Bites Nearby: China Restaurant

is a no-frills place in the Hairston Village Shopping Center on N. Hairston Road, a few doors down from Kroger. Its small sign exists among other, larger ones in this strip.

The restaurant's decor is very basic. It has several tables and chairs, a few very large pictures on the walls (one of the Great Wall of China), and menu items and prices are carefully written on bright magenta poster board near the register. There are a few arcade games and candy/gum machines. Cardboard boxes are stacked against a portion of one wall - a storage spot you'd typically expect to be hidden in the back somewhere.

Loads of ambiance and sophisticated interior design? No. Quick and tasty Chinese food, a ton of menu options, from a place that got a 96 in its most recent restaurant inspection? Yes.

The Moo Shu Chicken, a first for me, came in a small styrofoam container. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the container was thoroughly filled with the delicious dish; I had more than enough for lunch and next-day leftovers.

I was able to get three additional large-size dishes for a total of $22, which I didn't think was bad, considering I ordered all shrimp dishes (shrimp lo mein, shrimp fried rice, shrimp and steamed vegetables with white rice) and was feeding a family of five. The shrimp were large and flavorful, too.

On my next visit I'd like to try some appetizers, such as steamed dumplings ($4.25 for eight) or a Pu Pu Platter ($9.25). China Restaurant also cooks other cuisine, such as Jamaican jerk wings (ranging from $4.35 to $6.15, depending on what you get with them).

Some may not like that there are no refills on drinks, but let's face it, you're probably not going to be there long enough to need a refill. Order your food, get it, and enjoy. Stay there for a minute, or take it home. Pretty basic.

China Restaurant is at 961 N. Hairston Rd. in Stone Mountain. It's open Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-10:30 p.m. Phone: 770-465-8831.