Empress Gardens — Restaurant in Southfield

I have been coming to this restaurant for YEARS and usually have a pretty good experience. Yesterday was VERY different. The shrimp fried rice was very old, not fresh at all and had 1 shrimp in the whole pint. The rest was just rice basically. No onion, none of the other things they usually put standard in all of their fried rice. There were chunks of white rice in it so obviously they just threw something together and made me pay 9.75 for a pint of old thrown together no shrimp in it, shrimp fried rice. My husband was calling me to ask me what card I wanted him to use to pay for the food and I was busy with our 8 month old and didn't hear the phone. The old lady at the desk said to him " Her priorities are messed up!" He said "Are you talking to me?" He was perplexed at what she said! She said it again "her priorities are messed up she not answering and her husband calling her!" My husband was very offended by that point as I was home tending to our children which is a very high priority in mine and my husband's opinion! That was NONE of her business to even say! Customer service seems to just have walked out of the door at this place which is very dissappointing...for the amount they charge for their food they need...

I have to say I'm very disappointed with my experience at Empress Gardens yesterday. When working for Channel 7 back in the late 70s, early 80s, Empress Gardens was their go to because the food was fresh and delicious, but then I moved away. While in Southfield yesterday, I decided to place an order for "Shrimp and Broccoli" and "Almond Chicken". The lady (or child) answering the phone was not only abrupt, but she hung up on me before I could ask how long it would take. Now, I'm a forgiving person and would have overlooked this had they been extremely busy, but when I arrived there was absolutely no one there - the place was empty. After spending over $35, we then discovered the food was horrible! The egg rolls, although they had bean sprouts, tasted like cabbage and didn't taste fresh. The fried rice was old as if it had been sitting for a day or two. I even tried to reheat it, to no avail. Although the almond chicken was plentiful, it was thick and tough, the gravy was watered down, and the broccoli was mushy.

I've always loved Chinese food, but stayed away after some of the rumors started circulating. But after this experience, I won't be returning and will just start cooking my favorite Chinese...

I had been visiting Empress Garden for years. I stopped going because of the distance from where I lived. I visited recently and ordered sweet and sour chicken, which I asked for light soy sauce on the rice and was told that if I wanted new rice cooked, I would have to "order shrimp fried rice. (spend extra money for quality -better prepared food - I'm guessing ) "I asked for no MSG and was told, "well, it's in the food, and it's already prepared. "I received the food, drove 45 minutes away, opened the food, and it was old. The rice was grainy and had been mixed with other rice. There were three pieces of a whole - undercooked shrimp on top. The egg rolls were tasteless, and the customer service was frustrating. The gentleman who answered the phone was very condescending and more concerned with the profit. He eventually apologized Thank Goodness! I am still quite disappointed, and it's no secret why I have not been able to get their food. This is NOT the same place that l've visited before. I will not be returning, and I am saddened that they would send a customer out with food like that. My food was over $40, and I was still hungry - which required me to spend my additional hard-earned money....