Chung Ching Restaurant — Restaurant in Cincinnati

I had read good reviews about Chung Ching Restaurant on 5842 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224. Finding the ratings appealing, decided to try out this Chinese place in College Hill. There is only limited parking in the front, apart from the available parking behind and across Hamilton Avenue on a different street which is not very safe, especially during nights. I called the place even before I went there just to make sure that how much time it would take once I place the order and waited? I was told that it should take only twenty minutes which I found out to be true.

Upon arrival and entering the restaurant, I saw a few couples dining in and having their dinner. There was nobody either at the checkout counter or even in the dining area! It was very surprising and hard to believe that it would take 10-12 minutes even for Joyce to show up. I did not see anybody else, except the owner! She was very unfriendly, didn't even say hello or smile and was highly unprofessional, but meant pure business only stressing on the prices without any compromises! At the same time, she was smiling and being friendly with the "regulars" or people who visited often and who were then dining in! She luckily gave us some time to decide as to what to order. I even told her that it was my first time visiting the place. She replied stating that she knew it and that she had been in business for the past 39 years.

Placed the Lo-mein Chicken and Shrimp noodles order and without the beef which also usually comes with it. Most of the items on the menu were either $10.00 or more or even close to those price range. I tried to get some vegetables on the noodles, but decided not to do so since she said that it would cost me another $2.00!

The dining area had a burning smell coming from the kitchen and the area was hardly able to seat 50 people and definitely not 75 people for sure! There was poor ventilation, not enough light, old decor and the whole restaurant needs badly a huge makeover! We continued to wait for another 10-12 minutes or so. She brought in the order and repeated the price.

I paid and left soon thereafter. I tried it and the food seemed okay, even though the noodles had some thick coating or gluey like substance, as it tasted. Starting the next day, I was indisposed due to constant stomach upsets making me feel that I had some kind of food poisoning! Chung Ching has very very poor customer service, not at all welcoming, the quality of food was unimpressive and very poor customer rapport as I at least experienced. I would never recommend my friends to go there since it was a big disappointment! Please at least be kind, more friendly and more respectful towards your next set of customers.' I will...

I am a delivery driver, and a customer on my route highly recommended Chung Ching. Boy I am glad that I listened to his advice.

The owners (husband and wife) are very welcoming, and happy to answer any questions that you have. The owner recommended one of their specialties (Governors Chicken). She pointed to the wall, which hung numerous framer news articles about Chung Ching and this dish specifically. How on earth could I argue with that?

Let me tell you, the food is absolutely amazing. The egg rolls are homemade, not frozen from some restaurant supply warehouse. The food was cooked perfectly, and all of the vegetables were fresh. The level of spice was exactly as I had asked for. The portion sizes were extremely generous, and enough for 2 leftovers.

I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, and I have driven by this place thousands of times and never even knew it was here. Chung Ching has been at the same location for 40 years, and I feel sad that I have only now discovered it.

If you are ever in the area, do yourself a favor and definitely stop by Chung...

On a search for the best crispy beef or equivalent in Cincinnati and friend referred me here and said the equivalent dish would be Sautéed Hot Beef Shreds. I was in the area and stopped in for lunch on a Saturday. They were just setting up the tables and I was the only person there. I asked if the Sautéed Hot Beef Shreds were similar to crispy beef explaining the dish, and got a confused look. Not a good sign... I ordered the Hot and Sour Soup and the Sautéed Hot Beef Shreds. Soup came out fairly quickly. It lacked flavor and screamed for some form of seasoning. The Sautéed Hot Beef Shreds arrived next. First bite and new this was not a similar dish. Not much spice or flavor and definitely not crisp. I am glad I stopped in to try to support a local business and appreciate the friendly service, but my...