Strip mall restaurants are not very popular in Memphis and its adjacent neighborhoods. Generally, they are met with skepticism and reluctance. Perhaps this belief stems from the fact that many strip mall restaurants in Memphis focus on "cheaper" meals, a category mostly disdained by the suburban culture which permeates most of the city. However, as any adventurous diner can tell you, strip malls tend to offer the most unique dining experiences available to a hungry consumer and at a price that justifies the venture. Chang's House is one such establishment which embodies all that is strip mall dining. Is Chang's a bastion for fine-dining-weary gastronomical travelers, or is it just another pin in a landscape of quick eats?
Don't let the atmosphere fool you. The food you are served at Chang's is of the same quality as that from a Chinese restaurant of a higher caliber. I had the sweet and sour chicken and was pleasantly surprised to find that the chicken was not at all dry. My fellow diner ordered the kung pao chicken and found that it was similarly tasty. I had the egg roll with my food which was also quite good, with telling signs that it was made in house rather than simply rewarmed from another venue. The food appeared to have been prepared or partially prepared when we ordered since the food took a longer time to arrive than if it had been simply pulled from a large batch. My typical litmus test for quality of Chinese food is the house fried rice. It is a fairly ubiquitous dish for Chinese dining with just enough variation and nuances of preparation to make it an accurate gauge for food quality. This being said the fried rice at Chang's is amazing. It had three types of meat that I could identify - chicken, pork, and shrimp. The rice was flavored with a garlic and soy base with a slightly sweet after taste possibly from the rending of the chicken or pork fat. The texture of the rice was just right, chewy but not hard. There was a greasiness to the rice that I generally find missing from most Chinese restaurants that makes it far more satisfying and flavorful. Overall, this is one of the best fried rice available in Memphis next to the Shanghai restaurant. I got one order of fried rice and was unable to finish it although I wish I could have - count this as one of the few moments I wish I were larger so that I could fill my belly with more delicious food. I brought the remainder of my fried rice back to work which in itself is not important, but the fact that 5 of my coworkers stopped by simply to comment and smell the bag that contained the fried rice is telling of its undeniable appeal. It should be noted that this is not exotic Chinese food. If you are hoping that this is Chinese-Chinese food (notice how I emphasized "Chinese") then you will be disappointed. This is Americanized Chinese food served well.
Food: 5/5
As I mentioned in the intro, Chang's is a strip mall dining establishment. It is not a luxurious or even comfortable restaurant by any means. It is uncomfortably small, with very close-quartered seating for about 12. My first impression of the venue was that it looked very similar to the waiting room of a small medical clinic or urinalysis lab. Chang, the namesake of the restaurant, works the counter and is a friendly man. The only menu rests on the counter where you place your order. No table service here. The small television on the garbage bin plays ethnic programming, but I am sure that they would not mind if you were to change the channel. There are a few ethnic paintings and other décor on the walls, but overall it is a very sterile environment. Speaking of which, the dining area is very clean. There was no foul/harsh odors from cleaning solution or any eyesores to speak of. Behind the counter, the kitchen looks like a warehouse, albeit clean.
Atmosphere: 3/5
There really is no service to speak of. You pickup your food from the counter; you order from the counter, and you bus your own garbage. That being said the employees are friendly and the counter service is quick and courteous. One note, you should speak clearly because it seems English is not the primary language of the employees. My order was messed up due to an egg roll being added to the order when I did not request it... though maybe I was the 100th customer...
Service: N/A
Chang's is an excellent value. The amount of food per order is substantial. Each lunch dish is served with a fried wonton, fried rice, and the entrée. It is a satisfying amount of food. All food is served in to-go boxes regardless, making take-out a breeze. Like all great hole-in-the wall restaurants, Chang's is a cash only business. Be sure to bring cash; otherwise, you'll be leaving empty-handed.
Value: 5/5
Chang's is an excellent place to grab a quick delicious bite to eat. It may not be five star dining, but it hits all the right marks to earn it's spot as a great location for a meal. read more