ZipPicks Awards
Best Chinese in South Loop
Master Critic Review
Mei's
7.6
A Michigan Avenue spot that blends dumplings and Taiwanese/Chinese-leaning comfort with a more café-to-dinner rhythm, including brunch hours. It’s best when you stick to the items that travel well on the menu—dumplings and a focused starch—rather than chasing breadth across the long list.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soup dumplings, Beef rolled pancake, Karaage chicken
Scores:
Value: 6.1
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: Dumplings-and-comfort menu with a brunch-to-dinner schedule on Michigan Ave.
Who should go: South Loop diners who want dumplings plus cocktails.
When to visit: Weekday brunch or early dinner for calmer service.
What to order: Soup dumplings, beef rolled pancake, karaage chicken.
Insider tip: Go “dumplings + one crispy item” instead of sampling widely.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking is limited on Michigan Ave; best move is a nearby garage (most reliable) or quick rideshare drop-off at the entrance—expect street spots to be tough during weekend brunch and dinner hours.
Dress code: Trendy casual—jeans are totally fine, but people often lean a little polished (nice top, boots/sneakers that look intentional).
Noise level: Moderate—energetic room that can get lively on weekends, but you can still hold a normal conversation at the table.
Weekend wait: 30–60 min without a reservation (shorter if you’re flexible on bar seating).
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, with a small bump during peak noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—easy to build a meal around dumplings/veg sides and a couple lighter plates, but double-check sauces/broths when ordering.
Vegan options: Limited—possible to piece together a few items, but not a true vegan-forward menu (confirm ingredients before committing).
Gluten-free options: Limited—some plates can work with modifications, but cross-contact is likely and many dumpling/noodle items won’t fit GF.
Best For
Better for: A dumplings-first meal with a trendy café-to-cocktails rhythm—great when you want a cute, photo-friendly spot that still satisfies with comfort staples (especially dumplings + one crispy/starchy anchor).
Consider Alternatives If: You’re craving a deep, traditional banquet-style Chinese spread or super-specialized regional cooking—choose a more focused Chinatown or Sichuan spot when you want breadth, heat, or ultra-authentic depth.