Su’s Chinese Cuisine in Atlanta: What to Know Before You Go
If you’re craving Chinese food in Atlanta and you’ve come across Su’s Chinese Cuisine, you’re probably wondering what to expect, how it fits into the city’s dining scene, and how to make the most of a visit. This guide walks through the style of food you’re likely to find, how it compares to other Chinese options in Atlanta, and practical tips for eating there like a local.
Chinese Cuisine in Atlanta: Where Su’s Fits In
Atlanta’s Chinese food scene is anchored by:
- Buford Highway (Doraville, Chamblee, Brookhaven) – known for authentic, regional Chinese restaurants.
- Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead – more mixed, with Chinese spots that often lean toward American Chinese favorites and lunch crowd convenience.
- Suburbs such as Duluth, Johns Creek, and Alpharetta – many family-style Chinese restaurants serving both traditional and American-style dishes.
A place like Su’s Chinese Cuisine in Atlanta typically falls into one of two broad styles:
- American Chinese classics – General Tso’s chicken, lo mein, egg rolls, fried rice, crab rangoon, and combination plates.
- Mixed menu – recognizable American Chinese dishes plus some more traditional options like mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, or Sichuan-style plates.
Many Atlanta diners look for a spot like Su’s when they want:
- A reliable neighborhood Chinese restaurant.
- Familiar dishes for a group with mixed tastes.
- Takeout or delivery that feels consistent and straightforward.
What You Can Usually Expect on the Menu
Every restaurant is different, but Chinese restaurants in Atlanta with a similar profile to Su’s commonly offer:
Core “American Chinese” Favorites
These are the dishes Atlanta locals often expect to see:
- Chicken dishes: General Tso’s, sesame chicken, orange chicken, kung pao chicken, cashew chicken.
- Beef & pork: Beef with broccoli, Mongolian beef, pepper steak, sweet and sour pork.
- Seafood: Shrimp with lobster sauce, Hunan shrimp, salt-and-pepper shrimp (sometimes).
- Noodles & rice: Lo mein, chow mein, mei fun (thin rice noodles), fried rice, Singapore noodles.
- Appetizers: Egg rolls, spring rolls, dumplings (fried or steamed), crab rangoon, spare ribs.
- Soups: Wonton, hot and sour, egg drop, sometimes a house special soup.
More Traditional or Regional Dishes
If Su’s leans slightly more “international cuisine” than purely American Chinese, you may also find:
- Sichuan-style dishes with chilies and peppercorns (ma po tofu, Chongqing chicken, spicy fish).
- Clay pot or casserole dishes, common in more traditional Chinese restaurants.
- Chinese vegetable dishes like Chinese broccoli with garlic, sautéed bok choy, or dry-fried green beans.
Many Atlanta restaurants blend these two approaches, so a menu can feel both familiar to casual diners and interesting to those seeking more traditional flavors.
Dining Options: Dine-In, Takeout, and Delivery
In Atlanta, a restaurant like Su’s Chinese Cuisine often supports several ways to enjoy your meal:
Dine-In
- Typically casual, family-friendly seating.
- Often caters to lunch and dinner, with lunch specials during weekday afternoons.
- Service usually focuses on speed and practicality, which works well if you’re on a break from work or out with family.
Takeout
Takeout is a major part of the Chinese restaurant experience in Atlanta. Common patterns:
- Phone orders: Many regulars call ahead, then pick up at the counter.
- Walk-in orders: If you’re nearby, you can usually order and wait 10–20 minutes, depending on how busy it is.
Delivery
Many Chinese restaurants in Atlanta:
- Offer direct delivery within a limited radius, or
- Partner with third-party delivery services that cover central Atlanta neighborhoods and nearby suburbs.
If you’re staying at a hotel near Midtown, Buckhead, or Downtown, it’s common to have delivery options from Chinese restaurants within 15–20 minutes driving distance.
Typical Price Ranges in Atlanta
Pricing will vary, but most Chinese restaurants similar to Su’s in Atlanta fall roughly into these ranges:
| Item Type | Typical Atlanta Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Lunch specials (entree + rice, sometimes soup) | $8–$14 |
| Standard entrees | $12–$20 |
| Appetizers | $4–$10 |
| Family-style larger plates | $16–$28 |
Taxes and any service fees (for delivery) are on top of this. Midtown and Buckhead locations can be slightly higher than outlying suburbs.
How to Order Like a Local in Atlanta
When trying a place like Su’s Chinese Cuisine, these tips can help you get the most from your visit:
1. Ask About House Specials
Many Atlanta Chinese restaurants have an off-menu or less-advertised list of more traditional dishes, especially if there’s a significant Chinese or Asian customer base nearby.
You can ask:
- “Do you have any special dishes not on the main menu?”
- “What are your most popular dishes with regulars?”
2. Mix Familiar and Adventurous
If your group has different comfort levels with Chinese food:
- Order a base of well-known dishes (General Tso’s, fried rice, lo mein).
- Add 1–2 more traditional plates to share (like a spicy tofu or vegetable dish).
This keeps everyone comfortable while still exploring the menu.
3. Consider Dietary Needs
Atlanta diners commonly ask about:
- Vegetarian or vegan options – vegetable stir-fries, tofu dishes, and steamed options.
- Gluten considerations – soy sauce and many fried dishes can contain gluten; some kitchens can use alternative sauces or adjust recipes if asked.
If you have serious food allergies or strict dietary restrictions, calling ahead is often more effective than trying to work everything out at the counter.
Location and Getting There in the Atlanta Area
While specific addresses can differ, many Chinese restaurants under the Su’s-style banner in metro Atlanta are located:
- Near major corridors like Buford Highway NE, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, or Roswell Road.
- In small plazas or strip centers with shared parking, making drive-up access easy.
Atlanta locals often:
- Drive and park – Parking is common in suburban-style plazas.
- Use MARTA if the restaurant is near a rail station (for example, along Buford Highway you can connect via Doraville or Chamblee stations, then transfer to a bus or rideshare).
- Combine a visit with errands, since many Chinese restaurants are next to grocery stores, nail salons, and other day-to-day services.
If you’re visiting from out of town and staying in central Atlanta, you may choose:
- A short rideshare trip if the restaurant is outside easy walking distance.
- To check whether your hotel’s area has a nearby Chinese option with similar offerings, especially if you don’t have a car.
Tips for Families, Groups, and Visitors
Eating with Family
- Family-style sharing is very common. Ordering 3–4 dishes for a group plus rice lets everyone try more without spending much more.
- Kids in Atlanta often stick with fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, or lo mein, which most places similar to Su’s Chinese Cuisine offer.
Large Groups
If you’re planning a group outing:
- Call to ask if they can push tables together or if they have a semi-private area.
- Ask how large orders are usually portioned so you don’t over- or under-order.
Visitors to Atlanta
If you’re from out of town:
- A restaurant like Su’s can be a low-stress option when you’re tired from travel and want something familiar.
- Combine the visit with exploring nearby neighborhoods—for example, if it’s near Buford Highway, you can walk around and browse nearby international markets and bakeries.
Checking Reliability and Current Information
Before you head to Su’s Chinese Cuisine in Atlanta or order delivery, it helps to:
- ☎️ Call the restaurant to confirm hours, acceptability of large groups, and any recent menu changes.
- 🧾 Ask if they offer printed or take-home menus if you expect to order regularly.
- 📍 Confirm the exact address and parking situation, especially if you’re not familiar with the area’s shopping centers and one-way entrances.
This simple step can save time, especially in Atlanta traffic, where a wrong turn into the wrong plaza can easily add 10–15 minutes to your trip.
How Su’s Chinese Cuisine Fits into Atlanta’s International Food Scene
Atlanta’s reputation as an international food city is growing, and Chinese restaurants like Su’s play a big role in that:
- They offer accessible, familiar dishes for people who just want a comforting meal.
- They often include more traditional options that reflect the international roots of metro Atlanta’s communities.
- They provide a practical, everyday option for lunch, weeknight dinners, and takeout across the city and suburbs.
If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta and you’re considering Su’s Chinese Cuisine, you can treat it as a convenient, straightforward stop for Chinese food—one that fits naturally into the city’s broader mix of international cuisine and neighborhood restaurants.