I guess I was the first person to write about these dumplings back when they were underground.

However, after the move...

Jefe wrote: It would be very hard for me to find a reason to return to their establishment.

It took me nearly two years to get over my beef with their goofy FOH rules. Recent chatter here tempted me back. And the service was a non-issue for 12:30 weekday lunch.

And a note on Katy's, they are still the love of my life. Especially after a recent visit to the fabled Mei Nung in Toronto, whose Taiwanese niu rou mian was not as satisfying as Katy's better-noodled, more aggressive version. Speaking of NY though, Super Taste probably serves my archetypal bowl, damn good dumps too.

Anyway, as of late Katy's dumpling game has diminished. Gone are my favorite fish and chive dumplings (s/o to JeffB for this tip.) And on my last visit, potstickers were seemingly deep-fried to an all over golden crunch, missing the soft/crisp textural interplay I love so much about the form.

So QXY really hit the spot. Lamb & coriander dumps were supple-skinned, fully aromatic, juicy af, and just gristly enough for some textural pop.

Still goofed by the iPads and I'm not one to complain about chairs, but those things are overly decorative and the high armrests super distracting, also noisy!

Granted it was a Tuesday night and the place was only 2/3 full, but service was efficient, friendly and very helpful. Food came out very quickly, and they didn't care that we lingered for a while over a second pot of excellent tea. Oh, and the dumplings were mighty fine, but I have no opinion on whether they are worse, equal to, or better than those available in Flushing.

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, known as QXY by many, plans to open a casual spin-off restaurant called JIAO in May at 18 S. Wabash Avenue.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/12/17/18 ... d-downtown

Dave148 wrote:

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings, known as QXY by many, plans to open a casual spin-off restaurant called JIAO in May at 18 S. Wabash Avenue.

https://chicago.eater.com/2018/12/17/18 ... d-downtown

The Loop’s New Den of Dumpling Delights Opens Today

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/10/23/20 ... op-chicago

I've been waiting for this place to open for a while, I'll swing by and see if it looks crazy busy today.

Post-lunch verdict: not crazy busy, but busy. I had the lamb & coriander and they were very tasty. I don't have the depth of experience in the dumpling field to compare against much else, but it will make it into my lunch rotation in the Loop.

Prices ranged from 8.99 to 15.99 for crab roe. Most are 9.99. They had 8 varieties, plus side dishes. It took about 10-15 minutes for my order to be ready.

Kid Charlemagne wrote:I've been waiting for this place to open for a while, I'll swing by and see if it looks crazy busy today.

Post-lunch verdict: not crazy busy, but busy. I had the lamb & coriander and they were very tasty. I don't have the depth of experience in the dumpling field to compare against much else, but it will make it into my lunch rotation in the Loop.

Prices ranged from 8.99 to 15.99 for crab roe. Most are 9.99. They had 8 varieties, plus side dishes. It took about 10-15 minutes for my order to be ready.

Hmmm. In the menu on the Eater site, the cheapest dumplings are $11.99 and the crab roe is $19.99 ($20.99 for pan fried).

chicagojim wrote:
Hmmm. In the menu on the Eater site, the cheapest dumplings are $11.99 and the crab roe is $19.99 ($20.99 for pan fried).

On their own website the dumplings listed run from $8.99 (pork and cabbage, steamed) to a high of $16.99 (crab roe and pork, pan-fried).

https://heyjiao.com/menu/

I believe the menu listed on Eater is no longer up to date. The restaurant tweaked some pricing during the soft opening and reduced many varieties to $8.99 or $9.99. Haven't visited yet but learned this via their instagram account.

The monitors also said "lunch special" although I couldn't figure out what part of the menu that was referring to - so it might be cheaper during the 11-2 time frame? BTW, during the soft opening they were also taking 10% off all orders. The Eater menu was definitely off, but the actual website link was much closer to actual pricing.

I popped in today for lunch. ~7 min line at 11:45 and then probably a 20 minute wait for your dumplings. 10% off was in effect. From the first moment, it is crazy obvious they are trying to build a concept here: Hats, shirts, mugs, teddy sears, high end packaging etc...dumplings aren't just for lunch, they are a lifestyle apparently!

Having never been to the mothership but a long time LTH member, I was most excited for the lamb dumplings which did not disappoint. 2nd best were the Pork and Shrimp dumpling. Crab and Roe were pretty good but may not have been worth the uncharge (but I am in no way questioning the quality of the ingredients, just pure tastiness.) Pork and cabbage were on the bland side. They are currently only offering steamed dumplings so while I may feel a bit better about my gluttony I certainly am looking forward to some crispy fried delights this winter.

Cool spot and welcome addition to the loop. Not sure if dumplings are gonna be a "movement," but I sure like to eat them!

Cheers,

Chico

Lerdawg wrote:I believe the menu listed on Eater is no longer up to date. The restaurant tweaked some pricing during the soft opening and reduced many varieties to $8.99 or $9.99. Haven't visited yet but learned this via their instagram account.

Great - this is good news.

I'm disappointed that my favorite Celery and Peanut salad isn't on the menu.

Yes, it is definitely a concept. Last month with my parents in law from China, we went to QXY. They made friends with the owners (from the same region of China as the owners) and the Chicago store is essentially a proving ground for what could become a national chain. If things go well in Chicago first...

Had my first experience at QXY a week or so ago and it lived up to the high expectations set by this thread (thanks to all of the previous posters who weighed in). I've never had dumplings that come close to what this place is putting out, but my lifetime dining résumé is light on really high quality, authentic Chinese experiences so take that statement with a grain of salt (or take it with some soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil ). Quite a few menu items were shown as "not available" including many seafood-based dumplings and the celery & peanut salad, but I was able to try the highlights (lamb and coriander FTW) and even my least favorite dumplings were still very, very good. Per previous posts here I was wary about the service but our server was really helpful and engaging. They were also happy to sell me a take-home jar of chili oil.

It was a great meal followed by some boba tea from Joy Yee, a stroll at Ping Tom park with the Blue Angels flying overhead, and some browsing on Wentworth. We came home exclaiming "That's the way to spend a Sunday afternoon!"

A few days later Time Out magazine published this year's list of the 33 Coolest Streets in the World and I was amazed to see that Wentworth Avenue was the only Chicago street listed (see #20) and the authors suggested the precise itinerary we had just followed -- with serious love for QXY.

^^ I'm looking for that 'thumbs up' button!

=R=

QXY Is Bringing Its Dumplings to Fulton Market

https://chicago.eater.com/2024/7/11/241 ... l-openings

Very good pan fried lamb dumplings at the Loop Jiao outpost, with half-orders sub-$10. The room is tastefully attired and pleasant and the condiment options very nice. Side cucumbers are spot-on. Bubble tea was extremely weak but may just have been an accident from a non-expert barista. The place seems quiet from what potentially could or should be a tourist highlight if marketed right.