Bamboo Garden Wok 'N' Grill — Restaurant in Lago Vista

I'm usually understanding with restaurants and give places a second chance if I have a bad experience because I worked in that industry for a long time. This time is different. Here is the story. I looked online for a website and menu for Wok N Grill (the only Chinese takeout place in Lago Vista). There was no website or menu online anywhere. How can you run a takeout restaurant with no menu online!? They did have a Facebook, but no menu. I noticed their last post was from Feb. 4th saying "Hungry? We deliver!". The only comment on that post was from a month ago asking them if they deliver to Point Venture. It has been a month and there was no response to that client. That should have been a red flag. I went up there and ordered $30 worth of food to go. I tipped decently for a takeout order, even though the girl that took my order looked at me like a dear caught in headlights when I asked simple questions about the menu. I got my food and went home. I open the food up to find out they gave me the wrong order. Okay, kind of annoying, but not the end of the world. I call up there and it seemed like they were expecting my call. They told me to come up there to pick it up. I said no, have your delivery driver deliver it (I live 5 minutes away). She said she would have it right out to me after an unnecessary 5 minute phone call. I expressed concern at that time that my Pho is probably getting cold, so please have it expedited. 30 minutes later the kid shows up with my food after I called back twice to see where it was. He then ask me for payment. I told him I already paid for the food, and they gave me the wrong food. Did they not tell you this!? I get in and realize they forgot the broth for my Pho. Are you kidding me? I call back up there and ask to speak to a Manager/Owner. Neither are available and I'm waiting for a call back, which was supposed to be 35 minutes ago. Still no call. The food is average, the price is not terrible (if you get what you pay for) but they really need to work on their service. The girl who took my order needs better training, the girl who gave me the wrong order needs better training, the delivery driver dropped the ball and they didn't communicate with each other properly. People make mistakes, and I get that. After mistake one happens it should be a priority to make sure everything else goes smoothly for that client. I place the blame on Management and the Owner. Take some pride in your business and train your employees properly and teach them how to deal with customers. If you aren't going to do that you better be available to your clients during business hours. There are only about 7,000 people in Lago Vista, and only 7 restaurants that serve dinner. You really can't afford to burn any bridges. Get it together.

UPDATE: I originally rated this 1 star, but have changed it to a 2 star rating after speaking with the Owner. The Owner called me tonight and was very apologetic. I could tell that she really does care. I explained that she needs to give her employees the tools to deal with situations like these or make herself available to her clients. I also gave her some other good business advice. She listened and appreciated what I had to say. I told her I would give them a few months to get trained up and I would give them another shot. She offered to pay, but I told her I want to pay. That being said I will not let them know when I'm coming in or mention who I am when I do. I want to see if they take this situation as an opportunity to be better. If the next experience is better I will change the 2 star rating to a 4 star rating. I want to see people do good and prosper. This situation will only be a failure for them if they do not learn from it and improve from it. You have an obligation to the community you do business in, so take pride in what you do no matter what it is.

UPDATE: We gave them another shot, and it was much better. I was happy to be able to find pictures of the menu on their Facebook page this time. They were friendly, food got here quickly and was...

As a frequent patron of this restaurant, I feel compelled to offer a different perspective on the dishes mentioned in previous reviews.

Firstly, regarding the wonton soup, I've always found it to be a delightful surprise. The abundance of fresh vegetables, contrary to being a downside, adds a nutritious and flavorful twist to the traditional wonton soup. The presence of large shrimp is an added bonus, enhancing the soup's overall quality and value. While traditional wonton soup is simpler, this restaurant's take on the soup with added vegetables and shrimp represents a fusion approach that many customers, including myself, appreciate.

Concerning the combo fried rice, I agree that it is indeed good - a point where both reviews align. The rice is consistently well-cooked, and the combination of ingredients strikes the right balance between flavor and texture.

The Mongolian beef here is, indeed, priced higher than what one might find at fast-food chains like Panda Express. However, it's important to consider the context. This restaurant isn't a fast-food establishment but a quality dining venue where the price reflects not just the dish but the overall dining experience. In fact, given the caliber of the ingredients, I would argue that the Mongolian beef is, if anything, underpriced.

This dish consistently features tender, well-seasoned beef and a savory, slightly spicy sauce that's unique to this establishment. It's a standout item, and when compared to similar dishes at other quality restaurants, the price is quite reasonable. It's a classic case of getting what you pay for!

Now, to address the service aspect: there's one waiter who, despite being friendly and enthusiastic, tends to over-engage with customers. He often approached me to share his thoughts on various topics, like his views on chopsticks or the restaurant's business, and his repetitive use of "my man" was quite noticeable. I'd like to clarify that he wasn't my waiter; my actual waiter provided excellent service. While the chatty waiter's intent to add a personal touch is appreciated, a more subdued approach might be more suitable for guests who prefer a quieter dining experience. It's important for staff to gauge and respect the customers' interaction preferences.

Overall, this is a minor issue compared to the high-quality food and lovely ambiance of the restaurant. It's just a small suggestion for an otherwise exceptional...

Update 07/01/2024: Seems like new owners again, the food changed again but it's pretty darn good. The wonton soup was amazing, with sweet peas, carrots, green onions, shrimp, chicken, and wontons. The food is still pretty expensive, just over $50 fro two people, without any drinks.

We used to come here when it was Wok N Grill and we were excited to give the new owners a try. They spruced up the inside with a new layout and some decorations and nice music. The service was good. The food quality could be improved. There was too much sauce on the sesame chicken and general tso's chicken... and the sauce was very thick (too much corn starch most likely). The flavor was good, with the right amount of heat on the general tso's chicken. The pork egg rolls were also good, but they don't seem home made. And they now serve sushi which is a nice option for Lago Vista. And while I wasn't expecting a $65+ bill for two people, we are definitely full and have leftovers for tomorrow. We will give this place another try in a couple months and hopefully I can...