Lin's Garden — Restaurant in Richland Township

A surprisingly acceptable American chinese-style eatery…. To be clear, this is NOT authentic to any of the traditional Chinese cuisines , BUT Americanized versions/inventions thereof.

It should be clear that listings like general Tso, crab rangoons (or cheese wontons), egg rolls or egg foo young etc DO NOT EXIST in China!

Unlike most eateries of this type of food that pervades America, this place:

has managed to keep the oil, sugar and salt in control👍.

has sauces other than soy-sauce based ones; the sauces tend to be thick and more savory👍.

has very reasonable prices, the lunch listings are less than $10.00.👏👏👏

BUT the menu is a copycat of most chinese-style eateries in America and the West 🫤.

I wish that the cook is a little more inventive and create more original dishes that would set this place apart.

the food flavors lack authentic Chinese herbs and spices. There seems to be lack of utilization of oriental produce.

Some chives, scallions and Chinese celery for example would have made the difference to many of their dishes. Woodears and shiitake would have elevated the mixed vegetable sautés.

Service...

Lins Garden is by far one of the best tasting & most authentic Chinese restaurants around the Pittsburgh area!! If you're fan of sweeter dishes then try the General Sos Chicken (not spicey) they could make it spicey if you like. Or try the Amazing Shrimp (not spicy) again they can make it as spicy as you want. But I love that sweet, tasty, secret brown sugar sauce they use!! Yummy!! The spring rolls are another great choice for an appetizer. The wanton soup is BOMB too! My 8 & 10yr old love the beef on the sticks! It's like marinated steak on a stick but they bring out this small fire grill thing to grill up your beef on the stick! They also have the Poopo Platter here. I think that's how you spell it? Anyways it's a little taste of their most popular appetizers and it has that little fire grill thing with it too! The price isn't too bad either here. My family of four eats really well here for $60-$80. That's us having a bunch of leftovers too! I would HIGHLY recommend this place if you're looking for some SUPER BOMB...

This place is bomb, local owner and run by family. Portions are huge and exotic. Best part is, the place is extremely clean. It’s very rare you find a hidden gem that’s well kept and clean. Bathrooms are also super clean which is a huge green flag. Food wise… it’s like nothing I’ve ever had before. I ordered the general tso, was given a waiting appetizer… Since when did Asian restaurants do that? And then the general tso came out… That was quick… And it was the best general tso I’ve ever had in my life. A 5/5 is an underestimation of Lins Garden.

Also, you can tell the owners care about their customers because they’re here to serve good. I asked if broccoli would charge me extra, and received it for free.

Only thing I would recommend are the seats, a bit torn and need replacement. Which is understandable due to the amount of...