Chino Grande — Restaurant in New York

Maybe my favorite place in Williamsburg! I'm here basically every week. Chino-Latino cuisine is not widely known, but it's absolutely delicious and Chino Grande is the perfect way to discover it, the gateway drug.

The menu is extremely approachable and it's probably best to bring a few friends so you can try a bunch of things. But I go and sit at the bar solo all the time and snag a few dishes.

Must-have starters are: Char Siu bites, Ceviche, Chorizo Egg Roll and Avocado Salad. Honorable mention for the Wonton Soup, which is spectacular.

All of the large plates are delicious, but the signature dish seems to be the Chicharrón de Pollo, just the craziest crispy chicken, it's unlike anything I've had before and it's super addictive.

The Rice and Beans and the Wok'd Chinese Green Beans are unexpected highlights, I've seen people come in there just to order those.

All the cocktails are delicious, but the Henny Colada has won my heart, it's extremely indulgent and everyone should try that at least once. I'm at the point where I gotta get one every time.

I was sort of skeptical about the karaoke thing, but it's actually become a real favorite pastime. It's a lot of fun. Just hit dinner like 8pm, stick around if you so choose. A bunch of the staff sing, they're so nice, it's a real family vibe in there. I can't recommend the place enough. And they also just started doing a special flan that I hope they make permanent.

I would give Chino Grande 6...

Cozy and chic space with good energy

Some of the reviews are questionable so I’d love to suggest you check this place out and form your own opinions / perspectives! It is worth it!

I started with the Mezcal cocktail & it was very tasty - especially the salted rim. I swear it had a lil extra zest in there. $16

For food I shared with one friend.

Crab Rangoon toast…I’ll be going back for this. It was interesting and oh so savory.

The avocado salad was recommended by a staff member & good looking out because it was delicious and I will also be going back for this!

The egg rolls are …delicious & worth it. Who doesn’t love an eggroll? Especially one with chorizo.

The only thing I wasn’t thrilled about was the smashed cucumbers. The sauce on them was a delight but they weren’t really smashed. Still delicious just not the star of the show.

Because I read reviews about this I wanted to share something a staff member told me.

For starters you can order plantain chips & separately for and extra charge you can order a (3) sauce situation. These three sauces are supposed to be used throughout the whole meal so I wish I would have gone in on that! Next time!

Thanks...

We booked this place strictly off of seeing their viral Instagram post from @righteouseats and their affiliations with the Win Son restaurant across town. I thought Win Son was a 10/10 dining experience so of course I had high expectations. Service/Ambiance: We arrived as soon as they opened, and we were quickly seated in tables for two with stool type chairs it definitely was a tight squeeze as the place quickly filled up. There is really no where to place your coat if you’re sitting in this area unless you walked about 10 feet to the bar are where there was a hook on the wall. Those backless chairs quickly became an issue for my 6’2” frame. Our waitress Sharon was excellent! She was attentive and super friendly and helpful making food recommendations, etc and definitely the reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 3. Food: Food was mid for me. The toast tasted oily, the ribs were overcooked AND oily. You def needed that sauce but I wasn’t going to pay $7 for a sauce sampler. The once saving grace was the rice. It was flavorful and yummy and the chicken was moist and crispy as it should be. I probably won’t be visiting again and stick with Win Son...