China Eight — Restaurant in Benson

After reading a ton of reviews and comparing them to my own experiences here I had a few thoughts.

1: This is a seemingly “family run” business which is open 6 days a week…and the same people are there (including their kids who we have watched grow up) day in and day out. 2: I am not expecting this food to make my taste buds explode like PF Changs…I am going here to get take-out when I don’t want to cook…and while not perfect every time, I have never had “gross” food. 3: Everyone is so critical of the “hateful woman” who is abrupt, not overly friendly, and seemingly unkind to customers and her family alike… Personally I don’t know her, but God calls me to be be kind to her, and since nobody seems to be lining up to do so, (at least when I am picking up food) I will smile, show gratitude for her providing me the opportunity NOT to have to cook. And I will actually TIP HER!

None of us knows what these folks have faced to end up in Benson, NC…but I don’t imagine it has been or IS often easy. So I will continue to show them grace, treat them like the red letters in the Good Book tell me to… and remember that a smile and a “Thank You” may be more than they expect...

We almost didn't come because of the negative reviews and I have to say, it's a little suspicious that the reviews are all so bad.

The food was good - exactly the kind of Chinese takeaway you'd expect - and their sanitation rating is an A.

We ordered the vegetable lo mein, the orange chicken combo, the Mongolian beef combo, and the shrimp with lobster sauce combo. The food all came hot, huge portions, and tasty. Everyone was happy, including one really picky eater. In her words, "the fried rice is the best!" The gentleman at the counter was nice enough, and they got our order right.

Clearly we aren't the only people happy with the food. In the 30 or so minutes we were there, at least six other groups of people came in for to-go orders.

If you're looking for a Chinese fast food fix, this...

I have been going here for years to pickup food for my mother. They are never nice or friendly. It's ok if your order is right. But if they did it wrong, look out. The lady is especially rude. It's not a cultral thing as someone else suggested . Any of the Chinese restaurants in close by towns are much nicer. And would never yell or curse at you. On one occasion I had ordered chicken and vegetables for my mother and decided to get an order of vegetable fried rice for myself. Do you know this rude, greedy lady didn't put the white rice that should come with the chicken and vegetables. So I tried to explain the vegetable rice was for me so I still needed the white rice with the plate. She screamed at me and wouldn't listen at all. If not for my mother I would never go...