Happy Garden Restaurant | Chico — Restaurant in Chico

Some South of the border type eateries after the Covid pandemic, started charging for chips and salsa, not that they were any better than the few that still maintain that fine tradition of unlimited chips/salsa. Really is not trying to save a few dollars, for the average consumer is generous and appreciative when well treated. Some Chinese are doing the same with their steamed rice, which is a low blow, because they also raised their price across the board. Got to have some Quî (balls) considering 98% of their food requires rice. Dishes ordered at this cocky establishment: Curry Chicken, $11.50+ Something about South China prized curry. Big, mean Big, pieces of green bell peppers 🫑, the norm not the exception. Onions, sliced carrot, and tender diced chicken. Not a hefty amount, but with the expensive white rice, edible at least. 2 Stars. Mongolian Fish, $15.95. Plenty of extra soggy onions, green onions, sauce makes it look 👀 tad mushy, and fish. We are still wondering what fish it was, as Tilapia, mostly all farm fed, seems the norm in several cuisines. Cheap and plentiful, but give credit where it’s due, the small amount of fish presented was acceptable, even though I like to point out that i’ve seen a few photos of much bigger portions, which makes me feel left out, and since I believe in equal treatment when it comes to portions in a restaurant, I guess I will not be including them on my very special Christmas list this year, or for that matter any other one. Limited amount was once again to be enjoyed with their high prized white rice. Overall not a great dish but likable . 3 Stars. White Rice (L?), $3.95. Steamed, bought by the bushel. 3 Stars. This outfit strikes me as self assured, which is no surprise as most Chinese carry a tiny chip on their shoulders. Traffic while I waited seemed brisk, which made the other one we went on mother’s day, a little uneventful, funereal. Total with Apple Pay was close to $36, no gratuity needed nor deserved. 2.5 Stars. 7-30-2023 Second time worst. There is just no winning. Mongolian Fish, $15.95. I can't believe I ordered this one again. Mediocre with capital M. 1.5 Stars. Braised Chicken, $14? What I expected to be an above average dish, kind of like salt and pepper, turned out to be a disaster, breaded, mushy, dry chicken inside, with a sweet garlic sauce. 1.5 Stars. House Special Chow Mein, $12+? Combination my fortune cookie! 90 % noodles, thick, al dente, and the rest leftovers did not see one shrimp, still edible. These establishment lies through their teeth. Have the nerve to load the cheap noodle, totally dry piece of pork, no shrimp, etc. Yet they are the toast of their admirers. Cheap, quite capable to sell terrible take out, since they know it will be too late by the time is discovered. Total: $45+. Yet lots of people love it! Small servings, no class yet they are highly...

I've ordered here a couple times, as my friend enjoys it. I find the food to be mediocre.

I've tried their walnut shrimp (I prefer Panda Express' version, if that says anything about it). The shrimp were small and thickly coated. Ive also tried their orange chicken meal. They give plenty of food with the meal option. Your choice of main that then comes with fried rice, chow mein, soup, and crunchy wonton things. With this option, I found the orange chicken to be lacking flavor (again, preferring Panda Express' alternative) and was equally not impressed with the other parts of the meal. The soup was probably the best part of it, being a classic miso type soup, I believe. I've also gotten their cream cheese wontons, which are great. They're classic and don't ever seem to disappoint. Great ratio of filling to wonton. Recently I tried also their pot stickers which were surprising good. They have a thicker flour outside which was new to me as I'm used to thinner potsticker outsides, but it tasted good. The inside was mostly meat, but had good flavor.

I've only ordered take-out. You can order ahead and pick it up, or order it inside and wait for it. The wait isn't typically long, maybe 10 minutes. The staff is very friendly and precise with your order. They offer utensils and napkins, as well as fortune cookies - giving me a handful of them when it was just me and one other person ordering together. Also, during the new year time I was given a free chinese wall hanging calendar which was nice.

The atmosphere seemed nice. It was pretty calm when I was in there - but still note, I've only ordered pickup/take-out.

I would probably try this place again, as I currently have multiple times already - just to try something new. They offer a lot of options and like I said before, the amount of food for the price seems adequate. Even though I'm not super impressed myself so far, it seems like a popular place to eat/get food and seems enjoyed by most.

Can recommend to try if you typically enjoy this...

Not trying to be mean but that was pretty bad all around. Chicken was grey and gamey, rice was decent. When asked if we could substitute the egg drop soup for something else since we dont eat it, the waitress literally laughed at us. I said I would pay extra for hot and sour or wonton soup substitution but said since they charge $10 for a small soup they couldnt do it. Who charges $10 for a small soup lol?? Water tasted like tap water, which I know is common but just gave us all around cheap vibes. Atmosphere was kind of beaten down as well. My stomach didnt feel too good after eating here and their prices arn't cheap to kind of make up for all the issues. Would highly suggest going to Ginger Restuarant. Service is always amazing there and they offer multiple options for their lunch special soups including hot and sour. Guess that's too expensive for other...