Shanghai, Fairhope-Style

Colleen and I stop in at Shanghai Cottage in Fairhope OCT 19th 2025. The Egg Drop soup ($7.95) being delivered next to us looks so good that we order a bowl for ourselves. And it’s exactly as we suspected: A treat (note about picture: You don’t get short-changed on soup, as the picture may suggest. We had filled our separate bowls before I thought to shoot a picture of the main bowl). For a lot of folks, the soup and an appetizer would be enough for a full meal. But we have our sights set on entrees.

Colleen orders Chicken with Seasonal Greens ($16.95) and I go for the Sesame Chicken ($18.95). Both come with your choice of rice (steamed or fried) plus vegetables. Colleen says her chicken is super good. As for my chicken, it’s fresh and wonderfully prepared.

For both of us, there’s so much food that we each ask for to-go boxes, since we know these will be great meals when reheated. Shona is our server and–as she has done for us during many prior visits–provides us with top-of-the-line, friendly service. Wendy, the long time manager, makes sure the place runs as it should. Our total without tip winds up at $47.80 if paid with cash. Shanghai Cottage’s menu is extensive, and we’ve found their sushi to be really good, too. On busy nights, the place can be noisy, but in about ten years of dining here, we’ve never had a disappointing meal. That’s why Shanghai Cottage stays on our list for regular dining spots…