Late last year, Atlanta Magazine published a list of the 75 “Best Restaurants” and gave me 30+ places we hadn’t been, to try. We were heading back across town and I gave my beloved two cuisines to choose from (Asian or Latin). Yes, this was a broad choice, particularly as we were pulling off 285 onto BuHi, at the time….

Undecided, I chose Asian and that led us to Northern China Eatery. Well, it kind of led us there. This isn’t the easiest place to find, as the storefront is below street level. And doesn’t face Buford Highway. And, if you’re heading south-bound, there’s a sudden median so you can’t pull in the entrance.

I did end up turning into the wrong parking lot first. Then I was confronted with either: a) going in the exit; or b) driving (briefly) southbound in the northbound lanes; or c) driving further south and making a u turn. I opted for A.

We were seated and getting ready to order and I looked around a bit, and saw they had a thriving carry out business. The hot and sour soup arrived

looking tasty. But served with plastic soup spoons that I feared would melt during use. We asked for fried noodles to put in it. “No.” Well, that was concise. While waiting for our food, I asked my wife, “What will be my first comment about this place?”

”Too white?” Ding. Ding. Ding. We have a winner. There was only one table with anyone Asian at it, in a packed restaurant. That just isn’t a good sign.

We ordered a couple of chicken dishes. I went with Chong Ching Spicy Chicken – my go-to dish in any Szechuan restaurant.

This was a good dish – spice level was about 6 out of 10 – that I’ve never seen served on a bed of icerberg lettuce. Bites were small and boneless, with diced, not whole, peppers. Then 15 minutes passed and the other dish had not yet arrived. We mentioned it to a server and about ten minutes later, after they cooked it, a chicken dish with garlic sauce and vegetables arrived.

Which didn’t resemble the picture on the wall behind us (wok fried, with no batter and different veggies), but was good. They are know for their buns and dumplings, but the smallest order would have been either a meal for one or appetizers for four. So we passed on those options.

Overall, food was good and service was off, timing wise and “feel” wise. I hate being given plastic tableware when I’m eating “out” – you can say it’s due to covid, but I think it’s just lazy. The only thing worse is being served in to go containers). It was pricey – $58, before tip for two dishes, a shared soup and a canned Sprite. We probably won’t be back.