By Mary Corrado
Associate Editor
When David Tafreshing opened the doors of his new restaurant on Jan. 2, he had a straightforward goal: to offer high quality, fresh food at low prices—all in a welcoming atmosphere. Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant, 2360 N. Lincoln Ave., achieves the goal and more.
A sparkling clean, uncluttered dining room looks into the open kitchen, where Chef Wen Huo Zhen and three other chefs create hundreds of meals each day. Sunlight floods the room through big windows.
Bright colorful tiles and the original high tin ceiling add more charm. The room has a high-gloss, dark wood floor over 100 years old, and custom-made corrugated stainless steel on the lower half of the walls. Fifty people can dine, with enough space to converse comfortably. There is a separate entrance to handle carry-out orders, with a comfortable spot to wait a moment or two.
Both the food and the prices will please customers. Fresh vegetables and fruits are delivered daily, only white meat chicken is used, and no MSG is ever added. "We have the best prices in Lincoln Park—a very good meal for $5.25 [half order] and it will make you so happy!" said Mr. Tafreshing.
The clear, easy-to-read menu offers appetizers, soup, salad, fried rice, egg foo young, vegetarian pleasures, chicken specialties, lo mein, shrimp dishes, and chicken-beef-or-pork dishes. "Hot" dishes come with fair warning. Two free egg rolls accompany any order over $10. Steaming green tea and almond cookies or fortune cookies round out the meal.
Those who visit or work in Lincoln Park are sure to appreciate the convenience of Chin Chin. It's across from Victory Gardens Theatre and more than a few actors stop in. Staff from Lincoln Park Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital or Children's Memorial Hospital are treated to a 10 percent discount, as are students at DePaul University. Visitors are welcome to bring their own beer or wine to enjoy with the meal. Service is quick enough to permit those on a lunch hour to stop in, order, and eat with leisure; some patrons call ahead so the order is ready when they arrive.
After 5 p.m., patrons who dine in receive free parking at Children's Memorial Hospital. "Instead of paying $10-15 for parking, spend it eating at Chin Chin and then visit the local bars, entertainment, movies, theatres," suggested Mr. Tafreshing. "You can park the entire evening for free."
Carry-out is a popular feature, as is catering for meetings or parties. Free delivery is offered from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it's $1.50 at other times.
Chin Chin provides convenient, handicapped accessible bathrooms; high chairs; separate smoking and nonsmoking areas; and air conditioning in the summer. All major credit cards are accepted.
Chin Chin, 2360 N. Lincoln Ave., is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday 3 to 10 p.m. It's closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. To reach Chin Chin, call (773) 935-5900 for carry-out or delivery. The fax number is (773) 327-4800.
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