Lotus Hunan — Restaurant in Austin

Okay every time I do these I intend to be completely honest. So the good part first the food is amazing. There's shrimp and eggplant and garlic sauce is what I go for every time. However don't go in your closing! The service is less than desirable. And although there were only about five tables we walked in at 8:03 p.m. the waitress stopped us at the door and said they were closed. I mentioned that we had checked the website and it said they were open till 8:30. She abruptly stopped me and said no that's take out only! My sister asked what time they close she said 8:00 p.m. dine in 8:00 p.m. take out 8:30. I said we were a bit thrown off because that wasn't specified on the website we were about to leave and the owner/manager came up and reluctantly said well that's okay she said "ok, only if you eat fast." I couldn't believe that she just said that so sternly and apologetically and then just looked at us waiting for a response we quickly said "oh thank you so much", however the rest of the meal was just as rushed as her greeting. As soon as we put something down she snatched it up off the table they poured water like they were "late late for a very important date", like the rabbit in Alice in wonderland. They used their little sweeper to clean under our table bumping and hitting the table and chairs underneath us as we try to "eat fast". Needless to say as soon as we signed for our tab and put the pen on the table they started snatching plates and forks off the table before we can even get out of our seats. Mind you there was a table of about six or seven Young teenagers hooting and hollering laughing it up having a great time and another table with a couple quietly eating their meal that was there before we arrived. They were not...

Look, I was craving Chinese food after a long week so far. I heard this place was good, read some reviews…I decided to order take out as I walked in, my first reaction was to walk out..the place looked tired and the floor was carpeted. I have allergies so I usually steer clear of carpeted restaurants. I did walk out but, I came back as I saw people come in. , Maybe it is what I ordered. I ordered kung pow chicken, chicken with mixed vegetables in a white sauce, roasted duck, Mushu, pork with pancakes, and four egg drop soups. The total was $90. I came home and started to serve my family… the food was not what I expected at all. The kung pow chicken was unflavored and the meat was slightly fried and the chestnuts were turned.!!! My dish of chicken and mixed veggies was gross, no flavor and greasy to be exact. The best dish out of everything was the Mushu pork with the pancake tortillas and plum sauce. I felt bad that I served this to my family when I could have ordered from Wu chow! I wasted money, time and energy. After a long day of work… I ended up cooking even after spending 90.00$ on food that was not worth the money. Sorry to write this. The others that walked in seemed like regulars and the head man seemed genuinely kind and engaging. I eat Chinese food globally. Maybe I and my family expected something different. I threw away 90.00$ even the egg drop soup tasted off even a bit southwestern… now if you like that.. enjoy! Never again, at least I tried the...

I was so glad to stumble upon this wonderful restaurant in our neighborhood. And to see the very positive reviews, which are definitely deserved. Every neighborhood should be so lucky to have Lotus on hand, to manage our desire for some of the world's very best cuisine: Chinese food (in Hunan style). The man who has taken & delivered our (take-out) order twice now is fantastic. And the menu choices are delicious. (I suppose the meat is not of the very highest quality, for higher-brow expectations, but you cannot get such meat tat hese very reasonable prices. I suppose ambiance is not top-notch, but Covid19 shouldn't have us dining indoors anyhow.) We love, love, love all the veggies in the Buddha's delight and in the Chicken Gai Pan. And my son will devour an entire beef with bright green broccoli dish on his own. The won ton soup doesn't have veggies, but is amazing. (I just throw in the Buddha's Deslight veggies, and enjoy an incredibly healthful and delicious soup that way.) Keep it up, Lotus!! We love you. Thank you for serving all of us along Bee...