(4 forks)
9560 S. Kedzie Ave.
Evergreen Park
708-636-8180
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Hours: 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mon-Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 12:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Sun.
Credit cards: A, DC, M, V
Noise factor: Conversation friendly
First impressions
This long-standing favorite moved around the corner several months ago from its original home on 95th Street. It’s gotten bigger, sleeker and busier: Most of the tables in the elegant dining rooms remained filled throughout our Monday visit, and the line of folks picking up carryout often stretched to the door.
On the plate
Can’t beat the variety. Chi Tung has three separate menus–Chinese, Thai and Japanese–as well as a sushi bar. The biggest challenge may be settling on orders. A word of caution: Most portions are huge, so consider sharing or, in the case of the Chinese menu, ordering the smaller serving.
At your service
The hostesses, waitstaff and carryout team are efficient, charming and attentive, though our Chinese waitress did admit having a tough time pronouncing some of the Thai dishes. No problem. We ordered by number.
Second helpings
The meaty barbecued ribs, with their tangy sauce, are our hands-down favorite appetizer, though we enjoy the Chinese version of hot-sour soup and a surprisingly loosely rolled spicy tuna maki. Gingery-garlicky General Tsao’s chicken is addictive, as is the beef nam tok: Broiled beef strips make a nice counterpoint to the cool mix of greens. We’d be happy to have a plate of Chi Tung’s fine, sweet-sour pad thai or face another mountain of its moo shu pork any day.
Take a pass
At $9.95, the Chinese sizzling seafood combination is one of the pricier items. While loaded with scallop slices, lots of bright crisp broccoli, numerous good-size shrimp and a mini-lobster tail, we were put off by the bland sauce and imitation crab. Another quibble: way too much sweet plum sauce on our Thai spring rolls.
Thirst quenchers
There is a full bar churning out dozens of umbrella-laden drinks. We stuck with hot tea.
Extras
Each menu has several daily lunch specials that consist of an entree plus appetizer. Moist warm hand towels for freshening up arrive at your table the instant you sit down along with small dishes of tangy sliced cucumbers and a sweet-sour cabbage. Fortune cookies finish the meal. We wished we had had room to squeeze in a dish of the green tea ice cream.
Price range
Appetizers and soups, $1.55-$6.95; entrees, $2.95-$9.95; sushi by the piece, $1.75 to $2.25; sushi and sashimi combinations, $12.95; ice cream, $1.95; drinks start at 65 cents for a can of pop.
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Ratings key: 4 forks, don’t miss it; 3 forks, one of the best; 2 forks, very good; 1 fork, good
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Reviews are based on anonymous visits by Tribune staff members. All meals are paid for by the Tribune.