Empire 19 — Restaurant in New York

Today I was very displeased with the stingy behavior that was on display. I had bought an order for 35 dollars and usually in many establishments a big order like that and they'll give you a free soda or something like that. That's not what I am complaining about though, see I purchased a large soup and didn't have a bowl where I work so I asked for an empty small soup container. Exactly like One they have on the counter for tips and the lady not only didn't grant me the container with gratitude for my placing a large order but charged me 50 cents for it. 50 cents for 1 small empty container. Not a free soda. Not a thank you for return business please come again just attitude and you have to pay 50 cents fornthe container. Basically screw me for buying a big meal right? Also I'm a repeat customer so I'm not exactly a stranger. Well at least I was a repeat customer. Business practices like that and you won't stay in business very long. Also, on a side note, today I noticed that the portions got incredibly smaller than they were before and especially noticeable where the Avocado salad was concerned, which I'll admit freely is to die for, but it was in a such a teeny tiny container. The price didn't shrink, just the portion. Stingy and greedy for the money I guess. I hope it's only because it was the lady who was running the show today was being cheap and nasty because I really don't remember them being like this ever before. I mean like I said this would have been a good review otherwise. Food is good. Pretty much a decent place. A little slow with big orders but otherwise the review would have been a positive one if not for this experience. I like to go to a place a few times before I leave a review because you can always go on an off day or something and glad I had hesitated before reviewing this place before because this one time, this one experience changed my mind from positive to negative. Sad that. This one bad experience soured me on all the positive ones I had had here before. If, and that's a big IF I go back again I hope it won't be as miserable as it was today. Because today...

They gave me brown rice instead of fried rice (i didnt even know there was such thing as brown rice at the Chinese restaurants until today). Food was tasteless, my ribs tasted like pancakes and my second order of pork fried rice tasted so weird. I didnt get a spoon or fork and no sauce of any kind. Two orders for 25 dollar and couldnt even enjoy it! Not even my egg rolls were good and they were supposedly free. 😢 i went back to ask what kind of rice it was and was told that i asked for it but thats impossible , I do not eat brown rice not...

The best take-out place in Knolls Crescent. Well, OK, the /only/ take-out place in Knolls Crescent.

Friendly staff, timely food preparation. Moderate pricing (this is NYC, after all).

The food is actually pretty good but you won't mistake it for the quality of dishes you might find just a few miles south in Chinatown. It's tasty and filling. Not terribly predictable in the flavor department and not terribly delicate (think, dumplings wrapped in carpet rather than dumplings wrapped in silk). But tasty, and just what you need when...