Dumpling Garden 水饺颐院 — Restaurant in Mountain View

[Edit] Take out is even worse than ever for company orders.

At least before we could order individual items, but now they're forcing all of us to order their lunch specials, which is good for anyone who wants to carb up on 蔥油餅 and some brocolli and carrots, but the restaurant is called Dumpling Garden, not bloody "Cheap Fillers Garden."

Let us order individual dumpling dishes. No one goes here with the intent to eat par-boiled veggies. [/Edit]

I've had take out from this place at least once a week for the last 6 months

There's definitely some issues to discuss. Is there good cooking here? Well, it's certainly possible. There's been times where've thought it was pleasant enough. But the truth of the matter is, Mountain View has always been a dead spot for good Chinese cooking, and if you need proof, just walk down Castro street.

Dumpling Garden is a restaurant where there are moments. Moments where the food is fine, especially as they are comparatively more affordable compared to other Chinese restaurants in the area.

The issue is primarily in the lack of consistency and the clear evidence of skimping. If you order the pan fried dumpling, you'll find yourself biting into the air as only 1/3 - 1/5 of the dumpling has any protein stuffing. If you order take out soup dumplings, they'll conveniently forget the vinegar and chili or the chopsticks. The Thai tea will taste of 25% sugar and taste muted.

Off memory, in the last 6 months, you will more often come across at least one notable issue that diminishes the flavor of the meal. It never feels like there's intent to make the food taste poorly, but there is a feeling of nickel and dime-ing.

Maybe the dine-in experience is better, but the take-out leaves much...

Dumpling garden used to be really bad but they have recently revamped everything and it is now a lot better! Some dishes I've tried:

Spicy boiled fish: Their best dish imo. Really nicely seasoned fish filets, perfect amount of spicy vs savory. Fish is tender, and there is a lot of it compared to veggies. Also has wood ear mushrooms which I personally really like. Cucumber wood ear mushroom salad: Not bad but missing vinegar or some kind of acid. Sauce is soy sauce and garlic basically. Bok choy with garlic: pretty good! Has nice wok hei. Roast five spice chicken: Better than expected in terms of flavor. It has a super dry five spice flavor, and the dish is served cold. It is kind of in the style of chicken jerky as the chicken is pretty dry but that's just the style. Don't expect juicy chicken though. Chow mein: It's fine, but it's not seasoned well enough and personally wouldn't get this again. 3 flavor dumplings: Tastes similar to frozen dumplings you can get at 99 ranch. Aka, not too bad but nothing special. lotus root salad: I don't really like this as the lotus isn't very fresh and the flavor is very one note...

Above average potstickers....not great service. And I say this reluctantly because they are so convenient for me personally. I've held off putting in this review in hopes the poor service I got was a fluke. Unfortunately they've consistently provided below average to poor / bordering on rude service.

For example, I asked for extra hot sauce and dark vinegar for the potstickers. I was told 'no' each time. Really?

They said food would be ready in 20 mins. Having had to wait in the past I gave them 30 mins. Food still not ready. I asked how long. They said waiting on one more thing. I'm like ok.....I waited another 10 mins. Asked again. The person behind the counter instinctively just said 'waiting on one more thing'. What????? It's like that's their default answer.

I finally asked him if he could actually go to the kitchen and check. Well what do you know he comes out with the final part of the order.

Kenny if you are reading this, I'm sorry but your restaurant has got serious service issues. I wish you well but you guys aren't the only place in town. After tonight you've effectively lost a once...