The Dumpling Lady - Charlotte

Every time we go to Optimist Hall, we get dumplings. The shrimp chicken ones rate a 5 on their own but the sweet pork ones were more of a 3 so I?m rating in the middle. Loved the smashed cucumbers too. You can also bring home frozen ones to cook athome but I prefer them cooked by the experts.

I discovered this restaurant on Instagram. I'm giving it 3 stars because the food was average. The location is lovely, but the Dan Dan noodles were overly oily, and the beef had a strange flavor. My wonton soup was mostly oil, though the cucumbers were decent. Once again, too much oil was an issue, but the dumplings were excellent.

Every time we visit Optimist Hall, we end up feeling a bit disappointed. The shrimp dish is a solid 5 out of 5, but the sweet potatoes only score a 3, so I’d rate my overall experience in the middle. The smashed cucumbers were just okay too. While I know I could prepare these dishes at home using frozen ingredients, I really prefer them cooked by an expert.

A must-visit at Optimist Hall! I tried several dishes: the pork and chive dumplings, sweet pork belly, shrimp and chicken, as well as the Chengdu-style dumplings. All were cooked in a Sichuan chili oil, giving them a nice level of spice. My favorite was definitely the pork and chive dumplings, while the sweet pork belly had the most heat. Each order comes with ten dumplings, and you can easily finish them quickly. I’d recommend that two average eaters could comfortably share one order, but you’ll probably want more than that! Also, consider grabbing a beer from one of the nearby BBQ spots to enjoy with your dumplings. I can't wait to visit Charlotte again for more dumplings and to try other offerings at Optimist Hall!

The Dumpling Lady offers a variety of noodles, dumplings, and sides. I visited the Optimist Hall for the first time on Saturday, and it was clear that The Dumpling Lady is quite popular—the line wrapped around the corner! I waited about 15 minutes just to place my order, but I have to say that the man behind the counter was quick and efficient, taking orders and handing out finished dishes without delay. When it was finally my turn, he was friendly and helped me choose the Chengdu-style dumplings. He also provided me with a summer roll and processed my payment. The dumplings were delicious and quite filling! I just wish I had picked up some frozen dumplings and a glass of Sichuan chili oil before leaving.