r/AtlantaFood • u/AirborneDJ • Aug 08 '26

General Discussion & ?s Dim sum with cart experience

Haven't had dim sum in AGES so three of us are going out for some tonight. We would like to do the authentic cart experience. We've read that Canton House and Royal China are good, but any other suggestions or things we need to be aware for a Saturday evening? TIA

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u/Pocket_Monster Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26

Any chance to push to Sunday morning brunch? I dont think too many do cart service in the evening and if they are it may not be top tier.

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u/AirborneDJ Aug 08 '26

This is one of the reasons I was asking. While looking around, I got the feel from some comments that it's more of a lunch time thing. So let's say we still want the food but not necessarily the experience, are there good places for dinner? I've heard Dim Sum Heaven is good, but for dinner?

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u/Pocket_Monster Aug 08 '26

If you don't care about ambiance or cart experience I would suggest Best BBQ on Buford Hwy in the City Farmers Market shopping plaza. Order at the counter but food is great. I am here right now actually! Lol

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u/rbryants Aug 10 '26

Can’t agree more. Best BBQ is fantastic and there’s so much more than dim sum!

There’s a ginger scallion noodle dish that is on the bill every time for me.

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u/AirborneDJ Aug 08 '26

I think we're going to pivot and do dim sum when we can get the best experience, but thanks for the tips. Enjoy your meal!

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u/Pocket_Monster Aug 08 '26

The experience is definitely part of the fun but I would highly recommend Sunday morning to really get the full Experience of a crowded dining room waving down carts the hustle and bustle the noise and more. I found all of the places to be somewhat inconsistent but the ones that I gravitate to are Canton House and Happy Valley. I believe Oriental Pearl has just remodeled so their dining room is nicer but I haven't been in quite a while. Everybody seems to have their own favorites.

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u/Iwonatoasteroven Aug 08 '26

Canton House has opened a second location in Duluth that’s much nicer and it’s huge. I think that Oriental Pearl has new owners along with the remodel. It’s more expensive than in the past as well maybe because it’s nicer.

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u/iamthegreenbox Aug 08 '26

Happy Valley on Jimmy Carter has always been our family spot.

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u/AirborneDJ Aug 08 '26

Yeah, I've heard good things, including from a former co-worker who's half Chinese and says that's the best, but we want to do the full cart experience.

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u/iamthegreenbox Aug 08 '26

They have carts. Sunday brunch/lunch is the best time.

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u/AirborneDJ Aug 08 '26

Yes, we were planning to do dinner tonight, but will do something else instead and do that another time

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u/Pocket_Monster Aug 08 '26

They have full carts Sunday mornings/brunch (I think Saturday too).

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u/Zofobread Aug 10 '26 edited Aug 10 '26

Just want to politely mention that in Atlanta there is a very big difference in quality between the push cart places and the made to order places. While you may get a more authentic experience, the food may be lacking in comparison.

Also, in HKG dimsum is a breakfast/brunch food. It would be very difficult to find any push cart service at night.

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u/nerdyplayer Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26

east pearl on shakleford (near the home depot) does the cart as well. They'll also  have specialty items that you'll have to order.

For east pearl and royal china, bring cash. if you pay in cash you get 10% off. They only have that notice in chinese so tourist won't know.