Hunan Garden — Restaurant in Rochester

First time there the other day for lunch. Had pork egg rolls, crab rangoon, and pork fried rice. Eggs rolls were nice and crispy, rangoon had plenty of cream cheese filling, was light and crispy. Voluminous bowl of fried rice; nice light smoky flavor like it should be, rice was light and not clumpy; just the right amount of onion bits and peas, and nice big chunks of seasoned pork. Waitress was attentive and friendly, and a nice clean airy atmosphere. We'll be going back.

UPDATE: We went back first week in January, for our 4th or 5th time for lunch. Wasn't busy. This time, service was terrible. Couldn't get our beverages, even after repeatedly asking. Finally came halfway thru the meal. My buddy got his order long before mine, he was halfway done eating when mine came and all I had ordered were 2 egg rolls and crab rangoon. My egg rolls were cold, (his too) and the crab rangoon barely warm. I wanted a few chicken wings, and was told I would have to order a complete full order. Also wanted some pork fried rice; kept getting told "white rice seperate".....I finally gave up. My buddy had 2 with his order...pointed that out, got an argument that it couldn't be done. Makes no sense at all. When I'm paying for food, I will not argue with someone who makes no attempt to be helpful. I won't be back anytime soon. This is the second time I've received an argument like this from the same person about what I can or can't get. Not worth it. I now...

Ok so maybe I walked in with low expectations, but I was really blown away by the friendly service and delicious food. It was busy so our food took a while but it was worth waiting for and the staff were super nice. That is, compared to people in central Minnesota. They might just be average nice for locals since everyone seems so amazingly nice in Iowa. My friend and were passing through town craving fried rice. He had the beef fried rice which looked like a very big serving for one person. Although it didn't eclipse the fried rice he enjoyed when he traveled to Korea, Singapore, and Japan; Gary thought it was very good with the peas onions and egg. Myself: shrimp pea pods with carrots and onions in white sauce. Veggies showed phenomenal understanding of the perfect crunchy crispness of fresh pea pods. Sauce was good and abundant. Shrimp was cooked the proper amount. I thought the potstickers were the best thing I ever had, but Gary had never tried them before, and took a while to warm up to them. He eventually liked them with the soy, hoisin, green onion sauce. They were super duper thick and fried dark golden brown on one side and filled with seasoned pork. They would be absolutely amazing at their fully stocked bar with an import beer or whatever. I enjoy some pipping hot sake and their hot tea. The sake was good, but I really enjoyed their hot dark tea. Tables, utensils, and bathrooms seemed...

Ordered some Peking Duck a day in advance.

Our expectations must have been too high, as the duck came out as a pile of shredded meat without the crispy skin that you see in your social media feed or more traditional establishments. It felt like eating shredded chicken or turkey. Was hoping for the crispy skin but ended up with rubbery meat. At least it came with pancakes and chives.

Yes, it sounds like I am being posh or nit-picky about a Chinese restaurant in Rochester, but my opinion on Hunan Garden changed after this experience:

Our waiter decided chased us out the door in the pouring rain, check & pen in hand for a tip.

I have Never had an experience quite like that before. Something similar would probably be when I was being approached by someone on the side of the road with a ‘GOD BLESS ANYTHING HELPS’ sign. Etiquette differs from person to person I guess.

Food wasn’t bad, but the experience in its entirety made me reconsider the quality of Hunan Garden after being a Rochester native. This place...