Sagar Chinese — Restaurant in New York

I’ve dined loyally here for over 10 years and have always highly recommended it to others as my favorite place in New York. That changes today. I had one of my worst restaurant experiences ever, while not receiving the minimum expected level of service. I’m not sure what happened during the pandemic, but it cannot excuse the abysmal service.

As the soup came out, we were given small saucers and soup bowls and some napkins, but no other utensils. We proceeded to ask for utensils for the table. The lady (different than the person who took our order) returned with one set, and when my sister in law requested more, the lady rolled her eyes at her and walked away. She never returned with more utensils.

Later, our original server came by and we recounted this story to him and requested utensils again. This time he returned, but with paper plates and plastic utensils. I’m not sure if this was a language barrier thing. The original single set of utensils we were given was a metal set of fork, knife, spoon, the general expectation. We repeated that expectation and much later the utensils finally came out. While it would have been nice for the utensils to be preset at the table or given shortly after our arrival, the manner in which we were treated when we asked politely for utensils is far below the minimum expectation.

To our surprise, there was no tap water available. While that is not a problem, I was surprised to have to ask for water rather than being asked. Are we expected to eat food without water? When we asked for water, the lady asked how many. I thought she was referring to glasses. Before she left I confirmed if we had to pay for water or not. She said we were ordering water bottles, which I don’t mind, but I think it is rude to not make it clear that we were not being given tap water, but instead we were paying for bottled water. We later asked for a glass to split the water amongst ourselves, but no one ever returned with one.

After ordering and receiving our appetizers, our server did not return for over twenty minutes. No one checked in to see if we wanted to order any more appetizers. No one came by to periodically take dirty or finished plates. Most importantly, no one came by to take our main course order. Growing frustrated, I eventually waved down the lady from earlier. She made eye contact with me and proceeded to walk into the kitchen and did not exit for a few minutes. During those few minutes I walked up to the front desk and mentioned that we had been waiting 20-30 minutes to order the main course and that I had gotten the lady’s attention but was ignored. Shortly afterwards the first server returned to take our main course orders.

The food was overall still good. The lollipop chicken from the appetizer was definitely overcooked. The fried rice we ordered was slightly bland and lukewarm. The sizzling chicken was slightly over cooked, but still quite good. The service was what ruined the experience. There is a 15% gratuity for parties of 4 or more. This system seems to lower the effort of service, but I understand it probably protects against the fact that immigrant patrons may not understand that they should tip.

As for the South Asian servers, it sounded like some of them spoke Bengali. We do too, and if the language barrier using English caused any of these problems, then we wish we were informed that Bengali would also be an option.

I used to love this place, but this experience has ruined that. In the future I will commute farther to Manhattan to get a quality Indo-Chinese meal and restaurant experience. Spice Symphony on East 50th Street will be my new go-to destination despite my loyalty to Sagar.

I urge others to dine here cautiously. Do not have any expectations whatsoever. It seems that the service will only change if they realize they are losing loyal customers. I will not be back to see if any changes happen, but I hope...

If you’re craving a unique fusion of Bengali and Thai flavors with a halal twist, look no further than Sagar Chinese. This hidden gem offers a menu that’s bursting with bold, vibrant flavors and impeccable authenticity. Every dish is crafted with care and precision, making it a must-visit for food lovers. Here’s a breakdown of the standout dishes that make Sagar an unforgettable dining experience:

🍜 Sagar Thai Soup Special This soup is a perfect start to any meal! The broth is rich and aromatic, with layers of Thai spices, coconut milk, and a subtle tanginess that brings all the flavors together. It's light yet satisfying, and the fresh herbs add a refreshing kick. A warm, comforting dish that's ideal for cooler days.

🥭 Spicy Mango Wings These wings are a game changer! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a spicy, tangy mango sauce that balances sweetness and heat flawlessly. The heat sneaks up on you, but the mango flavor lingers, leaving you craving more. Perfectly paired with a cold drink!

🍗 Lollipop Chicken The lollipop chicken is a showstopper—tender chicken drumettes served with a crisp, golden coating and a tangy, savory sauce. These little “lollipops” are packed with flavor and have a satisfying crunch with every bite. The sauce is just the right mix of salty and spicy.

🧀 Paneer Manchurian This dish is a vegetarian's dream! The paneer (Indian cheese) cubes are fried to perfection, then drenched in a bold, tangy Manchurian sauce that packs a punch of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. It’s a must-try for anyone who loves paneer and needs something a little different from your typical Indo-Chinese fare.

🥩 Sizzling Beef For meat lovers, the sizzling beef is a must. The beef is tender and flavorful, served on a hot platter that sizzles as it arrives at the table. The sauce is rich, savory, and slightly smoky, and the dish is loaded with veggies that complement the beef perfectly. It’s a satisfying, hearty dish that’s perfect for sharing.

🍤 General Tso’s Shrimp A stellar take on the classic General Tso's—this version features plump shrimp coated in a sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce that’s perfectly balanced. The shrimp are tender and juicy, and the sauce is just the right amount of kick. It’s a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.

🍝 Masala Chow Mein Mix This chow mein is a flavorful fusion of traditional Chinese noodles with a rich masala twist. The noodles are stir-fried to perfection, absorbing all the bold, spiced flavors. Mixed with crisp vegetables and just the right amount of sauce, it’s the ideal comfort food with a unique Bengali flair.

🍬 Gulab Jamun For dessert, the gulab jamun is an absolute treat. Soft, pillowy dough balls soaked in a sweet, fragrant syrup, offering the perfect finish to your meal. They’re delicate and melt in your mouth, providing just the right amount of sweetness to end on a high note.

🥭 Mango Lassi The mango lassi is a cool, creamy delight. With a rich mango flavor that’s both sweet and tangy, it’s the perfect drink to balance out the spice of the dishes. Smooth and refreshing, it’s a perfect accompaniment to the bold flavors at Sagar.

🍓 Strawberry Shake The strawberry shake is a fruity, indulgent drink that’s thick, creamy, and bursting with fresh strawberry flavor. It’s not overly sweet, just the right balance to cool you down and pair beautifully with any spicy dish.

Sagar delivers an exceptional halal dining experience that mixes the best of Bengali and Thai cuisine. The flavors are bold, the portions generous, and the service impeccable. Whether you're a spice lover, vegetarian, or seafood aficionado, there's something for everyone. Highly recommend this spot for a one-of-a-kind...

Sagar has been my go-to place since they opened up in Hillside, Jamaica. I love their food and love the fact that it always tastes the same! Went to the Union turnpike location on Sunday night for dinner. The restaurant was not busy at all. There’s one more family of 4 was having dinner before us. From the time we enter the restaurant, we felt enormous pressure of employees rushing to close the restaurant. It was 9.20pm. We know their kitchen closes at 9.30pm but as we already knew what we are going to get, we placed the order right away. There were 4/5 employees working at that time and they started making jokes with each other, talking about their schedule and other personal stuff while we are all seating there. They were so loud that it was hard for us to enjoy our family time and keep up with our own conversation. Even though so many of them were there, no one was actually paying attention to our table. We literally had to call them and asked for water, napkins and utensils. To make things easier for them, we left the restaurant by 10pm as we could see how much in rush they were. I was shocked by their ignorance to their customers. This is not the first time I have experienced bad service from this particular location. Compared to other Sagar locations, this one is the worst! I will request the owner to pay more attention to this specific location. Sagar is well known to all South Asian communities and to many other communities as well, but I do think the ignorance and bad customer service may ruin that reputation. I have given the starts only for the food not for the terrible service that...