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Week Around the Ists
We were first introduced to Cincinnati-style chili back in the States when our roommate brought back a few cans of Skyline chili from his hometown. Poured over spaghetti and topped with a mound of shredded cheddar cheese, the chili's consistency was much thinner than the denser, Texas-style chili that we had come to cherish. Still, the finely ground beef and combo of spices made it a memorable one time experience before we packed up for China. At least, we thought it was a one time thing, since its lack of availability in California was a pretty good indicator that we probably weren't going to come across it in Shanghai.
Fast forward five years and Shanghai now has its very own purveyor of Cincinnati chili in Munchies, a new eatery in Jing'an that had its grand opening the same day the Olympics kicked off. The menu includes specialties from a swath of regional American favorites, including hot dogs, sandwiches, burgers, and even some Tex-Mex. The New Orleans Cajun Po' Boy (42 RMB) was a little disappointing, with the non-fried shrimp not abundant enough, but the jerk chicken sandwich (36 RMB) was pretty tasty, as were the chicken soft tacos (34 RMB). But what will keep us ordering from Munchie's is the chili, which matches tradition here by coming in four different combinations (adding beans, cheese, and onions are options) served over spaghetti and is as greasy and meaty as we remember.
Munchies also has a decent looking selection of familiar desserts, smoothies, and milkshakes, though we have yet to try any of them. We'll save it for next time when get the munchies for the chili. Too bad we usually get them after Munchies already closes.
Munchies - 974 Wuding Lu near Jiaozhou Lu (武定路974好近胶州路) Tel: 6218-4616, Hours: 10am-10pm.
Eric Hu is Shanghaiist's Food Editor. Email tips, recommendations, and news and gossip about Shanghai's food scene to food at shanghaiist.com.
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People I was with liked the hot dogs. Veggie enchiladas also good. Macaroni salad and cole slaw not bad. Smoothie I had was subpar.
5 kuai delivery within 3km.
That's awesome. But where is the coverage on the cancer-causing mineral water?
Munchies stands out for being a spanking clean, no-frills, neat place, including one of Shanghais cleanest toilets. Special mention for the groovy 1970's orange lights.
It is located 4 blocks from Jinan Temple on Nanjing lu, a short ride from Tongren lu.
The prices are unbelievably low. Usually, when trying out coffee shops or fast food places, I order a burger, so I chose the BBQ bacon burger with cheese (RMB36), french fries (RMB15) and coleslaw (RMB12) on the side and a mixed fresh apple/carrot juice (RMB15).
The burger is a standard prefab patty, there is probably no other way than having it well done. It all came nicely arranged on a plate, ample portion size, the coleslaw extra bowl.
Everything was wholesome, fresh and tasty, service was attentive, fast and friendly.
Munchies offers a well-rounded very satisfactory experience, unmatched in the fast food class in Shanghai.
On the downside: I went there at 9:30 pm, there were 4 staff on duty plus the owner, and I was the only guest. At Munchies super-low prices the margins are probably razor-sharp, and Munchies will need a rather high sales turnover or divine intervention in order to become a sustainable business.
I'll be back there tomorrow for the hot-dogs.
Jinan Temple is on Nanjing lu, Munchies is of course on Wuding lu.
We ate there today. I order the Carolina Dog with potato salad. Aswell as a peanut butter chocolate milk shake. My friend order a Cajun Shrimp Po' Boy and a coke. Being from Virginia, the Carolina Dog is exactly how i remembered it.
Sweet cole slaw on top. Chili was very good. Peanut butter milk shake was like drinking a creamy Reese's cup. Which i love. My friend like the Po' Boy was well and the price was very low.
Under 100 rmb. Its good to find a fair and very clean restaurant that has an entire menu of food that i would love to eat. I will be making my way through their menu and I will recommend this place to all my friends here in Shanghai.
Loved the good music as well. Friendly people working there as well.
Thanks
Okay sounds good. We will have my birthday there tomorrow, so if you want to hook-up with the birthday boy be there 8:30 or be square. At a recent speed-dating event I won "most popular guy" so don't miss out on the chance of a life time.
I LOVE Skyline Chili. Don't disappoint me, Munchies.
I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions and their support of our restaurant.
We are glad so many of you enjoy our food and our enviroment. It will only get better.
Thank you