.

I want to know if whoever said women can’t hold political office during their time of the month has ever met a straight man during a sports playoff season. Talk about an emotional creature who suddenly lost all mental capacity. Was your description of the NBA as an “escape from the doldrums of daily existence” the code for “my mind has returned to its primitive abilities and can only think two thoughts: orange ball and Big man”?

Okay, to be fair, you wrote your last review when the Warriors lost. Naturally, you were distressed. Like many fans, you act like a game you contributed to nothing has somehow everything to do with you; as if spitting out facts and cheat sheets were as crucial to team success as the player’s individual athleticism.

I can’t believe you can’t manage your work duties while watching a game every other day. Let me ask you Mark: can you chew gum and walk at the same time?

Alright, alright, let’s talk about the noodles. Full disclosure, Chic n’ Time is a proven favorite of me and Yujie. Your view that garlic noodles are “fantastic” is as perfect as Steph. Ayesha is not behind the counter, but whoever it is can cook.

I will say though that for this review I tried a dish other than my favorite chicken fried steak and garlic noodles. The office ordered around this time and I chose the garlic butter crab noodles. First, the noodles are arranged in a colossal mound that at first glance seems overwhelming. No surprise here; as Chic n’ Time usually fills me up before I can finish the meal, I expected that as much. Also, Drunk Annika enjoys leftovers later.

Individually, the noodles are medium-sized and filling. And I’m happy to report that Chic n’ Time seems to be sparing no expense when it comes to the crabmeat, which was generously spiced and buttery, and generously scatter over the noodles.

Nevertheless, I found that not ordering my habit filled me with regret. The crab and garlic noodles were delicious, don’t get me wrong, and I’m still a huge fan of the restaurant. Still, like the Celtics in the Finals, they didn’t quite measure up to the best in the game – Chic n Time’s Chicken Fried Steak and Garlic Noodles.

Why? Well, the sauce didn’t reach the usual marks. (Glad your dish did.) For the Garlic Crab Noodles, the creamy, buttery sauce actually drowned out the strong garlic flavor that normally makes Chic n’ Time noodles so delicious. It looked more like an Italian pasta dish than the Asian classic from San Francisco. And San Francisco always wins.

Chic n’ Time is located at 807 Valencia St. near 19th street.