China Garden Restaurant

Just as great each and every time. While "Chinese" restaurants are a dime a dozen (and I use that term loosely), there are definitely a few that stand apart and this is one of those such places. Friendly (and consistently so) service with knowledgeable and accommodating staff always willing to specialize a menu item to your tastes (with minimal surcharges) along with a very clean casual/fine dining atmosphere with comfortable chairs that are (YES I tested) CLEAN to the touch when you wipe under the front edge, real dishes, and roomy yet intimate space, all make this place a repeat for us when we are looking for somewhere "better". They are open 6 days a week (closed Mondays) which I additionally appreciate since the only day off I typically have off to go to dinner with my family and places IS Sunday... they offer a wide array of items on the menus (which again were CLEAN and well printed in nice color with some pictures and larger print than the typical Chinese menu to aide in letting us read it without struggling). Now to the food... although not everything our table ordered is pictured, others at our table had the egg drop soup and hot and sour soup which were excellent--surprisingly full of veggies in the H&S soup, egg rolls were the only thing I felt was lacking just a little bit. Definitely cooked hot and fresh and definitely a nice size, but the filling was mostly bean sprouts and cabbage, very little if any meat, and the flavor could have used a more savory touch, but that they served it with a small tappas of wasabi mustard... THAT was interesting and a nice touch. I had the vegetable soup instead of the house offerings that accompany all dinner meals and it was FANTASTIC... the classic vegetable stock broth (ALL soups were served screaming hot btw) but chocked full of the garden complete--mushrooms, cabbage, onions, scallions, water chestnuts, green pepper, carrots, spinach, etc.... just AWESOME and... $2... come on... I could have nearly made that my meal. We also tried the classic Crab Angels aka "Rangoon". A little pricier than I'm accustomed at the typical strip mall place, these were near $5 for 6... but they were VERY good quality. Done traditionally in the crab shape versus the triangle shape and very sweet and full of flavor and good onion and crab not just cheese. Now for the entrees: my husband ordered the Sweet 'n Sour Chicken (pictured) and my father ordered the General Tso's (also pictured) and I ordered the Sesame Chicken but personalized it with asking to add pineapple and tomatoes (pictured too). Everything was good, no real complaints except my dad wanted vegetables in his General Tso's. My husband loved the pile of veggies and fruit in his Sweet & Sour Chicken but said the green pepper and carrots were nearly raw (a typical feature of Asian cuisine and often nice for some people). My Sesame Chicken was excellent surrounded by orange slices in a wonderfully sweet (yet not overly so) sauce with toasted sesame seeds (and of course the addition of my requested fruits). The rice was good (got fried rice) but much to my dismay.... it was just stock flavored rice... no veggies. It was great rice though, but really cannot call it fried rice if it's just yellow rice. Drinks excellent with refills a plenty without any asking (always a plus in my family) and (oddly enough) dishes a plenty... my mom said "they must like doing dishes here" but I said YEAH... separate dishes for separate courses--I personally appreciate this since I do not like my wasabi mustard egg roll business to cross over to my sesame chicken plate versus my crab rangoon... etc. So, with traditional elements such as real Chinese soup spoons and wasabi mustard to cliche' fortune cookie at the end with your bill, it's a GREAT place. Compared to our high bar-setting place in Logansport, Indiana of China Lane... this is #2 on that short list. If you are looking for QUALITY versus Quantity... then go here. The portions, I feel, are generous for the price. So, check it out--it's a little place you'd never know was so great camped out next to a dry cleaners behind a bank... worth a stop. They also offer (and do a GREAT job) on carry-out too, but I say, if you can, please dine-in, the atmosphere and excellent staff cannot be beat.

Always the BEST!. Have been going to Alex's for years and he knows me by voice when I order carry out. The food is fresh, reasonably price and plentiful. The entire staff has great attention to detail and cooks your meal like your family. Service is wonderful and food as it should be; fresh, highest quality and cooked simply with love. Don't wait until you are on the southside, make the trip. The food is worth it.

Best in town. I just adore this place. it never fails, i'm always welcomed by name. it's a family favorite for years. always fresh, not greasy, seasoned perfect... i miss living on the southside because i was so close. cashew chicken hot and spicy... yeah baby

Always Great. Great service - great food! Never had a dish I didn't like. Their Chicken Chow Mein is excellent!

Best Mongolian Beef in town.. I am not joking.

It's a small mom and pop Chinese restaurant with a quite and relaxing atmosphere. The staff were very kind, friendly, and always kept our drinks full. We went on a Friday and there were only 2 other people dining in the restaurant. Most people had to go orders. I recommend the hot and sour soup and szechuan chicken dinner. It's a little spicy but very tasty. Just in case it's a bit too spicy they have pepsi products to keep that heat at bay.

We have been coming here for 15 yrs, love it. We now live in Muncie, still come about every 6 wks, that good. Favorite is beef and mushrooms with added pea pods. Decor definitely needs spruced up, but staff, prices and food are outstanding. We have tried many similar places, none as good as here.

Wow! I'm impressed! Amazing Chinese food restaurant! The owner is very nice, very involved within the community and knows many of his customers on a first name basis! The general tso chicken was delicious. It was made with chicken that they chopped, battered, and fried there. It was the perfect amount of moist! So delicious! I will be back!

This is probably the best place to go if you want a traditional sit down restaurant. I prefer this to New York style store fronts and buffet. The quality is better than most though the fried rice isn't worth the extra cost. Fried dumplings and egg rolls seem homemade. Good place for the price. They were busy and wish they were busier, cause they deserve it.

Great food, reasonable prices, nice staff 👍