China Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in Modesto

Decided to try a new Chinese restaurant the other day. I couldn't find a recent menu so decided to drop by around 7:30 for Take out.

Sign on the door says "Take out only after 3pm". no problem there. Inside is a handful of customers seated by the door. Decor is typical, clean, simple & nice.

No one was at the counter to greet so prob running a skeleton crew out of necessity. Took about 5min for someone to appear to take my order, she was pleasant.

We ordered two combo plates. One was Beef & broccoli, the other was Sweet & Sour Pork. Botj came with Chow Mein & Fried Rice. as well as a order of honey walnut prawns. Was told wait was 30min.

Actual wait time was about 20, our portions were sizable. Chow Mein took the large portion of the 3 part container. Rice & the main dish were equal in size & box was packed to the brim.

All of the food had a fresh taste & texture. Not like it had been in steamer trays or reheated. the rice, Mein were soft & not chewy. Pork was crunchy but not dry. Broccoli was a vibrant dark green & crisp. Prawns were also crispy, moist & not chewy.

All of the food was much better then we had anticipated and a comparable price to another near by restaurant we have frequented.

The only problem I can find is that dine in service ends at 3pm and they seemed under staffed. Hopefully just a sign of the times & is temporary because I can see this place doing very well with dine in.

Will have to try again, phone ahead next time as we now have the menu. if the quality holds, I see this as...

So I am having a problem with the female who takes the phone orders and greets when we come into pick up these orders. I put in a phone order at approximately 5:25 pm and was told 20 to 25 minutes be ready I was driving from Ceres to Modesto to pick up the order. I waited 15 minutes before leaving when I arrived to pick my order at approximately 6:10 pm the restaurant was extremely hot inside and was not greeted by anyone for about 20 minutes. Then when I was greeted we asked if we were to add an item to our order how long would that take. She said 20 minutes we said okay we want to add an item. So I looked at my clock it was 6:55pm we went outside we came back in at 7:20pm and again nobody around for about 15 minutes. I noticed my order on the counter that we made by phone. When she came out someone called she took their phone order then somebody walked in and she took their order then she says here is your order. I asked where the add on items was she says oh did you want them I didn't order them. I said what why did we wait all this time she just looked at me dumbfoundly and said,"Oh I am sorry". All I can say is WOW what...

I will never eat here again. I called first to place an order and I was placed on hold for ten minutes! I hung up and called again and no answer at all. I was close by so I went to the restaurant. Only one waitress working who took my order. I mentioned how I called and she said she was sorry because it’s just her. Another person was waiting and cut in and asked how much longer before her food was ready. Then a man also asked about his order. I was told it would be 45 minutes and it took longer than that. I finally get my food and good thing I was in my mom’s car because I placed the food on the passenger side where there was a towel covering the seat. I get to my destination and the bottom of the bag is wet! WTH! Grease or oil had poured out from the containers. I tried some of the food and it’s very greasy and so much that it has left a greasy taste in my mouth. I will not be returning to this restaurant. I ordered Sweet and Sour Prawns and these prawns are old and turning because they have black stuff in them!!! Look at the pics below and see for yourself. Poor service and poor...