China Garden
Located on the southwest side of Stephanie and Warm Springs in a shopping center that we drive passed almost every day. It has McDonalds, Food 4 Less, even Pet Grooming! Just about the middle of the shopping center, is where China Garden is located. Thinking stereotypical Asian Restaurant, we assumed it would be small, dirty, stinky, and cramped. Our assumptions got the best of us, and we went into this project thinking it would be our first "Bad Blog". As we walked into the restaurant we were schocked at just how large it actually was. On the right side seating area sat right in front of the register for ordering to go, and about 12-15 tables decently spaced lined to the back of the restaurant on the opposing wall. After being seated we were immediately struck by the overwhelming smell of bathroom. (Remember in School when you walked into the restrooms and you almost felt as if you had to hold your breath the entire time, thinking you'll make it a fast one but once you start peeing you realize you had to pee more than you initially thought and think you arent going to make it so you start breathing through your mouth... Yeah, kinda like that.).
We ordered our drinks, which consisted of a styrofoam cup and a soda fountain. Which is fine with me, that way we don't have to wait for someone to come back to the table and fill up my drink. We stared at the menu for a ridiculously long amount of time, it was a bit confusing with different daily specials and lunch specials, dinner specials, so we really had to look to find what we were going to order. After the painstaking deliberation, Allan ordered Crab Rangoons, and Pepper Steak Onion. Nicky ordered Honey Walnut Shrimp, Vegetable Egg Foo Young, House Fried Rice and Fried Won Tons to start.
Once the appetizers came, we weren't expecting much; But the Crab Rangoons were cooked to perfection, extremely crispy fried won ton wrapper on the outside and warm melty cream cheese and imitation crab on the inside. Served with a red Sweet and Sour sauce. The Fried Won Tons were basic and delicious. We had began to relax a little bit, because China Garden had successfully managed to duplicate our appetizers just as well as any other chinese restaurant and if our entrees were to be treated with the same care, then we would have absolutley nothing to worry about.
Egg Drop Soup $5.95
Pork Won Tons w/ Sweet & Sour Sauce $4.95
Crab Rangoons w/ Sweet & Sour Sauce $4.95
Our entrees very quickly follow. Honey Walnut Shrimp comes batter fried and drizzled with honey, and a creamy sweet and salty sauce that balanced the savory flavor from the shrimp. With candied walnuts scattered throughout, it helped to keep the dish crunchy as the batter began to soak up the sauces. The House Fried Rice with bits of pork, green onions, eggs, and peas. Egg Fu Yung for those who aren't familiar with it: a flat well-done omelet with your choice of vegetables, chicken, pork, or shrimp. Nicky's Vegetable Egg Foo Young had onions, green onions, broccoli, and mushrooms. It was cooked well and tasted absolutely delicious. Some places make the Egg Foo Young in a patty and cooked like a very moist croquette (not how Egg Foo Young should be cooked in Nicky's opinion).
Honey Walnut Shrimp $10.95
Vegetable Egg Foo Young $7.95
House Fried Rice $7.25
The Pepper Steak Onion... When Allan ordered, he had misread it as "Peppered Steak and Onions". As great as that sounds, is not what was presented. It consisted of roughly chopped onions, thinly sliced steak, and green bell peppers. Just as it reads on the menu. "Pepper Steak Onion" Simply sauteed and tossed in a brown gravy. The vegetables were nicely cooked, with a slight cruch in the center, and tender on the outside. The meat was super thin, and seemed to be breaded on the outside to make it seem like it was more than it actually was. My opinion, best eaten all together. Onion, pepper and steak all in one bite. Both of our entrees were served with a plate of white rice on the side.
Pepper Steak Onion $8.25
For dessert we were given a large plate of "Malasadas". If you're from Hawai'i you are sure to know what these are. A fried dough rolled in sugar. However these were no Leonards! No bigger than tennis balls our malasadas tasted like buttery dinner rolls that had been deep fried, then coated in sugar. Fluffy, buttery and sweet, these were a perfect way to end our meal. And only at about $5 for 10 of the little balls of heaven, you better believe we've been back here a few times.
Once the appetizers came, we weren't expecting much; But the Crab Rangoons were cooked to perfection, extremely crispy fried won ton wrapper on the outside and warm melty cream cheese and imitation crab on the inside. Served with a red Sweet and Sour sauce. The Fried Won Tons were basic and delicious. We had began to relax a little bit, because China Garden had successfully managed to duplicate our appetizers just as well as any other chinese restaurant and if our entrees were to be treated with the same care, then we would have absolutley nothing to worry about.
Our entrees very quickly follow. Honey Walnut Shrimp comes batter fried and drizzled with honey, and a creamy sweet and salty sauce that balanced the savory flavor from the shrimp. With candied walnuts scattered throughout, it helped to keep the dish crunchy as the batter began to soak up the sauces. The House Fried Rice with bits of pork, green onions, eggs, and peas. Egg Fu Yung for those who aren't familiar with it: a flat well-done omelet with your choice of vegetables, chicken, pork, or shrimp. Nicky's Vegetable Egg Foo Young had onions, green onions, broccoli, and mushrooms. It was cooked well and tasted absolutely delicious. Some places make the Egg Foo Young in a patty and cooked like a very moist croquette (not how Egg Foo Young should be cooked in Nicky's opinion).
The Pepper Steak Onion... When Allan ordered, he had misread it as "Peppered Steak and Onions". As great as that sounds, is not what was presented. It consisted of roughly chopped onions, thinly sliced steak, and green bell peppers. Just as it reads on the menu. "Pepper Steak Onion" Simply sauteed and tossed in a brown gravy. The vegetables were nicely cooked, with a slight cruch in the center, and tender on the outside. The meat was super thin, and seemed to be breaded on the outside to make it seem like it was more than it actually was. My opinion, best eaten all together. Onion, pepper and steak all in one bite. Both of our entrees were served with a plate of white rice on the side.
For dessert we were given a large plate of "Malasadas". If you're from Hawai'i you are sure to know what these are. A fried dough rolled in sugar. However these were no Leonards! No bigger than tennis balls our malasadas tasted like buttery dinner rolls that had been deep fried, then coated in sugar. Fluffy, buttery and sweet, these were a perfect way to end our meal. And only at about $5 for 10 of the little balls of heaven, you better believe we've been back here a few times.
All in all, China Garden is you're average Chinese Restaurant. Even though the first smell of bathroom may question your stay, the food is your quick fix for Chinese food. The prices aren't too expensive, the portions are good, and the overall taste is good. Heavy Chinese English accent or not, China Garden has excellent customer service eating in or for take out. They may have a specialty that sets them apart from all the other Chinese places, but until we find out what that is, China Garden no greater, and no less than any other.
Overall Rating: 6 out of 10
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