Sampan Chinese Restaurant

Reviews 3

TI

Ting-Yu Chen

IT DOESNT DESERVE ANY STAR! DISLIKE! Ive been checking google reviews for years but this lady get me first writing review, and its a very bad one. I really wish this restaurant never run again cuz it really ruined my stay in WS. My review is against to the waitress, a 60 yr old chinese/ cantonese lady who is RACIST even for her own race!!! Detail: I followed the review to this restaurant today around 8pm. Its a off peak dinner time. I entered and she saw me. I waited for her to come to greet me or lead me to my seat, but it did not happen so I picked a window seat where I can see her at the cashier. For that I sat like 15mins. When she came, she said " just you?" (please picture the face is not very friendly) And i said yes, after another 5 mins she gave me a chinese menu. Then another 20 mins!!! I was very patience, i assume that she cannot handle the amount of guests in restaurant alone cuz she seem busy, even though its only 4 table guests . When she finally came to order. She was just saying " oh i forgot about you", i was calm and told her my wish dish and asked, do you have soup or vegetable? it doesnt show on the menu. She told me yes and suggested me to order corn soup. From that time on it seems fine, even though my corn soup have a black, burnt crust. I dont want to have left over so I still tried to finish it. After meal I heard the other customer ordering something different from the menu I had. So when she came to pick up the finished plate(which she later drop those plate again and go check the other table) I asked her kindly, whether she have other menu for non-asian guest. She said yes and later show me the menu. I glanced and noticed that my corn soup(2) $5.75. I asked her, what do you mean, do you sell me a two person soup without telling me? Her attitude was bad and walked away yelling through the whole restaurant that "you asked for soup, you should ask the price by yourself. and you didnt ask!" I was calmly telling her this is not the right thing, why would you be so loud, Im not trying to fight. Then she said, "you finished the soup anyway!" I told her again my statement that she knew Im here alone, and recommend me two person portion soup so she can charge more from me, this is not right. Then she suddenly change to English saying her Chinese is bad. Without realizing my English is good too. Then she started to yell and walk between me and the other customers while i seated. "Because you are a chinese so you get a chinese menu!" And then I told her the point is you are not honest. And I started to complain how I felt ignored the whole dining experience. Then she shout that "are you new? dont you see the entrance saying please wait to be seated" First of all its at a very low position, not to mention I have been standing waiting for her to settle me down for 5mins. She shout out " sorry then" and run away while saying "What do you want, i already said sorry", disappeared and finally she recalled that theres still other customers at the restaurant. She shout to me to ask other customer and saying they are all old customers. What for? All I need is justice. Its not like I dont have money. But this 1 person meal with such bad experience cost me $20. I paid unwillingly and stand in front of the door to seek for a nice attitude apology. The whole scene, I was never shouted back or having bad temper to her, out of a respect to an old lady. But she leave no respect to customer. Eventually before I left. She cry out that "Its because you are a CALIFORNIAN!!!" Im not, I am just a new expat in Winston salem, working my master paper and internship in this city, seeking for home flavor food for my home sick. She really ruined everything. If theres any journalist find it worth for an article. You can reach me easily.

FR

Fred Black

Well, we finally made it back to Sampan - the last time was around 1996 or 1997, when there were no authentic menu choices. The food then was very good, among the best Americanized Chinese in the entire Triad area, and the restaurant was held in rather high esteem. Years have passed, times have changed, and opinions vary (as always), but I came away from the meal today with a definite sense that the food I tried today was, in most respects, much better than what Id experienced before. If the service can be an issue, and here it seems to have had issues, it can be best to arrive early and get a jump - which we did. We were quickly seated, drinks arranged for, and our order was placed quickly since we had studied the menu before hand. Scallion Pancake appetizer ($3.95), Salt & Pepper Shrimp ($11.95), Szechuan Beef Lunch Combo ($5.85), and Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce Lunch Combo ($5.45) - the combos came with Fried Rice & Egg Roll. The time out of the kitchen was no less than amazing - the Scallion Pancake in around 10 minutes, the remainder spread out over the next 6 to 8 minutes. We were checked on frequently by the owner and her son (?) over the course of the meal, the remainders quickly boxed to go. A thoroughly enjoyable service experience. The Scallion Pancake was perfectly cooked, nice & flaky, no gumminess. It was served without a dipping sauce, which is a little unusual, at least in the US. The Salt & Pepper Shrimp, from the authentic menu, was out next, and was disappointing, especially considering the cost, basically double the lunch specials. The shrimp were large, and rather bland. The coating was limp and flavorless, and from the look and taste and time out of the kitchen, these shrimp were probably "recycled in the microwave or oven.. It was served with grilled onions (regular and green), and these did have so zip. Would not reorder this dish. The Szechuan Beef was very nice - thinly sliced beef in a nice, spicy sauce, with carrot and onion, and some gradually building heat, more heat would have been nice. The Fried Rice was ok, though a touch bland. The Egg Rolls were quite good, full of flavor, and well cooked. The Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce was also nice, though the dish contained more broccoli than anything else. There is much to like here, much to explore here, I think, but this is not a "knock you dead" every dish kind of place, so picking the right dishes will be important. There does seem to be only two people handling everything here - seating people, taking orders, cooking, answering the phone, etc., so if it gets busy, things are gonna be slow. But they are friendly, and more than willing to discuss the dishes on the authentic menu with you. Had to stretch a bit to get to 4 stars. Well definitely be back, and it will not take 17 years or so.

D

D D Dilworth

After never really seeing many cars there, my fiancé still wanted to try it for his birthday. We walked in & quickly realized we were the only ones there. The elder lady could barely help us with questions about food. The best part was the seafood soup. Our daughter didnt even want her noodles & chicken (I saw why after tasting it) We spent over $80 (on what) I had sesame scallops & he had chicken/vegetables & the soup & I told my fiancé I think she overcharged us. So instead of leaving a normal $20+ tip we left less since it seems she acts like she doesnt understand you in order to overcharge you. She also charges for lemonade refills & then brings a Minute Maid can to the table. I was done then. Needless to say we will NEVER eat there again.