China House — Restaurant in Palmer

About a decade ago, a police officer in Palmer relayed the story of discovering that the owner of China House was preparing food in a house next door to the restaurant. He discovered this because he was called to a domestic dispute, walking into the living room there were room temperature chicken bodies hanging from clotheslines at room temperature. But it gets better. He went to use the bathroom, and while at the toilet, noticed that the bathtub was filled to the brim with pork fried rice. Also at room temperature, uncovered, just sitting there for who knows how long while people in the house do their business.

I do not know if the restaurant has the same owners now as it did then. But learning this straight from the witness, I never ate anything from that place again as I doubt the neighboring house where food is being made is going to pass any sort of health inspection. It hasn't been any loss. It was the kind of greasy stuff you would expect from a place like this. The people I see waddling in and out when I drive by most days look like they're getting what they want, so if the idea that your fried rice may have spent untold amounts of time sitting uncovered at room temperature in the bathroom being used by the occupants next door before it got to your plate, go for it! Maybe you can even get the staff to serve you a drink in a little toilet-shaped glass with a mini-plunger stirrer.

Star rating is purely based on the fact that I don't remember what the food even tasted like other than being greasy and bland (but not actively putrid), but the real-life story should by far override any of that. Beware of bathtub fried rice and clothesline chicken...I don't dare consider what they use the basement...

Always got Takeout.. the food is amazing! And take out service has always been great. Tried eating in, and the service was horrible. As soon as I walked in, a cook from the kitchen came out and asked me how many, very abruptly.. I told him it was just me, I asked if it was okay to sit at the bar.. He told me if I'm eating anything I have to sit at a table, that I wasn't allowed to sit at the bar. I have never experienced that, at any resteraunt, in my entire life.. There were only 2 tables other than my own, no large parties, and the waitress seemed to be frustrated, and try to rush you. Wasn't done with my food, and wanted to order another drink, as my glass had been empty for some time. Never even asked how my meal was. The check was just tossed onto the table, as she walked away I had to flag her to let her know that i was not done and would like to order another beverage. The waitress was quite rude and not friendly at all. She acted as if every customer was a bother, and didn't like her job, all while sniffling the entire time in the dining area.. very unpleasant and unprofessional. The dining area also needs a serious update. But, the food is...

We come up from CT, and this is the first time since they went on vacation. Everything is different, like new-owner different. I don't want to sound mean, but we are very disappointed. Hubbs usually gets the sweet and sour chicken. This time, it was made with bottled sauce- not tasting homemade as usual and without the chestnuts, carrots, pineapple and cherries. It was like glue, over battered and flavorless compared to the original. The fried rice had way too much 5 spice and tasted like cinnamon. My egg drop soup was flavorless, and the wontons seemed frozen/pre-made. The plating was totally different, and there was less of the meal and more rice than usual. Even the fried wonton crisps that are on the table were the pre-packaged ones, not made in house, and the duck sauce was watered. We did not even get the pineapple at the end of our meal that was always complimentary. If these changes are permanent, this makes this establishment just like any other basic Chinese food place, and it upsets us, because China House used to be So Excellent and...