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DEL.ICIO.USWhere’s Your Favorite Chinese in Atlanta?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE BUBBLE PANCAKES HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING, but I still prefer Tasty China to Frank Ma South.
Photo: Elissa Eubanks/ AJC
Frank Ma is front and center in this week’s dining review.
Many believe he’s the absolute best in the city when it comes to Chinese, no matter where he works his wok. But save for the dumplings (go for the Shanghai juice dumplings filled with soup) and a few of the noodle dishes at Frank Ma South (the steamed pork buns will make you utter animal sounds), I actually still prefer Tasty China in Marietta.
The flavors at TC are pure Sezchwan, with lots of heat, you just need to steer past the Americanized offerings on the varied menu.
Which do you prefer? Tasty China or Frank Ma South? Where’s your favorite Chinese in Atlanta?
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By Meredith D.
December 5, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
We decided to try both Tasty China and Sam and Dave’s BBQ2 based on your reviews and were in complete disagreement with your reviews and terribly disappointed in both restaurants.
Our trip to Tasty China ended shortly after we walked in the front door. We were greeted with a 3-4 day old fish smell, wallpaper peeling off the walls and water damage on the sheet rock. This was followed by a restaurant score of 86 on the wall. I asked to see a menu before being seated and was handed a dirty greasy one. We said goodbye and walked out. How can you rate a restaurant with a score of 86 as one of the best?
Sam and Dave’s was clean, and the people friendly. However the food was not worth eating. The pulled pork was mushy and tasteless-the texture was almost mealy. Our mac and cheese was cold and had a hard crusty cold cheese topping, the onion rings are frozen and the texas toast was tasteless and again, cold. The collard greens were ok and so was the cole slaw. Fox Bros and Williamson Bros are so much better, even the Rib Ranch is better! The Euclid Ave Yacht Club’s BBQ is much better. Heck I bet even Sonny’s is better. Yes, they had many trophy’s from contests won, but they aren’t serving that food in the restuarant.
By me
December 5, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Orient Express… in The Vinings on Paces Ferry; right by the train tracks. Asian cuisine at its best. There’s even Sushi and Habachi.
By Taylor
December 5, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Dragon Express on Peachtree Rd in Brookhaven. Best Chinese delivery in Atlanta hands down. Fast, relatively cheap (especially lunch menu) and Deeeee-licious (with a capital d, of course). Try it if you live nearby. If you live further away, then make the 1.5-2 mile trek up Peachtree when you visit Lenox Mall this holiday season, it’s close and WORTH IT. Not much inside seating, but for to-go and delivery there is nothing better in an eight state radius.
By UGADawgs99
December 5, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
The best chinese is at Panda Express in the mall…can’t beat the combo of value and taste. your wasting your money if you go anywhere else.
By Marc
December 5, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Meredith D. because it has good food?
By Mr Charlie
December 5, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Never had Tasty China, but I’ve dined at Frank Ma’s place twice. The chicken was so-so but the house tofu was better. I’ve learned that you can’t just eat anybody’s Chinese food. I’ve long steered clear of China Cafeteria and mostly have eaten at Fortune Cookie (Briarcliff/N. Druid Hills) over the past several years.
By Mr Charlie
December 5, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, food scores! Anyplace that has a score lower than a 90 won’t get my dollars. And I’d like for restaurants to display them where they can be seen. I mean, I know they aren’t normally known as displays of artwork, but aren’t they supposed to be in public view?
By Bigsquatch
December 5, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Meredith D-
How can you be in squawkin’ yo disagreement with MFG and ol Tasty China when you didn’t even do your eat in there?
Old smells o’ fish and stain on the sheetrock? Now what’s that have to do with the Chinese fooood?
You gots to toughen yo’ button and belly up to the beef before you start droppin’ F-bombs and shiz!
By Al
December 5, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
I’ve eaten at a lot of Chinese places, but the biggest surprise and the best kept secret is Mr. Wanton on Canton Road in Marietta.
Family own business, mainly take out has about 6 tables, on a Friday and Saturday there is a line out the door, There main business is take out.
By Al
December 5, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I’ve eaten at a lot of Chinese places, but the biggest surprise and the best kept secret is Mr. Wanton on Canton Road in Marietta.
Family own business, mainly take out has about 6 tables, on a Friday and Saturday there is a line out the door, There main business is take out.
By Musket Boy
December 5, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
The best place — for 29 years and counting — is Imperial Chinese Garden in Lilburn. There's a reason what it's Jeff Francoeur's and David Chandley's favorite Chinese joint; it features great food served by a friendly family who value their customers!By Trevor
December 5, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Tasty China is the best north of the perimeter. True authentic food including some exotic dishes such as cow tongue.
By andrew
December 5, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
My favorites: 1) Yen Jing on Buford Hwy in Doraville (great ja jiang mein).
2) Pung Mie, also on Buford Hwy in Doraville 3) the original Golden Buddha on Clairmont near N Druid Hills 4) Pyng Ho on Clairmont near N Decatur Rd
By reservoirDAWG
December 5, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
China Inn in Chamblee.
By You got to be kidding me
December 5, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
My sound funny but Hot Wok in Decatur is delicious! Especially for delivery! They perfectly steam their veggies where they still have some crispness and not drowning in some greasy sauce! Yes, they have the same menu as every other Chinese take-out restaurant, but it tastes much better! My only question is why does nobody in this area serve beef teryaki as an appetizer…only chicken? Its one of my favorite comfort foods!
By Skip
December 5, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Tasty China is delicious! I thought it was a bad place to eat upon my arrival as well. I thought the servers were rude and the place was shabby but the food was really good! Also, an 86 may not be for bad food or any food related issues. Sometimes if you don’t have toilet paper, the correct lights, the tampon disposal in the bathroom is not functioning, etc, you get points taken away from your score. You should give it a try Meredith!
By Patrick
December 5, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Grand China has been the closet to where Chinese food is done right, any city with a China Town, especially Chicago and New York. I’m sure in the bay area also.
By Robyn
December 5, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Simon’s Chinese on Old Milton in Alpharetta is awesome…I’ve been going there for 5 years now and have never been disappointed!
By Chuckie
December 5, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Frankly, I can eat Chinese almost anywhere, but the Golden Buddha on Clairmont always makes me happy. Hot Wok is about the only place that will deliver to my house, so I guess I’ve lucked out there too.
By Joe
December 5, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Main Moon in Suwanee, GA is awesome.
By Jeff
December 5, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
There are a few great spots in Sandy Springs for Chinese. Hunan Gourmet on Sandy Springs Circle is phenomenal. Their dish Spicy Triple Delight is incredible. Right around the corner from there is Canton Cooks, which is open until 2:30 am, but they’re closed on Wednesdays for whatever reason. The Hong Kong style won-ton soup is great, and they have the best lo mein (ask for the angel hair noodles) in town. btw, it’s unrelated to the topic, but the best Thai is in Alpharetta at Satay House - best chicken coconut soup! not many people know about this place outside of Alpharetta, but it’s as good or better than anything you’ll find itp.
By hazer
December 5, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this
Robyn’s right: Simon’s rocks! Fresh, fresh, fresh, fresh, FRESH! The true gauge of any Chinese restaurant’s quality is it’s hot & sour soup. I lived in L.A. and my wife is from NYC, never had better hot & sour than Simon’s…
By Dawg hatin' Jacket
December 5, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
Golden China on Pleasant Hill Rd. near Gwinnett Place Mall. Been eating there for 20+ years. Great food, consistent quality, hot and sour soup is the best.
Even saw Neon Deion Sanders there once.
By Dawg hatin' Jacket
December 5, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
I’ve been to the Satay House, it is very good. Another great Thai Restaurant is Thai Lanna on Ashford Dunwoody Rd. right near Johnson Ferry. Great Choo Chee Curry.
By Di
December 5, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Another vote for Orient Express in Vinings. I haven’t been there since I moved a few years ago, but the food used to be very good - never had a bad meal.
By MA
December 5, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Hong Kong Cafe on the south side, Jonesboro Rd. McDonough. Always good and hot!
By Texas Pete
December 5, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
I love Benihana. It has the best Chinese food around.
By Julie A.
December 5, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
China Express in Stone Mountain has the freshest ingredients and you can watch them prepare it in huge woks behind the counter. The atmosphere is basic, but the food is out of this world. Much better than many traditional, upscale Chinese restaurants I’ve been to.
By Taylor
December 5, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
If you’re looking to increase customers, claiming Jeff Francouer as a regular won’t get my attendance. Frenchy let me down more than he helped us out.
That said, I will make my voice heard a little louder since nobody seemed to pay it any mind before: DRAGON EXPRESS on peachtree in brookhaven! Try the mongolian chicken or pork lo mein, these fairly standard offerings will make your toungue melt with pleasure.
Also, Golden Buddha on Clairmont is killer. I’ve been eating Chinese food there since I was knee-high. I don’t think they’ve changed their display plates in that entire time…still, great food, though.
By vw
December 5, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
House of Chan in Smyrna, hands down the best in Atlanta.
By Taylor
December 5, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Benihana isn’t Chinese, it’s Japanese, ass
By CJ
December 5, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
Meredith D, you obviously know little about Georgia’s new health scoring system. An 86 is actually not that bad of a score. Under the new scoring system which was implemented this year, simple things that have very little to do with whether the food served poses a potential health threat often count off multiple points. In addition, the new system was supposed to be consistent across all jurisdictions, unfortunately that is still not the case as one inspector might require practices that are not covered in the required ServSafe classes. ie Gwinnett and Newton County inspectors are horribly hard and inconsistent. My restaurant fortunately scored a 98, but I feel for my brethren.
By frank
December 5, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this
panda express.. cos you can actually see what it looks like first. Anything else and you are risking eating cat.
By Sabe
December 5, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Most people here probably know about the “normal” Chinese food. The South is not known for their Chinese Food. Most have been terrible. Especially the neighborhood takeout places. They may have Chicken Wings & Fried Rice or French Fries. That is NOT true Chinese cuisine. Authentic Chinese food is not “American Chinese” food. that includes General’s Chicken, (there is no General by the way) Beef & Broccoli, Moo Shu Pork, Sweet & Sour Chicken, etc. All of these are dishes that were created for American palates. If you ever notice Chinese workers having a meal at a restaurant, it’s not the food that is generally on the menu. Their food is served family style. If you want authentic Chinese food, or at least better “American Chinese” food, Buford Highway has a few great restaurants. A good Chinese restaurant will have “Dim Sum” These are Chinese appetizers that come around on a cart and you choose what you’d like. They average about $2.00 a dish. Sometimes I just have dim sum & tea. Sticky Rice, Fried Dumplings, Mmmm. You can have a couple before your main meal. Try some real Chinese food like Mai Fun, Chow Fun, Yaou Choy, Soy Sauce Chicken over rice. These are real Hong Kong or Cantonese dishes. Another tipoff - Most authentic Chinese Restaurants do not serve buffet style. Try BBQ Corner or Canton House on Buford Hwy. If you’d like Szechaun, try Cafe 101. You may have to travel a little, but it’s worth it. I can’t stand greasy fake made up American Chinese Food posing as real Chinese cuisine. Their soups are different and much more interesting than the usual hot & Sour, Egg Drop, etc. They have Real noodle soups, wide noodel or rice noodles, hearty pieces of chicken, pork chop, duck. Their chow mein is much better that the bland “Chinese American” Chow Mein. Their noodles are usually served separately and is not mixed until ready to eat. This keeps the noodles from getting so soggy.
How do I know all of this? I’m from NYC #1. I’ve been in Atlanta for the past 10yrs. There are few Chinese Restaurants I will eat at. #2., My best friend in NY is Chinese and taught me everything I know about REAL Chinese food. We spent many lunch hours in Chinatown, and she cooked for me at her house many times. I can even order things in Chinese! Good Luck with your searches
By TP
December 5, 2008 7:01 PM | Link to this
China Buffet on Wesley Chapel Rd. is a hidden gem for healthy, delicious food such as spinach casserole, vegetable omelet, and chesse seafood. No pork is on the menu!
By MamaKDG
December 5, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Lin’s in Alpharetta, GA has the best chinese food in metro Atl. The staff members are very sweet and accomodating. The ambiance is very pleasant and there are no fowl spells in the air. This is a very beautiful place to dine and the food well worth it!
By Meridith Ford
December 8, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Wow! What a lot of suggestions. Al: definitely gotta get my booty over to Mr. Wonton and check it out — Meredith D: sorry we diisagree, but we do. And health scores are like beauty — they are in the eye of the beholder. Study up on what restaurants are counted off for before you make judgments. If you want to know more, go to allfoodbusiness.com. And Sabe, dim sum is a Cantonese specialty eaten for breakfast and possibly lunch. Atlanta restaurants that serve it at night are breaking with tradition, though some of them are still very good.
By Native
December 8, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
To Taylor, it’s Lenox Square, not Lenox Mall. On topic, I agree with Mr Charlie regarding Fortune Cookie. Havvn’t been to Grand China or House of Chan in years, but remember both as being pretty good.
By lovinatlbutmissinnyc
December 9, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry I just can’t take any advice from the foodies posting here. I haven’t had really good Chinese food since I’ve lived here. I live around the corner from The Orient and since everyone makes such a big deal it was the 1st one I tried and it was OK at best. Canton Cooks is by my office and it’s just OK as well. I’m from NYC where Chinese restaurants are a dime a dozen. For me it’s mostly fried rice that’s ALWAYS all wrong every where I’ve been. It seems like it’s just white rice with soy sauce for coloring but no authentic flavor. I know a place that may be considered a hole in the wall in Smyrna on South Cobb Dr., China Wok that makes fried rice as close to what I’m used to as possible even though I always have to ask them to add (and every where else too) bean sprouts, onions, scallions, and eggs. What’s up with that? With all the suggestions above I now know Georgians don’t know real Chinese food especially when naming places that are not Chinese. For good dim sum (which I do know to be Cantonese brunch) the best place I’ve been to here is the Canton House on Buford H’way and for really good Malaysian food Penang (also on Buford H’way NOT to be confused with the one in Kennesaw!) is a MUST. There are a few Penang’s in NYC all are excellent but my favorites are the Soho location and on 72nd between Amsterdam & Columbus Ave and the one here is very similar in taste and decor. The roti canai, mango shrimp, and nasi lemak are to die for!! But again, it’s not Chinese food just an FYI. New Yorkers please stand up and let your voices be heard!
By FairwayOaks
December 9, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
Canton Cooks off of Roswell and Hammond. Simply look at the clientele and the food speaks for itself. Never had a bad experience lunch or dinner.
By Hung Chow
December 10, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
The Mongolian Dog is always good…
By Chuck
December 10, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Oriental Cuisine China Buffett in Eastlake plaza off Roswell Rd. in Marietta, GA has never disappointed me.
By Anon Anon
December 12, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
ALWAYS check the health score before you eat any anywhere!
By Anon Anon
December 12, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
ALWAYS check the health score before you eat any anywhere!
By SISSY DAWG
December 16, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
I’ve traveled the world and eaten in some great Chinese restaurants, but the best that I have found in Georgia is the Dynasty in Newnan. My wife and I drive about forty miles to enjoy the great food there. They also do Japanese cuisine. I have eaten at most of the great places mentioned in others comments, but until you eat at the Dynasty you have not had the best. The decor and atmosphere is excellent too.
By Diana
December 16, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
For the greatest take out China Garten in Townlake, Woodstock is where to go. The food is wonderful and the store is spotless. They get a high rating everytime in our local Newspaper. Service is great too.