Hot Pot Chen — Restaurant in Ann Arbor

Looks like it's time to find a different Chinese take out. I've been going to Gourmet Garden for over 15 years. Quality is going down, prices are going up.. but I refused to let that deter me. Tonight is the last straw...I have a 12 year old and a 15 year old and for as long as I have been ordering from there (the same thing every time) my kids can't wait for the crispy noodles and sweet sauce that accompanies EVERY order. Tonight I went in to pick up my usual.. chicken low-mein, Kungpao chicken, and crab rangoon.... checking my order before leaving.. there were no crispy noodles.. when I asked, the lady said they have NEVER given those out (you know the ones that are on the table if you DINE IN)... I said 'I've been getting them for 15 years and my kids look forward to them". She said you only get them if you get soup. I said, it is fine if you changed your policy.. and she proceeded to argue with me saying I've never gotten them and they don't give them out unless you order soup... which I find even more strange in that why would you want crispy noodles with a sweet dipping sauce just because you got soup? everyone gets them if you dine in.... what is this...

we used to love this place. went there for many years, weekly even. then suddenly our servers wouldnt serve us any more. the grumpy bossy lady at the register said 'its because you dont tip' we were stunned. we have often tipped in cash because we want the waitstaff to get their money right away and we always felt a little suspicious about the management at this place. our standard tip is at least 25% and often more if we know or really like the server. this is our reputation everywhere. the waitstaff is not allowed to handle the money or the bill once it is paid. THE MANAGEMENT WAS STEALING THE TIPS FROM THE WAITSTAFF (we think it was the little tiny lady who takes up the bill folder after you pay). IT WAS YEARS WORTH OF MONEY!!!!! they are disgusting people who abuse their employees (many of whom are here likely in compromised situations and must work here in order to make it) we have never been back. and now we never tip in cash because we never want the poor servers to be...

While the atmosphere was certainly interesting, it was nothing special. The service and food didn't measure up. Now I'm a big fan of chinese food and while I'm no expert... In this reviewers humble opinion, this restaurant was not worth the visit. The service was not bad it just felt like our server was going through the paces. The food... what can I say other than unsatisfying? The eggplant in my wife's dish was served with the skin on it, and while pretty to look at was inedible, and she spent half our time we were there scraping the flesh from the skin to eat it, this dish was her third choice as they were out of her first and second selections as well as our appatiser; vegitable dumplings. My dish: almond boneless chicken, a Chinese restaurant staple! Where to start... the chicken was mostly tough, two pieces couldn't be cut through, and the gravy had a thick skin on it and was almost void of flavor 😔. Unfortunately, I would not return for...