06/28/09

Like standing a hundred feet next to a rocket launch.

by pollysigh

Four of us ate here last night. The food and service were very good. This little review, however, will be devoted to the absurd and inexcusable cacophony. We've been to many loud restaurants in the TC, but this is the prizewinner in that dubious category. I watched the wait staff cope with it by bending over close to diners in an attempt to hear them. We even had one of the better, sound-wise, tables near the front, yet we spent the entire (otherwise enjoyable) meal yelling at each other. I'd like to know if some study has been done which establishes a positive correlation between decibel level and revenue, or between decible level and a "good time". Do restaurant consultants recommend this? If they do, it must be with the confidence that they won't have to eat in such places. I have no doubt this pervasive problem doesn't bother many people, although I'd certainly like to know how they communicate. This is a nationwide problem - not equal in importance to, say, American health care or Pentagon expenditures - but serious enough for anyone who likes dining at fine food establishments but also likes to converse and not be concerned about being deaf at a later age. For god's sake, this isn't a rock concert! It's just a restaurant. Surely, some soundproofing measures would reduce neither income nor the perception of enjoyment.

• Pros: very good food
• Cons: conversation impossible and hearing loss

06/05/09

Nice But Overpriced

by giancarlocan

I went with some friends and had a good time, unfortunately, the service was pretty poor. The food was okay, but the drinks were WAY too overpriced.

• Pros: Looks good, clean
• Cons: Poor service, expensive

03/09/09

So over......

by CSMobileUser

Mediocre food, indifferent service, " NYC 'Asia de Cuba' wannabe" way past its prime (if it ever had one). Save your money and your time.

01/29/09

Go to Azia

by hage0269

This place has a cool atmosphere, good location, and the food is actually good. I like the happy hour deals and the smores dessert. The service is AWFUL and the group policy is horrid! Make sure to bring cash if you plan to pay separately as they will not split checks or run more than one card. Make sure to carefully look over your tab to see how much gratuity has been added. FYI, you do not have to pay the manually added gratuity. Seriously, Azia, nearby, is much cooler and better. Plus, a few of the desserts are to die for and the best in town. I LOVE the banana one as well as the almond joy. SO good!!

01/08/09

Never gets old

by shiloh1290

I have been going to Chino since they opened. The quality of the food has changed over the years, the blackberry mohito martini has less puree than it used to, and it caters more the the suburb crowd but it stil is Chino Latino. They need to open up locations in SF, Chicago, and NYC if you ask me.

The service can be touch and go but what I have learned is that the severs are trained to be sassy, and sometimes they get too busy to provide five star service but I have never had terrible service. They are fun and they will interact with your group. We bring groups in often on weeknights and the service tends to be a little more attentive. Make sure you try the specialty drinks, and don't be afraid to share.

Things to try:

Salt And Pepper Shrimp now known as Chino Style Shrimp Feast

Queso Fundido

Elote

Shrimp Curry

Mushi Beef

Black Laab

Smores

Volcano Cup

• Pros: No other resturant like it
• Cons: Loud and hard to get a table on the weekends

01/05/09

Cool place

by SPNdude

Cool uptown spot with good food, friendly staff, and an active environment.

Who doesn't love that?

• Pros: Good food, lively atmosphere

11/06/08

BOMB FOOD!

by richkell

chino latios HAS BOMB FOOD!!!!!!! i love this restaurant, nachos de sol is amazing!! i love their drinks in a pineapple they are delicious!

07/12/08

Better as a hang out, rather than a restaurant.

by jnhooligan786

I've been to Chino's at least six times, but each time with a different group insisting to go there. I must admit that when I first moved to Minneapolis I was wowed by my first visit to Chino's. It seemed so trendy and vibrant, but that impression quickly disappeared after subsequent visits. The food that is served there is consistently overpriced and really not as authentic as others say it is. Service is painfully slow on weekend nights.

However, this place is good if you're looking for somewhere to people watch. It's consistently packed with early 20s to late 30 something year-olds on evenings.

• Pros: Decor, patio seating
• Cons: Food quality, price, service and long waits

05/06/08

Great food but pricey and noisy

by mplsdiner

This is one of the good restaurants around here. Their international menus really taste authentic or very close. Great service and ambiance, but it gets very noisy and rowdy. This place is a bit pricey, but servings are good for sharing family style.

Bottom line = Good restaurant, authentic international flavors, just a bit pricey and very noisy

• Pros: authentic international flavors
• Cons: a bit pricey, very noisy and rowdy

04/22/08

I will never return to Chino Latino

by MPLSFoodie1

The reason I am writing a review, is because I have given Chino Latino plenty of opportunities to "wow" me. I have been here four times, and shame on me, each time has been a negative experience.

The last straw was when I went here for dinner with some friends. Our server was so rude and condesending. She kept cracking these smart-a$$ comments that were really bizarre and came out of no where. She creeped all of us out. Now, our group has quite the sense of humor but this young lady was a nightmare. My friend asked our server for some food recommondations for him. He wasn't very hungry so he didn't want anything filling, and he made this very clear to her. She suggested this chicken entree with black beans. It was pricey but he ended up ordering it because of her recommondation. The "Monster Chicken" arrived and it took up half of our table. It was a whole chicken. It was huge! We all ended up helping him eat it and it was so dry and had absolutely no flavor what so ever. After our food came, we didn't see our server and literally had to track her down 30 minutes later just to refill some drinks.

I can write about other unpleasant experiences that I have had, but I think you get my point. This place is a joke and I will not be returning here, and neither will my friends. Good luck with your pink tacos and mega-chickens Chino Latinos.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Bad service, Employees have their head where the sun doesn't shine