Third time a charm at Szechuan
Little do I find myself going back to a place for a second, or in this case, a third, visit after I’ve gotten sick off of the food. But for Szechuan Garden, I gave it a third chance to prove itself, and miraculously, had a pretty good experience.
My first two times dining at the Eastown-based Chinese restaurant was for lunch. Both times I went with the lunch buffet, and both times I didn’t feel too great afterwards. While the food wasn’t horrible, when I get sick, any pleasantries of what I just ate goes down the drain.
This time, though, I enjoyed a cheap Chinese meal for dinner. While it has its drawbacks, Szechuan does quite a few things right. The interior is inviting and not over-done, like so many other Chinese restaurants I’ve tried. It does what it does best, and that is give you a decent meal at a reasonable price.
Two of us started out with crab cheese ($2.95) as an appetizer. Not the best I’ve had, but still very flavorful and not fishy-tasting whatsoever.
For my entree, I went with the orange chicken ($8.25). One of my all-time favorites at Asian restaurants, the dish was paired with white rice. While the menu mentioned that the item was “hot,” I found that not to be the case. While the chicken was fairly tender and flavorful, I would’ve liked to see a bit more spice, and maybe some vegetables to pair it with (other than the massive amount of broccoli).
My two other dining partners went with Chicken Lo Mein ($6.75), which is a type of soft noodle. The dish was cooked and seasoned perfectly, and was a reminder of how simple, Asian cuisine can be absolutely delicious.
The service was prompt and friendly; our waiter checked on us occasionally, but wasn’t over-the-top.
In addition to entrees featuring chicken, beef and pork, Szechuan also offers family-sized dinner meals, offering a wide array of options for small parties. Take-out is also available for the work crowd.
It looks like the third time was the charm for Szechuan Garden. While I’m hesitant to recommend it for a lunch buffet, the dinner was filling and just what we were expecting. Szechuan could possibly be one of the best cheap Chinese restaurants in the area, and it’s a perfect fit for the Eastown landscape.
Szechuan Garden ( Rating:
out of 5 )Where: 1510 Wealthy St SE, Eastown
Hours: 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat, noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday
Ambiance: Cheap Chinese buffet
How much will it cost you: Average meal with appetizer and entree will set you back roughly $12.
Credit cards: All major
Alcohol: No
Reservations: No
Contact: (616) 456-9878
