Beijing Garden Restaurant
| Address: | 668 N 44th St, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA |
| Phone: | +1 602-286-6868 |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9:30PM 11AM–9:30PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 42
Reviews 7
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Terri S
I was craving Chinese food so I headed for Beijing Garden Chinese for a late lunch. As I entered, I was greeted and led right away to a table. As I took my seat, I could see that the plates on the table in front of me were both chipped. I asked for a plate that wasnt chipped, and it took my server a minute to find one which she switched from another table before she delivered a glass of water, and left me with the menu. The menu was quite extensive and a bit overwhelming. It helped that photos of some of the dishes were included, but dishes were less than completely described, providing little sense of flavor profiles, or how one sauce might compare to another. I love vegetables, and wanted to be sure that whatever dish I ordered had plenty of them, in addition to meat or seafood. Understand that by vegetables, I mean nutritious vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, snow peas and the like, not just onions and bell peppers or celery. I also wanted lots of flavor as opposed to a bland dish. The more I studied the menu, the more questions I had about the various preparations, but for at least 10 minutes, no one came within hailing distance of my table. When my server finally reappeared, she wasnt particularly helpful in terms of being able to describe flavors of the dishes, and we appeared to be having some language barrier difficulties. I had been leaning to the Beef with Broccoli, perhaps with garlic sauce instead of brown sauce. After explaining that the garlic sauce was a white sauce that they used with chicken. She indicated that I should just get #82, the Beef with Black Pepper Sauce in Sizzling Plate, which had more spice. I finally convinced her to have Broccoli added to the #82. When I asked if they could add a level of spice to the dish, she said no, but she would bring me some hot oil. While not busy at all, she appeared frustrated by my questions, so I left it at that, in addition to some hot tea - hoping for the best. She brought my tea almost immediately, along with a dish of white rice covered by a bowl, and hot chili oil. I poured some tea and settled in to wait for my meal which I thought would be out in short order since the rice had already been brought. After a good while, a young man set a heated metal plate in a wooden base before me. From a white soup bowl, he poured my beef dish onto the hot plate where the ingredients at the bottom against the plate began to sizzle and give off a delicious aroma. The slivers of beef were in a bit of sauce, and were clearly seasoned with black pepper. The beef apparently had been sautéed with pieces of bell pepper and onions about the size of quarters, and broccoli. Overall it smelled wonderful, and looked appetizing, and the portion size was generous. I spooned rice, which I realized was now barely warm, and the beef dish onto my plate. After an initial taste, I added Chili Oil to my plate, and to the remainder of the beef dish. The dish was overly salty overall - although not too salty to eat initially, provided each mouthful included lots of rice. After my first few bites, I realized that not only was the rice not hot, but neither was the beef dish. I found that by digging to the bottom of the metal plate, I could find meat and vegetables that were warmer and almost hot. Each bite tasted overwhelmingly of black pepper. I soon gave up trying to eat it, poured some more tea, and went back to reading my book. No one bothered to approach my table for another 15 minutes - this time I checked my watch... When someone did return, it was with my check. No one ever asked me how my food was, or if I wanted a take-out container for the large amount of remaining food. They simply removed it. When they saw that I had produced my credit card, they came to collect it right away, and returned in very short order with my card, my receipt, and a fortune cookie, and left my table with no further comment. Overall, my experience was disappointing. There may be wonderful things on the menu, but they are not helpful at assisting you with finding them.
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franz karl
We went with the Church group and we go to a Chinese church. My wife is Chinese i am not. This was the worst Chinese food i have eaten anywhere in the world and i am in the top 3% on tripadvisor for a reason. I have been to so many countries including China. The duck was cold and no flavor. Everything was no flavor and cold. No sauces and no one once ask if everything was okay. I have to ask for even sugar for the tea. It was not busy as we started at 11:30 so no excuses. I would highly recommend that you avoid the place as it is over priced along with that. 17 dollars a person for a crappy meal go to the buffet at Red Wok for 10 with crab meat. I expect that they will be the next to close in that culture center and no one will miss them. They have no skills in customer service nor cooking. I will stay home to have the best Chinese food from my wife. They are not even on tripadvisor.. no wonder. I will add them.
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danielle barnes
Wow! Is all I can say. The food was SUPER authentic. Ive been to China twice before and it stands up. The service was good. I think they were a little surprised of what I was ordering (daring things), but ate everything. This menu could scare some away because of all of the innards they offer lol...but YUM. If youre looking for orange chicken, this isnt the place for you. There is another restaurant in the same center offering "American Chinese". I would recommend this place for sure. Its clean, affordable, good for parties or for 1 & and good service. I came when it was not busy though.
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Mike Wojcik
Ive been dining here for years and have become friends with one of the owners. The menu is a reflection of true southern China cuisine and American-Sino fare. Forget needing 5 star wait staff. Give yourself time and go for the food. Try ordering off the menu. Ask for Paul, describe what youd like (chicken, fish, beef) and style (spicy, sweet, very spicy, lemon, peppery, etc). You wont be disapointment. However, you will need to trust the cook and know what you like to eat. Ordering off the menu is equally satisfying for locals and travelers alike.
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Mark Finch
One of the best Chinese Restaurants in Phoenix. Chinese Cultural Center is emptying but they are still going strong. If you come for lunch they have an A menu as well as a C menu. I joke the A menu stands for American and C for Chinese. I prefer the dishes on the C menu personally they are more authentic to what you find in China.
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Jingxian Wu
Went there for a quick lunch before meeting customers nearby. After we sit down, no menu is brought to us. Its difficult to call the server and once I called, he just let us wait again and again. Food is cheap but quality is below average. Wont go there again anymore because I cant imagine the service can be this bad.
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Scott Sessions
Great price for lunch combo at $5.95 or $7.95. Food was good (not great.) Service was a little lacking. Spent more time in the restaurant than I had hoped, even though it wasnt packed at 2pm. Close to lots of things and the Chinese Cultural Center looks like a great place to explore.
