Chin Dian Cafe - Minneapolis

My friend and I come here regularly because it is comfortable and has a nice lunch menu that seems to have something for every mood. Usually we order spring...

Love love love this place family run and the owners go out their way to please! Still, but every time I'm in town, I'm sure to order. Hot...

I guess I had great expectations to come here, and thought they'd bring crazy fusion food, or some eclectic South Asian dishes...

This was a good place for lunch and the food was pretty good. This was also the first time we went there so we weren't sure of the spiciness of their scale... If you're looking for spicy, go higher then you think. We both asked for a medium spice and since we were unsure I'm guessing they went conservative. We had the General Tso Chicken, Yellow curry, and wontons... All of it was very good. The dishes were full of spice, but not as hot as we'd have liked but very good none the less. The vegetables were crunchy and cooked and were well matched with the chicken. The chicken in the yellow curry was very tender(amazing)! They do have very short hours, only lunch time, but we didn't confirm that, just saw it on the door. The wait time was great for how good the food was but it was a Friday so maybe it's less busy. The wait staff were very nice and respectful, knowledgeable regarding the specific spices in each of the dishes and were able to explain the flavoring well! It was a little spendy for a lunch meal but it was worth it. Will be back!

Went for lunch on a Thursday around 1130am. Work in the area but this is my first visit. Very quiet for a lunch hour but it was a rainy day so that may be a factor. The tables are set with no condiments napkins etc. so that appears not as inviting. I sat and was brought a menu. It was pointed out that over by the wall there is help yourself water and silverware etc. The online menu showed lunch entrees at $8 but on the printed menu they were $12. I got sesame chicken and for lunch it comes w egg roll. The egg roll had excellent flavor and came w a sweet liquidy dipping'juice' (not a thick sauce). The sesame chicken on the plate came w white rice. I asked for additional spice. I was brought a small cup of what looked to be Sriracha. I was hoping for chili paste and other choices. All very good but at $12 lunch entree it should not be self serve on water and silverware. With a soda and tip my total bill was $17+. Spendy for lunch.