China Bowl — Restaurant in Bandera

Being a long time resident of Bandera, I had always seen China Bowl as a wonderful break from the ordinary in my small town. I have been patronizing China Bowl for many years, but moved away for several years. I just moved back to my home town and visited my favorite Chinese restaurant, which is no longer anywhere close to my favorite. I had touted China Bowl to a new acquaintance of mine, but when we went last night, the service was horrible, the food was marginal, and the atmosphere was nothing like I remembered. I spent the ride home apologizing to my friend, insisting it did not used to be like that. As I tell this story, keep in mind there were only three occupied tables in the restaurant when we arrived, totaling nine customers, including us. It was not a busy night. The first thing I noticed was that what used to be an elegant decor was replaced with cheapened look topped off with country western music blaring from a speaker above us. Firstly, when I walk into a dimly lit, what should be an elegant restaurant, Y100 is not what I feel I should be hearing. Secondly, it was playing so loudly that I couldn't even hear my guest from across the booth. It then came time to order. I ordered an egg roll, because apparently eggrolls no longer come with the meals, only a small bowl of rice. The eggroll arrived a very long time before the meal and it could only be described as an eggroll by a vast stretch of the imagination. It was more like a shrimp roll or spring roll; about one quarter the size of a normal eggroll. I tried to save the eggroll for when my meal arrived, but the meals were so delayed, I finally gave in to my hunger and ate it anyway. We were offered more tea and more chips in exchange for our patience, two items that were already complementary (???....bizarre). I almost asked for another tiny eggroll, but decided to let it go. Once the meals arrived, my guest's meal was cold. My meal was nothing to complain about except for the lack of an eggroll and soup. The garnishes are still quite elegant and appreciated. The portion sizes are still fairly large, unless you order shrimp, but that's to be expected anywhere. I did have to ask for a to-go box, which was also greatly delayed. At one point, after waiting quite awhile, we saw the waitress walk out of the kitchen look at us and don an "oops" look on her face and run back in to get the to-go box. The entire experience was gravely disappointing. From the obnoxiously loud music that in no way fit the atmosphere of a Chinese restaurant, to the lacking of side items, to the chintzy side items that cost extra, to the horrible service...I doubt we will be returning anytime soon. Maybe if we see a sign that says "under new management," we might try again. Until then, we will drive the extra 25 miles to go to a real...

It’s a sad day when regular customers at China Bowl get better service at Burger King. We know because that’s where we went to eat instead. It wouldn’t have been quite as bad if it had been a first time occurrence. This has been happening to us on several visits. Two to three parties that arrived after us would get served first. Today after three tables I tried to wave down the manager who was two or three booths away. It’s possible he didn’t hear me as I don’t like to draw attention to myself. However the fact that he didn’t look our way but scanned the rest of the restaurant seemed telling. It felt like we were being purposely ignored. I asked the host if we were going to get service or should we leave after the fourth party was served. I was a little frustrated because this time no one acknowledged our presence. In the past there were always apologies and assurance that someone would be with us shortly. When the host talked to a waiter, the waiter waved us off dismissing us. Not cool. After the fifth party with two already getting their food, my husband, a disabled Veteran having an exceptionally bad pain day went to speak to the manager, he was told they’d get to us in time and then the manager waited on table number six that was served before us. Frustrated my husband said they’d better get us some service or we’d leave. We’ll, don’t EVER tell the manager he’d better do something, even if it’s to ensure you stay because he said “I’d better? No man tells me I’d better do something!” That’s when we were told to leave. The manager did a good show trying to make my husband look bad, and to some I’m sure he succeeded.

I don’t know who there was more important than us, but I truly hope they had...

We had an excellent meal here last night. It wasn't perfect but kind of unexpected... We had a Wonton soup that wasn't quite traditional, lots of greens/veggies on top that were crunchy and quite nice since being in town here eating a lot of foods that don't have a big vegetable presence. The calamari was nice and tender but the breading was not crunchy. ( The waitress later told us we could request it to be fried crunchier). The highlight of my meal was the Garlic Shrimp. This dish literally had everyone in the restaurant asking what it was....a LOUD sizzling could be heard from across the room and the dish was "popping" and "crackling" as the waitress carried it high above her. She actually wouldn't serve it to me until it had settled down....I ordered mine with extra spice and it was just excellent. The veggies we're served steamed on the side and all you had to do was set them on the sizzling plate to heat them up a little more in the sauce. The shrimp we're well cooked and flavorful. Watch your tongue though, that plate stays hot for a long time!!! Husband had Garlic chicken and pork egg foo young and also enjoyed his entrees. I wasn't super impressed with the egg foo young/didn't care for the gravy, slightly sweet to me but there were big pieces of meat present. The service was perfect and even servers that weren't waiting on us, would check on us. The lack of five stars is due to the atmosphere. "New" country music was playing (yuk), would have preferred some thing more Zen. Husband said they could jazz up the decor and it would be perfect. Overall, this place...