Chin Chin Ii Chinese Rstrnt

A shady strip mall off Ponce is no match for the Chin Chin's excellent Mongolian and surprisingly decent digs.

by Contributor

Housed in the parking lot of Kroger known more for its gunshots than its culinary ventures, thoughts of glowing neon and bad buffets come to mind when you think of Chinese. Instead, Chin Chin II shocks with plush red ottomans, hardwoods and mirrored walls-looking less like a Chinese chain and more like an upscale sushi-bistro. The food follows suit with well-executed versions of standard, Americanized dishes that don't break the bank. Three cups Taiwanese chicken is a hearty casserole of veggies rich with sesame oil and rice wine. Crispy Hunan-style fish is a generous, flaky whole snapper (de-boned tableside) with a slightly sweet ginger-scllion sauce. Sugar snap peas with prawn could benefit from less thickener, but the shrimp are plump and the peas tender. Pass on the overcooked and under-seasoned salt and pepper calamari in favor of soothing velvet corn and chicken soup to start.

High Marks
"I was already sold by the food, but the ambiance and excellent customer service made me a dedicated customer for life." (skyylife, Citysearch user)

"he atmosphere was very comfortable along with the wall decoration...and the Mushu Duck and the Mongolian Beef we've had was the best I've ever tasted." (philipjameston, Citysearch user)

Low Marks
"I like Chin Chin, but had a bad time with the delivery driver. On top of it all, they forgot all the good things that go with the lunch special - overall not worth the trouble!" (pricey1, Citysearch user)

01/10/08

Customer for Life

by skyylife

A few months ago, I received a menu on my door for Chin Chin's, and typically, I automatically throw them away, but on this particular night, I was lazy and did not feel like leaving my home again. I decided to view the menu just to see what it had to offer. In the past, I never tried General Tso, and as a vegetarian, I wanted to give it a try, so I saw that along with chicken and shrimp, tofu was also offered. I called immediately to place an order, and I found with each order (with delivery), you are also offered a complimentary order of California Rolls. Along with my greed, impatiently waiting for my food, I was a bit afraid that the food would not taste good. However, to my surprise, within about 35 minutes of placing my order, the food arrived with extremely pleasant service. A few seconds later, I opened the steaming container and devoured the food. It was amazing. A few days later, I decided to visit the restaurant, and to my surprise, it was this cute, funky, hip, red, cozy, room filled with warmth. I was already sold by the food, but the ambiance and excellent customer service made me a dedicated customer for life.

10/23/07

Remodeled, Hip Chinese Bistro! Best Tangerine Chicken In ATL!

by jaymaygm

I was in Chin Chin about 10 years ago. Just the basics. After a trip to Whole Foods across the street, I stumbled in again. Wow! This place has been totally renovated into a very hip neighborhood Chinese Bistro. Sparkling Hardwood Floors, Red Lanterns, and super soft banquettes running the length of the room. I love the feel of Chin Chin. And what a great freshly prepared menu. We started with a Shrimp Tempura Roll. And what a wonderful presentation. A small vile of liquid nitrogen was placed on the serving tray, with the tails of the shrimp standing up. That cool smoke, had the wow factor. And upon our servers recommendation, we ordered the Tangerine Chicken, extra hot. And goodness was it hot and delicious. Crunchy chunks of white meat chicken, in a spicy Tangerine Sauce, with pieces of the fruit throughout! The staff was so eager and nice, as well as the host, we will be back soon!

• Pros: Wonderful Design, Very Good Sushi, & Fabu Tangerine Chicken!
• Cons: Not Close Enough To My House For Delivery!

03/12/07

Food was great, interesting selections, warm personal customer service

by liveoakh

Chin Chin II was a most pleasant surprise. It was Saturday night and my girlfriend and here two children (4) and (6) and I were looking for Chinese. This was my first time here and I was not expecting much in the way of service, but was hoping the food would be good. The food was great, and the warm and very friendly staff made us feel so welcome. It was just what we needed after a long day at the park. Eating in Atlanta can be a mixed bag, especially w/ kids. But, not the staff at Chin Chin II., they were skilled, relaxed and friendly......We will be back??...soon!

• Pros: The food.....inside ambience looks better than the out......the staff are all smiles
• Cons: The strip mall parking lot is rough.

01/06/07

Had wonderful experience

by philipjamestown

I came to this restaurant last week. We had a very wonderful time, and it turned to be a very good experience back into experiencing Chinese food. The Mushu Duck and the Mongolian Beef we've had was the best I've ever tasted. My wife also loved the appetizer Dumpling in Sesame Sauce. Service was excellent and quite attentive, not to mention that the waitress was polite, friendly, and very knowledgable. The atmosphere was very comfortable along with the wall decoration. I am looking forward to coming back to Chin Chin II and I would definitely recommend to our friends.

• Pros: Mushu Duck, Dumpling Sesame Sauce, Service, Decor
• Cons: The sign, Music is too loud

12/26/06

Appalling customer service

by hotlanta10

I wanted to let everyone know about the horrible customer service we received at Chin Chin. After making a delivery order, we were repeatedly lied to about when the food would arrive. We kept calling back to find out the status of our order and were told different excuses each time. After nearly 2 hours, we requested that we receive some type of discount. A decent place would have been apologetic about the very long delay, recognized that our food would be cold, and offer to give it to us for free or at least at a discount. The rude woman who answered the phone (who claimed to be the manager) insisted they could not give us a discount and in fact said that our credit card could not be refunded for days. I asked her if we would be expected to pay full price for a meal if we came into the restaurant and had to wait 2 hours for our food. She did not answer and ultimately hung up on me. We are extremely disappointed by this incident and will make sure that we do not make the mistake of ordering food and/or going into this place to eat. We encourage you to send a strong message about rude customer service and take your business elsewhere.

• Cons: Terrible customer service, overpriced

12/05/06

Hidden gem in Midtown

by richardhicksonguy

An advertisement from Sunday Paper few months ago was our discovery of this restaurant. When we moved to Atlanta, we thought that we couldn't find any good Chinese food as we usually ate in Chicago. Yet, we were totally wrong. Chin Chin II is much better compared to chinese restaurant in Chicago in the matter of food quality, service, price, and value. We ordered the whole steam fish,which was superb. It worth waiting (as the waitress explained that it would approximately take 45 minutes to be served). My wife and I also love their steam potsticker and crab rangoon. Service is great, with knowledgeable server and friendly service. Delivery is another plus. One time we ordered food, and were told that it will take 50 minutes. At that time, we couldn't wait too long since we were having party at our house. So the manager took the offer to send our food by himself. He was very nice, friendly, and helpful, not to mention he being professional cater our big order. So far we always have hot/good food and never had any disappointments.

• Pros: Great food, Friendly service, Portion, Value
• Cons: Sign, Ambience, Music

12/05/06

Prompt service and Excellent Food

by melindagibsonbell

This restaurant deserves A rating for its consistency in bringing excellent food and very good service. I highly recommend ordering Jumbo shrimp and scallop in garlic sauce and Mongolian Beef. The taste will definitely knock your socks off. I do also love their spa cuisine without any added preservative. The service is prompt and friendly with some nice surprise dessert if you celebrate special event.

• Pros: food, service, parking
• Cons: ambience, blurry sign

07/29/06

Best Chinese Food in Midtown

by rasheedpriyapatel

When it comes to Chinese food, I always come to Golden Budha and Royal China. However, I happened to try the food at Chin Chin II last weekend after a late movie. Fortunately, they were still open for take-out order. The restaurant is nice and the decor reminds me about a nice place around Clarke Quay, Singapore. It looks a bit old, though. The service is great and I appreciate the willingness to explain the detail about the food. The most important thing is the food. I ordered Mongolian Chicken and Moo Shu Chicken, and we enjoyed them so much. It's a restaurant you MUST go at least once, not to mention the value and inexpensive price.

• Pros: food, service, value

06/27/06

Great food, Nice service

by patrickclant

Don't believe the bad reviews. Chin2 always be so consistent with its great food and friendly service. I usually came with my wife for dine-in, and I occasionally do take-out and delivery, and I've never had any bad experience. Business can't be perfect, yet I rated Chin2 with A+ rating. The food is always great, full of flavor, the service is always prompt and fast, added with very relaxing athmosphere. You have to try this restaurant at once and you'll know why many people love this restaurant. If anything the management needs to improve is: the food presentation and the lack of wine choices.

• Pros: food, great and friendly service, and parking
• Cons: the sign is kinda blurry n old(needs repair), food presentation, wine