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Mandarin Garden Chinese Restaurant
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
5 reviews for Mandarin Garden Chinese Restaurant
It was a Tuesday night and there were not a lot of dining choices open to us. Reluctantly, we went to this restaurant not expecting much. We were told the restaurant needs some serious renovation.
The food was quite good and served in huge portions. While it may not be the best Chinese food on par with the big cities, it was quite tasty and received a "thumbs up" at our table. As for the decor, this place had a Western charm of its own in its worn, aged condition. I will say this place was kept very clean.
Ate here again last week and once again was completely satisfied with both the service and food. My family eats at this restaurant about once a year and they always remember us and treat us with great service and food.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/24/2008
Hey, let's face it, it's Virginia City not Paris. If you are looking for great authentic Chinese… Read more »
There are only two reasons that anyone would want to go here, and only one of them has anything to do with food- barely at that.
First, the restaurant's basement houses the Julia Bulette Red Light Museum- a cheap tourist trap (entry cost is a buck) that advertises truthfully, but doesn't quite live up to most people's expectations. Still, a dollar to view archeological artifacts of items recovered from the old brothels- just don't expect them all to be as bawdy as the outside signs may imply.
Secondly, depending on the time of year you may find yourself visiting, there may only be two dining establishments open- this is one of them. So if you're hungry, and aren't into typical bar-food that's served in the area's open drinking establishments, this may be your only option, if you aren't into riding into Reno or Carson City, this may every well be your only option- and they know it! I like to compare Mandarin Garden to Denny's: neither place you go to, it's where you end up.
The food isn't too bad (I've had a lot worse), but isn't the greatest either. The best I could say would be "mediocre" for the dishes we had. Both the sweet sauce and hot mustard are served out of mustard and ketchup containers. The sweet sauce was watery, and mustard was mind-bendingly stale. I had Teriyaki beef, which wasn't too awful when one considers that it was smothered in an unknown and very bland sauce. The spring rolls I did like, though the appeared to be the kind you can purchase in Costco.
The service was slow and waiters tended to ignore the customers or treat them as if they were taking away from their precious time.
In their favor, they did have on hand a delicious plumb wine.
Overall, while the dining experience was unique for the area, it's not one I would want to repeat, or recommend. Next time, I'll drive to Reno or eat peanuts from the bar.
My wonton soup was okay (better than an overpriced grilled cheese sandwich somewhere else), but the true highlight of this restaurant is the Julia C. Buelette Museum of Prostitution downstairs! If you like old-timey stuff, medical equipment and have an interest in the Wild West sex industry, this is your trifecta of good times. You'll definitely gain a new appreciation for Trojan after viewing some of the lamb skin condoms from the turn of the century.
I've been here a few times since I live fairly close by, and I can't say I've been disappointed. This past time I went (last weekend) was my first time having lunch there - normally I just have dinner. I decided to try a new menu item - their Honey Walnut chicken - and found it rather bland. Previously I would get sweet and sour chicken, which I think is good. Their beef and broccoli is also good. They also have good hot tea for those cooooold fall/winter/spring days :)
