New China Garden — Restaurant in Chelsea

This China Garden here in Chelsea Alabama has very good food but I do have to rate the restaurant 3 🌟 's!!

If you enjoy eating in an "UNCLEAN" 1960s nostalgic/makeshift DAYCARE-TYPE setting while listening to LOUD "NURSERY RHYME" music playing in Chinese your entire visit, THEN this is the place for you!

The reason why I only gave the restaurant "3 STARS" is because of their lack of cleanliness and lack of professionalism in the dining area. From what we could see of the kitchen, that area looked a lot cleaner, but then again, that was looking through a door from afar.

The whole dining experience felt as if we were back in time, to the 1960s era. The establishment was not filthy dirty, but needed a good scrub down, most definitely. The restaurant seemed as though a new owner had purchased the restaurant back in 1968 and left the restaurant to sit furnished and untouched for the next 54 years. The new said owner decides to open the restaurant up after it had sat for that long period, without making any improvements or cleaning, dirt and all. Our booth and the benches that we sat on, felt as if there was a light film of "grime" covering them, as did the rest of the tables, booths, and chairs. All the tables have sweet and sour sauce in a jar to use. Our jar was stuck to the table .. Picked up the jar and there was a sticky ring where it had sat in one spot for who knows how long. The entrance glass door, could barely see out of it. Most of the windows were the same way.

Last but not least, the makeshift Daycare ... As you walk into the dining area and straight ahead, there were at least four or five HUGE toys (toddler kitchenette), etc. all piled together with a bunch of little toys as well. The loud nursery rhyme music playing in Chinese throughout the restaurant, was not pleasant at all, to listen to. (If it were in English, I would feel the same way).

This China Garden gets a lot of take-out/drive-thru business because the food is good. I'm not sure why carry out is busier. Is it because they have seen the inside and got disgusted as well or the customers are just too busy to dine inside. Btw, we were the only ones there at dinner time. ...Once you see the crud on the inside, it makes you wonder if the kitchen is clean...

Love the food! Atmosphere could be better. Seats are torn on some booths. I can overlook the woman running the place having her child with toys off to the side of the dining area,as she mainly runs it alone with just a cook in the back.

We usually get takeout by ordering on website and picking up at the window to eat at home,but also enjoy their buffet from time to time. The food can't be beat! Always fresh and hot and the best tasting! I've tried Mings,Hunan,Panda Express,and nothing compares to the authentic tasting food at China Garden. The egg rolls and House Lo Main or House Fried Rice are the best! Great sweet and sour chicken as well. Very good fried rice. Don't want to eat Chinese food anywhere else! Lady that runs it also took note when i was pregnant and added an extra egg roll each order during pregnancy. Definitely make sure tip her bc she works hard and even is open during holidays where most...

This is one of my most frequent go-to places in Chelsea. I live and work in the area. I prefer to stay in Chelsea instead of traveling "over the mountain" . The food quality is always consistant and tasty. For the lunch hours they have a buffet bar with a number of excellent choices of different types and flavors. For dinner they have a very wide selection of choices for a quiet, tasty, and enjoyable time for any size group from a couple to a large family. The prices are very reasonable and affordable. Their service is quick, polite and very helpful! My drink glass never reaches empty and they are always looking to see if I need anything without being bothersome. NEW CHINA GARDEN is a staple in Chelsea and should continue to be for many years to come. This is a family owned and operated business. I like that and I really like the family...