China Kitchen — Restaurant in Prichard

This has been my favorite Chinese takeout for over 17 years. I could be away for over a year, walk in, and they would automatically ask if I wanted whatever I had ordered previously by name. It was amazing. The food was great at even better prices. Very friendly people. I recommended it to everyone. That all changed today. I noticed I didn't recognize anyone when I went in. There was a teenager boy sitting on the other side of the counter with his head down. He ignored me. A young lady walked in from the side and said something to him. He finally took my order. My next clue that something was wrong was the price he gave me. He quoted me $12 when the price has always been $12.91 since the latest price increase. I asked him about it but he said it was correct. Since I didn't recognize anyone, I asked him if they were new owners, he said no. After watching this same order be prepared many times, something seemed off. I then noticed they were packing the order in a much different container. It has always been the aluminum containers with clear lids. A round one for the lunch specials and an oblong one for the combination specials at night. This was a much smaller white plastic container. When I questioned them about it, he kept insisting it was what they had always used and then he said it's what they used at both stores. Again I asked him if they were new owners and again he said no. I showed them pictures on the website of the correct container and he kept saying this was what both stores used. I was pretty sure the owners I knew only had 1 store. I then told them to just pack it up and I would know for the future. I had to tell them this several times because they kept standing there talking between themselves. Finally I said pack it up or refund me. The girl packed it and handed it to me. I asked the guy once again if they had just bought this store and he finally admitted they had. It seems they are now affiliated with the store in Tillman's Corner. Don't go in expecting the food to be the same. It isn't. The egg rolls are different. They appear to be chicken now and the cabbage and other vegetables inside were mushy instead of crisp. Of the 3 I ordered, 2 were cooked to order and one was already cooked. It was noticeably cooler than the other 2. The Moo Goo Gai Pan had a different taste. The fried rice was different and the rice itself was overcooked and a little mushy. The water chestnuts weren't crisp. The chicken itself seemed to have a slight tang to it as if it wasn't fresh when cooked. I won't ever visit this store again. I will not recommend this store and will let anyone I speak to and have recommended in the past know it's not the same. IF you have been there before, be aware it's not the same. IF you are reading reviews, be aware you should ignore all but the most recent. I'm not sure when it changed hands but you can use this date as...

I am done. The last 3 orders of spicy general Tso chicken from China kitchen, were inedible. The dish is blander than the menu at a nursing home. It is nothing more than breaded chicken and hoisen sauce. I attempted addressing this with the owner each time. I have ordered from here multiple times. The first time I was disappointed in the greasy bland plate, I was asked to bring it back and was given more of the same after they carefully examine what I returned. I dont care to go through a bunch of nonsense when I order take out. I only hope that it is hot and edible.

3 months have passed and I decided to try again. I implicitly asked for SPICY general Tso. I made sure to check the bag this time, as I had been give someone else's order and when I drove 15 minutes back to return it and was treated like I was telling a story for a free meal. Everything seems to be accounted for and I head home to enjoy my meal. I get home and take a bite of this fried chicken covered in hoisen sauce. The flavor was of brown sugar and ketchup with a greasy texture. I decide to return the order, it cost nearly $20 and I was not going to eat it. In hindsight I should have thrown it away and saved myself the frustration.

I return to the restaurant and am greeted by a 6 year old who asks me to be patient and had no interest in hearing about my experience. I did not care to communicate much with this child after he begins the conversation with "you need to be patient like a patient person." Seconds later his memaw, whatever walks to the door and hands me a coke, closes and lock it. I asked for my money back and had the door closed in my face. I began to leave the food on the door step. I decided to take it home where it will sit in my truck overnight, to be returned tomorrow after work.

Tomorrow I will return the General Tso for the $12+ they charged me. My time and money is better spent anywhere else than this poorly run and poorly staffed mandarin kitchen for the tasteless.

I'd rather eat a tennis shoe. I'd suggest Joe's Pizza next door for tasty food made by people take pride in delivering great food and service.

China...

My wife and I ordered beef lo mein, vegetable fried rice, egg drop soup, crab Rangoon, and teriyaki chicken.

Everything item in this order was not hot throughout. I’m no Gordon Ramsey, but what I do know is that means they heated it up in a microwave. Some parts piping hot and some ice cold. I want FRESH food. Not two day old microwaved food. The soup, flavorless and lukewarm. The beef lo mein, greasy and flavorless. The crab Rangoon, nothing but cream cheese and disappointment. The chicken was dry as a bone. The fried noodles were the only thing that actually came correct and edible.

Also, I’m pretty sure they gave me smaller sizes than what I actually ordered. I ordered quart of everything and I’m pretty sure I got the pint size.

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