Ping Pong
3322 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL, 60657
Ping Pong Menu
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Address :
3322 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL, 60657 - Phone (773) 281-7575
- Website https://www.pingpongrestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
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Tara P.
I think their Chinese food is the best. The monks broth soup with mushrooms is delicious, not salty. Very flavorful. The roasted garlic rice is so good that I don't mind having gas all night. It is great.. And the vegetable dumplings steamed are better than any others I have had and my favorite main dish is the quinoa chicken bowl. I like that it is with brown rice. The service is very good. They are always refilling your tea, water without asking and the music is not as loud as it used to be so a nice conversation between friends can be had. Although many of their dishes are healthy, you can go one step further and order light on the sauce. Everybody who works there is always very welcoming. There were four of us and the prices were extremely reasonable. We had a very enjoyable evening.
(5)Emily W.
Love, love, love it. it's our new favorite spot. We have probably been here 5 times in the past 2 months and have been really pleased by the service, the atmosphere and all of the food choices. We have tried several dishes, but our favorites are the Singapore Noodles, the Hot & Sour Soup and the Thai Chicken Basil. All have been great. Plus, the French-Indo China decor makes for just a fabulous experience. Completely recommend it!
(5)marc c.
Very disappointed with my meal. The service was slow. The food overpriced and cold. I was charge a double cork fee of $15.90 because my bottle of wine was 1 L instead is a 750 ml. Total cork fee for two bottles was $24.00. Never again! Still a lot of attitude.
(1)Jessica N.
Ping Pong is a wonderful neighborhood pan-Asian joint. I love that the atmosphere is nicer than your normal ethnic food restaurant so you could come here on a date or special occasion. Food is reliable (though not amazing) Taro chips are a delicious way to start the meal. I've had the Hong Kong noodles and Green Curry. All good. Service is ok but not amazing. Overall, always a solid place to go.
(3)Bill L.
THIS place has gone down hill........After,yesterday, after having spent thousands of,dollars on carry out when I was denied an order of Edamame On the house, because they only do,that for,delivery I,was shocked. the Service is way below standard with servers displaying a harsh, greedy attitude and we have felt like we were never treated with welcome, just bad Snotty attitudes and all about GREED. the food has really slipped, they have Cheapened the quality of,their product, and rumor,has,it,that they are having Difficulty paying their rent, .......I would definitely never patronize this establishment ever again, and am very saddened by the rudeness, lack of Service and poor,quality of,food and drinks that are way overpriced. the quality of the food does not deserve,the price and I am saddened that I have To,write this review, but I want the community to,be aware That this,is not The Ping Pong restaurant that we remember. by the wAy, the female manager Does not care if you have any concerns, trust me you will leave,very upset!
(1)Erick N.
I have visited Ping Pong a half dozen times over the several years I have resided in Lakeview. Featuring Chinese/Asian Fusion the venue seems to change quite a bit across visits (and has become quite a bit larger than my first visit, swallowing up adjacent storefronts). They seem to have fairly recently undergone some significant renovations and are shooting for a modern, trendy vibe that they almost pulled off, but not everything comes together quite right with some of the furnishing seeming to be out of place. It vaguely reminded me of the decor of Nellcote, but not as elaborate or tasteful. Though Ping Pong clearly aspiring to be an upscale venue, it is certainly not the total package and lacks attention to detail in some areas; for example my linen napkin had seen better days and had a decent sized hole. There is al fresco seating that can be a nice option on a warm summer night, but be advised the seating is on a busy section of North Broadway, so you will have people passing extremely close. We even were accosted by a panhandler during dinner. The level of the cuisine is upscale compared to your average Pan-Asian joint, but certainly not near the level of some of the more successful venues that have sprouted during the past couple of years such as Embeya (my personal favorite for Asian in Chicago), Yusho, Kabocha and the like. Nevertheless I would rank Ping Pong and Chens to be the jewels of Lakeview when I am craving Chinese. The food is best described as good, not great and somewhat hit-or-miss; I have found some of the dishes to be too oily (especially the mu shu pork, which is otherwise a successful dish). I did really enjoy the hot and sour soup that had just the right amount of heat and was chock full of tasty morsels in addition to the nice broth. Probably my least favorite dish here is the crab rangoons; lots of filler, thick deep fried exterior that overpowers the small quantity of crabmeat and a strange tasting dipping sauce. The meal ends with a chocolate flavored and dipped fortune cookie which is a nice departure from the norm. Entrees are decent sized and generally range from $12 to $15, not inexpensive for Asian food, but a fair value for the quality and ambiance. My biggest complaint price wise would be the cocktails; most run from $12 to $14 - the type of price I expect to find at a Michelin starred venue, an upscale craft cocktail lounge with a notable mixologist or when I am in River North or the Mag Mile vicinity. Service is as you would expect for a venue of this type; decently attentive, pleasant enough, but rather impersonal and all about business. Overall Ping Pong is not a bad option if you are in the neighborhood and craving Pan-Asian cuisine but is not a venue worth planning in advance for or travelling to from another neighborhood.
(3)Tammy L.
The last few times I've been to Ping Pong, the salt and pepper calamari has been lacking its usual deliciousness. The first couple of times I thought it was just an off day, but I have been there enough times that I'm thinking it's because of different people in the kitchen or maybe they made a conscious decision to change the dish somewhat. Maybe it just doesn't have as much of the salt/pepper seasoning on it? The calamari itself also seems different. Well, the other dishes are usually all right and the cocktails are pretty good (though a lot of them are on the sweet side), plus the service is always friendly. So I still like Ping Pong, but the magic is a little diminished now.
(3)Brent S.
I ordered tonight on line as I have numerous times over the years. After 70 minutes i called inquiring about status of order. Guy said it was on its way; I asked when it would arrive. He said he would call driver and call me back. Then a manager called, said order had been processed as a pick up and obviously I had made a mistake in ordering. Ping Pong would recook the food, etc.,... and it would be to me approximately 1 hr 45 min after I initially ordered. I asked if it seemed fair to put all the blame on a customer who had ordered many, many, many times from Ping Pong using the website and I didn't think full price was warranted. She didn't agree. I asked to speak to a manager; she said she was the manager.... Interesting treatment of a long term customer. Interesting that the first person told me order was in transit.......Very disappointing and frustrating experience of a customer who has spent much money (notice past tense of verb) at Ping Pong..... Perhaps its time for the owners to revisit their operation? I immediately ordered from Little Jim's on Lincoln. No ambience, but food is great, no attitude and they actually remember their customers.
(1)Lenore R.
Love this restaurant!!! Love the atmosphere of the place, candle light, good mix of lounge music, though able to have a convo with the person next to you. BYOB, but they have a full bar. The service was great when I went and loved the menu!! Lettuce cups and green tea ice cream are amazing!! I would highly recommend and the boiled peanuts are a nice touch!
(5)Melanie B.
One of my absolute favorites in this city! Love the food, love the people, love the atmosphere! Anyone that comes to visit from out of town, I bring them here. Although I really do love everything I've tried, the best apps are the lettuce wraps and there was a "special" egg roll one time that had peanut butter in it. Yummy! As for the entrees, do yourself a favor and have everyone pick one and share, it's a lot of food but that way you can try new things, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Cooper B.
Shanghai noodle and Beijing Vegetable with seitan were amazing. Finished with lemon sorbet to cleanse our pallet - a perfect afternoon meal.
(5)Rachel P.
My husband and I come here regularly! The food is great - very flavorful, a bit spicy - I especially like the Singapore street noodles and the orange chicken. All drinks on the menu have been consistently good. Service is friendly, attentive, but not in your way. Overall, great food, drinks, service. I've recommended this place to all my friends!
(5)Peter E.
My friend was shorted quite a bit of chicken in his dish. He was told he should have told them earlier. This displayed no good faith in their customers. Have enjoyed meals here since it opened and I will not be back. We asked the manager to fix the situation and she was stone faced and did not oblige.
(1)Krasi V.
I went there on a Sunday night, at 10 pm, and they said the kitchen closes at 12, so not to worry about rushing with the food. Extremely friendly Thai. waitress, delicious Penang Curry chicken. Drinks were a little overpriced but again, the place is BYOB. Old classic music, retro B&W images on the walls, I enjoyed the atmosphere. Highly recommend it!!
(5)Elina S.
We came here on a Saturday night around 6pm and we were the only table there, but by 7pm the place got pretty packed. We got seated in the way back booths by the big window, and boy was it cold from the outside. I get its winter time, but seriously crank up the heat a little bit. The music that was playing was also loud and I felt like it was too much and too much techno for a simple Asian fusion dinner. I just wanted to have a relaxed atmosphere but the music was too loud for my taste. The ambiance was modern with a cool chandelier in the foyer. The service right from the start was very good, they gave you wet cloths to clean your hands right away and our server was on top of it all night so I really liked that aspect of this place. The food came out very quickly starting with a bunch of appetizers and then the entrees all came out at once, which I like. Now onto the most important part of a restaurant, the food. I thought it was A Okay, nothing outstanding but nothing horrible either and here is what we ordered. Crab Ragoons- crispy, yummy cream cheese, but didn't care for the rasberry dressing, because I'm used to the sweet and sour sauce. Salt & Pepper Calamari-A tad on the spicy side but too chewy for my liking, but you do get a generous portion. Ping Pong roll and a shrimp tempura roll-The fact that they only have two sushi rolls on the menu should tell you to stay away from it since the quality just was not there. Tofu Pad Thai-Very good, probably my favorite thing that night, in an authentic peanut sauce, and a huge portion which I took more than half of home since I was full from the appetizers. Chicken and shrimp kung pao-my family seemed to all enjoy this as it had a nice kick and lots of peanuts. Dream Bar?-I think that is what it's called which had nuts, coconut, graham crackers and chocolate with green tea ice cream, my hubby seemed to enjoy it but it didn't look appetizing to me. Overall, an a okay place in terms of food but we were happy with the service. Oh and with the check came chocolate covered fortune cookies which is a nice touch.
(3)David B.
I ordered a spicy garlic chicken. It was a standard dish you can get at any Chinese restaurant. Trouble was, there was hardly any chicken in it. I asked the waitress if I could get a couple of pieces of chicken more. Mind you, we are talking about 1" pieces here. She came back saying the manager declined my request. For real? I asked to speak to the manager. The manager was hard to understand, but what I understood was that had I notified the wait staff earlier (before I ate most of the dish) they would've been able to grant my request, but at this point there was nothing she could do. I was stunned. Seriously? She was basically saying that I was not to be trusted because she could not independently verify that my claim was true. Get real. There are a lot of good eating places in this city, but this one is off my list.
(1)Katiria G.
The service definitely takes away from me giving this place a higher review. From the moment I walked in with my company, the staffers were all bunched together and came off as pretentious. The food is good, but my mind wasn't blown. I enjoyed the Chinese beer though. Now to the interior: exquisite! I'd hire whoever was in charge of the interior design in a heart beat.
(3)Jason R.
Amazing food, beautiful decor, great service. They got my boyfriend's order wrong and fixed it very quickly. An excellent experience.
(4)Ezra H.
Took my boyfriend here for a special dinner, and as such looked past the high prices. However, we ordered two appetizers, the green beans (VERY GOOD) and the potstickers. The green beans came out about 10 mins after ordering. Then nothing. We waited almost 30 before our Potstickers came out. They were good, but nothing any tastier than a well prepared frozen Trader Joe's Potsticker. But I was determined to have a good night. Then, we waited an additional 40 minutes before our food was served... oh wait, it was someone elses food that was placed before us a s tease for being almost 80 minutes into the dining experience without getting our entree. Another 10 mins and finally our food arrives. JOY! We are starving. I ordered the General's Chicken, which was tasty, but a very small portion (probably about 8-9 medium chunks of chicken.) My boyfriend ordered the Beef Potato Curry, and while tasty, the vegetables (carrots and potatoes) were in huge, extremely undercooked chunks. Not wanting to wait for a new order, (as we'd already been waiting almost 90 minutes for our entree, he ate the beef and rice and left the big vegetables. The problem was that when it came time to pay the bill, I requested that they remove the Curry from the bill, as it was highly unsatisfactory. And they first came over and interrogated my boyfriend as to what was wrong, including trying to cut the vegetables with the provided spoon, and when the server saw they were hard as rock, he admitted that they had been having issues with this and they would alert the cooks. However, they would not remove the item, as they could only offer replacements. At this point, we'd wasted a large chunk of our evening on this place, and so the "solution" offered was hardly a solution. We wanted to leave as by this point it was already 10pm. So we paid full price and left. Though I still left a decent tip, I know that I will never return to Ping Pong again. Breakdown Service: Poor and Slow Food: Good (When properly cooked) Decor/Ambience: Excellent, the place is very neatly appointed Price: Poor - for the portions and the service, the price should be much lower.
(1)Brady C.
This has to be the best Chinese food I've ever eaten in my entire life. The hot & sour soup is absolutely wonderful. I love the historic feel to the place, and the service is always friendly. I've only had one issue with an order out of the many times I've ordered with them. There was a considerable amount of rice noodles & veggies, but not a lot of meat (which is really what you're paying for when you order an entree by the name of the meat.) The manager let me know there was a new chef, and the problem wouldn't happen again. It never did happen again, and I've ordered quite a few times since. They offer you a choice of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa, which is a nice change from the average Chinese restaurant that only gives white rice. I highly recommend this place if you're in the neighborhood, and want the loudest bang for the buck.
(5)Geoff J.
What a find! Cute little Chinese joint offering BYOB. Due to the size you might have to wait a little bit for a table so go ahead and crack that bottle. On this trip I tried the string beans and grilled dumplings to start. There's some nice spice on the beans. Dumplings were tasty as well! For entrees I tried the orange chicken and general chicken. Both came with an ample portion of chicken and some nice veggies. Plenty of food to fill you up! Make sure to save room for those chocolate dipped fortune cookies. Yum!
(5)Laura L.
What a delightful little place. Very nice and attentive staff (there was a bit of a language barrier but our waitress was cute and ended the description of every specials with "which will be very good for you") and really cute interior. We were lucky enough to be there on a day when the window walls were open to the street. I'm doing a vegan month and while it wasn't the best vegan food I've found in the city, there was a sufficient amount of options. We got: -Cold peanut noodles (seemed simple enough but I doubt I could replicate) -Steamed vegetable dumplings (very nice) -Hubs got General Tso's Chicken (I tried the sauce - yum!) -Buddhist Revelation (ok, but would've preferred more veggies and less artificial meat...and I thought with the description reading soy broth that it may have been a soup and was a little disappointed it wasn't) - The meal started with complimentary rice snacks and ended with chocolate, chocolate covered fortune cookies. Nice touches. They also pour a nice, cold, refreshing large Sapporo. There cocktail list also looked nice but was too pricey for us that night. I can't say we'll return immediately, but I'm glad we finally tried it out. Very pleased.
(4)Jen K.
I have walked past Ping Pong several times and I finally sat down to eat an early dinner. The waitstaff was courteous. However, after being seated we waited 15 minutes to see our waiter to order, so I do not suggest eating here if you are in a rush to be somewhere after dinner. I was impressed with the fresh ingredients and variety of dishes to choose from the menu. Its a very chill environment. I would not recommend bringing kids here unless they are familiar with Asian cuisine. While we were there a kid threw up onto the table while his mother looked in the other direction, poor kid. Fortune cookie was amazing!
(4)Joonho Y.
Really Great Neighborhood Place. Food is Delicious and "Light" for Chinese Food (you don't feel "Heavy" after a Meal). I always like having a Brown Rice Option. Prices are good, and you can always get a Table. Staff is Friendly and Unique.
(5)Andy P.
haveing eaten here over time and decor changes, the food is just ok, but getting rushed or hustled before we even really finished seems to be there MO. I'm not sure why when the resturant is one third full on a saturday night...I really don't think the food that great, better take a trip to China town foods worth a trip.
(1)Ryan F.
I haven't been here in five years and was pleasantly surprised last night. They've redone the interiors and expanded the menu. I had the roasted duck - which promises to be better than Chinatown. It was great and didn't disappoint. One thing was they charged $8 for a corkage fee which is a little high for champagne.
(4)Sergio J.
I really do enjoy this place. Ive been here a few times. The food is flavorful, and the dishes are like many Asian dishes large enough to share. I love that they give you an option of white rice, brown rice, and quinoa. The service is excellent. Great concept, and the space is nicely designed.
(4)Lisa N.
Cute decor, but horrible food, and waitstaff with attitude (mostly gay Asian guys)! The good is as inauthentic as Chinese food gets...the kind that one might assume so for unsophisticated white folks...
(2)Beth B.
an $8 corkage fee? Seems a little pricey. Good food though!
(3)Catherine B.
I would walk past this restaurant every so often and always forget that I wanted to try it out. Randomly the other day I found it online and decided to go. We were seated immediately, however I think that was because we got there pretty early. That place gets quite busy at night. I loved the decor, a mix of traditional chinese and modern furniture with a huge gorgeous chandelier in the middle of the restaurant. They are very accommodating to gluten allergies. By very accommodating I mean they have their own gluten free soy sauce that they can use on all the dishes. They have outdoor seating available but unfortunately the night that we were there it started pouring outside and there were a few people seated out there. The wait staff did rush everything inside including their tables and seats so that the people who were eating outside could still finish their dinner inside. It did end up being a little bit on the pricier side but I definitely will be returning, I had a great experience and the food was delicious. Not to mention you get chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end.
(4)Amy K.
My first visit to Ping Pong was a pleasant surprise. This cute neighborhood restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere that is not snobby but very welcoming. Attentive staff promptly greeted our party of three. Corkage fee of $8 for BYOB wine. Orders taken and food delivered at a comfortable pace. Deep fries Brussels sprouts made a great appetizer. The egg foo yung was the best I've had in any city. Fortune cookies were not ordinary--they were chocolate dipped in chocolate. Highly recommend Ping Pong!
(5)Amanda M.
The service, atmosphere & food was fantastic. We had the calamari to start. Very unusual with the salt & pepper flavor but amazing. Then the pad thai had to be one of the best I've ever had. Great place for a date night as well. Just a little expensive for a Lakeview location but they give you complimentary chips to start & chocolate fortune cookies to finish. The entrees are very large, enough to pack up and bring home. I'll definitely be returning.
(5)Norman R.
Decent quality of food. Prepared well with fresh ingredients and not a lot of oil BUT service is TERRIBLE: trying to order while they rush you is super annoying, giving the phone orders to the employee who doesn't speak English, and having the rudest delivery guy who yells at you if you don't tip him to his expectations or if he has to wait 3 mins for u to walk down stairs because he can't figure out an intercom system, too many other good Chinese restaurants with better quality and way better service! Just go across the street to Joys noodles with better menu, cheaper, BYOB, and better service
(2)Cassie M.
Fantastic crab rangoon & egg rolls... everything else we had was mediocre or outright gross. The seats are awkward, the music was far too loud for the middle of the afternoon, the cloth napkins were wash rags, the menus were wrinkled, reused plain sheets of paper, & overall the place choked on its own pretentious douchery. Don't charge $15+ for an entree if you can't provide me a clean menu at the very least, seriously. Edit: After reading the other reviews... I feel very sorry for the uppity hipsters who think this is quality dining. Give me Joy's down the block from Ping Pong ANY day.
(2)Steve N.
I've eaten at ping pong a number of times over the last few years and had a decent experience, but the absurdity of our server last night will probably mean it is the last time. So I went with a small group for an early Sunday evening dinner in honor or someone's birthday. The fact that it was someone's birthday was apparently irrelevant to both the host and the server. I wasn't expecting something free, but don't most places usually offer up the option of ordering a surprise treat for the birthday boy? Nope. It was ignored as if we hadn't even mentioned it. I could get past that. Really, I could. The front doors were wide open and it was a cool 70 degrees and breezy.. All good. Unfortunately, no one told them the heat wave was over. The ceiling fans were set on super-turbo-speed and not only created a windstorm, but the menus were blowing all over the place leaving both patrons and staff on a paper chase to retrieve them. We had to use whatever we could find to hold our menus down long enough to read them. You would think someone would have had the foresight to turn the fans down a notch. Nope. I could get past that. Really, I could. I had brought a gift for the birthday boy, as often happens when someone is having a birthday dinner. But, like I said, the birthday aspect escaped them entirely. The server seemed stressed out by this and actually asked me what it was. What was it? None of her business, that's what. She finally relented when I told her it was gift for the birthday boy. (Did she finally understand it was someone's bithday? She didn't acknowledge ti, but she stopped trying to confiscate the gift.). The food came - pretty good. Nothing special and ridiculously overpriced, but like I said, I've been there before. I know to expect the overpriced food and drinks. (And the loud rave music blasting overhead). To be fair, the steamed dumplings were amazing. Definitely a must-have. The sesame chicken is tasty, but you would think $15 would get you more than 5 nuggets of chicken and a few pieces of broccoli. I could past all that. Really I could. So we continued with our meal - and the moment the last bite of food was put in anyone's mouth, someone was immediately there to snatch the plates out from under us. There is no time to protest when you are still chewing the food in your mouth. Not exactly a pleasant way to finish your meal. And since half the tables were empty, I was unclear as to why the plates had to be taken as the last morsel ascended towards our open mouths. Even this, as misguided an ill-mannered as it was, was forgiveable, since were in a happy birthday-celebrating mood. But then... Then the guest of honor opened his gift -- part of which, as an inside joke, contained a teeny-tiny 25 cent bag of Jay's potato chips. Our server must have had us under surveillance, because as soon as that fun size bag of chips been pulled from the gift bag, she was on us. NO OUTSIDE FOOD ALLOWED! Seriously, woman?! We just spent $200+ at this place in rice and martinis and you are worried about an unopened bag of 25 cent potato chips? Like someone was really going to start eating them? We allowed her to remove the offensive bag of chips rather than argue, because, like I said, no one was actually planning on eating them. At this point we just assumed she did not want a tip, and did not p lan on giving her one. The joke was on us. Our party of five was apparently large enough to warrant automatic gratuity being added to the bill. So our server walked away with a mandatory tip that was neither earned nor deserved. It was amazing really to see such a thorough example of how NOT to serve someone a meal at a restaurant. How do businesses like this survive? Crazy. What should have been a special occassion was turned into an awkward, unwelcoming mistake. Considering you can't turn around without running into an Asian restaurant in this town, there is certainly no reason to ever retun to Ping Pong. For the prices they charge, the environment and atmosphere should be one-of-a-kind. Well, this was one-of-kind, for sure. Just not the kind that any patron would want.
(1)Randy N.
Hadn't been to Ping Pong in several years and now, I can't stop going and having them deliver. Food is always great and delivery is quick (and food is still hot)!! Love this stuff, Harvest Chicken, Harvest Tofu are my usuals. Their version of edamame is great, the hot and sour soup is great!! Good stuff! Oh, especially like the raspberry sweet and sour sauce that comes with the crab rangoon!
(5)Wesley L.
So...I have been going to Ping Pong for years. Love the ambiance! It is white and clean and very hip and trendy....Until this weekend. It is changing...to what I cannot really say...it is downton abbey meets asian fusion. WHAT? Menu and food is the same but the knock off second hand furniture and new "romantic" feel does not fit the menu and the contemporary chairs and other features that have not changed give the restaurant a new weird vibe that is a sharp contrast from what it once was. As a person who has been going to Ping Pong for years....it has never been the same after the fire...please go back to those good times.
(2)Aaron L.
My girlfriend and I live a block away and Ping Pong is amazing! They definitely have some of the best Thai food in the city and the coconut shrimp is the best I've ever had! I also had the orange chicken on Wednesday night which was incredible. It's BYOB but they do have an $8 corkage fee, we love it and highly recommend this place!
(4)Steve S.
I really have no idea how such a sub-par place can be so busy. While some call the decor "sparse" or "minimal", I call it "we ran out of money". The front "bar" is pretty much some particle board slapped together right by the front door. If you have a party of five or more, expect to be packed in like a Tokyo subway car. The entire staff has an attitude like "I'm so fierce because I work here so you should be happy I'm even seating you". But I could forgive all that if the food was just good. I'm pretty sure Ping Pong has some agreement with Morton salt where they get paid for putting as much salt in their dishes as possible. And then add some sort of spice. I ordered the red snapper which was buried under some salad and I think mushrooms. Fish was slimy and salty. Even the salad was salty. I couldn't even eat half of it. In fact, no one else in our party finished theirs. The only saving grace was the seared ahi tuna appetizer which was decent. They even managed to screw up fortune cookies by drowning them in Pillsbury icing and rainbow sprinkles. Not cute at all.
(1)D S.
This place is on point. Pricey, but they really make up for it by serving Grade A seafood and meats. Not a lot of space so make sure you have a reservation, but taste is like no other. Definitely not your typical neighborhood asian restaurant, you know the place where no matter what you order it always takes 15 minute. So don't be thrown off when it actually takes 30 minutes to get your food, that's a sign of freshly served food.
(3)Alan K.
I love this restaurant. I love the decor and ambiance. This is a great place to take a date. It was obvious when we saw this lesbian couple caressing each other next to the lit candle on their table. I ordered a Lychee Martini. It was over the top strong. We ordered various appetizers including calamari, ping pong roll, and wasabi fries. Oh it was so delicious. Then we ordered the kung pao eggplant and tofu and the some vegetable dish. The kung pao eggplant seemed to be devoid of tofu and the vegetable dish was okay. I think that the next time I come here, I would order some other dishes although the appetizers were the highlight of the night.
(5)Daan V.
Sublime. I can't wait to go back and get the Buddhist Enlightenment again. The scallion pancakes are really great as well.
(5)Rits M.
well what most reviewers didnt mention too strongly was that this place looks super cute! Guess it would, given the closeness to Boystown. Airy feel, clean lines, lots of white and little tables complete the look. To the food- it wasn't superb, but it was a great meal. Large portions too. Wine was pretty good, we had the Pinot Noir and we got the Mongolian steak (good), the Pad Thai (I wasnt a fan of this one, too much noodles, too little anything else) and the cashew chicken- this one was good, and they didnt skimp on the cashews at all. Fun for a nice summer evening out :)
(4)C W.
Food was good, no issue with that. Ever heard the expression "let's crank it up to 11"? Well, they live by this. I'd like to take more people there, but the music is so loud and annoying that I pass. Eating outside, it's barable. Great place for deaf dinning.
(3)Andrea P.
Walking into Ping Pong you immediately notice that the music is REALLY too loud. The decor is chic and sophisticated and the bar has a modern Asian twist. The food is unfortunately a hit or miss. Your taste buds cannot hold me accountable for this but I would recommend: Only if your into fried food: Wasabi fries and the Salt and Pepper Calamari For the "take it down a notch health addicts" Vegetable spring rolls,Seaweed Salad,Kung Pao Eggplant and tofu *Brown rice is really good here. I must confess, the main reason I come to Ping Pong is because of a very gifted Derek. I walk in, we are greeted with a fun and relaxed, "just three" to which we respond, "yes, but we're just here for a martini" followed by the typical roll of the eyes, and on to the next customer act..but that doesn't stop us, we are here for our sex and the city gossip and our uniquely crafted martinis...or will it be one of my personal favorites (Derek's own creation) a glass of Lychee champagne? My friends and I abuse Ping Pong and we know it, the bar is meant for those "waiting to be seated" and we use it to catch up on chit chat and sip delicious drinks...
(3)Kelly C.
A friend and I ventured to Ping Pong Saturday night and only had a maybe 5 minute wait..score! Like most Asian restaurants the tables are quite close together and the music was on the louder side...but nothing that overly bothered me. We got some drinks to kick off the night. My friend loves the ginger martini and I had a tropical fruity concoction (sorry can't remember the name) and it was quite tasty. For food we started off with seaweed salad (pretty typical) and the ahi tuna. The tuna was great, fresh and prepared perfectly. For our entrees I had the garlic scallops with quinoa....yes they have quinoa as an option instead of rice. This is awesome to people like me who aren't a fan of rice. This alone makes me likely to return! My friend had the Moo Shoo Pork and said it was good. I believe this is one of her go to entrees so it must be good! The entrees were a good size and I had more than half left over. My suggestion is if you get appetizers and can agree on an entree go ahead and share one. The service was fine...not great but def no horrible. I would def go back and try other dishes.
(4)Cathy B.
Food: A-OK. Service: Hilarious, but unintentionally so. We were greeted by someone who could barely deign to look at us as he introduced himself. Which, I guess, saved us from learning his name only to have him never check back at our table again. The food was surprisingly tasty! So, props to the folks in the kitchen, who have to work back there despite the service with attitude. But really, if you approach eating at Ping Pong with the attitude of having "dinner with a show," then you'll be just fine. The food is certainly above average. If, however, you actually expect quality table service, consider somewhere else. Corkage fee - eight dollars. What the what?
(3)Yaara L.
This is probably the best Asian Fusion restaurant in Chicago--and I've been to many! It's not over-priced, the staff are friendly, and the food is probably the freshest I've had at any restaurant! I've ordered the exotic/mixed mushroom and veggie dish with quinoa--which was fantastic. I've also ordered their brocolli rabe appetizer. I've also never had to wait more than 10 minutes. If you're looking for a fast, fresh, and classy place this is it!
(5)Cortney A.
I ate at Ping Pong the first time about 5 years ago and I was unimpressed. The food was blah and the service wasn't great. But I went back this weekend for a friend's birthday and it was decent. I ordered the Mongolian beef which was really good and I love that you have the option of brown rice, white rice or quinoa. I also ordered a really delicious specialty martini that had lavender and black tea vodka. We received top notch service as well. I'm surprised to read so many complaints. From the host to the server to the bus boys, we were well taken care of. The only reason I probably won't be back any time soon is the prices. This place is outrageously expensive for what it is. I don't see a lot of difference between what I had here and what I get at my greasy spoon, take-out Chinese spot. The meat was of the same quality. Nothing special.
(3)Meridith E.
When one of our friends suggested Ping Pong for our "catch-up dinner," I was open minded....and excited since I love Chinese food. However, I was a bit disappointed with my overall experience. And let me enumerate why: 1) BYOB???: My friend brought beer, assuming that BYOB included beer. Yeah, it didn't. The host came out to greet her and told her she would not be able to drink it at the table, because they actually DO serve beer there. So, they took her name and said they would hold onto her beer and keep it chilled in the fridge. (Remember this, because it will be pointed out later.) Shouldn't this, then, be called BYOW - bring your own WINE? 2) Server Confusion: We had a couple different servers approach our table, which was confusing. However, I guess this is good in order to ensure that your customers aren't waiting. 3) Corking Fee: There is a $7.95 corking fee, which kind of blows. 4) Dirty Wine Glass #1: Not only do you pay for corking fees, but you have to worry about dirty wine glasses. One of my friends had food (which I think was a sesame seed) floating in her wine right after the server poured the wine and left the table. We asked for a new wine glass, but it never came. Finally, I had to flag someone down to get our server to come back over. She took the glass to the kitchen, dumped out the wine and returned with another glass, in which the server poured another glass. 5) Dirty Wine Glass #2: My friend is now paranoid and checked her glass only to find something stuck to the glass AGAIN! We called the server over again, and she said it might be an imperfection in the glass and took the glass to the kitchen. When she returned, the 2nd glass was empty and the server was holding a 3rd glass. She then told us that it was the glass itself and took a long toothpick to scrape at the glass to show that it was not food crusted on the glass. So my question is...why didn't you leave the glass of wine filled, then, instead of dumping out YET ANOTHER glass of wine out? I mean we ARE paying corking fee, right?!? 6) Dirty Wine Glass #3: My other friend, who is now paranoid, checked her glass. There was something stuck to her glass. She took the long toothpick the server had used and began to check to see if it was the glass or food. It was food. So, we called the server over again and showed her that there was something on the glass. (My recommendation - Wash your glasses separately to avoid food getting washed off of plates, tossed onto glasses and then steam dried onto wine glasses!) 7) Noise Level: The space is decorated very cutely and I liked the mood lighting; however, I really had a hard time hearing my friends as they were speaking, because noise just seemed to bounce all over the place there. 8) My friend who had "checked" her wine at the bar was a bit tipsy leaving, because there were some bottles of wine everyone enjoyed at dinner, and forgot to grab her beer before she walked outside. But our other friend remembered and ran up to the host to grab it before we all left. My friend just put the beer in her car not even paying attention. Turns out that the Ping Pong staff gave her the wrong beer! They apparently had the name tags switched for the another table that had brought beer. While there were some frustrating aspects of the dinner, I have to say the food was good, but a bit over-priced for my taste. Also, I had never had a chocolate fortune cookie before. It came out and I was so excited. It was a chocolate fortune cookie, dipped in white chocolate with chocolate sprinkles. And my fortune inside was pretty right on to what is going on in my life. So, that get's a star.
(2)Courtney C.
Went today with my boyfriend and we enjoyed it very much! There crab Rangoon was great but we wish you got more than four of them. The potstickers were awesome! And both of use loved are entrees..I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Georgia K.
I don't care what anyone else says, Ping Pong. I like you. I've been to Ping Pong a few times now and haven't had anything less than an enjoyable experience. Here's why: The servers have been helpful and friendly. The bartenders mix great drinks (try the Kardashian or Lychee martini). The atmosphere is trendy and minimalist-- great for a night out. The food is really good too. I've ordered the salt & pepper calamari (mmmmm!!), the lettuce cups, the kung pao chicken, chicken pad thai, and the spicy garlic chicken. I thought it was all very tasty. The frosted fortune cookies with sprinkles are the best! Ping Pong has definitely joined the ranks of my favorite Asian cuisine in Chicago.
(4)Stacy H.
Ping Pong is one of the better places for good sushi delivery in the area. Great apps and never disappointed. :)
(4)Hayley N.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS PLACE! I also have a pretty high standard when it comes to asian food, but this place is super great. Its got such a great atmosphere and the service was fabulous-not to mention the amazing chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end! I took my girlfriends here and it was the perfect place. We ordered 3 dishes and 1 appetizer for the 4 of us and it was plenty. I recommend the kung pao eggplant dish and the ahi tuna appetizer. Very delicious! I highly recommend this place!
(5)Kathleen I.
I went back recently .. and I ordered the following Chicken Egg rolls- amazing! Crab Ra goons- Decent Lettuce wraps: very flavorful Pot Stickers: Disgusting is an understatement. Gooey with this weird chewy lump inside. My dining partners also ordered a mushroom and beef and claimed it was slimey and flavorless. I'm so disappointed... the service also went down and the chairs are so uncomfortable.
(1)Scott M.
Went there late night this past weekend. Great food! Great service and enjoyed the table up front next to the window viewing Broadway at night. I ordered the Lettuce wraps for an appetizer, which was great then spicy beef was ok! The music was a bit loud but for a small place and dinning spot I would recommend it.
(4)Teddy B.
Ping Pong is a great place for a date night! I have been here quiet a few times despite it being somewhat over priced for what it is. Their Wild Mushrooms and Chicken is by far one of the best dishes in Chicago, but that is coming from someone who is obsessed with mushrooms. You can't go wrong with their calamari appetizer (pretty spicy though so caution that) or the ping pong roll. Only complaint I have is the prices are a tad high hence the 4 star rating. Oh the chocolate covered fortune cookies are a nice touch to end a meal with!
(4)Natalie S.
Oh Ping Pong. I have a love/hate relationship with you. Love: the sizzling rice soup and calamari. Both are done really, really well and I could just eat those two things and be happy and fat. The decor is really modern and clean and I'm a big fan Hate: Just about everything else about the place. The service is TERRIBLE. GOD AWFUL. We have been sat there and waited 15+ minutes just to get menus... not to mention the additional 15 minutes it takes for them to come back for your order. The food comes out slower than the second coming of Christ. The transvestite waitresses look fabulous but their proficiency is zero. Aside from the sizzling rice soup and calamari, I haven't had anything else there that wowed me. On top of it, they advertise that they are BYOB. So we brought in a 6 pack of beer. They charged us a $3 PER BEER corking fee. We brought it to our fabulous tranny waitress' attention and she shrugged and said it's the policy. We haven't been back. It is probably better for my self esteem because the waitress had better legs than I do. But I do miss that sizzling rice soup every now and then...
(2)Lauren F.
Whenever I walk into pingpong on a Friday or Saturday evening I instantly feel like I've stepped into a scene from Sex and the City. The modern decor and waiters with legs skinnier than my arms instantly transform my friends and me into Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. I've never been disappointed here and some of my favs include the Crab Rangoon, Pingpong Roll, Potstickers, Pad See Ew, and Kung Pao Beef. They also have some very tasty cocktails or you can bring your own bottle of vino-altogether a great place to start out an evening of fabulousness!
(4)Erika G.
Walked by this place countless times, and always thought "Hm, cute and lively but TOO LOUD." Why do they blast that crap music all the time? WHY?! Here's what you need to do. Something ELSE for the majority of the evening. Then, emerge after dark, WAY after dark, when it's quiet and it's time for a cocktail and a snack. We did this the other night, and it was a joy. Stopped by around 10:30 or so, and sat outside. It was not lively, but it was quiet. No blaring music - outside, anyway. Which allowed us to dish with our cute, friendly waiter! Adorable and sweet, with just the right amount of attention paid to us. The drinks - Grey Goose martini and a pear martini were chilly and delicious (BYOB only inside, full bar available in and out). Snacks - the "oyster pancake" and wasabi fries were tasty. The oyster pancake was delicious. It looked like scrambeled eggs with oysters baked in. YUM. And a giant size appetizer, plenty for two to share. Wasabi fries were crunchy and savory with a decadent mayonnaise-wasabi sauce. Again, plenty for two to share. The Hot n' Sour soup. I fancy myself somewhat of a Hot n' Sour dilettante. I love it. I tried making it once, and it was a dishwater tasting disaster. So, I order it when I see it. This soup was damn near perfect. I like it very sour, and this was sour and yummy. I usually add more rice vinegar to my HnS soup, but this didn't need any, it was really delicious. After dark this place was delightful. Maybe it was the seven star company, and your mileage will probably vary on that, but this was one of the best late night cocktail/snack experiences I've had in awhile.
(4)Stephanie L.
4.5.....ME LIKE-Y!~ Went here last night and the place was bumping...every table was full when we were eating...crazy. Every server there is like skinny as hell and gay...its hilarious! They are all so nice, but they all need to eat a steak. Vibe is totally like Sura, or I guess Sura would be like Ping pong since its been around longer. There is BYOB and full bar (BYOB is $6/bottle corkage fee...not the best, but its still good). Food is great. We had the summer rolls (I'm currently obsessed with them) and some sashimi tuna dip, both were FAB-O. I had the Beijing vegetarian. It was great and they offer brown rice....YAY. Other dishes that I tried was the harvest scallops and something with lots of seafood and egg noodles....both were also really good. Ping Pong....you were yummy and of course, we got fortune cookies at the end! I will be back!!!
(4)Jon S.
I like the food. The service and attitude are horrible. I can accept that with bad weather there will be a delay in delivery. What I can't accept is calling for status after an hour and being told the delivery will occur within ten minutes, and waiting another half hour. Over 90 minutes for the order to arrive. Even this would have been OK if the manager had offered any kind of apology or incentive for a future order, but she absolutely refused to do anything at all. In fact, this is almost an exact quote: "I can't do anything." Nothing. Nothing at all. A similar recent experience with Mark's delivery in bad weather-- called to inquire about status and was offered a discount on the next order. Unfortunately Ping Pong doesn't think it has to be nice to customers. A recent dine-in experience was similar-- horribly slow service, among the slowest and least-attentive I've ever experienced-- but I'm willing to overlook one bad experience, perhaps even two if the restaurant tries to make it right. This restaurant doesn't care about keeping a long-term customer happy. No problem, hundreds of other restaurants in the area. Also have to let American Express know about this vendor's customer service attitude. Awful, unacceptable, never again.
(1)Hula B.
i've always liked this place, from when it first opened in that small orange room, to its now more expansive size and beautiful white decor. the sashimi tuna dip appetizer is a long time favorite and also the lettuce cups. i think they do a great job with their seafood, so i tend to get fish/shellfish when i go. attentive service that's friendly enough, although, frequently there is something of a language barrier that is not helped by the loud music. used to be byob only, they now have a nice reasonably priced wine list as well as some of those signature drinks/martinis that seem to be required these days. great place for dates, business dinners, or just good times with friends.
(4)Jacob T.
I am a big fan of Asian food and I was very pleased with this place. The atmosphere is a little dark and I think that adds to the experience. They have a good variety of flavors and have good judgement when it comes to the flavor of their more spicy dishes. I'm a big fan of the mango shrimp.
(4)Katie B.
Really good pad Thai, the sweet potato roll is delicious! The wait staff is hit or miss. Really attentive for awhile then drift away for 15 minutes ... But I'll be back.
(4)Michael P.
Let me first put a disclaimer that I have an EXTREMELY high standard for Chinese food. Most of the places I've been to in America are usually too greasy, heavily seasoned, and generally mediocre quality. Ping Pong blew my expectations. My friend told the story of how this place was formerly a real hole in the wall that expanded into the adjacent space that now is the main dining room. A fire sparked and burned the entire restaurant down, which lead to remodeling that created the chic, minimalistic interior that one can see today. Dimly lit and high ceilings suggests an elegant place to bring a date, although you may also be in the company of many other (gay) couples. My guest and I arrived at around 8:30 on a Friday night and we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. I was staving so after what seemed like eternity, we were sat and given hot towels. We started with the calamari and I had the salt and pepper shrimp. I was a bit worried because both dishes were fried but that wasn't a problem. Both calamari and shrimp were lightly breaded and sauteed in garlic, salt, and a medley of aromatic peppers and herbs. The shrimp portion was generous and perfectly plump and juicy. Each bite was heaven. The chocolate fortune cookie was a nice unique touch to the meal. I am not a big fan of Chicago food in general but Ping Pong has me salivating thinking about the next meal. Only one star taken off for difficulty in getting a table.
(4)Jen K.
I hadn't been to Ping Pong in years, but decided to try it again. Pros: the food: I got General's chicken and my friend got panang curry with tofu. Mine was really good, but not too big. Hers was also good, but you could get 2x as much food for half the price at your hole in the wall Thai place down the street. The calamari appetizer was also really good. TIP: it doesn't come with any sauce so its pretty bland, so ask for some sweet chili thai sauce on the side :) Cons: $7.95 corking fee. Service was ok.
(3)Yhatzina L.
Ping Pong is such a fun and delicious restaurant. The asian fusion menu is large and offers all types of dishes including many vegetarian selections. The martinis and service are top notch. The music inside is very loud and consists of Rhianna, Britney, Backstreet Boys, ect. It is because this restaurant caters to a certain crowd and style and that is why I love it, so fun and carefree! The decor is very contemporary, the tables are small and close together and it is an intimate/family feel at ping pong. The servers are just as delicious! p.s. I love the BYOB. Bring your own bottle, own selectoin of delicious wine and drink away. Only $5 to cork it, that is totally reasonable since it would be much more to buy a bottle with regular restaurant mark-up.
(5)Emilie Z.
I always walk past this little place and decided to give it a try today. What a great decision! I loved the romantic atmosphere and choice of vintage music. The staff was lovely and the service was outstanding. The menu is very accommodating for vegans and I was enthralled to see that! I had the sesame tofu and a mint julep- both delicious. If you are looking to have a nice asian dinner or lunch in Lakeview look no further. They will definitely get my business again!
(5)Alex C.
I had never been here before the fire but we thought we would check it out. Some friends had warned but we threw caution to the wind and went on our own. After the fire, the community held a benefit to raise money for the staff who were unemployed (not sure if they collected unemployment or not). I mention this because we were shocked at just how rude and snobby waiters and managers were, not only to us, but other customers as well. The community supported them and yet they feel unable to provide basic common courtesy (NOTE: I am BIG on this and slam people who fail to use "please" and "thank you.") It was clear that we were NOT welcome and they could care less about us. The wait for the table, too long. The tables are squeezed together too much. There is no intimacy or privacy. The food was just okay. With so many Asian places on Halsted and Broadway alone, you would think if they were not going to worry about service that they would at least worry about the food. Apparently... not. (I also feel it was a bit over priced). Save your time and money and hit any other place in the area.
(1)Mad I.
Fancy Chinese food, yum!
(4)Sara A.
If you are the kind of person who relishes being seen at a hip, trendy place without regard to price or quality then this is your spot? I am not sure WHY anyone would actually spend money there, dine there, and put up with their snobbery and pretentiousness. We certainly did not. We stopped by after work to celebrate completing a huge project. Everyone was in a good mood. We were told there would be a wait - no problem - the world is ours now. Then we wait... and wait.. 10 minutes turned into 20 then 30. They seat us in a small, cramped space. The waiter was instantly rude and standoffish. At that point, I was done. I told the group we were off to another venue and then, dramatic exit. Too many better places who actually care about their customers.
(2)Josh V.
It pains me to see so many people gushing over Ping Pong. I suspect they don't have my memory. Perhaps 1 star is overly harsh, but you see I remember what Ping Pong used to be. It has gone from one of my favorite restaurants in the city to a place I'd have to be drugged to set foot in. Ping Pong's fall from grace has broken my heart, and earned it my first ever 1 star rating. Ping Pong was once a cozy little spot with excellent food, a fun atmosphere and decent (well...hit or miss) service that was reasonably friendly. I've watched over the years as prices climbed, portions shrunk and service deteriorated. Ping Pong is but a shadow of its former self. I don't begrudge them the space they added on. I begrudge the decreased value and quality of the food. I begrudge the haughty attitude of the douchey, androgynous staff. I remember when the sesame chicken was a full plate of succulent hunks of chicken with substantial amounts of broccoli and a big bowl of rice. Now it seems to be a small pile of minuscule pieces of popcorn chicken with a couple broccoli florets and a bowl of rice somewhat bigger than a shot glass. Oh, and it now costs 5 dollars more. There are better places to go for Asian cuisine where you won't get sneered at or ignored, where your ears won't be shattered by the volume of the music, where the wait will be shorter and where the food will be better while still being cheaper. Unless your soul purpose for going out to eat is to "see and be seen" in which case you and Ping Pong deserve each other. Damn you Ping Pong... I learned to use chopsticks for you!
(1)Trevor H.
I had passed by this place several times but never made it in until recently. A friend and I decided to go here after seeing a movie. I love asian cuisine so this place was exactly what I was looking for. I really like the trendy atmosphere and music. It's a bit loud, but I definitely enjoy it. It drowns out others conversations so you don't hear anyone but those at your table. I had the Hot Toddy Pot (Not sure if that was the exact name) to drink. It was definitely a good choice since it was a cold night. I'm always a fan of warm alcoholic beverages. We ordered the Ping Pong Roll for an app. It was pretty good but I must say, the roll was smaller than I expected. For my main, I ordered the Curry Fried Rice. It wasn't anything overly special but it was very delicious. My friend ordered the Bulgogi. One of my favorite korean dishes. Part of me wished I would have ordered that but I did like having a heaping mound of left over curry fried rice to mix in with eggs in the morning. For dessert, the Great Wall Brick. If you want dessert after eating here, this is it! Its so delicious. It reminded me of pecan pie with an asian twist. The green tea ice cream really goes well with this dessert. I will definitely dine here again, however I'm only giving four stars because our waiter was slightly slow to greet us and come back to take our order for how empty the restaurant was. Maybe he was the only waiter on staff (had my back to the rest of dining room so I'm not sure). It is a bit spendy here but I will admit, we did order drinks (the hot toddy pot held multiple glasses). All in all, a good dining experience.
(4)Adrienne G.
I came here on a Monday with the manfriend for dinner. We'd only ordered delivery and I was craving seared tuna, so we decided to check the place out since they'd done a renovation. Must say that I love the decor! It is kind of a modern take on art deco or vintage regency or whatever you want to call it. Molded walls are crisp white, the lighting fixtures are a touch ornate, and the black chairs, dark floors and tables remind me of the 30s modern take. Pair that with fresh flowers on every table that are all different, and in different vases and bottles, and you've got a classy cute date place. Everyone except for one guy in a hoodie was here on a date. How cute, and it was a little romantical except that I had a stupid cold. We started the meal off with seared tuna (yum-mo as Sharon M likes to say!) and sashimi tuna dip. .I got some mint tea and the manfriend got a Sapporo or Kirin. We each got soup as well- I chose hot and sour soup, he got the ginger broth based soup, and we split the orange chicken as the main. Ping Pong's strength seems to be in its appetizers. The seared tuna hit the spot, as did the tuna sashimi dip. The dip has mango, tuna and cucumber in it and it is superyummy! Only thing I'd change is having more sesame chips to go with it, which the server brought when I asked for it. Manfriend didn't care for his tofu veggie soup, and I tried it, it wasn't anything special. The hot and sour soup I ordered was the second best around, with veggies and a little lighter than Hong Min's (which is the best, IMO). Orange chicken was average- nothing special, nothing horrible, nothing worth trying again, just average. Service could use a little polish but overall they were quite attentive; I think our server may have been new and that confidence comes with experience. Overall I would say come here on a date, and you can watch pretty people on dates in a pretty environment. I'll try the other entrees eventually but the starters are Ping Pong's strong suit. I will be back.
(3)Kyle O.
Best Chinese restaurant in lakeview! It definitely on the pricier side but typical for Chicago- plus the portions are really big. I took mine home and was able to make multiple meals out of it! The quality of the food is good, it's not like most of the Chinese places around here when you get sweet and sour chicken and it's just chicken mcnuggets drowned in sweet and sour sauce! Highly recommend!
(5)Dan H.
Very tasty food and I love the new decor! Staff was friendly and non-intrusive. Will definitely be going back.
(4)John J.
I won't give Ping Pong more than two stars. I did not enjoyed my first experience there. I can definitely feel the waitress has attitude to us for some reason. I don't think the food was that good.
(2)Ramone B.
Luv's it!!! I loved everything that I have tried so far- edamame, seaweed salad, shrimp pad thai, orange chicken, mongolian beef, chicken rolls......... I think this place has really good food, but it is way too expensive. They have very good drinks, but they are all around like ten bucks and up. I will go back, just not too frequently because I can get really good food much cheaper in evergreen park!!! (Chi-Tung) I would be a broke ho if I went here a lot!! ;-)
(4)Aaron B.
It is right on Broadway and fabulous... I really like this place. They have awesome seitan and tofu dishes and excellent stir fry. The drinks are moderately priced (It is Lakeview). The wait staff is dressed mod. The options are plentiful. The interior music is hip and festive. The sidewalk seating is great in the summer, as well as the large interior window seats (windows are usually open). The best part is the big pre-meal salty potato~esque snacks, which are awesome!!!! What else can I say...Ping Pong is cool. The restaurant is good too!
(4)Samson P.
Being chinese I have a high expectations for Asian food especially Chinese food. It was nice that there was a outdoor patio while inside was dim and packed. The complimentary taro chips were crunchy and the best thing we ate that night. We ordered seafood and Cantonese style pan noodles and scallops with mixed vegetables. Compared to other Chinese American restaurants they were about the same quality but a bit overpriced. Maybe we should have ordered other dishes. The waitress was attentive Verdict: it has a nice outdoor area and good taro chips but overall it was okay and a bit over priced For good Chinese food I would go to Chinatown.
(2)Sara M.
OH my word, the food here is AMAZING!!! I would highly recommend the Pad Thai, but everything else my group ordered was just as tasty. The service was pretty bad, but we were not in a hurry and we enjoyed the food so much it wasn't a deal breaker. I didn't realize it is BYOB, we will remember that next time since the drinks are $10-12 for an average size drink.
(4)Alicia C.
So I have been to this restaurant twice. I am always skeptical of "fusion" places but since it's steps from my home, I decided to try it out. I am charmed by the hot napkin they give you to clean your hands and the boiled peanuts they serve. Very reminiscent of nice restaurants in Asia. I wish all restaurants would give you a hot napkin to clean your hands. Only the sanitary thing to do! Their boiled peanuts are a nice touch --- you don't find them around in the US since Americans prefer their peanuts roasted but they are definitely very popular in Asia. I would recommend adding spices while boiling the peanuts to give more flavor. The chocolate fortune cookies at the end of the meal is a nice touch too. The first time I went, I was in love with the place. I had the red snapper while my companion had the tofu pad thai. It was very late on a Saturday evening. We were hungry and seated right away. I think the red snapper was the best fish I had in a restaurant in a while. It reminded me of the steamed fish my mom used to make for me when I was a child in China. The light soy sauce and fresh herbs they put on the fish made for a delicate, beautiful dish. My companion also really enjoyed his big helping of pad thai. It was full of flavor and not too greasy --- I find most pad thai from restaurants (e.g. that of Joy down the street) to be way too greasy and boring in flavor. I went the second time on a snowy weekday. I had the seafood noodle soup while my companion had the pad thai again. We also shared the ginger wings as an appetizer. The ginger wings were overfried and doused in sauce that tasted little like ginger and more like tons of salt. The wings were halfway between a regular wing and a lollipop wing -- I guess the restaurant can't decide which. And the meat itself was tough and overfried. The seafood noodle soup was extremely boring and bland. The broth was so spicy that it masked the seafood flavor -- if there were any to be masked. My companion found his pad thai to be overwhelmingly sweet without the nuances of spices and flavors in traditional pad thai. I also had their lychee royale which was just cheap champagne with a canned lychee plopped in. The drinks and food were very underwhelming. It was also extremely pricey -- about $100 for our meal (which also included a couple of beers) -- just not good food for $100. I left feeling fat but without the jollyness that a full-bellied fat person should feel. I am not sure how to rate this place. I would give it a 5-star from the first experience and a 1-star from the second.
(3)Lori M.
NOT for delivery, I discovered. Holy hixinjià ng (hoison) sauce ! WAY too expensive for what you get... and for the food to arrive cold (it's not even that cold outside today) is unacceptable. I ordered an order of Orange Chicken (just ok), the PingPong Chicken (slightly better), and for myself, the Cashew Tofu (blah and extra blah cashews that were drenched), with rice + spring rolls and dumplings. $59.35 + tip! Now, if the food had been amazing and not cold, then totally worth it. But it wasn't. Clearly, they weren't too busy, because the food arrived in less than 45 minutes, so what's the deal I say ? No deal. No slice, no chop, no block, side drive, or lob. Never again. Get a grip Ping Pong, your drop shot is suffering.
(2)Sara P.
This place was pretty good. I went here on a Tuesday night with a friend of mine. The martinis here are super good. I got the pear martini, while she got the sex in the city. I loved mine because it came with fresh slices of pear in it, and it's perfect for spring. The chips they give you when you sit down are good. They are thick, slightly salty and herb-y. We ordered the Wasabi fries, which are french fries with seasoning on them, and they come with a dip. It was great, very addictive. I ordered the ping pong roll and crab rangoon for my meal. The ping pong roll was pretty good, hot and a bit big. It comes with 6 pieces. I have had better crab rangoon. This crab rangoon was a bit hard to eat, and it was just...missing something. I wish I had gotten the fish tacos or the sashimi dip instead. Oh well, next time. The chocolate covered fortune cookies are a nice treat to end the night. I like the music selection here, and it's a cool, funky decor. I'll definitely go back and try some other things next time.
(4)Sheresse S.
I love love this place! Absolutely adorable atmosphere. A block away from my apartment. The nicest waiter I've ever had. Not to mention they have martini's called "gossip girl", "Sex in the city" and "golden Girl". Ping pong you are clever clever and delicious too!
(5)Kevin H.
I've been here more than a couple times over the years so it's been interesting watching this place change over time. I generally like the new incarnation of the interior except for two things: 1. Turn down the lights a bit and make sure candles on the table stay lit, 2. Hire servers that can speak conversational english and know how to wait tables. It took too long trying to order a vodka soda with lime, and a beer. Our appetizer order never made it out to the table, and when we asked about it, we got the wrong appetizer sent out in a hurry. Also, before you take someone's food from in front of them, ask if they are done and if you may clear it... just don't grab... I had to rescue my soup a few times from grabby hands. The food was decent... except I don't know why they serve giant hunks of half steamed broccoli and cauliflower with an entree that would be a lot better if they just sauteed it in with smaller pieces. Also, the table settings are very busy, too many things on a small table all spread out, just stack everything on the bread plate.
(2)Anne C.
I used to love this place and brought friends from out of town. Evidently there was a fire a while back and they recently reopened. It used to be BYOB, but I think they got their liquor license. I didn't know that, so brought wine (as did my party), and the first thing out of our waiters mouth was that the corkage fee was $7.95. I literally laughed out loud. I thought (since a. it was the FIRST THING out of his mouth and b. it was an astronomical amount for the setting we were in) that he was joking. Not so, he was dead serious. $7.95!!!!! Are you kidding me? That is ridiculous and for that reason will never go there again. The only bright note was that on the way back to the kitchen to cool down all of our wine, our server dropped a bottle. He offered to comp a bottle on their menu, which we took advantage of. The food is very good though, too bad their corkage fee is comical!
(2)Kwoky L.
To be perfectly honest, I don't really care for this place, AT ALL. At first, I was merely drawn to the fact that the decor was sleek and it is always crowded. But always remember, don't judge a book by its cover. I came here with some friends and I ordered the mussels with some kind of sauce. It tasted like the frozen ones they got from Costco and then slathered with a horrible white sauce. The taste was plain awful. I tried my friend's curry and it was equally bad. Many of the wait staff are also pretentious, just seems like they do more people watching then making sure the customers are getting what they need. I could have gotten better service and food from the hole-in-the-wall around the corner than this place. So overall, dance music + awful Asian food + pretentious wait staff just didn't work out for me. Avoid at all cost and you're better off spending your money elsewhere.
(1)Anna E.
I've never left here feeling really full or satisfied, but I have left here feeling really drunk. The drinks are great, but overall, I think this place is way too $$ and it's trying to be too pretentious. Or maybe it's just the bitchy Queens we get waiting on us every time that make it seem that way. But seriously, maybe you should tuck a little less tighter and that will help. Sheesh!! Take a Xanax or something first...it's just food for pete's sake! If you do decide to brave the bitches, have the singapore noodles. It's almost worth the abrasiveness. Or better yet, just order take-out!
(3)Kelly H.
Great food. I went to Ping Pong one night with an old friend. We weren't really sure what we were in the mood for, and we ran into Ping Pong as we were walking down Broadway. I'm so glad we stopped in. Menu selection was great-pad thai is always my go-to and this place did not disappoint. They also had a wide variety of vegetarian options, and while I can't remember what my friend ordered, she loved her meal as well. The only complaint that I would have is with regards to the constant steam of attentive waiters that kept coming to our table. I feel like every time I looked up, someone was there asking if we needed anything. While this is better than unattentive servers, I do appreciate being able to take a couple bites and chat with a friend without being interrupted. Overall, great Asian food-I will definitely be returning.
(4)Jason H.
This is my favorite Chinese spot in Chicago! Great food, service and atmosphere at a reasonable price. And for those who enjoy it, the people watching is usually fantastic as it draws in a mix of crowds and The Broadway foot traffic is always fun.
(5)Tara F.
What a very diverse and interesting menu! From the moment you walk in the door the service was exceptional. We were lucky and were seated at the windows (great people wathcing). They provided a very good potato chip (similar to the Terra chips) that were unique and delicious. The wine was good and they give you a very generous pour!! The dinner was delicious, my friend had the green curry, which was excellent and I had the spicy curry noodles with shrimp and pork also dynamite. The music was good but a bit loud to make for easy conversation.
(4)Cameron H.
Since living in Uptown and going to the Belmont/Broadway area frequently, I have always wanted to eat at this place. From the outside, it looks like the place to be with its very modern appeal. From the clean white walls, to the modern furniture, to the large windows, loud music, and trendy crowd, it was very tempting to go in. I went there with someone last night and his first experience at Pingpong was not a good one. However, he was willing to try it out again. Everything ordered was actually good. From the chips that come out once you are seated, to the Salt and Pepper Calamari, to the General Tso's Chicken, to the Penang Chicken. We both were very happy with the choices made. My complaints are that they catere to younger crowds and really isn't a date place. If you are looking for an intimate setting where it is peaceful then Pingpong isn't the place to be. Even in the washroom the music is blaring. But oh well. And the service was a bit slow but it was a Friday night and very crowded. The food was good and I am willing to go back again!!
(3)Kelly D.
I wish I could write this review in all caps because you will be forced to shout in order to be heard over the ridiculously loud, blaring music. I asked the waiter if they could please turn it down just a bit and was answered with a very pretentious "this must be your first time here. This is how we do it." When I again asked if the music could be turned down even the slightest bit so that my party of 8 could carry on a conversation, I was met with complete indifference. By the end of the meal, I was losing my voice and my ears were ringing. I'm not sure what the purpose of the ear-splitting music is, but it made for a very unpleasant experience. I will not be returning, nor will I recommend this establishment to any of my friends. This is how I do it...
(1)Jason H.
Great place for a bottle of wine and a date/double date. Food is quality and it has a clean yet relaxed atmosphere. Service was decent and the green curry was really good.
(4)Dave P.
Ping Pong used to be my favorite restuarant in the city, hands down, primarily because of their Sesame Chicken, reasonable prices, and BYOB with no/low corkage fee. Lately, however, I think this place has kind of fallen apart in my opinion. The prices seem to be goinig up and up, the corkage fee is high for a place of this caliber, and the Sesame Chicken that we had all come to love has been replaced with a new slimy mess. It was so bad (fatty, slimy, and sort of tasted like spoiled fish) that I literally had to spit it out. When I sent it back, I was told the receipe was changed recently to be more authentic. I was surprised to hear the waiter tell me that a lot of people had been sending it back, yet they have not changed it back. Their call I suppose... I ended up having the Sesame Beef instead, which was awesome. I will probably give Ping Pong one more try, but if they really want get back to their roots and be "authentic", they may want to consider bringing back the classics at reasonable prices.
(2)Jeff J.
I live nearby, so I'd been meaning to try this place for awhile. It was meh. It was Friday so I called to see if they took reservations. They don't. No big deal. Asked if one could call ahead to get on a wait list when headed to the restaurant. The guy was kinda condescending: "THAT would be a reservation." I've worked in restaurants and know better, but no use arguing. Ended up not having to wait after all. The place is cute. Simple decor and great patio with people watching on busy Broadway. The music was a little random. Alternating old school gangsta rap and Madonna, consistently at an ear-splitting volume. Much too loud for an 8pm dinner, even on a Friday. Couldn't hear anything from across the table. DO NOT recommend for a first date, when you might want to get to know someone via casual conversation. This might be better on the patio, where the sound has somewhere to escape. Had grilled potstickers, which were tasty but seemed deep-fried greasy. I had the mango shrimp. There were some hot peppers on the plate, for which I was thankful. Otherwise, the dish lacked flavor. My date had the salmon, which was better (though by no means great).
(2)Ali L.
Meh. Due to my close proximity to Ping Pong, I found myself ordering out there occasionally after a long day of work and enjoying my cashew chicken with brown rice in peace. But actually going to this place is a whole different box of rocks. The wait staff has been hired based purely on their shaggy, hipster haircuts and ability to not eat the restaurant out of business. They also have serious 'tudes. Waitstaff aside, the food is spotty. Over the two years I lived in the neighborhood I probably ate there 5 times, and every time I had a different experience. The pot stickers are ok. The fish tacos would be GREAT if they had fish in them? The taro chips rock, and due to our slow and snotty service the last and final time I was in there, that's all we ate because we just got up and left. Ick. Save your dignity and your money and go elsewhere.
(3)Lawrence Y.
I was a little reluctant in coming to Ping Pong (Monday night), for a variety of reasons (particularly because of the bad service reviews here), but I must report we had a problem-free evening. We started off with calamari - which was very delicious. It wasn't the typical deep fried calamari, and it almost tasted healthy. For my entree, I decided on the pan-seared salmon that came with a small side (can't remember if it was veggies or salad at this point... and rice if you wanted it). The salmon was amazing and plenty, so much that I still had a bit of it left at the end of dinner. I also enjoyed a couple libations (The Hamptons - sweet tea vodka & lemonade) - which was absolutely refreshing and paired well with the app and dinner, I think. I can see how the ambiance -could- get loud (with the music), but it wasn't that bad when we went. Perhaps that can be attributed to a slow night as well. Anyway, yeah, dinner here can get expensive - I'm not yet sold on their justifications on that (honey, this isn't Hollywood).
(4)Michael T.
I'm not a scenester or a member of the "dinneratti" (my new favorite Yelp-learned word) so I'm not really predisposed to liking a place like Ping Pong. The interior is .. perplexing. Jetsons? Metrosexual? Jetrosexual? I can't decide, but my ass says: uncomfortable chairs. I will agree with several key points made by other reviewers: 1. Appetizers are their strength. 2. Sitting on patio will result in major bug swatting/bitching/nobody caring/leaving in a huff still hungry for the un-discounted food the gnats bitchily stole from you.. 3. People who work at Ping Pong aren't allowed to EAT at Ping Pong or, apparently, anywhere else. This might be a plus, though, as it will make you rethink the crab rangoon. Takeout appetizers works for me 'n the Pong. You should only go to eat dinner during normal dinner hours if you need for the restaurants you decide to eat at to say something about Who You Are vs. feeding you really good food (especially at their price point).
(2)Jess L.
I LOVE the food here but cannot STAND the music. It's definitely trendy. I appreciate that while the decor is a bit sterile, they decorate it with some nice flowers and occasional projections on the wall (which, sometimes, are strange - like Golden Girls). Anyway, they make the best Buddhist Delight I've ever had. The cocktails are tasty too - but they'll cost you!
(4)Brian I.
After the renovations, Ping Pong is a spruced up location and has a slightly new feel - but it maintains it's cool vibe and high quality food. Overall, ping bong has good food with a few major standouts. Specifically, the S&P calamari (or is it cuddle fish??) is an excellent starter. We typically end up ordering more than one plate. One our most recent PP outing, the calamari wasn't quite as crispy as usual; however, the hot peppers and salty fried coating are a great combination. The squid is extremely tender - and the saltiness goes well with a cocktail. Speaking, of cocktails. PP has a nice list of well intentioned martinis. They're definitely enjoyable, but not necessarily the best in the city. The food is Americanized pan-Asian. And they do a good job with it. I feel that it's best to share a few plates with friends, but there are plenty of dishes that are good for single entrees. The food is good for the price and the service is efficient and friendly. PP is a fun place and there is always a good atmosphere. Although in previous reviews I've negatively comment on the sound level being pumped into a restaurant - somehow it doesn't bother me at PP. Perhaps because PP has more party vibe at the times I've been there.
(4)Gabe L.
Would you like to play a game? Ping ... Got seated fairly fast. Pong ... Took them 15 minutes to come back with glasses and our bottle of BYOB wine. Ping ... Atmosphere was nice, clean, and trendy. Pong ... It took just as long to fill our order. Ping ... Food was decent as far as Asian cuisine goes. Lots of variety. Pong ... Waited for the bill another 10 min. It was noticeably harder to get served fast here unless you're two hot guys on a date. Unfortunately for me, I was in the minority, since there was only one (me! ... how you doin'?) and a girl. Final Score: 3
(3)Michael S.
Sounds travel at varying speeds through solids, liquids, and gases, and don't pass well from one substance to another. If you shout at a brick wall, little of the sound energy emerges on the other side. Instead, most of the sound waves bounce back. Echoes can be useful (if you're in a submarine) or annoying. A noisy restaurant can be made quieter with floor, wall and ceiling coverings that soak up sounds. What the hell am I talking about? PING PONG. The name. I can't figure out any other reason for this place to be named PING PONG but for how incredibly noisy it is here. It's sooooooo noisy I've passed it a zillion times because the tumult gives me headaches. Until tonight....I passed it up until tonight. We ate late, and it was quiet there. And we ate outside, where it was delightful. Our waiter was a young, charming little goofball. He was diligent and a good salesman, and convinced me to order one of the specials: the oyster pancake. It was delicious. But oyster "pancake" is a misnomer. The dish is oysters (huge, fresh ones) mixed in scrambled egg with stuff on top. That's an omellete to me. By the way, it looked like the "vomellete" I saw Dave England make which Steve-O ate on Jackass. (not for the faint of stomach, I promise). The hot and sour soup which preceded the Oyster "Vomellete" was the sourest - - most sour - anyway, best hot and sour soup I've ever had. I have no idea why this place is called PING PONG.
(4)ForTheLoveofFood M.
I swear I don't just give restaurants 5-stars, it actually takes a LOT for a restaurant to get 5 stars with me, and sadly, Ping Pong does not get 5 stars. The food is amazing- some of the best tofu and spring rolls I've ever had. When I first saw my tofu, I actually thought it was real chicken, it looked amazing and tasted even better. The spring rolls were crunchy and full of great veggies, and the hot tea was great as well. The meal over all was exceptional and i would probably order it again. There are TWO reasons why I gave this place only 3 stars however. #1 The music. If I'm going to go out to dinner with a friend, or even a group of friends, I want to do just that- Have Dinner. I want to be able to have a conversation with my friends, not sit there with music bumping abruptly in the background and looking my friends awkwardly not being able to hear each other. I don't read lips well. The club music needs to go or be turned down- I think it's 100% unnecessary. I'm not there to dance, I'm there to have a meal. #2 The prices are a little high. I don't think it should be $15 per plate. Is it good? Yes. But the portion size is small compared to the price. It's chinese food, not a gourmet plate or revolutionary food. It's good, but the price and portion sizes do not coincide with one another. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're going out and want to talk with friends and I especially wouldn't recommend this place for a first date- you won't be able to talk. I would recommend it if you're upset with the person your with and don't want to talk to them the rest of the night. The food is great, the atmosphere is fun, but the music is obnoxiously loud and price points are a little high.
(3)Susan B.
I'm surprised about the recent bad reviews. We've been ordering delivery regularly for a few years and are always happy with the quality and relatively healthy options. If the chicken breast has indeed been replaced with thigh meat, that's a shame and should be made clear on the menu (and with the option to specify white meat). Good stuff: Sesame tofu, cashew tofu, Buddhist enlightenment, pad thai, sesame beef, bulgogi. Fast, friendly, and reliably good from our perspective.
(4)Sarah V.
Ping Pong! Ping Pong! Ping Pong! That would be my heart rhythm every time I'm within 100 feet of Ping Pong. (Ok and my doorbell...) The smells, the music, the chic people. So enticing! Twice I have visited this pan-Asian restaurant and twice I have walked away with a rather memorable story to tell the lady sitting next to me on the bus. (I get a little creepy when I've had three cups of coffee and a 45 minute commute) Birthday! The boy pushes aside his conservative food tastes and takes me here to enjoy my favorite foods. I bring a nice bottle of champagne to share, and what does he bring? A bottle of whiskey. Yup. Canadian Club. Oh the horror. But the waiter laughs and tells us they serve liquor now so I can save my embarrassment for the next time he whips out a West Virginia flashback. We toast to me being almost officially in my mid twenties and share small plates of dumplings, crab rangoon, fish tacos and seared tuna. The cherry on a very sweet night, Sex & the City, the movie is screening on the wall. Which had only just come out on DVD that very Tuesday, mind you. Second Trip: My suburban Columbus friends come to town and I made it my goal to shock their palates out of their corn-cobbed haze. Talk about picky eaters. "Kung pao who?!" "Ew does this mean raw?!" "I don't like spicy..." But fortunately, even my friends with the palates of seven year olds were satiated with comforting orange chicken (reminds them of the buffets back home I suppose) and basil beef. Ironically, both dishes are marked spicy... but I wasn't going to inflame them. I had my favorite, pad see ew, and snarfed down almost every bite because the sauce is just so delicious I've wondered what bathing in it would be like. The boy orders dumplings as an entree, since we'd be drinking heavily and he "wanted to save room for what's important". I plucked one off his plate to try and was less than thrilled. I promptly chucked it into the chili paste on his plate. A minute later I decide to give it another try, forgetting I've smothered the thing in devil juice... yep. Chili paste allllllll over these smackers! I didn't realize steam could ACTUALLY spew from your ears like in the cartoons! I am living proof, look for it in Guinness Book of World Records. My lips were so swollen they gave wet dreams to plastic surgeons far and wide. I will be back for a third installment of "What ridiculously embarrassing event can happen to me at Ping Pong this time??" The food is so fresh and so delicious I just might be able to bear the humiliation I sustain each time I go.
(4)Jerith B.
Yum! Ping Pong is right around the corner, and my husband and I love to go there in the summer -- they have great windows that they can fling open so you get a light breeze in the restaurant, or a bunch of sidewalk seating if you want to enjoy the air outside. In the winter, we are too lazy to walk there in the cold so we get delivery. I love their lettuce cups appetizer. Small chunks of chicken, peanuts, lime, and ginger. It is amazing, but sometimes it is a little too spicy. There isn't much consistency with the level of heat. My husband gets the shrimp fried brown rice and loves the brown rice option.
(4)Melinda K.
This is always a 5 star restaurant every time I go. Food is always beyond amazing, staff is very attentive, and love the setting. Thinking of going here soon again. I have yet to have a bad experience... the food is always fresh and tasty.
(5)Tim S.
I was first introduced to ping pong last fall by some friends and it has quickly become a standby place to bring friends from out of town and a restaurant I frequent to the point that most of the staff recognizes me. Its ambient vibe, incredibly friendly staff, exotic menu and great daily specials at a very reasonable price make it a chic and affordable place to wine and dine [they do have BYOB]. When you sit down you'll be greeted with a warm towel to wipe off your hands and a complimentary appetizer... typically taro chips, although for a brief time they served boiled peanuts. The wait staff will eventually bring you your own carafe of water and will keep your glass full. Their menus is a great mix of classic Thai and Chinese offerings and offers great selections for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. The hot and sour soup is incredible and a great way to start your meal, which for me usually is the green curry. I realized I hadn't reviewed pingpong and decided to when I visited this past week. Unfortunately it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had in a restaurant to date. It was nice outside, so we opted for the outdoor seating which we've done many times before. About midway through our appetizers we began to be attacked by a swarm of gnats that were encircling our table. At first i wasn't so bad but by the time our food arrived it was beyond tolerable. We spent nearly 3/4 of our time shooing the gnats away and all without any of the wait staff asking if everything was OK. Gnats ended up in our food, water and drinks and our server was nowhere in sight. Another server came to get our dishes and noticed what was happening and even brought it to the attention of other staff members who were more interested in seeing the bugs than the fact that all of our entrees were returned half eaten and that we were miserable. It seemed like the gnats were attracted to the grass or flowers that were in the planter around us and there were no candles or citronella on the tables or the periphery of the outdoor seating space to keep them away. Our server finally made his way outside and asked if we wanted dessert at which point all we wanted was the check. No effort was made by our server or a manager to apologize for the experience -- meanwhile, while we were waiting for our check, the busboys were making a game of swatting at the gnats with their dishtowels. And while up until this visit I've been a raving fan, the fact that our server knew we were regulars and didn't make any effort to rectify the situation showed a lack of appreciation for loyal customers, which to me, ruins my entire perception of ping pong. I would have given you 5 Stars before, but sadly, the lack of care or concern we were shown was inexcusable, unprofessional and was service we could have received at a Panda Express. Moral of the story :: don't expect sincere service and if you sit outside be sure to wear some OFF.
(2)Brian L.
If you are into the social scene and contemporary dining, come check this place out. I love that they play Lady Gaga tracks religiously. Everything on their menu is pretty decent, the prices are inexpensive. Their chicken curry is very good served in a huge bowl, but they give very little rice with it - it's ridiculous! Their Salt & Pepper Pork Chops were alright, I expected a big chop, but they gave me like 4 thin slices, lol. I recommend the Pad Thai! Lastly, at the end the chocolate covered fortune cookies served on a ping-pong paddle are to die for! Oh yeah, be sure to hit up the bar, the bartender makes good drinks! Overall, it's a great place to bring friends since it's also BYOB, but they have a CORKAGE FEE which sucks.
(3)Blair M.
Ping Pong is interesting. From its name, to the loud music played in the minimalist establishment to the fact that they serve their check on a ping pong paddle, they are not a typical restaurant. But, it works! My friend Renea and I were hungry a few nights ago, and decided to simply walk about Lakeview late one night. As we strolled past Ping Pong, music blared and the ambience of the dimly-light restaurant lured us in. We were greeted by a polite server and immediately seated. A cute waiter brought out a appetizer of peanuts that were soaked in something (they looked fancy). He also gave us these nifty warm clothes that you use to clean your hands before eating (extra fancy). I was feeling 5% awkward, as I had never experienced a place that offered such delicacies as marinated peanuts in shell or the luxury of washing your hands outside of the bathroom. They had a few specials- and we decided to sample a maki roll. We also each got a noodle dish. I got glass noodles, Renea got pad thai. The maki was awesome. Made with ingredients that were bursting with freshness, it was just a little spicy and made a perfect app. Our noodle dishes came just a few minutes after, and they were also very fresh and very yummy. We were both unable to finish, and had our food boxed. While prices were a little higher than I'd usually pay, the total came to just over $30, and that includes an app, two entrees and two very full bellies! The Price Rating: The Advertising Major- Kids who know they'll get filthy rich soon enough- is the moderate category. Picture a kid with a briefcase and a blazer jacket.
(3)Daniel A.
The food is delicious and for that alone, I give it a 4.5 on the rating scale. That's what brought me back. Your servers on the other hand, are killing your business! Visited with my girlfriend (our 2nd go) and a friend visiting and the server(s) made it a nightmare. 1. We brought along, a bottle of wine which the server took away for nearly 30 minutes (to uncork) and had to be reminded 3 times that we were okay with water, if only we'd get our wine back as our dishes were being readied. 2. The irritating attempts to make eye contact and touch me during their "check ups". With the cues there that I clearly am not gay and was not interested in anything more than the bloody food and a halfway decent service, these blokes apparently were too stuck in their routine of picking up their customers that they did not know when/where to STOP. Please stop flirting with me. These are two sad events that will hinder my gusto to return for another round of your fabolous meals. Please fix the service!
(2)Veronica T.
We came along this place on Labor Day. We were looking for some Thai/Asian food plus BYOB. Many places were closed due to the holiday. So I was extremely happy we came across this place. I love the decor, shabby chic-ish/modern. We had brought wine, but they actually do have alcohol. Corkage fee of $7.50 or $8 per bottle. A little steep, but I guess ok since they do have their own cocktails. I saw previous reviews about the food being sub-par. But I this was my first time here, so I enjoyed it. Slightly clubby feel with the electronic music, but I liked it. The music wasn't too loud. I ordered the harvest scallops and vegetables which was light, but flavorful. Dessert: Heaven and Earth - a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. Delicious. The service was good - our server was very attentive. She even clued us in on their BYOB rules, but letting us know we had to open our last bottle before finishing our entrees. Otherwise, we wouldn't be allowed to open it. Yeah the rules are a little annoying, but probably necessary since it's a small, busy place.
(4)Kerry V.
Went here for a dinner date. The service was just okay. It was hard to order drinks- we had to keep leaving the table to go to the bar. The food was excellent! Great tasting and healthy too! Decor is okay, could use some romance.
(3)Maura D.
Yummy, yummy, yummy! I went there for my birthday a few weeks ago and it was great. The food was really flavorful and delicious, though a little expensive for the small portion size (and my wallet size). Our server was pretty ditzy and hard to find, but we brought three bottles of wine so we didn't mind. Love that it's BYOB with only a $5 corkage fee! I'm definitely going to go again.
(4)Tony M.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now. It really stands out on the block. The inside is a bit cramped, reminds me of some chinatown restaurants. They have outdoor seating which can be nice on a good day. The menu features some pretty typical PAN-ASAIN (not just Chinese!) dishes. I just ordered several appetizers to get a taste-If you like tuna, they have a sashimi tuna dip with wonton chips which is delicious! For 11:30 at night the place wasn't too busy, but I can imagine during prime eating hours it can be packed tight. Overall the food was great, about what I expected, staff was alright, and the decor is my style-clean and simple. The value of price for food is an incredible find, and If you are interested in checking out PingPong I say give it a whirl. It is BYOB, so I suggest bring over some Tsingtao or Sapporo or something ( :) ).
(5)Jeff H.
After a 2 year hiatus/ban from horrible experiences at Ping Pong, I was talked back into going last night. I expected the worst but had a wonderful time. It appears there are all new employees, and we were treated very nicely and promptly. the food was, actually, really good. The portion sizes, last i remember were tiny, this time I couldnt even finish my entree. I'm all for 2nd/3rd/4th chances and I'm glad I gave ping pong another chance. I think I'll be back soon.
(3)Jason S.
Don't love it. Don't hate it. My panang curry with beef was pretty tasty but my wife's General Tso's chicken was a bit tasteless and dry. The crowd is funky. The atmosphere is simple. The music is loud. This place is most fun when it is warm and the front windows open up to more seating on the street.
(3)Marshall V.
I LOVE Ping Pong! I recently moved to the neighborhood, and have been to Ping Pong countless times already. The atmosphere is cool, the food and drink are great, and the staff is super friendly. Every table gets a little serving of Taro chips, they are so good, and they make them in house. I love the "gossip girl" martini and the orange chicken. They have great outdoor seating. I'm so lucky to have this place right across the street from me! Thanks!
(5)Maura R.
yum....understatement......yum yum. i am kind of a health conscious girl (when I am not eating pizza or chocolate) and this place has light options for the people who enjoy asian food but not the caloric side effects. I recommend the tofu harvest. healthy but tasty. and i cannot live without edamame in my life only wish they had larger portions of it with their serving size. suggestion...put one in my hood
(4)Katy P.
My husband and I have been coming here for years and we have tried over half the menu. The portion size is just right, and they have entrees that run from 8-15 dollars. I love the Kung Pao Beef while my husband loves the noodle dishes. The bartender once sent over the tuna sashimi dip to thank us for our loyalty. If this ever happens to you, be warned not to accept unless you are prepared to be drawn back to the restaurant on at least a fortnightly basis to get your fix. It is awesome. The staff might appear pretentious and uber-cool but they have been warm and helpful to us over the years. It can get crowded on weekends so I suggest dining early on Fri-Sat nights. FYI: they have outdoor seating.
(4)lesley s.
The best thing about Ping Pong is that a group of 5 of us went on a Saturday night around 7:45 and got seated right away. Living closer to downtown, I expected a 2 hour wait and was very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was a little trendy for my taste, but the food was decent. I ordered a chicken curry dish and substituted the brown rice for the extra $1, which was worth it, but I wished they had given me a little more. They did stick some extra white rice in my doggie bag though, which I appreciated. I wish I had been able to sample a few more things on the menu, but my fellow diners weren't particularly daring and mostly ordered fried rice (which wasn't anything to write home about). Not the best food I've ever had, but made for a good girls' night out and the prices were pretty reasonable.
(3)Event Horizon L.
Singapore street noodle and Pear Martini!!! YUM!
(4)Leah C.
after years of driving, walking, running and biking pass this establishment... we said to ourselves - tonight is the night we finally try ping pong... friday at 9:30 the place was packed and the wait well over an hour. they offer a $5 corkage fee or there's a pseudo-bar (more like a ledge) at the entrance-- the small space made it a difficult place for sipping and waiting. before going, we had categorized ping pong in the company of "penny's, joy's, noodle house" but the dance music and white geo-shaped plates kicked this up a notch to something more like china grill's kid sister. diners lean more towards lincoln park vs. lakeview and roscoe village which is a bit different from the crowd that is normally drawn to the b'way area. the food definitely had more frills than expected. AND - to our joy - more spice! our dishes both were notated as "spicy" and that they were (we aren't fooled by black pepper and tabasco and welcome the use of real peppers and ethnic spices). great vegetarian choices that let me choose from tofu and seitan accompanied by an array of colorful vegetables. service was also very good - we were so overwhelmed by the menu and by asking us a few questions, our server was able to narrow down our choices for us. hard to bring a group here (definitely not kid friendly) but i wonder how carry-out would be? we'd probably be regulars if the restaurant was more spacious and the wait, shorter.
(5)jordan h.
Great place. Not only does Ping Pong pack in a good value, but the atmosphere takes you to New York for a night. The waitstaff can be a little short at times, but again, it just adds to the NYC feel. Excellent vegetarian options, and the potstickers are great. Grab a bottle of wine at nearby Kafka, have a great three course dinner for less than $20/person, and go to The Closet across the street - perfect night out in Boystown.
(5)Lisa H.
I hear this place is good especially the sear tuna and sea bass. So one day I decided to give this place a try and this is what we order sear tuna and calamari for appetizer japanese potato curry and sea bass for diner. As for the calamari it was very blend no flavor but the sear tuna is so wonderful i almost order another one for myself. The sea bass is good but a bit sweet to my tastes and the curry was ok didnt stand out, but the drink is so pretty they decorate it with real orchids that's a plus because that's the first thing that came to the table. Another thing I just remember the taro chip they have omg i wish they can sell those to me every time i go. Oh one more thing if u want nice ppl please don't expected here, when we were leaving no one even say a word to us and the owner and manager just stare at us as we walk out.
(3)Ryan R.
Good, not great. Got the tofu the larger bits were a bit chewy and almost fried tasting. I liked the music and its volume for dinner but it was Wed night so I guess not an evening when the bar crowd is looking to be entertained. My girl's chicken and walnut fare featured MASSIVE walnuts and great meat. The portions aren't large but the quality makes the defference. Next time I might just rock the apps as they seem to get all the rave reviews, even by me. I'll go back again.
(3)Karis F.
the sashimi tuna dip at ping pong is one of the most delicious things i've ever eaten. and the margaret cho's chicken is wonderful every time. the service here can be so aloof at times that it's almost funny. my servers usually never even acknowledge my existence. i mean, he'll take my order, bring my food, etc., but i'm pretty sure the whole time he's just thinking to himself "wow, i'm so beautiful and thin... wait, who are these people?... ewww, whatever" so, i usually get takeout. and it's delicious.
(4)Lindsay B.
The atmosphere is fun and the patio is nice. However, the food is o.k. at best and certainly overpriced for what it is. It might be nice to get a drink, enjoy the environment and do a little people watching (inside or out) but there are much better places to enjoy a meal.
(3)Crtamb R.
I am so excited that this restaurant reopened. I've waited and waited for it. The menu is such a great blend of Asian food and the food is great. The service has always been great as well. Is there a wait for tables? Yes so get the hell over it. If you don't make a reservation or get there before everyone else at a place that doesn't offer them....welcome to the way the world works. Have a drink. In all honesty, the only people I have ever seen the staff not embrace, are the rude and impatient diners who have a huge sense of entitlement. All in all, amazing job Ping Pong. The rest of appreciate you.
(4)Megan D.
This is my favorite place in the city. I agree that the prices have been raised but I think it is worth it. I have been there many times but I brought 11 people there for my birthday and everyone really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. I think a lot of the dishes have a ton of flavor! The hot and sour soup, mongolian beef, and pad thai are all excellent!!
(5)Daniel C.
Jack of all trades, master of none. That's how I would sum up Ping Pong, which serves Pan Asian food. My experience here was not particularly memorable. It's not good, but it's not bad either. At least the decor is pretty nice. This place seems to be eternally packed, but I think it's the same for every restaurant in this busy stretch of Broadway Street.
(3)Diana C.
LOVE this place!! Not only is it BYOB, but they still have a full bar on top of it. The atmosphere is young and hip with a pretty crowd. Hands down the best fried calamari I have ever had and the sashimi tuna dip is something I always end up craving as well. Delivery is good and you get a free appetizer when you place an order, but something was defeinitely missing when I ordered in- Perhaps it was the pulsing techno music and see and be seen crowd...
(5)AxeMe A.
I love the sizzling rice soup, teas, and maki rolls. It's good all around!
(4)Nick S.
This place is the best place I tried to find good Asian styled food in Chicago (especially the Lakeview area). The beef and broccoli served extra spicy (my request) was just the thing I needed to get away from all of the American styled food I'd been eating all week. The bottle of Riesling they served was okay, but nothing to write home about. Thank God it was cheap (under $30) for the bottle of wine. Co-workers enjoyed their house martini's.
(4)Hiker Chicka e.
The food here is OK, but the service and the ambience sucks. We ordered Calamari ($8), which should really be called Green Onion Jalapeno Calamari, there sure was more green onion and jalapeno than calamari in the dish. The potion was too small (we didn't eat the onion and the jalapeno) for two people to share as an appetizer, but it was tasty. The Singapore noodles ($9) was good, but nothing extraordinary. They charged an extra couple of bucks for a small bowl of rice. The service here sucks. The waiters were almost rude. The music was really, really loud. Come on guys, this is a restaurant, not a rave. I go to clubs when I feel like dancing or listening to tub thumping music. The decibel of music played the night we dined was not conducive to enjoying a simple restaurant meal. With so many options in the area, I would pick some place else. Too bad 'cos this place really has the bones to make a good restaurant.
(2)Stephanie P.
Great food and atmosphere! Cheap appetizers and attentive service!
(4)Dan H.
I used to really like this place prior to their expansion. I feel like they have grown too quickly and their service greatly suffered. I am not a fan of how hot it gets inside the restaurant as well. The food is still good but service and atmosphere is important.
(3)Brandon B.
It's good, but not great. The food is okay standard Thai fare. I don't think I've had a bad dish there the two times I went. But I absolutely dispise the atmosphere. It's too loud and "trendy." I guess the decor is nice, but it seems a little cramped. I usually just go across the street to Joy's when I have a desire for Thai. Oh, and by the way, the staff seems rather pretentious for an inexpensive Thai place.
(2)Nick D.
Average at best. Went here for a date which was a good choice as it offered a casual and fun atmosphere yet was still nice and "trendy"...not -too- casual but not too pretentious. There was no wait either, so that was a plus! Started out with steamed potstickers which were just fine. Was in the mood for something a bit spicy so I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken which, in hind sight, was a mistake. The chicken was nowhere to be seen, the presentation was from that of a six year old, I was less than impressed with the food, especially after reading so many good reviews. Sure, I'll come back here if it's easy and I'm hungry, maybe try to give the food another shot (perhaps I just ordered wrong...), but I doubt I'll be going out of my way to bring anyone else there.
(2)Mark T.
Shockingly good food. Go for Buddhist Enlightenment if you're a veg-head, Salt and Pepper Shrimp if you're not. Go ahead of the crowds (8pm) if you don't like the noise. Go anytime if you're in the mood for fantastic food and spectacular sake-tinis!
(4)Katie M.
I really like this place. The appetizers are probably the best. They have interesting sushi options. It is very much a fusion type restaurant, but I like it. It's better than a lot of the other asian places in this area.
(4)Robert O.
Definitely some of the best Chinese food, I've ever had. The fried rices (some of my favorite Chinese food) was unfortunately too greasy to enjoy. I've had the sesame chicken, sesame beef, mongolian beef, egg drop soup and sweet and sour soup. They were all great and I've ordered them repeatedly. Keep it up, Ping Pong.
(4)Brian S.
I love almost everything about this place. The staff/service and food are amazing. Try the chicken noodle soup (I really mean that!), the mahi mahi satay, and the chicken curry. I love curry and this is the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, I'm knocking it down from 5 to 4 stars because it used to be BYOB but now has a liquor license and a hefty $4/person corkage fee.
(4)Kelly P.
i love ping pong! its such a great atmosphere! i have been there a couple of times but the last time i was there with my boyfriend there was a 30 minute wait. no biggie! we just ran to jacqueline down the street a grabbed a beer. when we got back we just had to wait for the table to be set so we sat at the bar and ordered the peach martini and it was sooo yummy and such a gorgeous presentation i didn't even want to drink it! we sat down ordered our food and it was there in 15 minutes! i had the general's chicken and it was the best! my boyfriend got the orange chicken and it wasn't that great in my opinion it tasted a little too orange. i love the music they play but sometimes its a little too loud because it was a little to hard to talk but we managed! and i just have to compliment everyone that works that because they were all dressed well and were very nice! great customer service!
(4)Nicole V.
To be honest....I thought there was only one kind of Chinese; the high sodium, msg packed, eerily good brown sauce kind. Ping Pong has changed all that for me. This is a fresh healthy take on Chinese! I started going to Ping Pong when they had about 4 tables...and a line out the door. Recently they have expanded, but they still have a line out the door. The food is just that good. They use all fresh ingredients and offer a healthy brown jasmine rice option (yum). My favorite is the spicy basil chicken. It is to die for! Many of the appetizers are very good as well. They offer many types of asian cuisine, so there is something for everyone. One of the best aspects of Ping Pong is the space. It is very minimalist, white and clean. They play trendy upbeat music...so you can't help but relax and enjoy. There is an exception, busy times. If you go on a popular night at a popular time...expect a wait. Also, expect the service to take a little longer. I try to go during the off hours so I can get the full experience...you may want to do the same.
(5)D.A. P.
Cute gimmicks. That is all I came out of the restaurant thinking. Chocolate covered fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddles. Semi-loud techno for that club feel. Even the servers looking like they just stepped out of Crobar with wildly gelled hairdon'ts and club habit induced skinny frames. To all of this I say fine, great even...how's the food? There is certainly plenty of hype surrounding the food, especially the high price. Well it is eh, just eh. Yes, my entree was tasty and yes my soup was tasty. So is Hong Kong Chef next to my place, which this tastes exactly like, and I could have paid 25 bucks less and got a free egg roll (they love me there :) ) The highly recommended salt and pepper calamari were also tasty. But, you know what? The calamari had a texture and tasted like tater tots and while I love tater tots, do I want to pay ten dollars for tater tots when I expect Calamari...no! Yes, the food is above average. Yes, the atmosphere is interesting. Will I be back? No. If it were a choice would I go to Hong Kong Chef instead? Yes.
(3)Chris W.
A few years ago I would have given Ping Pong 4-5 stars, but since the prices keep going up for the same food it has been a little frustrating being a regular. However, with that being said I still love the food, atmosphere and experience of the restaurant. The food is always amazing especially my typical meal of crab rangoon and orange chicken (super healthy). I have also ventured onto other items on the menu and have never been disappointed. The place is also BYOB which is enough to keep me and my friends coming back but the corkage fee has also gone up over the years so it is not as good as a deal as it once was. The service is typically touch and go depending on the night and your server but I often find this part of the places charm because I have just come to expect it over the years. All in all I think Ping Pong is definitely one of those places you need to check out for yourself. The experience is either a turn on or turn off depending who you talk to, but the food is always great.
(3)Kara F.
This was my second time at Ping Pong and I'm still debating whether or not I'll go back a third time. I'll start with the good things. The food is fantastic. Both times, everyone in our group has been pleased with all of the appetizers, entrees and desserts that we ordered. While their cocktails seem to be overpriced, the fact that they are BYOB is a real plus in my book! Also, our service has been very good. We had Christopher as our waiter both times and he was very friendly and attentive. Overall, a nice/fun meal both times. On to the bad. This past Friday night, I took a group of friends from out of town to Ping Pong. There were 6 of us and we arrived early enough that there were plenty of tables available. Since they don't take reservations, I know that the empty tables had not been reserved. As we waited for them to set our table, I noticed that they were setting a table of 4 for our group of 6. It looked like we would really be packed in there. So I said to the host..."That looks like it might be a little tight. Is there any way you can add another table for us?" His response was that while they would love to give us another table, it was the weekend so it wouldn't be possible. Um...ok. So the six of us packed in. Our appetizers were nearly impossible to fit on the table. It was just uncomfortable. If we had been 3 groups of 2, or a group of 4 and a group of 2, that would have warranted 3 tables. Why did we get gipped just because we came together?? Also, at the beginning of the meal, they told us that they would not open more wine once our dinner plates had been cleared. No problem at all. I totally understand that they don't want people sitting there all night drinking their own wine. However, when we ordered dessert, we asked for one more bottle of wine to be opened. They refused saying that they made it clear that no more wine would be opened once our "dinner plates" had been taken away. In my book, dessert is part of dinner!! I didn't know that they specifically meant our entree plates! So even though we still had food coming to the table, they would not open more wine for us. Unreal. One more thing...the first time I was there, they actually charged my friend $2/drink for ice! It was actually separated on his bill as an "ice charge". I didn't hear the conversation they had, but in my mind that is insane and cannot be justified. So overall, Ping Pong is a fun, cool, stylish and tasty place to have dinner. But the fact that they are so unaccommodating, stingy, cheap and clearly do not appreciate their customers...I just don't know if I'll go back. All they have to do is start being reasonable and it would be one of my favorite places to go with friends for dinner!
(3)Josie F.
The modern minimalist decor is great. The walls lend them selves easily to being used as the projection screens they sometimes are. The tranie and gay servers are allowed to dress as they please. The result is sharp fashion perhaps al la Bjork a bit. I do not know how anyone could wright a negative comment about Ping Pong. The best pot stickers in town fried or steamed. Why doesnt every place serve brown rice?? Try the sashime tuna dip as well. I love it. I have people come into town often. Ping Pong is always on the itinerary. There is no place else like it in Chicago. With some terrific bottles of wine running less then twenty dollars just get your own.
(5)Doug R.
I don't really have anything much different to say than the others on here that generally like this place. Food is good, some nights seem better than others. It is cheap and has a good vibe. It is a very good neighborhood staple for us and one that we will frequent. The heads on the wall are a little weird and probably why they did it. (taxidermy no longer there)
(4)e e.
i have been LOVING asian food lately - and was super excited for this hip restaurant just around the corner from my apartment... however when my bf and i went one thursday evening, we left feeling VERY disappointed. the decor was cool - and it was FILLED with young fun people. quite a buzz! we ordered crab rangoon and orange chicken with brown rice. the appetizer of cream cheese and crab goodness was EXCELLENT. and i really think thats the only thing that saved this meal from getting one measly star. the orange chicken was barely warm, very dry chicken, and had no flavor at all. in fact i dipped my chickens in the sweet and sour sauce we had from the rangoons! a little better - but come on. after just one try - i really dont think ill ever be back. and usually im up for giving 'just ok' restaurants another shot. not this one.
(2)Ande L.
I just read a review about Ping Pong that said there were lots of pretty boys...and that's putting it mildly. I think they were serving everyone....at least us (or was it a woman?) Anyway, the place is totally way too hip for my chinese tastes and the music was so loud I couldn't hear my date too well. :( I ordered the spicy garlic chicken which was very spicy and delicious, but it was more like eating thai than chinese. However, the meal concluded with chocolate fortune cookies with chocolate drizzled on top and they were delicious! I think next time I'll just order carry-out.
(3)Elena C.
Definitely my favorite Asian food in the city. Have never had a bad experience with their food. It is byob, but they corkage fee is pretty steep complared to most places, but dining in is always a fun experience. Speedy, delicious takout and delivery.
(5)Rishi S.
I'm new to Chicago, been here for 5 days now and PingPong was the first place to catch my attention as I made my way down Broadway from Lakeview (W. Oakdale). The place is small and stands out on the block, resembling a typical modern Thai decor found all over NYC rather than a traditional Chinese joint. Chilled, good music, menu has good selection of soups, appetizers, noodles, main dishes, desserts, and BYOB. Corking fee is waived if you buy wine from across the street (same owners I think). Seating capacity is about 15 and I only had a chance to try the hot & sour soup and the surfer-style tempura tuna + avocado-cilantro-lime tacos (both good). I'm excited to try the PingPong Chicken next time (savory honey walnuts + stir fried vegetables) and the Mango (lightly breaded chicken/shrimp/tofu + stir-fried with fresh mango slices.
(3)Tony C.
yuppie / hipster inedible Asian food. barely better than Panda Express. can't believe i just wrote "Panda Express" in a review.. ugh.. this place represents the downfall of Chinese cuisine in America. Henry Chang should be hung in effigy for letting Chicago pay such exorbitant prices for such crap food; thank goodness all the portions were small so i didn't have to recall my gag reflex much.
(1)Allison K.
I was supremely disappointed in many things about Ping Pong, starting with the service. After we had sat and waited for nearly 20 minutes, our less than friendly server sauntered over and finally brought us water. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, she came back and took our appetizer and main course orders. She had little opinions when asked questions about the menu, and barely spoke audibly in a restaurant where the "unz unz" is so loud with 90s hip hop you can barely hear the person next to you. And the food. Blah. Really blah. I felt like my dish, the pingpong chicken, was a Jolly Green Giant stir fry meal that had been microwaved. No flavor, and an overly preservative tasting sauce. Won't be going back here.
(1)Thomas H.
3.5 for food. 1.5 for delivery service. I've had a couple rude phone order people. They have always been short with me, as if they are better than the customer service job they are employed in.
(2)Natalie P.
Great food and really nice atmosphere (when the music isn't too loud...) really good spring roles and we had really good service. Love the noodle dishes
(4)Justin R.
This place has pretty darn good food, but they have the most uncomfortable seats and environment. Music blaring, and again, back to the seats, I had to take an aspirin when I got home. I say get your food to go.
(3)Hannah J.
I only lived in Chicago (let's be honest, Evanston) for four months, but I made my way to ping pong--through blazing sun, and blustery wind, and freezing sleet--many a time. It's not the shortest walk from the nearest El stop, but it's worth it. It's not the largest space (let's be honest, it may in fact be the smallest), and they don't take reservations, but it's worth it. And it's BYOB (and sadly, the darling wine shop-cum-art gallery across the street has closed), which is totally worth it. There are almost too many vegetarian options, and every dish I had was a hit. Order the "!" options ("!" denoting "spicy"); they're spicy, but not uncomfortably so. And even if it's not required of your visit, snake your way back through the kitchen to the bathroom--you'll be so close to the cooks they might just ask you to season some noodles or stir a broth. Most importantly, ping pong is straight cute.
(5)Tarra B.
On a monthly basis, I have the fun experience of participating in a dinner club. One night we decided to check out Ping Pong for a Chinese twist. The atmosphere is comfortable and clean. I ordered a very refreshing drink called the Gossip Girl which has passionfruit vodka, tropical nectars and a squeeze of fresh lime. It was so good! Then for dinner I ordered the Buddhist Enlightenment which had a really nice flavor that consisted of simmered seitan, tofu ribbon, shittake, napa, peapods, glass noodle in soy broth all for the reasonable entrée price of $12. (There was a lot of food, so I had plenty to take for lunch the next day- nice bonus, huh?!) I'm kind of craving this dish again now as I write this review, so I might be stopping by in the near future. Overall, the girls were pleased with their chicken and beef dishes as well. I think we were all surprised how good the food was and we didn't have to spend $50 to enjoy a nice dinner. Go Ping Pong!
(4)Isla E.
What a disappointment! One of my bestest friends was in town with her husband, and we ordered takeout from pingpong because they were into staying inside after a long couple days out in the city. But I wanted them to enjoy what they had to eat, and I thought from the kind of minimalist look of the takeout menu the food would be more about quality than quantity. In the end, it was about neither, it was just crappy. They ordered the summer rolls, the chicken lettuce cups, and then some kind of lo mein. I got the seaweed salad and some tofu/vegetable soup. The summer rolls smelled fishy, I mean really fishy...not just normal shrimp smell. I almost stopped her from eating them but she decided to take the risk, and there were no adverse consequences that I know of. And the sauce they serve with them was clearly the stuff you can get in a jar from the grocery store. The lettuce cups..basically the filling is whole round peanuts with with sauce on them. Glad they went through the trouble to shell the peanuts. I don't know if there was any chicken in there at all. They said the lo mein was good...but maybe they were being polite. Or even if the lo mein was good, is that enough to make up for an over-dressed seaweed salad in addition to the items described above? The tofu soup I really can't complain about it being bland, that is the nature of the soup, but I've definitely had more interesting versions. Possibly their dine-in is better, but I have no desire to try it.
(2)Kevin B.
I was excited to go to Ping Pong, as most of the time that I walk by the place it is usually full with people and more people waiting outside to get in. That usually is the best kind of marketing you can get! However, when I finally went one day, I was let down by wait time and the lack of interest from the waiter in serving us. However, that being said, the food was very good, once served, and the prices were much lower then I expected. I love the simplicity of the interior design, however I faced the wall and got bored really quick with it. I'll definitely go back, but just not as excited as once thought I would be! Definitely check it out for yourself.
(3)Marcus C.
Waiting an hour for good, not great, food sort of hurt my SF sensibilities. The calamari was pretty tasty, but everything else seemed lackluster. I appreciated the effort though and I commend the restaurant for making pretty drinks with floating orchids.
(3)andrea m.
Good, nice servers. I like the design of the place and that fact I got to dine alfresco. I want to go back to sample a few more things off of the menu.
(4)Sergio N.
This place is good but a little bit pricey !!! Staff are friendly and the chairs are very comfortable ! There are times that this place becomes very noisy and a good conversation is not possible .. This plus is good on weekdays ... But weekends is like a riot !!
(4)Paige J.
Delicious food, decently priced. It's close to home, so that's a plus. At the end of your meal they give you a handful of chocolate sprinkle-covered fortune cookies, which is always a good thing... :)
(5)Britni K.
It's alright, I guess. Really, you should only go there if you have some extra money to throw around and your significant other feels the need to be seen at some place trendy, but I'm not impressed. I've only ever had delivery (which takes all creation, so order before you are hungry) and carry out due to the fact that I get a migraine even thinking about the incredibly loud pounding music and all that orange - nothing against orange, there's just a lot of it. I love the sea bass and hot and sour soup, but it's really over priced and you could get much better tasting for much less money if you just ventured down to Chinatown. My boyfriend did have a problem with some Pad Thai he ordered. When it finally made it to our apartment (which is less than 3 blocks from the place so heavens knows why it took an hour and a half... and yes, we could have gone an picked it up, but that's beside the point!), it looked a little less like Pad Thai and a little more like beef chow mein. Which would have been fine, but it smelled like a sewage leak covered up with urinal mints. We called and they were nice enough to credit us for the...uh... urinal mint dish. So, I say be careful what you order. Maybe stay away from the Pad Thai... actually, just stay away from the place itself. Go to Chinatown.
(2)A.S. V.
Cheekily called "chopstick cuisine," Ping Pong is a quirky little BYOB sushi/Pan-Asian restaurant. It's also probably the smallest restaurant in the neighborhood, with about three tables inside. Luckily there's outdoor seating in the summer. Only open in evenings, its a great place for an intimate date and a creative menu.
(4)Meg F.
I used to LOOOVVEE this place for so many reasons. While their updated interior is gorgeous since their fire, we had to laugh outloud at the hostess. We sat outside (only patrons) and she was pissy at us for coming with a baby even though it was 5:30. Then the next thing out of her mouth was "if that is not for the baby you need to get rid of it, now!" refering to my bottle of coconut water! My husband laughed and said, it's just water and she said, "we don't allow outside drinks, put it away, now." We hadn't even sat down yet, this was in the process of her huffing and puffing over moving a 2lb chair to the next empty table for the stroller to fit! I don't know, but we couldn't get over her, she was just too much. You'd think that she thought she was seating people at the Ritz at 9pm or something (and the Ritz staff would never be so rude and gross). Waiters were adorable and sweet, she just started our very purposly early dinner cause we don't want to disturb others w/our baby, on a really really bad note. Bitter woman and bad for business. We loved old ping pong...(:
(2)Julia T.
Overall I had a good experience at Ping Pong. I didn't really get the correlation between the name and the theme of the place but oh well...Service was great super attentive, food was decent not overly priced and the quality was not too bad. The martini's are great, yummy I especially love the garnish on them! The decor was nice, the music was a bid too loud I felt like I had to strain my voice in order to speak.
(4)Gina G.
We ordered delivery last night. I vaguely recall ordering once before and liking it. That was not the case last night. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. The food was really bland. I added some chili pepper paste that I had at home to give it some flavor. My boyfriend ordered Pad Thai. He said it was one of the worst he has had. Once he put some spice in it, it was a bit better. He didn't finish it though (and he always does). I ordered the Harvest with tofu and shrimp. The tofu was really good. I would advise to stay away from the shrimp. They were bland and tough (and a little fishy tasting). The summer rolls were decent enough. There are too many good restaurants in Chicago, so I probably will not go back here.
(3)Amanda S.
I've been eating at Ping Pong since it was MUCH smaller and only had 6 tables. Over the years, the prices have increased a bit, but it's still a great value. The food is incredibly fresh. I'm vegetarian and usually go for the spicy garlic vegetables with tofu. I love it that you can get brown rice. The Kung Pao is also awesome. The only thing on the menu I would say to stay away from if the Pad Thai. It's pretty mediocre. This place does not take reservations, so it's pretty crazy busy. If you want to get in and out fast, go eat before 7. You won't have any problems and your service will be great. I only gave Ping Pong 4 stars because of service.. when it is really busy you sometimes will have to wait. Overall, the waitstaff is really friendly. I also order take out from them on a regular basis and the food is great via Take Out as well. I love it they still let you BYOB even though they have a liquor license now. Henry has done a great job with his restaurants and Ping Pong will remain one of my all time Chicago favorites.
(4)Molly P.
LOUD. I have eaten here once, when there was outside seating, and it was okay. I don't normally like Chinese food, but this is a low-on-grease restaurant. They have a few vegetarian dishes which are pretty descent-- nothing too special, and I only go there because I live across the street. I wouldn't go out of my way for this place. Even when I go to pick up my food, I have to shout my name and have them repeat the amount, it is seriously that loud in there. I'm under 30 too, so I don't know who they are catering to with this loud music. I think this is supposed to be an "atmosphere" place, but I can't imagine going there are shouting across the table. There's got to be better Asian restaurants around.
(2)yamani h.
good.LAAAAWD. you need to eat here. no seriously. the food made me exclaim on numerous occaisons throughout the evening and the desert that i had...the great wall brick:: baked chocolate graham cracker crust, toasted coconut, pecans with ice cream...sweet geezus! made me shiver with delight. lol (i know, what a cornball) the menu is very large, so there's something delicious for everyone. its BYOB...somehow they "lost" our B in the back which i was a lil salty about but they brought us something else. and i love the atmosphere which was very mod&minimal and one would think "shi-shi" but the waiter we had practically became my bff before we left. very cool. take your honey.
(5)Aubrey R.
Ordered delivery last night. We ordered salt and pepper pork chops, calamari, crab rangoon, shrimp fried rice and hot and sour soup. The salt and pepper pork chops were pieces of pork, not pork chops with the bone and breaded like how they do it in Chinatown. These were not breaded and kind of hard and dry. Not good at all. Fried rice could have been good, but they added lima beans and pieces of corn...strange. The crab rangoon not so great either, it was mostly cream cheese inside. The prices are kind of high for the type of food they serve. We were pretty disappointed. We were craving good salt and pepper pork chops without going to Chinatown. Anyone know of any good places that deliver salt and pepper pork chops up north? So far I've only found salt and pepper shrimp. For my chinese fix, I'll stick with Yummy, Yummy. We spent 50 bucks on delivery for food that was kind of bland. We order just as much from Yummy Yummy for about 30 bucks. My boyfriend found his soup bland. He said the salt and pepper calamari was okay. The 2 stars would be for the fast delivery. They said 45 minutes to an hour, took 35 minutes for our food to arrive. I would have waited an hour if the food tasted better.
(2)Esme W.
This place is awesome! I love the beautiful Asian men in dresses, I love the plain white walls...but most importantly, the food is YUMMY! I never frequented the neighborhood much, but if all the restaurants are as good as Ping Pong, I should have! My bad!
(5)Dee C.
Chinese food that doesn't have that gloppy texture. The kung pao tofu was the best I have had in a long time and the brown rice was great,hate sticky, white rice. We ordered a few dishes for delivery, it came super fast on a Friday night, Great stuff.
(4)Eric D.
I've been here once on a date and it was alright. The food is quite good actually, its the atmosphere I can do without. The place does not look like an Asian restaurant at all. I felt like I was going to be meeting up with Carrie Bradshaw and the gang. I can't remember if our server ever said anything to us. It was like being handled by robots - trans-gendered asian robots haha. Oh well, I'd get the food again anyways. The orange chicken was pretty tasty.
(3)Danielle D.
After hearing so many great things about this place, I had to finally try it. Its always packed, and the sidewalk cafe is a happening summer spot. All I can say is...what a disappointment! Food was mediocre at best, nauseating at worst. The calamari someone else raved about was bland and chewy, and the rest was forgettable. Definitely won't try it again.
(2)Saket K.
This NY Chelsea "wannabe" joint has major attitude problems. Even though this is a BYOB we were not permitted to have our wine while waiting 1 hour for a table. Other BYOB's in town allow you to have your wine while waiting...Will not waste my money here again and I'm sure they don't need my business either in this recession.
(1)Eleanor K.
Love this place. Huge menu, most of it's really top-notch. BYOB. Nice service. The atmosphere is good, though I admit the music is a bit loud for my taste (maybe I'm getting old?) Highly recommended.
(5)Zac B.
I've seen plenty of mixed reviews on here, and while this is a review of Ping Pong, and not a review of Yelp reviewers, can I just remind everyone that mixed reviews deserve two to three stars, not five, and perhaps a four if you just had one minor complaint. But be more discriminate with those five stars y'all, you only live once! ;-) Anyway, about Ping Pong. I've lived in this neighborhood for six months now, but even before moving into East Lakeview, I had visited a friend here and walked by the place often, wondering how in God's name something trying to be so uber-hip could have landed flat down on North Broadway sandwiched between a candy store, a tanning salon, and other less raucous restaurants. And with no booze permit! Well, now they have the booze permit, and it is expanded, and I think we've all begun to get used to the fact that Ping Pong, for better or for worse, is here to stay. Let's look at some highlights of the decor. Can we say cute waiters? And the interior is a little too trendy if you ask me, but then again, this is what their shtick is, so who am I to judge? I suppose if it were less gaudy and more refined, business would probably tumble. I don't understand why the music must be so loud, or the movies projecting onto the walls, and hopefully come summer when they open the doors the noise level will diffuse to the outside. Right now the din of the room rises so much that you can't even hear yourself think, let alone talk to your table without screaming. Yes, it's true the staff is a little on the bitchtastic side, but I think the issue here is that they can't hear you just as much as you can't hear anything. Now imagine having to deal with every table in such a way, and now imagine that they are waiters and probably would rather not be doing what they're doing for a living either, or at least were doing too much drinking and coke snorting the night before. I've found that the best way to get your waiter to be polite here, and maybe even get a smile, is to be a little sassy back. This is Boystown after all. For example, when our waiter brought us our main courses, my friend reminded him that he had ordered brown, not white, rice, and so the waiter turned to me and asked if I too would prefer brown rice, even though he had on his tray two white rice bowls ready. I asked, "Would that be a pain in the ass?" His reply, somewhat snarky: "Yes." Rather than shying away, I remembered to be a little more rude than usual in return, and said, "In that case, bring me brown rice." Instead of getting pissed, the waiter got a big smile on his face as if I had said I was going to make out with him later, and proceeded to go get our brown rice. So don't go overboard, and certainly have a sense of timing and style, but by all means return some of the "poor attitude and service" to the floor staff, and like the Blob they will absorb your negativity and refuel their happy-charge in some sadistic, primordial way. The food is pretty decent. Don't listen to the guy who says that it tastes like cardboard. I think that guy probably lost his salivary glands and is pissed at the world. And what's really cool is that the dishes are very unique. You won't find regular Chinese dishes here, so be a little experimental. The Ping Pong chicken with walnuts is good, as is the seafood Noodle Soup, the calamari, and many of the appetizers. It is too loud, and the wait can be a little atrocious. But isn't that a sign of goodness? It's a fun place, that's for sure, and not a good place to take your grandparents. Also, I've seen some kids in here before, but found that very confusing. There is just something "adult" to me about Ping Pong. Great people watching, I suppose. And no, do not order delivery. It isn't as good, from my experience, and I live next door.
(4)Allyson C.
I had a great dinner at ping pong this past weekend. While it was certainly not the best place I've ever been (possibly because I couldn't bring myself to order anything but Thai...when am I going to learn!?) it was the cheapest meal I've had so far in Chicago, in a place with a fun atmosphere and pretty decent food. I tried their mango martini before busting in to our BYOB wine. It was delicious. We also tried the potstickers, crab rangoons, and a sushi roll involving avocado & shrimp tempura. The sushi was really good. The others ok. My pad siew was disappointing but what else is new. I really liked the chocolate covered fortune cookies that were delivered on a ping pong paddle at the end of the night! We didn't have a problem getting a table for 5 when we arrived at 7:00 on a Saturday but within an hour there was a wait and the line was growing. The place is kind of funky in a cool way. They show old movies on the walls and (the night we were there anyway) the waitstaff were dressed in war-themed attire. Two of the guys were wearing shoulder holsters even and there was lots of cammo involved! It made for a unique experience that only came to $24 a person at the end of the night. Amazing!
(4)Cassie B.
I have lived in this restaurant's vicinity for years (both north and south of it) and i have never been here. but the place is always PACKED no matter what day of the week. especially during the summer when i jog with the dog i am always jealous of the people drinking and eating outside this place! ANYHOO, i finally tried it on a Saturday night. I see why people go ape $hit over this place. the food is very good and it is BYOB. can't beat that. there are a LOT of selections on the menu - i could hardly decide what I wanted, they all looked good. the food was fresh and our meals had a lot of meat without a lot of filler. the only complaint i have is that my chicken kung pao, which was just the perfect amount of spicy, could have had more vegetables. The corkage fee, as we saw on our receipt, was $1.98 (99 cents per person? whatever. good deal). Also they give you the most amazing chocolate fortune cookies drizzled with white chocolate at the end. last complaint - server never asked if we were OK or if we wanted dessert. he just put the check down. boo! as a former server,. you ALWAYS try to upsell (without being obnoxious, of course). all in all i love ping pong and will be back soon!!
(4)Li W.
I love Ping Pong!!!!!!
(4)Richard C.
I'm surprised that others don't all like the food here because I think it's very good. Great food, BYOB, and one of the best atmospheres in Chicago.
(4)Sam K.
I used to really like this place. I went in, however, after the remodel and was not pleased at all. The host was snobby, the waiter messed up my order and it took forever to bring the correct one out. Then when we questioned a charge on the bill, the host was completely unappologetic and acted like it was our fault. I am not in a big hurry to return here any time soon!
(2)Katty D.
i'll be honest, it took me a year living in this neighborhood before i tried it out. i am typically not into super chi-chi asian places. i at first felt it was pretentious and that i woudl be paying 15 dollars for something that i could get for $5 in chinatown. but i ended up trying it out with some friends who forced me to go, i thought the food was delish! I had teh sesame beef which is incredible! It's slightly crunchy and sweet which gives it a new feel. also, the fish that we had (i'm sorry i can't remember what kind) was steamed in teh most delicious soup. what was incredible was the appetizer of the tuna sashimi dip. it is a little more expensive than the typical asian restaurant across the street, but very worth trying
(4)Jeanette S.
I love Ping Pong. The service is great, the food is fantastic, and they are always busy but the wait is never too long. My favorite is a dish with broccoli, beef, and sesame. SO delicious. Their appetizers are also great, we try to eat a different one each time we go. Make sure you check out their drink list though. Some of the names are a bit girly for my fiance's taste, but he sure does love the taste! They also come nicely garnished. Other best part?! IT'S BYOB! Who can beat that??
(4)allison f.
Went here only once but remember it well. Very nice place, one of those restaurant-bars you'd see as background for Sex and the City if only it were a bit bigger. I suppose that's my one complaint is the space, but you can easily tune out those around you and keep beat with the downtempo, chill music constantly playing. (We had a guy describing in great detail his latest and greatest hook-up with a guy who'd made it clear he just wanted friendship but wouldn't you know he booty-called on Saturday. This has potential to ruin the taste of your Ping Pong Chicken, if it wasn't so perfectly made.) Everything in the dish I had (Ping Pong Chicken, as mentioned) was cooked perfect. A lot of Thai places drench the dish in teriyaki or soy sauce, turning it into Pad Soup, but it tasted and appeared as if everything was carefully cooked and added to the meal. I'm sure it's a quick task of throwing it all together, but in comparison it says miles about the food and gives you the hunger to come back for more. Recommended-- go early if you're doing a weekend thing. By the time dinner was finished it was nearing 8pm and the line for a table was out the door. This place gets extremely crowded and stays that way until close, especially in the summer.
(4)Aaron S.
Food is pretty good, but the prices are absolutely outrageous. I really enjoyed the Ginger Martini - so much that I ordered a few. I went with a pretty big group and they were able to accommodate. The group bill game to $450 for seven people. I don't feel like everyone ordered outrageously or had extravagant items. Yes, the prices are clearly marked - I'm just staying there are cheaper, and better places to have dinner
(3)Jason A.
Not really adding anything new here, but basically this place is slightly Americanized Chinese food that is good, I enjoyed my meal. However, it's way to expensive. You're going to spend $15-$20 more for the same number of items to a comparable place like Youngs or Dees and get about 50% of the food. Its good, just too overpriced to ever eat again.
(3)Jahna L.
We used to love this place when it was a tiny place with about four tables and they owned the wine shop across the way. Not anymore...it is a sad, disorganized operation. We ordered online. Order was completely wrong. The prices were wrong on the website. They called back twice after they delivered the food and said they had to charge us more. Said something was wrong with the website. Nice customer service. Won't ever go back.
(1)Ben B.
Good food, great service. I came here on a Saturday night with my girl. There was no wait and we were seated immediately. Our server was awesome. He showed up right as we were seated with moist towelettes to wipe our grubby mitts. He seemed to have some sort of mental link with us so he anticipated anything we might need. More rice? Boom. There it is. More water? The water guy is refilling your glass just as you were about to say something. I ordered the spicy garlic chicken. I didn't think it was terribly spicy, but I have a high tolerance for such things. It was a fine dish, though the sauce was a bit thick for my taste. Your meal ends with a chocolate-covered fortune cookie. Perfect. Just perfect. The restaurant has an interesting vibe. It's decorated far more upscale than the place merits. The menu says it's inspired by "Old Shanghai, Interwar China 1930s." While you're there, you'll hear a variety of old tunes from big bands and Louis Armstrong. Definitely a unique take on a Chinese place. I loved that. The food alone is good. The service is what makes Ping Pong worth a return visit.
(4)Jen K.
Wow. Did not expect this. The place was fantastic. We had a table that was inside but the windows were open so we got the breeze from the outdoors too. The decor is adorable and I am obsessed with the music choice (Rat Pack and the likes). Our waiter was fantastic the whole night. He was very good with the wine recommendations. We tried the lettuce cups for an appetizer, which were a fun twist on a usual lettuce wrap. We also shared the potato curry steak and the pad see ew with chicken. Both were great as well. It's near my house and I pass it often but I'm glad I finally stopped and and will definitely be heading back.
(5)Ray C.
Ever since the sad demise of Jia's on Halsted, we've been looking for great Chinese food on the north side of Chicago. Ping Pong is it. Great atmosphere, appropriately gay and excellent food. Real meat with light batter, not deep fried into hard chunks of tasteless fat. I recommend the orange and general's chicken. A little pricey, but well worth it.
(4)Michael K.
Really enjoyed my second time at Ping Pong. Had edamame that was good, but the steamed pot stickers were amazing. I had the garlic beef entrée and it was really good! The portions are huge! You could share the meals here. My only complaint is that the wine is way overpriced. They charge $38 for a $14 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The service was very good. They were nice and helpful. I'll be back when I visit Chicago.
(5)Emann B.
I've lived nearby Ping Pong ever since it opened, but never dined there. I finally went and was pleasantly surprised with the charming service, big tasty cocktails, and delicious fare. We had the lettuce wraps which were deeply flavored with a touch of sweetness, followed by the steamed dumplings which were fine. The sesame scallops and curried rice with cashews were fantastic! I'm happy I finally stopped in!
(4)Jeff A.
This is a decent, mostly-Chinese restaurant with tablecloths. Don't expect more and you'll be satisfied.
(3)Rebecca B.
So I live down the street and have ordered takeout a few times. I like to order the Large $8 wonton soup; Good-sized dumplings, well-balanced broth and always hot. I think it's the best in town. Today around 4:40pm, I walk in to get some takeout, and before I can say hi, the bartender dismissively says to me, "Um, there's no seating in the dining area. You have to sit here." Meanwhile, wearing he's wearing an annoyed face. (I want to be like well, I'm fine, thanks for asking!) Ew. Bad social interaction #1. Next, I order my soup, and he puts it in fairly quickly. As I wait, I notice the decor - I like it, and for the first time I analyze the menu completely. Ohhh, you guys have sushi AND dim sum?! I am interested to know more about this place! But then I look over at the bartender, and I know I shouldn't ask him about the owners based on bad social interaction #1, and the fact that he doesn't seem to like making eye contact. Of course, I ask anyways because I am a customer who likes this place and wants to know more. He says to me, "Um, it's two partners?" "Oh cool, what are their names? They must be asian." "Umm, well It's a white guy and an asian guy." Ok... That doesn't answer my question. And he also doesn't seem too sure on whether the owner(s) are two partners or not due to his doubtful tone. At least he knows their race. Ha. Sounds like he loves his job! Based on how weird I feel right now, I think I'm just going to stick to the Japanese place across the street. I don't like anti-social restaurant staff. ***Also, see Mike N.'s post. He says something similar, "Attitude." The bartender definitely had some tude, Clueless tude. As in like the movie, "Clueless." It was like Totally buggin'.
(3)Grace M.
Presentation, venue, and experience was great!! Will definitely be going back very soon!
(5)Keven T.
Very good food. service was a little empty minded( I'll give them a pass because it was Friday and it was busy) but overall a very good place to eat!
(4)doctor a.
Pingpong would certainly be pricey for take-out. But it's a totally reasonable upcharge to dine there because the atmosphere (colors, decor, open doors in the summer, music), service, and drinks are really outstanding (in addition to really tasty food and flavors). I went by this place for years before ever really looking inside- wish I had gone in sooner! Few of the photos here do it justice (and none on their website!), but if you are interested in a romanticized but charming 1930s era Shanghai decor, well mixed flavors in classic dishes with trendy ingredients and pizazz, great service, and good people-watching by the windows in the summer, try out Pingpong.
(5)Mike L.
We ate here Saturday night - it was my first time in 10 years and it was as good, if not BETTER than I had remembered. They expanded the dinging area and did a fantastic job - open and airy with outdoor seating. I had the steamed Chicken with ginger - unreal! We shared grilled Veggie and Chicken dumplings - also very good. Excellent and friendly service. An asset to Chicago and should not be missed!
(5)Brittany M.
Very intimate & different from the norm of restaurants these days. Service was friendly and the food was quickly done. We enjoyed these menu items: -Buddhist Enlightenment Packed with Asian flavor. Too strong for my taste but my husband was all about it! -Scallion Pancakes Amazing. Seriously in love! -Chilled Tofu Excited to try after reading about a similar cold tofu on an SF blog. Wow!! Delicious. Definitely just became a regular. The vegan menu options are insanely large for a non-vegan restaurant. Dare to say its the largest in the area. You go Ping Pong!
(5)Mike N.
This place was awesome in 2007, now, it's pretty terrible. Let me summarize why: Bad service and overpriced food (for the quality). From the point we walked in, the waiter gave off an aura of superiority. Keep in mind this was a quiet Monday when we dined here. I walked in holding a coffee I bought from the amazing coffee shop across the street and the host actually made me throw it away. What's the big deal about me finishing my cup of coffee in a place that doesn't serve coffee? The service in general was unfriendly and sparse which is just intolerable on a quiet Monday night. In general, the food isn't any better than any other Thai takeout place except for twice the price. Come here if you enjoy being treated with an attitude and dine on mediocre Thai food in a place decorated like a Thai brothel.
(2)Stephanie L.
I ordered delivery tonight since I've been sick. I ordered egg drop soup, small wonton soup and an order of crab ragoon. Ugh. Ok. First, it ended up costing me $24!!! What?! Second, the ragoon was bland and tasteless. There were only 4 pieces. And they charged me for doing sauce! Last, the wonton soup was gross. Bad flavor, bad smell. The only good thing was the egg drop soup which is pretty easy! Never again will I order or eat here.
(1)Christopher B.
Adequate. Pricey. Appetizers were tasty. My entree and others were adequate. Big tables are not intimate and make room for fewer people.
(3)Darby D.
Ping Pong is expensive, but it's also really good. The food is excellent, the service is friendly and attentive, and the decor is fun. Drinks are pretty amazing too!
(4)Michael M.
They must have read my old (2011) review, as they have completely changed decor and music to exactly the opposite of what it was before, while preserving and even improving upon the always excellent cuisine. Went from modern, hard-edged and loud to traditional, comfortable and wonderful mellow jazz of the '30s, '40s and '50s. Food and service are first-rate. Prices higher than at chop suey joints, but good value for fresh and well-prepared dishes. Now our go-to Chinese eatery.
(4)Lindsay A.
Boo. This place is overrated! go to joy's across the street. all their food is great. Most of the food here is mediocre at best but the pad thai tastes like ketchup. Try the crab rangoon. Its hard to fuck that food up.
(2)Mathew P.
Ate here once. It was overpriced and the food was not worth the money. I also walk past the place everyday. Does anyone else know why they are so overstaffed? At any one time, there are around 5 waitstaff persons mulling around waiting to pounce on someone. Anyway, you can be a Mark's on Halsted in 5 minutes if you want better, cheaper food.
(2)Myra M.
I came here based on my friend's recommendation. She told me it was BYOB and that the food was great. I agree with the food portion, however when I brought a 6 pack of beer, they told me they do not accept it. Given no reason as to why, apparently it was just one of their rules. Luckily my two friends had two bottles of wine, however they charge $8.00 corkage fee. Just to open the bottle, not even bothering to refill our glasses when they were low, we had to spend $8.00 per bottle. When she opened the bottle and filled (the only time) our wine glasses, my friend and I had food encrusted into them. We notified the waitress, not even bothering to apologize, she gave us new glasses. Perfectly good wine was wasted! Overall the food was a little pricey, but good! The portions were filling, but don't expect to bring leftovers. The service was average. When we left, they gave me the wrong beer and I didn't even notice until I came home. Thankfully it was Blue Moon, so I wasn't too disappointed. I don't know if BYOWine is now the new rule, but I do feel like that corkage fee was slightly outrageous. I am from the burbs, so its hard to sometimes grasp the extra fees Chicago restaurants, bars, parking, driving, maybe even breathing (anything associated with Chicago) likes to charge on people.
(3)Jill M.
I likey likely a lot! I'm not fond of their pad see ewe (which I usually order from thai restaurants). It had peanuts in it and had way too much sauce. But thats ok! I don't have to order it from here! I like their spicy garlic chicken a lot better! My friend and I were breathing heavily after we were done eating! They have a full bar and you can also BYOB, but there is a corkage fee if you bring in your own bottle of wine.
(5)Abby P.
One of my Top 5 favorite places in Chicago. Try the chicken egg rolls, the hot and sour soup and the sweet potato roll!
(5)Dustin G.
I love Ping Pong! I moved out of their delivery range and now I hardly eat there. I miss it! The food is bizarre, in a good way. Everything is a unique and delicious adventure. Every bite is a pleasure in and of itself. The atmosphere can be a bit noisy and crowded, but the food's so good you won't notice. Check it out.
(4)Amy Y.
This place looks really warm and convivial from the outside, and good for dates. Inside is surprisingly loud - I had trouble hearing the waitress telling us of their specials, nor could I hear my date most of the time. Food was a disappointing though. Fries with chili and wasabi mayo was good, but vegetable dumplings were awful. Thick, heavy, over-fried skin, with boring fillings. The sauce was WAY too salty. I also ordered some bamboo dish - again, WAY too salty and while not terrible, definitely not worth what they were charging. Green tea also had a weird after taste. However, drinks were nice and strong. I think this may be a cute place to have a drink, but I doubt I'll be back for main courses.
(3)Dabney, B.
Using Belmont as a southern border, I don't make it east of Clark too often for eats. The only time I do is when a Friend Zoner wants to go to Nookies or Ann Sather for brunch, or one of the Mexican restaurants on Halsted. Well silly me, for not digging deeper into this untapped area to my east, because I've been missing out on an absolutely splendid little restaurant that is a pleasant 10 minute stroll from my pad. Correction, make that a 3 minute walk in this weather. Anyway, a Friend Zoner suggested this for an early evening dinner before my game started, so I said why not. Not only was I hesitant to concede a Saturday night block of time to a Friend Zoner, but it is freezing out, so I had no desire to go at all. I said to myself on the chilly walk over "This place better knock my socks off or I'm gonna be hot." The result? It passed the test. I've been told about this place countless times by neighbors, but I never made it over. If you are reading this as a Lakeview resident, this place is an absolute MUST. Decor is surprisingly better than I expected. Not overdone but still manages to make a point. There's a really crisp and hip feel to it the second you walk in. I like the spacing of the tables and say they got it just right, and that can be a problem in some neighborhood eateries. Staff is super friendly, observant enough to refill waters when needed, and bring dishes at the appropriate times. And the food was delicious. This evening we had: *Lettuce cups *Chicken wraps *Crab Rangoon *Spicy Tuna Maki *Special of the day (A pork belly dish mixed with vegtables and special sauce) *Pingpong chicken I ate most of it, so I don't think I'll eat much for the next couple days. It's got an ever so slight pretentious feel for the Lakeview area, which is perfectly fine with me, but you gotta have the chops in the kitchen to pull it off. They certainly did so it works. For any locals, you can do no wrong walking over and checking it out for the first time. I'm pretty confident in saying that it won't be your last!
(4)Kay R.
I was wary initially after reading all the reviews here about the snotty wait staff and the service, so I was pleasantly surprised with my experience. Food was delicious and that for me is the most important component of any restaurant experience. The kung pao chicken was prepared excellently and was spicy and fresh. Drinks were well done - the lychee martini deserves mention. Service was pleasant, albeit on the slower end. Felt like they just wanted to let you chill and not be interrupted, which was fine to a point. Ambience was pretty cool - clean and modern minimalist decor. The music was somewhat loud though - so watch out for that. This may not be the date night sorta place. Plus with so many good looking people -- it might get somewhat distracting! ;-)
(4)Claudia R.
I want to give Ping Pong a 3.5 but rounding up is more reasonable than down. The ginger martini was worth ordering a second and my teriyaki tofu with broccoli hit the spot. The service got a little slow toward the end of our meal. I wouldn't rave about the place but if I was in the area I'd try it again. My friends say they order from Ping Pong a lot and that it's fool-proof because everything on the menu is good. The chocolate-covered sprinkled fortune cookies blew my mind.
(4)Jean G.
I love love love the food here. Everything I have ever ordered is fantastic, and I actually go back quite often. So why the three stars? I really hope the owner reads these reviews because people keep saying the same thing. The glasses are always dirty! I don't understand it. Second, the drinks are incredibly overpriced. This is not a downtown hotel, it's boystown! 12$ for a Hendricks and soda is insane. Lastly, the service is terrible. I know it is a busy place, but come on guys. You know you're busy, prepare for it. I highly recommend going here for the food, just don't drink:/
(3)Andrew W.
I visited Ping Pong last night for my third time. It is such a great place to "show off" my neighborhood to guests and newcomers to the area. The contemporary looking restaurant plays upbeat music in the background while video walls add a trendy touch. On nice nights the windows open up to get a nice breeze if you can't grab a seat on the patio. Expect a wait if you are coming during prime dinner times but the wait is worth it. Alcohol: This is a BYOB place with a $8 corkage fee. We had two bottles of wine and were only charged the fee one time. They also serve alcohol as well if you would prefer to just buy drinks there. Food: I have always been a fan of Thai food but this place really takes it to the next level. It is a fusion restaurant so they have Thai, Chinese as well as some Sushi. The dishes I have had over my visits well exceed my expectations every time: Basil Chicken, Crab Rangoon, Ping Pong Roll (avocado, spicy shrimp tempura), Kung Pao Chicken. However, I think everything else would be just as delicious! I was all about giving this 5 stars until the service we had last night was very sub par. I understand the restaurant was busy, but its always busy! Thats because its great. While waiting for our table we noticed someone that arrived after us was seated first and then when we were seated it took nearly 20 minutes to get wine glasses for our Champagne. We also asked the server for soy sauce and did not get that until the meal was OVER! I am not going to trash the review because of the one time server problem but it kept me from a 5 star for sure. Never fear Ping Pong....I will be back...but the server issues needs to be fixed!
(4)Melissa D.
Alright, so, this business definitely would have been deserving of a 5 star rating if it weren't so CRAMPED. Though honestly, I think that is it's only down fall. The food is scrumptious, definitely a huge fan of the S&P Calamari. Chicken Pad Thai is pretty good, not swimming in grease or anything. It goes down CLEAN, which is hard to encounter with all the "better if bathed in oil!" craze that's been around. The staff is pretty friendly and patient (my friend tends to ask a million and one questions), the atmosphere gives off this trendy vibe but with out the snob factor, and it's a great place to hang out with somebody one on one or with a small group. THUMB UP PING PONG! (would be TWO thumbs if I had room to speak freely with out the person sitting 1 foot away from me listening to my conversation).
(4)Greg M.
Beware! If you as for extra spicy, be prepared to have your eyeballs sweat hotsauce! A great BYOwine resto with decent prices. Overall atmosphere is boring, but if you are with good company who cares?
(4)Kimberlie T.
Sit outdoors in the summer time. It's quite delightful. They have a full bar and the atmosphere is very modern day. Food is pretty great as well, we've always been with all the traditional Chinese fares. Haven't tried the sushi.
(4)Elena S.
Hard to get in on Friday-Saturday nights, but food is pretty good. All the chicken dishes are great, my favorite is generals chicken and please try fried calamari :)
(4)Dane K.
Ping Pong offers the best people watching experience money can buy. And the food--if you order the right things--is very good. One thing I really like about Ping Pong is it's diverseness. For appetizers I prefer to skip the "standby" crab rangoon (which is very good, yet somewhat boring) in favor of wasabi fries or duck tacos. The fish tacos are also VERY good... Both tacos are a bit pricey--at $7. For entrees, you can order regular ole General's chicken or something more adventurous and different. Personally I think their strengths are not in the Americanized Chinese food that's there for those who aren't adventurous. I like the red snapper--it is sometimes amazing even. I'm not convinced it's actually red snapper though, a substitute. The fish is served over a soy sauce broth with vegetables.. Very tasty. For dessert the green tea ice cream is good, but something more amazing is mochi ice cream It is basically 3 balls of ice cream that are coated in some rice thing that tasted a bit bubble gummy in texture. It is totally orgasmic. Even though they have a bar now, it's still also BYOB in the restaurant itself if you want (you can't BYO sitting at the bar itself or at the sidewalk patio). Their drink prices are extremely reasonable, and cocktails are good! The $6 corkage fee is steeper than what it used to be--free (then $3, then 5).. so I guess that's their way of saying don't BYOB anymore, get your drinks from the bar. They have a full bar, and for that matter the best cocktails in the area. This place has really changed over the years... it used to be a tiny storefront.... now it's 3 stores wide and the decor changes more often. I'm glad they got over that aweful deer head fascination they had for awhile. I kind of miss the olden more mellow days of Ping Pong... If you get a sidewalk or window table, the people watching here is the best money can buy. You'll likely see several crazy looking straight couples holding on to each hands for life, a transvestite or two (outside of the ping pong employees), people clenching to their kids like they were keeping them away from satan, a semi-midget, and a lot of really cute...dogs. I once got my picture taken with Vincent Falk outside of Ping Pong, the color suit guy. I love it.
(5)Milena M.
It was refreshing to go to a restaurant and have a waiter with some style. He was wearing a bow tie and was very helpful in recommending a dish. The food is very fresh and enjoyable. It does get a little loud late at night but it's a good atmosphere. The Orange Chicken and Signapore Noodles are excellent. They serve you fortune cookies on a ping pong paddle. The only thing that's odd is that they have paper napkins, they seem a little out of place.
(4)Stephanie H.
I don't think I'll return to Ping Pong. It wasn't the worst ever, but it didn't provide much to reel me back in. The atmosphere was a little ridiculous. While the minimalist decor was pleasing, they were blasting techno music so loudly that we could not hear each other speak, and the waitress was completely unable to hear our orders the first time around. We get it, we're in Boystown. That doesn't mean dinner has to feel like a rave. And it was only 6pm on a Saturday. Not exactly my preferred dining ambiance. The food was mediocre at best. The chef seemed to be very heavy handed with the sauces. I also felt it was totally overpriced for what you got. The one redeeming quality was the evening's drink special, a watermelon martini. While I feared it would taste like a Jolly Rancher, it actually tasted exactly like fresh watermelon. Very, very good!!
(2)Sixto M.
This place does not take reservations, so when I decided to go with a friend on a Saturday night at 7pm, I was a little scared we wouldn't be able to find seating. However, it was perfectly fine, and I was told Ping Pong doesn't get busy until around 8pm. I've walked by this place numerous times and each time I think "ooh, I need to go there". Well, I'm glad I did! I'm assuming the minimalist wall decor is meant to enhance one's dinner conversation, but I bet it can also enhance the silence and awkwardness of a first date. However, if you're going with old friends or people you really 'click' with, it shouldn't be a problem. Ping Pong is BYOB ($5 corkage fee for wine, but I was also charged for brining in a six pack of mike's hard lemonade) but also boasts a full bar with signature martinis. The staff are friendly and cool and contribute to the very chic hip atmosphere of Ping Pong. But don't think this place is all about the scene! The food here was AMAZING! Here's a list of what we had: -lettuce cups -fish tacos -garlic mussels -red snapper The fish tacos was the only so-so dish of the evening. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a good dish. It just means, I'm Mexican and I should've known better. We were so stuffed by the end of our meal, we couldn't even consider getting desert. Next time, however, its on....
(4)Vassaly S.
Dear Ping Pong, Are you feeling alright? Maybe I happened to visit on one (or a couple) of your bad days but I hope you feel better soon. Everyone has their ups and downs but in the restaurant business, you just need to put your big girl panties on and deal with it. Just so you know, during my visit, the salt and pepper calamari lacked an essential ingredient - salt. Other than that, the tater tot looking pieces of squid were cooked nicely, not too chewy the way I like it! Now as far as presentation goes, were you angry when you put together the red snapper dish? The flavor of the fish and sauce were good but you shouldn't just throw it on top like that. Your ambiance is too fresh and clean to be disturbed by a messy looking dish. Lastly, the service was decent - attentive yet non bothersome. I was a little concerned about how long things were taking but I thought maybe you just needed a moment to to yourself. I did give a little extra something in the end though because I noticed the bloke sitting at the next table only left you a 10% tip from which he calculated on his Blackberry. Even if dinner wasn't as great as it has been before, I know you've got the potential and I'll stop by to see you again. P.S. No one should tip 10% or less without an explanation, right? Good luck with that.
(3)Karen L.
2.5 stars. It was just an okay meal and with so many restaurants around town, I would only go back if necessary. First of all, what is with the loud music? I didn't understand why they had to play clubbing music while I was trying to eat my Chinese food. And, they were playing these projectors on the walls with colored striped lines. I realize they are trying to be trendy but it is a small Asian restaurant in Boystown... I went there on a weeknight just walking by. Am I just that old and out-of-date that I didn't enjoy that? But besides the environment, the food itself was just mediocre as well. We ordered the summer rolls, similar to a Vietnamese spring roll but with some different ingredients. The rice paper skin seemed too thick and the noodles inside were too mushy. Otherwise, I liked it b/c I do like my spring rolls! Then we had the penang chicken curry and the hong kong wide noodles. The curry had a nice flavor to it... pretty spicy. It wasn't the best I have had but it was good. The noodles had an okay flavor but the noodles seemed overcooked and the beef had a weird texture. Not a fan, really. I also had a watermelon martini, which tasted like lip balm. Oh, and prices overall were a little high. I mean, $12-14 for regular Thai food? I can go to a "less trendy" place and get it for $8. Oh, yeah... I almost forgot to mention my favorite thing... the only thing that I really enjoyed were the homemade taro chips that came out when we sat down. Those were quite yummy! Maybe I ordered the wrong things... not sure... but I don't think I need to go back and try.
(2)L L.
Totally subpar, fairly rude staff, and the wait is forever. What's more, I once went there and waited 45 minutes with a group of people holding multiple, visible bottles of wine, only be be seated at an outside table and promptly informed that the outdoor tables weren't byob. How's that for service?! A place for taking obnoxious, picky out-of-towners who want to feel kind of cool while eating mall food.
(2)Patrick G.
I have yet to be disappointed by a meal at Ping Pong. Yes, I have a history of being drawn like a moth to a porch light to restaurants that seemingly invest more money and energy is their decor, ambiance, and attractive waitstaff than their menu, but Ping Pong proves this wrong. They offer the full package. It starts off with homemade chips and continues with a multitude of inventive culinary delights. The staff is attentive and have never had a problem with service. My only complaint is its a little noisy. A small price to pay for what you get.
(4)Liz P.
I went to Ping Pong last week after hearing great things from a few friends about the food. My expectations were high when we got there. We started with the crab rangoon and edamame which were both delicious. The edamame seemed like it was infused with salt, so the flavor was great! The crab rangoon was a little heavy on the cream cheese, but I loved it. We started running into problems when the main dishes arrived. All four of our dishes had chicken [green curry, sesame chicken, pad thai, and red curry]. Except for the green curry, all of the chicken was a bit dry. Both of the currys were good, but were very simple and didn't have much to them. I don't think we would have been as disappointed if the food wasn't so expensive. For what you get, it was not really worth the money. Overall, the food was just OK and was much too expensive for what you get.
(2)Damian C.
While my orange chicken, and all of the food for that matter, was awesome, I have to admit, I was completely creeped out by the place. Maybe it was the fact that we were seated as close to the door as possible. It could have been because we were practically up against the front picture wnidow. Either way, every time the door opened, we caught a cold breeze. Every time someone started walking by, it startled me, and at times made me feel like they were going to walk right through the windows into our table (I assume the employees use Windex for that streak-free shine). Not to mention the wait staff. While I have nothing against anyone or most lifestyles, I felt a little uncomfortable. Most of that had to do with the fact that I was not sure whether to say "sir" or "miss" to some people. Those types of situations weird me out a little. I don't really know if I would ever bring my family here or suggest it to someone who isn't very open-minded, has children, etc.
(3)Larkin H.
I really enjoyed Ping Pong. I'd give it 5 stars but I do agree after 9 the music got really loud and I couldn't hear my date. Their drink specials were amazing and so tasty! Not to mention the presentation is awesome! Our waitress was great, although wildly flighty. I couldn't tell if she was on drugs or had a crush on my date. (Seriously... She was pleasant though) Also, it seemed like some of the staff kept walking up to the table and then leaving... I'm not sure if they were trying to clear plates or just wanted to know what we were talking about. It was kind of strange. The food was absolutely wonderful. He had Scallops and I had the Mongolian Beef on Crispy Noodles. Not to mention their Crab Rangoon is great. It is a little expensive, but we both left feeling the good kind of full. I'd definitely go back, but I'd stick to early evening.
(4)Andy C.
Rarely will I wax lyrical about a place such as Ping Pong. Frankly, I really don't want to promote the place, otherwise it will end up in Lufthansa's In Flight magazine and have every group of Stepford Wives from Vernon Hills going there. It has 5 things few places have... great food, great drinks, amazingly sexy, seductive atmospere, great music and very efficient service...oh yeah...no dealing with crying kids here which may be the best part! If you are an advocate of Dont Ask Don't Tell, then just head on over to PF Changs in 60610. I get take out 90% of the time and it is consistently excellent... all the soups are great... BYOB with a small corkage fee... your shazam app is smoking becuase they are always playing some new DJ Top Speed, Tiesto or Kylie Minogue remix there. It's good for a first date, 3rd date or break-up date.. you will not see another 5 star review out of this guy.
(5)Luis L.
I've been to this place only a couple of times. On the first, my dining companion found glass in his food. Yes. Glass. Years later, the second time I went was last winter. Service was MUCH better, and the food was as I remembered: fine. And I don't mean fine, like, "THAT BOY IS FINE!" but fine like, "How's your day?" "Fine."
(2)Lauren M.
To make it simple: I really like this place! Not only was our waiter extraordinarily personable and nice, but the food was fantastic. My boyfriend and I decided to make it a seafood night with both of us ordering a tasty nautical dish. But I'll admit that I want to keep going back since there were so many things, fish, poultry, beef, vegi, etc. that I want to try. However, if you are to order one thing visit after visit it is the Heaven and Hell chocolate lava cake...a perfect ending to a great meal! My only complaint was that my spicy seafood soup was served just a little too (temperature) hot. Chris was already done with his dish by the time I was even able to dig in. However, by the time I did, it had my mouth dancing!
(4)Megan G.
A little pricey A little adventurous Decent asian food Chic decor and fast delivery
(3)Joanie K.
v. enthusiastic staff. as true sales people, they love to love their products. fun game, how many adj can you use to describe... rice? GO! i generally dislike asian fusion restaurants as they are mostly over-priced and poorly imitate asian restaurants, masked by a nice decor. pingpong was much of the same. the food wasn't half-bad, but it wasn't amazing.
(2)Eli G.
We first went to Ping Pong several months ago, and I have never eaten in a restaurant that was SO LOUD. The music was turned up way too high, and it had such a heavy beat that there were literally times I couldn't hear the waitress. I ended up ordering an extra drink because I nodded with out knowing what she said. The atmosphere was laughable. But, I have to say that I had enjoyed the food the first time we ate it. So a few nights ago, we decided to order take-out so we could enjoy the meal without the pounding headaches we got sitting in the dining room. I ordered the same sesame scallops that I had enjoyed the first time we went, and my friend ordered Mongolian beef. Maybe we caught a good chef the the first time, or maybe we caught them on an off-night this time, but it was...not good. The beef was on par with any decent Chinese take-out, but we would have expected more for the price. The scallops were drowning in sesame seeds. You couldn't taste anything else in the dish at all. I couldn't finish it. The food isn't awful, but it's not good, and not what I would expect for the price. The atmosphere in the restaurant is not acceptable. I won't be eating here again, and I won't be ordering out. I think Ping Pong and I are done.
(2)Joyee L.
The disproportionate amount of high ratings that this restaurant has received definitely reasserts my initial reaction: Ping Pong's main clientele is made up of people who really enjoy oversalted, oversauced faux-Asian food. The best part of the meal was the taro chips that you receive before your meal. I tried asking my waiter to help make suggestions to help me find a dish, because I really couldn't navigate through the mishmash of options. He tried being helpful, but was not very assertive. I narrowed down my choices to the dishes featuring 'crispy noodles' thinking that they would be some form of rice noodle that was fried in some way. Much to my surprise, my plate came with sauce-drenched beef plopped on a bed of fried vermicelli. It was pointless. The noodles didn't add anything. Not texture. Not taste. They were so thin that within seconds they were goopy with all the excess sauce that accompanied my meal. I think that the road better traveled would be to order two appetizers for the same price as their over-priced entrees.
(2)Molly R.
Its good; they redecorated and the ambiance is even better. Opens up in the summer. Service is good A repeat for locals
(3)Kelly A.
Last night I went to Ping Pong with a friend for the first time. She had ordered takeout before and wanted to get the experience of eating in the restaurant. I was told to expect 'interesting' ambiance and got a taste of what she meant the minute we walked in the door. Ping Pong has a very modern, club vibe to it. There was house music playing pretty loudly (at many times it was hard to hear my friend) and very minimalist decor. Think all white walls, unusual artwork, and sleek black tables. The bar by the door looked particularly fantastic and with all the fresh fruit set off to the side, it made me think having one of their cocktails would be absolutely fantastic. We arrived on the early side of service (5 pm) on a holiday so we were seated very quickly and the only ones in the restaurant. We ordered the veggie dumplings to start and then I had the egg drop soup and the orange chicken while my friend had the Buddhist Enlightenment. I was intrigued by the Pan-Asian menu but worried that such a range of dishes meant that rather than doing one kind of cuisine really well, they might do a range of dishes just okay. Unfortunately, when our dishes came my fears were confirmed. Nothing was awful, but everything was just solidly average. The veggie dumplings had a fantastically fresh filling, but the wrapper seemed just a bit too thick and a tad gummy. My egg drop soup was bland and the ratio of egg to broth was off. It was like eating a bowl of running scrambled eggs. My orange chicken, thankfully was better. However, it was not at all what I was expecting. The menu indicated it would be spicy, but in actuality I tasted no spice whatsoever. Not sure if the chef forgot to add peppers to the dish, but it was mostly sweet. The sauce was mostly pleasant with strong orange and ginger flavor, but I think some heat would have balanced it out better. Unfortunately, like the soup, the ratio was also off again. WAY too much sauce, which meant that the crispy chicken lost its crunch quite quickly. Kind of disappointing because if I am going to have the calories of a fried dish, I want to get the most out of the texture. I think the best dish was my friend's Buddhist Enlightenment. I found the sauce pleasant without being too sweet or heavy and the mix of textures was really nice. I especially liked the lightness of the seitan. Overall, the food just did not live up to the ambiance for me. I'm thinking I might have liked it better if we ordered cocktails (many did and they looked and sounded fantastic), but I can only judge the meal based on what we ordered. I'm not sure if I would go back for a full dinner, but I would definitely be open to going back for a cocktail and perhaps an appetizer.
(3)Dmitri G.
We had the red snapper and a noodle dish. The food was good, but not extraordinary. The service, however, was very nice. This place tries to make themselves more fancy than they really are, with their dark ambiance and all....
(3)Emily S.
The food was solid (particularly the green curry, the salt and pepper calamari and the tuna sashimi "dip"), it's BYO and it was cheap. Dropped to 3 stars because our 30-40 minute wait stretched into nearly 2 hours. I'm not down with getting seated for dinner after 10:30. I know it's a busy place with no reservations, but please, give realistic wait times.
(3)Johnathan R.
Ping Pong is definitely a neighborhood staple. I can see how visitors and/or tourists would be all about this place. But I've lived within a few blocks of this place for about 4 years and I still manage to make it there once every couple of months. The environment is distraction free which I love. White decor and nicely spaced tables make this a pretty comfortable environment to eat in. The lighting is next to none, which keeps things intimate and keeps the gays looking great. (You know we hate over head lighting.) On a 1-10 scale the food is an 8. Some of their dishes are done consistently well, while others are hit or miss. This isn't going to be a cheap dinner, but it's going to be an enjoyable one. The majority of the staff are very friendly, with the exception of a few attitude problems here and there. They have a full bar, but are also BYOB (with a corkage fee). But if you plan on eating outside on the patio during the summer it is NOT BYOB and you will be forced to order from their bar. Overall I think they deliver the best asian-fusion cuisine in the neighborhood. If you're more in the mood for sushi, visit their sister restaurant across the street, Wakamono.
(3)Alex R.
One of my favorite restaurants in Lakeview. I have been here twice in the last 2 weeks. Great ambiance - modern decor with candles burning at every table make it a super cute date place. The drinks are delicious, and they have a good wine selection. I've enjoyed every dish I've tried, from their sushi rolls to their incredible pad thai and curry dishes. Thank you Ping Pong :)
(5)Sareen L.
Delicious food! I recommend the tofu curry dish... but I've tried lots of other menu items and have liked them all. The decor is modern and simple. The prices are very reasonable.
(5)Matthew H.
Pong is unequivocally the worst dining experience I've ever had. My girlfriend suggested this place as she had been here numerous times prior and only had good things to say. We arrived and our server glared at me when I attempted to order my drink. On my second attempt, the server "shushed" me and by the 4th attempt I finally had my drink. As my girlfriend looked over at me basically apologizing and insinuating we could leave if I wanted, I decided to see if the food would triumph over the service. I was wrong, but the night turned laughable. When our entrees arrived we realized that the table next to us had received our entrees and us theirs. We promptly brought this to the attention of the server. The server truly went above and beyond to fix his/her error; switched the plates in front of us. At least walk these back to the kitchen and allow me to believe it was resolved back there. I made sure to let the manager know how disappointed and at times offended I was. His response was cavalier and basically led me to believe Ping would rather not have my girlfriend or I as patrons ever again.
(1)Michael F.
I love this place. It is a bit out of my price range, but the cocktails are amazing (I recommend the Gossip Girl) and the food is pretty good too. The best part about this place besides the drinks is the ambiance. It is a sexy, dimly lit, classy atmosphere. It can get a bit loud, but it is a wonderful place to bring a date or a small group of friends. If you have some extra cash to spend, I would highly recommend treating yourself at this place!
(4)Bina D.
Most of the time I love this place and would give it 5 stars however after having been here a handful of times, the consistency is not always there. Decor is ultra modern but still warm atmosphere (mostly due to the very cute & friendly host) BYOB but with i think $8 corkage fee Food is delicious. Now, I am vegetarian and don't like green peppers so Asian food is often a hit or miss for me but this place never fails me. There are plenty of meatless options and so far all are delish. My faves are the Wasabi fries (just well seasoned fries with wasabi mayo but nice fusion dish) and the Buddist's Enlightenment. Latest flaw is on last visit, our server was pretty snobby and not a good wine pourer. In addition...WHY or WHY does the bathroom have only a blacklight? I felt like I was in a horror movie not to mention that I have no idea whether the place was disgustingly dirty so i just assume it is...
(4)James G.
A silly place that serves up a lot of attitude with their not particularly interesting food. The neighborhood deserves better.
(1)Susan F.
Fried calamari and crab rangoon for starters? All I needed was The Little Mermaid playing on the walls to make my seafood experience complete! I always pass Ping Pong, and I finally got a chance to try it. The space is very cozy and minimalist-ic, but the food is quite the opposite (opposite of the latter). Their menu covers the basics with Chinese/Thai food with chicken, beef, tofu, seafood. I can never pass up good Asian cuisine so choosing an entrée will always be difficult for me, but luckily the starters and Kung Pao chicken I landed with were fabulous! The service was quite prompt and as I was forewarned by previous reviews, I could sense a little bit of pretentiousness from our waiter, but it's something you have to learn to worth with, not against. The presentation of the calamari and crab rangoon was really clean and colorful and just tasty in general. The entrees came shortly after, and they were large! Once again, nothing too froufrou, just good cuisine that you keep eating and eating and eating, or until they give you the option for a doggy bag. All that said, I will DEF be coming back here. I wish they had a ping pong table and balls to accompany their paddles, but I think that would be a little messy!
(4)Steve T.
I don't know what's going on, but I had really hoped that my last visit here would have been consistent with my previous experiences, but it seems I once again am disappointed. The food was greasy, and heavy. We both thought that our dishes were definitely full of flavor, but afterward we felt like we had a food brick in our stomach. We won't be coming back. Consistency is very important, and I feel like ping pong has not been able to provide that across many dining-in and delivery experiences over the past year.
(1)Cindy G.
The ambiance here keeps me coming back. Great place for girls' dinner or a date. It's loud but the tables are close together and it's a fun and upbeat place to enjoy good food. I keep their phone number stored in my phone for delivery - i.e. I really like their food.
(4)Liesel F.
Great for dining-in, but awful tasting delivery.
(3)Tiff H.
Yummy. The lady dreams about their calamari, and I have to admit, it's pretty good. Lightly breaded, slightly fried, little spicy, tasty enough to make me smack my lips in tasty desire. :) Their pad thai is decent too as is their seaweed salad. Lychee cocktail is pretty yummy and for some reason knocked me flat. Service is always pleasant, but I've always gone later and during the week when it's not so busy. Due to the fact I'm spoiled by BYOBs in my neighborhood, I hate the fact they have a $5 corkage fee. Yes, I'm cheap. Another downside, Ping Pong's bar like atmosphere. It's a little loud, and I wish I could have a romantic dinner here since my gf likes their calamari so much (due to her birdlike appetite, that's all she orders). However, I kind of feel like I'm in a sit down version of Hydrate.....ish.
(3)Greg K.
I found Ping Pong about 6 years ago and it is one of my favorite! I typically stop by on a Sunday night with friends and it's pretty easy to grab a seat. Fri/Sat can be busy. Portions are perfect and the food is always hot and has amazing taste! Great selection of drinks and the staff is always friendly. Give Ping Pong a try!
(5)Risa P.
I have been curious about this place since I used to live right there but have never tried it so we finally just ordered pick up. We got two vegetable dishes and some vegetable dumplings. We got a veggie lo mein type dish and a kung pao tofu and eggplant dish. The kung pao was definitely the better of the two--it had some kick and more interesting vegetables in it. The other dish just had some green beans, broccoli and snow peas--it was good but just didnt really have that pazaaaaaaaz. The dumplings were good but maybe a more creative sauce would have been good. It was average, and I am glad that I finally tried it--however, when Joy's is right down the street from this place--it may be hard to choose Ping Pong over it... One thing that I did notice--they have great outdoor seating. The space seemed nice too, the hostess was nice and the lighting in there was kind of cool and funky. I mean, it is in a great area on Broadway so that is good for people watching.
(3)Dan K.
I would have given Ping Pong 5 stars a couple years ago, but things have changed. The staff is no longer friendly. They are rude, arrogant and rarely even smile. "Oh, we work in a cool Chinese trendy restaurant! We are soooo cool!!!" Get over yourself. Seriously. Secondly, I'm 29 and love loud music....but not when I'm trying to have dinner conversation. The music is WAY too loud. The food is great in my opinion. I think Dee's is much better, but this is much better than any greasy, gristly Chinese in the Boystown area. The lettuce cups, Ping Pong Chicken are great. The potstickers suck as they are more like baos than potstickers. Sitting outside is nice in the summer. Love the mimimalist decor, but I do think it's not a great spot for a first date, as there is nothing to really talk about when it comes to the surroundings. It's all so minimal.
(4)Jason Vuong D.
Ooo my, what a fun eatery place to start off your night of debauchery. Hip yet chill atmosphere and crowd. We stuffed ourselves with starters, which is always fun, and family oriented! Here's my critique: salt & pepper calamari-Our best plate. Crunchy yet juicy squid-YUM! Also came with veggies that I happily stuffed potstickers-dim sum dumplings with soy vinaigrette- A big, "eh," I Pass. The insides were too tough and totally intact! They litterally dropped out if you weren't careful. *Plop.* The posticker shell is bland and heavy tasting. Lay low on the starch yo!....or whatever that stuff is that makes food expand in your stomach-like tapicoa boba balls. wasabi fries japanese chili, wasabi mayo-Can't go wrong! (But nothing special) pingpong roll-shrimp tempura, avocado...Can't go wrong either! (But nothing special either!)
(4)Eric S.
I really don't like anything about this place. The food is overpriced and mediocre. The atmosphere is incredibly annoying with the shit techno music that blares constantly. Given the many other Asian food options in the immediate vicinity, I have yet to understand why this place draws consistent crowds.
(1)Adam S.
Good food 4. Amateur service 2. Good looking crowd 5. You decide what's important to you ....
(3)Priya S.
We went to Ping Pong last night for dinner. We were 5 people and had to wait approximately 40 minutes for a table as they don't take reservations. It's a small cosy restaurant with minimalist decor and small tables. There are lots of fresh flowers on their bar table that they then use to decorate their cocktails. Their cocktails were good and strong. We had the dry gin martini and the lychee martini, both really good. It is a BYOB restaurant with a corkage fee of $8 which works out well for those wanting to bring along their wine. We were all vegetarian so we ordered the only 3 vegetarian starters: vegetable spring rolls, vegetable dumplings and the sweet potato roll. the first two were OK, but the sweet potato was absolutely delicious!! The mains were absolutely amazing as well. We ordered the vegetarian pad thai that was a little too sweet for my taste, curry fried rice that was amazing, green curry tofu that was delicious and light and my absolute favorite buddhist enlightenment. They were the tastiest noodles I've had in a long time. 4 mains however were a little too much for 5 of us but the server had suggested 3 would be too little - I disagree with her.. We had no space for dessert but loved their chocolate fortune cookie with icing and sprinkles on it. Best of all, the food wasn't pricey!
(4)Markus D.
Overpriced and definitely overrated. By far the worse asian food I've ever had.
(1)Ryan C.
Oh Ping Pong, when did you jack up your prices? The new decor is nice, but the food didn't seem to change much, and that's what I'm really paying for. Also, the corkage fee is kind of obnoxious - $8.00 make me holla, honey boo boo.
(3)Katie B.
I absolutely adore Ping Pong. The food isn't terribly inventive, but it is consistently good. I almost always order the Beijing Vegetarian, and I love the flavor of the smoked tofu. The brown rice that you can sub for white rice is nice and chewy, just the way that it should be. As much as I enjoy the food, my favorite part is the martini menu. Ping Pong offers a variety of delicious martinis -- including the standard saketini and plum wine one can expect at a Pan Asian restaurant, but also including a tasty lychee variety, among others -- that are served by a friendly bartender and (almost always) garnished with real flowers. The flowers really make my evening. It's always hard to restrain myself from putting them in my hair -- and, as you can see from one of my photos, I can't always resist. The decor has undergone some changes over the years, and although I was sad to see them paint over the wall that I had written my name on, I was glad to bid adieu to the huge bison head that used to loom overhead.
(5)Bill R.
Great to see them back after the fire. I have not had a bad thing on the menu. It's fairly priced for the neighborhood. Chairs can get a little uncomfortable after a long meal and the music in the mens bathroom is always too loud.
(4)B S.
One of my top five favorites in Chicago. We used to live near Ping Pong and went at least once a week. The food was consistently good. Interesting atmosphere and service staff offered a trendy feel. Prices are great. Order the Calamari if yo like spice.
(5)James E.
I really like this place...always have. I remember when Ping Pong was a tiny little bitty hole in the wall with 5 tables and Henry (the owner) was your greeter. Sighhhh...those were the days. But businesses grow and all you can hope for is to improve, right? Weeellll.... My issue? Well, for starters, the noise is usually deafening and makes intimate meal conversations virtually impossible. Secondly, I find some of the servers to be...uhm...."ditzy" and forgetful. As far as I'm concerned, if I'm paying $18 for the entree alone, I'd like the competency level to be slightly higher. Finally, they don't take reservations. Even though I only live a block away, I would like to be able to call ahead for seating instead of standing behind Tammy Trixie and her gaggle of moronic sheep while they babble on about toenail polish. But oh well, it is Lakeview after all, no? Overall I highly recommend this place provided you take the above into account. I feel their food is STILL worth the aggravation... :)
(4)Greg D.
If you are looking for an Asian fusion meal, this is a great place to go. It has a great menu and large portion sizes. I really liked the music playing in the background and it's the perfect place to go with friends before going out later that night. I probably wouldn't go on a romantic date here, however. I had the basil beef - it was really good. I do regret not getting the Sake flight and only sticking with Kirren. Overall a good experience and a must try.
(4)Tony H.
Tried pingpong yet again last night and was profoundly disappointed. As usual, the food was mediocre, greasy and overpriced (to be expected). What I didn't expect though was for my server to ask to see my ID when I gave her my credit card at the end of the meal. This is when pingpong shows their true nature. Only lowbrow establishments would do something like this. It was insulting enough, but I can't imagine how I would have felt had I taken a date, clients or my family. Advice to pingpong: if you would like to market yourself as an upscale restaurant, as evidenced by your decor, service and pricing, try acting like one.
(1)Natasha B.
Great service and one of the best calamari i have ever had. Crab ragoon was basically just crem cheese...what happened to the crab? looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Brandon T.
For dining in Asian fare this is the place to be. Located in my backyard for a year I frequented this place often. I cant agree with the negative comments about the service, because I always thought everyone was very nice from the beginning of the evening until the end. As for food, some of the appetizers are just ok, but the lettuce wraps are amazing. And every entre I've tried has been very good. Notice: I hope you like peanuts, as they find their way into everything.
(4)matt e.
I typically don't stop at places were it looks like they are more concerned about looking cool (IE the projected videos on the wall) than making tasty food. Our other restaurant we like to go to was too busy though so we stopped in. I have to say I was mildly impressed with Ping Pong. The atmosphere is def suited to its neighborhood. Trendy, young, and with everyone bringing their own booze, just a bit too loud. The food is outstanding. Innovative combinations and beautiful presentation. The only problem that we ran into was that everything seemed to be just barely under seasoned, and that wasn't anything we couldn't take care of ourselves. I will definitely be stopping back in again, but I think I'll wait until it is warm enough for to eat outside. I don't think my ear drums would forgive me if I didn't.
(4)Rachel S.
My brother took me to Ping Pong an described it in one word : Gaysian True. It's funky and well decorated, and all of the people that work there are well groomed. They even have chocolate fortune cookies. The crab rangoon and other appetizers were delicious so I was excited for my entree. I ordered some spicy beef dish and it was beautiful, but when I tried to eat it I actually had to spit it in my napkin because it was inedibly spicy...and I love spicy food. I mixed in as much rice as I could to cut down on the spiciness but I only made it through half the dish and everyone out to dinner with us that tried my meal agreed with me about it being way too hot. Oh, and they have a weird corking policy for BYOB.
(3)Frank A.
Great restaurant in Boystown (LakeView)! I love me some Ping Pong! However, I couldn't find myself to give it 5 stars. I would have back in the day when Ping Pong was the size of a closet and the food servings were huge. Unfortunately, they expanded and it became super trendy to eat there and the atomsphere and food portions were effected negatively. However, the food is still superb! I love the Ping Pong roll for an appetizer and the Chicken and Broccoli is perfect. My friend usually gets one of the fish dishes, and they always seem to please everyone at the table. They also serve a delicious pear martini to go with your food. Ping Pong is also BYOB, but they have a high corkage fee per bottle, which is not cool. So, I recommend to just purchase a bottle of wine at the restaurant, it might be more economical. The place as gotten a little pricey since their expansion, but it is a fun atmosphere (especially during the summer) and good Chinese food. They always have good music or videos playing and its a great place to people watch (all the gay boys on dates). Note: It does get busy so if your going with a big group I recommend to arrive early around 6:45 before the 7:30 rush.
(4)Jennifer P.
Prices are a bit high, but man is it worth it. I'm not gonna lie, the martinis are a big draw for me, but the food is equally outstanding. Definitely get the bulgogi at least once. It is mouthwatering! The meat is tender, fresh, and light. The sashimi tuna dip is also AMAZING! I've never been disappointed by a dish here. The space is funky, the outdoor seating is nice in warm weather, the staff is laid back. The only drawback? It gets crowded and there's not a lot of room to stand around whil you wait for a table! But, it's so worth it. The crowd allows for great people watching! Expect a good looking crowd, dressed well, and ready to mingle! Oh, and if you don't want to order from the bar, it's BYOB (just a small corkage fee!)
(4)jenise r.
I came here a few weeks ago with a friend. We got there about 9 and were seated right away. The place was pretty full and the music was loud but not as loud as people kept saying it would be. I was able to hold a conversation still. The menu is huge so it took me some time to decide what I wanted. I ended up with a Japanese curry beef stew. Asked for it not spicy and it was no problem. I am so glad I got that! It was a huge bowl filled with carrots (that could've been cooked a little bit more) potatoes and of course the beef. It came with a side of white rice and some bread would've been better. Im not usually a fan of curry but it wasn't overwhelming. Oh and BYOB, can't go wrong with that =)
(4)Matt C.
This place always seems to have a line, me and the GF prefer to carry out or have it delivered even though its about a block away.... dont hate me cause im lazy. Anyways, the pot stickers fried are quite tasty and also I love the Lo Mein it has a nice sticky sauce. The sesame chicken is blah and for some reason I seem to always trick myself into getting it. The chicken tastes dry and theres no flavor to it. Price is good but since it went trendy its almost too weird to eat there. Projection screen showing Sex and the City and old music videos that no one knows? Stupid.
(4)Robyn T.
If you like a sleek atmosphere, dance music, good people watching and delicious modern takes on Thai food then skip on over to Ping Pong. This is a great place to enjoy a spunky drink and attempt to decide what you'd like to eat on the tremendous menu (yes there are 2 sides to the menu so don't just drool over the first side you see!) I loved my golden drink -- I don't know what was in it other than lots of ginger and vodka but I loved it. The taro chips they give you at the table could be appetizer enough, but definitely try some of the greens for a "healthy start to your meal" -- seaweed salad or the green beans side. I ordered the red curry chicken and couldn't believe how HUGE the bowl was. I think the curry was some of the best I've had in a long while...the portion was so big I ate it for 2 days after. Come to Ping Pong with a date or a group of friends. I wouldn't bring kids or older family that doesn't appreciate a good dance party.
(4)James K.
Pingpong is good, but does not really stand out from the crowd. One certainly will not leave with any leftovers to finish the next day. The portion size is small, but adequate. Their prices are a bit hard to justify, but perhaps the trendy location explains it. Maybe you are paying a little extra for the attitude. The place seems too-cool-for-school, mostly populated with 20- and 30-somethings. The wait staff just wear normal clothes, it can be difficult to pick them out from the crowd. Also, people in the bar area spill over into the waiting area, and things can get a little crowded. Sometimes it's hard to even reach the host to give your name! But, the food has always been good, if not excellent. I would like to especially recommend the salt and pepper calamari and delicious seared tuna appetizers as well as the sea bass, red snapper, and bulgogi. And it's BYOB, nice!
(4)John G.
It was a lot better when there were only 19 seats.
(3)Mary d.
Oh man...I had another great dinner here last night. This place is a classic hit for me now. If I need a go-to restaurant, PingPong, you're it. The martinis are the most fantastic part of PingPong's transformation from small storefront restaurant to neighborhood institution. And the presentation of the small plates...love the faux Japanese newsprint! The food, while a bit more expensive than days past, continues to be fresh and fun and just the right-size portion. Rock on, PingPong....and I will rock with you.
(5)Linds R.
I feel like eating at Ping Pong was my initiation into city living. Not getting pickpocketed on the el, or getting multiple parking tickets, or having a crazy neighbor yell at me....but eating at Ping Pong. When I moved to Lakeview, it was a tiny little restaurant, before it bought the space next door. It had cool waitstaff, and served chocolate fortune cookies on ping pong paddles at the end of the meal. I went there so many times, with friends who were also new to the city, and even took my conservative almost-in-laws there. I haven't eaten in the restaurant in a long time, probably over a year, since they started doing projection weirdness and pumping club music and all that trying-too-hard-trendiness. But, the chap chae and crab rangoon are still my favorites in the city.
(4)Yvonne C.
I love the yu xiang eggplant and pork. I've had it twice and both times, the dish was just delicious. What I particularly loved about it was that, in spite of the very tasty and slightly spicy sauce, you could still taste the flavors of each individual ingredient (the succulent, tender pork, the juicy and plump eggplant, the crisp, mellow bamboo shoots...). The parts all came together to create a harmonious dish. The hot and sour soup was yummy, too. I think it's really hard for any restaurant to get everything right. With that in mind, I do not really recommend the pad thai. I tried my friend's and was not impressed. Pad thai is actually quite difficult to make correctly, and those who make it well know what they're doing. The pad thai here wasn't bad, it just wasn't that great. The wait staff are attentive and friendly. I'll definitely be going back for more. :)
(4)Tari M.
Sweet Lord. The food here was amazing (I had the pork and string beans and my friend had the sesame scallops) and I didn't even care that our fortune cookies were served on a likely unsanitary ping pong paddle that may have been housed with the Brady's by the looks of it, because said cookies were dipped in chocolate. It's the little things. However, unfortunately, I was not wearing my shiny shirt and booty shorts, which would've been more appropriate for this club type atmosphere. While the music in the restaurant forced me to beller at my dinner companion (and no,I was not angry), the volume in the bathroom could've made my ears bleed if I needed to stay in there long enough to touch up my makeup. I escaped as quickly as possible. Seriously, folks, Jupiter does not need to hear Madonna's new song. Even if it is a cool ass techno mix. In sum, I'm not sure I'll go back here because my favorite part of a nice dinner is the conversation. And frankly, I left with a sore throat after all that yelling.
(3)Daniel P.
Okay, here's the deal. I had basic chicken pad thai for and entree and it was really, REALLY good. However, the appetizer my date and I ordered was very difficult to eat. FYI - Lettuce cups with Chicken, Lime, Ginger, Toasted Shallots and Peanuts tastes very good. But they aren't actually cups of lettuce. You take a lettuce leaf and spoon the rest of the mixture into it in order to get it to your mouth. If you're lucky, you might actually get some into your mouth. Did I mention that I was on a date? It was an embarrassing appetizer to attempt on a first date. Okay... it was super tasty, but still. I had a really good martini there as well. However it was knocked into my lap by a woman with a big bag attempting to sit at the table next to me. (And while I tried to make her feel less embarrassed for spilling my drink in my lap, she didn't even apologize. *sigh*) Although the waiter gave me a free replacement, he only gave me about 3 small paper napkins to try to attempt to clean up the spilled drink. Really - I've had take-out from this place before and it was great. I also would have to say that the food on this visit tasted really good. I enjoyed the music they were playing the evening I was there as well. The only reason I gave it 3 instead of 4 stars was based on the fact that a.) Lettuce Cups was not an entirely accurate description of the menu item. b.) The tables were too close together - girls with big bags can't sit next to the wall without dumping drinks on other customers. c.) If a girl with a big bag should dump a drink on you, you'll get a replacement, but you'll also have to sit in a puddle of Absolut Pear for the rest of your meal unless you repeatedly ask for more 5" x 5" cocktail napkins.
(3)Rachel W.
I was feeling quite a bit of trepidation while waiting for the rest of my table to arrive here for dinner last night. I arrived early b/c they don't take reservations, and spent about 10 minutes sitting around, waiting for my party and, well, taking in the scenery. Now, I'm from Chicago, but I've never seen a scene quite like this. Loud techno music, a totally random crowd (including cross dressers in fabulous head-to-toe Louis Vuitton get-ups, an elderly couple dancing to the music, and, well, a yuppie couple in North Face with their newborn baby) and a menu that says something to the effect of, "We only want to serve those that are happy to be here". Huh? Hmmmm..... But my concerns were quickly put to rest when my friend arrived and we started ordering food and drinking wine. The spicy tuna maki is amazingly delicious, as were our entrees- orange chicken and mango shrimp. The portions were large, the food was hot and arrived quickly, and our wine was yummy. After a few glasses each and all the food we ordered, and our bill was only about $50 when all was said and done. When leaving, we noticed the throngs of people outside waiting to get in (at least 20 people) and realized that there was something to this place. I'm definitely going back to try some of their other dishes and, well, take in the scenery again.
(4)Justin B.
Simply put, Allie doesn't like Chinese food. I love Chinese food. See a quandry here? Wonderfully, Allie loves Ping Pong. And so within the past six weeks, we've probably graced Ping Pong a half dozen times. It has become our sushi restaurant a la Carmela and Tony Soprano, except without the overt threats that the restaurant owner might be fitted with cement shoes if they mess our order up.
(5)John-Ryan G.
Where to begin... I'm a bit torn about this place. The food is really good: not GREAT, but good. Not expensive. The place is super clean, very well decorated, and everyone that works there was relatively attractive: you know, the important stuff. I went on a Friday night, and it must have been some sort of weird "girls night out" extravaganza, because 1/2 the place was large parties of girls: hair all did up, balloons, photo ops and various lady-shenanigans. The music was so loud, that by the end of my meal I was horse from shouting across the table at my friends. Turn down the hits, and you would get another star... maybe even two.
(3)Trevor D.
Once was enough, but I've been dragged here six or seven times for birthdays and the like. This place is terribly overrated. The food is overpriced for the flavor and portion, and while the sidewalk patio is nice in the summertime, so is every other sidewalk patio in the city when you only get a few good months of summer. Service has never been great, and the only dishes that aren't terrible are the edamame and crab rangoon, but it's difficult to mess up nature or fried dough/cheese. There is nothing special about this place, and with the high price/low quality strategy, there's no reason to go.
(1)HRH J.
I love this place and with the new renovations it looks great and makes me wanna go there everyday! The food is so good and I have had great service pretty much everytime I've been there. I love going on thursdays cuz it's so chic and it's perfect to begin your night! It makes me feel like I'm in NYC. Love this place!
(5)courtney p.
So we went here on a Friday night, and although we got seated right away, our server took forever to come greet us. Having just got back from Europe and experiencing the slowest service on the face of the earth, I didn't mind. To make up for that, my martini (the High Mountain) was AWESOME. The lettuce cups were my least favorite thing that we had... I make better ones at home. My salt and pepper shrimp was a 10, my boyfriend's beef stuff was an 8.5, and the food came out in a very timely manner. A little expensive, but a good place to go
(4)Whitney W.
In a frantic search for food and alcohol in what appeared to be a BYOB-infested district (AAH! we had no B!), we stumbled upon Ping Pong, and oh thank goodness we did! Our stumbling occurred rather late one freezing cold Saturday evening -- so no surprise there was a 45 minute wait. No problem, though, as we grabbed a bottle of red (moderately priced) at the bar and carved out our own space in the standing-room-only waiting area. (And yes, there's loud music. It's bearable.) Once seated, our server was prompt with taking our order, refilling our glasses, etc.etc. Tables were a bit too close for my taste, but allowed us to befriend our dining neighbors, who were real gems. To be honest, I don't remember many details about the evening (did I mention the wine? and my dining companion?) but that means I also don't have anything to complain about! Excellent variety of tofu dishes, including multiple of the non-mushroom variety. Plethora of diligent hipster servers. (Campy) end-of-meal fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddle -- but please do not attempt to volley them. (And though they closed at midnight, they didn't kick us out until almost 1 a.m. Much appreciated.)
(5)Brian J.
I'm usually very impressed with my food. The appetizers are all tasty. I can't complain about the prices except to say that they recently went up a little bit. It was a sad day for me, but I've managed to pony up the extra dollar and deal. I could be crazy but I think they increased some portion sizes... the fish tacos were pretty hefty last time I was there. They're really good. The chilled Tofu is also good (and interesting!). Way too much for 2 people but a good addition if you're getting a few starters to share between at least 4 people. Duck tacos are also one of my faves. The crab rangoon is about as good as crab rangoon gets. Yes, it's true. Last visit I had sesame beef, extra crispy. It was GREAT! So good, in fact, that I ate it cold out of the fridge the next day. That's always a sign of good food. Drinks prices are pretty average, the mixed drinks are quite good. They usually have some sort of special martini (usually sweet, but good) and it's always good to start with one. A few asian beers by the bottle (sometimes Heineken or Stella available) and some decent wines. If you like a higher-end bottle of wine, bring it and pay a $5 corkage fee. The wait is usually long on busy nights and it can get a bit cramped standing by the bar while waiting to be seated. This isn't such an issue in the summer as the outdoor temps are more agreeable. Seating is available outside and makes for the best people watching in the City of Chicago. Period.
(4)Gfiddy F.
Really enjoyed the whole package.
(5)Michael M.
Ping Pong is AWESOME! I moved to Lakeview from Old Town, and the biggest complaint I had was the small number of good dinner spots within walking distance. Enter Ping Pong: Ping Pong shines with its well-balanced main dishes and really trendy appetizers, with the salt & pepper calamari and tuna tartar topping the list. It's not going to appear in "Le Guide Michelin" and for better tuna tartar I'd go to Le Colonial, but for great food that's quite affordable it's become my staple. If you haven't visited Ping Pong in a while, you might want to note that they have done away with a few favorites: 1) They no longer take your cell when you place a reservation. I used to LOVE this feature, since it allowed you to shop on Broadway while waiting to be called to dinner. 2) BYOB is now only allowed inside. I'm not sure if they were ever allowed to serve outside, but for the first two years, nobody seemed to care. Kind of puts a damper on the excitement of brining a great Riesling or Gewurztraminer if you can't eat outside. 3) They no longer will chill your wine in their fridge while you wait. Long waits could result in warm whites... Even without these perks, Ping Pong is still one of the top places I take out-of-towners hands down.
(4)Alisha O.
My husband and I went there after reading some review that said they had the best crab rangoons in the city. Not only was I fairly underwhelmed, but it was all pretty expensive. Even the corking fee was hefty. The food was good, but not great, and the portions were a bit on the small side. If I could rate the potstickers alone however, I would give those a 4. I don't know that I'll go back though.
(2)Kelsey O.
Ok, so I'm clearly way to un-vogue to dine in here, but my delivery and take-out experiences at Ping Pong (fun name!) have been great. To note, the space is designed in a very futuristic-mod-contemporary fashion and is totally high fashion. And, the place is always packed. Good sign, no? As for the food, while it's not the best thai I've ever had, it's good. The 99 cent sweet and sour soup is a must. I would totally order it for full price. The entrees are large and traditional with contemporary twists. I like the vegetables, the curries, the rice....I forget exactly what but it was good. I would recommend going here for a date or a night on the town. BYOB. Classic location in East Lakeview is really convenient as well.
(4)S P.
My favorite pan asian restaurant! I love the taro chip starter that comes to the table first. The best dish is vegetarian and has smoked tofu, ask for it you won't be disappointed! They also have a great steamed ginger fish dish. My only complaint is that it is way too noisy...whether it is other guests talking or loud music (it is usually the music that bothers me, but that doesn't stop me from going!)
(5)Matthew T.
I have been going to Ping Pong for about 10 years. I would have given 5 stars, but since they expanded a few years ago, the service has suffered a bit. The drinks on the menu are average, but the food has always been delicious. My favorite dish is the sesame beef with brown rice. I do highly recommend Ping Pong for some of the best Chinese food around.
(4)Kraig B.
I wish I could award half-stars, because I think Ping Pong is more of a 3.5 than 3 star place, but since the cons are so significant, I don't think that extra half is appropriate. This is definitely one of the better Asian places in Lakeview. The appetizers, in particular, are phenomenal. The Salt and Pepper Calamari is one of the most spectacular flavor combinations I've ever experienced, and I've really never tasted anything else like it. Likewise, the Sashimi Tuna Dip is amazing. The entrees are... fine. Nothing stands out. The flavor combinations are adequate, but uninspired. I often order carryout and just build dinner out of two or three appetizers because the entrees are so lackluster. Also in the adequate/workmanlike column is the service. It's fine. The wait staff are efficient, but maybe a little overworked, because it often takes them time to get around to stopping at the table. Now, the real cons.... The place is frequently packed to the gills. If you're not in the first seating on a weekend night, you could be waiting for nearly an hour for a table. That's not the restaurant's fault, of course, but long waits aren't really my cup of tea. And speaking of tea, I really wish this place had alternatives to tea (or expensive cocktails). They have a huge selection of fancy cocktails, but for those who would rather abstain (or who simply prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for a drink), the options are lacking. Tea is about it unless you want soda. The noise, too, is a problem. This place is LOUD. It's hard to have a conversation here, because the acoustics are terrible AND the music is usually very loud AND the other patrons are all yelling over the music to be heard. If you're looking for a nice, relaxing meal, this is not the place. This IS the place to see and be seen by Lakeview's trendy gay dinneratti. If you have a gay friend in from out of town, this is a good place to go for dinner before drinks or dancing at one of Lakeview's other establishments. The last con, and the one that really cost Ping Pong that half-star, is the price. This place is -expensive- for what you get. If I get three orders of the Salt and Pepper Calamari (which I've done many times), it runs me about $35 after tax. Put another way, that's a third of a hundred dollar bill. For appetizers. I like Ping Pong. It's a block from my place, and I admit, I eat here a fair amount, but that's mainly for the great appetizers. If the appetizers were as humdrum as the entrees, the noise and the cost would easily be enough to keep me away.
(3)Ellen O.
i've never actually dined here, but ping pong is my go-to for asian take-out or delivery in lincoln park. i order from here a lot. my bf and i split the pork mu shu once or twice a month for a busy weekday dinner. i've been happy as a clam with my order for the last couple of years - they even started sending welch's fruit snacks with our delivery (quite the unexpected surprise)! until... they CHANGED the mu shu. instead of being large, thin pieces of pork, they're now serving small, thick almost hard pieces of pork which is much less appealing, and also leads to much more dense portions and in turn fewer mu shu wraps. i'm not a big fan. no, not at all. ping pong if you're reading can you please explain the change? i want my old mu shu back!!
(3)Lloyd T.
Update for more current dining experience: Service on this particular night was very good, a cute young Cuban boy who especially became attentive after inquiring about my dining-mate's Cuban-American heritage. Suddenly, best friends. Anyway, ordered a sushi roll which seemed way too small, and friend dumplings (veggie) which were dense and dry. My review remains at 2 stars. Actually veering more toward 1.5 stars since the place is SO FREAKING LOUD!!! Turn the music down 30% and those who want to enjoy it still could, and maybe those who'd like to hear anything their dining partners say could do the same. EARLIER REVIEW: This place has gone down hill since it was a tiny little joint. Maybe that's the down side of success and expansion. Specifics: the service is now totally indifferent. Items like the summer rolls which used to be moist and fresh and seemed prepared moments before they arrived, now seem dry like they were prepared en masse early in the morning. Spicy garlic scallops were tough ... maybe the menu has grown too much to give individual dishes and ingredients the attention they used to get? Not sure. And the place seems overly loud these days, which makes people talk louder to be heard above the din, which only adds to the noise level ....
(2)Jared L.
I'm very mixed about this place. One one hand, the food is delicious. In terms of Chinese/Thai, it's well seasoned and flavored, is light and healthy, with lots of fresh vegetables. But holy crap, does that service blow, and I mean BLOOOOOW. After my party arrived, our waiter arrived 10 minutes after we were seated, and asked if we wanted any appetizers. We had to yell over the overly loud music that we wanted Crab Rangoon. 25 minutes pass, with no more watier, no other ordering, no crab rangoon. Finally he gets back, and takes our food and drink orders. It took another 15 minutes before our drinks arrived and another 20 minutes after that before our food arrived. It was ridiculous. The only plus side of the service is that at least they have servers refilling your water frequently so at least you have that. Granted, this was a Friday night, but there's bad service, and there's BAD SERVICE. Will I be back? Maybe, like I said, the food is really really good. Maybe I'll just try to go for lunch or not on Friday night.
(3)Alison M.
I loved the ambience at Ping Pong and the service was phenomenal - our waitress was friendly, attentive and made sure that we had a pleasant dining experience. The crab rangoons were delicious but I wasn't thrilled about the texture of the chicken in my entree (a little too chewy for my liking). Despite this, it didn't ruin my meal and I would visit again.
(4)Allen B.
This is a great place to go if you enjoy extremely LOUD music more than good food and the ability to enjoy a meal. Their food may be good, but I wouldn't know because the environment made it almost impossible to notice. When I asked if they could turn the music down, I got a one word, curt answer: "No." ...so apparently that is what they are striving for.
(1)Alex N.
Great restaurant. Love the food - especially the crab rangoons and the Ping Pong Chicken. SO good. If you are looking to go on a gay date there is absolutely no better location. :)
(4)Candice C.
Loved the crowd, the food, the people. Two stars off for the loud techno (over dinner??) and the unmarked bathrooms with broken door locks. Seriously, two separate bathrooms with no signs to indicate that they are, in fact, bathrooms. Is it too "square" to put a sign on the door? Someone unfortunately stumbled into my bathroom and my dining companion did the same thing to the unfortunate girl seated next to our table. Ping Pong, I love the free fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddle, that's a nice touch. I'd be a helluva lot nicer if you'd fix the locks on the bathroom doors.
(3)Kira D.
The prices have went up a bit for entrees but the food is quite delicious and well worth it. I would recommend the sesame beef. Their cocktails are tasty and the orchid decoration makes it a feast for the eyes.
(4)Nancy C.
This place is great for the ambience and BYOB feature. But the food is just so-so. The first time I went, I got the singaporean noodles. It really wasn't very good and I ate less than half of it before calling it quits. The next time I got a more generic chicken dish and it was okay. Service there is always friendly and nice. I also find that the wait is never that bad (though there always is a wait). But if you're a foodie, I don't think you'll enjoy this place as much as most people do.
(2)Jordan B.
Whenever I head out to Ping Pong with friends it seems we have a good time, and we always end up going back. If that isn't a vote of confidence for a restaurant, I don't know what is. The food is an interesting (and tasty) presentation of American-style Thai and Chinese cooking. The General's Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Everything Fried Rice are my favorites. They also have a good selection of drinks if you feel so inclined. Last summer I had some martini that came with a slice of watermelon skewered over the glass. Amazing. I have only two complaints about Ping Pong. The music is always FAR too loud. It is a little obnoxious to have to yell over the music. This seems to be the general trend of any restaurant or bar in Lakeview. Also, sometime around the middle of last summer the portions seemed to shrink noticeably. Like, in half. I'm not saying that it was ever a good idea to eat the entire entree before but I would often split it and take the other half home and make a second meal out of it. Oh, and one major plus for Ping Pong. A friend of mine had his birthday at Ping Pong last summer and the staff went all out to make sure that it was an incredible experience. They stored the many desserts we brought in their fridge while we ate, attended to our table of 8 guests very well, and when it was time to have the cake they even decorated it with their chocolate fortune cookies and candles and gave the guest of honor a free cocktail, t-shirt, and dessert from their own menu. Added: I almost forgot to mention this. Eating outside at Ping Pong during the warmer months is one of my favorite things. It can add a considerable amount of time to your wait for getting a table but it is definitely worth it. Bring a bottle of wine to enjoy or hang out at their bar while you wait.
(4)Jocelyn H.
dined - Saturday 3/9/13 server - Jake This review will focus on 2 things: 1) service and customer satisfaction policy and 2) misleading food description and bad food, specifically the $20 Seafood Pan-seared Egg Noodle dish. We ordered several dishes which were fine, but nothing memorable. When Jake came over to ask how our food was, I responded with a shrug and "it's ok". I accept responsibility for not having been very direct and stating what was wrong with the Seafood Pan-seared Egg Noodle dish. However, ultimate responsibility for customer service resets with our server who is, from the customer perspective, essentially the ambassador for the restaurant. Jake didn't gently probe to get at the issue "is it cold? undercooked?" or simply say "let me know what's not working for you". Jake clearly knew we were not satisfied and instead opted to say "well let me know if you need anything else" - and then he NEVER came back to our table until 20 minutes later to clear our plates. If Jake really meat "well let me know if you need anything else", he would have at least checked in with us once in 20 minutes! Jake knew we were unhappy and instead chose to IGNORE our table instead of dealing with the problem. Jack's complete lack of sincerity in his statement was reflected by what happened next. When Jake finally returned to our table to clear our plates I politely let him know that the 2 scallops (yes a seafood dish with only 2 scallops) were overcooked and I also asked him to confirm whether the crab was imitation. He confirmed that it was indeed imitation crab meat. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A $20 dish for imitation crab? I told Jake that we were disappointed as the menu description was misleading and that the dish was underwhelming. He said "I know" and then stated that "unfortunately our policy is that I cannot remove the item from the bill but I can get you something else". Ok where to begin with the problem on that one? Had Jake not IGNORED our table for over 20 minutes perhaps that'd be a solution to a BAD customer service policy. We were done eating our other editable dishes so we were full and didn't want anything more other than to get out of there so we ended up leaving over 1/2 the Seafood Pan-seared Egg Noodle dish untouched. Offering to get us another dish at the END OF OUR MEAL is not a solution. Bottom line - if a restaurant cares about good customer service then it finds viable solutions to problems. Ping Pong doesn't care about good customers service and quality food.
(1)Jerry C.
Management at this place is so incredibly snotty that I will NEVER return.
(1)Jade B.
Super trendy and fun. This place is basically like being in a club that serves food. There was extremely loud trance music playing when we went, and my husband couldn't hear a word I was saying. I loved it though. LOL. The food is really good- I'm not even generally into chinese-esque food, but I liked what I ordered (something called beijing vegetarian) which was basically a stir-fry with smoked tofu (that I swore was meat at first bite)- We also got green tea martinis which were pricey, but good. We were confused however since we had ordered the same drink, yet mine was a lot stronger and tasted nothing like green tea... and my husband's seemed to just be flavoring. Oops? No complaints over this bizare error, but it might irk some- haha... no one wants to pay 10 dollars for a glass of flavored syrup, afterall. Still, everything is presented is a fun way and there is also outside seating- which is impossible to snag... but is obtainable if you don't mind waiting. :) Worth checking out... it may surprise you. :)
(4)Katherine R.
Our waiter was dressed up as Pocahontas and the decor brings an intriguing ambiance dimly lit, and the food is fresh grilled and tossed greens. The salmon is excellent here. The place stands out with its own genuine authenticity when you look in from outside. It is like a small artifact of a foreign countries charm. Since our waiter left an impression on me I feel my experience here took me outside of the city life. Inside the only vibe I received from the hostess to the middle of my meal was Aztec.
(3)Missy R.
The food is consistently OK, but the staff sucks. We have had issues with the host almost every time we come in. Also, they used to let you BYO beer, but now they don't because they "don't want people to get too drunk", but we have come in with two bottles of wine and not been turned away which I think is ridiculous. But we keep coming back for the decent food at slightly inflated prices because it's in the neighborhood.
(3)Megan N.
The food wasn't that great, but I would go there just for our great waiter! He was attentive and really friendly and even picked out some good sake for us. He got my picky vegetarian meal just right and was quick with everything; drinks, appetizers, and food. Seems like a place to go with a group or maybe if you're into the trendy asian fusion thing. There are much better sushi/thai places out there. Also hard to hear the person across from you.
(3)Julee M.
I enjoyed this place a lot. My friend suggested it after cruising Yelp looking for a new place for a weekend dinner. The wait was long but it was fun to crowd watch and it was nice that we could sip a martini while waiting. My friend and I both had the pear martini. It was not as smooth as I would have liked but it was good and priced just right. We decided to splurge and get both the chicken lettuce wraps and wasabi fries for appetizers. We didn't expect the portions to be so large! Both were awesome, especially the wasabi fries. I seriously couldn't stop eating them. I want to bathe in the wasabi mayo! I couldn't decide between a chicken or shrimp dish so I ordered the Singapore noodles which had both (had them leave out the pork). It was good. It had an unusual flavor but I enjoyed trying something different. My friend had the curry chicken which I would order next time. I was hoping to try the great wall brick for dessert but we were way too full. Next time! I also just saw that they deliver which excites me immensely. Hmmm, maybe I really can bathe in the wasabi mayo!
(4)Karen C.
Met a friend here last night for the first time. Immediately I noticed the "club beat" type music-which I liked- and cute decor. Our waiter was a bit odd and the chairs were uncomfortable, but the food was good. It was just a quick meal, so only an entree for each of us. No appetizer or dessert. I would go back with friends to try more of the expansive menu.
(3)Jackie R.
Ping Pong may be the food love of my life. Prices have jumped a bit recently but not enough to keep me away. They have many great appetizers but the standout is the sashimi tuna dip. So. Good. Tuna, basil, cuces, sesame mayo? On a wonton? Yes please and many thank you's. The old standby Pad Thai is always so great it's difficult to tear myself away and expand my horizons, but friends think highly of the Ping Pong Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Everything Fried Rice. Drinks are great and fairly strong, and of course you can always go BYOB. Ping Pong is fun, has a lively ambiance, and is super tasty. Go now.
(4)Becky R.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my meals and the people watching every time I've gone to Ping Pong. I found my "standard" dish there -- which is "everything but the sink" fried rice or "kitchen sink" fried rice. something to that effect. You get the idea. This is tasty and delicious, especially the corn, edamame, and pork. Yum. The sushi rolls were merely okay. I wouldn't order them again. The portions tend to be a bit on the small side, which is somewhat refreshing, but those of us with, um, healthy appetites might want to keep this in mind. The fried rice is a generous portion, though. I'm usually the only person at my Ping Pong table who's not a member of the clean-plate club and I would take that fried rice intravenously if they would let me. The drinks are great --- very strong and not ridiculously overpriced. Some of them even come with a flower. Lovely. It can be noisy, but that's part of the fun. They changed up the decor from weird projected images on the walls to stuffed animal heads. I don't know if this is supposed to be wintery, but it's kind of creepy. I hope they go back to projected images.
(4)Sabrina S.
I cannot believe that I haven't reviewed pingpong yet. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the Lakeview neighborhood. Everytime I eat in (or out) of their four walls it is a great experience. This restaurant gets busy but it is worth it. On my most recent visit, I was with a friend who came into the city for dinner. We were quoted 10 minutes for our wait but I think it ended up being more like 20 or 30 minutes that we waited. However, the staff recognized that we were waited and came over to apologize. When we were seated they apologized AGAIN and told us that the first round of drinks would be on them. I was thrilled at their offer. (It doesn't hurt that they have a very creative drink list AND are BYOB.) They have an extensive menu. You can choose between chicken, beef, seafood or vegetarian dishes. Most recently I have tried the salt and pepper calamari as an appetizer. It was spicy! I still enjoyed it greatly. I also have enjoyed the sesame chicken and chicken and broccoli. All of the portions are pretty large and you will probably be able to bring a doggy bag home with you. The atmosphere is very posh and trendy. Sometimes they show videos on their walls but other times it is just a changing color pattern. The music can be a bit loud at times. When you first sit down they provide you with a hot wet nap (I know there is a classier name for this but it escapes me). They also provide sweet potato chips (kind of like their bread basket). At the end of the meal, your check comes with chocolate fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddle! Basically, I love this place. GO!
(5)JoAnne W.
We passed by a few nights ago and the food looked inviting through their large windows. So we tried it. We preferred to sit inside where it is quieter rather than on the sidewalk. Our server saw that my husband was wearing a pink band and recognized him as a fellow Thai. We thought we would try a bunch of appetizers like at dim sum and a dish of noodles. We ordered whatever appealed to us: steamed Chinese broccoli, steamed potstickers, lettuce cups, wasabi frites. The broccoli was bland, the potsticker dumpling wrapper was thick and doughy, and we couldn't taste the wasabi. However, the lettuce cups were divine: all gingery with chunky, crunchy peanuts, and every mouthful salty, sour, and sweet. We decided to pack up the noodles to take home. For dessert, we were offered chocolate fortune cookies partially dipped in chocolate with chocolate sprinkles. When we got home and opened the take out bag, included with the noodles was a chocolate fortune cookie, a soy sauce packet, wooden chopsticks, and, we were mystified, a banana. Not your usual Chinese take-out!
(3)Tommy M.
YUM. One of good friends used to live in Boystown and we stopped in there about a year ago to eat. I don't remember all that we had, but I do remember our appetizer was raw tuna with pieces of cucumber. I am drooling just thinking about it. For the price you pay I think it was a great value. One thing I do remember was it wasn't incredibly expensive for the two of us to eat and have a few drinks. The presentation on all the food was outstanding. I do remember that all the food was very fresh - from the veggies all the way to the fish. Check it out! You'll enjoy it.
(5)Adam P.
Despite it's ultra trendy nature, Ping Pong serves up some really nice Chinese food. The lettuce cups and the Ping Pong Roll are appetizers not to be missed. If you can get past the snooty wait staff, and the thumping techno, you are in for some really nice food at a reasonable price. They are beginning to serve their own alcohol, so I don't know how much longer they will be a BYOB, but enjoy the cheap drinking while you can!
(4)Aimee C.
mmmmm, i love the ambiance at Ping Pong. It's hip, fun, great music and lots a pretty boys... :) I was very excited about the night, got my bottle of Veuve for the BYOB place that turned out to have delicious, naughty school girl martinis.... The lettuce cups were divine, followed by a warm bowl of hot and sour soup.... I wanted to go light, since we were planning to go out for the evening, so Kung pao eggplant and tofu was the perfect choice.... I love Ping Pong. I want to go to Ping Pong again and I want to order everything on the menu. I can't wait....
(4)Bridget S.
Co-worker claimed this joint had "the best pad thai in the city"... while I don't agree, it was pretty good. We ordered delivery and the fella on the phone was polite, spoke clearly and repeated my order. The delivery guy surprised us with a free bottle of champagne! Not sure what that was about, but thanks Ping Pong!
(3)Johanna A.
Great place and one of our faves for delivery, but this might explain why the phone was never picked up tonight and it appears that they are closed: Fire at Ping Pong May 6, 11 a.m. Numerous fire officials and police reported to a fire at Broadway near Aldine Avenue Friday at pan-Asian restaurant Ping Pong, to find "extensive" damage in the kitchen area, according to reports. Police say the fire started when boxes stacked around a refrigerator overheated and caught fire, which resulted in smoke and water damage throughout the restaurant. Fire officials also reportedly had to break through the restaurant's front windows to gain access to the fire as the restaurant was closed at the time. No injuries.
(5)Rich C.
Good food but this restaurant appears to have closed. Walked by today, all boarded up.
(3)Sara P.
I love Ping Pong! Whenever I'm in the mood for good chinese, this is the place I go...assuming I have a decent amount of money in my pocket- because this place can be a little pricey. I highly recommend their chicken egg rolls- they might just be the best egg rolls I've ever had. I also usually get the garlic shrimp. Just beware that this dish is SPICY. And I figured out recently that the leftovers I always have (because portions are so huge) only tend to get spicier the longer they sit. Also beware that this place gets packed on the weekend!!
(4)Natalie B.
Perfecct place for a casual dinner. Wide variety of dishes sure to appeal to the carnivore and veggie alike (this is always a big problem in my circle). I love that it is BYOB too. I have tried almost everything on the menu at this point and loved it all. It is inexpensive--I think the priciest thing on the menu is $12. Service is good, the atmosphere chill, and all in all a great find.
(4)Alaina N.
We ordered take out from Ping Pong a ton and have ALWAYS loved it. Though it's pretty pricey it's delicious chinese. HOWEVER last night, after ordering my usual sesame chicken, we found out they've changed their chicken recipes to use thigh meat to be more "authentic". The meat was disgusting and slimy and their was no price reduction with this new cheaper meat option. I was terribly disappointed and very sad that I won't be ordering from them any longer. PLEASE BRING BACK THE WHITE MEAT!!
(2)Christine M.
I really want to like Ping Pong. We had these AMAZING peanut butter potstickers there about a year ago. They were a special that night, and I don't believe they've had them since. The music is SO obnoxious. You'd think that considering 95% of the reviews mention the music being too loud, they'd turn it down a notch. I wasn't even dining there tonight and I had to repeat my name and number 3 times just to place an order for pickup. How can they even take orders correctly? After the rave reviews of the sesame chicken, I was really looking forward to it. It was SO so so dry. The chicken rolls were greasier than ever. Eck. I'll give them one more chance. Oh, how I wish those peanut butter potstickers would make a return...
(3)Sarah F.
Okay, so ...I've been to Ping Pong many, many times before - but NEVER was the food so good as this last time! So very tasty! I was with a party of a bout seven this past weekend, and we all got different things - some Maki rolls, some crab, some noodles dishes, curry, veggies - you name it! IT WAS ALL DELICIOUS! The softshell crabs were probably the best I'd ever had, as was the red snapper my boyfriend had. Jesus that was good! And, the curry dish I had was EVEN BETTER warmed up in the microwave the next day. Seriously! I always love that this place is still BYOB too, even though they now have a liquor license. They'll uncork as many bottles as you want! The atmosphere is great in here too, although busy and loud (but in my opinion, that's usually a good thing). The crowd is cool, and the music pumping is similar to the gay party bars in the area -which makes it fun and neighborhood-appropriate. My only complaint is the WAIT TIME. Ugh. Like on this particular visit we asked how long it would be, and they told us a "few minutes" which ended up being almost an hour and fifteen to get sat!! The food was well worth it though.
(4)kathy z.
The waiters were rude and the food was terrible. I would not go back again.
(1)Patti B.
Ping Pong doesn't take reservations but they were kind enough to seat our big group of nine at the longest table in the back even though only half of us were there at 6pm (just barely beat the crowd!). The food was pretty good and definitely affordable, but the music was a bit too loud and each side of our table could only hear the three or four people closest to them. Service was very present and I think my water was refilled every other time I took a sip! They also chilled the beer my friend brought and made sure that refills were brought out. And now for the food! We ordered a couple of appetizers to start with - the calamari was flavorful although not as crispy as I usually like, and the spring rolls were big. Our entrees were a bit slow but I think that's because they wanted to bring them all out at once, which they did. My Shanghai noodles were pretty good (I'm not sure if the chicken was a little bit bland because the other dishes I tried were spicy or if it really was a little bit bland, but either way, the dish as a whole was yummy) and people near me cleaned up their plates of mango chicken and chow fun. I also tried a few of the other dishes and liked them all. The best part? At the end they bring out chocolate fortune cookies on a ping pong paddle. A REAL paddle!
(4)Tiff D.
Went here again, impressed with the friendly staff, who happen to be good looking, and the quality of food. My date ordered a green curry that looked delicious, I went with ginger soup, which eased my aching stomach. Being here feels like hanging out in the right club, like a hidden secret.
(5)Jon W.
For a Washingtonian this is the Cafe Asia of Chicago. Well prepared pan Asian in a lively atmosphere.
(4)Nick S.
Ping Pong: a contemporary pan-asian restaurant in the hustle and bustle of Boystown. The prices? A little steep for the quality of food. The drinks are pretty good ($10 avg) I just think they need to get a little more inventive with the garnish... the hibiscus flower is cute, but gets old after the 3rd drink.. I do recommend the pear martini The waitstaff was nice and really attentive, oh and were they fierce? um, yeah. On to the meal.. I ordered fried soft shell crab as an appetizer. I would say this was the most disappointing component of my meal. The crabs weren't nearly as crispy as they should've been. In fact, they were soggy by the time I got them. The sauce I was given to accompany the crabs was lackluster (really thin vinegary sauce with some sugar and ginger). No actual complexity of flavor.. blah. My main course was the Pad See Ewe. Now, this is a dish I've grown up with. So I have to say that my judgment may be harsher than some, but I feel that they could improve it a lot. The portion was good, it was juts the execution and flavor profile that needs tweaking. A little sweeter than I'm used to, and I know they're supposed to use Dark Sweet Soy Sauce, but you also have to counter it with other flavors too! My noodles looked like they weren't stir-fried correctly. They were still really slippery, and didn't get a nice sear. The funny thing I've come to realize with a lot of these noodle dishes is the fact that they're all Pad's which if you translate it, roughly means STIR FRY but there's an overwhelming number of dishes I've gotten from various restaurants where they aren't actually done correctly.. Ping Pong's Pad See Ewe (& Pad Thai from what I've seen) falls under this unfortunate trend. But I've definitely had worse, so Ping Pong didn't completely fail. But be aware, if you ask for sriracha, you're not going to get the bottle, instead a little portion in a little dish is what you'll get. haha odd. Overall, I had an OK dinner. It was a cute place to meet up with friends. The chocolate fortune cookies were actually enjoyable!
(3)Kimberly F.
GREAT food and customer service! Ambience of the space is nice yet casual, music and atmosphere totally on point.The server brought out towels to wipe your hands when you sit down, nice touch. Food is delicious and you get a good portion, I couldn't finish my plate. After your meal they bring a chocolate dipped fortune cookie, yum. And the cherry on top is a free postcard they give you at the end to write to whoever you want - and they send it out for you, postage paid and everything. I don't live in Chicago but I will definitely be back the next time I visit!
(5)Julia W.
Ping Pong is yum. Upon moving to the neighborhood, I'd avoided the place, thinking its minimalist white walls and snappily dressed waitstaff meant my noodles would cost more than the $5 I'm accustomed to. My husband and I finally decided to try it one evening and I am SO GLAD--I found my favorite crab rangoon in the city (no small feat, I promise), among a delightful collection of other tasty Pan-Asian appetizers and dishes. Yeah, it might cost a few more bucks than other corner noodle stops, but it is so very worth it. This is one place I've been satisfied with everything I've ever tried--and we've almost worked our way through the entire menu. The crab rangoon is fab, moo shu is delish, Singapore noodles are super spicy and wonderful... And it's BYOB. The wine shop across the way has been replaced with a sushi place we've yet to visit (it smells like fish. Ick.), but you can always stop at nearby Kafka's for a fun bottle of wine. Ping Pong recently expanded into the space next to their original 8-tabled restaurant which means they've got plenty of additional al fresco space as well. Even with the newly practically tripled space, there's usually a wait for a table--but nothing as bad as before. If you're a fan of Pan-Asian and you don't mind the thumping bass of whatever wacky music they've got going (Dee-Lite remixes are my favorite, to date), and the vague aroma of the tanning salon next door doesn't bug you, Ping Pong will be your new neighborhood staple, great any night of the week. *Edit* 6/11/07 We hit up Ping Pong last Tuesday in an effort to avoid the swarming crowds hip to their delicious food. Knowing that it gets crazy busy during the week, too, prompted us to get there early (6:30). No trouble getting a table, service was fast and we headed off the rush by about 15 minutes. Phew. The new cool thing is that Ping Pong got a liquor license, so they offer wine, sake and cocktails--in addition to still being BYOB, which is totally rad. The pomegranate cosmo was excellent, the floating orchid a nice touch. Food is still stupendous; Justin is convinced it's laced with crack because he can't stop eating once he starts. Another cool thing--after mixing up some watermelon-tinis for some ladies at the bar, the fellow tending bar offered me a sample as well. Me likey. Me likey the drink and the friendly fellow. I have watched this place go from 8 tables to three times that and aside from a sometimes long wait, Ping Pong just keeps getting better!
(5)Liz A.
Henry and his folk make the absolute BEST pot stickers in the city. The rest of the menu is done perfectly, as well. Eat in, get it to go or get it delivered....you won't be disappointed. Everything is fresh and done from scratch. Truly, my go to place for GREAT Asian on the North Side. His Sushi/Japanese place across the way (Wakemono) is awesome, too. I can't say enough about it!! Don't forget to check out the secret Chinese bar (Ginger Martinis). I am from NYC and am SO HAPPY to have found this joint. Chinatown, you can suck it!
(5)Patrick W.
One of the best just got better- a few months ago, Ping Pong expanded into the space next door, formerly a Mexican restaurant. In the past, when they put a few tables out on the sidewalk in front of the place during summer, they would literally double their capacity. Anyway, this has been some of my favorite Asian food in the city. Their egg rolls are my favorite of all time, and the sesame chicken (or beef!) is world class. The mango chicken, curry beef, spicy shrimp and ping pong chicken are other favorites. The Pad Thai is good, but pales in comparison to other restaurants specializing in Thai food. I've dined in and carried out from here numerous times, and have never been disappointed once. Carryout is really fast- I picked up a big order on New Year's Eve in just 15 minutes. UPDATE 5/11/08: Picked up carryout here earlier in the week. Prices have risen by about a dollar for nearly everything on the menu. Portions aren't all that big, even when you dine in, but the portions we got for carryout were horrible... way too small, especially at higher prices. Will not be back for carryout unless I hear this is corrected. I have cheaper options closer by that don't skimp just because I've ordered takeout.
(4)Jenna P.
Boring. That's how I would describe the food. It's not bad, it's just not that memorable. The prices are pretty high considering the mediocrity of the food. Don't come here on weekends unless you are prepared to wait and wait. Tables are tiny and very close together, so prepare to get friendly with your neighbors...that is, if you can hear them. The music is REALLY loud! Conversation is nearly impossible! The place also has that "ooh we're an ultra-chic, trendy restaurant" vibe that I hate. Summary: mediocre food is not helped by long waits, high prices, and obnoxious atmosphere.
(2)Chetan B.
Excellent food, fantastic service, and all at a reasonable price. Did I mention its BYOB too. A must go!
(5)Matt N.
Simply the best place for delivery Chinese food in Chicago. I have been ordering from PingPong for 5-6 years now and simply love the place. I have only been to the actual location once or twice and felt cramped. for all us who rarely have time for cooking, give this place a call.
(5)Teresa C.
I give it 2 stars because the food is normally good. Not so much tonight. unfortunately, the delivery time is unacceptable. an hour and 15 min later...on a tuesday....my food arrives which I might be ok with given the holiday weekend coming up, but it's almost cold! to the point where I have to reheat it. Even before reheating, i had a few bites and it did not taste as it normally does. Everything fried rice was everything tough. not a frequent happy customer to say the least. 26.00 on fried rice and edamame...will pay for fresh food and standard delivery time, but will not order from them again after tonight.
(2)Emily B.
Whenever I walk by this place I always am so invited by the festive interior. Tonight I dined here for the first time- and the experience did not disappoint. We were greeted at the door by friendly staff who offered to take our coats while they got our table ready. When we sat, fresh, warm towels for our hands and a waiter handed us menus. I ordered the spicy scallops which were spicy and delicious. My friend ordered vegetable dumplings, steamed which looked scrumptious. Would definitely dine again- great decor and delicious food!
(4)Josh G.
I had me some Ping Pong delivered for the first time in many moons last night and it reminded me why I love it. Any time I have guests in town I always take them to Ping Pong because people are always impressed and it requires no effort on my part. Everything from the location to the trendy atmosphere definitely makes it a place to see and be seen. Some of my local friends and I jokingly refer to it (as we do some other places in Boystown) as "S&P"... meaning it's a place to "stand and pose" or I guess in this case it would be "sit and pose". Everyone is always fashionable and dressed up in their favorite labels which gets old after while. But more importantly, what I love about the food is that everything is simple, refreshing, and delicious. For example, one of my favorites is the Sesame Chicken. It's just chicken and broccoli in a sweet brown sauce with sesame seeds. It's not too pretentious or overly seasoned with a ton of ingredients or spices. The sizzling rice soup is great and the lettuce cups are amazing. The only reason I'm not giving this place five stars is because of the music and servers. Neither are bad, they're just too much. The music is entirely too loud to make this a good date place but it's still fantastic with a group of friends. And while I've never had bad service I just think it's ok and the servers have a bit too much attitude. Then again, maybe that fits in perfectly with the rest of the decor. :)
(4)Dana W.
I used to really love to eat here. Great food and great people. But since they hung the dead animal heads on the wall I will not be going back. I don't like it at all
(3)John M.
Ping Pong has great food, reasonably good service, and very loud music. The food fare is Asian with a modern twist and is quite tasty and well made. However, if you are planning on having a conversation while here, make sure to sit close together knowing that whatever you say has no way of being overheard. I would not host a business associate here unless I was dealing with a 20-something dot com entrepreneur. (I think somehow they might appreciate the music.) I think one of the earlier reviewers commented that the music made the restaurant have more of a club feel - I didn't quite appreciate that until I came here last night and lived it. The music is club music and it is loud. If you have sensitive people who aren't into the music, they will be miserable. I had Cashew Chicken and it was very good. Other parties with me had the grilled vegetables and Singapore noodles. They indicated their dishes were good, but I had to ask their opinion three times before I could hear them. The atmosphere is definitely modern and upscale. However, the pricing is not awfully bad - it is affordable and reasonable. Is somehow the management could be convinced that they would do better with their music payed softer, I think Ping Pong could be one of the best places around.
(3)Nancy M.
I've known this place back in the old days when it was just a hole in the wall. But, the owners are really sharp. They experimented with a wine store, own the sushi spot across the street and have evolved into a trendy higher end neighborhood place. Is is better? The jury is still out on that. The recipes or chefs must change because it is not consistent. I liked it better when it was smaller but it is still a good addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Mark W.
I realize I have a few complaints and yet I still want to give Ping Pong a five-star rating. But, I'll settle on four to keep it honest. First, the good- Ping Pong has a great atmosphere. With it's ultra-white interior I always assumed this place would be way too trendy or pretentious. But on trying it, I have no such complaints. A little trendy, sure. But, I've always been made to feel at home. The food is, for the most part, very good. There are a number of unique options (not your token, paint-by-the-numbers Thai menu) and a lengthy list of appetizers. I am constantly trying new things here- where at your standard Thai place I always get the same thing. There's just so many things to try. They have four dollar glasses of house red and white wine. Perhaps you get what you pay for... but, c'mon... how many places are you gona find with four dollar glasses of wine? Particularly places that one might call trendy? In addition, I think, if I am not mistake, that they also offer cocktails, and permit BYOB. Chocolate Fortune Cookies served on a ping pong paddle- very clever. But now the bad- Service is what it is. Servers never seem to be personable (though, I question if its because they don't speak much English). This also allows them to cover more tables, and in my experience have never been left waiting, or without a full glass of water. The Chicken Lettuce Wraps have a sauce that it is really heavy on the peanuts and really light on the CHICKEN. How do you mess up a chicken peanut sauce? The edamame appetizer was literally like maybe twelve pieces... C'mon. As stated above- the serving sizes are very small. Entree rice and noodle dishes could ALMOST be considered small plates. Which makes it essential to order appetizers to supplement your meal. Prices appear cheap - but it starts to rack up when you have to order extra dishes to fill up. We ordered delivery from here recently, and the sesame chicken dish came with literally 4 pieces of broccoli. It was so disappointing... I'm not sure if this was a delivery portion, or if that's what is actually served on site. Dish size seems rather arbitrary, some dishes giving much larger portions than others. But Ping Pong is fun and cool. Totally worth a try. Make sure you order enough, and you should leave happy. Expect to wait for a table at peak-times. This is one of the most popular spots in Lakeview.
(4)Danielle M.
So I let my little sister, who was in town a few weeks ago, pick where she wanted to go to eat. I suggested looking for a BYOB place, so we could all get our drink on (she was just turning 18). She picked this place, and while the place itself was kinda cool, the food was less than great. We ordered a bunch of different things as appetizers - as said before, their pot stickers were huge and were really tasty. We also ordered the seafood salad, which was AMAZING - but then again, I love sesame oil, and it was drenched in it. Our main meals, on the other hand - not so hot. I ordered the Orange Chicken, which I admit, isn't the most crazy thing - but it said it was made with fresh orange peel, so I figured it would be delicious. Not so much. The chicken was way overcooked - and it wasn't just mine - others in our party agreed that their chicken was overcooked, also. How this happens in a restaurant, IDK. My boyfriend ordered the Kung Pao, and the sauce tasted pasty and burnt - as if there was too much flour, and they tried to over-compensate by overcooking it or something? Weird. Not to mention, we waited over an hour and a half - this is before it even started getting busy! Overall - save the trip and your money - there are plenty of better, more delicious (and non-overcooked chicken) Thai/Chinese places in the city.
(2)Brandon H.
As a Chinese restaurant, this place fails miserably. As an Asian-fusion restaurant, it's about average. I order Chinese for delivery pretty frequently, and this was some of the most off-tasting food I've ever had. The egg rolls had something sweet in them and were definitely not the typical Chinese restaurant flavor, the Mongolian beef was this thin gray-matter looking stuff, and the kung-pao chicken might as well have been called "kung pao ?" because I found about 3 pieces of chicken in the entire serving. The only reason for two stars is that the pot stickers were very large and good. Of course, we only got 4 of them in 1 serving. And all this (and a fancy delivery bag) can be yours for ~ $42 after tip. Maybe this place is a different story dining-in, but if you're looking for a new Chinese delivery place, make sure you know what you're getting into. Most likely you'll not be getting Chinese food.
(2)M M.
Not a fan. Great location but the dish that I had was salmon and it was extremelyyyy dry. Pet peeve!! Very clean, modern atmosphere which I did like. I would skip this and try Adesso next door.
(2)Lauren D.
very cool place. fun music, fun atmosphere. i'd hit it up on the weekends mostly. they use high quality ingredients and their pork chop dish is amazing. the calamari is unlike any calamari i've ever had, so get some if you are interested in calamari with a flare. also, their spicy tuna maki could compete with that of any awesome sushi restaurant. you can bring your own wine/beer, but they do have a drink list.
(4)Michael C.
this place rocks! the ambiance,the food, the service are all great. its a neighborhood spot that makes you feel like you live in a city that is diverse. you can find yourself sitting next to a group of 30 something's sex and the city girls, a gaggle of gay guys at the next table, fashionistas across the room, and the hipest servers you can fit into skinny jeans. the sashimi tuna dip and steamed potstickers are a must try, a new addition of wasabi fries is great for the table. entrees such as the mango chix, ginger beef, and their hot and sour soup are great. they have recently acquired a liquor license and have a great drink menu. i am partial to their pear martini, and i also enjoy their wine list which offers bottles at $16 and up. there is no pretention here, its just straight up great food with great people around. p.s.- it is also the best electro/house music ever to be paired with culinary talent...
(5)Jay Jay C.
i have never encountered such bad salty freezer burned scallops in my life!!! this so called pseudo chinese fusion is a living testimony why fusion sucks! but if you enjoy salty over priced chinese food that tastes like wan chai ferry frozen foods served to you by pretentious hipster douchebags than this is your place the staff has a very poor attitude they look their nose down on you and completley ignore you because you dont fit the criteria or calibur of customer they want coming into their place so if your not some pretty boy douche and you look like a biker or just a jeans and t-shirt guy they will outright ignore you! just go across the street to joy's rice and noodles the staff is nicer and they appreciate your buisness plus the food is way way better i mean c'mon the waitstaff is more concerned about standing around posing like they're at a photoshoot it just plain sucks. fuck i,m being forced to give this pretentious dump a star or it wont post
(1)Kathryn M.
After living down the street from Ping Pong for the last year or so, I finally had the chance to eat here. Overall, it was a really great experience. The interior is very plain, just bare white walls. We wanted to sit outside, but the wait was 20 minutes, which was odd since there was at least 1 empty table. They waste a lot of precious outdoor seating. The tables are arranged in sets of 3, so 6 people could sit there, but they sit 2 people at 3 tables that are pushed together, totally doesn't make sense. Now that we've discussed seating let's move onto service...service was meh. Our waiter really couldn't care less. He took our order, but never stopped back to check on our food or drinks. I had to flag him down to get another glass of wine and I am a big wino, so don't mess with my wine. Our food was great. We split an order of potstickers which had the perfect dough to meat ratio. I had pad thai which was pretty solid and my friend had mandarin beef, which was amazingly delicious. The restaurant is a little loud, so if you're looking for a quiet romantic restaurant, this isn't the place, but it is the place for delicious cocktails and yummy asian food.
(4)Tom H.
Cool sparse decor, food and prices are fair, interesting limited mixed drink menu. That said, you'll love this place if you enjoy 1) standing around FOREVER waiting to sit down; 2) being surrounded by people trying way too hard to look hip while waiting forever; 3) being treated extremely rudely by the staff; and 4) techno blasting so loud that conversation is impossible. Also, beware if you see the Pingpong Prius delivery car anywhere in your vicinity--I've nearly been hit by this car several times when I had the right of of way.
(2)enrique t.
stumbled into this place late last night and based on the people out front and the atmosphere we expected the menu to be a bit more progressive. the menu was ok but had the typical asian fare i felt like i could get anywhere. they had just one maki selection which i thought was odd. why not a few more. i can think of other fusion places that have alot more fusion.the $5 corkage fee was nice because the wine and beer selection was too minimal. our server was ok. he was a little cold and short with us but prompt enough. the female server was sexy. the white girl with the short hair. i wish we had her.
(3)Joseph B.
this place was trying pretty hard to be cool, but it didn't let that get in the way of a good meal. i probably wouldn't bring my parents here when they were in town but it was fine for the mrs and I. music was loud but not unbearable, service was fine, we byob'd with two bottles of wine for 2 people but didn't get any dirty looks. as for the food, it was pretty impressive, the general's chicken was awesome and the salt and pepper calamari appetizer was the best calamari I've ever had, bar none. i talked about it for a few days after.
(4)Sydney K.
No, that's not a broom closet in the middle of Broadway - it's actually a restaurant. This tiny Asian fusion location seats only 20 (plus 15 during warm weather with outdoor seating). But the diminutive size is not the only reason you frequently see a crowd of people outside its doors, patiently waiting for a table. The food is consistently solid, the prices are fair, and it's BYOB (corkage fee of $3.95, which is waived if your purchase was made Valhalla, the wine store across the street). I hear the crab rangoon is fantastic, although I've never tried it (not a big fan of cream cheese with my seafood - ick).
(3)Eliot J.
the food is decent and reasonably priced, i suppose. everyone keeps talking about the servers and their attitude, which i would describe as "unwelcoming," though i'm not sure if they're doing it just for the effect, or not. what i noticed more was that they tended to congregate in the corner by the kitchen and bathrooms just sort of staring around at everyone. it was pretty early when i dined there and we were one of probably 3 tables, but it was still pretty creepy. the facade is generally pretty cheap, right down to the menus printed on notebook paper, which were crumpled up and had food stains on them. another thing that struck me as... incomplete was that, even though i typically use chopsticks, there was no fork option provided. again, not that i'd probably use one, but sometimes you opt for it. as far as the loud dance music, i suppose it draws attention in the summer when the doors are open, but other than that, it's pretty obnoxious. just doesn't fit with the surface... probably won't go back.
(2)Don W.
Easy to get seated during the week, can be a pain on the weekends after 7:30/8PM. The food is good but I always get the General's Chicken so I probably shouldn't generalize. They now have a liquor license but still allow BYOB wine. My corkage fee never seems to correlate with how many bottles of wine we consume so I can't say exactly what the fee is (I guess it pays to be gay). One thing obvious is that the portion sizes have noticably descreased in size twice over the past 6 months or so. I think I've eaten off larger plates at various tapas places. I don't mind tapas sized portions but adjust the price accordingly. In summary, the food is decent but getting expensive (considering the reduction in portion size). We all go there for the minimalist decor and background music. The expansion a while back was also a pleasant treat. The trendiness and high foot traffic in the area means that they can probably get away with charging more for less. Phehaps we'll check out Adesso again since I hear they've changed their menu . . .
(3)Amanda A.
If I was grading this uber trending lakeview spot on food alone - it would be a hands down five star stop, but cramped spaces and long waits bumps it down a notch. I went with a group of people on a Friday evening - we called ahead to get an estimated wait time (half hour - forty minutes) and recieved the same quote when we got there, but we actually waited close to an hour and a half. The incredibly small restaurant and waiting area has all the originality of every other ultrahip flourescent white and orange european style lounge but it's menu knocks it clear out of typical panasian water. Its BYOB, so definitely bring a few bottles - especially if you want to go on a weekend (expect to wait and therefor have beverages on hand to keep you occupied). We ordered 7 appetizers and 5 entrees and our bill was less than $100. Definitely try the calamari with red chiles and jalepenos, the tuna tartare dip, and the crab rangoons - also I had the best chicken pad thai I have ever had that night. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone and will definitely be back for more - just probably not on a friday or saturday.
(4)Melissa K.
I walk by Ping Pong every day. I never thought I was trendy enough to try it, but boy am I glad I went in. I went with two girlfriends I hadn't seen in ages and we had the best time. We had a much longer wait then what we were quoted, but we drank our wine and were content. We took our time with our meal. We first ordered the potstickers, they were fantastic. After eating those we ordered soup. I had chicken noodle, the chicken was so fresh, I was impressed. One of my friends had a salad and it looked delicious and the other friend had the hot and sour soup. Apparently there is a bit of a kick to it. For dinner we ordered three different dishes. We ordered the beef and broccoli, ping pong chicken and cashew chicken. All three were great. The staff never pressured us to order quickly or push us out after we were done. I can't wait to go back and try more items on the menu. I see Ping Pong becoming my new favorite Asian restaurant in the city.
(4)Jill D.
I went here to celebrate my birthday and we definitely took advantage of the BYOB aspect of this place. The service was great and understanding when we started to get a little rowdy. I had the Sesame Chicken which was delicious and I loved that it came with broccoli (my favorite). Since it's a little far from where I live, I don't go here that often, but just found out that they deliver!
(4)Travis P.
I went here with two friends this weekend. We started off with the crab rangoon (per the recommendations here--we were not disappointed) and some sushi roll (good, but nothing special). For my main dish, I had a pan seared sea bass served over mushrooms and asparagus drizzled in a sweet and lightly salty sauce (soo good! paired well with the Riesling that I brought--this place is BYOB). My dining companions got bulgogi (a Korean beef dish) and the ping pong chicken (if I recall). I enjoyed mine the most, but hey, I was in the mood for fish. The atmosphere was fitting for the eclectic style of Broadway Avenue here. Stark white decor, house music, odd movies playing from the projector (seriously...a Fresh Prince/Jazzy Jeff video!). Service was prompt, friendly and unobtrusive. Overall a unique, positive dining experience.
(4)Diane C.
There are only a few things I eat at asian resturants and they do two of them better than any place else in the city. Their Pad Thai is incredible. It has the perfect combination of peanuts and sweet sauce. They also have the best crab rangoon. They don't go cheap on the crab meat. They have a summer menu that is fairly inexpensive but is only good in the summer. In the winter it's better to get their food to go because there are all of 10 seats inside.
(5)Audra S.
Everyone I talk to raves about how good Ping Pong is, but I found it rather bland. Maybe it's because I had take out and the actual dining experience is better, but I just was not impressed. I've had better Chinese food at Panda Express. Their redeeming factor was their crab rangoon -- now that was good stuff!
(3)Kristen F.
I've been by this place so many times in the last 8 years and finally ate there over the weekend. I went with a group of 7 people and since they don't take reservations, we met at 6:00. I was the first to arrive and I told them how many people in the party and by the time the rest of the party showed, they had our table ready and the restaurant was full. We had brought 4 bottles of wine, they opened 2 and put the rest in the cooler. We sat nearest the door so it got a bit chilly with the door opening so often. I felt it took a long time to get our food and mine wasn't hot (could also have been the door) but I liked it and it was a good sized portion. They didn't charge us a corking fee for all 4 bottles and our bill for 7 was only $100. They don't take reservations so plan to wait even if it's just 2 people but they will but your wine in the cooler and pour you a glass while you wait.
(4)Arjun C.
The only thing interesting about this place is the decor. I like their place Wakamono across the street but after sampling several items on the menu, I found the food to be uninspiring and tired for such a trendy looking spot. Not terribly expensive, though.
(2)Mitchell S.
i am very satistfied with the food here. i find myself eating a lot of chinese and well ping pong has to be my favorite. i have eaten there once and get delivery about once a week. the prices are very high, but hey what am i gonna do.
(4)Rachelle T.
This place is great! I've lived in Lakeview for 2 years now and I'm ashamed to say I just tried Ping Pong and man was I missing out. The minimal white appearance makes it look trendy (which I also thought meant pricy) but surprisingly it is incredibly reasonable and BYOB - yay! My girlfriends and I went here at 7:30 on a Sat evening and had to wait 10-15 minutes for a table, not bad. Although I did notice the line got longer as it got later. I started with the veggie eggrolls (yum) and then had the Sesame Tofu for my entree which was awesome. The sauce had a great ginger element that I hadn't experienced before with sesame and the tofu was cooked perfectly. Everyone else seemed to enjoy theirs as well, with the exception of what I believe were called Singapore noodles (she said they smelled like bathroom and were too spicy - yikes). They get knocked down a star for the music which was verrrry loud and all Madonna, got kinda annoying about 3 songs in. But I'll def try them again, can't wait!
(4)Mark P.
Really loud. Mediocre, dumbed-down Chinese/Pan-Asian food for American palates. Pretty much par for the course for the Broadway/Lakeview area.
(1)Kye B.
Found a lovely new jewel to add to Chicago's Gastronomic Crown. Great ambience and our waiter, Gof, was absolutely delightful. The food was delicious. The edamame (served cold), the Brussels sprouts and those taro chips (perfect) were fantastic beginnings to an incredible meal. Can't WAIT to go back.
(4)Kristoph S.
Very yummy and great customer service! I've been to Ping Pong a couple times this past month and I haven't been disappointed at all! It is a little more expensive than your average Thai/Asian/Chinese restaurants with entrees between $12-$20 however it is worth it! The Singapore Noodles are my new favorite. This is definitely a restaurant to try something new. I had one of their special cocktails and it was very refreshing! The cocktails are a $10+, but that's pretty reasonable considering their signature, made with fresh ingredients, and top shelf, The customer service is amazing; you receive a moist towel to wipe your hands as soon as you sit down, chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end of your meal, and a postcard WITH POSTAGE to send to someone. Granted the postcard is for marketing purposes, but it is a nice touch! The wait staff was very attentive, nice, & accommodating. An elderly couple, one of which was using a walker, came into the restaurant the last time I was in and the hostess did everything she could to assist them and make them comfortable. The ambience is pretty fun, too! Love the mismatched vintage bowls, vintage tables, and mint green walls.
(5)Andrew C.
I REALLY like this place. Fantastic cocktails...food is amazing and the service is top notch. All this in a very cool 20's/30's atmosphere. I'd say more, but I'm pressed for time. Still, I wanted to sing the praises of Ping Pong because for some reason there aren't a lot of good Chinese restaurants around anymore. I think that's strange, but facts are facts! Ping Pong is more a fusion of different Asian flavors, but all are delish!
(5)Kyle D.
Overall: Some of the best Asian food I've had in a while, and definitely the best in the area. Will definitely be returning! The good: Fantastic, authentic, delicious food. The shumai was amazing, and the entrees were great. The drinks looked fantastic as well. The decor and environment is very cool and romantic in a way. The service is very friendly and the music was fitting. Tons and tons of menu options. The bad: At times the service was slow to respond, and the food took quite a while to come out. Also, at times, it was a little TOO dark. Atmosphere: 10/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 10/10
(5)Trina W.
One word: bugs. I ordered steamed veggie dumplings and lo mein for delivery, and there were dead little bugs on the dumplings. I was so disgusted that I couldn't eat the food. I called the restaurant and they wouldn't refund me for the whole meal, just for the cost of the dumplings. Also, as someone who loves dumplings, I have to say these didn't look to be anything special to warrant the $9 cost. These were your average $4-5 dumplings. I will have nightmares about this. See the photo I uploaded to have your own nightmares (can't miss it - it's the dumplings with the dead bugs on it).
(1)John I.
I usually think of ping pong as a game that is played in a basement rec room, complete with bright fluorescent lights and a lot of noise. And me being humiliated by those who grew up with said ping pong table: the haves paddling the have nots. On the first point, Ping Pong is the exact opposite of a rec room. Enter the door from a rag tag stretch of Broadway into a sultry, pleasure den with candles lighting a spacious layout of tables with cloth napkins and non-disposable chopsticks. Four of us shared a table for six, wide enough to seat a mom at one end and a pop at the other, without their place settings encroaching on the others. For drinks, we whet our whistles with both ginger and lychee martinis, each consumed with pleasure. The price point was high, though the pour was commensurate. We then added solid food for our palates, starting with tuna tartare, a thick layer of tuna on a thick layer of avocado: we rated it four tongues up. I like to think of this combination as being classy and tasteful, like a Fred and Ginger dance of flavor. Actually, make that Fred and Audrey, with Ginger and Wasabi on the side. We also had the sweet potato maki, an excellent rendition at that. For entrees, we shared ginger chicken, coconut curry with shrimp, and Singapore noodles. Each dish was good, but the curry really shined. Three of us had brown rice, and one had quinoa, that came in a surprisingly small portion. While we passed on dessert, chocolate-covered fortune cookies were welcomed, though the fortunes were quite lame. (Mine said, and I paraphrase, "You will go to a social occasion." Really? I think it's happening right now!) One miss for the restaurant: it's too loud. It was hard for us to hear each other (granted the table was wider than those in most restaurants), primarily because it is such a "live" room, with wooden floors and a tin (?) ceiling and nothing to dampen the ping pong of noise throughout the place. Candlelight and loud mouths don't mix. But the taste of the food made up for it; no bad dishes humiliated our mouths.
(4)Yuchun W.
We came in late starving after a sail trip. Well, the service was fantastic but the food was really average. We got fried rice and noodles. I ate only one third I think. Well, I think next time if I am back, I will just get a drink
(3)Claire Y.
You have to order their hot and sour soup! This is my 5th time in ping pong and I recommend this soup to all my friends I took here. They all loved it. It just taste better than other hot n sour soups I had. I tried the spicy scallops this time and it was okay. I would go with the sesame scallops if you level of tolerance for hot food is not too high :) It's wine byob but does charge $8 fee for it. The restroom is pretty interesting haha. And always, very chic ambience in there.
(4)L S.
Food was okay, not stellar; but make sure they send you what you ordered before they leave your door if you get delivery. Extremely poor customer service by phone (delivery guy was fine). They didn't bring part of our order, we called to explain and to see if we could get credit for it, as it was just an appetizer, and our main food would be cold if we waited to eat it all at the same time, and they only resolution they would offer was to exchange that appetizer for what we'd actually ordered--over an hour later--long after we'd finished eating our main meal. Bah. It's overpriced and totally not worth the headache.
(1)Christina M.
The vegan food at Ping Pong is INCREDIBLE!!! The good: + Buddhist Enlightenment - The seitan and tofu ribbons coupled with the glass noodles and expertly flavored soy broth is seriously out of this world. + Scallion Pancakes - Amazing, great flavor and texture. + Whatever my meat eating counterpart ate, he loved. The bad: - The veggie spring rolls - Highly not recommended - The service was very spotty at the end, but that's because they only had one server in the room on a Saturday. They need to get more servers (ours was super nice though). In sum, this is now my FAVORITE CHINESE RESTAURANT EVER! I will be back many times, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
(5)Andrew A.
Just ordered delivery, really disappointed considering how expensive it was. 2 vegan entrees, an appetizer, delivery, and tip = $45. Ouch! The dumplings were bland and mostly dough. I had the Sesame Tofu which was OK but the sauce was heavy on ginger and sugar. It came with broccoli and cauliflower which was steamed and reeked/tasted like fish to the point where it was not edible and had to be picked out. Partner had the Beijing Vegetable which was exactly what you would expect: vegetables in soy sauce with liquid smoke and rubbery tofu. Still better than the other 2 dishes, but I doubt we'll be back to try anything else, especially with so many other options available in the neighborhood. Also, as much as I appreciate the dishes being labeled vegan, the options were not impressive, and if everything we order is vegan, automatically including fortune cookies made with eggs and dairy is kind of annoying and wasteful.
(2)Eve R.
I am moving into East Lakeview so I decided to check out a few of the restaurants in the neighborhood. Ping Pong looked like a unique place. My husband and I wanted to dine al fresco but the weather wasn't cooperating. I'm glad we ate inside because the décor was stylish (lots of knick knacks to look at) and the music was wonderful (classic jazz). For appetizers, my husband tried the Crab Rangoon. He said it was quite tasty. I had the Lettuce Wraps. Oh My! Chicken with heavenly peanut sauce! I can't tell you how great it was! I had the seafood noodle soup. The broth was a little bland. My husband had General Tso's Chicken. The sauce was so tasty I put some of the spicy sauce in my soup. It definitely added to the flavor. I am definitely coming back to try something new. You better believe I'm starting with the lettuce wraps!
(4)Joel G.
Solid Asian spot with a nice atmosphere and solid but short cocktail listing. Recommend their Watermelon vodka drink... very good. Food is always solid with a wide variety to chose from. There chicken choices are very tasty and suggested. They have a solid egg roll that I get every time I go. I judge most places for Chinese food by starting with their egg roll. They deliver solidly so I feel you can't go wrong with the food. It's one of the better choices in my neighborhood and I would return.
(3)Bartek K.
After calling the restaurant to set up a reservation and being told that it's first come first serve ... Which was a bit frustrating considering how busy the restaurant is :-/ after being put on the waiting list ... The people in front of us left and told the waiter they're going to go for a drink .... A table was available for at least 15 and they wouldn't seat us .... Made me really upset because it was my friend's birthday! Host had a negative, condescending attitude. At least our waiter was pleasant. Food was good (6 of 10 rating).
(2)Heidi P.
I love Ping Pong's food. The service and delivery are always great. They have jelly beans available when you exit.
(5)Fred E.
Worth crossing the street for! Stopped in while looking for a place to eat. Was impressed that we were offered hot wet towelettes for our hands right off. Service was very good. The crab Rangoon was really good and made in house, I believe. The wasabi fries also worth it. The wife got the Tom Yum shrimp soup and loved it! The panang curry steak was very good. The service and ambience were good. Quiet and casual. We'll be back!
(4)Sus K.
I would have to say, being a Lakeview resident for two to three years now, I have a special place in my heart for Ping Pong. I've made some of the most amazing memories over dinner here. The interior of the restaurant is meant to be decorated like 1930's Shanghai, the lighting is fairly romantic with a candle at every table, an dim dining room lighting with chandeliers, and the service is extremely friendly. The food is fantastic, and your meal starts off with complimentary prawn chips, an ends with the most delicious complimentary chocolate covered fortune cookies. Over the years, everyone I've taken here has loved it and raved about it, and this is my go to date restaurant. What sweetens the deal is that Windy City Sweets is next door for after dinner ice cream. The things I've had here that are absolutely delicious are the: Pad Thai, Bang Bang Chicken, Five Spice Beef, Monk's Broth Soup, Green Curry, just to name a few. It's one of the classier, more romantic restaurants in Lakeview, with huge open windows, and a fantastic view onto the quaint boutiques of Broadway, that is offered at an affordable price. I would suggest you try it for any occasion or a good lunch, dinner.
(5)Yelper C.
This is A very good Gay Asian restaurant. I will be back to see the Cute Boys.
(5)katie s.
Ping Pong is my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. The atmosphere is really cool, the servers are genuinely nice, and the food is outstanding. The menu is huge, and there are many things I still want to try, but so far my favorites on the menu are: - toasted edamame - grilled vegetable dumplings - tom yum soup (best I've ever had) - green tea ice cream And, they serve dinner until midnight!! I can't even explain how much I love this place.
(5)Alex D.
You have to be ready for a scene.... Cocktails, Loud Music, HoHum Appetizers/Dishes, and looping short films on a white wall... it's sleek, but you really have to be in the mood for gaggles of super trendy folks. The food is okay. Cocktails creative. But again, I think the draw to this place is the atmosphere. I did like the touch of the chocolate drizzled fortune cookie served on a pingpong though.
(3)Chayla B.
I am not surprised at the mixed reviews. I LOVE pingpong, but I can see how others may not. What I love: - eye candy everywhere. Cute, albeit gay, boys everywhere. - food is pretty cheap, and pretty darn good. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely not the worst. - Cheap wine that isn't bad. Try the Now and Zen. - it's fun. It just is. - the chocolate fortune cookies they bring at the end on a paddle (get it?) What I don't love: - the servers are Bitches. Capital B. I get it, you are a crabby drag queen, but get over yourself. You aren't doing me any favors by serving me. If you don't want to be a server, don't be a server. - the music is a bit loud There still aren't any signs on the bathrooms, but they fixed the locks. I love pingpong. It has become a nice Sunday night tradition. Three stars only because I would love to give 3.5, but I've had better, so it's not quite four stars.
(3)Stephanie B.
Best chinese I have had in Chicago. Chic & sexy atmosphere. Check it out!
(5)Fausto F.
The Apple Store of asian restaurants. All the good and bad things about the Apple Store, in a pan-asian restaurant. The bartender is in love with himself, and is as icy as the drinks. Great service and staff, love their movie themed night. One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Chicago, and a reasonably priced place to take someone from out of town to impress them. Noisy on the weekends.
(4)Jillian R.
I live in the area and whenever I have walked by there has always been a HUGE wait for Pingpong, especially during the summer when you can dine al fresco. I had always been meaning to go, but had never made it. In any case, I finally went a few weeks back with my friend--and now model--Heather K. The atmosphere is fun, sleek and modern, and the playlist is hilarious--everything from Fergie to Madonna to Sir Mix-a-lot. It might border on a little bit too loud, causing you to stare blank-faced at the waiters while they ask you questions. Example: the waiter asked to see our IDs before he uncorked our wine bottle and we both just smiled and said "yes." The food was quite tasty. The hot and sour soup is incredible delicious, and you can't find a better deal anywhere ($1!!!!) Now that I found out they do carry out, I can sense a dangerous habit is about to form....
(4)Ashley P.
Best parts about this restaurant = warm towelettes for your hands at the beginning of the meal and the chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end. The hot + sour soup is better than average and my tofu + broccoli dish was tasty. (Disclaimer: We waited almost an hour for a table and had 2 bottles of wine as a group, so anything would have been tasty by the time we received our food. It was our fault for the wait -- ate with a group of 8.) The music, especially in the bathrooms, probably broke government standards for acceptable volume levels. That's my only qualm.
(4)Lindsay S.
After living here for 2 years and walking past the minimalistic Ping Pong, we finally went when family was in town. I never wanted to go in here because it seemed very pretencious. And in a way, maybe it was a bit, but it was a highly enjoyable experience. Hot towels at the beginning of dinner, a nice glass of wine and then Yum!! .99 Hot & Sour soup that was so much better than any I had before!! I had one of the vegetarian platters (eggplant, grilled tofu, etc) and wow so good! Nice to taste tofu with flavor again!! Someone else at the table had what I was going to order, orange chicken, and I'm glad I didn't. The sauce is reminiscent of the chocolate orange flavoring. ick!! Too much for me!! Our waiter was so nice and plesant and answered all questions. Overall a very nice experience. And a bad thing for us. We discovered a new and afforable place to dine all the time. This is not good for my summer figure!!
(4)Martin M.
The decor at Ping-Pong is nothing less than ultra -chic. The white walls is offset by an ever-chaning set of really fascinating touches like a faux moose head, a picture of two Asian men on the beach, or at night, changing lanscapes flashed from a ceiling projector. At night, the chatter of people can be deafening combined with the music. the place may look romantic but one needs earplugs. As for the food, I have always made a meal out of the appetizers from the fish tacos to the various sushi rolls. The other dishes from the soup to the stir fries are not really all that interesting or tasty. Overall - fine to mediocre place for dining.
(3)Mac G.
A friend of mine took me here for my birthday, back in July, and I haven't been back since (NO reflection on the restaurant), so I'm acting off of admittedly fuzzy memory, but I know beyond a doubt that I really enjoyed it, so I feel compelled to say something. I remember distinctly that our drinks came to us adorned with little edible flowers, which I got a kick out of, and that the look and atmosphere of the restaurant totally made me think of Sex and the City, so for any other girls out there obsessed with that show, this is a cool place to check out. I know that whatever I ordered for dinner I thought was good, but it is definitely the restaurant's atmosphere that makes Ping Pong stick out in my mind. It was kind of quiet when we first got there, but it picked up A LOT through the course of our meal and there was a great energy among the staff and other guests. It was a good place to go to celebrate a birthday, which, looking at other people's reviews, seems to be a typical reason to go there.
(4)Lynn T.
Food is amazing! Service was great... ill be going here a lot more!
(5)Andrey R.
very nice and modern place. great combination of Asian food. love sushi and broccoli and beef there hmmmmm yummmmii and plus chocolate fortunate cookies are so good!
(3)Stephen R.
I avoided Ping Pong for-ev-er. Something about that all-white oh-so-mod decor and what-have-you. It just rubbed me the wrong way from the street-side. But since finally venturing in -- since they'd taken over the old Mamacitas -- I must say the food was fantastic! Chicken was incredibly tender. Service was prompt. And prices were good. The only drawbacks are 1. The two seaters are uncomfortably close together -- but hey, if they're doing great business (they are) why not max out the seating potential? 2. The acoustics. Sweet Christmas -- sit indoors and try to have a conversation. It's terrible for conversations. I would never go here on a first date unless it was dead, which is probably a liklihood that will happen close to never. But don't judge like I did! It was a comfortable atmosphere and the food was fantastic at a good price. Deffo recommend.
(4)Lara M.
This is my go-to take out place. I love the beef chow fun noodle and the curry chicken fried rice. The food here can be a little heavy, but the flavors are always fantastic. Every night of the week this place is bustling, packed really. The (amazing) chocolate fortune cookies come from a local place in Chinatown, Golden Dragon. My only quibble is the music is always way too loud. What's up with that?
(4)Erin V.
I am loud, love asian food, and have a tendency to dance in my chair. So basically Ping Pong is where I will go when I die. I have never been disappointed with their food and their martini's are delicious. It is impossible to have a food coma because no matter how much you eat, the techno beats will keep you pumped up. If you want to avoid a wait, come early, but I think this place is most fun when it is bumping with people.
(5)kc a.
i've been meaning to go to this place for the longest time and just went a week ago with my fiance. I WAS AMAZED. i cannot rave enough, but i'll try to specifically give some props and 1 critiques: the only critique: went on a saturday night and had a 10-15 minute wait (totally reasonable) but there's not much waiting area (though they do recommend going across the street to wang's bar...but it was really snowy and cold!) my fiance went to pingpong's little bar to get us a couple cocktails while we waited...but that took so long we literally got our drinks as the host seated us anyway. it's a small bar & i think the 1 bartender was service bar as well. but once we got seated - the good times rolled. our server was PHENOMENAL. though i can only speak to that one employee, he was incredible. i wish i remembered his name...i want to say chris? he had an accent and was just lovely. we told him we were hoping to have our cocktails, get some appetizers, then have another drink or 2 and order entrees in a little bit. I know, server's nightmare - the 2 hour table. what he didn't know is that we've both been in the industry for years and would of course treat him well for occupying his table. well, we didn't have to tell him that, he was accommodating, and really knowledgable of the wine, cocktail and food menu - after hearing him describe several items and asking his opinion on wines and food and being so pleased with his recommendations, i ended up just asking him to select a wine for my final glass of the evening! the food was DELICIOUS - i got the "beijing vegetarian" - good lord, that was a mouthgasm. smoked tofu that was so truly smokey and had great texture - perfectly cooked veggies and a rich but not heavy sauce. my fiance got the "steamed red snapper" and said it was fantastic! I also loved noting that our server knew the snapper they use was sustainable and the menu noted the tofu is produced locally! another kicker - my fiance has an EXTREME dairy allergy - we're talking anaphylaxis. so we told our server and he promptly listed the only menu item that contains butter, said the others only used oil, so baring any creamy dishes we were fine, but he'd of course check on everything we ordered. awesome. what a gesture - turns out they give you chocolate covered fortune cookies with your check (we saw the table next to us get them) and we were thinking we should mention to just not bother bringing them (dairy) but without mention, the check comes and our server had asked a manager to allow him to put some gummy fruit candies on there - knowing the cookies had dairy & my fiance couldn't eat it! that's just above and beyond - that's genuine thoughtfulness. i could keep going, but you've probably stopped reading by now - so i'll just reiterate: 5 STARS, GO GO GO!
(5)Kara H.
I have to change my review after a few bad delivery experiences. they have brought the wrong order a few times. okay. mistakes happen. last night I call for delivery (I've had delivery from here AT LEAST 15-20 times) they take my order and charge my credit card. 45 minutes goes by. they call to tell me that b/c they're busy - they won't be delivering my order. WTF?!? you could've told me that 45 min ago when I placed my order. I'm STARVING. I asked to speak to the manager - he was rude and unapologetic. there are too many good Thai/Asian places to deal with this kind of service. very disapointing.
(1)Becky W.
After going back and trying the fish taco appetizer, I'm bumping this up to 4 stars. The fish taco is DELICIOUS. I'll never be able to go back and not order it.
(4)Johnny B.
Holy cow - not for the homophobic. I thought one of the servers was a short haired female until I noticed his/her very prominent sideburns. There was also a rollerblader who went past our table at least 20 times during dinner, like a car full of high schoolers cruising up and down the strip on a Friday night with nothing to do. Very weird, yet thoroughly intriguing. Maybe he had a thing for the shemale. Then there was the line of the night: "It's to the point where every time I black out, I wake up with a stranger in my bed." This wouldn't have been so entertaining if it weren't for the fact that it came from a table 5 inches from ours. Wow - good times. (End gay digression.) Anywho... We arrived at Pingpong at about 8:15 on a Tuesday. There was a minimal wait for inside and 30 minutes for the sidewalk. We hesitated but then decided we'd wait since it was nice out and VERY loud on the inside. Exactly thirty minutes later, we were seated at one of the sidewalk tables. We shared the seaweed salad and spicy tuna roll to start. I loved the seaweed salad, and the roll was your typical spicy tuna maki. Not a lot of room on the two person table for water, wine, two appetizers and two plates. It was pretty cramped. For entrees, I had the Singapore noodles. I had never had this dish anywhere before, but I loved it. I'm a curry fan, but don't like it when it's in a bath of coconut milk. This sauce is more of a soy-garlic mix with a nice curry kick. I couldn't get enough of it. However, next time I will probably go without the shrimp. They were fishy and overcooked. The GF's basil shrimp dish was pretty tasty as well, but didn't stack up to my Singapore noodles. The waiter was a little aloof, but otherwise, the service was fine. Since they expanded, they've added a bar but kept it BYOB for a corkage of $5, which is nice. If you like your noodles with a side of flamers, Pingpong is most definitely the place for you. As Men on Film would say, "4 snaps in Z formation!" Edit 12/10/07: Service tonight was sloooooooow. Wish there was a little more urgency. Also noticed the restrooms are unisex... must be to avoid any confusion for the waitstaff.
(4)Katie H.
Overall I liked this place. I also liked how cheap the wine was (though we didn't order any so I can't attest to the quality). We started with the crab rangoon which was kind of greasy and tasted mostly of cream cheese and not crab, but the sauce for it was good. Fiance had the singapore street noodles which he really liked but he said he wished they were a bit spicier. I had the salmon which was excellent. It was cooked well and the sauce it was in was great, but the rice was a bit dry. We had a tasty meal for $30. Our server was polite and helpful and our waters were refilled constantly. My one complaint was that the music was ridiculous. It was 5pm on a Sunday. The place was nearly empty and I had to scream to my fiance because Ace of Base was blaring into my ear. I don't mind loud restaurants, but I do mind obnoxious music that doesn't fit the time of day.
(3)Charles C.
Got takeout here and the little bag they give you inside with the gummi bears was just adorable hah. I got Bulgogi and it was very tasty. I think the place is quite overpriced for the portions though.
(3)CJ E.
The food at Ping Pong is very good quality Asian cuisine. The place itself is very trendy, if you go be aware in the evenings if you are dining inside, the place is extremely loud with Techno music, and its very difficult to talk or have a dinner conversation as you spend most of your time shouting across the table. The wait staff is great, and offer great recommendations and feedback regarding menu items. The last time I went there I had the Sesame Scalloped, the first time I tried that combination, it was fantastic. Dinner for 4 average around a 100 dollars which is on par for the area. I would definitely eat at Ping Pong, however I prefer the summer when I can sit outdoors and not have to listen to ear shattering techno music.
(4)Alex F.
creative name but the food isn't particularly memorable.
(3)D'arcy N.
While I do think my love for Ping Pong faded a bit after they expanded and started making it a total party up in der...I still have a moderate crush on Ping Pong. I think Henry has fantastic taste, and the food, I do love. Even the Spam nigiri (though the size of it is a bit sick). I don't think you go for 'lovely service,' the servers can be bitches (sorry, bitches). But I so love them anyways. Something about the atmosphere and the boys batting their eyelashes at me makes my heart skip a beat. Been going there for eight years and still would if I still lived in Chicago. I break for the tuna dip, softshell crab, pad thai, oh, the spring rolls, and basil chicken as probably my all time favorite. My affairs with Ping Pong has outlasted at least four long-term boyfriends and some meaningless ones in-between.
(4)Ingrid C.
Love this restaurant! excellent food, modern and nice ambiance, great music, the location is nice as well and the patio in the summer is just ideal. I highly recommend this place specially the Japanese potato curry chicken and the cashew chicken. I also love that this is the only place that I know of where the fortune cookies are chocolate flavor and honoring the name of the restaurant they bring you the check and the cookies on a ping pong paddle.
(5)Karen D.
Unfortunately will not be going back to Ping Pong. It was unbearably loud so people had to shout to be heard. Very unpleasant and the manager said "it is our style" and had no interest in listening to any input into their "lack of" ambiance. That said the food was tasty but there are a lot of good places in the city. Next time I will go to Wadamono, the great Japanese place across the street that is owned by the same group, where people are very concerned the customer is happy AND the food is delicious.
(1)jason e.
Good date place. Very veggie friendly. Beautiful presentation, very solid pan-asian menu. BYOB= I bring what I want to drink, and don't pay 50% markup. Plus, if I bring my own bottle I don't have to spend half an hour explaining to my date why you don't mix red wine with soy sauce. Please, people. Learn how to use your tongue. You can bend alot of rules about pairing food and wine, but seriously. Major nono. Every time I'm in there, I'm seated by a table full of obnoxious yuppies chugging Cabernet Sauv and acting fancy for it... The food is excellent. The decor leaves alot to be desired, and the music is ALWAYS too loud. I'll still go back very soon. With earplugs.
(3)Andrea N.
We just had a really bad experience here. I tried several things trying to find something I could eat and left totally unsatisfied. I came home and had chips and salsa for dinner. First, I ordered a cup of the hot and sour soup (which I'd heard great things about) and the lettuce wraps. The soup was just WAY to salty to have more than like 3 spoonfuls, even though the waiter brought me a bowl because it took so long to come out. I will say that they are generous with the tofu and the chicken in the soup, so if you can get past the flavor generally - go for it. The chicken lettuce wraps were basically just peanuts in sauce. It tasted fine but, like the soup, I only wanted like 3 bites. Still starving, I asked the waiter for the menu and his recommendation between the calamari or the spring rolls. He said that the calamari was his favorite thing on the menu. Again, just completely inedible. The calamari "rings" come folded so that they look like hash browns. They were completely bland. They're served with this jalapeno and garlic concoction. I tried to stir it up to get some of the flavor into the calamari and just got a huge mouthful of garlic. My fiance wouldn't get near me! The service was nice although pretty over-extended. He seemed pretty apologetic for everything we were served. Drinks were generous and fairly priced.
(2)Philip K.
After living in the 'hood for over a year, we finally gave in to the trendy white-walled Ping Pong. Our party of five adored it, hands down. My partner and I joke that this stretch of Broadway restaurants (Ping Pong, Wakamono and Adesso) has become "too gay to function" (lame 'Mean Girls' reference). And I can now confirm that part of what makes dining at Ping Pong so exciting is the experience of being in the hippest restaurant on the block. It's the satisfied feeling you get as people walk by and see all of the pretty people (you included) sitting at the simple white tables, surrounded by white walls and perhaps random videos flashing. The music is pumping, sometimes forcing you to yell across the table at your mates, making you feel like eating in the middle of a club. There's something to be said for atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, the food is great. But this place is more about how good you feel just being there. The occasional wait for one of the right-next-to-your neighbor tables just makes the whole experience seem even more VIP. You gotta give into the trendy hipness. It's worth it.
(5)Bryan C.
I've been meaning to go here for some time. I finally did and I probably won't go back. I've had much better take out food for a hell of a lot less money. The servers are too cool for school and their calamari needs some serious sauce. Don't fuck up calamari. Ever. The portions are big, but who cares when all the food your eating doesn't taste that great. Thank God I was really hungry and had 3 glasses of Pinot Noir. It's the only thing that saved my meal. Oh, and the music is too loud. And there's obnoxious projections on the wall. If I wanted to eat Thai food at Hydrate, I could probably get away with it, thanks though Ping Pong. Don't put chocolate on your fortune cookies. You suck.
(2)bruce a.
TURN down the f*ckin music -- it's not a night club -- i stopped going since i couldn't talk to my friends during dinner. food is good
(3)miss k.
I would give PingPong a 4 if it was less expensive. The portions are relatively small, compared to other asian food eateries, and are expensive for the size. However, the quality is great!
(3)Carlos V.
My partner and I visit Ping Pong at least once a month because the food is so delicious. Their orange chicken is the best I have ever eaten and doesn't seem overly greasy or fatty like other chinese restaurants. Their sushi rolls are great too. We also like that it is BYOB. The place tends to get really crowded on weekends (after 7pm) so we tend to go for an early dinner and usually get seated right away. The open window seats are great for people watching. My only complaint is the music. Way too loud! It is tough to have a conversation at times. Also, the seats along the walls are kind of cramped together. We don't enjoy hearing other people's conversations when we are out for dinner. The wait staff can be a bit stand offish as well. But the food makes up for it!
(4)Jackie P.
My first reaction is "what's with the random animal heads on the wall?" I don't know that if fits with the uber chic decor and atmosphere they are trying to display. But maybe, just maybe they are a conversation starter...I dunno I was definitely dumbfounded though. As for the food I was really impressed! I got the shrimp fried rice (which is basically my go-to dish at any chinese restuarant) and it was delightfully yummy. I also had the crab rangoon and it was also very, very good. I am very picky about my crab rangoon and it definitely past the test! The service was great but it wasn't awful either. We sat around a long time just looking at the menu but my guest and I had a lot to chat about so I guess that's okay to. They didn't refill drinks as often as I would have liked but they were attentive for the most part. The music was a little loud but they were playing stuff that I liked so I really didn't mind. And after awhile you get use to the noise. I would definitely venture back to Ping Pong. Did I mention the chocolate fortune cookies are to die for?!!
(4)Chris W.
Yummy food, inventive drinks, stellar presentation, but do not expect to converse much if you're inside, as aforementioned cool music is a bit loud.
(4)Missy M.
I honestly have not one bad thing to say about this place! Granted, I have not eaten here in person yet, every meal I have had delivered was phenomenal! Every time I order a new dish, I swear to my friends it is my favorite on the menu. Here are some of them: Potato Curry Asian Salad Everything Fried Rice Crab Rangoons
(5)Edward R.
This place used to be good, not anymore, the portions are small and the staff is rude. It is way over rated and I will not go back. I am not sure what happened but this place seriously has seen better days. The music is crazy loud on top of rude service and average food. Their only saving grace is the calamari.
(2)David N.
Wow! I can't believe I have never tried this place before, and It is right in my neighborhood. I went here for the first time a week ago with someone I have been dating. The atmosphere was great and the wait staff very friendly and attentive. We came here on a week day so there was not too much of a wait. The food was very good. I ordered a tofu curry dish in coconut milk. Very flavorful! I like things spicy, so they even offered to make it more spicy when I inquired about it. There was a lot to choose from in the menu, a nice variety. I definitely would dine here again. Thanks for the great service!!
(4)xman Z.
I've only been there once for a date... I stayed on the safe side with my order as I had Pad Thai and California rolls. It was really good!! My friend had some kinda chicken dish and she liked it a lot. Another thing I love about this place is BYOB!! I did hear that it has a open bar before I went there. I was not impressed because it is right next to the entrance, when it gets crowded it literally blocks your way in and out. I would like to back and try some more stuff though.
(3)Brian S.
4 stars, could be 5 or 3, depending on the day. The food is fantastic. I recommend the edamame for an appetizer. It's not your usual steamed/boiled and salted edamame, they add sesame seeds and just a touch of oil and salt. Something different than the usual and a real treat. For an entree, try the salmon. It comes with a delicious, if a little thin, teriyaki lemon sauce, mushrooms, and peapods (for which I usually substitute broccoli). They used to be BYOB only, but they've since gotten a liquor license. Try the ginger gin. It's ginger-ale, gin, and a couple pieces of fresh ginger cut up like pineapple chunks. I'm not really a gin-drinker, but I enjoyed it on a warm summer night recently. The service is inconsistent, but not necessarily bad. Some days you'll get an attentive, fun, and outgoing server; other days you have someone that couldn't care less and just leans on the wall or the counter near the back. Very hit or miss. When you get a good server and the music is poppin', this place is a 5. A bad server drops it to a 2 because, when they are bad, they are really bad. The food is always good at a fair price, though, and good company can always make up for crappy service. I recommend ping-pong.
(4)Anna S.
Ping Pong RULES. Sure, the waitstaff is androgenously fabulous and the wait is often half an hour plus, but it's worth it to see my partner make the happy face after the first bite of everything we've ever ordered. We like the soups (esp. the wonton soup), the lettuce wraps, the Basil main course and the Ginger main course. But we've tried quite a few things on the menu, all of which have been on the very good side of the spectrum. And we're chopstick food connoisseurs, having been raised in New York and Toronto, respectively. Go to Ping Pong. Bring a bottle of good red wine. It's a recipe for good times.
(5)Jared C.
The food is less than okay, the location and crowd is cool, and the overall experience is less than par. I ordered summer rolls that were all rice paper and noodles and tasted as if made by a 4 year old, by far the worst summer rolls I have ever had... and i've had a decent amount. The sushi is horrible and i don't recommend it, then again they are Chinese... but still, don't get it... too much rice, nothing on the inside! My friend had the sweet and sour chicken and it tasted as if it make from a mega mall's Chinese Express. The crowd is okay, a mix of gays and straights and some who just try too hard. The location and outdoor dining is fun and great for people watching, that's really the only perk!
(2)Lauren P.
i've never experienced rude service at ping pong - they're just not overtly friendly. and yes, there's some gender bending going on here, but hey - you're in boystown. all of this is easy to look past once you realize how good their food is. first things first, if you don't order the crab rangoon, you're missing out. do not pass go, do not collect $200 - order the rangoon. beyond that, i've tried a variety of items off the menu (not only is it huge, it's seasonal,) and everything has been super delicious. and cheap. and in a huge portion. what's not to like? plus, it's a BYOB ($5 corkage fee - i don't blame them since they have a full bar.) the only thing i have to gripe about this place is that they don't take reservations. but the little ping pong paddles that carry your chocolate fortune cookie and the bill - too cute. oh, one more thing - go to the bathroom while you're here. the music is always cranked to the nth degree and there's mirrors on all the walls. never thought i'd feel like the star of a music video while taking a whiz.
(4)David M.
I have to second Julia's review below me. Ping Pong is awesome! Its trendy and gay, but really upbeat and a ton of fun. The food is delicious and the prices are just slightly above normal. We live right around the corner and stop in almost once a week to split an appetizer and then each grab a main course. The bill is never over $25. The place is PACKED on the weekends, however, so expect a wait. I hear a rumor they are getting a liquor license soon, so enjoy the BYOB while it lasts.
(4)Cicele B.
I was very apprehensive about going to this place, because I didn't feel quite cool enough. However, it was my lovers birthday and he wanted Asian. Our waitress was very polite and attentive. I was annoyed that many of the staffers were standing around looking too cool for school. Our food was good and I will be back after I go shopping for a cool pair of boots, skinny jeans, and a spiky hair cut.
(3)Peter D.
This place is so over rated. The food is not very good, and it's all about the trendy trendy trendy atmosphere. Great place to see and be seen. If that's what you are looking for, go for it, but if you are looking for good Asian food, go up or down the street... you have so many better options.
(1)Eme L.
This place used to be much (MUCH!) better 5-6 years ago. Not sure what happened. The expanded space is beautiful, but the food is definitely not as good as I remember. I used to always get the bulgogi. The meat doesn't seem to be grilled like it used to be and it's swimming in a brown sauce. Husband gets the Spicy! (which he still likes). I don't know, but it's lost something. Just meh.
(2)Michael P.
The food is great, the location is great, and the staff and patrons are a bit pretentious. We particularly enjoy the sesame chicken/ scallops, spicy chili chicken and spicy calamari. Cocktails are great as well. The prices are a bit high, but you get lots of food. One of our favorite restaurants in the 'hood.
(3)Ryan K.
If you've read the other reviews of Ping Pong don't bother with this one. I'm going to say the same thing with different words. My wife and I went to Ping Pong Friday night with a mixture of enthusiasm and skepticism. The consensus on Yelp is that the food is pretty good and the service is pretty bad. Fortunately, there was no wait, which was good for 6:30 on a Friday night, though it was a full house within an hour after we arrived. The host seemed friendly enough but sat us uncomfortably between two tables when the entire restaurant was empty leaving me feeling like I was at the barber (do I strike up a conversation or pretend I'm socially inept?). Sitting a chopstick's length from my fellow diners I came to a few conclusions: 1. This is a voyeuristic haven. If you like watching people watch you this is your kind of place. 2. The service really isn't as bad as it may appear. Sure half of the wait staff screams "I wasn't hugged enough as a child" or "That's right I can afford the Armani summer 2007 collection on your tips" but they get the food to the tables and keep the glasses full. 3. The music makes up for what the atmosphere is lacking. I didn't find it as loud as some reviews might suggest but do think our waitress needed hearing aids. The food was pretty good. We started off with crab rangoon and fried potstickers. The rangoons were the highlight of the meal and the potstickers had a nice spicy "meat" in them as well. For our entres we had the orange chicken and the kung pao chicken. The orange chicken was good and was a decent sized portion with a side of rice. The kung pao was heavy on the kung, light on the pow but was an even larger portion than the orange chicken. We chased down our meal with some Stellas, bringing the bill to $62. I can't decide if this is a great deal but the Chicago guide book I've been flipping through rates this as a "great buy." Maybe not a great buy but I would give it another shot. They do give you chocolate fortune cookies served on, of course, a ping pong paddle. Also, if you are one of the seven people, like me, who uses Discover Card, they don't take it.
(3)Frenchie B.
This place rocks. I ordered the Shanghai curry noodles and my friend ordered the Spicy scallops. The curry noodles were quite good...geez I ate them all and not only because I was hungry. And my friends scallops were awesome. They give you a great portion of scallops too that taste super fresh. I would come back here in a heartbeat. I found the service to be friendly and efficient...no complaints here.
(5)Jeremy B.
Everything we had was great. This was my first time visiting pingpong. Between the 4 people at my table, we had a ginger salad, seaweed salad, hot and sour soup and the pingpong roll to start off. All of the appetizers were flawless. The main courses were just as good, service was great and atmosphere was great (sat on the patio)
(5)Blake W.
We went here on a Friday night. I was afraid it would be bad before we even go there because I've driven by and seen how small it is as well as how many people do wait for a table. It was packed... but to my delight they offered to open one of the many bottles of wine for us when we walked in. They were very nice about opening our bottles (We had a lot) and getting us wine glasses. They wait was longer than they quoted us -- by an hour. Luckily we had booze. Once we sat down at our table we order some apps quickly and they were all great. We ordered the Crab Rangoon, Calamari (awesomely spicy, watch out for the red chili peppers), Tuna Tar-tar which helped put out the fire of the Calamari. We had one other app which is escaping me right now.... For dinner a couple of the girls had the Chicken Pad Thai which I normal ignore because it's boring and pretty standard. Here at Ping Pong it was great though! It had a nice little sweet flavor to it and was really light and flavorful -- even the next day :). I had the Potato Curry which was also very good, nice and spicy. All and all it was a lot of fun. The food was great and cheap! For 5 people, 5 apps and 5 entrees it was less than $100. A great BYOB place for sure!
(4)Y G.
EDIT: So as much as I love PingPong, I have to take my rating down. PingPong, you poisoned us. I had food poisoning the last time I ate there. My boyfriend had food poisoning from them couple months ago and has refused to eat there since. I still love a lot of their food, but we're narrowing down to their beef or any dish that contains beef to be the culprit. We will be reporting this. You wouldn't expect this from a restaurant like PingPong. So sad. **************************************************Â************* Original review: I'm picky about chinese food. Why? Because I've grown up with it and nothing beats Mom's food! I can't even really eat in Chinatown because I just don't find it that good. When I really crave chinese food, I go to PingPong. I've only dined in once (service wasn't that great), but most of the time, I order delivery. So far, I love everything on the menu but especially the tuna tatare, must try! I'm not comparing PingPong's food to authentic chinese food, but the food is just good. Much better than a lot of places in Chinatown. Its not Mom's food, but it'll do for now! You can probably find cheaper chinese food elsewhere, but I like my PingPong.
(2)Katie S.
The atmosphere is cool, but the food portions are a little small for what you pay. I like it, but not one of my absolute favorites.
(3)Todd V.
Checked it out when visiting friends over New Years. I will definitely go back. Cool space, laid back staff. Fun to BYOB. Food was great and super cheap. The Tuna Tartar alone would bring me back. Can't wait to return.
(5)Vincent O.
Yes, only 2 stars! If you're a gay guy like myself, apparently Pinpong is the sh*t. But honestly, the best thing about the place is the modest decor and the pretty boys. The wait staff can be nice or not. And your wait could easily be more than an hour. The food is simply overpriced and not very tasty and I don't care to watch an entire Madonna concert while I dine on my sesame chicken. Oh, Don't go with a date- It's much too distracting.
(2)Pam N.
I want so badly to love this place. But... eh. The food just isn't very good. It's not flavorful. I wish they would drop the sushi from the menu, b/c I keep ordering it! And it's obviously been prepared hours and hours before, YUCK. I keep going back, so they must be getting something right... I do love the servers, even though (especially because?) they are all hotter women than me. And I love how the dining room is open--makes for great people watching. But I always leave a little disappointed with the food, and I end up wishing I had gone to Joy's instead.
(3)Jessica R.
I waited about 10 minutes for my cocktail, another 15 to order, and yet another 30 for my comida. No me gusta. Service was friendly, when it was there.
(2)Jasbir S.
This restaurant has just the right tone and made me feel like I was back in Europe. The best part is that you get the sexy atmosphere without paying an exorbitant price. Thank you to all the Yelpers who messaged me about this place. It is BYOB so you can either head across the street to Valhalla (note this place closes by 8 P.M. so you may have to head up the street to the electic grocery store - can't remember the name! (Just remembered the name -updating 1/24/07 - Treasure Island) or buy something beforehand. The wait was about 50 minutes but it was completely worth it. The food didn't disappoint and the atmosphere was perfect. That being said, this is not the best reasonably-priced Thai food in Chicago (go to Star of Siam for that), but when you add in the atmosphere, it's a 5 star location.
(5)Liz T.
There's a lot of hype surrounding Ping Pong. I've heard a lot of people talk about it, there are good reviews here, and I've driven by it 100 times. So, I figured it was time to give it a try. My friend and I went tonight. There was a 20 minutes wait for outside, and we could be seated immediately inside. We chose inside since it was already 9:30. The music here is loud, but with the restaurant full, the noise of people talking was ridiculous. We were literally yelling to one another. After being seated, we waited probably 10 minutes before seeing a waiter...although not entirely pleasing, it's not the end of the world. When he did come, he whispered (or probably spoke in a full voice, but because of he noise...) that he'd like to take our order. We ordered and the timing of the meal from that point on was very good. We didn't really see our waiter much, but there were plenty of other people bringing our food out in a timely fashion. The food: For starters we had edamame...very good, nicely chilled and perfectly salty with toasted sesame seeds. We also had the lettuce wraps. These were the star of the meal. They were incredibly delicious...flavored with lime and peanuts, they were perfect...really, really good. For entrees my friend had the general's chicken and it was very good. And, I had the kung pao chicken. It was good, not amazing, but good...and spicier than I have expected. The rice that accompanied the dishes was dry, but other than that, everything was pleasant. Why 3 stars? I don't believe that I made the best menu choices. It's loud and our waiter sucked. The food was good (lettuce wraps excellent) and I'm looking forward to going back and trying different items...I'll update then.
(3)Melissa M.
Ping pong was delicious! It has an extremely extensive Asian fusion menu... lots of Chinese and Thai dishes to choose from. I had the kung pao shrimp and it was delicious, very light, and a Gossip Girl martini which was also great. I used to work at PF Changs and they literally had like every dish that Changs offers on their menu which was slightly strange but they tasted completely different so I was OK with that. it is a small restaurant, very modern décor. I was having extreme food envy with everyone's dishes and everyone I was with loved the place!
(4)min. r.
Like many before me, Ping Pong is a local place for me. After 2+ years in the neighborhood I finally popped my Ping Pong cherry tonight. Flying solo because my boyfriend was out for the night I picked things based on their yelp mentions, ordered enough for me to eat now, and him to have leftovers later. Placed the order and decided to walk down to pick it up. I was told 15 minutes, I showed up in 20 and asked the host if it was ready. He said no, I paid and started my wait. 10 minutes later a bag was brought out and left behind the bar. 10 minutes after that I finally got the host to check on my food and he picked that bag up and handed it to me. All told I got my food 25 minutes late. It was beautifully packaged, and I'm sure would have been hot if I wasn't waiting on it for a while. But it was busy, and the host was swamped, so I guess it's to be expected. Then again, they always look swamped, so I'd expect them to handle it better. The hot & sour soup was terrible. 3 bites in and I was done for good. Since the boyfriend doesn't like it, into the trash it went. Luckily things got better. The crab rangoon were fried well, but not the stuffed, crab filled things I envisioned after reading these reviews. Skimpy on the cream cheese and crab almost non-existant, I'll take the free ones from Yen's every time over these. Sadly they were better than many others I've had in the city though. I got the Sesame Tofu which was also very good. The sauce wasn't thick or syrupy, but it had a very subtle and distinct flavor. The ginger was a great accent to tofu & broccoli that was cooked well. Too bad there wasn't a lot of broccoli though. But light and totally refreshing. A wonderful change to the normal Chinese restaurant version that is usually very syrupy and sweet. I really enjoyed it. The "sashimi tuna dip" however, is incredible. Raw tuna, a thin and light spicy mayo, fresh cucumber, black sesame seeds, and cilantro along with lightly fried chips to dip... if this was the only good thing I had I'd go back for it again and again. If you order anything from Ping Pong, get this tar tar dish. All in all, between the super loud music, the overabundance of trendy wanna-be-seen people, and the amount of times I got elbowed; the wait seemed about 3 times longer than it was. For that reason alone I'll never eat there. But I'll sure as hell be ordering from them again, even if it's just for the tuna tar tar. PS - the boyfriend enjoyed all 3 things, so he'll be up for ordering in the future! yay!
(3)Craig G.
Service wasn't fantastic. food was good. the curry wasn't spicy enough. I would go back...
(3)Julie G.
Ugh, not a fan. Was super excited to try this place since I love all things Asian Fusion, but I can't say I'll be back. The meal started out promisingly with some pretty tasty pot stickers and lettuce wraps, but when we ran out of lettuce and still had lots of stuff left to wrap, they actually charged us two bucks for more! Okay, I know it's just two bucks but seriously, we could have walked down the street to Jewel and bought a whole freaking head of lettuce for less than that. Things were pretty much downhill from there seeing as my main entree was utterly abysmal (Seriously, how do you screw up beef and broccoli?) and whatever was in the sauce made my stomach hurt so bad that I was approaching egress on the L ride home. (Sorry, too much?) Our waiter was a nice enough guy but the service wasn't great, and everyone who worked there was wearing skinny jeans which I realize is totally irrelevant but was annoying nonetheless. If all that weren't enough, the bathroom toilet was broken and the music in the whole place was so loud that I could barely talk to my peeps. It was also pretty expensive for basically being over-hyped Chinese takeout (although props for offering brown rice). Lastly, if you are still planning to try this place because your friends still really want to go, don't BYOB if you want to sit outside since the tables are on the sidewalk and not on an enclosed patio.
(2)Purnima M.
Alarmingly average. It pains me to say this, because I was really looking forward to eating at Ping Pong, but our food was really all over the place. Combine this with too-cool-for-school service, whirring ceiling fans (why, for the love of god? It's Chicago. We can't even decide if spring has arrived yet!) and oddly loud music, and you have all the right elements to create two puzzled customers. Let's start at the beginning. The restaurant is high on the eye candy, packed to the brim with beautiful boys, with the occasional girl thrown in for entertainment. Everyone seems super happy to be sipping cocktails and chowing down on reasonable Asian food. In fact, the drinks were the best part of the meal, especially the cucumber saketini, which tasted so purely of itself. The appetizers were hum-ho, the cantonese pan fried noodles were delicious, and the pad thai was just plain awful. To add to the annoyance, our server said NOTHING about the plate of untouched pad thai, other than, "would you like a box for this?" When we declined, there was no further questioning, just a check that arrived super quick. Clearly these guys care more about billing you for food you don't eat than asking if there's anything they can do to improve your experience. Even the free chocolate fortune cookies (served on a ping pong paddle, no less) didn't brighten the outlook. Nope, this was not a happy evening.
(2)Rachelle G.
I really wanted to like this place after reading the reviews, but I wasn't blown away. Sure, the decor is nice and with the white/orange combination, it creates an inviting space. However, the tables are a bit too close for my comfort. Servers were attentive and on top of their game. Food was a hit or miss. My friend's appetizer was fabulous. I was a bit torn about what to order and asked the server for his opinion btw. two dishes. He chose their signature Ping Pong Chicken. It's basically chicken stir fried w/ vegetables and honey roasted walnuts. While it wasn't horrible, it lacked flavor. This will definitely be on top of my list should I be in the area again bc friends have found a few dishes they love there and I'm hoping they win me over too.
(3)Justin S.
So I finally decided to try this out. Went in on a Saturday pretty hungry (like I always am). Decided it was going to try it all, soup, sushi and spicy beef. The sushi was actually very good, the best of the three. I tried the wonton ginger soup, but it lacked any flavor of ginger. It was good, but it wasn't what I had been hoping for. The spicy beef was ok, actually more spicy than I was expecting, and thats a good thing, but still left me feeling like it was nothing special. Service was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. I wish there tables weren't so close to one another, cause when I got up to leave I almost knocked over my table and the couple's next to me...OPPS
(3)Jane J.
I prefer their take out over sitting down to eat, because the place is so cramped, but still delish! they aren't very close to any train, which is a bit of a trek, but it's worth it everytime i come.
(4)Lesley S.
Hands down the best pork fried rice I've had in the city outside of Chinatown. BYOB and there is a bar so plenty of options if you want to drink. The interior of the restaurant is small, but super trendy. Techno music, dim lighting and white everywhere. Don't go here if trannies freak you out because I've had one as my server every time I've been. Oh- and the chinatown eggrolls on the appetizer section of the menu sound weird because they have peanut butter in them, but they taste like regular egg rolls- really good ones. Get them!
(4)Bill R.
We were here on Saturday Oct. 22, 2011. Sorry for the 3-Star rating but the music was unbelievably loud. We (4 of us) could not hear our waitress explain anything and as for conversation...impossible! Too bad...everything else (food, drinks, service) was great but unfortunately we won't be back.
(3)John C.
Ate at this restaurant tonight and it was terrible. Before the fire this place was great. The food prices have gone way up and quality way down. The service was good.
(1)Sue K.
We were visiting Chicago from Arizona and was recommended to eat at Ping Pong restaurant. The taro chips that they give you when you sit down are light and crispy and very delightful. We ordered the salt and pepper calamari, spicy garlic chicken and red snapper. Everything that we ordered had a lot of flavor and we could taste the natural spices and herbs. I also had a watermelon martini which was good too. I wish we could have tried some of the other things on the menu.
(4)Kelly D.
I wish I could write this review in all caps because you will be forced to shout in order to be heard over the ridiculously loud, blaring music. I asked the waiter if they could please turn it down just a bit and was answered with a very pretentious "this must be your first time here. This is how we do it." When I again asked if the music could be turned down even the slightest bit so that my party of 8 could carry on a conversation, I was met with complete indifference. By the end of the meal, I was losing my voice and my ears were ringing. I'm not sure what the purpose of the ear-splitting music is, but it made for a very unpleasant experience. I will not be returning, nor will I recommend this establishment to any of my friends. This is how I do it...
(1)Jason H.
Great place for a bottle of wine and a date/double date. Food is quality and it has a clean yet relaxed atmosphere. Service was decent and the green curry was really good.
(4)Dave P.
Ping Pong used to be my favorite restuarant in the city, hands down, primarily because of their Sesame Chicken, reasonable prices, and BYOB with no/low corkage fee. Lately, however, I think this place has kind of fallen apart in my opinion. The prices seem to be goinig up and up, the corkage fee is high for a place of this caliber, and the Sesame Chicken that we had all come to love has been replaced with a new slimy mess. It was so bad (fatty, slimy, and sort of tasted like spoiled fish) that I literally had to spit it out. When I sent it back, I was told the receipe was changed recently to be more authentic. I was surprised to hear the waiter tell me that a lot of people had been sending it back, yet they have not changed it back. Their call I suppose... I ended up having the Sesame Beef instead, which was awesome. I will probably give Ping Pong one more try, but if they really want get back to their roots and be "authentic", they may want to consider bringing back the classics at reasonable prices.
(2)Tara F.
What a very diverse and interesting menu! From the moment you walk in the door the service was exceptional. We were lucky and were seated at the windows (great people wathcing). They provided a very good potato chip (similar to the Terra chips) that were unique and delicious. The wine was good and they give you a very generous pour!! The dinner was delicious, my friend had the green curry, which was excellent and I had the spicy curry noodles with shrimp and pork also dynamite. The music was good but a bit loud to make for easy conversation.
(4)Jeff J.
I live nearby, so I'd been meaning to try this place for awhile. It was meh. It was Friday so I called to see if they took reservations. They don't. No big deal. Asked if one could call ahead to get on a wait list when headed to the restaurant. The guy was kinda condescending: "THAT would be a reservation." I've worked in restaurants and know better, but no use arguing. Ended up not having to wait after all. The place is cute. Simple decor and great patio with people watching on busy Broadway. The music was a little random. Alternating old school gangsta rap and Madonna, consistently at an ear-splitting volume. Much too loud for an 8pm dinner, even on a Friday. Couldn't hear anything from across the table. DO NOT recommend for a first date, when you might want to get to know someone via casual conversation. This might be better on the patio, where the sound has somewhere to escape. Had grilled potstickers, which were tasty but seemed deep-fried greasy. I had the mango shrimp. There were some hot peppers on the plate, for which I was thankful. Otherwise, the dish lacked flavor. My date had the salmon, which was better (though by no means great).
(2)Ali L.
Meh. Due to my close proximity to Ping Pong, I found myself ordering out there occasionally after a long day of work and enjoying my cashew chicken with brown rice in peace. But actually going to this place is a whole different box of rocks. The wait staff has been hired based purely on their shaggy, hipster haircuts and ability to not eat the restaurant out of business. They also have serious 'tudes. Waitstaff aside, the food is spotty. Over the two years I lived in the neighborhood I probably ate there 5 times, and every time I had a different experience. The pot stickers are ok. The fish tacos would be GREAT if they had fish in them? The taro chips rock, and due to our slow and snotty service the last and final time I was in there, that's all we ate because we just got up and left. Ick. Save your dignity and your money and go elsewhere.
(3)Lawrence Y.
I was a little reluctant in coming to Ping Pong (Monday night), for a variety of reasons (particularly because of the bad service reviews here), but I must report we had a problem-free evening. We started off with calamari - which was very delicious. It wasn't the typical deep fried calamari, and it almost tasted healthy. For my entree, I decided on the pan-seared salmon that came with a small side (can't remember if it was veggies or salad at this point... and rice if you wanted it). The salmon was amazing and plenty, so much that I still had a bit of it left at the end of dinner. I also enjoyed a couple libations (The Hamptons - sweet tea vodka & lemonade) - which was absolutely refreshing and paired well with the app and dinner, I think. I can see how the ambiance -could- get loud (with the music), but it wasn't that bad when we went. Perhaps that can be attributed to a slow night as well. Anyway, yeah, dinner here can get expensive - I'm not yet sold on their justifications on that (honey, this isn't Hollywood).
(4)Michael T.
I'm not a scenester or a member of the "dinneratti" (my new favorite Yelp-learned word) so I'm not really predisposed to liking a place like Ping Pong. The interior is .. perplexing. Jetsons? Metrosexual? Jetrosexual? I can't decide, but my ass says: uncomfortable chairs. I will agree with several key points made by other reviewers: 1. Appetizers are their strength. 2. Sitting on patio will result in major bug swatting/bitching/nobody caring/leaving in a huff still hungry for the un-discounted food the gnats bitchily stole from you.. 3. People who work at Ping Pong aren't allowed to EAT at Ping Pong or, apparently, anywhere else. This might be a plus, though, as it will make you rethink the crab rangoon. Takeout appetizers works for me 'n the Pong. You should only go to eat dinner during normal dinner hours if you need for the restaurants you decide to eat at to say something about Who You Are vs. feeding you really good food (especially at their price point).
(2)Jess L.
I LOVE the food here but cannot STAND the music. It's definitely trendy. I appreciate that while the decor is a bit sterile, they decorate it with some nice flowers and occasional projections on the wall (which, sometimes, are strange - like Golden Girls). Anyway, they make the best Buddhist Delight I've ever had. The cocktails are tasty too - but they'll cost you!
(4)Brian I.
After the renovations, Ping Pong is a spruced up location and has a slightly new feel - but it maintains it's cool vibe and high quality food. Overall, ping bong has good food with a few major standouts. Specifically, the S&P calamari (or is it cuddle fish??) is an excellent starter. We typically end up ordering more than one plate. One our most recent PP outing, the calamari wasn't quite as crispy as usual; however, the hot peppers and salty fried coating are a great combination. The squid is extremely tender - and the saltiness goes well with a cocktail. Speaking, of cocktails. PP has a nice list of well intentioned martinis. They're definitely enjoyable, but not necessarily the best in the city. The food is Americanized pan-Asian. And they do a good job with it. I feel that it's best to share a few plates with friends, but there are plenty of dishes that are good for single entrees. The food is good for the price and the service is efficient and friendly. PP is a fun place and there is always a good atmosphere. Although in previous reviews I've negatively comment on the sound level being pumped into a restaurant - somehow it doesn't bother me at PP. Perhaps because PP has more party vibe at the times I've been there.
(4)Michael S.
Sounds travel at varying speeds through solids, liquids, and gases, and don't pass well from one substance to another. If you shout at a brick wall, little of the sound energy emerges on the other side. Instead, most of the sound waves bounce back. Echoes can be useful (if you're in a submarine) or annoying. A noisy restaurant can be made quieter with floor, wall and ceiling coverings that soak up sounds. What the hell am I talking about? PING PONG. The name. I can't figure out any other reason for this place to be named PING PONG but for how incredibly noisy it is here. It's sooooooo noisy I've passed it a zillion times because the tumult gives me headaches. Until tonight....I passed it up until tonight. We ate late, and it was quiet there. And we ate outside, where it was delightful. Our waiter was a young, charming little goofball. He was diligent and a good salesman, and convinced me to order one of the specials: the oyster pancake. It was delicious. But oyster "pancake" is a misnomer. The dish is oysters (huge, fresh ones) mixed in scrambled egg with stuff on top. That's an omellete to me. By the way, it looked like the "vomellete" I saw Dave England make which Steve-O ate on Jackass. (not for the faint of stomach, I promise). The hot and sour soup which preceded the Oyster "Vomellete" was the sourest - - most sour - anyway, best hot and sour soup I've ever had. I have no idea why this place is called PING PONG.
(4)Sarah V.
Ping Pong! Ping Pong! Ping Pong! That would be my heart rhythm every time I'm within 100 feet of Ping Pong. (Ok and my doorbell...) The smells, the music, the chic people. So enticing! Twice I have visited this pan-Asian restaurant and twice I have walked away with a rather memorable story to tell the lady sitting next to me on the bus. (I get a little creepy when I've had three cups of coffee and a 45 minute commute) Birthday! The boy pushes aside his conservative food tastes and takes me here to enjoy my favorite foods. I bring a nice bottle of champagne to share, and what does he bring? A bottle of whiskey. Yup. Canadian Club. Oh the horror. But the waiter laughs and tells us they serve liquor now so I can save my embarrassment for the next time he whips out a West Virginia flashback. We toast to me being almost officially in my mid twenties and share small plates of dumplings, crab rangoon, fish tacos and seared tuna. The cherry on a very sweet night, Sex & the City, the movie is screening on the wall. Which had only just come out on DVD that very Tuesday, mind you. Second Trip: My suburban Columbus friends come to town and I made it my goal to shock their palates out of their corn-cobbed haze. Talk about picky eaters. "Kung pao who?!" "Ew does this mean raw?!" "I don't like spicy..." But fortunately, even my friends with the palates of seven year olds were satiated with comforting orange chicken (reminds them of the buffets back home I suppose) and basil beef. Ironically, both dishes are marked spicy... but I wasn't going to inflame them. I had my favorite, pad see ew, and snarfed down almost every bite because the sauce is just so delicious I've wondered what bathing in it would be like. The boy orders dumplings as an entree, since we'd be drinking heavily and he "wanted to save room for what's important". I plucked one off his plate to try and was less than thrilled. I promptly chucked it into the chili paste on his plate. A minute later I decide to give it another try, forgetting I've smothered the thing in devil juice... yep. Chili paste allllllll over these smackers! I didn't realize steam could ACTUALLY spew from your ears like in the cartoons! I am living proof, look for it in Guinness Book of World Records. My lips were so swollen they gave wet dreams to plastic surgeons far and wide. I will be back for a third installment of "What ridiculously embarrassing event can happen to me at Ping Pong this time??" The food is so fresh and so delicious I just might be able to bear the humiliation I sustain each time I go.
(4)Jerith B.
Yum! Ping Pong is right around the corner, and my husband and I love to go there in the summer -- they have great windows that they can fling open so you get a light breeze in the restaurant, or a bunch of sidewalk seating if you want to enjoy the air outside. In the winter, we are too lazy to walk there in the cold so we get delivery. I love their lettuce cups appetizer. Small chunks of chicken, peanuts, lime, and ginger. It is amazing, but sometimes it is a little too spicy. There isn't much consistency with the level of heat. My husband gets the shrimp fried brown rice and loves the brown rice option.
(4)Melinda K.
This is always a 5 star restaurant every time I go. Food is always beyond amazing, staff is very attentive, and love the setting. Thinking of going here soon again. I have yet to have a bad experience... the food is always fresh and tasty.
(5)Tim S.
I was first introduced to ping pong last fall by some friends and it has quickly become a standby place to bring friends from out of town and a restaurant I frequent to the point that most of the staff recognizes me. Its ambient vibe, incredibly friendly staff, exotic menu and great daily specials at a very reasonable price make it a chic and affordable place to wine and dine [they do have BYOB]. When you sit down you'll be greeted with a warm towel to wipe off your hands and a complimentary appetizer... typically taro chips, although for a brief time they served boiled peanuts. The wait staff will eventually bring you your own carafe of water and will keep your glass full. Their menus is a great mix of classic Thai and Chinese offerings and offers great selections for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. The hot and sour soup is incredible and a great way to start your meal, which for me usually is the green curry. I realized I hadn't reviewed pingpong and decided to when I visited this past week. Unfortunately it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had in a restaurant to date. It was nice outside, so we opted for the outdoor seating which we've done many times before. About midway through our appetizers we began to be attacked by a swarm of gnats that were encircling our table. At first i wasn't so bad but by the time our food arrived it was beyond tolerable. We spent nearly 3/4 of our time shooing the gnats away and all without any of the wait staff asking if everything was OK. Gnats ended up in our food, water and drinks and our server was nowhere in sight. Another server came to get our dishes and noticed what was happening and even brought it to the attention of other staff members who were more interested in seeing the bugs than the fact that all of our entrees were returned half eaten and that we were miserable. It seemed like the gnats were attracted to the grass or flowers that were in the planter around us and there were no candles or citronella on the tables or the periphery of the outdoor seating space to keep them away. Our server finally made his way outside and asked if we wanted dessert at which point all we wanted was the check. No effort was made by our server or a manager to apologize for the experience -- meanwhile, while we were waiting for our check, the busboys were making a game of swatting at the gnats with their dishtowels. And while up until this visit I've been a raving fan, the fact that our server knew we were regulars and didn't make any effort to rectify the situation showed a lack of appreciation for loyal customers, which to me, ruins my entire perception of ping pong. I would have given you 5 Stars before, but sadly, the lack of care or concern we were shown was inexcusable, unprofessional and was service we could have received at a Panda Express. Moral of the story :: don't expect sincere service and if you sit outside be sure to wear some OFF.
(2)Brian L.
If you are into the social scene and contemporary dining, come check this place out. I love that they play Lady Gaga tracks religiously. Everything on their menu is pretty decent, the prices are inexpensive. Their chicken curry is very good served in a huge bowl, but they give very little rice with it - it's ridiculous! Their Salt & Pepper Pork Chops were alright, I expected a big chop, but they gave me like 4 thin slices, lol. I recommend the Pad Thai! Lastly, at the end the chocolate covered fortune cookies served on a ping-pong paddle are to die for! Oh yeah, be sure to hit up the bar, the bartender makes good drinks! Overall, it's a great place to bring friends since it's also BYOB, but they have a CORKAGE FEE which sucks.
(3)ForTheLoveofFood M.
I swear I don't just give restaurants 5-stars, it actually takes a LOT for a restaurant to get 5 stars with me, and sadly, Ping Pong does not get 5 stars. The food is amazing- some of the best tofu and spring rolls I've ever had. When I first saw my tofu, I actually thought it was real chicken, it looked amazing and tasted even better. The spring rolls were crunchy and full of great veggies, and the hot tea was great as well. The meal over all was exceptional and i would probably order it again. There are TWO reasons why I gave this place only 3 stars however. #1 The music. If I'm going to go out to dinner with a friend, or even a group of friends, I want to do just that- Have Dinner. I want to be able to have a conversation with my friends, not sit there with music bumping abruptly in the background and looking my friends awkwardly not being able to hear each other. I don't read lips well. The club music needs to go or be turned down- I think it's 100% unnecessary. I'm not there to dance, I'm there to have a meal. #2 The prices are a little high. I don't think it should be $15 per plate. Is it good? Yes. But the portion size is small compared to the price. It's chinese food, not a gourmet plate or revolutionary food. It's good, but the price and portion sizes do not coincide with one another. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're going out and want to talk with friends and I especially wouldn't recommend this place for a first date- you won't be able to talk. I would recommend it if you're upset with the person your with and don't want to talk to them the rest of the night. The food is great, the atmosphere is fun, but the music is obnoxiously loud and price points are a little high.
(3)Susan B.
I'm surprised about the recent bad reviews. We've been ordering delivery regularly for a few years and are always happy with the quality and relatively healthy options. If the chicken breast has indeed been replaced with thigh meat, that's a shame and should be made clear on the menu (and with the option to specify white meat). Good stuff: Sesame tofu, cashew tofu, Buddhist enlightenment, pad thai, sesame beef, bulgogi. Fast, friendly, and reliably good from our perspective.
(4)Gabe L.
Would you like to play a game? Ping ... Got seated fairly fast. Pong ... Took them 15 minutes to come back with glasses and our bottle of BYOB wine. Ping ... Atmosphere was nice, clean, and trendy. Pong ... It took just as long to fill our order. Ping ... Food was decent as far as Asian cuisine goes. Lots of variety. Pong ... Waited for the bill another 10 min. It was noticeably harder to get served fast here unless you're two hot guys on a date. Unfortunately for me, I was in the minority, since there was only one (me! ... how you doin'?) and a girl. Final Score: 3
(3)Blair M.
Ping Pong is interesting. From its name, to the loud music played in the minimalist establishment to the fact that they serve their check on a ping pong paddle, they are not a typical restaurant. But, it works! My friend Renea and I were hungry a few nights ago, and decided to simply walk about Lakeview late one night. As we strolled past Ping Pong, music blared and the ambience of the dimly-light restaurant lured us in. We were greeted by a polite server and immediately seated. A cute waiter brought out a appetizer of peanuts that were soaked in something (they looked fancy). He also gave us these nifty warm clothes that you use to clean your hands before eating (extra fancy). I was feeling 5% awkward, as I had never experienced a place that offered such delicacies as marinated peanuts in shell or the luxury of washing your hands outside of the bathroom. They had a few specials- and we decided to sample a maki roll. We also each got a noodle dish. I got glass noodles, Renea got pad thai. The maki was awesome. Made with ingredients that were bursting with freshness, it was just a little spicy and made a perfect app. Our noodle dishes came just a few minutes after, and they were also very fresh and very yummy. We were both unable to finish, and had our food boxed. While prices were a little higher than I'd usually pay, the total came to just over $30, and that includes an app, two entrees and two very full bellies! The Price Rating: The Advertising Major- Kids who know they'll get filthy rich soon enough- is the moderate category. Picture a kid with a briefcase and a blazer jacket.
(3)Daniel A.
The food is delicious and for that alone, I give it a 4.5 on the rating scale. That's what brought me back. Your servers on the other hand, are killing your business! Visited with my girlfriend (our 2nd go) and a friend visiting and the server(s) made it a nightmare. 1. We brought along, a bottle of wine which the server took away for nearly 30 minutes (to uncork) and had to be reminded 3 times that we were okay with water, if only we'd get our wine back as our dishes were being readied. 2. The irritating attempts to make eye contact and touch me during their "check ups". With the cues there that I clearly am not gay and was not interested in anything more than the bloody food and a halfway decent service, these blokes apparently were too stuck in their routine of picking up their customers that they did not know when/where to STOP. Please stop flirting with me. These are two sad events that will hinder my gusto to return for another round of your fabolous meals. Please fix the service!
(2)Veronica T.
We came along this place on Labor Day. We were looking for some Thai/Asian food plus BYOB. Many places were closed due to the holiday. So I was extremely happy we came across this place. I love the decor, shabby chic-ish/modern. We had brought wine, but they actually do have alcohol. Corkage fee of $7.50 or $8 per bottle. A little steep, but I guess ok since they do have their own cocktails. I saw previous reviews about the food being sub-par. But I this was my first time here, so I enjoyed it. Slightly clubby feel with the electronic music, but I liked it. The music wasn't too loud. I ordered the harvest scallops and vegetables which was light, but flavorful. Dessert: Heaven and Earth - a chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. Delicious. The service was good - our server was very attentive. She even clued us in on their BYOB rules, but letting us know we had to open our last bottle before finishing our entrees. Otherwise, we wouldn't be allowed to open it. Yeah the rules are a little annoying, but probably necessary since it's a small, busy place.
(4)Kerry V.
Went here for a dinner date. The service was just okay. It was hard to order drinks- we had to keep leaving the table to go to the bar. The food was excellent! Great tasting and healthy too! Decor is okay, could use some romance.
(3)Maura D.
Yummy, yummy, yummy! I went there for my birthday a few weeks ago and it was great. The food was really flavorful and delicious, though a little expensive for the small portion size (and my wallet size). Our server was pretty ditzy and hard to find, but we brought three bottles of wine so we didn't mind. Love that it's BYOB with only a $5 corkage fee! I'm definitely going to go again.
(4)Tony M.
I've been wanting to try this place for a while now. It really stands out on the block. The inside is a bit cramped, reminds me of some chinatown restaurants. They have outdoor seating which can be nice on a good day. The menu features some pretty typical PAN-ASAIN (not just Chinese!) dishes. I just ordered several appetizers to get a taste-If you like tuna, they have a sashimi tuna dip with wonton chips which is delicious! For 11:30 at night the place wasn't too busy, but I can imagine during prime eating hours it can be packed tight. Overall the food was great, about what I expected, staff was alright, and the decor is my style-clean and simple. The value of price for food is an incredible find, and If you are interested in checking out PingPong I say give it a whirl. It is BYOB, so I suggest bring over some Tsingtao or Sapporo or something ( :) ).
(5)Jeff H.
After a 2 year hiatus/ban from horrible experiences at Ping Pong, I was talked back into going last night. I expected the worst but had a wonderful time. It appears there are all new employees, and we were treated very nicely and promptly. the food was, actually, really good. The portion sizes, last i remember were tiny, this time I couldnt even finish my entree. I'm all for 2nd/3rd/4th chances and I'm glad I gave ping pong another chance. I think I'll be back soon.
(3)Jason S.
Don't love it. Don't hate it. My panang curry with beef was pretty tasty but my wife's General Tso's chicken was a bit tasteless and dry. The crowd is funky. The atmosphere is simple. The music is loud. This place is most fun when it is warm and the front windows open up to more seating on the street.
(3)Marshall V.
I LOVE Ping Pong! I recently moved to the neighborhood, and have been to Ping Pong countless times already. The atmosphere is cool, the food and drink are great, and the staff is super friendly. Every table gets a little serving of Taro chips, they are so good, and they make them in house. I love the "gossip girl" martini and the orange chicken. They have great outdoor seating. I'm so lucky to have this place right across the street from me! Thanks!
(5)Maura R.
yum....understatement......yum yum. i am kind of a health conscious girl (when I am not eating pizza or chocolate) and this place has light options for the people who enjoy asian food but not the caloric side effects. I recommend the tofu harvest. healthy but tasty. and i cannot live without edamame in my life only wish they had larger portions of it with their serving size. suggestion...put one in my hood
(4)Katy P.
My husband and I have been coming here for years and we have tried over half the menu. The portion size is just right, and they have entrees that run from 8-15 dollars. I love the Kung Pao Beef while my husband loves the noodle dishes. The bartender once sent over the tuna sashimi dip to thank us for our loyalty. If this ever happens to you, be warned not to accept unless you are prepared to be drawn back to the restaurant on at least a fortnightly basis to get your fix. It is awesome. The staff might appear pretentious and uber-cool but they have been warm and helpful to us over the years. It can get crowded on weekends so I suggest dining early on Fri-Sat nights. FYI: they have outdoor seating.
(4)lesley s.
The best thing about Ping Pong is that a group of 5 of us went on a Saturday night around 7:45 and got seated right away. Living closer to downtown, I expected a 2 hour wait and was very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was a little trendy for my taste, but the food was decent. I ordered a chicken curry dish and substituted the brown rice for the extra $1, which was worth it, but I wished they had given me a little more. They did stick some extra white rice in my doggie bag though, which I appreciated. I wish I had been able to sample a few more things on the menu, but my fellow diners weren't particularly daring and mostly ordered fried rice (which wasn't anything to write home about). Not the best food I've ever had, but made for a good girls' night out and the prices were pretty reasonable.
(3)Event Horizon L.
Singapore street noodle and Pear Martini!!! YUM!
(4)Leah C.
after years of driving, walking, running and biking pass this establishment... we said to ourselves - tonight is the night we finally try ping pong... friday at 9:30 the place was packed and the wait well over an hour. they offer a $5 corkage fee or there's a pseudo-bar (more like a ledge) at the entrance-- the small space made it a difficult place for sipping and waiting. before going, we had categorized ping pong in the company of "penny's, joy's, noodle house" but the dance music and white geo-shaped plates kicked this up a notch to something more like china grill's kid sister. diners lean more towards lincoln park vs. lakeview and roscoe village which is a bit different from the crowd that is normally drawn to the b'way area. the food definitely had more frills than expected. AND - to our joy - more spice! our dishes both were notated as "spicy" and that they were (we aren't fooled by black pepper and tabasco and welcome the use of real peppers and ethnic spices). great vegetarian choices that let me choose from tofu and seitan accompanied by an array of colorful vegetables. service was also very good - we were so overwhelmed by the menu and by asking us a few questions, our server was able to narrow down our choices for us. hard to bring a group here (definitely not kid friendly) but i wonder how carry-out would be? we'd probably be regulars if the restaurant was more spacious and the wait, shorter.
(5)jordan h.
Great place. Not only does Ping Pong pack in a good value, but the atmosphere takes you to New York for a night. The waitstaff can be a little short at times, but again, it just adds to the NYC feel. Excellent vegetarian options, and the potstickers are great. Grab a bottle of wine at nearby Kafka, have a great three course dinner for less than $20/person, and go to The Closet across the street - perfect night out in Boystown.
(5)Lisa H.
I hear this place is good especially the sear tuna and sea bass. So one day I decided to give this place a try and this is what we order sear tuna and calamari for appetizer japanese potato curry and sea bass for diner. As for the calamari it was very blend no flavor but the sear tuna is so wonderful i almost order another one for myself. The sea bass is good but a bit sweet to my tastes and the curry was ok didnt stand out, but the drink is so pretty they decorate it with real orchids that's a plus because that's the first thing that came to the table. Another thing I just remember the taro chip they have omg i wish they can sell those to me every time i go. Oh one more thing if u want nice ppl please don't expected here, when we were leaving no one even say a word to us and the owner and manager just stare at us as we walk out.
(3)Ryan R.
Good, not great. Got the tofu the larger bits were a bit chewy and almost fried tasting. I liked the music and its volume for dinner but it was Wed night so I guess not an evening when the bar crowd is looking to be entertained. My girl's chicken and walnut fare featured MASSIVE walnuts and great meat. The portions aren't large but the quality makes the defference. Next time I might just rock the apps as they seem to get all the rave reviews, even by me. I'll go back again.
(3)Karis F.
the sashimi tuna dip at ping pong is one of the most delicious things i've ever eaten. and the margaret cho's chicken is wonderful every time. the service here can be so aloof at times that it's almost funny. my servers usually never even acknowledge my existence. i mean, he'll take my order, bring my food, etc., but i'm pretty sure the whole time he's just thinking to himself "wow, i'm so beautiful and thin... wait, who are these people?... ewww, whatever" so, i usually get takeout. and it's delicious.
(4)Lindsay B.
The atmosphere is fun and the patio is nice. However, the food is o.k. at best and certainly overpriced for what it is. It might be nice to get a drink, enjoy the environment and do a little people watching (inside or out) but there are much better places to enjoy a meal.
(3)Crtamb R.
I am so excited that this restaurant reopened. I've waited and waited for it. The menu is such a great blend of Asian food and the food is great. The service has always been great as well. Is there a wait for tables? Yes so get the hell over it. If you don't make a reservation or get there before everyone else at a place that doesn't offer them....welcome to the way the world works. Have a drink. In all honesty, the only people I have ever seen the staff not embrace, are the rude and impatient diners who have a huge sense of entitlement. All in all, amazing job Ping Pong. The rest of appreciate you.
(4)Megan D.
This is my favorite place in the city. I agree that the prices have been raised but I think it is worth it. I have been there many times but I brought 11 people there for my birthday and everyone really enjoyed the food, atmosphere, and service. I think a lot of the dishes have a ton of flavor! The hot and sour soup, mongolian beef, and pad thai are all excellent!!
(5)Daniel C.
Jack of all trades, master of none. That's how I would sum up Ping Pong, which serves Pan Asian food. My experience here was not particularly memorable. It's not good, but it's not bad either. At least the decor is pretty nice. This place seems to be eternally packed, but I think it's the same for every restaurant in this busy stretch of Broadway Street.
(3)Diana C.
LOVE this place!! Not only is it BYOB, but they still have a full bar on top of it. The atmosphere is young and hip with a pretty crowd. Hands down the best fried calamari I have ever had and the sashimi tuna dip is something I always end up craving as well. Delivery is good and you get a free appetizer when you place an order, but something was defeinitely missing when I ordered in- Perhaps it was the pulsing techno music and see and be seen crowd...
(5)AxeMe A.
I love the sizzling rice soup, teas, and maki rolls. It's good all around!
(4)Nick S.
This place is the best place I tried to find good Asian styled food in Chicago (especially the Lakeview area). The beef and broccoli served extra spicy (my request) was just the thing I needed to get away from all of the American styled food I'd been eating all week. The bottle of Riesling they served was okay, but nothing to write home about. Thank God it was cheap (under $30) for the bottle of wine. Co-workers enjoyed their house martini's.
(4)Hiker Chicka e.
The food here is OK, but the service and the ambience sucks. We ordered Calamari ($8), which should really be called Green Onion Jalapeno Calamari, there sure was more green onion and jalapeno than calamari in the dish. The potion was too small (we didn't eat the onion and the jalapeno) for two people to share as an appetizer, but it was tasty. The Singapore noodles ($9) was good, but nothing extraordinary. They charged an extra couple of bucks for a small bowl of rice. The service here sucks. The waiters were almost rude. The music was really, really loud. Come on guys, this is a restaurant, not a rave. I go to clubs when I feel like dancing or listening to tub thumping music. The decibel of music played the night we dined was not conducive to enjoying a simple restaurant meal. With so many options in the area, I would pick some place else. Too bad 'cos this place really has the bones to make a good restaurant.
(2)Stephanie P.
Great food and atmosphere! Cheap appetizers and attentive service!
(4)Dan H.
I used to really like this place prior to their expansion. I feel like they have grown too quickly and their service greatly suffered. I am not a fan of how hot it gets inside the restaurant as well. The food is still good but service and atmosphere is important.
(3)Brandon B.
It's good, but not great. The food is okay standard Thai fare. I don't think I've had a bad dish there the two times I went. But I absolutely dispise the atmosphere. It's too loud and "trendy." I guess the decor is nice, but it seems a little cramped. I usually just go across the street to Joy's when I have a desire for Thai. Oh, and by the way, the staff seems rather pretentious for an inexpensive Thai place.
(2)Nick D.
Average at best. Went here for a date which was a good choice as it offered a casual and fun atmosphere yet was still nice and "trendy"...not -too- casual but not too pretentious. There was no wait either, so that was a plus! Started out with steamed potstickers which were just fine. Was in the mood for something a bit spicy so I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken which, in hind sight, was a mistake. The chicken was nowhere to be seen, the presentation was from that of a six year old, I was less than impressed with the food, especially after reading so many good reviews. Sure, I'll come back here if it's easy and I'm hungry, maybe try to give the food another shot (perhaps I just ordered wrong...), but I doubt I'll be going out of my way to bring anyone else there.
(2)Mark T.
Shockingly good food. Go for Buddhist Enlightenment if you're a veg-head, Salt and Pepper Shrimp if you're not. Go ahead of the crowds (8pm) if you don't like the noise. Go anytime if you're in the mood for fantastic food and spectacular sake-tinis!
(4)Katie M.
I really like this place. The appetizers are probably the best. They have interesting sushi options. It is very much a fusion type restaurant, but I like it. It's better than a lot of the other asian places in this area.
(4)Robert O.
Definitely some of the best Chinese food, I've ever had. The fried rices (some of my favorite Chinese food) was unfortunately too greasy to enjoy. I've had the sesame chicken, sesame beef, mongolian beef, egg drop soup and sweet and sour soup. They were all great and I've ordered them repeatedly. Keep it up, Ping Pong.
(4)Brian S.
I love almost everything about this place. The staff/service and food are amazing. Try the chicken noodle soup (I really mean that!), the mahi mahi satay, and the chicken curry. I love curry and this is the best I've ever had. Unfortunately, I'm knocking it down from 5 to 4 stars because it used to be BYOB but now has a liquor license and a hefty $4/person corkage fee.
(4)Kelly P.
i love ping pong! its such a great atmosphere! i have been there a couple of times but the last time i was there with my boyfriend there was a 30 minute wait. no biggie! we just ran to jacqueline down the street a grabbed a beer. when we got back we just had to wait for the table to be set so we sat at the bar and ordered the peach martini and it was sooo yummy and such a gorgeous presentation i didn't even want to drink it! we sat down ordered our food and it was there in 15 minutes! i had the general's chicken and it was the best! my boyfriend got the orange chicken and it wasn't that great in my opinion it tasted a little too orange. i love the music they play but sometimes its a little too loud because it was a little to hard to talk but we managed! and i just have to compliment everyone that works that because they were all dressed well and were very nice! great customer service!
(4)Nicole V.
To be honest....I thought there was only one kind of Chinese; the high sodium, msg packed, eerily good brown sauce kind. Ping Pong has changed all that for me. This is a fresh healthy take on Chinese! I started going to Ping Pong when they had about 4 tables...and a line out the door. Recently they have expanded, but they still have a line out the door. The food is just that good. They use all fresh ingredients and offer a healthy brown jasmine rice option (yum). My favorite is the spicy basil chicken. It is to die for! Many of the appetizers are very good as well. They offer many types of asian cuisine, so there is something for everyone. One of the best aspects of Ping Pong is the space. It is very minimalist, white and clean. They play trendy upbeat music...so you can't help but relax and enjoy. There is an exception, busy times. If you go on a popular night at a popular time...expect a wait. Also, expect the service to take a little longer. I try to go during the off hours so I can get the full experience...you may want to do the same.
(5)D.A. P.
Cute gimmicks. That is all I came out of the restaurant thinking. Chocolate covered fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddles. Semi-loud techno for that club feel. Even the servers looking like they just stepped out of Crobar with wildly gelled hairdon'ts and club habit induced skinny frames. To all of this I say fine, great even...how's the food? There is certainly plenty of hype surrounding the food, especially the high price. Well it is eh, just eh. Yes, my entree was tasty and yes my soup was tasty. So is Hong Kong Chef next to my place, which this tastes exactly like, and I could have paid 25 bucks less and got a free egg roll (they love me there :) ) The highly recommended salt and pepper calamari were also tasty. But, you know what? The calamari had a texture and tasted like tater tots and while I love tater tots, do I want to pay ten dollars for tater tots when I expect Calamari...no! Yes, the food is above average. Yes, the atmosphere is interesting. Will I be back? No. If it were a choice would I go to Hong Kong Chef instead? Yes.
(3)Chris W.
A few years ago I would have given Ping Pong 4-5 stars, but since the prices keep going up for the same food it has been a little frustrating being a regular. However, with that being said I still love the food, atmosphere and experience of the restaurant. The food is always amazing especially my typical meal of crab rangoon and orange chicken (super healthy). I have also ventured onto other items on the menu and have never been disappointed. The place is also BYOB which is enough to keep me and my friends coming back but the corkage fee has also gone up over the years so it is not as good as a deal as it once was. The service is typically touch and go depending on the night and your server but I often find this part of the places charm because I have just come to expect it over the years. All in all I think Ping Pong is definitely one of those places you need to check out for yourself. The experience is either a turn on or turn off depending who you talk to, but the food is always great.
(3)Kara F.
This was my second time at Ping Pong and I'm still debating whether or not I'll go back a third time. I'll start with the good things. The food is fantastic. Both times, everyone in our group has been pleased with all of the appetizers, entrees and desserts that we ordered. While their cocktails seem to be overpriced, the fact that they are BYOB is a real plus in my book! Also, our service has been very good. We had Christopher as our waiter both times and he was very friendly and attentive. Overall, a nice/fun meal both times. On to the bad. This past Friday night, I took a group of friends from out of town to Ping Pong. There were 6 of us and we arrived early enough that there were plenty of tables available. Since they don't take reservations, I know that the empty tables had not been reserved. As we waited for them to set our table, I noticed that they were setting a table of 4 for our group of 6. It looked like we would really be packed in there. So I said to the host..."That looks like it might be a little tight. Is there any way you can add another table for us?" His response was that while they would love to give us another table, it was the weekend so it wouldn't be possible. Um...ok. So the six of us packed in. Our appetizers were nearly impossible to fit on the table. It was just uncomfortable. If we had been 3 groups of 2, or a group of 4 and a group of 2, that would have warranted 3 tables. Why did we get gipped just because we came together?? Also, at the beginning of the meal, they told us that they would not open more wine once our dinner plates had been cleared. No problem at all. I totally understand that they don't want people sitting there all night drinking their own wine. However, when we ordered dessert, we asked for one more bottle of wine to be opened. They refused saying that they made it clear that no more wine would be opened once our "dinner plates" had been taken away. In my book, dessert is part of dinner!! I didn't know that they specifically meant our entree plates! So even though we still had food coming to the table, they would not open more wine for us. Unreal. One more thing...the first time I was there, they actually charged my friend $2/drink for ice! It was actually separated on his bill as an "ice charge". I didn't hear the conversation they had, but in my mind that is insane and cannot be justified. So overall, Ping Pong is a fun, cool, stylish and tasty place to have dinner. But the fact that they are so unaccommodating, stingy, cheap and clearly do not appreciate their customers...I just don't know if I'll go back. All they have to do is start being reasonable and it would be one of my favorite places to go with friends for dinner!
(3)Josie F.
The modern minimalist decor is great. The walls lend them selves easily to being used as the projection screens they sometimes are. The tranie and gay servers are allowed to dress as they please. The result is sharp fashion perhaps al la Bjork a bit. I do not know how anyone could wright a negative comment about Ping Pong. The best pot stickers in town fried or steamed. Why doesnt every place serve brown rice?? Try the sashime tuna dip as well. I love it. I have people come into town often. Ping Pong is always on the itinerary. There is no place else like it in Chicago. With some terrific bottles of wine running less then twenty dollars just get your own.
(5)Doug R.
I don't really have anything much different to say than the others on here that generally like this place. Food is good, some nights seem better than others. It is cheap and has a good vibe. It is a very good neighborhood staple for us and one that we will frequent. The heads on the wall are a little weird and probably why they did it. (taxidermy no longer there)
(4)e e.
i have been LOVING asian food lately - and was super excited for this hip restaurant just around the corner from my apartment... however when my bf and i went one thursday evening, we left feeling VERY disappointed. the decor was cool - and it was FILLED with young fun people. quite a buzz! we ordered crab rangoon and orange chicken with brown rice. the appetizer of cream cheese and crab goodness was EXCELLENT. and i really think thats the only thing that saved this meal from getting one measly star. the orange chicken was barely warm, very dry chicken, and had no flavor at all. in fact i dipped my chickens in the sweet and sour sauce we had from the rangoons! a little better - but come on. after just one try - i really dont think ill ever be back. and usually im up for giving 'just ok' restaurants another shot. not this one.
(2)Ande L.
I just read a review about Ping Pong that said there were lots of pretty boys...and that's putting it mildly. I think they were serving everyone....at least us (or was it a woman?) Anyway, the place is totally way too hip for my chinese tastes and the music was so loud I couldn't hear my date too well. :( I ordered the spicy garlic chicken which was very spicy and delicious, but it was more like eating thai than chinese. However, the meal concluded with chocolate fortune cookies with chocolate drizzled on top and they were delicious! I think next time I'll just order carry-out.
(3)Elena C.
Definitely my favorite Asian food in the city. Have never had a bad experience with their food. It is byob, but they corkage fee is pretty steep complared to most places, but dining in is always a fun experience. Speedy, delicious takout and delivery.
(5)Rishi S.
I'm new to Chicago, been here for 5 days now and PingPong was the first place to catch my attention as I made my way down Broadway from Lakeview (W. Oakdale). The place is small and stands out on the block, resembling a typical modern Thai decor found all over NYC rather than a traditional Chinese joint. Chilled, good music, menu has good selection of soups, appetizers, noodles, main dishes, desserts, and BYOB. Corking fee is waived if you buy wine from across the street (same owners I think). Seating capacity is about 15 and I only had a chance to try the hot & sour soup and the surfer-style tempura tuna + avocado-cilantro-lime tacos (both good). I'm excited to try the PingPong Chicken next time (savory honey walnuts + stir fried vegetables) and the Mango (lightly breaded chicken/shrimp/tofu + stir-fried with fresh mango slices.
(3)Tony C.
yuppie / hipster inedible Asian food. barely better than Panda Express. can't believe i just wrote "Panda Express" in a review.. ugh.. this place represents the downfall of Chinese cuisine in America. Henry Chang should be hung in effigy for letting Chicago pay such exorbitant prices for such crap food; thank goodness all the portions were small so i didn't have to recall my gag reflex much.
(1)Allison K.
I was supremely disappointed in many things about Ping Pong, starting with the service. After we had sat and waited for nearly 20 minutes, our less than friendly server sauntered over and finally brought us water. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, she came back and took our appetizer and main course orders. She had little opinions when asked questions about the menu, and barely spoke audibly in a restaurant where the "unz unz" is so loud with 90s hip hop you can barely hear the person next to you. And the food. Blah. Really blah. I felt like my dish, the pingpong chicken, was a Jolly Green Giant stir fry meal that had been microwaved. No flavor, and an overly preservative tasting sauce. Won't be going back here.
(1)Thomas H.
3.5 for food. 1.5 for delivery service. I've had a couple rude phone order people. They have always been short with me, as if they are better than the customer service job they are employed in.
(2)Natalie P.
Great food and really nice atmosphere (when the music isn't too loud...) really good spring roles and we had really good service. Love the noodle dishes
(4)Justin R.
This place has pretty darn good food, but they have the most uncomfortable seats and environment. Music blaring, and again, back to the seats, I had to take an aspirin when I got home. I say get your food to go.
(3)Hannah J.
I only lived in Chicago (let's be honest, Evanston) for four months, but I made my way to ping pong--through blazing sun, and blustery wind, and freezing sleet--many a time. It's not the shortest walk from the nearest El stop, but it's worth it. It's not the largest space (let's be honest, it may in fact be the smallest), and they don't take reservations, but it's worth it. And it's BYOB (and sadly, the darling wine shop-cum-art gallery across the street has closed), which is totally worth it. There are almost too many vegetarian options, and every dish I had was a hit. Order the "!" options ("!" denoting "spicy"); they're spicy, but not uncomfortably so. And even if it's not required of your visit, snake your way back through the kitchen to the bathroom--you'll be so close to the cooks they might just ask you to season some noodles or stir a broth. Most importantly, ping pong is straight cute.
(5)Tarra B.
On a monthly basis, I have the fun experience of participating in a dinner club. One night we decided to check out Ping Pong for a Chinese twist. The atmosphere is comfortable and clean. I ordered a very refreshing drink called the Gossip Girl which has passionfruit vodka, tropical nectars and a squeeze of fresh lime. It was so good! Then for dinner I ordered the Buddhist Enlightenment which had a really nice flavor that consisted of simmered seitan, tofu ribbon, shittake, napa, peapods, glass noodle in soy broth all for the reasonable entrée price of $12. (There was a lot of food, so I had plenty to take for lunch the next day- nice bonus, huh?!) I'm kind of craving this dish again now as I write this review, so I might be stopping by in the near future. Overall, the girls were pleased with their chicken and beef dishes as well. I think we were all surprised how good the food was and we didn't have to spend $50 to enjoy a nice dinner. Go Ping Pong!
(4)Isla E.
What a disappointment! One of my bestest friends was in town with her husband, and we ordered takeout from pingpong because they were into staying inside after a long couple days out in the city. But I wanted them to enjoy what they had to eat, and I thought from the kind of minimalist look of the takeout menu the food would be more about quality than quantity. In the end, it was about neither, it was just crappy. They ordered the summer rolls, the chicken lettuce cups, and then some kind of lo mein. I got the seaweed salad and some tofu/vegetable soup. The summer rolls smelled fishy, I mean really fishy...not just normal shrimp smell. I almost stopped her from eating them but she decided to take the risk, and there were no adverse consequences that I know of. And the sauce they serve with them was clearly the stuff you can get in a jar from the grocery store. The lettuce cups..basically the filling is whole round peanuts with with sauce on them. Glad they went through the trouble to shell the peanuts. I don't know if there was any chicken in there at all. They said the lo mein was good...but maybe they were being polite. Or even if the lo mein was good, is that enough to make up for an over-dressed seaweed salad in addition to the items described above? The tofu soup I really can't complain about it being bland, that is the nature of the soup, but I've definitely had more interesting versions. Possibly their dine-in is better, but I have no desire to try it.
(2)Kevin B.
I was excited to go to Ping Pong, as most of the time that I walk by the place it is usually full with people and more people waiting outside to get in. That usually is the best kind of marketing you can get! However, when I finally went one day, I was let down by wait time and the lack of interest from the waiter in serving us. However, that being said, the food was very good, once served, and the prices were much lower then I expected. I love the simplicity of the interior design, however I faced the wall and got bored really quick with it. I'll definitely go back, but just not as excited as once thought I would be! Definitely check it out for yourself.
(3)Marcus C.
Waiting an hour for good, not great, food sort of hurt my SF sensibilities. The calamari was pretty tasty, but everything else seemed lackluster. I appreciated the effort though and I commend the restaurant for making pretty drinks with floating orchids.
(3)andrea m.
Good, nice servers. I like the design of the place and that fact I got to dine alfresco. I want to go back to sample a few more things off of the menu.
(4)Britni K.
It's alright, I guess. Really, you should only go there if you have some extra money to throw around and your significant other feels the need to be seen at some place trendy, but I'm not impressed. I've only ever had delivery (which takes all creation, so order before you are hungry) and carry out due to the fact that I get a migraine even thinking about the incredibly loud pounding music and all that orange - nothing against orange, there's just a lot of it. I love the sea bass and hot and sour soup, but it's really over priced and you could get much better tasting for much less money if you just ventured down to Chinatown. My boyfriend did have a problem with some Pad Thai he ordered. When it finally made it to our apartment (which is less than 3 blocks from the place so heavens knows why it took an hour and a half... and yes, we could have gone an picked it up, but that's beside the point!), it looked a little less like Pad Thai and a little more like beef chow mein. Which would have been fine, but it smelled like a sewage leak covered up with urinal mints. We called and they were nice enough to credit us for the...uh... urinal mint dish. So, I say be careful what you order. Maybe stay away from the Pad Thai... actually, just stay away from the place itself. Go to Chinatown.
(2)A.S. V.
Cheekily called "chopstick cuisine," Ping Pong is a quirky little BYOB sushi/Pan-Asian restaurant. It's also probably the smallest restaurant in the neighborhood, with about three tables inside. Luckily there's outdoor seating in the summer. Only open in evenings, its a great place for an intimate date and a creative menu.
(4)Meg F.
I used to LOOOVVEE this place for so many reasons. While their updated interior is gorgeous since their fire, we had to laugh outloud at the hostess. We sat outside (only patrons) and she was pissy at us for coming with a baby even though it was 5:30. Then the next thing out of her mouth was "if that is not for the baby you need to get rid of it, now!" refering to my bottle of coconut water! My husband laughed and said, it's just water and she said, "we don't allow outside drinks, put it away, now." We hadn't even sat down yet, this was in the process of her huffing and puffing over moving a 2lb chair to the next empty table for the stroller to fit! I don't know, but we couldn't get over her, she was just too much. You'd think that she thought she was seating people at the Ritz at 9pm or something (and the Ritz staff would never be so rude and gross). Waiters were adorable and sweet, she just started our very purposly early dinner cause we don't want to disturb others w/our baby, on a really really bad note. Bitter woman and bad for business. We loved old ping pong...(:
(2)Julia T.
Overall I had a good experience at Ping Pong. I didn't really get the correlation between the name and the theme of the place but oh well...Service was great super attentive, food was decent not overly priced and the quality was not too bad. The martini's are great, yummy I especially love the garnish on them! The decor was nice, the music was a bid too loud I felt like I had to strain my voice in order to speak.
(4)Gina G.
We ordered delivery last night. I vaguely recall ordering once before and liking it. That was not the case last night. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good. The food was really bland. I added some chili pepper paste that I had at home to give it some flavor. My boyfriend ordered Pad Thai. He said it was one of the worst he has had. Once he put some spice in it, it was a bit better. He didn't finish it though (and he always does). I ordered the Harvest with tofu and shrimp. The tofu was really good. I would advise to stay away from the shrimp. They were bland and tough (and a little fishy tasting). The summer rolls were decent enough. There are too many good restaurants in Chicago, so I probably will not go back here.
(3)Amanda S.
I've been eating at Ping Pong since it was MUCH smaller and only had 6 tables. Over the years, the prices have increased a bit, but it's still a great value. The food is incredibly fresh. I'm vegetarian and usually go for the spicy garlic vegetables with tofu. I love it that you can get brown rice. The Kung Pao is also awesome. The only thing on the menu I would say to stay away from if the Pad Thai. It's pretty mediocre. This place does not take reservations, so it's pretty crazy busy. If you want to get in and out fast, go eat before 7. You won't have any problems and your service will be great. I only gave Ping Pong 4 stars because of service.. when it is really busy you sometimes will have to wait. Overall, the waitstaff is really friendly. I also order take out from them on a regular basis and the food is great via Take Out as well. I love it they still let you BYOB even though they have a liquor license now. Henry has done a great job with his restaurants and Ping Pong will remain one of my all time Chicago favorites.
(4)Molly P.
LOUD. I have eaten here once, when there was outside seating, and it was okay. I don't normally like Chinese food, but this is a low-on-grease restaurant. They have a few vegetarian dishes which are pretty descent-- nothing too special, and I only go there because I live across the street. I wouldn't go out of my way for this place. Even when I go to pick up my food, I have to shout my name and have them repeat the amount, it is seriously that loud in there. I'm under 30 too, so I don't know who they are catering to with this loud music. I think this is supposed to be an "atmosphere" place, but I can't imagine going there are shouting across the table. There's got to be better Asian restaurants around.
(2)yamani h.
good.LAAAAWD. you need to eat here. no seriously. the food made me exclaim on numerous occaisons throughout the evening and the desert that i had...the great wall brick:: baked chocolate graham cracker crust, toasted coconut, pecans with ice cream...sweet geezus! made me shiver with delight. lol (i know, what a cornball) the menu is very large, so there's something delicious for everyone. its BYOB...somehow they "lost" our B in the back which i was a lil salty about but they brought us something else. and i love the atmosphere which was very mod&minimal and one would think "shi-shi" but the waiter we had practically became my bff before we left. very cool. take your honey.
(5)Aubrey R.
Ordered delivery last night. We ordered salt and pepper pork chops, calamari, crab rangoon, shrimp fried rice and hot and sour soup. The salt and pepper pork chops were pieces of pork, not pork chops with the bone and breaded like how they do it in Chinatown. These were not breaded and kind of hard and dry. Not good at all. Fried rice could have been good, but they added lima beans and pieces of corn...strange. The crab rangoon not so great either, it was mostly cream cheese inside. The prices are kind of high for the type of food they serve. We were pretty disappointed. We were craving good salt and pepper pork chops without going to Chinatown. Anyone know of any good places that deliver salt and pepper pork chops up north? So far I've only found salt and pepper shrimp. For my chinese fix, I'll stick with Yummy, Yummy. We spent 50 bucks on delivery for food that was kind of bland. We order just as much from Yummy Yummy for about 30 bucks. My boyfriend found his soup bland. He said the salt and pepper calamari was okay. The 2 stars would be for the fast delivery. They said 45 minutes to an hour, took 35 minutes for our food to arrive. I would have waited an hour if the food tasted better.
(2)Esme W.
This place is awesome! I love the beautiful Asian men in dresses, I love the plain white walls...but most importantly, the food is YUMMY! I never frequented the neighborhood much, but if all the restaurants are as good as Ping Pong, I should have! My bad!
(5)Dee C.
Chinese food that doesn't have that gloppy texture. The kung pao tofu was the best I have had in a long time and the brown rice was great,hate sticky, white rice. We ordered a few dishes for delivery, it came super fast on a Friday night, Great stuff.
(4)Eric D.
I've been here once on a date and it was alright. The food is quite good actually, its the atmosphere I can do without. The place does not look like an Asian restaurant at all. I felt like I was going to be meeting up with Carrie Bradshaw and the gang. I can't remember if our server ever said anything to us. It was like being handled by robots - trans-gendered asian robots haha. Oh well, I'd get the food again anyways. The orange chicken was pretty tasty.
(3)Zac B.
I've seen plenty of mixed reviews on here, and while this is a review of Ping Pong, and not a review of Yelp reviewers, can I just remind everyone that mixed reviews deserve two to three stars, not five, and perhaps a four if you just had one minor complaint. But be more discriminate with those five stars y'all, you only live once! ;-) Anyway, about Ping Pong. I've lived in this neighborhood for six months now, but even before moving into East Lakeview, I had visited a friend here and walked by the place often, wondering how in God's name something trying to be so uber-hip could have landed flat down on North Broadway sandwiched between a candy store, a tanning salon, and other less raucous restaurants. And with no booze permit! Well, now they have the booze permit, and it is expanded, and I think we've all begun to get used to the fact that Ping Pong, for better or for worse, is here to stay. Let's look at some highlights of the decor. Can we say cute waiters? And the interior is a little too trendy if you ask me, but then again, this is what their shtick is, so who am I to judge? I suppose if it were less gaudy and more refined, business would probably tumble. I don't understand why the music must be so loud, or the movies projecting onto the walls, and hopefully come summer when they open the doors the noise level will diffuse to the outside. Right now the din of the room rises so much that you can't even hear yourself think, let alone talk to your table without screaming. Yes, it's true the staff is a little on the bitchtastic side, but I think the issue here is that they can't hear you just as much as you can't hear anything. Now imagine having to deal with every table in such a way, and now imagine that they are waiters and probably would rather not be doing what they're doing for a living either, or at least were doing too much drinking and coke snorting the night before. I've found that the best way to get your waiter to be polite here, and maybe even get a smile, is to be a little sassy back. This is Boystown after all. For example, when our waiter brought us our main courses, my friend reminded him that he had ordered brown, not white, rice, and so the waiter turned to me and asked if I too would prefer brown rice, even though he had on his tray two white rice bowls ready. I asked, "Would that be a pain in the ass?" His reply, somewhat snarky: "Yes." Rather than shying away, I remembered to be a little more rude than usual in return, and said, "In that case, bring me brown rice." Instead of getting pissed, the waiter got a big smile on his face as if I had said I was going to make out with him later, and proceeded to go get our brown rice. So don't go overboard, and certainly have a sense of timing and style, but by all means return some of the "poor attitude and service" to the floor staff, and like the Blob they will absorb your negativity and refuel their happy-charge in some sadistic, primordial way. The food is pretty decent. Don't listen to the guy who says that it tastes like cardboard. I think that guy probably lost his salivary glands and is pissed at the world. And what's really cool is that the dishes are very unique. You won't find regular Chinese dishes here, so be a little experimental. The Ping Pong chicken with walnuts is good, as is the seafood Noodle Soup, the calamari, and many of the appetizers. It is too loud, and the wait can be a little atrocious. But isn't that a sign of goodness? It's a fun place, that's for sure, and not a good place to take your grandparents. Also, I've seen some kids in here before, but found that very confusing. There is just something "adult" to me about Ping Pong. Great people watching, I suppose. And no, do not order delivery. It isn't as good, from my experience, and I live next door.
(4)Danielle D.
After hearing so many great things about this place, I had to finally try it. Its always packed, and the sidewalk cafe is a happening summer spot. All I can say is...what a disappointment! Food was mediocre at best, nauseating at worst. The calamari someone else raved about was bland and chewy, and the rest was forgettable. Definitely won't try it again.
(2)Saket K.
This NY Chelsea "wannabe" joint has major attitude problems. Even though this is a BYOB we were not permitted to have our wine while waiting 1 hour for a table. Other BYOB's in town allow you to have your wine while waiting...Will not waste my money here again and I'm sure they don't need my business either in this recession.
(1)Eleanor K.
Love this place. Huge menu, most of it's really top-notch. BYOB. Nice service. The atmosphere is good, though I admit the music is a bit loud for my taste (maybe I'm getting old?) Highly recommended.
(5)Allyson C.
I had a great dinner at ping pong this past weekend. While it was certainly not the best place I've ever been (possibly because I couldn't bring myself to order anything but Thai...when am I going to learn!?) it was the cheapest meal I've had so far in Chicago, in a place with a fun atmosphere and pretty decent food. I tried their mango martini before busting in to our BYOB wine. It was delicious. We also tried the potstickers, crab rangoons, and a sushi roll involving avocado & shrimp tempura. The sushi was really good. The others ok. My pad siew was disappointing but what else is new. I really liked the chocolate covered fortune cookies that were delivered on a ping pong paddle at the end of the night! We didn't have a problem getting a table for 5 when we arrived at 7:00 on a Saturday but within an hour there was a wait and the line was growing. The place is kind of funky in a cool way. They show old movies on the walls and (the night we were there anyway) the waitstaff were dressed in war-themed attire. Two of the guys were wearing shoulder holsters even and there was lots of cammo involved! It made for a unique experience that only came to $24 a person at the end of the night. Amazing!
(4)Cassie B.
I have lived in this restaurant's vicinity for years (both north and south of it) and i have never been here. but the place is always PACKED no matter what day of the week. especially during the summer when i jog with the dog i am always jealous of the people drinking and eating outside this place! ANYHOO, i finally tried it on a Saturday night. I see why people go ape $hit over this place. the food is very good and it is BYOB. can't beat that. there are a LOT of selections on the menu - i could hardly decide what I wanted, they all looked good. the food was fresh and our meals had a lot of meat without a lot of filler. the only complaint i have is that my chicken kung pao, which was just the perfect amount of spicy, could have had more vegetables. The corkage fee, as we saw on our receipt, was $1.98 (99 cents per person? whatever. good deal). Also they give you the most amazing chocolate fortune cookies drizzled with white chocolate at the end. last complaint - server never asked if we were OK or if we wanted dessert. he just put the check down. boo! as a former server,. you ALWAYS try to upsell (without being obnoxious, of course). all in all i love ping pong and will be back soon!!
(4)Li W.
I love Ping Pong!!!!!!
(4)Richard C.
I'm surprised that others don't all like the food here because I think it's very good. Great food, BYOB, and one of the best atmospheres in Chicago.
(4)Sam K.
I used to really like this place. I went in, however, after the remodel and was not pleased at all. The host was snobby, the waiter messed up my order and it took forever to bring the correct one out. Then when we questioned a charge on the bill, the host was completely unappologetic and acted like it was our fault. I am not in a big hurry to return here any time soon!
(2)Katty D.
i'll be honest, it took me a year living in this neighborhood before i tried it out. i am typically not into super chi-chi asian places. i at first felt it was pretentious and that i woudl be paying 15 dollars for something that i could get for $5 in chinatown. but i ended up trying it out with some friends who forced me to go, i thought the food was delish! I had teh sesame beef which is incredible! It's slightly crunchy and sweet which gives it a new feel. also, the fish that we had (i'm sorry i can't remember what kind) was steamed in teh most delicious soup. what was incredible was the appetizer of the tuna sashimi dip. it is a little more expensive than the typical asian restaurant across the street, but very worth trying
(4)Jeanette S.
I love Ping Pong. The service is great, the food is fantastic, and they are always busy but the wait is never too long. My favorite is a dish with broccoli, beef, and sesame. SO delicious. Their appetizers are also great, we try to eat a different one each time we go. Make sure you check out their drink list though. Some of the names are a bit girly for my fiance's taste, but he sure does love the taste! They also come nicely garnished. Other best part?! IT'S BYOB! Who can beat that??
(4)Julia W.
Ping Pong is yum. Upon moving to the neighborhood, I'd avoided the place, thinking its minimalist white walls and snappily dressed waitstaff meant my noodles would cost more than the $5 I'm accustomed to. My husband and I finally decided to try it one evening and I am SO GLAD--I found my favorite crab rangoon in the city (no small feat, I promise), among a delightful collection of other tasty Pan-Asian appetizers and dishes. Yeah, it might cost a few more bucks than other corner noodle stops, but it is so very worth it. This is one place I've been satisfied with everything I've ever tried--and we've almost worked our way through the entire menu. The crab rangoon is fab, moo shu is delish, Singapore noodles are super spicy and wonderful... And it's BYOB. The wine shop across the way has been replaced with a sushi place we've yet to visit (it smells like fish. Ick.), but you can always stop at nearby Kafka's for a fun bottle of wine. Ping Pong recently expanded into the space next to their original 8-tabled restaurant which means they've got plenty of additional al fresco space as well. Even with the newly practically tripled space, there's usually a wait for a table--but nothing as bad as before. If you're a fan of Pan-Asian and you don't mind the thumping bass of whatever wacky music they've got going (Dee-Lite remixes are my favorite, to date), and the vague aroma of the tanning salon next door doesn't bug you, Ping Pong will be your new neighborhood staple, great any night of the week. *Edit* 6/11/07 We hit up Ping Pong last Tuesday in an effort to avoid the swarming crowds hip to their delicious food. Knowing that it gets crazy busy during the week, too, prompted us to get there early (6:30). No trouble getting a table, service was fast and we headed off the rush by about 15 minutes. Phew. The new cool thing is that Ping Pong got a liquor license, so they offer wine, sake and cocktails--in addition to still being BYOB, which is totally rad. The pomegranate cosmo was excellent, the floating orchid a nice touch. Food is still stupendous; Justin is convinced it's laced with crack because he can't stop eating once he starts. Another cool thing--after mixing up some watermelon-tinis for some ladies at the bar, the fellow tending bar offered me a sample as well. Me likey. Me likey the drink and the friendly fellow. I have watched this place go from 8 tables to three times that and aside from a sometimes long wait, Ping Pong just keeps getting better!
(5)Liz A.
Henry and his folk make the absolute BEST pot stickers in the city. The rest of the menu is done perfectly, as well. Eat in, get it to go or get it delivered....you won't be disappointed. Everything is fresh and done from scratch. Truly, my go to place for GREAT Asian on the North Side. His Sushi/Japanese place across the way (Wakemono) is awesome, too. I can't say enough about it!! Don't forget to check out the secret Chinese bar (Ginger Martinis). I am from NYC and am SO HAPPY to have found this joint. Chinatown, you can suck it!
(5)allison f.
Went here only once but remember it well. Very nice place, one of those restaurant-bars you'd see as background for Sex and the City if only it were a bit bigger. I suppose that's my one complaint is the space, but you can easily tune out those around you and keep beat with the downtempo, chill music constantly playing. (We had a guy describing in great detail his latest and greatest hook-up with a guy who'd made it clear he just wanted friendship but wouldn't you know he booty-called on Saturday. This has potential to ruin the taste of your Ping Pong Chicken, if it wasn't so perfectly made.) Everything in the dish I had (Ping Pong Chicken, as mentioned) was cooked perfect. A lot of Thai places drench the dish in teriyaki or soy sauce, turning it into Pad Soup, but it tasted and appeared as if everything was carefully cooked and added to the meal. I'm sure it's a quick task of throwing it all together, but in comparison it says miles about the food and gives you the hunger to come back for more. Recommended-- go early if you're doing a weekend thing. By the time dinner was finished it was nearing 8pm and the line for a table was out the door. This place gets extremely crowded and stays that way until close, especially in the summer.
(4)Patrick W.
One of the best just got better- a few months ago, Ping Pong expanded into the space next door, formerly a Mexican restaurant. In the past, when they put a few tables out on the sidewalk in front of the place during summer, they would literally double their capacity. Anyway, this has been some of my favorite Asian food in the city. Their egg rolls are my favorite of all time, and the sesame chicken (or beef!) is world class. The mango chicken, curry beef, spicy shrimp and ping pong chicken are other favorites. The Pad Thai is good, but pales in comparison to other restaurants specializing in Thai food. I've dined in and carried out from here numerous times, and have never been disappointed once. Carryout is really fast- I picked up a big order on New Year's Eve in just 15 minutes. UPDATE 5/11/08: Picked up carryout here earlier in the week. Prices have risen by about a dollar for nearly everything on the menu. Portions aren't all that big, even when you dine in, but the portions we got for carryout were horrible... way too small, especially at higher prices. Will not be back for carryout unless I hear this is corrected. I have cheaper options closer by that don't skimp just because I've ordered takeout.
(4)Jenna P.
Boring. That's how I would describe the food. It's not bad, it's just not that memorable. The prices are pretty high considering the mediocrity of the food. Don't come here on weekends unless you are prepared to wait and wait. Tables are tiny and very close together, so prepare to get friendly with your neighbors...that is, if you can hear them. The music is REALLY loud! Conversation is nearly impossible! The place also has that "ooh we're an ultra-chic, trendy restaurant" vibe that I hate. Summary: mediocre food is not helped by long waits, high prices, and obnoxious atmosphere.
(2)Chetan B.
Excellent food, fantastic service, and all at a reasonable price. Did I mention its BYOB too. A must go!
(5)Matt N.
Simply the best place for delivery Chinese food in Chicago. I have been ordering from PingPong for 5-6 years now and simply love the place. I have only been to the actual location once or twice and felt cramped. for all us who rarely have time for cooking, give this place a call.
(5)Josh G.
I had me some Ping Pong delivered for the first time in many moons last night and it reminded me why I love it. Any time I have guests in town I always take them to Ping Pong because people are always impressed and it requires no effort on my part. Everything from the location to the trendy atmosphere definitely makes it a place to see and be seen. Some of my local friends and I jokingly refer to it (as we do some other places in Boystown) as "S&P"... meaning it's a place to "stand and pose" or I guess in this case it would be "sit and pose". Everyone is always fashionable and dressed up in their favorite labels which gets old after while. But more importantly, what I love about the food is that everything is simple, refreshing, and delicious. For example, one of my favorites is the Sesame Chicken. It's just chicken and broccoli in a sweet brown sauce with sesame seeds. It's not too pretentious or overly seasoned with a ton of ingredients or spices. The sizzling rice soup is great and the lettuce cups are amazing. The only reason I'm not giving this place five stars is because of the music and servers. Neither are bad, they're just too much. The music is entirely too loud to make this a good date place but it's still fantastic with a group of friends. And while I've never had bad service I just think it's ok and the servers have a bit too much attitude. Then again, maybe that fits in perfectly with the rest of the decor. :)
(4)Mark W.
I realize I have a few complaints and yet I still want to give Ping Pong a five-star rating. But, I'll settle on four to keep it honest. First, the good- Ping Pong has a great atmosphere. With it's ultra-white interior I always assumed this place would be way too trendy or pretentious. But on trying it, I have no such complaints. A little trendy, sure. But, I've always been made to feel at home. The food is, for the most part, very good. There are a number of unique options (not your token, paint-by-the-numbers Thai menu) and a lengthy list of appetizers. I am constantly trying new things here- where at your standard Thai place I always get the same thing. There's just so many things to try. They have four dollar glasses of house red and white wine. Perhaps you get what you pay for... but, c'mon... how many places are you gona find with four dollar glasses of wine? Particularly places that one might call trendy? In addition, I think, if I am not mistake, that they also offer cocktails, and permit BYOB. Chocolate Fortune Cookies served on a ping pong paddle- very clever. But now the bad- Service is what it is. Servers never seem to be personable (though, I question if its because they don't speak much English). This also allows them to cover more tables, and in my experience have never been left waiting, or without a full glass of water. The Chicken Lettuce Wraps have a sauce that it is really heavy on the peanuts and really light on the CHICKEN. How do you mess up a chicken peanut sauce? The edamame appetizer was literally like maybe twelve pieces... C'mon. As stated above- the serving sizes are very small. Entree rice and noodle dishes could ALMOST be considered small plates. Which makes it essential to order appetizers to supplement your meal. Prices appear cheap - but it starts to rack up when you have to order extra dishes to fill up. We ordered delivery from here recently, and the sesame chicken dish came with literally 4 pieces of broccoli. It was so disappointing... I'm not sure if this was a delivery portion, or if that's what is actually served on site. Dish size seems rather arbitrary, some dishes giving much larger portions than others. But Ping Pong is fun and cool. Totally worth a try. Make sure you order enough, and you should leave happy. Expect to wait for a table at peak-times. This is one of the most popular spots in Lakeview.
(4)Danielle M.
So I let my little sister, who was in town a few weeks ago, pick where she wanted to go to eat. I suggested looking for a BYOB place, so we could all get our drink on (she was just turning 18). She picked this place, and while the place itself was kinda cool, the food was less than great. We ordered a bunch of different things as appetizers - as said before, their pot stickers were huge and were really tasty. We also ordered the seafood salad, which was AMAZING - but then again, I love sesame oil, and it was drenched in it. Our main meals, on the other hand - not so hot. I ordered the Orange Chicken, which I admit, isn't the most crazy thing - but it said it was made with fresh orange peel, so I figured it would be delicious. Not so much. The chicken was way overcooked - and it wasn't just mine - others in our party agreed that their chicken was overcooked, also. How this happens in a restaurant, IDK. My boyfriend ordered the Kung Pao, and the sauce tasted pasty and burnt - as if there was too much flour, and they tried to over-compensate by overcooking it or something? Weird. Not to mention, we waited over an hour and a half - this is before it even started getting busy! Overall - save the trip and your money - there are plenty of better, more delicious (and non-overcooked chicken) Thai/Chinese places in the city.
(2)Dana W.
I used to really love to eat here. Great food and great people. But since they hung the dead animal heads on the wall I will not be going back. I don't like it at all
(3)John M.
Ping Pong has great food, reasonably good service, and very loud music. The food fare is Asian with a modern twist and is quite tasty and well made. However, if you are planning on having a conversation while here, make sure to sit close together knowing that whatever you say has no way of being overheard. I would not host a business associate here unless I was dealing with a 20-something dot com entrepreneur. (I think somehow they might appreciate the music.) I think one of the earlier reviewers commented that the music made the restaurant have more of a club feel - I didn't quite appreciate that until I came here last night and lived it. The music is club music and it is loud. If you have sensitive people who aren't into the music, they will be miserable. I had Cashew Chicken and it was very good. Other parties with me had the grilled vegetables and Singapore noodles. They indicated their dishes were good, but I had to ask their opinion three times before I could hear them. The atmosphere is definitely modern and upscale. However, the pricing is not awfully bad - it is affordable and reasonable. Is somehow the management could be convinced that they would do better with their music payed softer, I think Ping Pong could be one of the best places around.
(3)Brandon H.
As a Chinese restaurant, this place fails miserably. As an Asian-fusion restaurant, it's about average. I order Chinese for delivery pretty frequently, and this was some of the most off-tasting food I've ever had. The egg rolls had something sweet in them and were definitely not the typical Chinese restaurant flavor, the Mongolian beef was this thin gray-matter looking stuff, and the kung-pao chicken might as well have been called "kung pao ?" because I found about 3 pieces of chicken in the entire serving. The only reason for two stars is that the pot stickers were very large and good. Of course, we only got 4 of them in 1 serving. And all this (and a fancy delivery bag) can be yours for ~ $42 after tip. Maybe this place is a different story dining-in, but if you're looking for a new Chinese delivery place, make sure you know what you're getting into. Most likely you'll not be getting Chinese food.
(2)M M.
Not a fan. Great location but the dish that I had was salmon and it was extremelyyyy dry. Pet peeve!! Very clean, modern atmosphere which I did like. I would skip this and try Adesso next door.
(2)Lauren D.
very cool place. fun music, fun atmosphere. i'd hit it up on the weekends mostly. they use high quality ingredients and their pork chop dish is amazing. the calamari is unlike any calamari i've ever had, so get some if you are interested in calamari with a flare. also, their spicy tuna maki could compete with that of any awesome sushi restaurant. you can bring your own wine/beer, but they do have a drink list.
(4)Michael C.
this place rocks! the ambiance,the food, the service are all great. its a neighborhood spot that makes you feel like you live in a city that is diverse. you can find yourself sitting next to a group of 30 something's sex and the city girls, a gaggle of gay guys at the next table, fashionistas across the room, and the hipest servers you can fit into skinny jeans. the sashimi tuna dip and steamed potstickers are a must try, a new addition of wasabi fries is great for the table. entrees such as the mango chix, ginger beef, and their hot and sour soup are great. they have recently acquired a liquor license and have a great drink menu. i am partial to their pear martini, and i also enjoy their wine list which offers bottles at $16 and up. there is no pretention here, its just straight up great food with great people around. p.s.- it is also the best electro/house music ever to be paired with culinary talent...
(5)Jay Jay C.
i have never encountered such bad salty freezer burned scallops in my life!!! this so called pseudo chinese fusion is a living testimony why fusion sucks! but if you enjoy salty over priced chinese food that tastes like wan chai ferry frozen foods served to you by pretentious hipster douchebags than this is your place the staff has a very poor attitude they look their nose down on you and completley ignore you because you dont fit the criteria or calibur of customer they want coming into their place so if your not some pretty boy douche and you look like a biker or just a jeans and t-shirt guy they will outright ignore you! just go across the street to joy's rice and noodles the staff is nicer and they appreciate your buisness plus the food is way way better i mean c'mon the waitstaff is more concerned about standing around posing like they're at a photoshoot it just plain sucks. fuck i,m being forced to give this pretentious dump a star or it wont post
(1)Nancy M.
I've known this place back in the old days when it was just a hole in the wall. But, the owners are really sharp. They experimented with a wine store, own the sushi spot across the street and have evolved into a trendy higher end neighborhood place. Is is better? The jury is still out on that. The recipes or chefs must change because it is not consistent. I liked it better when it was smaller but it is still a good addition to the neighborhood.
(4)Kathryn M.
After living down the street from Ping Pong for the last year or so, I finally had the chance to eat here. Overall, it was a really great experience. The interior is very plain, just bare white walls. We wanted to sit outside, but the wait was 20 minutes, which was odd since there was at least 1 empty table. They waste a lot of precious outdoor seating. The tables are arranged in sets of 3, so 6 people could sit there, but they sit 2 people at 3 tables that are pushed together, totally doesn't make sense. Now that we've discussed seating let's move onto service...service was meh. Our waiter really couldn't care less. He took our order, but never stopped back to check on our food or drinks. I had to flag him down to get another glass of wine and I am a big wino, so don't mess with my wine. Our food was great. We split an order of potstickers which had the perfect dough to meat ratio. I had pad thai which was pretty solid and my friend had mandarin beef, which was amazingly delicious. The restaurant is a little loud, so if you're looking for a quiet romantic restaurant, this isn't the place, but it is the place for delicious cocktails and yummy asian food.
(4)Tom H.
Cool sparse decor, food and prices are fair, interesting limited mixed drink menu. That said, you'll love this place if you enjoy 1) standing around FOREVER waiting to sit down; 2) being surrounded by people trying way too hard to look hip while waiting forever; 3) being treated extremely rudely by the staff; and 4) techno blasting so loud that conversation is impossible. Also, beware if you see the Pingpong Prius delivery car anywhere in your vicinity--I've nearly been hit by this car several times when I had the right of of way.
(2)enrique t.
stumbled into this place late last night and based on the people out front and the atmosphere we expected the menu to be a bit more progressive. the menu was ok but had the typical asian fare i felt like i could get anywhere. they had just one maki selection which i thought was odd. why not a few more. i can think of other fusion places that have alot more fusion.the $5 corkage fee was nice because the wine and beer selection was too minimal. our server was ok. he was a little cold and short with us but prompt enough. the female server was sexy. the white girl with the short hair. i wish we had her.
(3)Joseph B.
this place was trying pretty hard to be cool, but it didn't let that get in the way of a good meal. i probably wouldn't bring my parents here when they were in town but it was fine for the mrs and I. music was loud but not unbearable, service was fine, we byob'd with two bottles of wine for 2 people but didn't get any dirty looks. as for the food, it was pretty impressive, the general's chicken was awesome and the salt and pepper calamari appetizer was the best calamari I've ever had, bar none. i talked about it for a few days after.
(4)Sydney K.
No, that's not a broom closet in the middle of Broadway - it's actually a restaurant. This tiny Asian fusion location seats only 20 (plus 15 during warm weather with outdoor seating). But the diminutive size is not the only reason you frequently see a crowd of people outside its doors, patiently waiting for a table. The food is consistently solid, the prices are fair, and it's BYOB (corkage fee of $3.95, which is waived if your purchase was made Valhalla, the wine store across the street). I hear the crab rangoon is fantastic, although I've never tried it (not a big fan of cream cheese with my seafood - ick).
(3)Eliot J.
the food is decent and reasonably priced, i suppose. everyone keeps talking about the servers and their attitude, which i would describe as "unwelcoming," though i'm not sure if they're doing it just for the effect, or not. what i noticed more was that they tended to congregate in the corner by the kitchen and bathrooms just sort of staring around at everyone. it was pretty early when i dined there and we were one of probably 3 tables, but it was still pretty creepy. the facade is generally pretty cheap, right down to the menus printed on notebook paper, which were crumpled up and had food stains on them. another thing that struck me as... incomplete was that, even though i typically use chopsticks, there was no fork option provided. again, not that i'd probably use one, but sometimes you opt for it. as far as the loud dance music, i suppose it draws attention in the summer when the doors are open, but other than that, it's pretty obnoxious. just doesn't fit with the surface... probably won't go back.
(2)Don W.
Easy to get seated during the week, can be a pain on the weekends after 7:30/8PM. The food is good but I always get the General's Chicken so I probably shouldn't generalize. They now have a liquor license but still allow BYOB wine. My corkage fee never seems to correlate with how many bottles of wine we consume so I can't say exactly what the fee is (I guess it pays to be gay). One thing obvious is that the portion sizes have noticably descreased in size twice over the past 6 months or so. I think I've eaten off larger plates at various tapas places. I don't mind tapas sized portions but adjust the price accordingly. In summary, the food is decent but getting expensive (considering the reduction in portion size). We all go there for the minimalist decor and background music. The expansion a while back was also a pleasant treat. The trendiness and high foot traffic in the area means that they can probably get away with charging more for less. Phehaps we'll check out Adesso again since I hear they've changed their menu . . .
(3)Amanda A.
If I was grading this uber trending lakeview spot on food alone - it would be a hands down five star stop, but cramped spaces and long waits bumps it down a notch. I went with a group of people on a Friday evening - we called ahead to get an estimated wait time (half hour - forty minutes) and recieved the same quote when we got there, but we actually waited close to an hour and a half. The incredibly small restaurant and waiting area has all the originality of every other ultrahip flourescent white and orange european style lounge but it's menu knocks it clear out of typical panasian water. Its BYOB, so definitely bring a few bottles - especially if you want to go on a weekend (expect to wait and therefor have beverages on hand to keep you occupied). We ordered 7 appetizers and 5 entrees and our bill was less than $100. Definitely try the calamari with red chiles and jalepenos, the tuna tartare dip, and the crab rangoons - also I had the best chicken pad thai I have ever had that night. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone and will definitely be back for more - just probably not on a friday or saturday.
(4)Melissa K.
I walk by Ping Pong every day. I never thought I was trendy enough to try it, but boy am I glad I went in. I went with two girlfriends I hadn't seen in ages and we had the best time. We had a much longer wait then what we were quoted, but we drank our wine and were content. We took our time with our meal. We first ordered the potstickers, they were fantastic. After eating those we ordered soup. I had chicken noodle, the chicken was so fresh, I was impressed. One of my friends had a salad and it looked delicious and the other friend had the hot and sour soup. Apparently there is a bit of a kick to it. For dinner we ordered three different dishes. We ordered the beef and broccoli, ping pong chicken and cashew chicken. All three were great. The staff never pressured us to order quickly or push us out after we were done. I can't wait to go back and try more items on the menu. I see Ping Pong becoming my new favorite Asian restaurant in the city.
(4)Jill D.
I went here to celebrate my birthday and we definitely took advantage of the BYOB aspect of this place. The service was great and understanding when we started to get a little rowdy. I had the Sesame Chicken which was delicious and I loved that it came with broccoli (my favorite). Since it's a little far from where I live, I don't go here that often, but just found out that they deliver!
(4)Travis P.
I went here with two friends this weekend. We started off with the crab rangoon (per the recommendations here--we were not disappointed) and some sushi roll (good, but nothing special). For my main dish, I had a pan seared sea bass served over mushrooms and asparagus drizzled in a sweet and lightly salty sauce (soo good! paired well with the Riesling that I brought--this place is BYOB). My dining companions got bulgogi (a Korean beef dish) and the ping pong chicken (if I recall). I enjoyed mine the most, but hey, I was in the mood for fish. The atmosphere was fitting for the eclectic style of Broadway Avenue here. Stark white decor, house music, odd movies playing from the projector (seriously...a Fresh Prince/Jazzy Jeff video!). Service was prompt, friendly and unobtrusive. Overall a unique, positive dining experience.
(4)Diane C.
There are only a few things I eat at asian resturants and they do two of them better than any place else in the city. Their Pad Thai is incredible. It has the perfect combination of peanuts and sweet sauce. They also have the best crab rangoon. They don't go cheap on the crab meat. They have a summer menu that is fairly inexpensive but is only good in the summer. In the winter it's better to get their food to go because there are all of 10 seats inside.
(5)Audra S.
Everyone I talk to raves about how good Ping Pong is, but I found it rather bland. Maybe it's because I had take out and the actual dining experience is better, but I just was not impressed. I've had better Chinese food at Panda Express. Their redeeming factor was their crab rangoon -- now that was good stuff!
(3)Kristen F.
I've been by this place so many times in the last 8 years and finally ate there over the weekend. I went with a group of 7 people and since they don't take reservations, we met at 6:00. I was the first to arrive and I told them how many people in the party and by the time the rest of the party showed, they had our table ready and the restaurant was full. We had brought 4 bottles of wine, they opened 2 and put the rest in the cooler. We sat nearest the door so it got a bit chilly with the door opening so often. I felt it took a long time to get our food and mine wasn't hot (could also have been the door) but I liked it and it was a good sized portion. They didn't charge us a corking fee for all 4 bottles and our bill for 7 was only $100. They don't take reservations so plan to wait even if it's just 2 people but they will but your wine in the cooler and pour you a glass while you wait.
(4)Arjun C.
The only thing interesting about this place is the decor. I like their place Wakamono across the street but after sampling several items on the menu, I found the food to be uninspiring and tired for such a trendy looking spot. Not terribly expensive, though.
(2)Mitchell S.
i am very satistfied with the food here. i find myself eating a lot of chinese and well ping pong has to be my favorite. i have eaten there once and get delivery about once a week. the prices are very high, but hey what am i gonna do.
(4)Rachelle T.
This place is great! I've lived in Lakeview for 2 years now and I'm ashamed to say I just tried Ping Pong and man was I missing out. The minimal white appearance makes it look trendy (which I also thought meant pricy) but surprisingly it is incredibly reasonable and BYOB - yay! My girlfriends and I went here at 7:30 on a Sat evening and had to wait 10-15 minutes for a table, not bad. Although I did notice the line got longer as it got later. I started with the veggie eggrolls (yum) and then had the Sesame Tofu for my entree which was awesome. The sauce had a great ginger element that I hadn't experienced before with sesame and the tofu was cooked perfectly. Everyone else seemed to enjoy theirs as well, with the exception of what I believe were called Singapore noodles (she said they smelled like bathroom and were too spicy - yikes). They get knocked down a star for the music which was verrrry loud and all Madonna, got kinda annoying about 3 songs in. But I'll def try them again, can't wait!
(4)Mark P.
Really loud. Mediocre, dumbed-down Chinese/Pan-Asian food for American palates. Pretty much par for the course for the Broadway/Lakeview area.
(1)Kristoph S.
Very yummy and great customer service! I've been to Ping Pong a couple times this past month and I haven't been disappointed at all! It is a little more expensive than your average Thai/Asian/Chinese restaurants with entrees between $12-$20 however it is worth it! The Singapore Noodles are my new favorite. This is definitely a restaurant to try something new. I had one of their special cocktails and it was very refreshing! The cocktails are a $10+, but that's pretty reasonable considering their signature, made with fresh ingredients, and top shelf, The customer service is amazing; you receive a moist towel to wipe your hands as soon as you sit down, chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end of your meal, and a postcard WITH POSTAGE to send to someone. Granted the postcard is for marketing purposes, but it is a nice touch! The wait staff was very attentive, nice, & accommodating. An elderly couple, one of which was using a walker, came into the restaurant the last time I was in and the hostess did everything she could to assist them and make them comfortable. The ambience is pretty fun, too! Love the mismatched vintage bowls, vintage tables, and mint green walls.
(5)Andrew C.
I REALLY like this place. Fantastic cocktails...food is amazing and the service is top notch. All this in a very cool 20's/30's atmosphere. I'd say more, but I'm pressed for time. Still, I wanted to sing the praises of Ping Pong because for some reason there aren't a lot of good Chinese restaurants around anymore. I think that's strange, but facts are facts! Ping Pong is more a fusion of different Asian flavors, but all are delish!
(5)Kyle D.
Overall: Some of the best Asian food I've had in a while, and definitely the best in the area. Will definitely be returning! The good: Fantastic, authentic, delicious food. The shumai was amazing, and the entrees were great. The drinks looked fantastic as well. The decor and environment is very cool and romantic in a way. The service is very friendly and the music was fitting. Tons and tons of menu options. The bad: At times the service was slow to respond, and the food took quite a while to come out. Also, at times, it was a little TOO dark. Atmosphere: 10/10 Service: 9/10 Food: 10/10
(5)Trina W.
One word: bugs. I ordered steamed veggie dumplings and lo mein for delivery, and there were dead little bugs on the dumplings. I was so disgusted that I couldn't eat the food. I called the restaurant and they wouldn't refund me for the whole meal, just for the cost of the dumplings. Also, as someone who loves dumplings, I have to say these didn't look to be anything special to warrant the $9 cost. These were your average $4-5 dumplings. I will have nightmares about this. See the photo I uploaded to have your own nightmares (can't miss it - it's the dumplings with the dead bugs on it).
(1)John I.
I usually think of ping pong as a game that is played in a basement rec room, complete with bright fluorescent lights and a lot of noise. And me being humiliated by those who grew up with said ping pong table: the haves paddling the have nots. On the first point, Ping Pong is the exact opposite of a rec room. Enter the door from a rag tag stretch of Broadway into a sultry, pleasure den with candles lighting a spacious layout of tables with cloth napkins and non-disposable chopsticks. Four of us shared a table for six, wide enough to seat a mom at one end and a pop at the other, without their place settings encroaching on the others. For drinks, we whet our whistles with both ginger and lychee martinis, each consumed with pleasure. The price point was high, though the pour was commensurate. We then added solid food for our palates, starting with tuna tartare, a thick layer of tuna on a thick layer of avocado: we rated it four tongues up. I like to think of this combination as being classy and tasteful, like a Fred and Ginger dance of flavor. Actually, make that Fred and Audrey, with Ginger and Wasabi on the side. We also had the sweet potato maki, an excellent rendition at that. For entrees, we shared ginger chicken, coconut curry with shrimp, and Singapore noodles. Each dish was good, but the curry really shined. Three of us had brown rice, and one had quinoa, that came in a surprisingly small portion. While we passed on dessert, chocolate-covered fortune cookies were welcomed, though the fortunes were quite lame. (Mine said, and I paraphrase, "You will go to a social occasion." Really? I think it's happening right now!) One miss for the restaurant: it's too loud. It was hard for us to hear each other (granted the table was wider than those in most restaurants), primarily because it is such a "live" room, with wooden floors and a tin (?) ceiling and nothing to dampen the ping pong of noise throughout the place. Candlelight and loud mouths don't mix. But the taste of the food made up for it; no bad dishes humiliated our mouths.
(4)Yuchun W.
We came in late starving after a sail trip. Well, the service was fantastic but the food was really average. We got fried rice and noodles. I ate only one third I think. Well, I think next time if I am back, I will just get a drink
(3)Claire Y.
You have to order their hot and sour soup! This is my 5th time in ping pong and I recommend this soup to all my friends I took here. They all loved it. It just taste better than other hot n sour soups I had. I tried the spicy scallops this time and it was okay. I would go with the sesame scallops if you level of tolerance for hot food is not too high :) It's wine byob but does charge $8 fee for it. The restroom is pretty interesting haha. And always, very chic ambience in there.
(4)L S.
Food was okay, not stellar; but make sure they send you what you ordered before they leave your door if you get delivery. Extremely poor customer service by phone (delivery guy was fine). They didn't bring part of our order, we called to explain and to see if we could get credit for it, as it was just an appetizer, and our main food would be cold if we waited to eat it all at the same time, and they only resolution they would offer was to exchange that appetizer for what we'd actually ordered--over an hour later--long after we'd finished eating our main meal. Bah. It's overpriced and totally not worth the headache.
(1)Aaron S.
Food is pretty good, but the prices are absolutely outrageous. I really enjoyed the Ginger Martini - so much that I ordered a few. I went with a pretty big group and they were able to accommodate. The group bill game to $450 for seven people. I don't feel like everyone ordered outrageously or had extravagant items. Yes, the prices are clearly marked - I'm just staying there are cheaper, and better places to have dinner
(3)Kimberly F.
GREAT food and customer service! Ambience of the space is nice yet casual, music and atmosphere totally on point.The server brought out towels to wipe your hands when you sit down, nice touch. Food is delicious and you get a good portion, I couldn't finish my plate. After your meal they bring a chocolate dipped fortune cookie, yum. And the cherry on top is a free postcard they give you at the end to write to whoever you want - and they send it out for you, postage paid and everything. I don't live in Chicago but I will definitely be back the next time I visit!
(5)Sergio N.
This place is good but a little bit pricey !!! Staff are friendly and the chairs are very comfortable ! There are times that this place becomes very noisy and a good conversation is not possible .. This plus is good on weekdays ... But weekends is like a riot !!
(4)Paige J.
Delicious food, decently priced. It's close to home, so that's a plus. At the end of your meal they give you a handful of chocolate sprinkle-covered fortune cookies, which is always a good thing... :)
(5)Kye B.
Found a lovely new jewel to add to Chicago's Gastronomic Crown. Great ambience and our waiter, Gof, was absolutely delightful. The food was delicious. The edamame (served cold), the Brussels sprouts and those taro chips (perfect) were fantastic beginnings to an incredible meal. Can't WAIT to go back.
(4)Teresa C.
I give it 2 stars because the food is normally good. Not so much tonight. unfortunately, the delivery time is unacceptable. an hour and 15 min later...on a tuesday....my food arrives which I might be ok with given the holiday weekend coming up, but it's almost cold! to the point where I have to reheat it. Even before reheating, i had a few bites and it did not taste as it normally does. Everything fried rice was everything tough. not a frequent happy customer to say the least. 26.00 on fried rice and edamame...will pay for fresh food and standard delivery time, but will not order from them again after tonight.
(2)Emily B.
Whenever I walk by this place I always am so invited by the festive interior. Tonight I dined here for the first time- and the experience did not disappoint. We were greeted at the door by friendly staff who offered to take our coats while they got our table ready. When we sat, fresh, warm towels for our hands and a waiter handed us menus. I ordered the spicy scallops which were spicy and delicious. My friend ordered vegetable dumplings, steamed which looked scrumptious. Would definitely dine again- great decor and delicious food!
(4)Christina M.
The vegan food at Ping Pong is INCREDIBLE!!! The good: + Buddhist Enlightenment - The seitan and tofu ribbons coupled with the glass noodles and expertly flavored soy broth is seriously out of this world. + Scallion Pancakes - Amazing, great flavor and texture. + Whatever my meat eating counterpart ate, he loved. The bad: - The veggie spring rolls - Highly not recommended - The service was very spotty at the end, but that's because they only had one server in the room on a Saturday. They need to get more servers (ours was super nice though). In sum, this is now my FAVORITE CHINESE RESTAURANT EVER! I will be back many times, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
(5)Andrew A.
Just ordered delivery, really disappointed considering how expensive it was. 2 vegan entrees, an appetizer, delivery, and tip = $45. Ouch! The dumplings were bland and mostly dough. I had the Sesame Tofu which was OK but the sauce was heavy on ginger and sugar. It came with broccoli and cauliflower which was steamed and reeked/tasted like fish to the point where it was not edible and had to be picked out. Partner had the Beijing Vegetable which was exactly what you would expect: vegetables in soy sauce with liquid smoke and rubbery tofu. Still better than the other 2 dishes, but I doubt we'll be back to try anything else, especially with so many other options available in the neighborhood. Also, as much as I appreciate the dishes being labeled vegan, the options were not impressive, and if everything we order is vegan, automatically including fortune cookies made with eggs and dairy is kind of annoying and wasteful.
(2)Eve R.
I am moving into East Lakeview so I decided to check out a few of the restaurants in the neighborhood. Ping Pong looked like a unique place. My husband and I wanted to dine al fresco but the weather wasn't cooperating. I'm glad we ate inside because the décor was stylish (lots of knick knacks to look at) and the music was wonderful (classic jazz). For appetizers, my husband tried the Crab Rangoon. He said it was quite tasty. I had the Lettuce Wraps. Oh My! Chicken with heavenly peanut sauce! I can't tell you how great it was! I had the seafood noodle soup. The broth was a little bland. My husband had General Tso's Chicken. The sauce was so tasty I put some of the spicy sauce in my soup. It definitely added to the flavor. I am definitely coming back to try something new. You better believe I'm starting with the lettuce wraps!
(4)Joel G.
Solid Asian spot with a nice atmosphere and solid but short cocktail listing. Recommend their Watermelon vodka drink... very good. Food is always solid with a wide variety to chose from. There chicken choices are very tasty and suggested. They have a solid egg roll that I get every time I go. I judge most places for Chinese food by starting with their egg roll. They deliver solidly so I feel you can't go wrong with the food. It's one of the better choices in my neighborhood and I would return.
(3)Bartek K.
After calling the restaurant to set up a reservation and being told that it's first come first serve ... Which was a bit frustrating considering how busy the restaurant is :-/ after being put on the waiting list ... The people in front of us left and told the waiter they're going to go for a drink .... A table was available for at least 15 and they wouldn't seat us .... Made me really upset because it was my friend's birthday! Host had a negative, condescending attitude. At least our waiter was pleasant. Food was good (6 of 10 rating).
(2)Heidi P.
I love Ping Pong's food. The service and delivery are always great. They have jelly beans available when you exit.
(5)Fred E.
Worth crossing the street for! Stopped in while looking for a place to eat. Was impressed that we were offered hot wet towelettes for our hands right off. Service was very good. The crab Rangoon was really good and made in house, I believe. The wasabi fries also worth it. The wife got the Tom Yum shrimp soup and loved it! The panang curry steak was very good. The service and ambience were good. Quiet and casual. We'll be back!
(4)Sus K.
I would have to say, being a Lakeview resident for two to three years now, I have a special place in my heart for Ping Pong. I've made some of the most amazing memories over dinner here. The interior of the restaurant is meant to be decorated like 1930's Shanghai, the lighting is fairly romantic with a candle at every table, an dim dining room lighting with chandeliers, and the service is extremely friendly. The food is fantastic, and your meal starts off with complimentary prawn chips, an ends with the most delicious complimentary chocolate covered fortune cookies. Over the years, everyone I've taken here has loved it and raved about it, and this is my go to date restaurant. What sweetens the deal is that Windy City Sweets is next door for after dinner ice cream. The things I've had here that are absolutely delicious are the: Pad Thai, Bang Bang Chicken, Five Spice Beef, Monk's Broth Soup, Green Curry, just to name a few. It's one of the classier, more romantic restaurants in Lakeview, with huge open windows, and a fantastic view onto the quaint boutiques of Broadway, that is offered at an affordable price. I would suggest you try it for any occasion or a good lunch, dinner.
(5)Yelper C.
This is A very good Gay Asian restaurant. I will be back to see the Cute Boys.
(5)katie s.
Ping Pong is my favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. The atmosphere is really cool, the servers are genuinely nice, and the food is outstanding. The menu is huge, and there are many things I still want to try, but so far my favorites on the menu are: - toasted edamame - grilled vegetable dumplings - tom yum soup (best I've ever had) - green tea ice cream And, they serve dinner until midnight!! I can't even explain how much I love this place.
(5)Jason A.
Not really adding anything new here, but basically this place is slightly Americanized Chinese food that is good, I enjoyed my meal. However, it's way to expensive. You're going to spend $15-$20 more for the same number of items to a comparable place like Youngs or Dees and get about 50% of the food. Its good, just too overpriced to ever eat again.
(3)Jahna L.
We used to love this place when it was a tiny place with about four tables and they owned the wine shop across the way. Not anymore...it is a sad, disorganized operation. We ordered online. Order was completely wrong. The prices were wrong on the website. They called back twice after they delivered the food and said they had to charge us more. Said something was wrong with the website. Nice customer service. Won't ever go back.
(1)Ben B.
Good food, great service. I came here on a Saturday night with my girl. There was no wait and we were seated immediately. Our server was awesome. He showed up right as we were seated with moist towelettes to wipe our grubby mitts. He seemed to have some sort of mental link with us so he anticipated anything we might need. More rice? Boom. There it is. More water? The water guy is refilling your glass just as you were about to say something. I ordered the spicy garlic chicken. I didn't think it was terribly spicy, but I have a high tolerance for such things. It was a fine dish, though the sauce was a bit thick for my taste. Your meal ends with a chocolate-covered fortune cookie. Perfect. Just perfect. The restaurant has an interesting vibe. It's decorated far more upscale than the place merits. The menu says it's inspired by "Old Shanghai, Interwar China 1930s." While you're there, you'll hear a variety of old tunes from big bands and Louis Armstrong. Definitely a unique take on a Chinese place. I loved that. The food alone is good. The service is what makes Ping Pong worth a return visit.
(4)Jen K.
Wow. Did not expect this. The place was fantastic. We had a table that was inside but the windows were open so we got the breeze from the outdoors too. The decor is adorable and I am obsessed with the music choice (Rat Pack and the likes). Our waiter was fantastic the whole night. He was very good with the wine recommendations. We tried the lettuce cups for an appetizer, which were a fun twist on a usual lettuce wrap. We also shared the potato curry steak and the pad see ew with chicken. Both were great as well. It's near my house and I pass it often but I'm glad I finally stopped and and will definitely be heading back.
(5)Ray C.
Ever since the sad demise of Jia's on Halsted, we've been looking for great Chinese food on the north side of Chicago. Ping Pong is it. Great atmosphere, appropriately gay and excellent food. Real meat with light batter, not deep fried into hard chunks of tasteless fat. I recommend the orange and general's chicken. A little pricey, but well worth it.
(4)Rebecca B.
So I live down the street and have ordered takeout a few times. I like to order the Large $8 wonton soup; Good-sized dumplings, well-balanced broth and always hot. I think it's the best in town. Today around 4:40pm, I walk in to get some takeout, and before I can say hi, the bartender dismissively says to me, "Um, there's no seating in the dining area. You have to sit here." Meanwhile, wearing he's wearing an annoyed face. (I want to be like well, I'm fine, thanks for asking!) Ew. Bad social interaction #1. Next, I order my soup, and he puts it in fairly quickly. As I wait, I notice the decor - I like it, and for the first time I analyze the menu completely. Ohhh, you guys have sushi AND dim sum?! I am interested to know more about this place! But then I look over at the bartender, and I know I shouldn't ask him about the owners based on bad social interaction #1, and the fact that he doesn't seem to like making eye contact. Of course, I ask anyways because I am a customer who likes this place and wants to know more. He says to me, "Um, it's two partners?" "Oh cool, what are their names? They must be asian." "Umm, well It's a white guy and an asian guy." Ok... That doesn't answer my question. And he also doesn't seem too sure on whether the owner(s) are two partners or not due to his doubtful tone. At least he knows their race. Ha. Sounds like he loves his job! Based on how weird I feel right now, I think I'm just going to stick to the Japanese place across the street. I don't like anti-social restaurant staff. ***Also, see Mike N.'s post. He says something similar, "Attitude." The bartender definitely had some tude, Clueless tude. As in like the movie, "Clueless." It was like Totally buggin'.
(3)Grace M.
Presentation, venue, and experience was great!! Will definitely be going back very soon!
(5)Keven T.
Very good food. service was a little empty minded( I'll give them a pass because it was Friday and it was busy) but overall a very good place to eat!
(4)doctor a.
Pingpong would certainly be pricey for take-out. But it's a totally reasonable upcharge to dine there because the atmosphere (colors, decor, open doors in the summer, music), service, and drinks are really outstanding (in addition to really tasty food and flavors). I went by this place for years before ever really looking inside- wish I had gone in sooner! Few of the photos here do it justice (and none on their website!), but if you are interested in a romanticized but charming 1930s era Shanghai decor, well mixed flavors in classic dishes with trendy ingredients and pizazz, great service, and good people-watching by the windows in the summer, try out Pingpong.
(5)Mike L.
We ate here Saturday night - it was my first time in 10 years and it was as good, if not BETTER than I had remembered. They expanded the dinging area and did a fantastic job - open and airy with outdoor seating. I had the steamed Chicken with ginger - unreal! We shared grilled Veggie and Chicken dumplings - also very good. Excellent and friendly service. An asset to Chicago and should not be missed!
(5)Michael K.
Really enjoyed my second time at Ping Pong. Had edamame that was good, but the steamed pot stickers were amazing. I had the garlic beef entrée and it was really good! The portions are huge! You could share the meals here. My only complaint is that the wine is way overpriced. They charge $38 for a $14 bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The service was very good. They were nice and helpful. I'll be back when I visit Chicago.
(5)Emann B.
I've lived nearby Ping Pong ever since it opened, but never dined there. I finally went and was pleasantly surprised with the charming service, big tasty cocktails, and delicious fare. We had the lettuce wraps which were deeply flavored with a touch of sweetness, followed by the steamed dumplings which were fine. The sesame scallops and curried rice with cashews were fantastic! I'm happy I finally stopped in!
(4)Jeff A.
This is a decent, mostly-Chinese restaurant with tablecloths. Don't expect more and you'll be satisfied.
(3)Brittany M.
Very intimate & different from the norm of restaurants these days. Service was friendly and the food was quickly done. We enjoyed these menu items: -Buddhist Enlightenment Packed with Asian flavor. Too strong for my taste but my husband was all about it! -Scallion Pancakes Amazing. Seriously in love! -Chilled Tofu Excited to try after reading about a similar cold tofu on an SF blog. Wow!! Delicious. Definitely just became a regular. The vegan menu options are insanely large for a non-vegan restaurant. Dare to say its the largest in the area. You go Ping Pong!
(5)Mike N.
This place was awesome in 2007, now, it's pretty terrible. Let me summarize why: Bad service and overpriced food (for the quality). From the point we walked in, the waiter gave off an aura of superiority. Keep in mind this was a quiet Monday when we dined here. I walked in holding a coffee I bought from the amazing coffee shop across the street and the host actually made me throw it away. What's the big deal about me finishing my cup of coffee in a place that doesn't serve coffee? The service in general was unfriendly and sparse which is just intolerable on a quiet Monday night. In general, the food isn't any better than any other Thai takeout place except for twice the price. Come here if you enjoy being treated with an attitude and dine on mediocre Thai food in a place decorated like a Thai brothel.
(2)Stephanie L.
I ordered delivery tonight since I've been sick. I ordered egg drop soup, small wonton soup and an order of crab ragoon. Ugh. Ok. First, it ended up costing me $24!!! What?! Second, the ragoon was bland and tasteless. There were only 4 pieces. And they charged me for doing sauce! Last, the wonton soup was gross. Bad flavor, bad smell. The only good thing was the egg drop soup which is pretty easy! Never again will I order or eat here.
(1)Christopher B.
Adequate. Pricey. Appetizers were tasty. My entree and others were adequate. Big tables are not intimate and make room for fewer people.
(3)Darby D.
Ping Pong is expensive, but it's also really good. The food is excellent, the service is friendly and attentive, and the decor is fun. Drinks are pretty amazing too!
(4)Michael M.
They must have read my old (2011) review, as they have completely changed decor and music to exactly the opposite of what it was before, while preserving and even improving upon the always excellent cuisine. Went from modern, hard-edged and loud to traditional, comfortable and wonderful mellow jazz of the '30s, '40s and '50s. Food and service are first-rate. Prices higher than at chop suey joints, but good value for fresh and well-prepared dishes. Now our go-to Chinese eatery.
(4)Lindsay A.
Boo. This place is overrated! go to joy's across the street. all their food is great. Most of the food here is mediocre at best but the pad thai tastes like ketchup. Try the crab rangoon. Its hard to fuck that food up.
(2)Mathew P.
Ate here once. It was overpriced and the food was not worth the money. I also walk past the place everyday. Does anyone else know why they are so overstaffed? At any one time, there are around 5 waitstaff persons mulling around waiting to pounce on someone. Anyway, you can be a Mark's on Halsted in 5 minutes if you want better, cheaper food.
(2)Myra M.
I came here based on my friend's recommendation. She told me it was BYOB and that the food was great. I agree with the food portion, however when I brought a 6 pack of beer, they told me they do not accept it. Given no reason as to why, apparently it was just one of their rules. Luckily my two friends had two bottles of wine, however they charge $8.00 corkage fee. Just to open the bottle, not even bothering to refill our glasses when they were low, we had to spend $8.00 per bottle. When she opened the bottle and filled (the only time) our wine glasses, my friend and I had food encrusted into them. We notified the waitress, not even bothering to apologize, she gave us new glasses. Perfectly good wine was wasted! Overall the food was a little pricey, but good! The portions were filling, but don't expect to bring leftovers. The service was average. When we left, they gave me the wrong beer and I didn't even notice until I came home. Thankfully it was Blue Moon, so I wasn't too disappointed. I don't know if BYOWine is now the new rule, but I do feel like that corkage fee was slightly outrageous. I am from the burbs, so its hard to sometimes grasp the extra fees Chicago restaurants, bars, parking, driving, maybe even breathing (anything associated with Chicago) likes to charge on people.
(3)Jill M.
I likey likely a lot! I'm not fond of their pad see ewe (which I usually order from thai restaurants). It had peanuts in it and had way too much sauce. But thats ok! I don't have to order it from here! I like their spicy garlic chicken a lot better! My friend and I were breathing heavily after we were done eating! They have a full bar and you can also BYOB, but there is a corkage fee if you bring in your own bottle of wine.
(5)Abby P.
One of my Top 5 favorite places in Chicago. Try the chicken egg rolls, the hot and sour soup and the sweet potato roll!
(5)Dabney, B.
Using Belmont as a southern border, I don't make it east of Clark too often for eats. The only time I do is when a Friend Zoner wants to go to Nookies or Ann Sather for brunch, or one of the Mexican restaurants on Halsted. Well silly me, for not digging deeper into this untapped area to my east, because I've been missing out on an absolutely splendid little restaurant that is a pleasant 10 minute stroll from my pad. Correction, make that a 3 minute walk in this weather. Anyway, a Friend Zoner suggested this for an early evening dinner before my game started, so I said why not. Not only was I hesitant to concede a Saturday night block of time to a Friend Zoner, but it is freezing out, so I had no desire to go at all. I said to myself on the chilly walk over "This place better knock my socks off or I'm gonna be hot." The result? It passed the test. I've been told about this place countless times by neighbors, but I never made it over. If you are reading this as a Lakeview resident, this place is an absolute MUST. Decor is surprisingly better than I expected. Not overdone but still manages to make a point. There's a really crisp and hip feel to it the second you walk in. I like the spacing of the tables and say they got it just right, and that can be a problem in some neighborhood eateries. Staff is super friendly, observant enough to refill waters when needed, and bring dishes at the appropriate times. And the food was delicious. This evening we had: *Lettuce cups *Chicken wraps *Crab Rangoon *Spicy Tuna Maki *Special of the day (A pork belly dish mixed with vegtables and special sauce) *Pingpong chicken I ate most of it, so I don't think I'll eat much for the next couple days. It's got an ever so slight pretentious feel for the Lakeview area, which is perfectly fine with me, but you gotta have the chops in the kitchen to pull it off. They certainly did so it works. For any locals, you can do no wrong walking over and checking it out for the first time. I'm pretty confident in saying that it won't be your last!
(4)Kay R.
I was wary initially after reading all the reviews here about the snotty wait staff and the service, so I was pleasantly surprised with my experience. Food was delicious and that for me is the most important component of any restaurant experience. The kung pao chicken was prepared excellently and was spicy and fresh. Drinks were well done - the lychee martini deserves mention. Service was pleasant, albeit on the slower end. Felt like they just wanted to let you chill and not be interrupted, which was fine to a point. Ambience was pretty cool - clean and modern minimalist decor. The music was somewhat loud though - so watch out for that. This may not be the date night sorta place. Plus with so many good looking people -- it might get somewhat distracting! ;-)
(4)Claudia R.
I want to give Ping Pong a 3.5 but rounding up is more reasonable than down. The ginger martini was worth ordering a second and my teriyaki tofu with broccoli hit the spot. The service got a little slow toward the end of our meal. I wouldn't rave about the place but if I was in the area I'd try it again. My friends say they order from Ping Pong a lot and that it's fool-proof because everything on the menu is good. The chocolate-covered sprinkled fortune cookies blew my mind.
(4)Dustin G.
I love Ping Pong! I moved out of their delivery range and now I hardly eat there. I miss it! The food is bizarre, in a good way. Everything is a unique and delicious adventure. Every bite is a pleasure in and of itself. The atmosphere can be a bit noisy and crowded, but the food's so good you won't notice. Check it out.
(4)Amy Y.
This place looks really warm and convivial from the outside, and good for dates. Inside is surprisingly loud - I had trouble hearing the waitress telling us of their specials, nor could I hear my date most of the time. Food was a disappointing though. Fries with chili and wasabi mayo was good, but vegetable dumplings were awful. Thick, heavy, over-fried skin, with boring fillings. The sauce was WAY too salty. I also ordered some bamboo dish - again, WAY too salty and while not terrible, definitely not worth what they were charging. Green tea also had a weird after taste. However, drinks were nice and strong. I think this may be a cute place to have a drink, but I doubt I'll be back for main courses.
(3)Jean G.
I love love love the food here. Everything I have ever ordered is fantastic, and I actually go back quite often. So why the three stars? I really hope the owner reads these reviews because people keep saying the same thing. The glasses are always dirty! I don't understand it. Second, the drinks are incredibly overpriced. This is not a downtown hotel, it's boystown! 12$ for a Hendricks and soda is insane. Lastly, the service is terrible. I know it is a busy place, but come on guys. You know you're busy, prepare for it. I highly recommend going here for the food, just don't drink:/
(3)Andrew W.
I visited Ping Pong last night for my third time. It is such a great place to "show off" my neighborhood to guests and newcomers to the area. The contemporary looking restaurant plays upbeat music in the background while video walls add a trendy touch. On nice nights the windows open up to get a nice breeze if you can't grab a seat on the patio. Expect a wait if you are coming during prime dinner times but the wait is worth it. Alcohol: This is a BYOB place with a $8 corkage fee. We had two bottles of wine and were only charged the fee one time. They also serve alcohol as well if you would prefer to just buy drinks there. Food: I have always been a fan of Thai food but this place really takes it to the next level. It is a fusion restaurant so they have Thai, Chinese as well as some Sushi. The dishes I have had over my visits well exceed my expectations every time: Basil Chicken, Crab Rangoon, Ping Pong Roll (avocado, spicy shrimp tempura), Kung Pao Chicken. However, I think everything else would be just as delicious! I was all about giving this 5 stars until the service we had last night was very sub par. I understand the restaurant was busy, but its always busy! Thats because its great. While waiting for our table we noticed someone that arrived after us was seated first and then when we were seated it took nearly 20 minutes to get wine glasses for our Champagne. We also asked the server for soy sauce and did not get that until the meal was OVER! I am not going to trash the review because of the one time server problem but it kept me from a 5 star for sure. Never fear Ping Pong....I will be back...but the server issues needs to be fixed!
(4)Melissa D.
Alright, so, this business definitely would have been deserving of a 5 star rating if it weren't so CRAMPED. Though honestly, I think that is it's only down fall. The food is scrumptious, definitely a huge fan of the S&P Calamari. Chicken Pad Thai is pretty good, not swimming in grease or anything. It goes down CLEAN, which is hard to encounter with all the "better if bathed in oil!" craze that's been around. The staff is pretty friendly and patient (my friend tends to ask a million and one questions), the atmosphere gives off this trendy vibe but with out the snob factor, and it's a great place to hang out with somebody one on one or with a small group. THUMB UP PING PONG! (would be TWO thumbs if I had room to speak freely with out the person sitting 1 foot away from me listening to my conversation).
(4)Greg M.
Beware! If you as for extra spicy, be prepared to have your eyeballs sweat hotsauce! A great BYOwine resto with decent prices. Overall atmosphere is boring, but if you are with good company who cares?
(4)Kimberlie T.
Sit outdoors in the summer time. It's quite delightful. They have a full bar and the atmosphere is very modern day. Food is pretty great as well, we've always been with all the traditional Chinese fares. Haven't tried the sushi.
(4)Elena S.
Hard to get in on Friday-Saturday nights, but food is pretty good. All the chicken dishes are great, my favorite is generals chicken and please try fried calamari :)
(4)Dane K.
Ping Pong offers the best people watching experience money can buy. And the food--if you order the right things--is very good. One thing I really like about Ping Pong is it's diverseness. For appetizers I prefer to skip the "standby" crab rangoon (which is very good, yet somewhat boring) in favor of wasabi fries or duck tacos. The fish tacos are also VERY good... Both tacos are a bit pricey--at $7. For entrees, you can order regular ole General's chicken or something more adventurous and different. Personally I think their strengths are not in the Americanized Chinese food that's there for those who aren't adventurous. I like the red snapper--it is sometimes amazing even. I'm not convinced it's actually red snapper though, a substitute. The fish is served over a soy sauce broth with vegetables.. Very tasty. For dessert the green tea ice cream is good, but something more amazing is mochi ice cream It is basically 3 balls of ice cream that are coated in some rice thing that tasted a bit bubble gummy in texture. It is totally orgasmic. Even though they have a bar now, it's still also BYOB in the restaurant itself if you want (you can't BYO sitting at the bar itself or at the sidewalk patio). Their drink prices are extremely reasonable, and cocktails are good! The $6 corkage fee is steeper than what it used to be--free (then $3, then 5).. so I guess that's their way of saying don't BYOB anymore, get your drinks from the bar. They have a full bar, and for that matter the best cocktails in the area. This place has really changed over the years... it used to be a tiny storefront.... now it's 3 stores wide and the decor changes more often. I'm glad they got over that aweful deer head fascination they had for awhile. I kind of miss the olden more mellow days of Ping Pong... If you get a sidewalk or window table, the people watching here is the best money can buy. You'll likely see several crazy looking straight couples holding on to each hands for life, a transvestite or two (outside of the ping pong employees), people clenching to their kids like they were keeping them away from satan, a semi-midget, and a lot of really cute...dogs. I once got my picture taken with Vincent Falk outside of Ping Pong, the color suit guy. I love it.
(5)Milena M.
It was refreshing to go to a restaurant and have a waiter with some style. He was wearing a bow tie and was very helpful in recommending a dish. The food is very fresh and enjoyable. It does get a little loud late at night but it's a good atmosphere. The Orange Chicken and Signapore Noodles are excellent. They serve you fortune cookies on a ping pong paddle. The only thing that's odd is that they have paper napkins, they seem a little out of place.
(4)Stephanie H.
I don't think I'll return to Ping Pong. It wasn't the worst ever, but it didn't provide much to reel me back in. The atmosphere was a little ridiculous. While the minimalist decor was pleasing, they were blasting techno music so loudly that we could not hear each other speak, and the waitress was completely unable to hear our orders the first time around. We get it, we're in Boystown. That doesn't mean dinner has to feel like a rave. And it was only 6pm on a Saturday. Not exactly my preferred dining ambiance. The food was mediocre at best. The chef seemed to be very heavy handed with the sauces. I also felt it was totally overpriced for what you got. The one redeeming quality was the evening's drink special, a watermelon martini. While I feared it would taste like a Jolly Rancher, it actually tasted exactly like fresh watermelon. Very, very good!!
(2)Sixto M.
This place does not take reservations, so when I decided to go with a friend on a Saturday night at 7pm, I was a little scared we wouldn't be able to find seating. However, it was perfectly fine, and I was told Ping Pong doesn't get busy until around 8pm. I've walked by this place numerous times and each time I think "ooh, I need to go there". Well, I'm glad I did! I'm assuming the minimalist wall decor is meant to enhance one's dinner conversation, but I bet it can also enhance the silence and awkwardness of a first date. However, if you're going with old friends or people you really 'click' with, it shouldn't be a problem. Ping Pong is BYOB ($5 corkage fee for wine, but I was also charged for brining in a six pack of mike's hard lemonade) but also boasts a full bar with signature martinis. The staff are friendly and cool and contribute to the very chic hip atmosphere of Ping Pong. But don't think this place is all about the scene! The food here was AMAZING! Here's a list of what we had: -lettuce cups -fish tacos -garlic mussels -red snapper The fish tacos was the only so-so dish of the evening. But that doesn't mean it wasn't a good dish. It just means, I'm Mexican and I should've known better. We were so stuffed by the end of our meal, we couldn't even consider getting desert. Next time, however, its on....
(4)Vassaly S.
Dear Ping Pong, Are you feeling alright? Maybe I happened to visit on one (or a couple) of your bad days but I hope you feel better soon. Everyone has their ups and downs but in the restaurant business, you just need to put your big girl panties on and deal with it. Just so you know, during my visit, the salt and pepper calamari lacked an essential ingredient - salt. Other than that, the tater tot looking pieces of squid were cooked nicely, not too chewy the way I like it! Now as far as presentation goes, were you angry when you put together the red snapper dish? The flavor of the fish and sauce were good but you shouldn't just throw it on top like that. Your ambiance is too fresh and clean to be disturbed by a messy looking dish. Lastly, the service was decent - attentive yet non bothersome. I was a little concerned about how long things were taking but I thought maybe you just needed a moment to to yourself. I did give a little extra something in the end though because I noticed the bloke sitting at the next table only left you a 10% tip from which he calculated on his Blackberry. Even if dinner wasn't as great as it has been before, I know you've got the potential and I'll stop by to see you again. P.S. No one should tip 10% or less without an explanation, right? Good luck with that.
(3)Karen L.
2.5 stars. It was just an okay meal and with so many restaurants around town, I would only go back if necessary. First of all, what is with the loud music? I didn't understand why they had to play clubbing music while I was trying to eat my Chinese food. And, they were playing these projectors on the walls with colored striped lines. I realize they are trying to be trendy but it is a small Asian restaurant in Boystown... I went there on a weeknight just walking by. Am I just that old and out-of-date that I didn't enjoy that? But besides the environment, the food itself was just mediocre as well. We ordered the summer rolls, similar to a Vietnamese spring roll but with some different ingredients. The rice paper skin seemed too thick and the noodles inside were too mushy. Otherwise, I liked it b/c I do like my spring rolls! Then we had the penang chicken curry and the hong kong wide noodles. The curry had a nice flavor to it... pretty spicy. It wasn't the best I have had but it was good. The noodles had an okay flavor but the noodles seemed overcooked and the beef had a weird texture. Not a fan, really. I also had a watermelon martini, which tasted like lip balm. Oh, and prices overall were a little high. I mean, $12-14 for regular Thai food? I can go to a "less trendy" place and get it for $8. Oh, yeah... I almost forgot to mention my favorite thing... the only thing that I really enjoyed were the homemade taro chips that came out when we sat down. Those were quite yummy! Maybe I ordered the wrong things... not sure... but I don't think I need to go back and try.
(2)L L.
Totally subpar, fairly rude staff, and the wait is forever. What's more, I once went there and waited 45 minutes with a group of people holding multiple, visible bottles of wine, only be be seated at an outside table and promptly informed that the outdoor tables weren't byob. How's that for service?! A place for taking obnoxious, picky out-of-towners who want to feel kind of cool while eating mall food.
(2)Patrick G.
I have yet to be disappointed by a meal at Ping Pong. Yes, I have a history of being drawn like a moth to a porch light to restaurants that seemingly invest more money and energy is their decor, ambiance, and attractive waitstaff than their menu, but Ping Pong proves this wrong. They offer the full package. It starts off with homemade chips and continues with a multitude of inventive culinary delights. The staff is attentive and have never had a problem with service. My only complaint is its a little noisy. A small price to pay for what you get.
(4)Liz P.
I went to Ping Pong last week after hearing great things from a few friends about the food. My expectations were high when we got there. We started with the crab rangoon and edamame which were both delicious. The edamame seemed like it was infused with salt, so the flavor was great! The crab rangoon was a little heavy on the cream cheese, but I loved it. We started running into problems when the main dishes arrived. All four of our dishes had chicken [green curry, sesame chicken, pad thai, and red curry]. Except for the green curry, all of the chicken was a bit dry. Both of the currys were good, but were very simple and didn't have much to them. I don't think we would have been as disappointed if the food wasn't so expensive. For what you get, it was not really worth the money. Overall, the food was just OK and was much too expensive for what you get.
(2)Damian C.
While my orange chicken, and all of the food for that matter, was awesome, I have to admit, I was completely creeped out by the place. Maybe it was the fact that we were seated as close to the door as possible. It could have been because we were practically up against the front picture wnidow. Either way, every time the door opened, we caught a cold breeze. Every time someone started walking by, it startled me, and at times made me feel like they were going to walk right through the windows into our table (I assume the employees use Windex for that streak-free shine). Not to mention the wait staff. While I have nothing against anyone or most lifestyles, I felt a little uncomfortable. Most of that had to do with the fact that I was not sure whether to say "sir" or "miss" to some people. Those types of situations weird me out a little. I don't really know if I would ever bring my family here or suggest it to someone who isn't very open-minded, has children, etc.
(3)Larkin H.
I really enjoyed Ping Pong. I'd give it 5 stars but I do agree after 9 the music got really loud and I couldn't hear my date. Their drink specials were amazing and so tasty! Not to mention the presentation is awesome! Our waitress was great, although wildly flighty. I couldn't tell if she was on drugs or had a crush on my date. (Seriously... She was pleasant though) Also, it seemed like some of the staff kept walking up to the table and then leaving... I'm not sure if they were trying to clear plates or just wanted to know what we were talking about. It was kind of strange. The food was absolutely wonderful. He had Scallops and I had the Mongolian Beef on Crispy Noodles. Not to mention their Crab Rangoon is great. It is a little expensive, but we both left feeling the good kind of full. I'd definitely go back, but I'd stick to early evening.
(4)Andy C.
Rarely will I wax lyrical about a place such as Ping Pong. Frankly, I really don't want to promote the place, otherwise it will end up in Lufthansa's In Flight magazine and have every group of Stepford Wives from Vernon Hills going there. It has 5 things few places have... great food, great drinks, amazingly sexy, seductive atmospere, great music and very efficient service...oh yeah...no dealing with crying kids here which may be the best part! If you are an advocate of Dont Ask Don't Tell, then just head on over to PF Changs in 60610. I get take out 90% of the time and it is consistently excellent... all the soups are great... BYOB with a small corkage fee... your shazam app is smoking becuase they are always playing some new DJ Top Speed, Tiesto or Kylie Minogue remix there. It's good for a first date, 3rd date or break-up date.. you will not see another 5 star review out of this guy.
(5)Luis L.
I've been to this place only a couple of times. On the first, my dining companion found glass in his food. Yes. Glass. Years later, the second time I went was last winter. Service was MUCH better, and the food was as I remembered: fine. And I don't mean fine, like, "THAT BOY IS FINE!" but fine like, "How's your day?" "Fine."
(2)Lauren M.
To make it simple: I really like this place! Not only was our waiter extraordinarily personable and nice, but the food was fantastic. My boyfriend and I decided to make it a seafood night with both of us ordering a tasty nautical dish. But I'll admit that I want to keep going back since there were so many things, fish, poultry, beef, vegi, etc. that I want to try. However, if you are to order one thing visit after visit it is the Heaven and Hell chocolate lava cake...a perfect ending to a great meal! My only complaint was that my spicy seafood soup was served just a little too (temperature) hot. Chris was already done with his dish by the time I was even able to dig in. However, by the time I did, it had my mouth dancing!
(4)Megan G.
A little pricey A little adventurous Decent asian food Chic decor and fast delivery
(3)Joanie K.
v. enthusiastic staff. as true sales people, they love to love their products. fun game, how many adj can you use to describe... rice? GO! i generally dislike asian fusion restaurants as they are mostly over-priced and poorly imitate asian restaurants, masked by a nice decor. pingpong was much of the same. the food wasn't half-bad, but it wasn't amazing.
(2)Eli G.
We first went to Ping Pong several months ago, and I have never eaten in a restaurant that was SO LOUD. The music was turned up way too high, and it had such a heavy beat that there were literally times I couldn't hear the waitress. I ended up ordering an extra drink because I nodded with out knowing what she said. The atmosphere was laughable. But, I have to say that I had enjoyed the food the first time we ate it. So a few nights ago, we decided to order take-out so we could enjoy the meal without the pounding headaches we got sitting in the dining room. I ordered the same sesame scallops that I had enjoyed the first time we went, and my friend ordered Mongolian beef. Maybe we caught a good chef the the first time, or maybe we caught them on an off-night this time, but it was...not good. The beef was on par with any decent Chinese take-out, but we would have expected more for the price. The scallops were drowning in sesame seeds. You couldn't taste anything else in the dish at all. I couldn't finish it. The food isn't awful, but it's not good, and not what I would expect for the price. The atmosphere in the restaurant is not acceptable. I won't be eating here again, and I won't be ordering out. I think Ping Pong and I are done.
(2)Joyee L.
The disproportionate amount of high ratings that this restaurant has received definitely reasserts my initial reaction: Ping Pong's main clientele is made up of people who really enjoy oversalted, oversauced faux-Asian food. The best part of the meal was the taro chips that you receive before your meal. I tried asking my waiter to help make suggestions to help me find a dish, because I really couldn't navigate through the mishmash of options. He tried being helpful, but was not very assertive. I narrowed down my choices to the dishes featuring 'crispy noodles' thinking that they would be some form of rice noodle that was fried in some way. Much to my surprise, my plate came with sauce-drenched beef plopped on a bed of fried vermicelli. It was pointless. The noodles didn't add anything. Not texture. Not taste. They were so thin that within seconds they were goopy with all the excess sauce that accompanied my meal. I think that the road better traveled would be to order two appetizers for the same price as their over-priced entrees.
(2)Molly R.
Its good; they redecorated and the ambiance is even better. Opens up in the summer. Service is good A repeat for locals
(3)Kelly A.
Last night I went to Ping Pong with a friend for the first time. She had ordered takeout before and wanted to get the experience of eating in the restaurant. I was told to expect 'interesting' ambiance and got a taste of what she meant the minute we walked in the door. Ping Pong has a very modern, club vibe to it. There was house music playing pretty loudly (at many times it was hard to hear my friend) and very minimalist decor. Think all white walls, unusual artwork, and sleek black tables. The bar by the door looked particularly fantastic and with all the fresh fruit set off to the side, it made me think having one of their cocktails would be absolutely fantastic. We arrived on the early side of service (5 pm) on a holiday so we were seated very quickly and the only ones in the restaurant. We ordered the veggie dumplings to start and then I had the egg drop soup and the orange chicken while my friend had the Buddhist Enlightenment. I was intrigued by the Pan-Asian menu but worried that such a range of dishes meant that rather than doing one kind of cuisine really well, they might do a range of dishes just okay. Unfortunately, when our dishes came my fears were confirmed. Nothing was awful, but everything was just solidly average. The veggie dumplings had a fantastically fresh filling, but the wrapper seemed just a bit too thick and a tad gummy. My egg drop soup was bland and the ratio of egg to broth was off. It was like eating a bowl of running scrambled eggs. My orange chicken, thankfully was better. However, it was not at all what I was expecting. The menu indicated it would be spicy, but in actuality I tasted no spice whatsoever. Not sure if the chef forgot to add peppers to the dish, but it was mostly sweet. The sauce was mostly pleasant with strong orange and ginger flavor, but I think some heat would have balanced it out better. Unfortunately, like the soup, the ratio was also off again. WAY too much sauce, which meant that the crispy chicken lost its crunch quite quickly. Kind of disappointing because if I am going to have the calories of a fried dish, I want to get the most out of the texture. I think the best dish was my friend's Buddhist Enlightenment. I found the sauce pleasant without being too sweet or heavy and the mix of textures was really nice. I especially liked the lightness of the seitan. Overall, the food just did not live up to the ambiance for me. I'm thinking I might have liked it better if we ordered cocktails (many did and they looked and sounded fantastic), but I can only judge the meal based on what we ordered. I'm not sure if I would go back for a full dinner, but I would definitely be open to going back for a cocktail and perhaps an appetizer.
(3)Dmitri G.
We had the red snapper and a noodle dish. The food was good, but not extraordinary. The service, however, was very nice. This place tries to make themselves more fancy than they really are, with their dark ambiance and all....
(3)Emily S.
The food was solid (particularly the green curry, the salt and pepper calamari and the tuna sashimi "dip"), it's BYO and it was cheap. Dropped to 3 stars because our 30-40 minute wait stretched into nearly 2 hours. I'm not down with getting seated for dinner after 10:30. I know it's a busy place with no reservations, but please, give realistic wait times.
(3)Johnathan R.
Ping Pong is definitely a neighborhood staple. I can see how visitors and/or tourists would be all about this place. But I've lived within a few blocks of this place for about 4 years and I still manage to make it there once every couple of months. The environment is distraction free which I love. White decor and nicely spaced tables make this a pretty comfortable environment to eat in. The lighting is next to none, which keeps things intimate and keeps the gays looking great. (You know we hate over head lighting.) On a 1-10 scale the food is an 8. Some of their dishes are done consistently well, while others are hit or miss. This isn't going to be a cheap dinner, but it's going to be an enjoyable one. The majority of the staff are very friendly, with the exception of a few attitude problems here and there. They have a full bar, but are also BYOB (with a corkage fee). But if you plan on eating outside on the patio during the summer it is NOT BYOB and you will be forced to order from their bar. Overall I think they deliver the best asian-fusion cuisine in the neighborhood. If you're more in the mood for sushi, visit their sister restaurant across the street, Wakamono.
(3)Alex R.
One of my favorite restaurants in Lakeview. I have been here twice in the last 2 weeks. Great ambiance - modern decor with candles burning at every table make it a super cute date place. The drinks are delicious, and they have a good wine selection. I've enjoyed every dish I've tried, from their sushi rolls to their incredible pad thai and curry dishes. Thank you Ping Pong :)
(5)Sareen L.
Delicious food! I recommend the tofu curry dish... but I've tried lots of other menu items and have liked them all. The decor is modern and simple. The prices are very reasonable.
(5)Matthew H.
Pong is unequivocally the worst dining experience I've ever had. My girlfriend suggested this place as she had been here numerous times prior and only had good things to say. We arrived and our server glared at me when I attempted to order my drink. On my second attempt, the server "shushed" me and by the 4th attempt I finally had my drink. As my girlfriend looked over at me basically apologizing and insinuating we could leave if I wanted, I decided to see if the food would triumph over the service. I was wrong, but the night turned laughable. When our entrees arrived we realized that the table next to us had received our entrees and us theirs. We promptly brought this to the attention of the server. The server truly went above and beyond to fix his/her error; switched the plates in front of us. At least walk these back to the kitchen and allow me to believe it was resolved back there. I made sure to let the manager know how disappointed and at times offended I was. His response was cavalier and basically led me to believe Ping would rather not have my girlfriend or I as patrons ever again.
(1)Michael F.
I love this place. It is a bit out of my price range, but the cocktails are amazing (I recommend the Gossip Girl) and the food is pretty good too. The best part about this place besides the drinks is the ambiance. It is a sexy, dimly lit, classy atmosphere. It can get a bit loud, but it is a wonderful place to bring a date or a small group of friends. If you have some extra cash to spend, I would highly recommend treating yourself at this place!
(4)Bina D.
Most of the time I love this place and would give it 5 stars however after having been here a handful of times, the consistency is not always there. Decor is ultra modern but still warm atmosphere (mostly due to the very cute & friendly host) BYOB but with i think $8 corkage fee Food is delicious. Now, I am vegetarian and don't like green peppers so Asian food is often a hit or miss for me but this place never fails me. There are plenty of meatless options and so far all are delish. My faves are the Wasabi fries (just well seasoned fries with wasabi mayo but nice fusion dish) and the Buddist's Enlightenment. Latest flaw is on last visit, our server was pretty snobby and not a good wine pourer. In addition...WHY or WHY does the bathroom have only a blacklight? I felt like I was in a horror movie not to mention that I have no idea whether the place was disgustingly dirty so i just assume it is...
(4)James G.
A silly place that serves up a lot of attitude with their not particularly interesting food. The neighborhood deserves better.
(1)Susan F.
Fried calamari and crab rangoon for starters? All I needed was The Little Mermaid playing on the walls to make my seafood experience complete! I always pass Ping Pong, and I finally got a chance to try it. The space is very cozy and minimalist-ic, but the food is quite the opposite (opposite of the latter). Their menu covers the basics with Chinese/Thai food with chicken, beef, tofu, seafood. I can never pass up good Asian cuisine so choosing an entrée will always be difficult for me, but luckily the starters and Kung Pao chicken I landed with were fabulous! The service was quite prompt and as I was forewarned by previous reviews, I could sense a little bit of pretentiousness from our waiter, but it's something you have to learn to worth with, not against. The presentation of the calamari and crab rangoon was really clean and colorful and just tasty in general. The entrees came shortly after, and they were large! Once again, nothing too froufrou, just good cuisine that you keep eating and eating and eating, or until they give you the option for a doggy bag. All that said, I will DEF be coming back here. I wish they had a ping pong table and balls to accompany their paddles, but I think that would be a little messy!
(4)Steve T.
I don't know what's going on, but I had really hoped that my last visit here would have been consistent with my previous experiences, but it seems I once again am disappointed. The food was greasy, and heavy. We both thought that our dishes were definitely full of flavor, but afterward we felt like we had a food brick in our stomach. We won't be coming back. Consistency is very important, and I feel like ping pong has not been able to provide that across many dining-in and delivery experiences over the past year.
(1)Cindy G.
The ambiance here keeps me coming back. Great place for girls' dinner or a date. It's loud but the tables are close together and it's a fun and upbeat place to enjoy good food. I keep their phone number stored in my phone for delivery - i.e. I really like their food.
(4)Liesel F.
Great for dining-in, but awful tasting delivery.
(3)Tiff H.
Yummy. The lady dreams about their calamari, and I have to admit, it's pretty good. Lightly breaded, slightly fried, little spicy, tasty enough to make me smack my lips in tasty desire. :) Their pad thai is decent too as is their seaweed salad. Lychee cocktail is pretty yummy and for some reason knocked me flat. Service is always pleasant, but I've always gone later and during the week when it's not so busy. Due to the fact I'm spoiled by BYOBs in my neighborhood, I hate the fact they have a $5 corkage fee. Yes, I'm cheap. Another downside, Ping Pong's bar like atmosphere. It's a little loud, and I wish I could have a romantic dinner here since my gf likes their calamari so much (due to her birdlike appetite, that's all she orders). However, I kind of feel like I'm in a sit down version of Hydrate.....ish.
(3)Greg K.
I found Ping Pong about 6 years ago and it is one of my favorite! I typically stop by on a Sunday night with friends and it's pretty easy to grab a seat. Fri/Sat can be busy. Portions are perfect and the food is always hot and has amazing taste! Great selection of drinks and the staff is always friendly. Give Ping Pong a try!
(5)Risa P.
I have been curious about this place since I used to live right there but have never tried it so we finally just ordered pick up. We got two vegetable dishes and some vegetable dumplings. We got a veggie lo mein type dish and a kung pao tofu and eggplant dish. The kung pao was definitely the better of the two--it had some kick and more interesting vegetables in it. The other dish just had some green beans, broccoli and snow peas--it was good but just didnt really have that pazaaaaaaaz. The dumplings were good but maybe a more creative sauce would have been good. It was average, and I am glad that I finally tried it--however, when Joy's is right down the street from this place--it may be hard to choose Ping Pong over it... One thing that I did notice--they have great outdoor seating. The space seemed nice too, the hostess was nice and the lighting in there was kind of cool and funky. I mean, it is in a great area on Broadway so that is good for people watching.
(3)Dan K.
I would have given Ping Pong 5 stars a couple years ago, but things have changed. The staff is no longer friendly. They are rude, arrogant and rarely even smile. "Oh, we work in a cool Chinese trendy restaurant! We are soooo cool!!!" Get over yourself. Seriously. Secondly, I'm 29 and love loud music....but not when I'm trying to have dinner conversation. The music is WAY too loud. The food is great in my opinion. I think Dee's is much better, but this is much better than any greasy, gristly Chinese in the Boystown area. The lettuce cups, Ping Pong Chicken are great. The potstickers suck as they are more like baos than potstickers. Sitting outside is nice in the summer. Love the mimimalist decor, but I do think it's not a great spot for a first date, as there is nothing to really talk about when it comes to the surroundings. It's all so minimal.
(4)Jason Vuong D.
Ooo my, what a fun eatery place to start off your night of debauchery. Hip yet chill atmosphere and crowd. We stuffed ourselves with starters, which is always fun, and family oriented! Here's my critique: salt & pepper calamari-Our best plate. Crunchy yet juicy squid-YUM! Also came with veggies that I happily stuffed potstickers-dim sum dumplings with soy vinaigrette- A big, "eh," I Pass. The insides were too tough and totally intact! They litterally dropped out if you weren't careful. *Plop.* The posticker shell is bland and heavy tasting. Lay low on the starch yo!....or whatever that stuff is that makes food expand in your stomach-like tapicoa boba balls. wasabi fries japanese chili, wasabi mayo-Can't go wrong! (But nothing special) pingpong roll-shrimp tempura, avocado...Can't go wrong either! (But nothing special either!)
(4)Eric S.
I really don't like anything about this place. The food is overpriced and mediocre. The atmosphere is incredibly annoying with the shit techno music that blares constantly. Given the many other Asian food options in the immediate vicinity, I have yet to understand why this place draws consistent crowds.
(1)Adam S.
Good food 4. Amateur service 2. Good looking crowd 5. You decide what's important to you ....
(3)Priya S.
We went to Ping Pong last night for dinner. We were 5 people and had to wait approximately 40 minutes for a table as they don't take reservations. It's a small cosy restaurant with minimalist decor and small tables. There are lots of fresh flowers on their bar table that they then use to decorate their cocktails. Their cocktails were good and strong. We had the dry gin martini and the lychee martini, both really good. It is a BYOB restaurant with a corkage fee of $8 which works out well for those wanting to bring along their wine. We were all vegetarian so we ordered the only 3 vegetarian starters: vegetable spring rolls, vegetable dumplings and the sweet potato roll. the first two were OK, but the sweet potato was absolutely delicious!! The mains were absolutely amazing as well. We ordered the vegetarian pad thai that was a little too sweet for my taste, curry fried rice that was amazing, green curry tofu that was delicious and light and my absolute favorite buddhist enlightenment. They were the tastiest noodles I've had in a long time. 4 mains however were a little too much for 5 of us but the server had suggested 3 would be too little - I disagree with her.. We had no space for dessert but loved their chocolate fortune cookie with icing and sprinkles on it. Best of all, the food wasn't pricey!
(4)Markus D.
Overpriced and definitely overrated. By far the worse asian food I've ever had.
(1)Ryan C.
Oh Ping Pong, when did you jack up your prices? The new decor is nice, but the food didn't seem to change much, and that's what I'm really paying for. Also, the corkage fee is kind of obnoxious - $8.00 make me holla, honey boo boo.
(3)Katie B.
I absolutely adore Ping Pong. The food isn't terribly inventive, but it is consistently good. I almost always order the Beijing Vegetarian, and I love the flavor of the smoked tofu. The brown rice that you can sub for white rice is nice and chewy, just the way that it should be. As much as I enjoy the food, my favorite part is the martini menu. Ping Pong offers a variety of delicious martinis -- including the standard saketini and plum wine one can expect at a Pan Asian restaurant, but also including a tasty lychee variety, among others -- that are served by a friendly bartender and (almost always) garnished with real flowers. The flowers really make my evening. It's always hard to restrain myself from putting them in my hair -- and, as you can see from one of my photos, I can't always resist. The decor has undergone some changes over the years, and although I was sad to see them paint over the wall that I had written my name on, I was glad to bid adieu to the huge bison head that used to loom overhead.
(5)Bill R.
Great to see them back after the fire. I have not had a bad thing on the menu. It's fairly priced for the neighborhood. Chairs can get a little uncomfortable after a long meal and the music in the mens bathroom is always too loud.
(4)B S.
One of my top five favorites in Chicago. We used to live near Ping Pong and went at least once a week. The food was consistently good. Interesting atmosphere and service staff offered a trendy feel. Prices are great. Order the Calamari if yo like spice.
(5)James E.
I really like this place...always have. I remember when Ping Pong was a tiny little bitty hole in the wall with 5 tables and Henry (the owner) was your greeter. Sighhhh...those were the days. But businesses grow and all you can hope for is to improve, right? Weeellll.... My issue? Well, for starters, the noise is usually deafening and makes intimate meal conversations virtually impossible. Secondly, I find some of the servers to be...uhm...."ditzy" and forgetful. As far as I'm concerned, if I'm paying $18 for the entree alone, I'd like the competency level to be slightly higher. Finally, they don't take reservations. Even though I only live a block away, I would like to be able to call ahead for seating instead of standing behind Tammy Trixie and her gaggle of moronic sheep while they babble on about toenail polish. But oh well, it is Lakeview after all, no? Overall I highly recommend this place provided you take the above into account. I feel their food is STILL worth the aggravation... :)
(4)Greg D.
If you are looking for an Asian fusion meal, this is a great place to go. It has a great menu and large portion sizes. I really liked the music playing in the background and it's the perfect place to go with friends before going out later that night. I probably wouldn't go on a romantic date here, however. I had the basil beef - it was really good. I do regret not getting the Sake flight and only sticking with Kirren. Overall a good experience and a must try.
(4)Tony H.
Tried pingpong yet again last night and was profoundly disappointed. As usual, the food was mediocre, greasy and overpriced (to be expected). What I didn't expect though was for my server to ask to see my ID when I gave her my credit card at the end of the meal. This is when pingpong shows their true nature. Only lowbrow establishments would do something like this. It was insulting enough, but I can't imagine how I would have felt had I taken a date, clients or my family. Advice to pingpong: if you would like to market yourself as an upscale restaurant, as evidenced by your decor, service and pricing, try acting like one.
(1)Natasha B.
Great service and one of the best calamari i have ever had. Crab ragoon was basically just crem cheese...what happened to the crab? looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Brandon T.
For dining in Asian fare this is the place to be. Located in my backyard for a year I frequented this place often. I cant agree with the negative comments about the service, because I always thought everyone was very nice from the beginning of the evening until the end. As for food, some of the appetizers are just ok, but the lettuce wraps are amazing. And every entre I've tried has been very good. Notice: I hope you like peanuts, as they find their way into everything.
(4)matt e.
I typically don't stop at places were it looks like they are more concerned about looking cool (IE the projected videos on the wall) than making tasty food. Our other restaurant we like to go to was too busy though so we stopped in. I have to say I was mildly impressed with Ping Pong. The atmosphere is def suited to its neighborhood. Trendy, young, and with everyone bringing their own booze, just a bit too loud. The food is outstanding. Innovative combinations and beautiful presentation. The only problem that we ran into was that everything seemed to be just barely under seasoned, and that wasn't anything we couldn't take care of ourselves. I will definitely be stopping back in again, but I think I'll wait until it is warm enough for to eat outside. I don't think my ear drums would forgive me if I didn't.
(4)Rachel S.
My brother took me to Ping Pong an described it in one word : Gaysian True. It's funky and well decorated, and all of the people that work there are well groomed. They even have chocolate fortune cookies. The crab rangoon and other appetizers were delicious so I was excited for my entree. I ordered some spicy beef dish and it was beautiful, but when I tried to eat it I actually had to spit it in my napkin because it was inedibly spicy...and I love spicy food. I mixed in as much rice as I could to cut down on the spiciness but I only made it through half the dish and everyone out to dinner with us that tried my meal agreed with me about it being way too hot. Oh, and they have a weird corking policy for BYOB.
(3)Frank A.
Great restaurant in Boystown (LakeView)! I love me some Ping Pong! However, I couldn't find myself to give it 5 stars. I would have back in the day when Ping Pong was the size of a closet and the food servings were huge. Unfortunately, they expanded and it became super trendy to eat there and the atomsphere and food portions were effected negatively. However, the food is still superb! I love the Ping Pong roll for an appetizer and the Chicken and Broccoli is perfect. My friend usually gets one of the fish dishes, and they always seem to please everyone at the table. They also serve a delicious pear martini to go with your food. Ping Pong is also BYOB, but they have a high corkage fee per bottle, which is not cool. So, I recommend to just purchase a bottle of wine at the restaurant, it might be more economical. The place as gotten a little pricey since their expansion, but it is a fun atmosphere (especially during the summer) and good Chinese food. They always have good music or videos playing and its a great place to people watch (all the gay boys on dates). Note: It does get busy so if your going with a big group I recommend to arrive early around 6:45 before the 7:30 rush.
(4)Jennifer P.
Prices are a bit high, but man is it worth it. I'm not gonna lie, the martinis are a big draw for me, but the food is equally outstanding. Definitely get the bulgogi at least once. It is mouthwatering! The meat is tender, fresh, and light. The sashimi tuna dip is also AMAZING! I've never been disappointed by a dish here. The space is funky, the outdoor seating is nice in warm weather, the staff is laid back. The only drawback? It gets crowded and there's not a lot of room to stand around whil you wait for a table! But, it's so worth it. The crowd allows for great people watching! Expect a good looking crowd, dressed well, and ready to mingle! Oh, and if you don't want to order from the bar, it's BYOB (just a small corkage fee!)
(4)jenise r.
I came here a few weeks ago with a friend. We got there about 9 and were seated right away. The place was pretty full and the music was loud but not as loud as people kept saying it would be. I was able to hold a conversation still. The menu is huge so it took me some time to decide what I wanted. I ended up with a Japanese curry beef stew. Asked for it not spicy and it was no problem. I am so glad I got that! It was a huge bowl filled with carrots (that could've been cooked a little bit more) potatoes and of course the beef. It came with a side of white rice and some bread would've been better. Im not usually a fan of curry but it wasn't overwhelming. Oh and BYOB, can't go wrong with that =)
(4)Matt C.
This place always seems to have a line, me and the GF prefer to carry out or have it delivered even though its about a block away.... dont hate me cause im lazy. Anyways, the pot stickers fried are quite tasty and also I love the Lo Mein it has a nice sticky sauce. The sesame chicken is blah and for some reason I seem to always trick myself into getting it. The chicken tastes dry and theres no flavor to it. Price is good but since it went trendy its almost too weird to eat there. Projection screen showing Sex and the City and old music videos that no one knows? Stupid.
(4)Robyn T.
If you like a sleek atmosphere, dance music, good people watching and delicious modern takes on Thai food then skip on over to Ping Pong. This is a great place to enjoy a spunky drink and attempt to decide what you'd like to eat on the tremendous menu (yes there are 2 sides to the menu so don't just drool over the first side you see!) I loved my golden drink -- I don't know what was in it other than lots of ginger and vodka but I loved it. The taro chips they give you at the table could be appetizer enough, but definitely try some of the greens for a "healthy start to your meal" -- seaweed salad or the green beans side. I ordered the red curry chicken and couldn't believe how HUGE the bowl was. I think the curry was some of the best I've had in a long while...the portion was so big I ate it for 2 days after. Come to Ping Pong with a date or a group of friends. I wouldn't bring kids or older family that doesn't appreciate a good dance party.
(4)James K.
Pingpong is good, but does not really stand out from the crowd. One certainly will not leave with any leftovers to finish the next day. The portion size is small, but adequate. Their prices are a bit hard to justify, but perhaps the trendy location explains it. Maybe you are paying a little extra for the attitude. The place seems too-cool-for-school, mostly populated with 20- and 30-somethings. The wait staff just wear normal clothes, it can be difficult to pick them out from the crowd. Also, people in the bar area spill over into the waiting area, and things can get a little crowded. Sometimes it's hard to even reach the host to give your name! But, the food has always been good, if not excellent. I would like to especially recommend the salt and pepper calamari and delicious seared tuna appetizers as well as the sea bass, red snapper, and bulgogi. And it's BYOB, nice!
(4)John G.
It was a lot better when there were only 19 seats.
(3)Mary d.
Oh man...I had another great dinner here last night. This place is a classic hit for me now. If I need a go-to restaurant, PingPong, you're it. The martinis are the most fantastic part of PingPong's transformation from small storefront restaurant to neighborhood institution. And the presentation of the small plates...love the faux Japanese newsprint! The food, while a bit more expensive than days past, continues to be fresh and fun and just the right-size portion. Rock on, PingPong....and I will rock with you.
(5)Linds R.
I feel like eating at Ping Pong was my initiation into city living. Not getting pickpocketed on the el, or getting multiple parking tickets, or having a crazy neighbor yell at me....but eating at Ping Pong. When I moved to Lakeview, it was a tiny little restaurant, before it bought the space next door. It had cool waitstaff, and served chocolate fortune cookies on ping pong paddles at the end of the meal. I went there so many times, with friends who were also new to the city, and even took my conservative almost-in-laws there. I haven't eaten in the restaurant in a long time, probably over a year, since they started doing projection weirdness and pumping club music and all that trying-too-hard-trendiness. But, the chap chae and crab rangoon are still my favorites in the city.
(4)Yvonne C.
I love the yu xiang eggplant and pork. I've had it twice and both times, the dish was just delicious. What I particularly loved about it was that, in spite of the very tasty and slightly spicy sauce, you could still taste the flavors of each individual ingredient (the succulent, tender pork, the juicy and plump eggplant, the crisp, mellow bamboo shoots...). The parts all came together to create a harmonious dish. The hot and sour soup was yummy, too. I think it's really hard for any restaurant to get everything right. With that in mind, I do not really recommend the pad thai. I tried my friend's and was not impressed. Pad thai is actually quite difficult to make correctly, and those who make it well know what they're doing. The pad thai here wasn't bad, it just wasn't that great. The wait staff are attentive and friendly. I'll definitely be going back for more. :)
(4)Tari M.
Sweet Lord. The food here was amazing (I had the pork and string beans and my friend had the sesame scallops) and I didn't even care that our fortune cookies were served on a likely unsanitary ping pong paddle that may have been housed with the Brady's by the looks of it, because said cookies were dipped in chocolate. It's the little things. However, unfortunately, I was not wearing my shiny shirt and booty shorts, which would've been more appropriate for this club type atmosphere. While the music in the restaurant forced me to beller at my dinner companion (and no,I was not angry), the volume in the bathroom could've made my ears bleed if I needed to stay in there long enough to touch up my makeup. I escaped as quickly as possible. Seriously, folks, Jupiter does not need to hear Madonna's new song. Even if it is a cool ass techno mix. In sum, I'm not sure I'll go back here because my favorite part of a nice dinner is the conversation. And frankly, I left with a sore throat after all that yelling.
(3)Daniel P.
Okay, here's the deal. I had basic chicken pad thai for and entree and it was really, REALLY good. However, the appetizer my date and I ordered was very difficult to eat. FYI - Lettuce cups with Chicken, Lime, Ginger, Toasted Shallots and Peanuts tastes very good. But they aren't actually cups of lettuce. You take a lettuce leaf and spoon the rest of the mixture into it in order to get it to your mouth. If you're lucky, you might actually get some into your mouth. Did I mention that I was on a date? It was an embarrassing appetizer to attempt on a first date. Okay... it was super tasty, but still. I had a really good martini there as well. However it was knocked into my lap by a woman with a big bag attempting to sit at the table next to me. (And while I tried to make her feel less embarrassed for spilling my drink in my lap, she didn't even apologize. *sigh*) Although the waiter gave me a free replacement, he only gave me about 3 small paper napkins to try to attempt to clean up the spilled drink. Really - I've had take-out from this place before and it was great. I also would have to say that the food on this visit tasted really good. I enjoyed the music they were playing the evening I was there as well. The only reason I gave it 3 instead of 4 stars was based on the fact that a.) Lettuce Cups was not an entirely accurate description of the menu item. b.) The tables were too close together - girls with big bags can't sit next to the wall without dumping drinks on other customers. c.) If a girl with a big bag should dump a drink on you, you'll get a replacement, but you'll also have to sit in a puddle of Absolut Pear for the rest of your meal unless you repeatedly ask for more 5" x 5" cocktail napkins.
(3)Rachel W.
I was feeling quite a bit of trepidation while waiting for the rest of my table to arrive here for dinner last night. I arrived early b/c they don't take reservations, and spent about 10 minutes sitting around, waiting for my party and, well, taking in the scenery. Now, I'm from Chicago, but I've never seen a scene quite like this. Loud techno music, a totally random crowd (including cross dressers in fabulous head-to-toe Louis Vuitton get-ups, an elderly couple dancing to the music, and, well, a yuppie couple in North Face with their newborn baby) and a menu that says something to the effect of, "We only want to serve those that are happy to be here". Huh? Hmmmm..... But my concerns were quickly put to rest when my friend arrived and we started ordering food and drinking wine. The spicy tuna maki is amazingly delicious, as were our entrees- orange chicken and mango shrimp. The portions were large, the food was hot and arrived quickly, and our wine was yummy. After a few glasses each and all the food we ordered, and our bill was only about $50 when all was said and done. When leaving, we noticed the throngs of people outside waiting to get in (at least 20 people) and realized that there was something to this place. I'm definitely going back to try some of their other dishes and, well, take in the scenery again.
(4)Justin B.
Simply put, Allie doesn't like Chinese food. I love Chinese food. See a quandry here? Wonderfully, Allie loves Ping Pong. And so within the past six weeks, we've probably graced Ping Pong a half dozen times. It has become our sushi restaurant a la Carmela and Tony Soprano, except without the overt threats that the restaurant owner might be fitted with cement shoes if they mess our order up.
(5)John-Ryan G.
Where to begin... I'm a bit torn about this place. The food is really good: not GREAT, but good. Not expensive. The place is super clean, very well decorated, and everyone that works there was relatively attractive: you know, the important stuff. I went on a Friday night, and it must have been some sort of weird "girls night out" extravaganza, because 1/2 the place was large parties of girls: hair all did up, balloons, photo ops and various lady-shenanigans. The music was so loud, that by the end of my meal I was horse from shouting across the table at my friends. Turn down the hits, and you would get another star... maybe even two.
(3)Trevor D.
Once was enough, but I've been dragged here six or seven times for birthdays and the like. This place is terribly overrated. The food is overpriced for the flavor and portion, and while the sidewalk patio is nice in the summertime, so is every other sidewalk patio in the city when you only get a few good months of summer. Service has never been great, and the only dishes that aren't terrible are the edamame and crab rangoon, but it's difficult to mess up nature or fried dough/cheese. There is nothing special about this place, and with the high price/low quality strategy, there's no reason to go.
(1)HRH J.
I love this place and with the new renovations it looks great and makes me wanna go there everyday! The food is so good and I have had great service pretty much everytime I've been there. I love going on thursdays cuz it's so chic and it's perfect to begin your night! It makes me feel like I'm in NYC. Love this place!
(5)courtney p.
So we went here on a Friday night, and although we got seated right away, our server took forever to come greet us. Having just got back from Europe and experiencing the slowest service on the face of the earth, I didn't mind. To make up for that, my martini (the High Mountain) was AWESOME. The lettuce cups were my least favorite thing that we had... I make better ones at home. My salt and pepper shrimp was a 10, my boyfriend's beef stuff was an 8.5, and the food came out in a very timely manner. A little expensive, but a good place to go
(4)Whitney W.
In a frantic search for food and alcohol in what appeared to be a BYOB-infested district (AAH! we had no B!), we stumbled upon Ping Pong, and oh thank goodness we did! Our stumbling occurred rather late one freezing cold Saturday evening -- so no surprise there was a 45 minute wait. No problem, though, as we grabbed a bottle of red (moderately priced) at the bar and carved out our own space in the standing-room-only waiting area. (And yes, there's loud music. It's bearable.) Once seated, our server was prompt with taking our order, refilling our glasses, etc.etc. Tables were a bit too close for my taste, but allowed us to befriend our dining neighbors, who were real gems. To be honest, I don't remember many details about the evening (did I mention the wine? and my dining companion?) but that means I also don't have anything to complain about! Excellent variety of tofu dishes, including multiple of the non-mushroom variety. Plethora of diligent hipster servers. (Campy) end-of-meal fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddle -- but please do not attempt to volley them. (And though they closed at midnight, they didn't kick us out until almost 1 a.m. Much appreciated.)
(5)Brian J.
I'm usually very impressed with my food. The appetizers are all tasty. I can't complain about the prices except to say that they recently went up a little bit. It was a sad day for me, but I've managed to pony up the extra dollar and deal. I could be crazy but I think they increased some portion sizes... the fish tacos were pretty hefty last time I was there. They're really good. The chilled Tofu is also good (and interesting!). Way too much for 2 people but a good addition if you're getting a few starters to share between at least 4 people. Duck tacos are also one of my faves. The crab rangoon is about as good as crab rangoon gets. Yes, it's true. Last visit I had sesame beef, extra crispy. It was GREAT! So good, in fact, that I ate it cold out of the fridge the next day. That's always a sign of good food. Drinks prices are pretty average, the mixed drinks are quite good. They usually have some sort of special martini (usually sweet, but good) and it's always good to start with one. A few asian beers by the bottle (sometimes Heineken or Stella available) and some decent wines. If you like a higher-end bottle of wine, bring it and pay a $5 corkage fee. The wait is usually long on busy nights and it can get a bit cramped standing by the bar while waiting to be seated. This isn't such an issue in the summer as the outdoor temps are more agreeable. Seating is available outside and makes for the best people watching in the City of Chicago. Period.
(4)Gfiddy F.
Really enjoyed the whole package.
(5)Michael M.
Ping Pong is AWESOME! I moved to Lakeview from Old Town, and the biggest complaint I had was the small number of good dinner spots within walking distance. Enter Ping Pong: Ping Pong shines with its well-balanced main dishes and really trendy appetizers, with the salt & pepper calamari and tuna tartar topping the list. It's not going to appear in "Le Guide Michelin" and for better tuna tartar I'd go to Le Colonial, but for great food that's quite affordable it's become my staple. If you haven't visited Ping Pong in a while, you might want to note that they have done away with a few favorites: 1) They no longer take your cell when you place a reservation. I used to LOVE this feature, since it allowed you to shop on Broadway while waiting to be called to dinner. 2) BYOB is now only allowed inside. I'm not sure if they were ever allowed to serve outside, but for the first two years, nobody seemed to care. Kind of puts a damper on the excitement of brining a great Riesling or Gewurztraminer if you can't eat outside. 3) They no longer will chill your wine in their fridge while you wait. Long waits could result in warm whites... Even without these perks, Ping Pong is still one of the top places I take out-of-towners hands down.
(4)Alisha O.
My husband and I went there after reading some review that said they had the best crab rangoons in the city. Not only was I fairly underwhelmed, but it was all pretty expensive. Even the corking fee was hefty. The food was good, but not great, and the portions were a bit on the small side. If I could rate the potstickers alone however, I would give those a 4. I don't know that I'll go back though.
(2)Kraig B.
I wish I could award half-stars, because I think Ping Pong is more of a 3.5 than 3 star place, but since the cons are so significant, I don't think that extra half is appropriate. This is definitely one of the better Asian places in Lakeview. The appetizers, in particular, are phenomenal. The Salt and Pepper Calamari is one of the most spectacular flavor combinations I've ever experienced, and I've really never tasted anything else like it. Likewise, the Sashimi Tuna Dip is amazing. The entrees are... fine. Nothing stands out. The flavor combinations are adequate, but uninspired. I often order carryout and just build dinner out of two or three appetizers because the entrees are so lackluster. Also in the adequate/workmanlike column is the service. It's fine. The wait staff are efficient, but maybe a little overworked, because it often takes them time to get around to stopping at the table. Now, the real cons.... The place is frequently packed to the gills. If you're not in the first seating on a weekend night, you could be waiting for nearly an hour for a table. That's not the restaurant's fault, of course, but long waits aren't really my cup of tea. And speaking of tea, I really wish this place had alternatives to tea (or expensive cocktails). They have a huge selection of fancy cocktails, but for those who would rather abstain (or who simply prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for a drink), the options are lacking. Tea is about it unless you want soda. The noise, too, is a problem. This place is LOUD. It's hard to have a conversation here, because the acoustics are terrible AND the music is usually very loud AND the other patrons are all yelling over the music to be heard. If you're looking for a nice, relaxing meal, this is not the place. This IS the place to see and be seen by Lakeview's trendy gay dinneratti. If you have a gay friend in from out of town, this is a good place to go for dinner before drinks or dancing at one of Lakeview's other establishments. The last con, and the one that really cost Ping Pong that half-star, is the price. This place is -expensive- for what you get. If I get three orders of the Salt and Pepper Calamari (which I've done many times), it runs me about $35 after tax. Put another way, that's a third of a hundred dollar bill. For appetizers. I like Ping Pong. It's a block from my place, and I admit, I eat here a fair amount, but that's mainly for the great appetizers. If the appetizers were as humdrum as the entrees, the noise and the cost would easily be enough to keep me away.
(3)Ellen O.
i've never actually dined here, but ping pong is my go-to for asian take-out or delivery in lincoln park. i order from here a lot. my bf and i split the pork mu shu once or twice a month for a busy weekday dinner. i've been happy as a clam with my order for the last couple of years - they even started sending welch's fruit snacks with our delivery (quite the unexpected surprise)! until... they CHANGED the mu shu. instead of being large, thin pieces of pork, they're now serving small, thick almost hard pieces of pork which is much less appealing, and also leads to much more dense portions and in turn fewer mu shu wraps. i'm not a big fan. no, not at all. ping pong if you're reading can you please explain the change? i want my old mu shu back!!
(3)Kelsey O.
Ok, so I'm clearly way to un-vogue to dine in here, but my delivery and take-out experiences at Ping Pong (fun name!) have been great. To note, the space is designed in a very futuristic-mod-contemporary fashion and is totally high fashion. And, the place is always packed. Good sign, no? As for the food, while it's not the best thai I've ever had, it's good. The 99 cent sweet and sour soup is a must. I would totally order it for full price. The entrees are large and traditional with contemporary twists. I like the vegetables, the curries, the rice....I forget exactly what but it was good. I would recommend going here for a date or a night on the town. BYOB. Classic location in East Lakeview is really convenient as well.
(4)Lloyd T.
Update for more current dining experience: Service on this particular night was very good, a cute young Cuban boy who especially became attentive after inquiring about my dining-mate's Cuban-American heritage. Suddenly, best friends. Anyway, ordered a sushi roll which seemed way too small, and friend dumplings (veggie) which were dense and dry. My review remains at 2 stars. Actually veering more toward 1.5 stars since the place is SO FREAKING LOUD!!! Turn the music down 30% and those who want to enjoy it still could, and maybe those who'd like to hear anything their dining partners say could do the same. EARLIER REVIEW: This place has gone down hill since it was a tiny little joint. Maybe that's the down side of success and expansion. Specifics: the service is now totally indifferent. Items like the summer rolls which used to be moist and fresh and seemed prepared moments before they arrived, now seem dry like they were prepared en masse early in the morning. Spicy garlic scallops were tough ... maybe the menu has grown too much to give individual dishes and ingredients the attention they used to get? Not sure. And the place seems overly loud these days, which makes people talk louder to be heard above the din, which only adds to the noise level ....
(2)Jared L.
I'm very mixed about this place. One one hand, the food is delicious. In terms of Chinese/Thai, it's well seasoned and flavored, is light and healthy, with lots of fresh vegetables. But holy crap, does that service blow, and I mean BLOOOOOW. After my party arrived, our waiter arrived 10 minutes after we were seated, and asked if we wanted any appetizers. We had to yell over the overly loud music that we wanted Crab Rangoon. 25 minutes pass, with no more watier, no other ordering, no crab rangoon. Finally he gets back, and takes our food and drink orders. It took another 15 minutes before our drinks arrived and another 20 minutes after that before our food arrived. It was ridiculous. The only plus side of the service is that at least they have servers refilling your water frequently so at least you have that. Granted, this was a Friday night, but there's bad service, and there's BAD SERVICE. Will I be back? Maybe, like I said, the food is really really good. Maybe I'll just try to go for lunch or not on Friday night.
(3)Alison M.
I loved the ambience at Ping Pong and the service was phenomenal - our waitress was friendly, attentive and made sure that we had a pleasant dining experience. The crab rangoons were delicious but I wasn't thrilled about the texture of the chicken in my entree (a little too chewy for my liking). Despite this, it didn't ruin my meal and I would visit again.
(4)Allen B.
This is a great place to go if you enjoy extremely LOUD music more than good food and the ability to enjoy a meal. Their food may be good, but I wouldn't know because the environment made it almost impossible to notice. When I asked if they could turn the music down, I got a one word, curt answer: "No." ...so apparently that is what they are striving for.
(1)Alex N.
Great restaurant. Love the food - especially the crab rangoons and the Ping Pong Chicken. SO good. If you are looking to go on a gay date there is absolutely no better location. :)
(4)S P.
My favorite pan asian restaurant! I love the taro chip starter that comes to the table first. The best dish is vegetarian and has smoked tofu, ask for it you won't be disappointed! They also have a great steamed ginger fish dish. My only complaint is that it is way too noisy...whether it is other guests talking or loud music (it is usually the music that bothers me, but that doesn't stop me from going!)
(5)Matthew T.
I have been going to Ping Pong for about 10 years. I would have given 5 stars, but since they expanded a few years ago, the service has suffered a bit. The drinks on the menu are average, but the food has always been delicious. My favorite dish is the sesame beef with brown rice. I do highly recommend Ping Pong for some of the best Chinese food around.
(4)Candice C.
Loved the crowd, the food, the people. Two stars off for the loud techno (over dinner??) and the unmarked bathrooms with broken door locks. Seriously, two separate bathrooms with no signs to indicate that they are, in fact, bathrooms. Is it too "square" to put a sign on the door? Someone unfortunately stumbled into my bathroom and my dining companion did the same thing to the unfortunate girl seated next to our table. Ping Pong, I love the free fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddle, that's a nice touch. I'd be a helluva lot nicer if you'd fix the locks on the bathroom doors.
(3)Kira D.
The prices have went up a bit for entrees but the food is quite delicious and well worth it. I would recommend the sesame beef. Their cocktails are tasty and the orchid decoration makes it a feast for the eyes.
(4)Nancy C.
This place is great for the ambience and BYOB feature. But the food is just so-so. The first time I went, I got the singaporean noodles. It really wasn't very good and I ate less than half of it before calling it quits. The next time I got a more generic chicken dish and it was okay. Service there is always friendly and nice. I also find that the wait is never that bad (though there always is a wait). But if you're a foodie, I don't think you'll enjoy this place as much as most people do.
(2)Jordan B.
Whenever I head out to Ping Pong with friends it seems we have a good time, and we always end up going back. If that isn't a vote of confidence for a restaurant, I don't know what is. The food is an interesting (and tasty) presentation of American-style Thai and Chinese cooking. The General's Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Everything Fried Rice are my favorites. They also have a good selection of drinks if you feel so inclined. Last summer I had some martini that came with a slice of watermelon skewered over the glass. Amazing. I have only two complaints about Ping Pong. The music is always FAR too loud. It is a little obnoxious to have to yell over the music. This seems to be the general trend of any restaurant or bar in Lakeview. Also, sometime around the middle of last summer the portions seemed to shrink noticeably. Like, in half. I'm not saying that it was ever a good idea to eat the entire entree before but I would often split it and take the other half home and make a second meal out of it. Oh, and one major plus for Ping Pong. A friend of mine had his birthday at Ping Pong last summer and the staff went all out to make sure that it was an incredible experience. They stored the many desserts we brought in their fridge while we ate, attended to our table of 8 guests very well, and when it was time to have the cake they even decorated it with their chocolate fortune cookies and candles and gave the guest of honor a free cocktail, t-shirt, and dessert from their own menu. Added: I almost forgot to mention this. Eating outside at Ping Pong during the warmer months is one of my favorite things. It can add a considerable amount of time to your wait for getting a table but it is definitely worth it. Bring a bottle of wine to enjoy or hang out at their bar while you wait.
(4)Jocelyn H.
dined - Saturday 3/9/13 server - Jake This review will focus on 2 things: 1) service and customer satisfaction policy and 2) misleading food description and bad food, specifically the $20 Seafood Pan-seared Egg Noodle dish. We ordered several dishes which were fine, but nothing memorable. When Jake came over to ask how our food was, I responded with a shrug and "it's ok". I accept responsibility for not having been very direct and stating what was wrong with the Seafood Pan-seared Egg Noodle dish. However, ultimate responsibility for customer service resets with our server who is, from the customer perspective, essentially the ambassador for the restaurant. Jake didn't gently probe to get at the issue "is it cold? undercooked?" or simply say "let me know what's not working for you". Jake clearly knew we were not satisfied and instead opted to say "well let me know if you need anything else" - and then he NEVER came back to our table until 20 minutes later to clear our plates. If Jake really meat "well let me know if you need anything else", he would have at least checked in with us once in 20 minutes! Jake knew we were unhappy and instead chose to IGNORE our table instead of dealing with the problem. Jack's complete lack of sincerity in his statement was reflected by what happened next. When Jake finally returned to our table to clear our plates I politely let him know that the 2 scallops (yes a seafood dish with only 2 scallops) were overcooked and I also asked him to confirm whether the crab was imitation. He confirmed that it was indeed imitation crab meat. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? A $20 dish for imitation crab? I told Jake that we were disappointed as the menu description was misleading and that the dish was underwhelming. He said "I know" and then stated that "unfortunately our policy is that I cannot remove the item from the bill but I can get you something else". Ok where to begin with the problem on that one? Had Jake not IGNORED our table for over 20 minutes perhaps that'd be a solution to a BAD customer service policy. We were done eating our other editable dishes so we were full and didn't want anything more other than to get out of there so we ended up leaving over 1/2 the Seafood Pan-seared Egg Noodle dish untouched. Offering to get us another dish at the END OF OUR MEAL is not a solution. Bottom line - if a restaurant cares about good customer service then it finds viable solutions to problems. Ping Pong doesn't care about good customers service and quality food.
(1)Jerry C.
Management at this place is so incredibly snotty that I will NEVER return.
(1)Jade B.
Super trendy and fun. This place is basically like being in a club that serves food. There was extremely loud trance music playing when we went, and my husband couldn't hear a word I was saying. I loved it though. LOL. The food is really good- I'm not even generally into chinese-esque food, but I liked what I ordered (something called beijing vegetarian) which was basically a stir-fry with smoked tofu (that I swore was meat at first bite)- We also got green tea martinis which were pricey, but good. We were confused however since we had ordered the same drink, yet mine was a lot stronger and tasted nothing like green tea... and my husband's seemed to just be flavoring. Oops? No complaints over this bizare error, but it might irk some- haha... no one wants to pay 10 dollars for a glass of flavored syrup, afterall. Still, everything is presented is a fun way and there is also outside seating- which is impossible to snag... but is obtainable if you don't mind waiting. :) Worth checking out... it may surprise you. :)
(4)Katherine R.
Our waiter was dressed up as Pocahontas and the decor brings an intriguing ambiance dimly lit, and the food is fresh grilled and tossed greens. The salmon is excellent here. The place stands out with its own genuine authenticity when you look in from outside. It is like a small artifact of a foreign countries charm. Since our waiter left an impression on me I feel my experience here took me outside of the city life. Inside the only vibe I received from the hostess to the middle of my meal was Aztec.
(3)Missy R.
The food is consistently OK, but the staff sucks. We have had issues with the host almost every time we come in. Also, they used to let you BYO beer, but now they don't because they "don't want people to get too drunk", but we have come in with two bottles of wine and not been turned away which I think is ridiculous. But we keep coming back for the decent food at slightly inflated prices because it's in the neighborhood.
(3)Megan N.
The food wasn't that great, but I would go there just for our great waiter! He was attentive and really friendly and even picked out some good sake for us. He got my picky vegetarian meal just right and was quick with everything; drinks, appetizers, and food. Seems like a place to go with a group or maybe if you're into the trendy asian fusion thing. There are much better sushi/thai places out there. Also hard to hear the person across from you.
(3)Julee M.
I enjoyed this place a lot. My friend suggested it after cruising Yelp looking for a new place for a weekend dinner. The wait was long but it was fun to crowd watch and it was nice that we could sip a martini while waiting. My friend and I both had the pear martini. It was not as smooth as I would have liked but it was good and priced just right. We decided to splurge and get both the chicken lettuce wraps and wasabi fries for appetizers. We didn't expect the portions to be so large! Both were awesome, especially the wasabi fries. I seriously couldn't stop eating them. I want to bathe in the wasabi mayo! I couldn't decide between a chicken or shrimp dish so I ordered the Singapore noodles which had both (had them leave out the pork). It was good. It had an unusual flavor but I enjoyed trying something different. My friend had the curry chicken which I would order next time. I was hoping to try the great wall brick for dessert but we were way too full. Next time! I also just saw that they deliver which excites me immensely. Hmmm, maybe I really can bathe in the wasabi mayo!
(4)Karen C.
Met a friend here last night for the first time. Immediately I noticed the "club beat" type music-which I liked- and cute decor. Our waiter was a bit odd and the chairs were uncomfortable, but the food was good. It was just a quick meal, so only an entree for each of us. No appetizer or dessert. I would go back with friends to try more of the expansive menu.
(3)Jackie R.
Ping Pong may be the food love of my life. Prices have jumped a bit recently but not enough to keep me away. They have many great appetizers but the standout is the sashimi tuna dip. So. Good. Tuna, basil, cuces, sesame mayo? On a wonton? Yes please and many thank you's. The old standby Pad Thai is always so great it's difficult to tear myself away and expand my horizons, but friends think highly of the Ping Pong Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Everything Fried Rice. Drinks are great and fairly strong, and of course you can always go BYOB. Ping Pong is fun, has a lively ambiance, and is super tasty. Go now.
(4)Becky R.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my meals and the people watching every time I've gone to Ping Pong. I found my "standard" dish there -- which is "everything but the sink" fried rice or "kitchen sink" fried rice. something to that effect. You get the idea. This is tasty and delicious, especially the corn, edamame, and pork. Yum. The sushi rolls were merely okay. I wouldn't order them again. The portions tend to be a bit on the small side, which is somewhat refreshing, but those of us with, um, healthy appetites might want to keep this in mind. The fried rice is a generous portion, though. I'm usually the only person at my Ping Pong table who's not a member of the clean-plate club and I would take that fried rice intravenously if they would let me. The drinks are great --- very strong and not ridiculously overpriced. Some of them even come with a flower. Lovely. It can be noisy, but that's part of the fun. They changed up the decor from weird projected images on the walls to stuffed animal heads. I don't know if this is supposed to be wintery, but it's kind of creepy. I hope they go back to projected images.
(4)Sabrina S.
I cannot believe that I haven't reviewed pingpong yet. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the Lakeview neighborhood. Everytime I eat in (or out) of their four walls it is a great experience. This restaurant gets busy but it is worth it. On my most recent visit, I was with a friend who came into the city for dinner. We were quoted 10 minutes for our wait but I think it ended up being more like 20 or 30 minutes that we waited. However, the staff recognized that we were waited and came over to apologize. When we were seated they apologized AGAIN and told us that the first round of drinks would be on them. I was thrilled at their offer. (It doesn't hurt that they have a very creative drink list AND are BYOB.) They have an extensive menu. You can choose between chicken, beef, seafood or vegetarian dishes. Most recently I have tried the salt and pepper calamari as an appetizer. It was spicy! I still enjoyed it greatly. I also have enjoyed the sesame chicken and chicken and broccoli. All of the portions are pretty large and you will probably be able to bring a doggy bag home with you. The atmosphere is very posh and trendy. Sometimes they show videos on their walls but other times it is just a changing color pattern. The music can be a bit loud at times. When you first sit down they provide you with a hot wet nap (I know there is a classier name for this but it escapes me). They also provide sweet potato chips (kind of like their bread basket). At the end of the meal, your check comes with chocolate fortune cookies served on a ping pong paddle! Basically, I love this place. GO!
(5)JoAnne W.
We passed by a few nights ago and the food looked inviting through their large windows. So we tried it. We preferred to sit inside where it is quieter rather than on the sidewalk. Our server saw that my husband was wearing a pink band and recognized him as a fellow Thai. We thought we would try a bunch of appetizers like at dim sum and a dish of noodles. We ordered whatever appealed to us: steamed Chinese broccoli, steamed potstickers, lettuce cups, wasabi frites. The broccoli was bland, the potsticker dumpling wrapper was thick and doughy, and we couldn't taste the wasabi. However, the lettuce cups were divine: all gingery with chunky, crunchy peanuts, and every mouthful salty, sour, and sweet. We decided to pack up the noodles to take home. For dessert, we were offered chocolate fortune cookies partially dipped in chocolate with chocolate sprinkles. When we got home and opened the take out bag, included with the noodles was a chocolate fortune cookie, a soy sauce packet, wooden chopsticks, and, we were mystified, a banana. Not your usual Chinese take-out!
(3)Tommy M.
YUM. One of good friends used to live in Boystown and we stopped in there about a year ago to eat. I don't remember all that we had, but I do remember our appetizer was raw tuna with pieces of cucumber. I am drooling just thinking about it. For the price you pay I think it was a great value. One thing I do remember was it wasn't incredibly expensive for the two of us to eat and have a few drinks. The presentation on all the food was outstanding. I do remember that all the food was very fresh - from the veggies all the way to the fish. Check it out! You'll enjoy it.
(5)Adam P.
Despite it's ultra trendy nature, Ping Pong serves up some really nice Chinese food. The lettuce cups and the Ping Pong Roll are appetizers not to be missed. If you can get past the snooty wait staff, and the thumping techno, you are in for some really nice food at a reasonable price. They are beginning to serve their own alcohol, so I don't know how much longer they will be a BYOB, but enjoy the cheap drinking while you can!
(4)Aimee C.
mmmmm, i love the ambiance at Ping Pong. It's hip, fun, great music and lots a pretty boys... :) I was very excited about the night, got my bottle of Veuve for the BYOB place that turned out to have delicious, naughty school girl martinis.... The lettuce cups were divine, followed by a warm bowl of hot and sour soup.... I wanted to go light, since we were planning to go out for the evening, so Kung pao eggplant and tofu was the perfect choice.... I love Ping Pong. I want to go to Ping Pong again and I want to order everything on the menu. I can't wait....
(4)Bridget S.
Co-worker claimed this joint had "the best pad thai in the city"... while I don't agree, it was pretty good. We ordered delivery and the fella on the phone was polite, spoke clearly and repeated my order. The delivery guy surprised us with a free bottle of champagne! Not sure what that was about, but thanks Ping Pong!
(3)Johanna A.
Great place and one of our faves for delivery, but this might explain why the phone was never picked up tonight and it appears that they are closed: Fire at Ping Pong May 6, 11 a.m. Numerous fire officials and police reported to a fire at Broadway near Aldine Avenue Friday at pan-Asian restaurant Ping Pong, to find "extensive" damage in the kitchen area, according to reports. Police say the fire started when boxes stacked around a refrigerator overheated and caught fire, which resulted in smoke and water damage throughout the restaurant. Fire officials also reportedly had to break through the restaurant's front windows to gain access to the fire as the restaurant was closed at the time. No injuries.
(5)Rich C.
Good food but this restaurant appears to have closed. Walked by today, all boarded up.
(3)Sara P.
I love Ping Pong! Whenever I'm in the mood for good chinese, this is the place I go...assuming I have a decent amount of money in my pocket- because this place can be a little pricey. I highly recommend their chicken egg rolls- they might just be the best egg rolls I've ever had. I also usually get the garlic shrimp. Just beware that this dish is SPICY. And I figured out recently that the leftovers I always have (because portions are so huge) only tend to get spicier the longer they sit. Also beware that this place gets packed on the weekend!!
(4)Natalie B.
Perfecct place for a casual dinner. Wide variety of dishes sure to appeal to the carnivore and veggie alike (this is always a big problem in my circle). I love that it is BYOB too. I have tried almost everything on the menu at this point and loved it all. It is inexpensive--I think the priciest thing on the menu is $12. Service is good, the atmosphere chill, and all in all a great find.
(4)Alaina N.
We ordered take out from Ping Pong a ton and have ALWAYS loved it. Though it's pretty pricey it's delicious chinese. HOWEVER last night, after ordering my usual sesame chicken, we found out they've changed their chicken recipes to use thigh meat to be more "authentic". The meat was disgusting and slimy and their was no price reduction with this new cheaper meat option. I was terribly disappointed and very sad that I won't be ordering from them any longer. PLEASE BRING BACK THE WHITE MEAT!!
(2)Christine M.
I really want to like Ping Pong. We had these AMAZING peanut butter potstickers there about a year ago. They were a special that night, and I don't believe they've had them since. The music is SO obnoxious. You'd think that considering 95% of the reviews mention the music being too loud, they'd turn it down a notch. I wasn't even dining there tonight and I had to repeat my name and number 3 times just to place an order for pickup. How can they even take orders correctly? After the rave reviews of the sesame chicken, I was really looking forward to it. It was SO so so dry. The chicken rolls were greasier than ever. Eck. I'll give them one more chance. Oh, how I wish those peanut butter potstickers would make a return...
(3)Sarah F.
Okay, so ...I've been to Ping Pong many, many times before - but NEVER was the food so good as this last time! So very tasty! I was with a party of a bout seven this past weekend, and we all got different things - some Maki rolls, some crab, some noodles dishes, curry, veggies - you name it! IT WAS ALL DELICIOUS! The softshell crabs were probably the best I'd ever had, as was the red snapper my boyfriend had. Jesus that was good! And, the curry dish I had was EVEN BETTER warmed up in the microwave the next day. Seriously! I always love that this place is still BYOB too, even though they now have a liquor license. They'll uncork as many bottles as you want! The atmosphere is great in here too, although busy and loud (but in my opinion, that's usually a good thing). The crowd is cool, and the music pumping is similar to the gay party bars in the area -which makes it fun and neighborhood-appropriate. My only complaint is the WAIT TIME. Ugh. Like on this particular visit we asked how long it would be, and they told us a "few minutes" which ended up being almost an hour and fifteen to get sat!! The food was well worth it though.
(4)kathy z.
The waiters were rude and the food was terrible. I would not go back again.
(1)Patti B.
Ping Pong doesn't take reservations but they were kind enough to seat our big group of nine at the longest table in the back even though only half of us were there at 6pm (just barely beat the crowd!). The food was pretty good and definitely affordable, but the music was a bit too loud and each side of our table could only hear the three or four people closest to them. Service was very present and I think my water was refilled every other time I took a sip! They also chilled the beer my friend brought and made sure that refills were brought out. And now for the food! We ordered a couple of appetizers to start with - the calamari was flavorful although not as crispy as I usually like, and the spring rolls were big. Our entrees were a bit slow but I think that's because they wanted to bring them all out at once, which they did. My Shanghai noodles were pretty good (I'm not sure if the chicken was a little bit bland because the other dishes I tried were spicy or if it really was a little bit bland, but either way, the dish as a whole was yummy) and people near me cleaned up their plates of mango chicken and chow fun. I also tried a few of the other dishes and liked them all. The best part? At the end they bring out chocolate fortune cookies on a ping pong paddle. A REAL paddle!
(4)Tiff D.
Went here again, impressed with the friendly staff, who happen to be good looking, and the quality of food. My date ordered a green curry that looked delicious, I went with ginger soup, which eased my aching stomach. Being here feels like hanging out in the right club, like a hidden secret.
(5)Jon W.
For a Washingtonian this is the Cafe Asia of Chicago. Well prepared pan Asian in a lively atmosphere.
(4)Nick S.
Ping Pong: a contemporary pan-asian restaurant in the hustle and bustle of Boystown. The prices? A little steep for the quality of food. The drinks are pretty good ($10 avg) I just think they need to get a little more inventive with the garnish... the hibiscus flower is cute, but gets old after the 3rd drink.. I do recommend the pear martini The waitstaff was nice and really attentive, oh and were they fierce? um, yeah. On to the meal.. I ordered fried soft shell crab as an appetizer. I would say this was the most disappointing component of my meal. The crabs weren't nearly as crispy as they should've been. In fact, they were soggy by the time I got them. The sauce I was given to accompany the crabs was lackluster (really thin vinegary sauce with some sugar and ginger). No actual complexity of flavor.. blah. My main course was the Pad See Ewe. Now, this is a dish I've grown up with. So I have to say that my judgment may be harsher than some, but I feel that they could improve it a lot. The portion was good, it was juts the execution and flavor profile that needs tweaking. A little sweeter than I'm used to, and I know they're supposed to use Dark Sweet Soy Sauce, but you also have to counter it with other flavors too! My noodles looked like they weren't stir-fried correctly. They were still really slippery, and didn't get a nice sear. The funny thing I've come to realize with a lot of these noodle dishes is the fact that they're all Pad's which if you translate it, roughly means STIR FRY but there's an overwhelming number of dishes I've gotten from various restaurants where they aren't actually done correctly.. Ping Pong's Pad See Ewe (& Pad Thai from what I've seen) falls under this unfortunate trend. But I've definitely had worse, so Ping Pong didn't completely fail. But be aware, if you ask for sriracha, you're not going to get the bottle, instead a little portion in a little dish is what you'll get. haha odd. Overall, I had an OK dinner. It was a cute place to meet up with friends. The chocolate fortune cookies were actually enjoyable!
(3)Alex D.
You have to be ready for a scene.... Cocktails, Loud Music, HoHum Appetizers/Dishes, and looping short films on a white wall... it's sleek, but you really have to be in the mood for gaggles of super trendy folks. The food is okay. Cocktails creative. But again, I think the draw to this place is the atmosphere. I did like the touch of the chocolate drizzled fortune cookie served on a pingpong though.
(3)Chayla B.
I am not surprised at the mixed reviews. I LOVE pingpong, but I can see how others may not. What I love: - eye candy everywhere. Cute, albeit gay, boys everywhere. - food is pretty cheap, and pretty darn good. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely not the worst. - Cheap wine that isn't bad. Try the Now and Zen. - it's fun. It just is. - the chocolate fortune cookies they bring at the end on a paddle (get it?) What I don't love: - the servers are Bitches. Capital B. I get it, you are a crabby drag queen, but get over yourself. You aren't doing me any favors by serving me. If you don't want to be a server, don't be a server. - the music is a bit loud There still aren't any signs on the bathrooms, but they fixed the locks. I love pingpong. It has become a nice Sunday night tradition. Three stars only because I would love to give 3.5, but I've had better, so it's not quite four stars.
(3)Stephanie B.
Best chinese I have had in Chicago. Chic & sexy atmosphere. Check it out!
(5)Fausto F.
The Apple Store of asian restaurants. All the good and bad things about the Apple Store, in a pan-asian restaurant. The bartender is in love with himself, and is as icy as the drinks. Great service and staff, love their movie themed night. One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Chicago, and a reasonably priced place to take someone from out of town to impress them. Noisy on the weekends.
(4)Jillian R.
I live in the area and whenever I have walked by there has always been a HUGE wait for Pingpong, especially during the summer when you can dine al fresco. I had always been meaning to go, but had never made it. In any case, I finally went a few weeks back with my friend--and now model--Heather K. The atmosphere is fun, sleek and modern, and the playlist is hilarious--everything from Fergie to Madonna to Sir Mix-a-lot. It might border on a little bit too loud, causing you to stare blank-faced at the waiters while they ask you questions. Example: the waiter asked to see our IDs before he uncorked our wine bottle and we both just smiled and said "yes." The food was quite tasty. The hot and sour soup is incredible delicious, and you can't find a better deal anywhere ($1!!!!) Now that I found out they do carry out, I can sense a dangerous habit is about to form....
(4)Ashley P.
Best parts about this restaurant = warm towelettes for your hands at the beginning of the meal and the chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end. The hot + sour soup is better than average and my tofu + broccoli dish was tasty. (Disclaimer: We waited almost an hour for a table and had 2 bottles of wine as a group, so anything would have been tasty by the time we received our food. It was our fault for the wait -- ate with a group of 8.) The music, especially in the bathrooms, probably broke government standards for acceptable volume levels. That's my only qualm.
(4)Lindsay S.
After living here for 2 years and walking past the minimalistic Ping Pong, we finally went when family was in town. I never wanted to go in here because it seemed very pretencious. And in a way, maybe it was a bit, but it was a highly enjoyable experience. Hot towels at the beginning of dinner, a nice glass of wine and then Yum!! .99 Hot & Sour soup that was so much better than any I had before!! I had one of the vegetarian platters (eggplant, grilled tofu, etc) and wow so good! Nice to taste tofu with flavor again!! Someone else at the table had what I was going to order, orange chicken, and I'm glad I didn't. The sauce is reminiscent of the chocolate orange flavoring. ick!! Too much for me!! Our waiter was so nice and plesant and answered all questions. Overall a very nice experience. And a bad thing for us. We discovered a new and afforable place to dine all the time. This is not good for my summer figure!!
(4)Mac G.
A friend of mine took me here for my birthday, back in July, and I haven't been back since (NO reflection on the restaurant), so I'm acting off of admittedly fuzzy memory, but I know beyond a doubt that I really enjoyed it, so I feel compelled to say something. I remember distinctly that our drinks came to us adorned with little edible flowers, which I got a kick out of, and that the look and atmosphere of the restaurant totally made me think of Sex and the City, so for any other girls out there obsessed with that show, this is a cool place to check out. I know that whatever I ordered for dinner I thought was good, but it is definitely the restaurant's atmosphere that makes Ping Pong stick out in my mind. It was kind of quiet when we first got there, but it picked up A LOT through the course of our meal and there was a great energy among the staff and other guests. It was a good place to go to celebrate a birthday, which, looking at other people's reviews, seems to be a typical reason to go there.
(4)Lynn T.
Food is amazing! Service was great... ill be going here a lot more!
(5)Andrey R.
very nice and modern place. great combination of Asian food. love sushi and broccoli and beef there hmmmmm yummmmii and plus chocolate fortunate cookies are so good!
(3)Stephen R.
I avoided Ping Pong for-ev-er. Something about that all-white oh-so-mod decor and what-have-you. It just rubbed me the wrong way from the street-side. But since finally venturing in -- since they'd taken over the old Mamacitas -- I must say the food was fantastic! Chicken was incredibly tender. Service was prompt. And prices were good. The only drawbacks are 1. The two seaters are uncomfortably close together -- but hey, if they're doing great business (they are) why not max out the seating potential? 2. The acoustics. Sweet Christmas -- sit indoors and try to have a conversation. It's terrible for conversations. I would never go here on a first date unless it was dead, which is probably a liklihood that will happen close to never. But don't judge like I did! It was a comfortable atmosphere and the food was fantastic at a good price. Deffo recommend.
(4)Lara M.
This is my go-to take out place. I love the beef chow fun noodle and the curry chicken fried rice. The food here can be a little heavy, but the flavors are always fantastic. Every night of the week this place is bustling, packed really. The (amazing) chocolate fortune cookies come from a local place in Chinatown, Golden Dragon. My only quibble is the music is always way too loud. What's up with that?
(4)kc a.
i've been meaning to go to this place for the longest time and just went a week ago with my fiance. I WAS AMAZED. i cannot rave enough, but i'll try to specifically give some props and 1 critiques: the only critique: went on a saturday night and had a 10-15 minute wait (totally reasonable) but there's not much waiting area (though they do recommend going across the street to wang's bar...but it was really snowy and cold!) my fiance went to pingpong's little bar to get us a couple cocktails while we waited...but that took so long we literally got our drinks as the host seated us anyway. it's a small bar & i think the 1 bartender was service bar as well. but once we got seated - the good times rolled. our server was PHENOMENAL. though i can only speak to that one employee, he was incredible. i wish i remembered his name...i want to say chris? he had an accent and was just lovely. we told him we were hoping to have our cocktails, get some appetizers, then have another drink or 2 and order entrees in a little bit. I know, server's nightmare - the 2 hour table. what he didn't know is that we've both been in the industry for years and would of course treat him well for occupying his table. well, we didn't have to tell him that, he was accommodating, and really knowledgable of the wine, cocktail and food menu - after hearing him describe several items and asking his opinion on wines and food and being so pleased with his recommendations, i ended up just asking him to select a wine for my final glass of the evening! the food was DELICIOUS - i got the "beijing vegetarian" - good lord, that was a mouthgasm. smoked tofu that was so truly smokey and had great texture - perfectly cooked veggies and a rich but not heavy sauce. my fiance got the "steamed red snapper" and said it was fantastic! I also loved noting that our server knew the snapper they use was sustainable and the menu noted the tofu is produced locally! another kicker - my fiance has an EXTREME dairy allergy - we're talking anaphylaxis. so we told our server and he promptly listed the only menu item that contains butter, said the others only used oil, so baring any creamy dishes we were fine, but he'd of course check on everything we ordered. awesome. what a gesture - turns out they give you chocolate covered fortune cookies with your check (we saw the table next to us get them) and we were thinking we should mention to just not bother bringing them (dairy) but without mention, the check comes and our server had asked a manager to allow him to put some gummy fruit candies on there - knowing the cookies had dairy & my fiance couldn't eat it! that's just above and beyond - that's genuine thoughtfulness. i could keep going, but you've probably stopped reading by now - so i'll just reiterate: 5 STARS, GO GO GO!
(5)Johnny B.
Holy cow - not for the homophobic. I thought one of the servers was a short haired female until I noticed his/her very prominent sideburns. There was also a rollerblader who went past our table at least 20 times during dinner, like a car full of high schoolers cruising up and down the strip on a Friday night with nothing to do. Very weird, yet thoroughly intriguing. Maybe he had a thing for the shemale. Then there was the line of the night: "It's to the point where every time I black out, I wake up with a stranger in my bed." This wouldn't have been so entertaining if it weren't for the fact that it came from a table 5 inches from ours. Wow - good times. (End gay digression.) Anywho... We arrived at Pingpong at about 8:15 on a Tuesday. There was a minimal wait for inside and 30 minutes for the sidewalk. We hesitated but then decided we'd wait since it was nice out and VERY loud on the inside. Exactly thirty minutes later, we were seated at one of the sidewalk tables. We shared the seaweed salad and spicy tuna roll to start. I loved the seaweed salad, and the roll was your typical spicy tuna maki. Not a lot of room on the two person table for water, wine, two appetizers and two plates. It was pretty cramped. For entrees, I had the Singapore noodles. I had never had this dish anywhere before, but I loved it. I'm a curry fan, but don't like it when it's in a bath of coconut milk. This sauce is more of a soy-garlic mix with a nice curry kick. I couldn't get enough of it. However, next time I will probably go without the shrimp. They were fishy and overcooked. The GF's basil shrimp dish was pretty tasty as well, but didn't stack up to my Singapore noodles. The waiter was a little aloof, but otherwise, the service was fine. Since they expanded, they've added a bar but kept it BYOB for a corkage of $5, which is nice. If you like your noodles with a side of flamers, Pingpong is most definitely the place for you. As Men on Film would say, "4 snaps in Z formation!" Edit 12/10/07: Service tonight was sloooooooow. Wish there was a little more urgency. Also noticed the restrooms are unisex... must be to avoid any confusion for the waitstaff.
(4)Katie H.
Overall I liked this place. I also liked how cheap the wine was (though we didn't order any so I can't attest to the quality). We started with the crab rangoon which was kind of greasy and tasted mostly of cream cheese and not crab, but the sauce for it was good. Fiance had the singapore street noodles which he really liked but he said he wished they were a bit spicier. I had the salmon which was excellent. It was cooked well and the sauce it was in was great, but the rice was a bit dry. We had a tasty meal for $30. Our server was polite and helpful and our waters were refilled constantly. My one complaint was that the music was ridiculous. It was 5pm on a Sunday. The place was nearly empty and I had to scream to my fiance because Ace of Base was blaring into my ear. I don't mind loud restaurants, but I do mind obnoxious music that doesn't fit the time of day.
(3)Charles C.
Got takeout here and the little bag they give you inside with the gummi bears was just adorable hah. I got Bulgogi and it was very tasty. I think the place is quite overpriced for the portions though.
(3)CJ E.
The food at Ping Pong is very good quality Asian cuisine. The place itself is very trendy, if you go be aware in the evenings if you are dining inside, the place is extremely loud with Techno music, and its very difficult to talk or have a dinner conversation as you spend most of your time shouting across the table. The wait staff is great, and offer great recommendations and feedback regarding menu items. The last time I went there I had the Sesame Scalloped, the first time I tried that combination, it was fantastic. Dinner for 4 average around a 100 dollars which is on par for the area. I would definitely eat at Ping Pong, however I prefer the summer when I can sit outdoors and not have to listen to ear shattering techno music.
(4)Alex F.
creative name but the food isn't particularly memorable.
(3)D'arcy N.
While I do think my love for Ping Pong faded a bit after they expanded and started making it a total party up in der...I still have a moderate crush on Ping Pong. I think Henry has fantastic taste, and the food, I do love. Even the Spam nigiri (though the size of it is a bit sick). I don't think you go for 'lovely service,' the servers can be bitches (sorry, bitches). But I so love them anyways. Something about the atmosphere and the boys batting their eyelashes at me makes my heart skip a beat. Been going there for eight years and still would if I still lived in Chicago. I break for the tuna dip, softshell crab, pad thai, oh, the spring rolls, and basil chicken as probably my all time favorite. My affairs with Ping Pong has outlasted at least four long-term boyfriends and some meaningless ones in-between.
(4)Ingrid C.
Love this restaurant! excellent food, modern and nice ambiance, great music, the location is nice as well and the patio in the summer is just ideal. I highly recommend this place specially the Japanese potato curry chicken and the cashew chicken. I also love that this is the only place that I know of where the fortune cookies are chocolate flavor and honoring the name of the restaurant they bring you the check and the cookies on a ping pong paddle.
(5)Karen D.
Unfortunately will not be going back to Ping Pong. It was unbearably loud so people had to shout to be heard. Very unpleasant and the manager said "it is our style" and had no interest in listening to any input into their "lack of" ambiance. That said the food was tasty but there are a lot of good places in the city. Next time I will go to Wadamono, the great Japanese place across the street that is owned by the same group, where people are very concerned the customer is happy AND the food is delicious.
(1)jason e.
Good date place. Very veggie friendly. Beautiful presentation, very solid pan-asian menu. BYOB= I bring what I want to drink, and don't pay 50% markup. Plus, if I bring my own bottle I don't have to spend half an hour explaining to my date why you don't mix red wine with soy sauce. Please, people. Learn how to use your tongue. You can bend alot of rules about pairing food and wine, but seriously. Major nono. Every time I'm in there, I'm seated by a table full of obnoxious yuppies chugging Cabernet Sauv and acting fancy for it... The food is excellent. The decor leaves alot to be desired, and the music is ALWAYS too loud. I'll still go back very soon. With earplugs.
(3)Erin V.
I am loud, love asian food, and have a tendency to dance in my chair. So basically Ping Pong is where I will go when I die. I have never been disappointed with their food and their martini's are delicious. It is impossible to have a food coma because no matter how much you eat, the techno beats will keep you pumped up. If you want to avoid a wait, come early, but I think this place is most fun when it is bumping with people.
(5)Kara H.
I have to change my review after a few bad delivery experiences. they have brought the wrong order a few times. okay. mistakes happen. last night I call for delivery (I've had delivery from here AT LEAST 15-20 times) they take my order and charge my credit card. 45 minutes goes by. they call to tell me that b/c they're busy - they won't be delivering my order. WTF?!? you could've told me that 45 min ago when I placed my order. I'm STARVING. I asked to speak to the manager - he was rude and unapologetic. there are too many good Thai/Asian places to deal with this kind of service. very disapointing.
(1)Becky W.
After going back and trying the fish taco appetizer, I'm bumping this up to 4 stars. The fish taco is DELICIOUS. I'll never be able to go back and not order it.
(4)Andrea N.
We just had a really bad experience here. I tried several things trying to find something I could eat and left totally unsatisfied. I came home and had chips and salsa for dinner. First, I ordered a cup of the hot and sour soup (which I'd heard great things about) and the lettuce wraps. The soup was just WAY to salty to have more than like 3 spoonfuls, even though the waiter brought me a bowl because it took so long to come out. I will say that they are generous with the tofu and the chicken in the soup, so if you can get past the flavor generally - go for it. The chicken lettuce wraps were basically just peanuts in sauce. It tasted fine but, like the soup, I only wanted like 3 bites. Still starving, I asked the waiter for the menu and his recommendation between the calamari or the spring rolls. He said that the calamari was his favorite thing on the menu. Again, just completely inedible. The calamari "rings" come folded so that they look like hash browns. They were completely bland. They're served with this jalapeno and garlic concoction. I tried to stir it up to get some of the flavor into the calamari and just got a huge mouthful of garlic. My fiance wouldn't get near me! The service was nice although pretty over-extended. He seemed pretty apologetic for everything we were served. Drinks were generous and fairly priced.
(2)Philip K.
After living in the 'hood for over a year, we finally gave in to the trendy white-walled Ping Pong. Our party of five adored it, hands down. My partner and I joke that this stretch of Broadway restaurants (Ping Pong, Wakamono and Adesso) has become "too gay to function" (lame 'Mean Girls' reference). And I can now confirm that part of what makes dining at Ping Pong so exciting is the experience of being in the hippest restaurant on the block. It's the satisfied feeling you get as people walk by and see all of the pretty people (you included) sitting at the simple white tables, surrounded by white walls and perhaps random videos flashing. The music is pumping, sometimes forcing you to yell across the table at your mates, making you feel like eating in the middle of a club. There's something to be said for atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, the food is great. But this place is more about how good you feel just being there. The occasional wait for one of the right-next-to-your neighbor tables just makes the whole experience seem even more VIP. You gotta give into the trendy hipness. It's worth it.
(5)Bryan C.
I've been meaning to go here for some time. I finally did and I probably won't go back. I've had much better take out food for a hell of a lot less money. The servers are too cool for school and their calamari needs some serious sauce. Don't fuck up calamari. Ever. The portions are big, but who cares when all the food your eating doesn't taste that great. Thank God I was really hungry and had 3 glasses of Pinot Noir. It's the only thing that saved my meal. Oh, and the music is too loud. And there's obnoxious projections on the wall. If I wanted to eat Thai food at Hydrate, I could probably get away with it, thanks though Ping Pong. Don't put chocolate on your fortune cookies. You suck.
(2)bruce a.
TURN down the f*ckin music -- it's not a night club -- i stopped going since i couldn't talk to my friends during dinner. food is good
(3)Martin M.
The decor at Ping-Pong is nothing less than ultra -chic. The white walls is offset by an ever-chaning set of really fascinating touches like a faux moose head, a picture of two Asian men on the beach, or at night, changing lanscapes flashed from a ceiling projector. At night, the chatter of people can be deafening combined with the music. the place may look romantic but one needs earplugs. As for the food, I have always made a meal out of the appetizers from the fish tacos to the various sushi rolls. The other dishes from the soup to the stir fries are not really all that interesting or tasty. Overall - fine to mediocre place for dining.
(3)miss k.
I would give PingPong a 4 if it was less expensive. The portions are relatively small, compared to other asian food eateries, and are expensive for the size. However, the quality is great!
(3)Carlos V.
My partner and I visit Ping Pong at least once a month because the food is so delicious. Their orange chicken is the best I have ever eaten and doesn't seem overly greasy or fatty like other chinese restaurants. Their sushi rolls are great too. We also like that it is BYOB. The place tends to get really crowded on weekends (after 7pm) so we tend to go for an early dinner and usually get seated right away. The open window seats are great for people watching. My only complaint is the music. Way too loud! It is tough to have a conversation at times. Also, the seats along the walls are kind of cramped together. We don't enjoy hearing other people's conversations when we are out for dinner. The wait staff can be a bit stand offish as well. But the food makes up for it!
(4)Jackie P.
My first reaction is "what's with the random animal heads on the wall?" I don't know that if fits with the uber chic decor and atmosphere they are trying to display. But maybe, just maybe they are a conversation starter...I dunno I was definitely dumbfounded though. As for the food I was really impressed! I got the shrimp fried rice (which is basically my go-to dish at any chinese restuarant) and it was delightfully yummy. I also had the crab rangoon and it was also very, very good. I am very picky about my crab rangoon and it definitely past the test! The service was great but it wasn't awful either. We sat around a long time just looking at the menu but my guest and I had a lot to chat about so I guess that's okay to. They didn't refill drinks as often as I would have liked but they were attentive for the most part. The music was a little loud but they were playing stuff that I liked so I really didn't mind. And after awhile you get use to the noise. I would definitely venture back to Ping Pong. Did I mention the chocolate fortune cookies are to die for?!!
(4)Chris W.
Yummy food, inventive drinks, stellar presentation, but do not expect to converse much if you're inside, as aforementioned cool music is a bit loud.
(4)Missy M.
I honestly have not one bad thing to say about this place! Granted, I have not eaten here in person yet, every meal I have had delivered was phenomenal! Every time I order a new dish, I swear to my friends it is my favorite on the menu. Here are some of them: Potato Curry Asian Salad Everything Fried Rice Crab Rangoons
(5)Edward R.
This place used to be good, not anymore, the portions are small and the staff is rude. It is way over rated and I will not go back. I am not sure what happened but this place seriously has seen better days. The music is crazy loud on top of rude service and average food. Their only saving grace is the calamari.
(2)David N.
Wow! I can't believe I have never tried this place before, and It is right in my neighborhood. I went here for the first time a week ago with someone I have been dating. The atmosphere was great and the wait staff very friendly and attentive. We came here on a week day so there was not too much of a wait. The food was very good. I ordered a tofu curry dish in coconut milk. Very flavorful! I like things spicy, so they even offered to make it more spicy when I inquired about it. There was a lot to choose from in the menu, a nice variety. I definitely would dine here again. Thanks for the great service!!
(4)xman Z.
I've only been there once for a date... I stayed on the safe side with my order as I had Pad Thai and California rolls. It was really good!! My friend had some kinda chicken dish and she liked it a lot. Another thing I love about this place is BYOB!! I did hear that it has a open bar before I went there. I was not impressed because it is right next to the entrance, when it gets crowded it literally blocks your way in and out. I would like to back and try some more stuff though.
(3)Brian S.
4 stars, could be 5 or 3, depending on the day. The food is fantastic. I recommend the edamame for an appetizer. It's not your usual steamed/boiled and salted edamame, they add sesame seeds and just a touch of oil and salt. Something different than the usual and a real treat. For an entree, try the salmon. It comes with a delicious, if a little thin, teriyaki lemon sauce, mushrooms, and peapods (for which I usually substitute broccoli). They used to be BYOB only, but they've since gotten a liquor license. Try the ginger gin. It's ginger-ale, gin, and a couple pieces of fresh ginger cut up like pineapple chunks. I'm not really a gin-drinker, but I enjoyed it on a warm summer night recently. The service is inconsistent, but not necessarily bad. Some days you'll get an attentive, fun, and outgoing server; other days you have someone that couldn't care less and just leans on the wall or the counter near the back. Very hit or miss. When you get a good server and the music is poppin', this place is a 5. A bad server drops it to a 2 because, when they are bad, they are really bad. The food is always good at a fair price, though, and good company can always make up for crappy service. I recommend ping-pong.
(4)Anna S.
Ping Pong RULES. Sure, the waitstaff is androgenously fabulous and the wait is often half an hour plus, but it's worth it to see my partner make the happy face after the first bite of everything we've ever ordered. We like the soups (esp. the wonton soup), the lettuce wraps, the Basil main course and the Ginger main course. But we've tried quite a few things on the menu, all of which have been on the very good side of the spectrum. And we're chopstick food connoisseurs, having been raised in New York and Toronto, respectively. Go to Ping Pong. Bring a bottle of good red wine. It's a recipe for good times.
(5)Jared C.
The food is less than okay, the location and crowd is cool, and the overall experience is less than par. I ordered summer rolls that were all rice paper and noodles and tasted as if made by a 4 year old, by far the worst summer rolls I have ever had... and i've had a decent amount. The sushi is horrible and i don't recommend it, then again they are Chinese... but still, don't get it... too much rice, nothing on the inside! My friend had the sweet and sour chicken and it tasted as if it make from a mega mall's Chinese Express. The crowd is okay, a mix of gays and straights and some who just try too hard. The location and outdoor dining is fun and great for people watching, that's really the only perk!
(2)Lauren P.
i've never experienced rude service at ping pong - they're just not overtly friendly. and yes, there's some gender bending going on here, but hey - you're in boystown. all of this is easy to look past once you realize how good their food is. first things first, if you don't order the crab rangoon, you're missing out. do not pass go, do not collect $200 - order the rangoon. beyond that, i've tried a variety of items off the menu (not only is it huge, it's seasonal,) and everything has been super delicious. and cheap. and in a huge portion. what's not to like? plus, it's a BYOB ($5 corkage fee - i don't blame them since they have a full bar.) the only thing i have to gripe about this place is that they don't take reservations. but the little ping pong paddles that carry your chocolate fortune cookie and the bill - too cute. oh, one more thing - go to the bathroom while you're here. the music is always cranked to the nth degree and there's mirrors on all the walls. never thought i'd feel like the star of a music video while taking a whiz.
(4)David M.
I have to second Julia's review below me. Ping Pong is awesome! Its trendy and gay, but really upbeat and a ton of fun. The food is delicious and the prices are just slightly above normal. We live right around the corner and stop in almost once a week to split an appetizer and then each grab a main course. The bill is never over $25. The place is PACKED on the weekends, however, so expect a wait. I hear a rumor they are getting a liquor license soon, so enjoy the BYOB while it lasts.
(4)Cicele B.
I was very apprehensive about going to this place, because I didn't feel quite cool enough. However, it was my lovers birthday and he wanted Asian. Our waitress was very polite and attentive. I was annoyed that many of the staffers were standing around looking too cool for school. Our food was good and I will be back after I go shopping for a cool pair of boots, skinny jeans, and a spiky hair cut.
(3)Peter D.
This place is so over rated. The food is not very good, and it's all about the trendy trendy trendy atmosphere. Great place to see and be seen. If that's what you are looking for, go for it, but if you are looking for good Asian food, go up or down the street... you have so many better options.
(1)Eme L.
This place used to be much (MUCH!) better 5-6 years ago. Not sure what happened. The expanded space is beautiful, but the food is definitely not as good as I remember. I used to always get the bulgogi. The meat doesn't seem to be grilled like it used to be and it's swimming in a brown sauce. Husband gets the Spicy! (which he still likes). I don't know, but it's lost something. Just meh.
(2)Michael P.
The food is great, the location is great, and the staff and patrons are a bit pretentious. We particularly enjoy the sesame chicken/ scallops, spicy chili chicken and spicy calamari. Cocktails are great as well. The prices are a bit high, but you get lots of food. One of our favorite restaurants in the 'hood.
(3)Ryan K.
If you've read the other reviews of Ping Pong don't bother with this one. I'm going to say the same thing with different words. My wife and I went to Ping Pong Friday night with a mixture of enthusiasm and skepticism. The consensus on Yelp is that the food is pretty good and the service is pretty bad. Fortunately, there was no wait, which was good for 6:30 on a Friday night, though it was a full house within an hour after we arrived. The host seemed friendly enough but sat us uncomfortably between two tables when the entire restaurant was empty leaving me feeling like I was at the barber (do I strike up a conversation or pretend I'm socially inept?). Sitting a chopstick's length from my fellow diners I came to a few conclusions: 1. This is a voyeuristic haven. If you like watching people watch you this is your kind of place. 2. The service really isn't as bad as it may appear. Sure half of the wait staff screams "I wasn't hugged enough as a child" or "That's right I can afford the Armani summer 2007 collection on your tips" but they get the food to the tables and keep the glasses full. 3. The music makes up for what the atmosphere is lacking. I didn't find it as loud as some reviews might suggest but do think our waitress needed hearing aids. The food was pretty good. We started off with crab rangoon and fried potstickers. The rangoons were the highlight of the meal and the potstickers had a nice spicy "meat" in them as well. For our entres we had the orange chicken and the kung pao chicken. The orange chicken was good and was a decent sized portion with a side of rice. The kung pao was heavy on the kung, light on the pow but was an even larger portion than the orange chicken. We chased down our meal with some Stellas, bringing the bill to $62. I can't decide if this is a great deal but the Chicago guide book I've been flipping through rates this as a "great buy." Maybe not a great buy but I would give it another shot. They do give you chocolate fortune cookies served on, of course, a ping pong paddle. Also, if you are one of the seven people, like me, who uses Discover Card, they don't take it.
(3)Frenchie B.
This place rocks. I ordered the Shanghai curry noodles and my friend ordered the Spicy scallops. The curry noodles were quite good...geez I ate them all and not only because I was hungry. And my friends scallops were awesome. They give you a great portion of scallops too that taste super fresh. I would come back here in a heartbeat. I found the service to be friendly and efficient...no complaints here.
(5)Jeremy B.
Everything we had was great. This was my first time visiting pingpong. Between the 4 people at my table, we had a ginger salad, seaweed salad, hot and sour soup and the pingpong roll to start off. All of the appetizers were flawless. The main courses were just as good, service was great and atmosphere was great (sat on the patio)
(5)Blake W.
We went here on a Friday night. I was afraid it would be bad before we even go there because I've driven by and seen how small it is as well as how many people do wait for a table. It was packed... but to my delight they offered to open one of the many bottles of wine for us when we walked in. They were very nice about opening our bottles (We had a lot) and getting us wine glasses. They wait was longer than they quoted us -- by an hour. Luckily we had booze. Once we sat down at our table we order some apps quickly and they were all great. We ordered the Crab Rangoon, Calamari (awesomely spicy, watch out for the red chili peppers), Tuna Tar-tar which helped put out the fire of the Calamari. We had one other app which is escaping me right now.... For dinner a couple of the girls had the Chicken Pad Thai which I normal ignore because it's boring and pretty standard. Here at Ping Pong it was great though! It had a nice little sweet flavor to it and was really light and flavorful -- even the next day :). I had the Potato Curry which was also very good, nice and spicy. All and all it was a lot of fun. The food was great and cheap! For 5 people, 5 apps and 5 entrees it was less than $100. A great BYOB place for sure!
(4)Y G.
EDIT: So as much as I love PingPong, I have to take my rating down. PingPong, you poisoned us. I had food poisoning the last time I ate there. My boyfriend had food poisoning from them couple months ago and has refused to eat there since. I still love a lot of their food, but we're narrowing down to their beef or any dish that contains beef to be the culprit. We will be reporting this. You wouldn't expect this from a restaurant like PingPong. So sad. **************************************************Â************* Original review: I'm picky about chinese food. Why? Because I've grown up with it and nothing beats Mom's food! I can't even really eat in Chinatown because I just don't find it that good. When I really crave chinese food, I go to PingPong. I've only dined in once (service wasn't that great), but most of the time, I order delivery. So far, I love everything on the menu but especially the tuna tatare, must try! I'm not comparing PingPong's food to authentic chinese food, but the food is just good. Much better than a lot of places in Chinatown. Its not Mom's food, but it'll do for now! You can probably find cheaper chinese food elsewhere, but I like my PingPong.
(2)Katie S.
The atmosphere is cool, but the food portions are a little small for what you pay. I like it, but not one of my absolute favorites.
(3)Todd V.
Checked it out when visiting friends over New Years. I will definitely go back. Cool space, laid back staff. Fun to BYOB. Food was great and super cheap. The Tuna Tartar alone would bring me back. Can't wait to return.
(5)Vincent O.
Yes, only 2 stars! If you're a gay guy like myself, apparently Pinpong is the sh*t. But honestly, the best thing about the place is the modest decor and the pretty boys. The wait staff can be nice or not. And your wait could easily be more than an hour. The food is simply overpriced and not very tasty and I don't care to watch an entire Madonna concert while I dine on my sesame chicken. Oh, Don't go with a date- It's much too distracting.
(2)Pam N.
I want so badly to love this place. But... eh. The food just isn't very good. It's not flavorful. I wish they would drop the sushi from the menu, b/c I keep ordering it! And it's obviously been prepared hours and hours before, YUCK. I keep going back, so they must be getting something right... I do love the servers, even though (especially because?) they are all hotter women than me. And I love how the dining room is open--makes for great people watching. But I always leave a little disappointed with the food, and I end up wishing I had gone to Joy's instead.
(3)Jessica R.
I waited about 10 minutes for my cocktail, another 15 to order, and yet another 30 for my comida. No me gusta. Service was friendly, when it was there.
(2)Jasbir S.
This restaurant has just the right tone and made me feel like I was back in Europe. The best part is that you get the sexy atmosphere without paying an exorbitant price. Thank you to all the Yelpers who messaged me about this place. It is BYOB so you can either head across the street to Valhalla (note this place closes by 8 P.M. so you may have to head up the street to the electic grocery store - can't remember the name! (Just remembered the name -updating 1/24/07 - Treasure Island) or buy something beforehand. The wait was about 50 minutes but it was completely worth it. The food didn't disappoint and the atmosphere was perfect. That being said, this is not the best reasonably-priced Thai food in Chicago (go to Star of Siam for that), but when you add in the atmosphere, it's a 5 star location.
(5)Liz T.
There's a lot of hype surrounding Ping Pong. I've heard a lot of people talk about it, there are good reviews here, and I've driven by it 100 times. So, I figured it was time to give it a try. My friend and I went tonight. There was a 20 minutes wait for outside, and we could be seated immediately inside. We chose inside since it was already 9:30. The music here is loud, but with the restaurant full, the noise of people talking was ridiculous. We were literally yelling to one another. After being seated, we waited probably 10 minutes before seeing a waiter...although not entirely pleasing, it's not the end of the world. When he did come, he whispered (or probably spoke in a full voice, but because of he noise...) that he'd like to take our order. We ordered and the timing of the meal from that point on was very good. We didn't really see our waiter much, but there were plenty of other people bringing our food out in a timely fashion. The food: For starters we had edamame...very good, nicely chilled and perfectly salty with toasted sesame seeds. We also had the lettuce wraps. These were the star of the meal. They were incredibly delicious...flavored with lime and peanuts, they were perfect...really, really good. For entrees my friend had the general's chicken and it was very good. And, I had the kung pao chicken. It was good, not amazing, but good...and spicier than I have expected. The rice that accompanied the dishes was dry, but other than that, everything was pleasant. Why 3 stars? I don't believe that I made the best menu choices. It's loud and our waiter sucked. The food was good (lettuce wraps excellent) and I'm looking forward to going back and trying different items...I'll update then.
(3)Melissa M.
Ping pong was delicious! It has an extremely extensive Asian fusion menu... lots of Chinese and Thai dishes to choose from. I had the kung pao shrimp and it was delicious, very light, and a Gossip Girl martini which was also great. I used to work at PF Changs and they literally had like every dish that Changs offers on their menu which was slightly strange but they tasted completely different so I was OK with that. it is a small restaurant, very modern décor. I was having extreme food envy with everyone's dishes and everyone I was with loved the place!
(4)min. r.
Like many before me, Ping Pong is a local place for me. After 2+ years in the neighborhood I finally popped my Ping Pong cherry tonight. Flying solo because my boyfriend was out for the night I picked things based on their yelp mentions, ordered enough for me to eat now, and him to have leftovers later. Placed the order and decided to walk down to pick it up. I was told 15 minutes, I showed up in 20 and asked the host if it was ready. He said no, I paid and started my wait. 10 minutes later a bag was brought out and left behind the bar. 10 minutes after that I finally got the host to check on my food and he picked that bag up and handed it to me. All told I got my food 25 minutes late. It was beautifully packaged, and I'm sure would have been hot if I wasn't waiting on it for a while. But it was busy, and the host was swamped, so I guess it's to be expected. Then again, they always look swamped, so I'd expect them to handle it better. The hot & sour soup was terrible. 3 bites in and I was done for good. Since the boyfriend doesn't like it, into the trash it went. Luckily things got better. The crab rangoon were fried well, but not the stuffed, crab filled things I envisioned after reading these reviews. Skimpy on the cream cheese and crab almost non-existant, I'll take the free ones from Yen's every time over these. Sadly they were better than many others I've had in the city though. I got the Sesame Tofu which was also very good. The sauce wasn't thick or syrupy, but it had a very subtle and distinct flavor. The ginger was a great accent to tofu & broccoli that was cooked well. Too bad there wasn't a lot of broccoli though. But light and totally refreshing. A wonderful change to the normal Chinese restaurant version that is usually very syrupy and sweet. I really enjoyed it. The "sashimi tuna dip" however, is incredible. Raw tuna, a thin and light spicy mayo, fresh cucumber, black sesame seeds, and cilantro along with lightly fried chips to dip... if this was the only good thing I had I'd go back for it again and again. If you order anything from Ping Pong, get this tar tar dish. All in all, between the super loud music, the overabundance of trendy wanna-be-seen people, and the amount of times I got elbowed; the wait seemed about 3 times longer than it was. For that reason alone I'll never eat there. But I'll sure as hell be ordering from them again, even if it's just for the tuna tar tar. PS - the boyfriend enjoyed all 3 things, so he'll be up for ordering in the future! yay!
(3)Craig G.
Service wasn't fantastic. food was good. the curry wasn't spicy enough. I would go back...
(3)Julie G.
Ugh, not a fan. Was super excited to try this place since I love all things Asian Fusion, but I can't say I'll be back. The meal started out promisingly with some pretty tasty pot stickers and lettuce wraps, but when we ran out of lettuce and still had lots of stuff left to wrap, they actually charged us two bucks for more! Okay, I know it's just two bucks but seriously, we could have walked down the street to Jewel and bought a whole freaking head of lettuce for less than that. Things were pretty much downhill from there seeing as my main entree was utterly abysmal (Seriously, how do you screw up beef and broccoli?) and whatever was in the sauce made my stomach hurt so bad that I was approaching egress on the L ride home. (Sorry, too much?) Our waiter was a nice enough guy but the service wasn't great, and everyone who worked there was wearing skinny jeans which I realize is totally irrelevant but was annoying nonetheless. If all that weren't enough, the bathroom toilet was broken and the music in the whole place was so loud that I could barely talk to my peeps. It was also pretty expensive for basically being over-hyped Chinese takeout (although props for offering brown rice). Lastly, if you are still planning to try this place because your friends still really want to go, don't BYOB if you want to sit outside since the tables are on the sidewalk and not on an enclosed patio.
(2)Purnima M.
Alarmingly average. It pains me to say this, because I was really looking forward to eating at Ping Pong, but our food was really all over the place. Combine this with too-cool-for-school service, whirring ceiling fans (why, for the love of god? It's Chicago. We can't even decide if spring has arrived yet!) and oddly loud music, and you have all the right elements to create two puzzled customers. Let's start at the beginning. The restaurant is high on the eye candy, packed to the brim with beautiful boys, with the occasional girl thrown in for entertainment. Everyone seems super happy to be sipping cocktails and chowing down on reasonable Asian food. In fact, the drinks were the best part of the meal, especially the cucumber saketini, which tasted so purely of itself. The appetizers were hum-ho, the cantonese pan fried noodles were delicious, and the pad thai was just plain awful. To add to the annoyance, our server said NOTHING about the plate of untouched pad thai, other than, "would you like a box for this?" When we declined, there was no further questioning, just a check that arrived super quick. Clearly these guys care more about billing you for food you don't eat than asking if there's anything they can do to improve your experience. Even the free chocolate fortune cookies (served on a ping pong paddle, no less) didn't brighten the outlook. Nope, this was not a happy evening.
(2)Rachelle G.
I really wanted to like this place after reading the reviews, but I wasn't blown away. Sure, the decor is nice and with the white/orange combination, it creates an inviting space. However, the tables are a bit too close for my comfort. Servers were attentive and on top of their game. Food was a hit or miss. My friend's appetizer was fabulous. I was a bit torn about what to order and asked the server for his opinion btw. two dishes. He chose their signature Ping Pong Chicken. It's basically chicken stir fried w/ vegetables and honey roasted walnuts. While it wasn't horrible, it lacked flavor. This will definitely be on top of my list should I be in the area again bc friends have found a few dishes they love there and I'm hoping they win me over too.
(3)Justin S.
So I finally decided to try this out. Went in on a Saturday pretty hungry (like I always am). Decided it was going to try it all, soup, sushi and spicy beef. The sushi was actually very good, the best of the three. I tried the wonton ginger soup, but it lacked any flavor of ginger. It was good, but it wasn't what I had been hoping for. The spicy beef was ok, actually more spicy than I was expecting, and thats a good thing, but still left me feeling like it was nothing special. Service was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. I wish there tables weren't so close to one another, cause when I got up to leave I almost knocked over my table and the couple's next to me...OPPS
(3)Jane J.
I prefer their take out over sitting down to eat, because the place is so cramped, but still delish! they aren't very close to any train, which is a bit of a trek, but it's worth it everytime i come.
(4)Lesley S.
Hands down the best pork fried rice I've had in the city outside of Chinatown. BYOB and there is a bar so plenty of options if you want to drink. The interior of the restaurant is small, but super trendy. Techno music, dim lighting and white everywhere. Don't go here if trannies freak you out because I've had one as my server every time I've been. Oh- and the chinatown eggrolls on the appetizer section of the menu sound weird because they have peanut butter in them, but they taste like regular egg rolls- really good ones. Get them!
(4)Bill R.
We were here on Saturday Oct. 22, 2011. Sorry for the 3-Star rating but the music was unbelievably loud. We (4 of us) could not hear our waitress explain anything and as for conversation...impossible! Too bad...everything else (food, drinks, service) was great but unfortunately we won't be back.
(3)John C.
Ate at this restaurant tonight and it was terrible. Before the fire this place was great. The food prices have gone way up and quality way down. The service was good.
(1)Sue K.
We were visiting Chicago from Arizona and was recommended to eat at Ping Pong restaurant. The taro chips that they give you when you sit down are light and crispy and very delightful. We ordered the salt and pepper calamari, spicy garlic chicken and red snapper. Everything that we ordered had a lot of flavor and we could taste the natural spices and herbs. I also had a watermelon martini which was good too. I wish we could have tried some of the other things on the menu.
(4)Yhatzina L.
Ping Pong is such a fun and delicious restaurant. The asian fusion menu is large and offers all types of dishes including many vegetarian selections. The martinis and service are top notch. The music inside is very loud and consists of Rhianna, Britney, Backstreet Boys, ect. It is because this restaurant caters to a certain crowd and style and that is why I love it, so fun and carefree! The decor is very contemporary, the tables are small and close together and it is an intimate/family feel at ping pong. The servers are just as delicious! p.s. I love the BYOB. Bring your own bottle, own selectoin of delicious wine and drink away. Only $5 to cork it, that is totally reasonable since it would be much more to buy a bottle with regular restaurant mark-up.
(5)Emilie Z.
I always walk past this little place and decided to give it a try today. What a great decision! I loved the romantic atmosphere and choice of vintage music. The staff was lovely and the service was outstanding. The menu is very accommodating for vegans and I was enthralled to see that! I had the sesame tofu and a mint julep- both delicious. If you are looking to have a nice asian dinner or lunch in Lakeview look no further. They will definitely get my business again!
(5)Alex C.
I had never been here before the fire but we thought we would check it out. Some friends had warned but we threw caution to the wind and went on our own. After the fire, the community held a benefit to raise money for the staff who were unemployed (not sure if they collected unemployment or not). I mention this because we were shocked at just how rude and snobby waiters and managers were, not only to us, but other customers as well. The community supported them and yet they feel unable to provide basic common courtesy (NOTE: I am BIG on this and slam people who fail to use "please" and "thank you.") It was clear that we were NOT welcome and they could care less about us. The wait for the table, too long. The tables are squeezed together too much. There is no intimacy or privacy. The food was just okay. With so many Asian places on Halsted and Broadway alone, you would think if they were not going to worry about service that they would at least worry about the food. Apparently... not. (I also feel it was a bit over priced). Save your time and money and hit any other place in the area.
(1)Mad I.
Fancy Chinese food, yum!
(4)Sara A.
If you are the kind of person who relishes being seen at a hip, trendy place without regard to price or quality then this is your spot? I am not sure WHY anyone would actually spend money there, dine there, and put up with their snobbery and pretentiousness. We certainly did not. We stopped by after work to celebrate completing a huge project. Everyone was in a good mood. We were told there would be a wait - no problem - the world is ours now. Then we wait... and wait.. 10 minutes turned into 20 then 30. They seat us in a small, cramped space. The waiter was instantly rude and standoffish. At that point, I was done. I told the group we were off to another venue and then, dramatic exit. Too many better places who actually care about their customers.
(2)Josh V.
It pains me to see so many people gushing over Ping Pong. I suspect they don't have my memory. Perhaps 1 star is overly harsh, but you see I remember what Ping Pong used to be. It has gone from one of my favorite restaurants in the city to a place I'd have to be drugged to set foot in. Ping Pong's fall from grace has broken my heart, and earned it my first ever 1 star rating. Ping Pong was once a cozy little spot with excellent food, a fun atmosphere and decent (well...hit or miss) service that was reasonably friendly. I've watched over the years as prices climbed, portions shrunk and service deteriorated. Ping Pong is but a shadow of its former self. I don't begrudge them the space they added on. I begrudge the decreased value and quality of the food. I begrudge the haughty attitude of the douchey, androgynous staff. I remember when the sesame chicken was a full plate of succulent hunks of chicken with substantial amounts of broccoli and a big bowl of rice. Now it seems to be a small pile of minuscule pieces of popcorn chicken with a couple broccoli florets and a bowl of rice somewhat bigger than a shot glass. Oh, and it now costs 5 dollars more. There are better places to go for Asian cuisine where you won't get sneered at or ignored, where your ears won't be shattered by the volume of the music, where the wait will be shorter and where the food will be better while still being cheaper. Unless your soul purpose for going out to eat is to "see and be seen" in which case you and Ping Pong deserve each other. Damn you Ping Pong... I learned to use chopsticks for you!
(1)Trevor H.
I had passed by this place several times but never made it in until recently. A friend and I decided to go here after seeing a movie. I love asian cuisine so this place was exactly what I was looking for. I really like the trendy atmosphere and music. It's a bit loud, but I definitely enjoy it. It drowns out others conversations so you don't hear anyone but those at your table. I had the Hot Toddy Pot (Not sure if that was the exact name) to drink. It was definitely a good choice since it was a cold night. I'm always a fan of warm alcoholic beverages. We ordered the Ping Pong Roll for an app. It was pretty good but I must say, the roll was smaller than I expected. For my main, I ordered the Curry Fried Rice. It wasn't anything overly special but it was very delicious. My friend ordered the Bulgogi. One of my favorite korean dishes. Part of me wished I would have ordered that but I did like having a heaping mound of left over curry fried rice to mix in with eggs in the morning. For dessert, the Great Wall Brick. If you want dessert after eating here, this is it! Its so delicious. It reminded me of pecan pie with an asian twist. The green tea ice cream really goes well with this dessert. I will definitely dine here again, however I'm only giving four stars because our waiter was slightly slow to greet us and come back to take our order for how empty the restaurant was. Maybe he was the only waiter on staff (had my back to the rest of dining room so I'm not sure). It is a bit spendy here but I will admit, we did order drinks (the hot toddy pot held multiple glasses). All in all, a good dining experience.
(4)Adrienne G.
I came here on a Monday with the manfriend for dinner. We'd only ordered delivery and I was craving seared tuna, so we decided to check the place out since they'd done a renovation. Must say that I love the decor! It is kind of a modern take on art deco or vintage regency or whatever you want to call it. Molded walls are crisp white, the lighting fixtures are a touch ornate, and the black chairs, dark floors and tables remind me of the 30s modern take. Pair that with fresh flowers on every table that are all different, and in different vases and bottles, and you've got a classy cute date place. Everyone except for one guy in a hoodie was here on a date. How cute, and it was a little romantical except that I had a stupid cold. We started the meal off with seared tuna (yum-mo as Sharon M likes to say!) and sashimi tuna dip. .I got some mint tea and the manfriend got a Sapporo or Kirin. We each got soup as well- I chose hot and sour soup, he got the ginger broth based soup, and we split the orange chicken as the main. Ping Pong's strength seems to be in its appetizers. The seared tuna hit the spot, as did the tuna sashimi dip. The dip has mango, tuna and cucumber in it and it is superyummy! Only thing I'd change is having more sesame chips to go with it, which the server brought when I asked for it. Manfriend didn't care for his tofu veggie soup, and I tried it, it wasn't anything special. The hot and sour soup I ordered was the second best around, with veggies and a little lighter than Hong Min's (which is the best, IMO). Orange chicken was average- nothing special, nothing horrible, nothing worth trying again, just average. Service could use a little polish but overall they were quite attentive; I think our server may have been new and that confidence comes with experience. Overall I would say come here on a date, and you can watch pretty people on dates in a pretty environment. I'll try the other entrees eventually but the starters are Ping Pong's strong suit. I will be back.
(3)Kyle O.
Best Chinese restaurant in lakeview! It definitely on the pricier side but typical for Chicago- plus the portions are really big. I took mine home and was able to make multiple meals out of it! The quality of the food is good, it's not like most of the Chinese places around here when you get sweet and sour chicken and it's just chicken mcnuggets drowned in sweet and sour sauce! Highly recommend!
(5)Dan H.
Very tasty food and I love the new decor! Staff was friendly and non-intrusive. Will definitely be going back.
(4)John J.
I won't give Ping Pong more than two stars. I did not enjoyed my first experience there. I can definitely feel the waitress has attitude to us for some reason. I don't think the food was that good.
(2)Ramone B.
Luv's it!!! I loved everything that I have tried so far- edamame, seaweed salad, shrimp pad thai, orange chicken, mongolian beef, chicken rolls......... I think this place has really good food, but it is way too expensive. They have very good drinks, but they are all around like ten bucks and up. I will go back, just not too frequently because I can get really good food much cheaper in evergreen park!!! (Chi-Tung) I would be a broke ho if I went here a lot!! ;-)
(4)Alicia C.
So I have been to this restaurant twice. I am always skeptical of "fusion" places but since it's steps from my home, I decided to try it out. I am charmed by the hot napkin they give you to clean your hands and the boiled peanuts they serve. Very reminiscent of nice restaurants in Asia. I wish all restaurants would give you a hot napkin to clean your hands. Only the sanitary thing to do! Their boiled peanuts are a nice touch --- you don't find them around in the US since Americans prefer their peanuts roasted but they are definitely very popular in Asia. I would recommend adding spices while boiling the peanuts to give more flavor. The chocolate fortune cookies at the end of the meal is a nice touch too. The first time I went, I was in love with the place. I had the red snapper while my companion had the tofu pad thai. It was very late on a Saturday evening. We were hungry and seated right away. I think the red snapper was the best fish I had in a restaurant in a while. It reminded me of the steamed fish my mom used to make for me when I was a child in China. The light soy sauce and fresh herbs they put on the fish made for a delicate, beautiful dish. My companion also really enjoyed his big helping of pad thai. It was full of flavor and not too greasy --- I find most pad thai from restaurants (e.g. that of Joy down the street) to be way too greasy and boring in flavor. I went the second time on a snowy weekday. I had the seafood noodle soup while my companion had the pad thai again. We also shared the ginger wings as an appetizer. The ginger wings were overfried and doused in sauce that tasted little like ginger and more like tons of salt. The wings were halfway between a regular wing and a lollipop wing -- I guess the restaurant can't decide which. And the meat itself was tough and overfried. The seafood noodle soup was extremely boring and bland. The broth was so spicy that it masked the seafood flavor -- if there were any to be masked. My companion found his pad thai to be overwhelmingly sweet without the nuances of spices and flavors in traditional pad thai. I also had their lychee royale which was just cheap champagne with a canned lychee plopped in. The drinks and food were very underwhelming. It was also extremely pricey -- about $100 for our meal (which also included a couple of beers) -- just not good food for $100. I left feeling fat but without the jollyness that a full-bellied fat person should feel. I am not sure how to rate this place. I would give it a 5-star from the first experience and a 1-star from the second.
(3)Lori M.
NOT for delivery, I discovered. Holy hixinjià ng (hoison) sauce ! WAY too expensive for what you get... and for the food to arrive cold (it's not even that cold outside today) is unacceptable. I ordered an order of Orange Chicken (just ok), the PingPong Chicken (slightly better), and for myself, the Cashew Tofu (blah and extra blah cashews that were drenched), with rice + spring rolls and dumplings. $59.35 + tip! Now, if the food had been amazing and not cold, then totally worth it. But it wasn't. Clearly, they weren't too busy, because the food arrived in less than 45 minutes, so what's the deal I say ? No deal. No slice, no chop, no block, side drive, or lob. Never again. Get a grip Ping Pong, your drop shot is suffering.
(2)Aaron B.
It is right on Broadway and fabulous... I really like this place. They have awesome seitan and tofu dishes and excellent stir fry. The drinks are moderately priced (It is Lakeview). The wait staff is dressed mod. The options are plentiful. The interior music is hip and festive. The sidewalk seating is great in the summer, as well as the large interior window seats (windows are usually open). The best part is the big pre-meal salty potato~esque snacks, which are awesome!!!! What else can I say...Ping Pong is cool. The restaurant is good too!
(4)Samson P.
Being chinese I have a high expectations for Asian food especially Chinese food. It was nice that there was a outdoor patio while inside was dim and packed. The complimentary taro chips were crunchy and the best thing we ate that night. We ordered seafood and Cantonese style pan noodles and scallops with mixed vegetables. Compared to other Chinese American restaurants they were about the same quality but a bit overpriced. Maybe we should have ordered other dishes. The waitress was attentive Verdict: it has a nice outdoor area and good taro chips but overall it was okay and a bit over priced For good Chinese food I would go to Chinatown.
(2)Sara P.
This place was pretty good. I went here on a Tuesday night with a friend of mine. The martinis here are super good. I got the pear martini, while she got the sex in the city. I loved mine because it came with fresh slices of pear in it, and it's perfect for spring. The chips they give you when you sit down are good. They are thick, slightly salty and herb-y. We ordered the Wasabi fries, which are french fries with seasoning on them, and they come with a dip. It was great, very addictive. I ordered the ping pong roll and crab rangoon for my meal. The ping pong roll was pretty good, hot and a bit big. It comes with 6 pieces. I have had better crab rangoon. This crab rangoon was a bit hard to eat, and it was just...missing something. I wish I had gotten the fish tacos or the sashimi dip instead. Oh well, next time. The chocolate covered fortune cookies are a nice treat to end the night. I like the music selection here, and it's a cool, funky decor. I'll definitely go back and try some other things next time.
(4)Sheresse S.
I love love this place! Absolutely adorable atmosphere. A block away from my apartment. The nicest waiter I've ever had. Not to mention they have martini's called "gossip girl", "Sex in the city" and "golden Girl". Ping pong you are clever clever and delicious too!
(5)Kevin H.
I've been here more than a couple times over the years so it's been interesting watching this place change over time. I generally like the new incarnation of the interior except for two things: 1. Turn down the lights a bit and make sure candles on the table stay lit, 2. Hire servers that can speak conversational english and know how to wait tables. It took too long trying to order a vodka soda with lime, and a beer. Our appetizer order never made it out to the table, and when we asked about it, we got the wrong appetizer sent out in a hurry. Also, before you take someone's food from in front of them, ask if they are done and if you may clear it... just don't grab... I had to rescue my soup a few times from grabby hands. The food was decent... except I don't know why they serve giant hunks of half steamed broccoli and cauliflower with an entree that would be a lot better if they just sauteed it in with smaller pieces. Also, the table settings are very busy, too many things on a small table all spread out, just stack everything on the bread plate.
(2)Anne C.
I used to love this place and brought friends from out of town. Evidently there was a fire a while back and they recently reopened. It used to be BYOB, but I think they got their liquor license. I didn't know that, so brought wine (as did my party), and the first thing out of our waiters mouth was that the corkage fee was $7.95. I literally laughed out loud. I thought (since a. it was the FIRST THING out of his mouth and b. it was an astronomical amount for the setting we were in) that he was joking. Not so, he was dead serious. $7.95!!!!! Are you kidding me? That is ridiculous and for that reason will never go there again. The only bright note was that on the way back to the kitchen to cool down all of our wine, our server dropped a bottle. He offered to comp a bottle on their menu, which we took advantage of. The food is very good though, too bad their corkage fee is comical!
(2)Sara M.
OH my word, the food here is AMAZING!!! I would highly recommend the Pad Thai, but everything else my group ordered was just as tasty. The service was pretty bad, but we were not in a hurry and we enjoyed the food so much it wasn't a deal breaker. I didn't realize it is BYOB, we will remember that next time since the drinks are $10-12 for an average size drink.
(4)Kwoky L.
To be perfectly honest, I don't really care for this place, AT ALL. At first, I was merely drawn to the fact that the decor was sleek and it is always crowded. But always remember, don't judge a book by its cover. I came here with some friends and I ordered the mussels with some kind of sauce. It tasted like the frozen ones they got from Costco and then slathered with a horrible white sauce. The taste was plain awful. I tried my friend's curry and it was equally bad. Many of the wait staff are also pretentious, just seems like they do more people watching then making sure the customers are getting what they need. I could have gotten better service and food from the hole-in-the-wall around the corner than this place. So overall, dance music + awful Asian food + pretentious wait staff just didn't work out for me. Avoid at all cost and you're better off spending your money elsewhere.
(1)Anna E.
I've never left here feeling really full or satisfied, but I have left here feeling really drunk. The drinks are great, but overall, I think this place is way too $$ and it's trying to be too pretentious. Or maybe it's just the bitchy Queens we get waiting on us every time that make it seem that way. But seriously, maybe you should tuck a little less tighter and that will help. Sheesh!! Take a Xanax or something first...it's just food for pete's sake! If you do decide to brave the bitches, have the singapore noodles. It's almost worth the abrasiveness. Or better yet, just order take-out!
(3)Kelly H.
Great food. I went to Ping Pong one night with an old friend. We weren't really sure what we were in the mood for, and we ran into Ping Pong as we were walking down Broadway. I'm so glad we stopped in. Menu selection was great-pad thai is always my go-to and this place did not disappoint. They also had a wide variety of vegetarian options, and while I can't remember what my friend ordered, she loved her meal as well. The only complaint that I would have is with regards to the constant steam of attentive waiters that kept coming to our table. I feel like every time I looked up, someone was there asking if we needed anything. While this is better than unattentive servers, I do appreciate being able to take a couple bites and chat with a friend without being interrupted. Overall, great Asian food-I will definitely be returning.
(4)Jason H.
This is my favorite Chinese spot in Chicago! Great food, service and atmosphere at a reasonable price. And for those who enjoy it, the people watching is usually fantastic as it draws in a mix of crowds and The Broadway foot traffic is always fun.
(5)Cameron H.
Since living in Uptown and going to the Belmont/Broadway area frequently, I have always wanted to eat at this place. From the outside, it looks like the place to be with its very modern appeal. From the clean white walls, to the modern furniture, to the large windows, loud music, and trendy crowd, it was very tempting to go in. I went there with someone last night and his first experience at Pingpong was not a good one. However, he was willing to try it out again. Everything ordered was actually good. From the chips that come out once you are seated, to the Salt and Pepper Calamari, to the General Tso's Chicken, to the Penang Chicken. We both were very happy with the choices made. My complaints are that they catere to younger crowds and really isn't a date place. If you are looking for an intimate setting where it is peaceful then Pingpong isn't the place to be. Even in the washroom the music is blaring. But oh well. And the service was a bit slow but it was a Friday night and very crowded. The food was good and I am willing to go back again!!
(3)Tara P.
I think their Chinese food is the best. The monks broth soup with mushrooms is delicious, not salty. Very flavorful. The roasted garlic rice is so good that I don't mind having gas all night. It is great.. And the vegetable dumplings steamed are better than any others I have had and my favorite main dish is the quinoa chicken bowl. I like that it is with brown rice. The service is very good. They are always refilling your tea, water without asking and the music is not as loud as it used to be so a nice conversation between friends can be had. Although many of their dishes are healthy, you can go one step further and order light on the sauce. Everybody who works there is always very welcoming. There were four of us and the prices were extremely reasonable. We had a very enjoyable evening.
(5)Emily W.
Love, love, love it. it's our new favorite spot. We have probably been here 5 times in the past 2 months and have been really pleased by the service, the atmosphere and all of the food choices. We have tried several dishes, but our favorites are the Singapore Noodles, the Hot & Sour Soup and the Thai Chicken Basil. All have been great. Plus, the French-Indo China decor makes for just a fabulous experience. Completely recommend it!
(5)marc c.
Very disappointed with my meal. The service was slow. The food overpriced and cold. I was charge a double cork fee of $15.90 because my bottle of wine was 1 L instead is a 750 ml. Total cork fee for two bottles was $24.00. Never again! Still a lot of attitude.
(1)Erick N.
I have visited Ping Pong a half dozen times over the several years I have resided in Lakeview. Featuring Chinese/Asian Fusion the venue seems to change quite a bit across visits (and has become quite a bit larger than my first visit, swallowing up adjacent storefronts). They seem to have fairly recently undergone some significant renovations and are shooting for a modern, trendy vibe that they almost pulled off, but not everything comes together quite right with some of the furnishing seeming to be out of place. It vaguely reminded me of the decor of Nellcote, but not as elaborate or tasteful. Though Ping Pong clearly aspiring to be an upscale venue, it is certainly not the total package and lacks attention to detail in some areas; for example my linen napkin had seen better days and had a decent sized hole. There is al fresco seating that can be a nice option on a warm summer night, but be advised the seating is on a busy section of North Broadway, so you will have people passing extremely close. We even were accosted by a panhandler during dinner. The level of the cuisine is upscale compared to your average Pan-Asian joint, but certainly not near the level of some of the more successful venues that have sprouted during the past couple of years such as Embeya (my personal favorite for Asian in Chicago), Yusho, Kabocha and the like. Nevertheless I would rank Ping Pong and Chens to be the jewels of Lakeview when I am craving Chinese. The food is best described as good, not great and somewhat hit-or-miss; I have found some of the dishes to be too oily (especially the mu shu pork, which is otherwise a successful dish). I did really enjoy the hot and sour soup that had just the right amount of heat and was chock full of tasty morsels in addition to the nice broth. Probably my least favorite dish here is the crab rangoons; lots of filler, thick deep fried exterior that overpowers the small quantity of crabmeat and a strange tasting dipping sauce. The meal ends with a chocolate flavored and dipped fortune cookie which is a nice departure from the norm. Entrees are decent sized and generally range from $12 to $15, not inexpensive for Asian food, but a fair value for the quality and ambiance. My biggest complaint price wise would be the cocktails; most run from $12 to $14 - the type of price I expect to find at a Michelin starred venue, an upscale craft cocktail lounge with a notable mixologist or when I am in River North or the Mag Mile vicinity. Service is as you would expect for a venue of this type; decently attentive, pleasant enough, but rather impersonal and all about business. Overall Ping Pong is not a bad option if you are in the neighborhood and craving Pan-Asian cuisine but is not a venue worth planning in advance for or travelling to from another neighborhood.
(3)Tammy L.
The last few times I've been to Ping Pong, the salt and pepper calamari has been lacking its usual deliciousness. The first couple of times I thought it was just an off day, but I have been there enough times that I'm thinking it's because of different people in the kitchen or maybe they made a conscious decision to change the dish somewhat. Maybe it just doesn't have as much of the salt/pepper seasoning on it? The calamari itself also seems different. Well, the other dishes are usually all right and the cocktails are pretty good (though a lot of them are on the sweet side), plus the service is always friendly. So I still like Ping Pong, but the magic is a little diminished now.
(3)Brent S.
I ordered tonight on line as I have numerous times over the years. After 70 minutes i called inquiring about status of order. Guy said it was on its way; I asked when it would arrive. He said he would call driver and call me back. Then a manager called, said order had been processed as a pick up and obviously I had made a mistake in ordering. Ping Pong would recook the food, etc.,... and it would be to me approximately 1 hr 45 min after I initially ordered. I asked if it seemed fair to put all the blame on a customer who had ordered many, many, many times from Ping Pong using the website and I didn't think full price was warranted. She didn't agree. I asked to speak to a manager; she said she was the manager.... Interesting treatment of a long term customer. Interesting that the first person told me order was in transit.......Very disappointing and frustrating experience of a customer who has spent much money (notice past tense of verb) at Ping Pong..... Perhaps its time for the owners to revisit their operation? I immediately ordered from Little Jim's on Lincoln. No ambience, but food is great, no attitude and they actually remember their customers.
(1)Lenore R.
Love this restaurant!!! Love the atmosphere of the place, candle light, good mix of lounge music, though able to have a convo with the person next to you. BYOB, but they have a full bar. The service was great when I went and loved the menu!! Lettuce cups and green tea ice cream are amazing!! I would highly recommend and the boiled peanuts are a nice touch!
(5)Melanie B.
One of my absolute favorites in this city! Love the food, love the people, love the atmosphere! Anyone that comes to visit from out of town, I bring them here. Although I really do love everything I've tried, the best apps are the lettuce wraps and there was a "special" egg roll one time that had peanut butter in it. Yummy! As for the entrees, do yourself a favor and have everyone pick one and share, it's a lot of food but that way you can try new things, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Cooper B.
Shanghai noodle and Beijing Vegetable with seitan were amazing. Finished with lemon sorbet to cleanse our pallet - a perfect afternoon meal.
(5)Rachel P.
My husband and I come here regularly! The food is great - very flavorful, a bit spicy - I especially like the Singapore street noodles and the orange chicken. All drinks on the menu have been consistently good. Service is friendly, attentive, but not in your way. Overall, great food, drinks, service. I've recommended this place to all my friends!
(5)Peter E.
My friend was shorted quite a bit of chicken in his dish. He was told he should have told them earlier. This displayed no good faith in their customers. Have enjoyed meals here since it opened and I will not be back. We asked the manager to fix the situation and she was stone faced and did not oblige.
(1)Krasi V.
I went there on a Sunday night, at 10 pm, and they said the kitchen closes at 12, so not to worry about rushing with the food. Extremely friendly Thai. waitress, delicious Penang Curry chicken. Drinks were a little overpriced but again, the place is BYOB. Old classic music, retro B&W images on the walls, I enjoyed the atmosphere. Highly recommend it!!
(5)Elina S.
We came here on a Saturday night around 6pm and we were the only table there, but by 7pm the place got pretty packed. We got seated in the way back booths by the big window, and boy was it cold from the outside. I get its winter time, but seriously crank up the heat a little bit. The music that was playing was also loud and I felt like it was too much and too much techno for a simple Asian fusion dinner. I just wanted to have a relaxed atmosphere but the music was too loud for my taste. The ambiance was modern with a cool chandelier in the foyer. The service right from the start was very good, they gave you wet cloths to clean your hands right away and our server was on top of it all night so I really liked that aspect of this place. The food came out very quickly starting with a bunch of appetizers and then the entrees all came out at once, which I like. Now onto the most important part of a restaurant, the food. I thought it was A Okay, nothing outstanding but nothing horrible either and here is what we ordered. Crab Ragoons- crispy, yummy cream cheese, but didn't care for the rasberry dressing, because I'm used to the sweet and sour sauce. Salt & Pepper Calamari-A tad on the spicy side but too chewy for my liking, but you do get a generous portion. Ping Pong roll and a shrimp tempura roll-The fact that they only have two sushi rolls on the menu should tell you to stay away from it since the quality just was not there. Tofu Pad Thai-Very good, probably my favorite thing that night, in an authentic peanut sauce, and a huge portion which I took more than half of home since I was full from the appetizers. Chicken and shrimp kung pao-my family seemed to all enjoy this as it had a nice kick and lots of peanuts. Dream Bar?-I think that is what it's called which had nuts, coconut, graham crackers and chocolate with green tea ice cream, my hubby seemed to enjoy it but it didn't look appetizing to me. Overall, an a okay place in terms of food but we were happy with the service. Oh and with the check came chocolate covered fortune cookies which is a nice touch.
(3)David B.
I ordered a spicy garlic chicken. It was a standard dish you can get at any Chinese restaurant. Trouble was, there was hardly any chicken in it. I asked the waitress if I could get a couple of pieces of chicken more. Mind you, we are talking about 1" pieces here. She came back saying the manager declined my request. For real? I asked to speak to the manager. The manager was hard to understand, but what I understood was that had I notified the wait staff earlier (before I ate most of the dish) they would've been able to grant my request, but at this point there was nothing she could do. I was stunned. Seriously? She was basically saying that I was not to be trusted because she could not independently verify that my claim was true. Get real. There are a lot of good eating places in this city, but this one is off my list.
(1)Ezra H.
Took my boyfriend here for a special dinner, and as such looked past the high prices. However, we ordered two appetizers, the green beans (VERY GOOD) and the potstickers. The green beans came out about 10 mins after ordering. Then nothing. We waited almost 30 before our Potstickers came out. They were good, but nothing any tastier than a well prepared frozen Trader Joe's Potsticker. But I was determined to have a good night. Then, we waited an additional 40 minutes before our food was served... oh wait, it was someone elses food that was placed before us a s tease for being almost 80 minutes into the dining experience without getting our entree. Another 10 mins and finally our food arrives. JOY! We are starving. I ordered the General's Chicken, which was tasty, but a very small portion (probably about 8-9 medium chunks of chicken.) My boyfriend ordered the Beef Potato Curry, and while tasty, the vegetables (carrots and potatoes) were in huge, extremely undercooked chunks. Not wanting to wait for a new order, (as we'd already been waiting almost 90 minutes for our entree, he ate the beef and rice and left the big vegetables. The problem was that when it came time to pay the bill, I requested that they remove the Curry from the bill, as it was highly unsatisfactory. And they first came over and interrogated my boyfriend as to what was wrong, including trying to cut the vegetables with the provided spoon, and when the server saw they were hard as rock, he admitted that they had been having issues with this and they would alert the cooks. However, they would not remove the item, as they could only offer replacements. At this point, we'd wasted a large chunk of our evening on this place, and so the "solution" offered was hardly a solution. We wanted to leave as by this point it was already 10pm. So we paid full price and left. Though I still left a decent tip, I know that I will never return to Ping Pong again. Breakdown Service: Poor and Slow Food: Good (When properly cooked) Decor/Ambience: Excellent, the place is very neatly appointed Price: Poor - for the portions and the service, the price should be much lower.
(1)Brady C.
This has to be the best Chinese food I've ever eaten in my entire life. The hot & sour soup is absolutely wonderful. I love the historic feel to the place, and the service is always friendly. I've only had one issue with an order out of the many times I've ordered with them. There was a considerable amount of rice noodles & veggies, but not a lot of meat (which is really what you're paying for when you order an entree by the name of the meat.) The manager let me know there was a new chef, and the problem wouldn't happen again. It never did happen again, and I've ordered quite a few times since. They offer you a choice of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa, which is a nice change from the average Chinese restaurant that only gives white rice. I highly recommend this place if you're in the neighborhood, and want the loudest bang for the buck.
(5)Geoff J.
What a find! Cute little Chinese joint offering BYOB. Due to the size you might have to wait a little bit for a table so go ahead and crack that bottle. On this trip I tried the string beans and grilled dumplings to start. There's some nice spice on the beans. Dumplings were tasty as well! For entrees I tried the orange chicken and general chicken. Both came with an ample portion of chicken and some nice veggies. Plenty of food to fill you up! Make sure to save room for those chocolate dipped fortune cookies. Yum!
(5)Laura L.
What a delightful little place. Very nice and attentive staff (there was a bit of a language barrier but our waitress was cute and ended the description of every specials with "which will be very good for you") and really cute interior. We were lucky enough to be there on a day when the window walls were open to the street. I'm doing a vegan month and while it wasn't the best vegan food I've found in the city, there was a sufficient amount of options. We got: -Cold peanut noodles (seemed simple enough but I doubt I could replicate) -Steamed vegetable dumplings (very nice) -Hubs got General Tso's Chicken (I tried the sauce - yum!) -Buddhist Revelation (ok, but would've preferred more veggies and less artificial meat...and I thought with the description reading soy broth that it may have been a soup and was a little disappointed it wasn't) - The meal started with complimentary rice snacks and ended with chocolate, chocolate covered fortune cookies. Nice touches. They also pour a nice, cold, refreshing large Sapporo. There cocktail list also looked nice but was too pricey for us that night. I can't say we'll return immediately, but I'm glad we finally tried it out. Very pleased.
(4)Jen K.
I have walked past Ping Pong several times and I finally sat down to eat an early dinner. The waitstaff was courteous. However, after being seated we waited 15 minutes to see our waiter to order, so I do not suggest eating here if you are in a rush to be somewhere after dinner. I was impressed with the fresh ingredients and variety of dishes to choose from the menu. Its a very chill environment. I would not recommend bringing kids here unless they are familiar with Asian cuisine. While we were there a kid threw up onto the table while his mother looked in the other direction, poor kid. Fortune cookie was amazing!
(4)Joonho Y.
Really Great Neighborhood Place. Food is Delicious and "Light" for Chinese Food (you don't feel "Heavy" after a Meal). I always like having a Brown Rice Option. Prices are good, and you can always get a Table. Staff is Friendly and Unique.
(5)Andy P.
haveing eaten here over time and decor changes, the food is just ok, but getting rushed or hustled before we even really finished seems to be there MO. I'm not sure why when the resturant is one third full on a saturday night...I really don't think the food that great, better take a trip to China town foods worth a trip.
(1)Ryan F.
I haven't been here in five years and was pleasantly surprised last night. They've redone the interiors and expanded the menu. I had the roasted duck - which promises to be better than Chinatown. It was great and didn't disappoint. One thing was they charged $8 for a corkage fee which is a little high for champagne.
(4)Sergio J.
I really do enjoy this place. Ive been here a few times. The food is flavorful, and the dishes are like many Asian dishes large enough to share. I love that they give you an option of white rice, brown rice, and quinoa. The service is excellent. Great concept, and the space is nicely designed.
(4)Jessica N.
Ping Pong is a wonderful neighborhood pan-Asian joint. I love that the atmosphere is nicer than your normal ethnic food restaurant so you could come here on a date or special occasion. Food is reliable (though not amazing) Taro chips are a delicious way to start the meal. I've had the Hong Kong noodles and Green Curry. All good. Service is ok but not amazing. Overall, always a solid place to go.
(3)Bill L.
THIS place has gone down hill........After,yesterday, after having spent thousands of,dollars on carry out when I was denied an order of Edamame On the house, because they only do,that for,delivery I,was shocked. the Service is way below standard with servers displaying a harsh, greedy attitude and we have felt like we were never treated with welcome, just bad Snotty attitudes and all about GREED. the food has really slipped, they have Cheapened the quality of,their product, and rumor,has,it,that they are having Difficulty paying their rent, .......I would definitely never patronize this establishment ever again, and am very saddened by the rudeness, lack of Service and poor,quality of,food and drinks that are way overpriced. the quality of the food does not deserve,the price and I am saddened that I have To,write this review, but I want the community to,be aware That this,is not The Ping Pong restaurant that we remember. by the wAy, the female manager Does not care if you have any concerns, trust me you will leave,very upset!
(1)Katiria G.
The service definitely takes away from me giving this place a higher review. From the moment I walked in with my company, the staffers were all bunched together and came off as pretentious. The food is good, but my mind wasn't blown. I enjoyed the Chinese beer though. Now to the interior: exquisite! I'd hire whoever was in charge of the interior design in a heart beat.
(3)Jason R.
Amazing food, beautiful decor, great service. They got my boyfriend's order wrong and fixed it very quickly. An excellent experience.
(4)Lisa N.
Cute decor, but horrible food, and waitstaff with attitude (mostly gay Asian guys)! The good is as inauthentic as Chinese food gets...the kind that one might assume so for unsophisticated white folks...
(2)Beth B.
an $8 corkage fee? Seems a little pricey. Good food though!
(3)Catherine B.
I would walk past this restaurant every so often and always forget that I wanted to try it out. Randomly the other day I found it online and decided to go. We were seated immediately, however I think that was because we got there pretty early. That place gets quite busy at night. I loved the decor, a mix of traditional chinese and modern furniture with a huge gorgeous chandelier in the middle of the restaurant. They are very accommodating to gluten allergies. By very accommodating I mean they have their own gluten free soy sauce that they can use on all the dishes. They have outdoor seating available but unfortunately the night that we were there it started pouring outside and there were a few people seated out there. The wait staff did rush everything inside including their tables and seats so that the people who were eating outside could still finish their dinner inside. It did end up being a little bit on the pricier side but I definitely will be returning, I had a great experience and the food was delicious. Not to mention you get chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end.
(4)Amy K.
My first visit to Ping Pong was a pleasant surprise. This cute neighborhood restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere that is not snobby but very welcoming. Attentive staff promptly greeted our party of three. Corkage fee of $8 for BYOB wine. Orders taken and food delivered at a comfortable pace. Deep fries Brussels sprouts made a great appetizer. The egg foo yung was the best I've had in any city. Fortune cookies were not ordinary--they were chocolate dipped in chocolate. Highly recommend Ping Pong!
(5)Amanda M.
The service, atmosphere & food was fantastic. We had the calamari to start. Very unusual with the salt & pepper flavor but amazing. Then the pad thai had to be one of the best I've ever had. Great place for a date night as well. Just a little expensive for a Lakeview location but they give you complimentary chips to start & chocolate fortune cookies to finish. The entrees are very large, enough to pack up and bring home. I'll definitely be returning.
(5)Norman R.
Decent quality of food. Prepared well with fresh ingredients and not a lot of oil BUT service is TERRIBLE: trying to order while they rush you is super annoying, giving the phone orders to the employee who doesn't speak English, and having the rudest delivery guy who yells at you if you don't tip him to his expectations or if he has to wait 3 mins for u to walk down stairs because he can't figure out an intercom system, too many other good Chinese restaurants with better quality and way better service! Just go across the street to Joys noodles with better menu, cheaper, BYOB, and better service
(2)Cassie M.
Fantastic crab rangoon & egg rolls... everything else we had was mediocre or outright gross. The seats are awkward, the music was far too loud for the middle of the afternoon, the cloth napkins were wash rags, the menus were wrinkled, reused plain sheets of paper, & overall the place choked on its own pretentious douchery. Don't charge $15+ for an entree if you can't provide me a clean menu at the very least, seriously. Edit: After reading the other reviews... I feel very sorry for the uppity hipsters who think this is quality dining. Give me Joy's down the block from Ping Pong ANY day.
(2)Steve N.
I've eaten at ping pong a number of times over the last few years and had a decent experience, but the absurdity of our server last night will probably mean it is the last time. So I went with a small group for an early Sunday evening dinner in honor or someone's birthday. The fact that it was someone's birthday was apparently irrelevant to both the host and the server. I wasn't expecting something free, but don't most places usually offer up the option of ordering a surprise treat for the birthday boy? Nope. It was ignored as if we hadn't even mentioned it. I could get past that. Really, I could. The front doors were wide open and it was a cool 70 degrees and breezy.. All good. Unfortunately, no one told them the heat wave was over. The ceiling fans were set on super-turbo-speed and not only created a windstorm, but the menus were blowing all over the place leaving both patrons and staff on a paper chase to retrieve them. We had to use whatever we could find to hold our menus down long enough to read them. You would think someone would have had the foresight to turn the fans down a notch. Nope. I could get past that. Really, I could. I had brought a gift for the birthday boy, as often happens when someone is having a birthday dinner. But, like I said, the birthday aspect escaped them entirely. The server seemed stressed out by this and actually asked me what it was. What was it? None of her business, that's what. She finally relented when I told her it was gift for the birthday boy. (Did she finally understand it was someone's bithday? She didn't acknowledge ti, but she stopped trying to confiscate the gift.). The food came - pretty good. Nothing special and ridiculously overpriced, but like I said, I've been there before. I know to expect the overpriced food and drinks. (And the loud rave music blasting overhead). To be fair, the steamed dumplings were amazing. Definitely a must-have. The sesame chicken is tasty, but you would think $15 would get you more than 5 nuggets of chicken and a few pieces of broccoli. I could past all that. Really I could. So we continued with our meal - and the moment the last bite of food was put in anyone's mouth, someone was immediately there to snatch the plates out from under us. There is no time to protest when you are still chewing the food in your mouth. Not exactly a pleasant way to finish your meal. And since half the tables were empty, I was unclear as to why the plates had to be taken as the last morsel ascended towards our open mouths. Even this, as misguided an ill-mannered as it was, was forgiveable, since were in a happy birthday-celebrating mood. But then... Then the guest of honor opened his gift -- part of which, as an inside joke, contained a teeny-tiny 25 cent bag of Jay's potato chips. Our server must have had us under surveillance, because as soon as that fun size bag of chips been pulled from the gift bag, she was on us. NO OUTSIDE FOOD ALLOWED! Seriously, woman?! We just spent $200+ at this place in rice and martinis and you are worried about an unopened bag of 25 cent potato chips? Like someone was really going to start eating them? We allowed her to remove the offensive bag of chips rather than argue, because, like I said, no one was actually planning on eating them. At this point we just assumed she did not want a tip, and did not p lan on giving her one. The joke was on us. Our party of five was apparently large enough to warrant automatic gratuity being added to the bill. So our server walked away with a mandatory tip that was neither earned nor deserved. It was amazing really to see such a thorough example of how NOT to serve someone a meal at a restaurant. How do businesses like this survive? Crazy. What should have been a special occassion was turned into an awkward, unwelcoming mistake. Considering you can't turn around without running into an Asian restaurant in this town, there is certainly no reason to ever retun to Ping Pong. For the prices they charge, the environment and atmosphere should be one-of-a-kind. Well, this was one-of-kind, for sure. Just not the kind that any patron would want.
(1)Randy N.
Hadn't been to Ping Pong in several years and now, I can't stop going and having them deliver. Food is always great and delivery is quick (and food is still hot)!! Love this stuff, Harvest Chicken, Harvest Tofu are my usuals. Their version of edamame is great, the hot and sour soup is great!! Good stuff! Oh, especially like the raspberry sweet and sour sauce that comes with the crab rangoon!
(5)Wesley L.
So...I have been going to Ping Pong for years. Love the ambiance! It is white and clean and very hip and trendy....Until this weekend. It is changing...to what I cannot really say...it is downton abbey meets asian fusion. WHAT? Menu and food is the same but the knock off second hand furniture and new "romantic" feel does not fit the menu and the contemporary chairs and other features that have not changed give the restaurant a new weird vibe that is a sharp contrast from what it once was. As a person who has been going to Ping Pong for years....it has never been the same after the fire...please go back to those good times.
(2)Aaron L.
My girlfriend and I live a block away and Ping Pong is amazing! They definitely have some of the best Thai food in the city and the coconut shrimp is the best I've ever had! I also had the orange chicken on Wednesday night which was incredible. It's BYOB but they do have an $8 corkage fee, we love it and highly recommend this place!
(4)Steve S.
I really have no idea how such a sub-par place can be so busy. While some call the decor "sparse" or "minimal", I call it "we ran out of money". The front "bar" is pretty much some particle board slapped together right by the front door. If you have a party of five or more, expect to be packed in like a Tokyo subway car. The entire staff has an attitude like "I'm so fierce because I work here so you should be happy I'm even seating you". But I could forgive all that if the food was just good. I'm pretty sure Ping Pong has some agreement with Morton salt where they get paid for putting as much salt in their dishes as possible. And then add some sort of spice. I ordered the red snapper which was buried under some salad and I think mushrooms. Fish was slimy and salty. Even the salad was salty. I couldn't even eat half of it. In fact, no one else in our party finished theirs. The only saving grace was the seared ahi tuna appetizer which was decent. They even managed to screw up fortune cookies by drowning them in Pillsbury icing and rainbow sprinkles. Not cute at all.
(1)D S.
This place is on point. Pricey, but they really make up for it by serving Grade A seafood and meats. Not a lot of space so make sure you have a reservation, but taste is like no other. Definitely not your typical neighborhood asian restaurant, you know the place where no matter what you order it always takes 15 minute. So don't be thrown off when it actually takes 30 minutes to get your food, that's a sign of freshly served food.
(3)Alan K.
I love this restaurant. I love the decor and ambiance. This is a great place to take a date. It was obvious when we saw this lesbian couple caressing each other next to the lit candle on their table. I ordered a Lychee Martini. It was over the top strong. We ordered various appetizers including calamari, ping pong roll, and wasabi fries. Oh it was so delicious. Then we ordered the kung pao eggplant and tofu and the some vegetable dish. The kung pao eggplant seemed to be devoid of tofu and the vegetable dish was okay. I think that the next time I come here, I would order some other dishes although the appetizers were the highlight of the night.
(5)Daan V.
Sublime. I can't wait to go back and get the Buddhist Enlightenment again. The scallion pancakes are really great as well.
(5)Rits M.
well what most reviewers didnt mention too strongly was that this place looks super cute! Guess it would, given the closeness to Boystown. Airy feel, clean lines, lots of white and little tables complete the look. To the food- it wasn't superb, but it was a great meal. Large portions too. Wine was pretty good, we had the Pinot Noir and we got the Mongolian steak (good), the Pad Thai (I wasnt a fan of this one, too much noodles, too little anything else) and the cashew chicken- this one was good, and they didnt skimp on the cashews at all. Fun for a nice summer evening out :)
(4)C W.
Food was good, no issue with that. Ever heard the expression "let's crank it up to 11"? Well, they live by this. I'd like to take more people there, but the music is so loud and annoying that I pass. Eating outside, it's barable. Great place for deaf dinning.
(3)Andrea P.
Walking into Ping Pong you immediately notice that the music is REALLY too loud. The decor is chic and sophisticated and the bar has a modern Asian twist. The food is unfortunately a hit or miss. Your taste buds cannot hold me accountable for this but I would recommend: Only if your into fried food: Wasabi fries and the Salt and Pepper Calamari For the "take it down a notch health addicts" Vegetable spring rolls,Seaweed Salad,Kung Pao Eggplant and tofu *Brown rice is really good here. I must confess, the main reason I come to Ping Pong is because of a very gifted Derek. I walk in, we are greeted with a fun and relaxed, "just three" to which we respond, "yes, but we're just here for a martini" followed by the typical roll of the eyes, and on to the next customer act..but that doesn't stop us, we are here for our sex and the city gossip and our uniquely crafted martinis...or will it be one of my personal favorites (Derek's own creation) a glass of Lychee champagne? My friends and I abuse Ping Pong and we know it, the bar is meant for those "waiting to be seated" and we use it to catch up on chit chat and sip delicious drinks...
(3)Kelly C.
A friend and I ventured to Ping Pong Saturday night and only had a maybe 5 minute wait..score! Like most Asian restaurants the tables are quite close together and the music was on the louder side...but nothing that overly bothered me. We got some drinks to kick off the night. My friend loves the ginger martini and I had a tropical fruity concoction (sorry can't remember the name) and it was quite tasty. For food we started off with seaweed salad (pretty typical) and the ahi tuna. The tuna was great, fresh and prepared perfectly. For our entrees I had the garlic scallops with quinoa....yes they have quinoa as an option instead of rice. This is awesome to people like me who aren't a fan of rice. This alone makes me likely to return! My friend had the Moo Shoo Pork and said it was good. I believe this is one of her go to entrees so it must be good! The entrees were a good size and I had more than half left over. My suggestion is if you get appetizers and can agree on an entree go ahead and share one. The service was fine...not great but def no horrible. I would def go back and try other dishes.
(4)Cathy B.
Food: A-OK. Service: Hilarious, but unintentionally so. We were greeted by someone who could barely deign to look at us as he introduced himself. Which, I guess, saved us from learning his name only to have him never check back at our table again. The food was surprisingly tasty! So, props to the folks in the kitchen, who have to work back there despite the service with attitude. But really, if you approach eating at Ping Pong with the attitude of having "dinner with a show," then you'll be just fine. The food is certainly above average. If, however, you actually expect quality table service, consider somewhere else. Corkage fee - eight dollars. What the what?
(3)Yaara L.
This is probably the best Asian Fusion restaurant in Chicago--and I've been to many! It's not over-priced, the staff are friendly, and the food is probably the freshest I've had at any restaurant! I've ordered the exotic/mixed mushroom and veggie dish with quinoa--which was fantastic. I've also ordered their brocolli rabe appetizer. I've also never had to wait more than 10 minutes. If you're looking for a fast, fresh, and classy place this is it!
(5)Cortney A.
I ate at Ping Pong the first time about 5 years ago and I was unimpressed. The food was blah and the service wasn't great. But I went back this weekend for a friend's birthday and it was decent. I ordered the Mongolian beef which was really good and I love that you have the option of brown rice, white rice or quinoa. I also ordered a really delicious specialty martini that had lavender and black tea vodka. We received top notch service as well. I'm surprised to read so many complaints. From the host to the server to the bus boys, we were well taken care of. The only reason I probably won't be back any time soon is the prices. This place is outrageously expensive for what it is. I don't see a lot of difference between what I had here and what I get at my greasy spoon, take-out Chinese spot. The meat was of the same quality. Nothing special.
(3)Meridith E.
When one of our friends suggested Ping Pong for our "catch-up dinner," I was open minded....and excited since I love Chinese food. However, I was a bit disappointed with my overall experience. And let me enumerate why: 1) BYOB???: My friend brought beer, assuming that BYOB included beer. Yeah, it didn't. The host came out to greet her and told her she would not be able to drink it at the table, because they actually DO serve beer there. So, they took her name and said they would hold onto her beer and keep it chilled in the fridge. (Remember this, because it will be pointed out later.) Shouldn't this, then, be called BYOW - bring your own WINE? 2) Server Confusion: We had a couple different servers approach our table, which was confusing. However, I guess this is good in order to ensure that your customers aren't waiting. 3) Corking Fee: There is a $7.95 corking fee, which kind of blows. 4) Dirty Wine Glass #1: Not only do you pay for corking fees, but you have to worry about dirty wine glasses. One of my friends had food (which I think was a sesame seed) floating in her wine right after the server poured the wine and left the table. We asked for a new wine glass, but it never came. Finally, I had to flag someone down to get our server to come back over. She took the glass to the kitchen, dumped out the wine and returned with another glass, in which the server poured another glass. 5) Dirty Wine Glass #2: My friend is now paranoid and checked her glass only to find something stuck to the glass AGAIN! We called the server over again, and she said it might be an imperfection in the glass and took the glass to the kitchen. When she returned, the 2nd glass was empty and the server was holding a 3rd glass. She then told us that it was the glass itself and took a long toothpick to scrape at the glass to show that it was not food crusted on the glass. So my question is...why didn't you leave the glass of wine filled, then, instead of dumping out YET ANOTHER glass of wine out? I mean we ARE paying corking fee, right?!? 6) Dirty Wine Glass #3: My other friend, who is now paranoid, checked her glass. There was something stuck to her glass. She took the long toothpick the server had used and began to check to see if it was the glass or food. It was food. So, we called the server over again and showed her that there was something on the glass. (My recommendation - Wash your glasses separately to avoid food getting washed off of plates, tossed onto glasses and then steam dried onto wine glasses!) 7) Noise Level: The space is decorated very cutely and I liked the mood lighting; however, I really had a hard time hearing my friends as they were speaking, because noise just seemed to bounce all over the place there. 8) My friend who had "checked" her wine at the bar was a bit tipsy leaving, because there were some bottles of wine everyone enjoyed at dinner, and forgot to grab her beer before she walked outside. But our other friend remembered and ran up to the host to grab it before we all left. My friend just put the beer in her car not even paying attention. Turns out that the Ping Pong staff gave her the wrong beer! They apparently had the name tags switched for the another table that had brought beer. While there were some frustrating aspects of the dinner, I have to say the food was good, but a bit over-priced for my taste. Also, I had never had a chocolate fortune cookie before. It came out and I was so excited. It was a chocolate fortune cookie, dipped in white chocolate with chocolate sprinkles. And my fortune inside was pretty right on to what is going on in my life. So, that get's a star.
(2)Courtney C.
Went today with my boyfriend and we enjoyed it very much! There crab Rangoon was great but we wish you got more than four of them. The potstickers were awesome! And both of use loved are entrees..I would recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Georgia K.
I don't care what anyone else says, Ping Pong. I like you. I've been to Ping Pong a few times now and haven't had anything less than an enjoyable experience. Here's why: The servers have been helpful and friendly. The bartenders mix great drinks (try the Kardashian or Lychee martini). The atmosphere is trendy and minimalist-- great for a night out. The food is really good too. I've ordered the salt & pepper calamari (mmmmm!!), the lettuce cups, the kung pao chicken, chicken pad thai, and the spicy garlic chicken. I thought it was all very tasty. The frosted fortune cookies with sprinkles are the best! Ping Pong has definitely joined the ranks of my favorite Asian cuisine in Chicago.
(4)Stacy H.
Ping Pong is one of the better places for good sushi delivery in the area. Great apps and never disappointed. :)
(4)Hayley N.
ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS PLACE! I also have a pretty high standard when it comes to asian food, but this place is super great. Its got such a great atmosphere and the service was fabulous-not to mention the amazing chocolate covered fortune cookies at the end! I took my girlfriends here and it was the perfect place. We ordered 3 dishes and 1 appetizer for the 4 of us and it was plenty. I recommend the kung pao eggplant dish and the ahi tuna appetizer. Very delicious! I highly recommend this place!
(5)Kathleen I.
I went back recently .. and I ordered the following Chicken Egg rolls- amazing! Crab Ra goons- Decent Lettuce wraps: very flavorful Pot Stickers: Disgusting is an understatement. Gooey with this weird chewy lump inside. My dining partners also ordered a mushroom and beef and claimed it was slimey and flavorless. I'm so disappointed... the service also went down and the chairs are so uncomfortable.
(1)Scott M.
Went there late night this past weekend. Great food! Great service and enjoyed the table up front next to the window viewing Broadway at night. I ordered the Lettuce wraps for an appetizer, which was great then spicy beef was ok! The music was a bit loud but for a small place and dinning spot I would recommend it.
(4)Natalie S.
Oh Ping Pong. I have a love/hate relationship with you. Love: the sizzling rice soup and calamari. Both are done really, really well and I could just eat those two things and be happy and fat. The decor is really modern and clean and I'm a big fan Hate: Just about everything else about the place. The service is TERRIBLE. GOD AWFUL. We have been sat there and waited 15+ minutes just to get menus... not to mention the additional 15 minutes it takes for them to come back for your order. The food comes out slower than the second coming of Christ. The transvestite waitresses look fabulous but their proficiency is zero. Aside from the sizzling rice soup and calamari, I haven't had anything else there that wowed me. On top of it, they advertise that they are BYOB. So we brought in a 6 pack of beer. They charged us a $3 PER BEER corking fee. We brought it to our fabulous tranny waitress' attention and she shrugged and said it's the policy. We haven't been back. It is probably better for my self esteem because the waitress had better legs than I do. But I do miss that sizzling rice soup every now and then...
(2)Lauren F.
Whenever I walk into pingpong on a Friday or Saturday evening I instantly feel like I've stepped into a scene from Sex and the City. The modern decor and waiters with legs skinnier than my arms instantly transform my friends and me into Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda. I've never been disappointed here and some of my favs include the Crab Rangoon, Pingpong Roll, Potstickers, Pad See Ew, and Kung Pao Beef. They also have some very tasty cocktails or you can bring your own bottle of vino-altogether a great place to start out an evening of fabulousness!
(4)Erika G.
Walked by this place countless times, and always thought "Hm, cute and lively but TOO LOUD." Why do they blast that crap music all the time? WHY?! Here's what you need to do. Something ELSE for the majority of the evening. Then, emerge after dark, WAY after dark, when it's quiet and it's time for a cocktail and a snack. We did this the other night, and it was a joy. Stopped by around 10:30 or so, and sat outside. It was not lively, but it was quiet. No blaring music - outside, anyway. Which allowed us to dish with our cute, friendly waiter! Adorable and sweet, with just the right amount of attention paid to us. The drinks - Grey Goose martini and a pear martini were chilly and delicious (BYOB only inside, full bar available in and out). Snacks - the "oyster pancake" and wasabi fries were tasty. The oyster pancake was delicious. It looked like scrambeled eggs with oysters baked in. YUM. And a giant size appetizer, plenty for two to share. Wasabi fries were crunchy and savory with a decadent mayonnaise-wasabi sauce. Again, plenty for two to share. The Hot n' Sour soup. I fancy myself somewhat of a Hot n' Sour dilettante. I love it. I tried making it once, and it was a dishwater tasting disaster. So, I order it when I see it. This soup was damn near perfect. I like it very sour, and this was sour and yummy. I usually add more rice vinegar to my HnS soup, but this didn't need any, it was really delicious. After dark this place was delightful. Maybe it was the seven star company, and your mileage will probably vary on that, but this was one of the best late night cocktail/snack experiences I've had in awhile.
(4)Teddy B.
Ping Pong is a great place for a date night! I have been here quiet a few times despite it being somewhat over priced for what it is. Their Wild Mushrooms and Chicken is by far one of the best dishes in Chicago, but that is coming from someone who is obsessed with mushrooms. You can't go wrong with their calamari appetizer (pretty spicy though so caution that) or the ping pong roll. Only complaint I have is the prices are a tad high hence the 4 star rating. Oh the chocolate covered fortune cookies are a nice touch to end a meal with!
(4)Stephanie L.
4.5.....ME LIKE-Y!~ Went here last night and the place was bumping...every table was full when we were eating...crazy. Every server there is like skinny as hell and gay...its hilarious! They are all so nice, but they all need to eat a steak. Vibe is totally like Sura, or I guess Sura would be like Ping pong since its been around longer. There is BYOB and full bar (BYOB is $6/bottle corkage fee...not the best, but its still good). Food is great. We had the summer rolls (I'm currently obsessed with them) and some sashimi tuna dip, both were FAB-O. I had the Beijing vegetarian. It was great and they offer brown rice....YAY. Other dishes that I tried was the harvest scallops and something with lots of seafood and egg noodles....both were also really good. Ping Pong....you were yummy and of course, we got fortune cookies at the end! I will be back!!!
(4)Jon S.
I like the food. The service and attitude are horrible. I can accept that with bad weather there will be a delay in delivery. What I can't accept is calling for status after an hour and being told the delivery will occur within ten minutes, and waiting another half hour. Over 90 minutes for the order to arrive. Even this would have been OK if the manager had offered any kind of apology or incentive for a future order, but she absolutely refused to do anything at all. In fact, this is almost an exact quote: "I can't do anything." Nothing. Nothing at all. A similar recent experience with Mark's delivery in bad weather-- called to inquire about status and was offered a discount on the next order. Unfortunately Ping Pong doesn't think it has to be nice to customers. A recent dine-in experience was similar-- horribly slow service, among the slowest and least-attentive I've ever experienced-- but I'm willing to overlook one bad experience, perhaps even two if the restaurant tries to make it right. This restaurant doesn't care about keeping a long-term customer happy. No problem, hundreds of other restaurants in the area. Also have to let American Express know about this vendor's customer service attitude. Awful, unacceptable, never again.
(1)Hula B.
i've always liked this place, from when it first opened in that small orange room, to its now more expansive size and beautiful white decor. the sashimi tuna dip appetizer is a long time favorite and also the lettuce cups. i think they do a great job with their seafood, so i tend to get fish/shellfish when i go. attentive service that's friendly enough, although, frequently there is something of a language barrier that is not helped by the loud music. used to be byob only, they now have a nice reasonably priced wine list as well as some of those signature drinks/martinis that seem to be required these days. great place for dates, business dinners, or just good times with friends.
(4)Jacob T.
I am a big fan of Asian food and I was very pleased with this place. The atmosphere is a little dark and I think that adds to the experience. They have a good variety of flavors and have good judgement when it comes to the flavor of their more spicy dishes. I'm a big fan of the mango shrimp.
(4)Katie B.
Really good pad Thai, the sweet potato roll is delicious! The wait staff is hit or miss. Really attentive for awhile then drift away for 15 minutes ... But I'll be back.
(4)Michael P.
Let me first put a disclaimer that I have an EXTREMELY high standard for Chinese food. Most of the places I've been to in America are usually too greasy, heavily seasoned, and generally mediocre quality. Ping Pong blew my expectations. My friend told the story of how this place was formerly a real hole in the wall that expanded into the adjacent space that now is the main dining room. A fire sparked and burned the entire restaurant down, which lead to remodeling that created the chic, minimalistic interior that one can see today. Dimly lit and high ceilings suggests an elegant place to bring a date, although you may also be in the company of many other (gay) couples. My guest and I arrived at around 8:30 on a Friday night and we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. I was staving so after what seemed like eternity, we were sat and given hot towels. We started with the calamari and I had the salt and pepper shrimp. I was a bit worried because both dishes were fried but that wasn't a problem. Both calamari and shrimp were lightly breaded and sauteed in garlic, salt, and a medley of aromatic peppers and herbs. The shrimp portion was generous and perfectly plump and juicy. Each bite was heaven. The chocolate fortune cookie was a nice unique touch to the meal. I am not a big fan of Chicago food in general but Ping Pong has me salivating thinking about the next meal. Only one star taken off for difficulty in getting a table.
(4)Jen K.
I hadn't been to Ping Pong in years, but decided to try it again. Pros: the food: I got General's chicken and my friend got panang curry with tofu. Mine was really good, but not too big. Hers was also good, but you could get 2x as much food for half the price at your hole in the wall Thai place down the street. The calamari appetizer was also really good. TIP: it doesn't come with any sauce so its pretty bland, so ask for some sweet chili thai sauce on the side :) Cons: $7.95 corking fee. Service was ok.
(3)