Chin's Szechwan - Encinitas

Where the Ale House gives you a barstool and Raul's gives you a burrito window, Chin's Szechwan gives you something the rest of Encinitas can't: a full sit-down Chinese kitchen that's been earning its reputation across San Diego County long enough to have a loyal following at multiple locations. The Encinitas spot on Encinitas Blvd isn't riding the wave of the coast's seafood-forward dining scene — it's carved out its own lane entirely, and the locals who know it treat it accordingly.

The draw is the Sichuan cooking, which has real backbone. The Shanghai crispy pork and Szechwan garlic eggplant are the two dishes most worth ordering on a first visit — the pork gets the crackle right, and the eggplant hits that garlicky, slightly smoky register that most Chinese kitchens in the area don't bother chasing. The dumplings are a crowd-pleaser for a reason, and the chicken wings have apparently converted more than a few skeptical kids into enthusiastic return customers.

The lunch specials are genuinely worth the drive if you're working nearby — big portions, fast service, and pricing that won't make you do math in your head. For groups, this is one of the few spots in Encinitas that can actually handle scale: one reviewer coordinated a 50-person company lunch order here without incident, which is either a testament to the kitchen's logistics or a very organized person, probably both.

Weekend reservations are the move — the room fills up, and it's a legitimately pretty space that rewards a little planning. The bar adds flexibility if you're waiting, and the beer and wine list means you're not stuck sipping tea while you decide between the noodle dishes and the Mandarin side of the menu. Parking is straightforward off Encinitas Blvd, which is more than you can say for the Coast Highway corridor on a Saturday night.