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Milford Mandarin Restaurant
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Milford Mandarin Restaurant
Review Highlights
"Great Chinese buffet."
(in 9 reviews)
"The crab rangoon is my favorite."
(in 3 reviews)
"...free tea, ended with fresh soft serve ice cream in a cone."
(in 3 reviews)
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Chris B.
Hudson, MA
11/26/2011
I have now been eating at this place for over a year and believe its the best within 25 miles. Can't beat the cleanliness and quality of the food. Same owners of the famous Bamboo cuisine in Westford for which I have been going to for over 11 years. Outstanding and well worth the 25 minutes we drive to get here. WE LOVE THIS PLACE.....
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Review from Penelope L.
Boston, MA
12/27/2011
I would love to give the Mandarin a higher rating but because of a recent bad experience, I have to rate them according to our recent visit.
An army of waitstaff, but for whatever reason they weren't paying us any attention at all. Wasn't too happy about that since we drove down from Attleboro to have lunch there. I raved about this restaurant to my niece and to have the waitstaff ignore us was annoying to say the least. After realizing that no server was going to come to our table, I eventually went to the hostess station and asked for sugar for our tea. When I returned from the buffet and found our used plates still on the table I was surprised considering there were so many waitstaff there.
Great food, but the waitstaff is horrible. There are a good number of good restaurants in that area. I would think that the owner would make certain that his waitstaff was top notch, but then what do I know : ( -
Review from Terry M.
Milford, MA
7/17/2011
MM has gotte so much better since they did a complete remodel. They did raise their prices and now charge for tea also so it does add up on the bill.
The food is much better than it had become before. It use to be very good and did a downhill slide in the last few years. Since reopening it is much better and I go at least once a month as I have so many favorites -
Review from David B.
Milford, MA
Updated - 9/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
Well ...the owners at the MM got their act together in a big way. It's been a very long time since I have visited the Mandarin and I have to say that it is on my favorites list.
The place has transformed from a below average looking buffet/ takeout place to a modern contemporary restaurant. The dining area is well lit and inviting with high-back seating with the cramped feeling of the old place. The bar looks like someplace you would find in a downtown Boston bistro. As far as looks go the Mandarin has just smoked their competition with the renovations, style and presentation.
The other Asian restaurants in Milford should stand up and take notice, dump their 1960's decor and food and step into the 21st century. -
Review from Daniel P.
Boston, MA
12/12/2010
Oh really? Congratulations for revamping your interior decor, is the grotesque spike in price due to your raised maintenance fees and professional designer? Since I refuse to rate a restaurant based on the decor...
The food is the same below-average fare you can get at cheap buffets with exponentially larger selections. Adding sushi, always a good idea. Unless the fish is bland and your customers don't know what they're eating because the sign for all of it simply reads "sushi." Nothing else stands out, all of your food just blends in as one sodium-inundated paste. And your oyster bar? You're wasting your time and money. It's a darn good thing they were included in the buffet price.
I was going to give two stars because of the very friendly server but "Eek! Methinks not" is the only phrase applicable. -
Review from Susan T.
Mendon, MA
3/13/2011
I had been going to the Mandarin for 17 years. I used to love this place. Was in at least once a month. Now the food just stinks. Portion sizes shrunk and the ingredients don't taste fresh. And the service? ... What service?
The moo shi sauce is too brown, too salty and too much. All the food tastes like they stated with the same MSG paste. I am VERY sad to see what the owners have compromised for the updated decor and addition of sushi. I won't go back. If you want good sushi, got to Wanakoura! -
Review from Tim B.
Hopedale, MA
12/20/2010
After not being satisfied with any of the more convenient chinese take-out places that deliver, I thought I'd try driving over to Milford Mandarin to get take-out from there.
The food was no better than the other places I've tried, and was actually quite a bit worse in a few dimensions, in addition to being noticeably more expensive. The lo mein had a funny taste, and I found it inedible. The vegetable fried rice was pretty flavorless, low in vegetables, and the rice itself was a bit hard.
But the most damning point was the customer service. I'm a vegetarian, and mistook the "Vegetable" section of the menu to mean they did not have meat in them. It only makes sense, since it wasn't the "Tofu" section, and all of the dishes have some vegetables in them. Anyway, I mistakenly ordered the szechuan tofu, only to get home and find that it is really a tofu and pork dish. When I called back, the person I spoke with was somewhat incredulous that I didn't know that it contained pork, since "it has been on the menu for 25 years!"
I asked for a credit for just that dish, even though it left the rest of the meal just side dishes, and he refused. He said my only option was to drive all the way back and he would exchange it for something else. Given what I'd already tasted of the food, it clearly wasn't worth the first trip to go there, it certainly wasn't worth a _second_ trip back just to get something else that might or might not be edible.
I'll steer clear of the Milford Mandarin and all of their other restaurants, and so far I'm still looking for good chinese food in the Milford area. -
Review from Sharon C.
Millis, MA
5/29/2011
My family and I HAD been going to this establishment for over 25yrs and have seen the quality of food decline over the years
It used to be so good .
I even introduced the place to many friends, and we also had several work parties there .
Whilst the price was reasonable ( I have not been back in over 2yrs), we could always overlook the same old greasy thing for convenience and comfort food.
But what drove me over the edge was the most rudest individual at the front counter - so called hostess.
This woman has seen me come in countless times, but the final straw was when she totally overlooked me and my father standing there for several minutes one day at lunchtime like I did not exist ( I am Chinese I might add), for a Causasian man who came in after us to whom she gave her full dragon-like attention.
I wish I had taken the time to get her name, because there were other people who worked there who were just fantastic
I did ask her if she was the manager, and thankfully , she said she was not.
Talk about reverse discrimination!
I told her she was rude and had very bad manners, and that I would not be coming back to the Milford Mandarin
YOU BABE, LOST 5 IMMEDIATE AND REGULAR CUSTOMERS, AND POTENTIALLY MUCH, MUCH MORE.
The saying is true" ONE ROTTEN APPLE DOES SPOIL THE BUNCH!". -
Review from K R.
Watertown, MA
8/19/2011
Before the renovations, the place was great.
Great prices, great protions... the place was dimmly lit and comfortable.
*note this is for the buffet
The place now is waaaay to bright. The first time I went in there after the renovations, I was in jeans/sneakers and felt out of place. I could tell by other families coming in dressed the same had that look on their faces like they were surprised too. The decor and brightness just doesn't fit there. It's less private. Before you were tucked away in a booth and even if you weren't and were at a table in the middle, it was dimmly lit and you were far enough away from other people.
You want to gorge on chinese buffet in a dim setting, not bright so everyone can see it all happening, ha! The seating is weird too. The food isn't so great anymore. Their egg rolls are completely different, they are awful now. They use to be huge (and cut in half). The outside was bubbly and crispy, the inside soft. They now look like they were previously frozen or those little ones anyone can buy in the freezer section of the grocery store. They added in gross options at the buffet and took out some of the great ones. The peking raviolis are tiny, not big and plump anymore.
I doubt they make this stuff by hand anymore. Before the renovations when I would be there at night, at a table in the back there would be a small group of women sitting there hand making the crab rangoons. It was nice to watch them put them together effortlessly.
The ice cream situation now, so sad. I loved the soft ice cream machine. Now you have to scoop it out of a tub, Lord knows how many kids fingers, let alone gross adult fingers, have been in that... gross!
The service declined as well. It appeared they got rid of ALL the previous staff which is a shame. Sure, some of the old staff wasn't all that friendly (1 woman in particular), but most were very nice. Shame to see them get rid of everyone and hire an all new staff that just seemed to stand around at the front.
To top it off, they nearly DOUBLED the prices on the buffet. Definitely not worth it. The lunch buffet at $6.95 was the BEST deal ever... start with soup (they use to have a great wonton soup), free tea, ended with fresh soft serve ice cream in a cone... perfect! -
Review from Karen M.
Franklin, MA
11/14/2011
My family have been going to the Milford Mandarin since it first opened, and were big fans. The last few years we'd noticed a decline in the quality of the food, mostly that it often didn't seem fresh, and we started avoiding the place. We weren't thrilled with the new renovations, thought it was a lot less cozy, and too bright as others have commented, but not everyone's a fan of contemporary decor. While the portions ARE smaller, and the dishes more expensive, we've started going back because the food has improved dramatically. It's fresher, and not as heavy....we still miss the booths; I really don't enjoy being privy to someone else's private conversation. We've enjoyed the sushi, especially on Sunday at the buffet when you can do a Japanese/ Chinese combo. We've enjoyed the gyoza dumplings, the crispy pad thai,the yuen-yang spicy beef, kung pao 3 delights, even the old throwback egg foo yong is tasty. Suffice to say, we're not happy with the higher prices, but we're regulars again.
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Review from Ellen L.
Shrewsbury, MA
3/31/2011
Quantity over quality. If you're into getting 50 lunch buffet food choices and a slew of desserts, this is the place for you. Not really my cup of tea. I'd prefer less selection and better quality. One good thing though is the soft serve machine.
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Review from Toodles K.
Marlborough, MA
8/29/2009
Saturday, 8/28, was my first time.
Even though there seemed to be plenty of waitstaff AND seating, they waited an unacceptable amount of time to seat us. I would not have minded so much but my parents and sister were with me and my mother has trouble standing for long or short periods of time because of pain in her legs and hips. When they finally got around to seating us after taking TWO phone calls, they seated us at a booth that was the farthest table from the buffet even though there were many empty tables very near the food. --Two strikes against them.
I got my mother a plate of food. I got her vegetable chow mein, some pork fried rice, a boneless spear rib, a chicken finger, and my sister later got her an egg roll. She enjoyed the food very much. Vegetable chow mein is not a dish I like but it's one of my parents' favorites and they both loved it. My sister and I also liked the food. It's not greasy and the egg rolls and crab rangoon (I found NO crab inside but they were still tasty) appeared to be hand-made by the restaurant.
Imperial down the street is better for a few reasons: never a wait to be seated, ambience (the fish pond under a foot bridge is gorgeous), and at least four tables of delicious buffet food to choose from.
Try both and decide for yourself... -
Review from Courtney D.
Bellingham, MA
9/7/2011
I'm newly obsessed with this restaurant. Okay, maybe 'obsessed' is a strong word, but I'm a fan. I've been looking for a good Chinese restaurant since moving to the area over three years ago, but every place I've tried has left me feeling underwhelmed. When I get Chinese, I want an assortment of goodies to share. A little wonton soup, some spring rolls, maybe a Pu Pu platter, some rice or lo mein, then an entree or two to spit with whoever I'm eating with. The problem with this grazing tactic is that sometimes a restaurant makes a killer crab rangoon, but their beef teriyaki sucks. The thing that I like about Mandarin, in addition to the fact that it appears clean, modern and NOT a dingy hole like so many other Chinese restaurants, is that everything that I've had there thus far has been pretty good. Their menu is also vast with sushi, Japanese and Thai options. Thus far I have tried the sushi, the wonton soup, the spring rolls, rice, chicken in garlic sauce and moo shi beef. All of which have been really good. The food appears to be very clean and not greasy which can often be the case.When I've ordered take out, it's made it to my house nice and hot as well. If I had to identify one small area of improvement is that their mai tai is a bit different than some other mai tais I've had at asian restaurants. It's not super strong and is a bit sweet. Some people might view this as a positive though. I do like the use of crushed ice however! I really like this place. It is a bit pricier, but the food is of high quality and it's more of an 'upscale' asian food restaurant in my opinion. Enjoy!
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Review from Misty T.
Leesburg, VA
9/21/2008
I grew up in Milford, and when I return to visit my parents and they ask what I want to eat, my answer is always Chinese food - and they know that when I say this, it means MIlford Mandarin. The food is plentiful, awesome, and memorable. The crab rangoon is my favorite. This place is what I think of, when I think of Chinese food.
I have't eaten inside but once, and even though that was 10+ years ago, I recall it being quite pleasant. -
Review from Jessica T.
Cambridge, MA
9/11/2010
After much anticipation, I recently returned to one of my childhood favorites for "American Chinese" cuisine; the Milford Mandarin Restaurant. Since their recent re-opening and restructuring, I was slightly apprehensive to see what the place (and more importantly -- the food) would be like.
The decor upon entering was very nice; modern and minimal, like any new-age, recently renovated Asian restaurant should be. I was delighted to speak to the owner as we were seated, where he told us that they had kept their head chef and the majority of their kitchen crew that they had on staff prior to their remodeling.
As the food arrived, the dishes were slightly smaller than their original counterparts, but presented in a much more tasteful manner. We had ordered the Beijing Raviolis, Yuen-Yang Spicy Beef, Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts, and Pork Lo Mein. The "raviolis" (dumplings) were delicious -- similar to the originals, but slightly smaller. I honestly haven't found better pan-fried dumplings in many other places. A must-have for me whenever I return. The Yuen-Yang beef was very good. Tasted similar to any of the typical P.F. Chang's style beef dishes, but slightly spicier. Lo Mein was tasty - they seem to have added an abundance of fresh vegetables that they originally did not have -- shitake mushrooms, green onions, red bell peppers, etc. The Kung Pao Chicken with Peanuts (formerly the Spicy Schezwan Chicken with Peanuts) was amazing, as always. I definitely recommend this dish. The combination of traditional Chinese ingredients work together in perfect harmony. From the fresh ginger and green onions to impeccably stir-fried chicken, this dish is a favorite for my whole family.
After recently moving back to the area from Toronto (where great Chinese cuisine can be found on every corner), I was excited to try the "new" Milford Mandarin. I am a big fan of all forms of chinese cuisine, and the Mandarin tops my list for Americanized, non-authentic, general tso's-type Chinese food in this area. Overall, slightly more expensive, but also slightly tastier. Will certainly return when I need my next fix. -
Review from Robert F.
Milford, MA
Updated - 1/16/2010
Went back 1/15 for an evening with the family. Quality of the food was nothing spectacular. Further, when we asked to have our leftovers packed, they put THREE different dishes into one takeout box! This made the left overs completely inedible.
Food is ok, but this was not acceptable.
Will NOT be going back there.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/6/2009
There are a few Chinese options in Milford. Milford Mandarin serves a very "Americanized" selection… Read more »
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Review from Sharon S.
Norfolk, MA
1/14/2011
This place is awesome. The best Chinese food in all of Milford, Medway and Franklin combined. Very fresh and cooked to order. And now they have a fabulous sushi bar! It is so great!
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Review from Douglas W.
Ogontz Campus, PA
1/14/2011 3 Check-ins Here
What a beautiful restaurant. I stopped in, because the Chim Thai (my favorite) is closed until the 13 th for the New Year. The casual dining area with the bar is nicely separated from the formal dining area. A little pricey, but the food is excellent! Treat yourself.
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Review from Ed W.
Milford, MA
10/13/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Hands down, the best Chinese food in the Milford area. Bar and wait staff is awesome. Food is typical American style chinese food but done really well. The menu is even geographically correct (e.g., Beijing not Peking Raviolis). Highly recommended.
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Review from John E.
Hopedale, MA
6/15/2007
Great Chinese buffet. They have a big buffet with a lot of the American-style Chinese classics. We've been quite a few times and never opened a menu. The buffet is particularly loaded with appetizers, our favorite is the crab rangoon.
Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from dennis a.
Ashland, MA
11/8/2010
the mandarin was closed from april -oct 2010 for renovations i personally liked the old bar better but the dining room has improved 100% the food is delicious as always my only complaint is the sun. buffet myself and my girlfriend went last night . i thought it to be overpriced at 16.95 a person yes it had lobster but the pieces were cut so small that unless you took 10 pieces at a time it was like eating shell!!! also as far as i know it is the highest priced asian buffet in the mil-fram area if you r going to eat buffet lobster the chef orient in fram. blows the mandarin away as they do not micro -chop the lobster the other dishes are excellent and the service great but the price and the lobster stopped me from giving it 5 stars ps the orient is13.95 and just as good!!!!!
