Happy China — Restaurant in Gainesville

Let me start by saying that I've read some of the other reviews and, based on what I've read, my visit may not necessarily reflect how this store operates on a regular basis. However, based on what i experienced today, I cannot recommend this place. I've been to a lot of Chinese restaurants, but while the food here was decent, it was one of the worst overall experiences I've had. I called in an order and the girl I spoke to sounded like a teenager (important detail later), but I didn't think much else about it. They said it would only be 15 minutes, so I waited 15 minutes before leaving my house. When I got there, I was greeted by a young boy at the register (who told a customer that came in behind me that he was 13). He got my ticket, I paid and he gave me the wrong change. When I told him that he shorted me $10, he had to do math on a paper in front of me before realizing his mistake. I wasn't mad because I knew he was only a kid, but I was mad at his parents (I assume the owners) for making him work the cash register at such a young age, which is against GA Department of Labor regulations. I took my seat and waited for my food for a very long time. After over 30 minutes of waiting in the store, I asked the cook how much longer for my order and he said it would be 2 more minutes. While waiting, I watched the kitchen cook just to pass time and the 13 year old boy went back and started helping cook at one point, which shocked me. I never saw the young girl who I spoke to on the phone, but part of me wondered if she was a teenager as well and her parents had her in the back answering phone calls. A few minutes later my food was ready, as promised, but when I looked at my receipt upon leaving I saw the time that I called in my order which was almost exactly an hour prior. So, it took them an hour to cook my small $20 order. When I got home and tried the food it was hot and fresh, but it just tasted 'fine'. Not bad, but not great. Overall, the whole experience left me confused and disappointed. I'm still trying to decide if I should call the department of labor or if it isn't my place. I just feel bad for those kids being forced to do illegal labor in order to keep...

Large portions. Willing to adapt and prepare your food to your specifications (i.e; preparing chicken and snow peas in a white sauce, rather than a brown sauce, no MSG, etc.) I recommend the chicken with snow peas. My sister Sandy recommends the mongolian beef. The meats LOOK like what they are. They are not rubbery, leaving you wondering what the heck you just ate. All food has a clean fresh taste. The employees have great personalities. Only drawback is the decor could be nicer. Very few tables if eating in. No table service, if you are accustomed to such, but we aren't picky that way. The prices are great and the lunch specials are a real deal. The hubby doesn't like chinese food, however, he had the curried shrimp and was sold on it! It gives Oriental Garden a huge run for the money, as that place has gone down hill since Peter left. (dirty and hardly any veggies in the meal, fish tank dirty and hot mustard recipe changed to a watered down mess) Another drawback of Happy China is that, unfortunately, they do not serve those little crunchy things with hot mustard or sweet/sour sauce...but that is okay by me. The food itself makes up for any drawbacks there are. Also, the fountain sodas do not taste like plastic. (bad plastic taste in the bottles at Happy Chef on Winder Highway.....had expired 3 months before I got it and was disgusting.) So on a scale from 1-10 for Happy China on Limestone.....I would give it an 11 for taste & quality! It is worth the try. One try is all it takes and you will mostly...

Friendly service we have been going here since 2014 when we found it. However I have noticed here lately when ordering any chicken besides the sweet and sour it's a bit rubbery and feels over cooked them sogged down into a sauce it's not meant to or the oils is old giving the breading a funky taste. Maybe they need to deep clean the kitchen area. However the family owned and oriented space has always been inviting and pleasant. I just don't know what's going on with the chicken. Maybe they have a new supplier that's not up to the standards I have come accustom to love. Hopefully they will see this and make a change as I only trust this place. We have never gotten sick from eating here. Also something is different with the crab Rangoon. I suspect it's a change in oils used. Hope this helps. I'll still eat here before anywhere else in...