Shin Long Restaurant

Back in 1995, John V. R. Bull of The Philadelphia Inquirer called Shin Long in Maple Shade one of the "great" Chinese restaurants of South Jersey. I`ve got some news for you - it`s three years later, and Shin Long (which serves Hunan, Szechuan and Shanghai Cantonese cuisine) is still great. During a recent stop there for lunch (I`ve been there several times), I started out with a vegetable egg roll ($1.25) that was crispy on the outside and packed with delicious fresh vegetables on the inside.

This time around, I sampled Shin Long`s Grand Buffet ($4.99, lunch; $6.99, dinner), which features over 30 items, including many chicken, pork and beef delicacies, as well as lots of vegetables and fresh fruit. If you`d rather not partake of the buffet, Shin Long also has Combination Platters that range in price from $5.95 to $7.25 and come complete with an egg roll, pork fried rice and your choice of Wonton, Egg Drop or Hot & Sour soup.

Another alternative is to order directly from the extensive menu, which includes Orange-Flavored Chicken or Beef ($8.95), crunchy slices of chicken or beef sauteed with orange peels, hot pepper and a spicy honey sauce; the out-of-this-world (I`ve had it before) Sesame Chicken ($8.95), chunks of chicken sauteed in a Hunan sauce and showered with toasted sesame seeds; and the incredible (I`ve had this, too) Seafood Supreme ($12.95), lobster, jumbo shrimp and scallops sauteed with assorted Chinese vegetables in a special sauce.

Without hesitation, I`d recommend Shin Long to everyone. It`s absolutely some of the best food - Chinese or otherwise - that I`ve ever eaten. If you`re someone who`s intimidated by any restaurant that doesn`t sell cheeseburgers, lose your inhibitions and give Shin Long a try. And bring the kids - the children`s buffet is only $2.99 for lunch and $4.99 for dinner.

Shin Long Fox Meadow Plaza 2920 Route 73 Maple Shade 667-7999 or 667-0440

Hours Monday - Thursday: 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Friday/Saturday: 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Sunday: 3:00 - 9:00 p.m. Buffet Hours Lunch (Mon. - Sat.): 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Dinner (Mon. - Thurs.): 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Sunday: 3:00 - 8:00 p.m.

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Author: Edward Stephens