Sang Garden Chinese Restaurant — Restaurant in Grand Junction

A nice little family joint that the locals seem to like. When we walked in on our trip, we came in a little late for lunch, around 2 PM, but there were a few tables with local elderly ladies enjoying lunch. They were still there when we left.

The owners are Chinese, but they do have Thai food, Vietnamese, food, and sushi. I saw a sign that says they offer free cooking classes every Tuesday at 9 AM.

Our server was busy, but friendly and efficient. There was a order mistake where we thought we had ordered a lunch special but he thought we had ordered the dinner. We received the dinner portion, but did not know that until we got her bill. he fixed the bill. I thought that was a nice gesture.

Portions were big all around and we ate till our bellies were full.

The lunch and dinner combos came with eggroll, soup, rice, and crab Rangoon. I ordered the original specialty and did not think this was a combo, but it still came with all of the above. They are pretty generous with their portions here.

Mapo Tofu This is a specialty dish, so we came in a huge round plate and it was enough to share with four people. I ordered a beef and it comes with ground beef, and there is mushrooms and tofu. I was not too wowed by this dish, however, because it was Not the mapo tofu that I know, and I’ve had quite a few of them. It felt more like a brown sauce that goes on Chinese food rather than the spicy Szechuan flavored dish that I know. It was more sweet and soy sauce-y.

Mongolian beef This one was also a little bit on the sweeter side, but the ratio of meat to onion and green onions was perfect. Also, the meat was very well cooked so even though he was sweet he was well caramelized.

Beef Pho One of us had this dish and I was really surprised by the taste of the soup. This being a Chinese/Thai joint I did not think that they would serve up good Vietnamese soup dish. It was quite legit. However, the sprouts, basil and jalapeños have come on the side look a little wilty to me. Hany wants to make sure that I include that they offer lemon instead of lime, and that he comes in a big huge chunk. I think he was impressed. The lemon wedge was fresh.

Oh, and I almost forgot. The sweet-and-sour soup was so so. However, the egg drop soup was one of the better ones I’ve had. It also had chunks of tofu, tomato, and corn inside the egg roll/spring roll was just OK. They must’ve run out of the crab Rangoons because they brought mine out later but the one that came out later was more...

Multiple issues with this restaurant. I'll start with some positives- ordered online and food was ready quite quickly, and tasted about average for Chinese fare. However, I went to pick it up, paid, and received someone else's order. I didn't realize it until I got back, so I drove back out to get it sorted. Luckily the delivery person was just on his way out to someone else's place with my actual order, so I was able to stop and get it swapped. As for the other order, the delivery person just took the food I had returned and left to bring it to the next customer! I had to open the packages to find out it wasn't my order, and while I just closed it back up and brought it back, they had no way of knowing if I had eaten any or had done anything to the food before returning it. If this is standard practice it is a pretty major health violation, besides simply being disgusting. As for my order, while I get that mistakes happen and am generally patient, the restaurant did absolutely nothing to rectify the problem- no refund/discount; not even an apology! They just switched the food and gave me my (now cold) order. Mistakes are inevitable but how you respond to them is critical to running a business and it is clear that they have no concern about the experience their customers receive. Price was also way out of line for quality and quantity- a modest meal for 2 ran $25 whereas the same items at other restaurants come to almost half that, and the reviews claiming large portions must be older because they were average size at best. That'd be fine if the quality was superior, but it simply wasn't. Of particular note was the wonton soup- I paid nearly $7 for a "large" order that contained 6 small pieces of loose meat and a mess of bland, shredded noodles and cabbage. Not a single intact wonton. Huge waste of money. In conclusion, AVOID this place unless you don't mind paying a premium price for a...

Venturing into Sang Garden Chinese Restaurant, I felt a wave of nostalgia, a reminder of the bustling, vibrant streets of New York’s Chinatown. The place has an unassuming charm, a hidden gem that whispers rather than shouts, much like the discreet culinary havens Bourdain himself relished uncovering.

The first bite was a revelation. The dishes here sing with authenticity and a clarity of flavor that’s all too rare. Unlike many establishments that drench their offerings in unnecessary grease, Sang Garden takes a path less traveled. Each dish is a testament to the balance of taste and health, a harmonious blend that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for the sake of wellness.

The standout experience wasn’t just about what was on the plate; it was about the journey each dish took me on—straight back to the heart of New York’s Chinese food scene, yet with a distinctive twist that’s uniquely Sang Garden’s. The food here isn’t just cooked; it’s curated, each ingredient thoughtfully chosen to create a symphony of flavors that resonates with anyone yearning for genuine Chinese cuisine.

In true Bourdain fashion, it’s not just the food that makes Sang Garden a must-visit spot; it’s the story it tells through each dish, the cultural dialogue it engages in with every bite. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an exploration, a culinary adventure that reminds you of the power of good food to connect us to places, memories, and emotions.

So, if your soul yearns for an experience that transcends the mundane, if you seek a culinary journey that reminds you of the gritty, authentic charm of New York’s Chinese eateries, Sang Garden is your destination. It’s a place where food is crafted with passion, where flavors are as sincere and unadulterated as the city that never sleeps. Highly...