Heck, I heard a statistic one time that an area of only like 1000 people can support a chinese take-out. (don't quote me, that's from memory!)
Oddly, for the size of our communities around the Siskey Y, there's only one, and that's Chia Best in Plantation Market, next to the Harris Teeter.
So how good is it?
Location & Hours
Chia Best is, as you can see in the photo above, between the Rite Aid and Dentist in the Harris Teeter shopping center across from Siskey Y.It's open 6 days a week (closed on Tuesdays) with the hours of 11am till 9:30pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11-10:30 Friday and Saturday
While small, perhaps "Cozy" is a better term, it has basic seating for about 36 people. some areas, like near the drink machines, are quite cramped. In short, it's your basic chinese restaurant!
Menu & Prices
For as small as it appears from outside, the menu is long and seemingly comprehensive. The selection of appetizers (Dumplings!), soups, fried rice, lo mein, chow mein is a good as I've seen at a restaurant like this!
Entree items run from about $8.25 up to $11.15, but the good news happens when you look at the lunch or dinner specials!
There are 28 different Lunch Specials, the vast majority at $5.99 each, and 26 dinner combinations from $6.59 to $7.79.
Both Lunches and Dinners come with Fried Rice and Egg Roll. And a Fortune Cookie!
Honestly, for a fast take-out lunch for $5.99+tax, it's a complete steal with the quantity of food you get!
As for the major question - Is It Good?
Well, yes and no. It's consistent, and some parts (like the veggies) are always crunch (so not over-cooked to death).
Some menu items are really good, others are just "Okay".
The beef with broccoli pictured is a great example. The broccoli is good, the meat is mushy, and the fried rice tastes like it has a bit of vinegar in it.
Same goes with the sesame chicken, for example.
It's not bad, not at all, but it somehow reminds you that every cheap and fast chinese restaurant is not the same.
So why do I keep going back?
A couple of reasons.
First, convenience. It's RIGHT THERE and beats a 30 minute round-trip to another one.
Second, the service. I've been saving this for last, because the service I've had here has been exceptional each and EVERY time I've gone. Fast, friendly, smiling service.
When I want to grab a quick chinese food fix on the run, that means a lot to me!
-JP
