Mandarin House — Restaurant in San Diego

So I try to avoid writing negative reviews, but this has to be one of the worst restaurants I've had in recent years.

To begin with, when I walked in, the inside is run down and smells rather funny with a drab an unkempt appearance. It almost smells like your grandparent's basement that they haven't cleaned in decades. It's dark and kind of depressing, but I've also had really good food from questionable places, so I decided to go ahead.

We were the only ones in the restaurant. Somehow, the service was still terrible. While we were seated rather quickly, it took forever to try to get anyone's attention after that point.

We ordered sesame shrimp, fried wontons, spare ribs, chef shrimp, cashew chicken, and crispy beef. A lot of food, but hey, we were hungry, and it came recommended. Let me start off by saying that had I not looked it up, I would not have known what any of the food I ordered was.

The sesame shrimp was pooled in a pile of nondescript liquid, yet it was probably the best thing that we ordered. I couldn't have the spare ribs because I don't eat pork, so I can't honestly comment on those. That being said, I did have the cashew chicken and it was hardly cashew chicken at all. It tasted like it was bathed in rancid oil with soft and chewy cashews. Now, onto the fried wontons. Like the other food, they weren't the best, and they also tasted a bit old and stale. Last but not least, the crispy beef was almost inedible. I took two bites of it and I was done.

To make matters worse, I got sick later and I know it was from this food because that's the only thing I had to eat. So if I had to give a recommendation, it would be to STAY AWAY...

We decided to come up here for lunch today as we both been going here since the late 80s. It had been closed during covid of course like many restaurants. This restaurant had opened not too long ago. The greater/staff person had an attitude at the moment we walked in. Told us that they were closing in an hour and that we needed to order right away. When we were served the moo shu chicken the pancakes were cold. My friend asked if he would heat them up and she told me later that he rolled his eyes back into his head and said that they would be hard she said it's okay. He delivered them and later are compiled chicken which hardly had any spice in it at all. We decided to get boxes and get out of there. When the waiter returned we asked politely of course for boxes and bags. He returned them to the table as he packed our food looking down at it and said that we were wasting his time. How rude! We would both have to say that the food was just okay and remember it being a lot better. Giving it the 3 stars as there are very few Mandarin or Chinese restaurants that are worth eating at in San diego. We won't be going back to this all-time favorite that we loved in the 70s 80s and the 90s . The plus side it is closer to the ocean and we did go down there to take a look at the big waves today and that's always a treat. Be sure to call besides checking their website for their hours. There is a little bit of parking in the front but if you go around the corner there is...

My evening started with an adult beverage, speaking to me from the menu. Reminding me of an advertisement from years past.... "Be someone" oh yahhhh It was euphoric and it well positioned me for the next stage of the experience... a warm cup of Hot n Sour soup! Yum. My taste buds in utter nirvana. Rising from the cup, I began to observe the atmosphere surrounding me... the authentic vases, Chinese symbolism throughout, and a wide array of affordable dinner delicacies on the menu before me. "Sweet and Sour Pork please..." "but of course..." after sipping on yet another of the extraordinary adult beverages, I was presented with an enormous plate sweet and sour pork. I was suddenly confronted with the dueling prospects of both fear and challenge presented before me. Can I tackle this? Grabbing a nice portion of the dinner, it was time to test this challenge. Put simply, that first bite was amazing. Few words fairly describe what I felt at that moment. Several minutes seem lost as I found myself enjoying one bite after another... after another. ....alas I suddenly realize I had finished it all. Soon thereafter, proceeding yet another beverage to wash down the amazing experience, I was approached by the wonderful waiter with the check. I was not disappointed. For at that moment I realized I got one heck of a deal! As the fortune cookie stated "you have much happiness before you." I agree, for I definitely...