China Garden in Orono - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Great food- we let the owner (who was very friendly and just interactive enough) decide for us and we were really pleased. We had several vegetarian dishes and one seafood. Everything was very good. Atmosphere is not great, but who cares with food like this! We’ll definitely be back.

This place confused me. First the good: The food wasn't greasy. The place was cheerful and clean. But here we go: We had C12 and C13 with crab rangoons, egg roll, wonton soup and teriyaki beef. The General Tso wasn't the average, it was more like a spicy Sweet and Sour Chicken. Very good for what it was, the Sweet and Sour Chicken was also good. The absolute worst appetizers I have ever had. And the Pork Fried Rice was so bland!!! The Teriyaki Beef hadn't marinated long enough and was too thick so it was boring and chewy...very chewy! I wanted to fall in love with this place, but I just can't.

This is my go-to restaurant for Chinese food in the Bangor area. The food is always well prepared, hot, and delicious. The pork belly is a highlight. Large pieces of tender marbled pork in a savory sauce. Chinese comfort food! But leave your P*nda Express based assumptions at the door. The chef, Christine, has an authentic take on her offerings, sometimes with her own touches added, and they may be a little different than typical Americanized fare. So if your heart is set on something being like what you’re used to, ask first. The staff is also friendly and the prices are reasonable. It’s well worth visiting here.

The diced chicken szechuan style was nice and spicy and very flavorful. The owner - cook asked how spicy I would like it - she customized it to extra. Very good. Staff was friendly and personable.

On 8/18/2024, I'm going to say that I got ripped off from the China Garden restaurant in Orono, ME. I paid $69.07 for my meal, and I only got part of it. My order consisted of: Combination plates #12, #14, chicken egg foo yung, fried rice, 1 pint of duck sauce and a 1/2 pint of sweet and sour sauce. I received 6 tiny containers of it, instead of a pint, which I ordered and paid for ($5). I also paid $2 for 1/2 pint of sweet and sour sauce, and only received a few tiny containers. I ordered 6 extra egg rolls and only received 3. My egg foo yung was burnt, and placed (I should say crammed or squished) into a little container with the sauce in the side. The sauce was super runny, like water, instead of being thick, like gravy. This order was definitely NOT worth $69.07. I am forced to give this place a 1 star review.

Our first time here and we were very pleased. The best egg rolls in the area. So good we ordered three to take home. My wife loved her lo mein and my Mongolian Scallops were superb. The homemade special hot sauce was very tasty .

We stop every few weeks for lunch on our way to camp. Fast service and good food. Have been stopping for years

Best Chinese around. We are always well taken care of. If you come in during slow hours, sometimes the owner will make you authentic Chinese food. Amazing 👏

The food is so good here and staff is very friendly.

Service is always prompt and pleasant. The food portions are very hearty and always hit the spot for our family, nutritionally and financially. Whether you live in town or are just passing through on your summer vacation, this is a great place for a tasty meal in a welcoming and pleasant environment. Take out service is prompt, very well packed for the ride home and makes my family smile.

I love their food so much and great service and friendly staff

The staff is incredible, and the owner, Christine, is usually there. If they aren't too busy, Christine will cook up a custom meal for your party. What a treat (and reasonably priced)

Best Chinese food around! The owner interacts with her customers, which is very important. She is very kind, offers you to try new dishes instead of your same ol' routine. ( you agree and obviously pay for the meal.) I've tried more and love her. ❤️ DG

The food has gone downhill since they moved locations, not sure if new owners but crab rangoons cooked too long, not much flavor in lo mein and the bathroom was so nasty. It smelled and looked like it hasnt been cleaned in a year! I was nervous about eating the food when i got home because it was so dirty and God knows how dirty the kitchen may be. Praying i dont get sick

Foowas hot and delicious. Ordered sweet & sour chicken & General Tso chicken combo meals. ❤️ 😍

We can't afford to eat out very often. And we have not had the Chinese spot to eat in a very long time. I was so happy that China Garden came to orono. Their food is wonderful and living in Old Town. It makes it easy to eat out when we can afford it. Today it was a bit disappointing. It did not taste right.

I've known the owner for many years and her food has always been delicious!!! Want to try something amazing try the rice noodles but the thick ones!!! She will know what you mean!!! I Love the beef Rice Noodles!!! You can't find them at every Chinese restaurant!!!

I did take out.i have to say it was my first time back since they reopened. All the food was over cooked! I don't believe I'll be going back anytime soon!

The service for indoor dining is always superb. The staff is great ! The food is by the BEST in the area!!

I was so happy to have my mother in law and my best friend with me and we were going to enjoy a good meal. I hadn't eaten at China Garden in awhile and was looking forward to it. Well the inside of the old Burger King looked pretty nice. We all ordered General Tso's Chicken with various sides and a large order of crab Rangoon. The meal came out and we started to eat. The general tso's chicken was terrible. It was so crispy and dried out you couldn't eat it. The same with the crab Rangoon and chicken wings. The waitress never came back once to ask about our meal. Poor service. I was so embarrassed to have taken 2 of my dearest people to eat there. Never again

We have lived here a year and been searching for "our" Chinese food place. We found it!! Great food, pleasant service, we will be back often!

I ordered sweet-and-sour chicken for the day after I ordered it. And I ordered crab rangoons for that day. You didn't even think to open the box to my sweet and sour chicken. I did not get sweet-and-sour chicken I lots of chicken finger with what looks sweet-and-sour sauce I would have added a picture but it won't let me

I am so angry I ordered sweet-and-sour chicken yesterday for today and this is not sweet-and-sour chicken all I got was chicken fingers and what looks like sweet-and-sour sauce and my crab rangoons were good but a little over done

Amazing food, reasonable price 😋

Usually the food is amazing, this time not even close. The fried rice was boiled or over cooked, the sweet and sour dipping sauce was leaking through the bag when I picked it up at the store, my egg rolls were burnt. Not a common occurrence but apparently I need to start checking the bag before I leave.

If I could rate this place negative stars I would. Me and my husband went to eat here around 4pm and got a pu pu plater for two are food was dripping oil and was very bland. our crab ragoons were very undercooked. When we said something remind you very nicely the waiter got the boss which she came storming out behind him and told us that it was our fault that we did not like the style of her cooking as she said and told my husband and I if we don’t like the food we can go. It was disgusting how horribly she talked to us.

This is a cute place and the shop is cool but I don't feel the hype for the quality and flavor of food. Not bad.. just not great

The food here is pretty good however they are no longer doing lunch specials on the weekend. Very pricey for lunch and the food is good but not great.

Amended 2/9/24: I moved to Massachusetts 7 years ago and there's nothing down here that even comes close. I went there when I was trying a gluten free diet. Being a vegetarian, gluten free can be difficult at times. The manager asked me about my diet and what types of food I liked, and then made me something that was meat and gluten free, and also suitable for a diabetic. You would expect that that combination would be bad, but she brought out a curried tofu dish that was outstanding. Every time I go there I am very satisfied with the food.

The sweet-and-sour Chicken And the sweet and sour my favorite

Not a lot of ambiance, but terrific Americanized Chinese food and friendly competent servers 😁. Nothing is particularly spicy, but still has loads of flavor. And the appetizers/tidbits and soups are delish! Hubby and I indulge at least once a week! And Christine, the owner, is so generous that she will cook genuine Asian food not on the menu…just ask! Highly recommend, best in the area! 😁

I have eaten great Chinese food, good and bad Chinese food. This was by far the worst I have ever eaten. I have never written a bad food review. I usually just let it go. I will just warn you. If you know Chinese food… this isn’t good… some inedible… way more sugar than is ever used in any of the dishes. Chinese food is always sweet but this is beyond sweet.

pleasant surprise! authentic Chinese food, worth the price, will come again

The sesame tofu was everything I remembered. Scallion pancakes and hot and sour soup, too. Hit the spot! Christine always comes out to chat with folks who order vegetarian dishes. She's delightful! Someday I'll have to ask for a custom dish.

Favorite restaurant in northern maine. Always fresh ingredients, wonderful staff, authentic Chinese dish options, and they support local farmers. We go here frequently and always love the food.

I was able to have gluten free!

Great food super well service loved it

Food is fabulous! Christine will make authentic Chinese food for you as well. Wonderful wait staff too!

Staff super accommodating, food tender and full of flavor, best veggie to meat ratio.

Great food, great service, great prices. Will definitely be back!

Amazing food and amazing service!

Food was overcooked. Container notclosed properly. Was carried to the car properly, got home whole contents of container in the bag. Second eating here. Was worse than the first time. Boneless ribs shredded like sand. 50 bucks down the drain..what a waste!

When the owner is cooking its the best around! She is incredibly talented. The pork belly is ahhhhhmazing.

Wonderful food and lots of vegetarian options, great lo mein and fried rice, dont miss the ginger sauce

This is literally the best Chinese food I’ve had since my childhood favorite place back home. I have tried so many places around here with no luck or mediocre results . Then.. What . I found China garden!!! No exaggeration it’s amazing flavorful hot and fresh also very quick & friendly service just order some already!!! You will NOT regret it!

Some meals are very good and some are a hit or miss.. the beef had a canned food texture in the Sichuan beef but the rest was 100 times better after adding the special sauce

The portion sizes are so small!! And it's too expensive!

Definitely Some of the Best Food we have found Since Moving to Maine. For Sure Will be Back

China Garden's new location has a nice bright atmosphere, I highly recommend getting the Chinese version dishes if at all possible! Great food always!

I ordered a lunch special, the portion size was smaller than most. The rice didn't have any pork or vegetables, besides a few diced onions, it was very bland. The ribs were good but not traditional style, it was practically shredded. The crab rangoons had yellow cheddar cheese in them, they weren't necessarily bad, but they didn't taste anything like they should.

Have lunch here regularly. Food is always great and service is amazing! The server with the long "red" hair is always fast getting our drinks and orders and does it with a smile! Highly recommended.

The woman( long "red" hair) who takes the order needs to be nicer,she's always rude ... pork,fingers very good but clerk terrible.

One of my go to places! Excellent. I'm my experience...you just can't beat the quality of a restaurant where the owner is ALWAYS there. If you ask for something authentic, the owner will make you something not on the menu. Also, if you like REALLY spicy food , ask for a side of the hot pepper sauce. It's excellent. I'll update with pics when I visit next!

The food for me was not that good. Don't know how they were rated for the best Chinese food restaurant in the area. Honestly very disappointed. We just moved to the Bangor area last year and still haven't found a good Chinese restaurant. My crab rangoons tasted like only cream cheese and extremely salty. Nothing about their food amazed me. Sorry China Garden,but your food was very disappointed, my husband and I spent a lot of money at your restaurant, that won't happen again.

Always enjoy the food here. Never had a bad experience. Just got food here again tonight. Everything was delicious as always.

My husband and I love this place! It’s great for lunch, and the price and amount of food you get is awesome.

I love how open and light the new location is. The garden is lovely. The owner served us personally and is always so cheerful and helpful. The service is super fast. The food is fantastic. I have such trouble deciding because it is all so delicious!

Ordered food ! My son passed away 32 years old, flew to Maine to say good bye ! It's a good place to eat!!

The general Taochicken was really good and I also enjoyed the lo mein. Egg rolls were good, service was fast and we'll definitely be going back.

The best Chinese around. Christine is happy to accommodate diet restrictions. You can call ahead to let her know your restriction and she will create a dish. I am gluten-free and she made a delicious meal for me of egg drop soup and a curry dish with tofu amd vegetables. Everything tastes fresh. So good.

That was the best Chinese food I've had in a very long time, love the atmosphere, and the staff was so friendly

There wasn't very many vegetables in my rice but it was HOT and FAST!

$25 almost $26 dollars for just this. This place is way to expensive and it honestly isn't the best..I say wing wah and for same price enough to feed three people..never willing go here again I mean wow is all I can say.

Our whole family just loves this restaurant. The food is always fresh and well prepared. You get a big serving every single time and the owner is awesome as well as everyone who works there. In our home we have family "chinese" Friday and we have never once been disappointed. I am so happy we discovered this little hidden gem.

Fast service, friendly staff, good food.

HANDS DOWN the best Chinese food you will find in the state, I have lived in New Jersey and had access to New York City, least to say I had plenty of FANTASTIC options for Chinese. I recently moved back from New Jersey with my fiance. I was born in Bangor and grew up in Brewer, so I went to the typical spots you'd find around town. I have put off going to this place for so long because I thought I would be in for another low class, non-authentic and stomachache for later experience. I was wrong, the rice HANDS DOWN is the best rice I have ever had in my experience EVER. The boneless spareribs ARE ACTUAL rib tender fall apart tips that are TOP TIER and the Chicken Fingers OF COURSE I know is typical American Chinese, but still they were cared for and made with fresh ingredients. THE ONLY IMPROVEMENTS I CAN SEE TO BE MADE ARE: More portions for chicken fingers and the rice. For the price of the rice and chicken fingers I expected a larger portion. With the last bit of the AMAZING rice I had, I took the PLENTYFUL leftover ribs I had for lunch the next day. Fantastic the next day as well. Christine was a sweetheart and explained the difference in non-authentic and an authentic Chinese experience and even offered to curate a custom meal for my fiancé and I when we go in to dine in next. Fantastic experience, I expected less and of course Christine and her staff went above and beyond to prove me otherwise. THIS IS OUR NEW SPOT. Much love from ours to yours China Garden, any bad reviews are people with bad taste buds and low budgets.

Long time satisfied customer. Many years. Came in tonight and the meal was horrible. Overcooked and dripping in grease. That happens. The problem was the staff arguing with me about the finer points of cooking Chinese food!!! Bad , bad attitude. Over 10 years going . Done. My advice is to everyone, DONT EAT HERE

We were hungry travelers on our way to Tennessee. Be bold and let Cristina make you something special. It was the best Chinese food we've had in a long time.

I personally think this is the best Chinese food place in the greater Bangor area. The Owner is great, and made some Bok Choy to go with my pork belly. My spouse asks for an off menu item, and they have accommodated his request every time. Nothing but high praise for this place.

Really good prices, the portions are appropriate to what you're paying. Quick lunch time service - will definitely be back!

I always thought this place wasn't anything special because Mom doesn't like anything spicy. We asked for chef special authentic Chinese last night and I was blown away! Delicious as served and... she brought out some sauce for me to spice it up and it was best Chinese food I have had in a good while. Highly recommend!

In Orono for a conference and I stopped by 20 minutes before close very hungry. The menu suggests trying an authentic Chinese meal. I 100% recommend this. Christine will come and ask you specific questions and design a meal just for you. I got 2 soups, rice, chicken, and vegetables for just $15. The food was well seasoned, hearty, but light. I didn't feel like I had a heavy, unhealthy meal. It was more food than I could eat on my own. I felt like I had a homemade meal which is a godsend while traveling. Thank you Christine and staff! For specifically designed meals, they could be charging much much more!

I ordered egg drop soup as an appetizer, took one bite, GROSS! When my Food came out I took one bite of my rice, GROSS! My boneless pork was huge chunks of fat. My body ordered chicken fingers ate 2 of them said they were GROSS. And when I refused the meal she brought the bill out didn't take a penny off. Fair warning if you like chinese food this is not your place.

Excellent food & great service, nice restaurant & atmosphere.

This wonderful place has been there since the 90s and has withstood the test of time in every great way; while the service is a little on the slow side at times, the food is always delicious, service friendly, and the drinks are exactly how you want them. I consider this an Orono/Old Town now.

Seems like there’s 2 totally different dining experiences available, and I wish I had been informed of the second one. There’s a vague blurb on the menu about trying new things, but it wasn’t until I was well into my meal that the woman (owner/manager?) started visiting many of the other tables and asking if they wanted to try personalized, authentic/homemade dishes. How I wish I’d been offered this awesome hospitality & gastronomic adventure! Instead I just got a super typical American-Chinese menu, friendly but uncreative waitstaff, and sickeningly sweet tofu with dry fried rice and an admittedly tasty veggie spring roll. Might return but ONLY to try to access the homemade service.

Worst place ever!! Bland uncooked rice. Tasteless undercooked crab rangoons, pork was parboiled and tough not even a grill mark on it. Eggs rolls so disgusting. I've seen some good reviews here and dont understand how, they must be paid to say how good it is, because not. Just grosss.

Great food,excellent service, they made my food just the way I like it, I'll definitely go back

Best food for 100's of miles. Made to order and fresh as can be. Owner on site and makes you a special dish if you ask.

The food portions were ample, the prices were reasonable, and the server was attentive. However, the starter and the entree were served warm rather than hot. The meat in beef entree was very fatty.

Food was not very hot,won't go back.

The person at counter was great! Spent over $70 and the crab ragoons tasted spoiled, lo mein was very dry, sesame chicken had no sesames on it all, wings had no flavor and the rice was very blah. Very disappointing

The owner / hostess was wonderful! She took the time to encourage us to try true Chinese food and drink. I enjoyed her energy and personality in spending time with us. The food was great, I stayed with tried and true but others tried dishes that were suggested. This easily was the best Chinese food restaurant I've been to in Maine for years.

This is a great restaurant! Very clean inside, cheerful staff and Christine(Our impeccable hostess with the mostest) She visited us at the table at the beginning and a time or two during. We ordered off menu and Christine provided us with a feast. Visit, talk and have a fantastic meal!

Ask Cristine to make you a custom meal, it'll knock your socks off.

Absolute trash food. Duck sauce tastes like it's been in a can for 20 years, the food itself would've been better if I got it out of the frozen section of a grocery store and the hair I had to pull out of my throat made me flush away the money I spent.

Good food & very friendly service

This is our favorite Chinese place by far! The prices are reasonable and the portions are big not to mention delicious.

Very different than most Chinese restaurants and you can buy products there as well.

We finally decided to take the leap and check out the China Garden. Pretty cool little restaurant, very nice staff and absolutely adored the giant parade Chinese Dragon the wrapped the dining area! The food was good, although there is a little room for improvement. I had a primarily meat combo dish with some pork fried rice. The cuts and quality of the meat was fantastic! I do think they would benefit with a little longer time maybe marinating or just a bit more of the sauces added to the meat. The beef teriyaki and spare ribs were a little light on the flavor from the sauce. Similar with the pork fried rice, not quite as loaded as some places, but still good. The sugar coated fried dough was amazing! The chicken wings were also perfect! A really nice thing I noticed was that the food didn't leave you with a crazy heavy greasy feeling that many Chinese places do. My stomach was really pleased even long after the meal, which doesn't always happen, my gut can be finicky... Overall, pretty happy and I'm sure we'll be back again in the future.

A great place to eat casual dining! Reasonable price, generous portions, great food! Would highly recommend it.

Wonderful flavor, great food served in ample portions in a colorful atmosphere by delightful staff! Highly recommend.

The crab rangoons are my favorite. The best of any other chinese place in my opinion. The food come out fast and it’s very good. It’s kind of expensive but the portions are big so it’s worth it.

China Garden in Orono has good Chinese food. It’s definitely not the best, but it’s certainly up there. However, what I do like about China Garden is the speedy service. When I say speedy, I mean it! I’ve never waited for my food longer than ten minutes. The waitresses are always very helpful too!

Great food and friendly staff. Good value and they eagerly customize to match your spice and other dietary favorites.

The basics taste nothing like your typical American Chinese food. The fried rice is very bland and the crab Rangoon flavor is not right at all. I’ve tried the lo mein before, also not very good. The price is right but the flavor is just not there, overall very disappointing.

What a wonderful food experience. Love the larger space, and staff are delightful.

Best place around here. A bumping spot for good Chinese food!

Literally never left a review before but my food had all fallen out of the container when I got it and they wouldn’t refund

I'm impressed. Their pork belly stew was AMAZING! It wasn't overly salty and was VERY tender. The boneless ribs were big pieces and wasn't overdrenched in sauce. The sesame chicken was DELICIOUS! The chicken wasn't overdressed or overcooked and they put just enough sauce to it that it coated each piece without being TOO much sauce. I'm usually not one for Egg Rolls or Fried Rice as I'm quite picky, and I have to say that was fantastic. The Egg Roll didn't have that greasy after taste as I've tasted in many others, and the Fried Rice was perfect. It wasn't overly dry or dry tasting. Great to sit in, great to take out and even good for delivery!