Most Chinese restaurants in the States are not authentic. The best Chinese food you can have in North America is in Vancouver, BC, Toronto is second. Everywhere else is not close enough. Worse, you get American Chinese food, which I'd rather have a burger instead.
It is getting better though. There are a few Din Tai Fung restaurants popping up on the west coast. The one in the Seattle area is just a 10-minute walk from my office. :-)