Chengdu Impression in Chicago offers vibrant Sichuan dishes that pack a flavorful punch, with cozy spots in Lincoln Park and a new Wicker Park location.
"The original Chengdu Impression is in Lincoln Park, and this is the second (newer) location. But the menu is the same, which is great news because the food at this casual Chinese spot is great. Their specialty is Sichuan cuisine, and dishes like cold noodle salad, shrimp with crispy rice, mapo tofu, and mala fish filet are all incredible. The dining room is airy and bright, and works well for a relaxed weeknight dinner. Also worth noting is that they do a fantastic job with carryout: Our scallion pancakes manage to stay crispy despite a 15-minute car ride." - sam faye, adrian kane, john ringor
"Chengdu Impression has locations in both Wicker Park and Lincoln Park, and both have our favorite Sichuan wontons. These dumplings have a soft, delicate wrapper and a moist, pork filling. Served with a mix of vinegar and chili oil, each bite has a great combination of savory, sour, and spicy. Topping it all off are green onions and a dollop of fresh minced garlic that will warrant a mint or three if you have to do some close-talking afterwards—but that’s a problem for future you." - john ringor
"A Sichuan favorite in its home neighborhood of Lincoln Park, Chengdu Impression launched a second outpost in 2021 on Milwaukee Avenue — an area with limited options for Chinese cuisine. Menu hits range from Chinese American dishes like Mongolian beef to stewed rabbit, dry-chili chicken, and spicy mapo tofu." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman
"There's another Chengdu Impression in Wicker Park. but this is the original location and it's great. Their specialty is Sichuan cuisine, and dishes like cold noodle salad, shrimp with crispy rice, mapo tofu, and mala fish filet are all incredible. The bright dining room works well for a relaxed weeknight dinner, and it's also worth noting is that they do a fantastic job with carryout." - Adrian Kane
"The original Chengdu Impression is in Lincoln Park, and the one in Wicker Park is the second (and much newer) location. But the menu is almost identical, which is great news because this casual Chinese spot is great. Their specialty is Sichuan cuisine, and dishes like cold noodle salad, shrimp with crispy rice, mapo tofu, and mala fish filet are all incredible. The bright, airy dining room works well for a relaxed weeknight dinner, and it's also worth noting is that they do a fantastic job with carryout: Our scallion pancakes always manage to stay crispy despite the 15+ minute car ride to our house." - Adrian Kane
