Every time we go to Optimist Hall, we get dumplings. The shrimp & chicken ones rate a 5 on their own but the sweet pork ones were more of a 3 so I’m rating in the middle. Loved the smashed cucumbers too. You can also bring home frozen ones to cook at home but I prefer them cooked by the experts.
The Dumpling Lady offers dumplings, noodles, and sides. This was my first time visiting Optimist Hall on a busy Saturday. Obviously, The Dumpling Lady was very popular because the line was around the corner. I waited for about 15 minutes just to order but you could tell that the gentleman behind the counter was working quickly and efficiently taking orders and handing out ready orders. Once it was my turn he was kind and helped me decide on the Chengdu Style dumplings, handed me a buzzer, and processed the payment. Well, the wait was worth it! These were delicious and filling! I only wish I had bought some frozen dumplings and a jar of Sichuan chili oil before leaving.
Where 5 is average...Chengdu Dumplings are 7/10 (and their best variety from what Ive had). They were large dumplings and smother in good chili oil. Def Noodles are 5/10. The noodles are way too overcooked. I got the Sichuan Pork Noodles. Flavor was ok. Noodles were 20 seconds from mush. Wanted to try the soup dumplings but not for an extra 30 min wait. Anyways, service was awesome. People are great. We bought a pint jar of their chili oil because it is really good.
My wife and I ordered the Spicy Wonton Soup and the Dan Dan Noodles. Neither was very spicy and we could barely taste any Sichuan. The Dan Dan noodles were also soggy. My wife is Chinese and we eat and make a lot of Asian food. There is much better in Charlotte. We prefer Sun's Kitchen, cheaper and better quality.
The flavorfulness of those soup dumplings at the dumpling lady is just ridiculous!! The soup dumplings were hearty, tasty, just a symphony for your palate ??The noodles were also on point when it comes to taste, but for my taste a little too much overcooked. I guess it was due to too many customers during lunchtime. But the taste was definitely great!Pro Tip: their chili oil is astonishing, they also sell them in jars, so if you are a chili oil aficionado, don't forget to buy a jar ?
Wow, these dumplings were really great!Place is clean, lady at the front was nice, and the dumplings were full of flavor. A little spicy, though, for what I ordered.My one warning is that there's not a lot of food for the price range, which is a bit expensive.
I had higher hopes given the reviews. Scallion pancake was bland, greasy/soggy with minimal scallion. Dumplings are overpriced, tho tasty, but nothing special, plus you can’t mix and match types. Meh.
I'm usually not a fan of dumplings but these were definitely delicious. The chicken and shrimp dumplings had a nice amount of spiciness to it.
I love The Dumpling lady so much I drive all the way from Kannapolis your dumplings are awesome that sauce got me hooked I always get the Dan Dan noodles and the shrimp and chicken dumplings..?
I love the cold chicken chili noodle here. I am from Chengdu and I can say the noodles here are very authentic. A little bit salty but still very good.