China Garden Restaurant Bahia Vista — Restaurant in Sarasota

I ordered a few items this evening for my dinner as well as my daughters and we were NOT pleased. The hour wait is acceptable as I understand that there has to be some time spent on cooking chicken... However, the Crab Rangoon's had NO crab in it at all, just cream cheese and what I think was artificial crab and VERY LITTLE of it. The Kung Pow Chicken was bland at best and was covered in under cooked veggies. The pork friend rice, however, was ON POINT! ... The bland food was honestly the least of my problems. Our daughter only wanted one thing, a pork egg roll. I ordered just that for her... Except when my order was delivered (by the most polite delivery guy EVER) My order did not contain a single egg roll. If you don't have a 10 year old daughter.... Then you wouldn't understand what it's like to have your ten year old excited over one tiny thing for dinner (when she's a picky eater anyways) and you have to see her face and tell her she has to wait for her dinner to be re-delivered I called the restaurant for my egg roll and The woman on the line talked to me like I was a complete idiot...I advised her that I just received my order and the egg roll was absent. In a very unprofessional tone the woman replied with "Yeah um, it's right here and we just realized that" We literally paused for a moment and to break the silence I asked "Is that it?" And she replied with "So do you still want it?" At this point I already have a HANGRY 10 year old that hasn't received her one item desired and I replied with "Well I paid for it, didn't I?" And she said nothing. So I asked "Can I have it" and she told me it would be delivered as soon as possible. Please understand that due to the economy, I must share a car with my husband and he was at work at this time so I would have picked it up myself considering the restaurant is no more than a 5 minute drive away... But I couldn't... So I waited to eat my dinner so my daughter and I could enjoy dinner together. . . It took them 30 more minutes to deliver my one egg roll that they forgot... and what sounded to me like it was going to go forgotten had I not asked. This to me is poor customer service... along with bland food... I will no longer provide this establishment with my patronage. If it weren't for the awesome and friendly delivery guy and the amazing fried rice... I would not have...

My husband & I eat in restaurants frequently, and in many different countries. Today we had a terrible experience in this Chinese restaurant: Although they have tables and chairs for eat-in dining, this is obviously just a takeout place. The soup was served in a plastic take-out container, and the main dishes on a plastic plate. We both had the Wonton Soup, which had broth and wontons with almost no flavor. When I inquired about ordering Wor Wonton soup, which is the same basic soup but adding vegetables, chicken, shrimp, and pork, the man at the counter didn't know what I was talking about, and said they don't offer it. Anyone operating with normal intelligence and flexibility would offer to make it, charging the appropriate extra amount for the more deluxe variety with the added ingredients, all of which they have in their kitchen.

The Triple Delight, a photo of which above the counter showed a generous variety of chicken, shrimp, and beef. My plate had 1 small shrimp, a few pieces of beef and almost no chicken, some bell pepper, and a massive quantity of hard, large broccoli chunks that comprised at least three quarters of the total food served. My husband ordered beef with snow peas and had a little bit more meat than I did, but every second piece of beef was as tough and chewy as a rubber ball, and certainly not fun to eat! Both main courses were filled with vegetables; you could search for the meat like a pirate for his treasure.

The worst part: we talked to the two workers and showed them that I have 80% broccoli on my plate and almost no meat, chicken, or shrimp. But they pretended not to understand English, were talking to each other and giggling at us while my husband and I were leaving. That is absolutely unprofessional and rude. We will never eat there again.

A restaurant serving food of this quality wouldn't last six months in a city like New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, where wonderful Chinese food is plentiful at hundreds if not thousands of restaurants. Somehow this place can operate successfully here...

Perfect for Takeout & Solid Value!

If you’re craving honest, no-frills Chinese food served with a side of genuine kindness, China Garden is your spot. The owners here are the real stars—friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about making sure every customer leaves satisfied. Don’t expect white-tablecloth fine dining; this is the kind of cozy, unpretentious eatery where the focus is on hearty portions, quick service, and wallet-friendly prices.

The food won’t dazzle gourmet snobs, but it’s reliably tasty and hits the spot. Classics like orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and vegetable lo mein are flavorful, generously portioned, and priced fairly. The fried rice is a standout—greasy in the best way—and the egg rolls are crispy and packed with filling. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug after a long day.

Parking is available (a small lot out front), but truthfully, this place shines as a takeout joint. The dine-in area is simple and clean, with a few tables for those who want to eat immediately, but the real convenience is grabbing your order to enjoy at home. Pro tip: Call ahead—they’re lightning-fast with takeout prep!

What makes China Garden special isn’t just the food; it’s the people. The owners greet regulars warmly, crack jokes while handing over your order, and make you feel like family. For affordable comfort food with zero pretension and loads of heart, this spot is a winner.

Final verdict: Skip the fancy stuff and come here for a satisfying, budget-friendly meal. Perfect for weeknight takeout, casual lunches, or supporting a local small business that...