Shan Xi Magic Kitchen — Restaurant in San Diego

DON'T COME HERE!!! Not only does the food taste bad, their customer service is horrible. And they would force you to give 25% tips!! It's added to your bill, giving you no option but to pay it!!!

I came to this restaurant with my family and relative after SeaWorld. From the Bay Area that expect good food from a trip in LA and San Diego area, we had a high expectation in this store, because it seemed to be very popular with thousands of review. But after trying it out, I think this store doesn't deserve the high rating. It's not even an acceptable restaurant. First of all, the most important thing in a restaurant is it's food. The noodles in this restaurant have either a too soft or too hard, and the taste is not good and sometimes way too salty. For a restaurant although the food is not good, I would still give it a 3 star, if the service is good. But when I walk in, the server seems to not want to serve anyone. When I walk into the store, I didn't receive any greeting, and the server left my family hanging there for more than 5 minute. Then when we talk to the server and ask for a table for 13 people, the server seems very impatient and like they don't want to serve us. For example, they left us hanging in a table with 3 less chairs until we ask. After we order the food, the server tries to avoid any service for us, they would just drop their food at anywhere on the table while giving us a really bad attitude. WE SERVICED OURSELF!!! We poured our own water, personally place the plate at the correct place after the server just drop it off at a place for their efficiency, and ask for simple things like can we get more chairs for a table that has only 10 seat for 13 people. The only good service was when the male sever helped us move the table and suggest a solution for our big group in the big table. We appreciate that part of the service, so would at least give 3 star. But everything else, the server acted like they want us to just eat and leave. But then they force us to pay 25% for a bad service experience like this and for a food like taste less than normal.

This place is horrible. If I can give zero star, I would do so. Don't...

Thought I'd check out this place, and I was pleasantly surprised! I tried a couple different dishes because I was literally craving everything

BBQ Shrimp Skewers #6 - Hand-Pulled Noodles With Spicy Cumin Beef #65 - Hot & Sour Soup Dumplings (Pork & Leek)

The noodles with cumin beef was actually recommended to me by my server - who was also very attentive - and it did not disappoint. There was something very unique and delicious about this dish - I suppose I'm just used to cumin being in Hispanic dishes, but it was very good! The beef was in veerrrrry thin strips - about the size of the noodles, and it might have been better if there was more of it to go around, but I'm not really complaining.

BBQ Shrimp Skewers - I don't know what I expected when I ordered this, but boy was I nervous when I saw those whole shrimps - shell, tail, head and everything! - show up on those skewers. I was legit nervous, because I didn't want to look like an idiot peeling the shrimp so I quickly texted a friend who said - JUST EAT IT. I took the plunge but could not fathom the thought of eating the head. Everything I had heard was spot on - the shell was very crispy and really complimented the shrimps... I also picked off the feet because I just could not.

Hot & Sour Soup with Dumplings. The soup was very thick and was pleasantly strong tasting. I liked it. the dumplings were also good. I don't eat hot & sour soup with dumplings too often, so I could not speak to if it was above average or not, but I think I will order it again.

Of the three - I would definitely order the Cumin Beef Noodles again...

Overall - I was very pleased! ... the servers were very nice, and very attentive. It was so nice to be able to simply glance up and instantly have someone head over to me... And to think - I was just doing to get a boba and buffalo fries from the corner shop! ha!

I'm glad I tried...

Shan Xi Magic Kitchen was listed as top restaurant for Chinese food on one of online apps and oh boy how wrong are they! The only magic thing about them is how they are still in business with the service they offer!!! It is absolutely outrageous, I don’t think we ever been treated so poorly at any restaurant/diner.

The staff member who met us at the door pointed at the table, which was all the way at the end of the restaurant and said “back table” and walked away! The place was pretty busy (it was late Wednesday evening); the same person came to our table 15min later with water and menus. Did not introduce himself or explained how things work there. We waited for another 20min for the same person to return to take our order. Food arrived in another good 15min.

The place felt awkward, no music in the background, 2 staff members, felt very unwelcome. The water jug was all dirty, food was served in small paper plates. Portions were good size though. We ordered Shrimp magic fried rice which was just ok, nothing special, didn’t have much flavors; Tso’s chicken was dry and tased ok, beef skewers full of curry souse, tasted odd and we also ordered Pork and Chinese cabbage dumplings which tasted absolutely amazing (here is second star just for dumplings).

Overall not what expected for somehow highly rated place. Other reviews which we should have read first probably, pointed out the same extremely poor customer service. They’re right next to Korean BBQ place which we go to very often and they have outstanding service.

Also charged us $0.50 for a box to take the rest of the food home. And no, the box was not somehow special, eco-friendly or other that would explain this ridiculous charge-exactly the same boxes are usually used for standard food deliveries.

Would probably not return, not unless will see people reviews that service...