Second Helpings: Chinese

The weekly Chronicle feature “Second Helpings” offers readers the opportunity to sample tasty, bite-sized restaurant listings compiled from new and previous reviews, guides, and poll results. This week’s entries were compiled by Chronicle Cuisines writer Mick Vann. When you need quick, reliable information about Austin eateries, check here.

Pao’s Mandarin House

2300 Lohman’s Crossing, 263-8869

Daily, 11am-2:30pm, 4:30-9:45pm

Pao’s is an Austin institution, and one of the big boys in the dim sum wars. In fact, you can’t go wrong making a meal of the appetizer menu, with choices like the scallion pancake, dynamite dumplings, fried tofu, and Hot and Spicy Wontons. Be adventurous and try the Subgum Stone Hotpot, Clams with Black Bean Sauce, Hot and Sour Sizzling Rice with Pork, or the Spicy and Tangy Scallops. Don’t order anything until you first peruse the “Special Chinese Menu”! With the recent closing of the downtown location, rumors abound regarding a far north location in the future.

Suzi’s Chinese Kitchen

1152 S. Lamar, 441-8400

Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10:30pm

Suzi’s Chinese Grill

7858 Shoal Creek, 302-4600

Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm

We’ve followed the effervescent Suzi from her days as the waitress at Taiwan Restaurant in olden days, to the opening of the first Suzi’s on S. Lamar, and now to the larger Grill at Anderson and Shoal Creek. Suzi’s is wildly popular for lunch at both locations, and for good cause. At the Grill, insist on the divine Lettuce Wraps, Grilled Chicken Salad, Eggplant With Curry Sauce, Basil Shrimp With Lemongrass, any of the grilled entrées, or the blackboard specials. It’d be hard to go wrong with anything at either location.

Hunan Lion

4006 S. Lamar, 447-3388

Sat, 11:30am-11pm; Sun, noon-10pm

Hunan Lion has served South Austin’s Bubbas in Brodie Oaks for years now. They’ve got a dependable and popular lunch special through the week, and also a very dependable Sunday brunch. Seek out the more unusual fare for a special treat. Go for the Curried Singapore Noodles With Shrimp and Barbecued Pork, the Hunan Softshell Crab, Crispy Tea Smoked Duck, or the Firecracker Prawns. The creamy seafood soup with shrimp, scallops, and mushrooms is excellent and refined.

Tieng Hong

8301 Burnet Rd., 458-2263

Mon-Thu, 11:30am-2pm, 5-10pm (Fri till 10:30pm); Sat-Sun, 11am-10pm

One of Austin’s older Chinese strongholds, they rule the roost with the weekend dim sum crowd (arriving even slightly late assures a wait). Skip the 10 most popular dishes (defined on the menu), and go with the specialties. Items like Seafood Spicy Noodle Soup, the incredible Pot Stickers, Smoked Duck With Ginger Root, Lamb in Hot Pepper Sauce, Shrimp and Chicken With Fresh Asparagus, and Whole Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce will tickle the taste buds.

Chinatown

3407 Greystone, 343-9307

Sat-Sun, 11:30am-10:30pm

Ronald Cheng’s devoted diners have followed him around town for years (the Bee Caves bunch still mourns his move to the mid-north). Chef’s Specials are where Chinatown really shines … try the Thai Pepper-Basil Shrimp, the crunchy Rabbit in Orange Sauce, Crispy Whole Fish in Red Chili sauce, or the Peppercorn Chicken for proof. No meal is complete without a side of Dry-Cooked String Beans With Pork and the Shrimp With Lemongrass Soup. No oily, cloyingly thick sauces here!

Hunan

1940 W. Wm. Cannon, 443-8848

Mon-Fri, 11am-9:30pm; Sat, 11:30am-9:30pm

Hunan is tops with the Chinese nationals crowd down South, and for good reason. Solid, dependable Hunanese fare … big portions done right at a fair price. The best Spicy Bean Curd with Pork on the planet (and nice, tangy Hot and Sour). The spicy House Special Soup Noodle, Mussels With Garlic Sauce, Hunan Chicken and Broccoli (bone-in), and the Seafood With Mustard sauce are all above reproach. Hunan also has a superb lunch special daily, dishing out huge portions for a song.

Din Ho Chinese BBQ

8557 Research Blvd., 832-8788

Daily, 11am-10pm

Don’t let the BBQ part fool you. Din Ho does specialize in all manner of Oriental BBQ (which is excellent, and a large percentage of Austin is addicted to the roast ducks to go), but they also have one of the biggest, most complete, Cantonese menus in Austin, and it’s all great. To leave without tasting the Dried Scallop With Snow Pea Leaves, or the Sizzling Beef With Black Pepper would be the mark of insanity. Go with a herd of hungry friends for the House Special Combo Dinners … a plethora of gut-busting delights for about $10 a head!