Ping Jie is a Qingdao chain that the guide author mentions as a more local option for eating out. It is not a tourist venue: the crowd is mostly groups of students, which gives a good sense of how young locals spend an evening.
Practical notes: expect an average bill of around 70–90 yuan per person. Since it is a chain, look up the nearest branch in Amap or Dianping before heading out. Coming in a group makes sense, as that is how most guests visit. Allow about an hour to an hour and a half for a meal; evenings are when student companies gather.
