Don’t you love the name? After all even if there wasn’t the word "Chinese" in the name, all it would need would need is "Garden", "Dragon", "Imperial", or something similar – I’m sure you all will be able to think of a long list, to tell you it’s a Chinese Restaurant. Actually, Chinese Garden is our neighborhood Chinese Restaurant, located in our local, a bit worn, stuck in the 70’s, strip mall, with the usual fast-food(Carl’s Jr, Mickey D’s, Subway), and similar type establishments (Hometown Buffet, Mountain Mike’s Pizza).
Truth of the matter is, I’d only visited Chinese Garden once, right before we purchased our Home in the area. It was raining, and a bit cold, and I thought, I’d grab a quick bite before doing a walk through. I went in a had the buffet($6.45 – lunch), and have never been back since. Let’s just say the food was appropriate in taste and texture for the majority of the customers I saw. See the building hovering above the "Chinese Garden" marquee? It’s a Senior Living complex. ‘Nuff said.
But during a recent afternoon; I needed to return some DVD’s to Blockbuster(in the strip mall), and decided to walk the three blocks instead of driving. And since it’s been a bit on the chili side, I thought I’d give Chinese Garden another visit. Not to punish myself, but to attempt to become one of the "Millions of Happy Customers!"
I always smile when I see that sign. Though the menu says Mandarin, Szechuan, & Chinese Cuisine, I always ask myself, isn’t Mandarin & Szechuan Chinese? Oh well, as you can probably figure with items like Chop Suey and Hawaiian Delight(???), on the menu, Chinese Garden is an
ABCDE (pronounced abb-cee-dee – American Born Chinese Dining Establishment).
The decor of the brightly lit interior is pure time capsule 60-70’s Chinese Restaurant, from the large Koi painting, to the faux hanging lanterns.
I decided not to partake of the buffet (with good reason), and instead went for a bowl of War (Wor) Wonton Soup, which was fairly inexpensive at $5.75. I’m not quite sure what the origins are of this soup, to me it’s plain ABCDE.
After a short wait, the Server brought me a pretty large bowl of soup. The first thing I noticed was the abundance of "canned items". Lot’s of bamboo shoots, water chestnut, and button mushrooms. Also the broth was very under flavored. Even more strange, only the whites parts of Napa Cabbage was used. However, the shrimp still had flavor(5 pieces), and there were seven large wontons in the crowded bowl. Even though the appearance of the wontons kind of reminded me of brain matter, they were very soft, not like the dense pork meatball I was accustomed to. I’m wondering if this was due to a larger amount of filler? The flavor of the wontons were mild but acceptable. Overall, an okay bowl of soup for the price. Hey, I may even stop by again, but won’t stray too far from Wonton Soup, or maybe Fried Rice.
The service was very nice, even though they forgot to bring me chopsticks after I asked for them. And even better, I got nice little walk, and a view of Fiesta Island as I walked home. They’ve started working on moving the phone and electricity lines underground in our neighborhood. I can’t wait for the nice unobstructed views.
Chinese Garden
3057 Clairemont Dr
San Diego, CA 92117
i found your site out of the blue when i googled looking for asian food. x] and then i just googled image dim sum and it linked me to your site! lols your site makes me hungry everytime i come by. haha but i like your site! =] good food to eat down in san diego. and i wanted to try the pad thai recipe you created! great site!! thanks!! =]
The wor won ton soup picture could have been a “…. how many canned items can you find in this bowl?”
Whoops, I wasn’t ready to post yet. You can’t say they are skimpy with their ingredients in the soup. Have you ever had the bbq that’s cooked up in front of Keil’s during the summer time? That’s in the same center right?
Hi Debbie – Thanks for stopping by and the kind words. If you do attempt the pad thai, please let me know how it turns out!
Hi Jack – The smoker outside Keil’s is usually there from Memorial Day through Labor Day. They use apple wood to smoke all the meats. i like the tri-tip for beef salads, but I think the ribs are terrible. The Missus loves the smoked corn.
Kirk,
This is one of the reasons I am so leary about war wont ton soup. I rearely order this, and usually will only eat it when home made. Hrml Does that make me sound like I snob? ;P
Hi Mills – You, a snob? Never! LOL!
LOL! kirk, i ALWAYS think those wontons look like tiny, preserved brains floating in my soup, too, but i’ve never said it out loud because you know, don’t wanna make anyone who’ eating with me all nauseated.
i just suck them down and pretend like i’m a gourmet cannibal.
Hi Sarah – LOL! I’ve gotten some really funny comments about something looking like it came out of the guys stomach in Alien, and another lamb shank looking like a burnt hand…so I thought I’d just beat them to it this time. Ha!