Empire Garden
“Let me start with there packaging they use the right take out containers not the cheap crap most places use.”
“My favorite is the fried rice with pork, and the angel platter!”
“The dishes are not oily and well seasoned and taste light- no heavy grease feeling when you're done eating.”
Empire Garden
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
Rate and write a review Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
This place was the first meal I had on a recent trip to New York. After flying into La Guardia I rented a car and then started driving to The Hamptons. Traffic was heavy on I-495, I decided to pull off the highway near Jericho / Mineola and headed toward Westbury / Westonborough. I was traveling with my mom and were were looking for a diner type place. We ended up at Empire Garden.
We were going to split a garlic eggplant dish and have a light meal; however, the waitress oddly / annoyingly said we needed to spent at least 16 dollars if were were going to dine in. Okay!?
So we split the garlic eggplant dish and also ordered soup (each) and egg rolls.
My hot and sour soup was very good. Ditto the egg roll. My mom really liked her egg drop soup. The garlic eggplant dish was very good; more than enough for two. The dish came with a choice of white rice or brown rice' we chose brown.
Overall not a bad meal but I don't like being told I have to place a minimum dollar order in order to dine in. Definitely not something I am used to hearing back in Atlanta – especially at a Chines Restaurant.
I will start by saying that when i pulled up to this place today, I realized it was the same place my roommate and I used to go for Chinese 10+ years ago when I lived in Floral Park. Haven't thought of it since…but wanted to add that it was great then, and is still great now and I have to imagine its the same owners.
Now for my review: I had eaten leftover chinese food at my In-laws a few months back, and second day it was better than all places i've had in the past few years other than my beloved 'Kim Wong' which burned down (and I cry about in every Chinese food review I post).
The first time we had some spicy shrimp thing, a chicken basil dinner, some amazing soup I think it was called 'crackling rice' or something but regardless it was AMAZING. We also had some other things, a beef dish, some veggies, all were good.
Today for lunch we returned and grabbed General Tso chicken, shredded spicy pork, chicken and broccoli, and chicken with black bean sauce. The fried rice is also delicious in this place. Everything was great.
My only 'eh' about it was the food on our visit today was it was a bit oily, and the rice was burnt for some of us, but I am fairly confident it is only because it was PACKED for lunch. No excuse, but wanted to throw it in here. If it happened again, i'd change my review to a three star review but will leave it for now. (Frankly, I think its a 3.5, but again Yelp hasn't given that option and probably never will so we will forever be in paradox on those "Fence" decisions)!
This may appear to be some cliche, cheesy chinese restaurant but the food is half decent. The ambiance is slightly dark inside. Tables are your standard chinese white cloth tables with metal/plastic cushioned arched chairs.
The prices are slightly higher than what you would expect at a typical Chinese restaurantt. To start, they serve you with the typical complimentary fried crispy noodles with duck sauce. I found them to be pretty crunchy and good, though a bit oily. Their hot & sour soup is slightly on the dark side, I prefer it to be lighter, but tastes just as good as any other. I ordered the Beef Chow Fun (flat noodles) and beef and brocolli. Both dishes were very delicious, beef tender, noodles cooked just right, and brocolli soft with a slight crunch. Service is a bit lacking and you'll need to get the waiter's attention if you need anything (refill of glasses of water, etc.).
Meh.
This is a local sit down Chinese restaurant that is always crowded for lunch – and frankly, I have to wonder why.
Four of us arrived there for lunch and to catch up on some chit-chat. The place was humming with activity. Although on the small side, they pack a lot of diners in there without overcrowding the place.
The server was just awful. His command of English was so-so and he would take one person's order and then just walk away and then swing by again and take another person's order and repeat the disappearing act. This went on even as some soup came out and only 3 of us ordered a main course.
Additionally, he insisted that we order by number. Now I understand that the place is busy and the kitchen probably doesn't have time to read each handwritten ticket, but maybe try to be nice about it. He would just stand there and repeat "what number" – and then disappear… It was odd to say the least.
So- I can put up with oddball wait staff, I've known enough of them over the years, but if the wait staff is going to suck, the food should at least be stellar. Buzz! Wrong answer, minus 5. The food was not only not that great, it was loaded with salt to boot. The grease quotient might also be responsible for the increasing cost of oil, but I can't be sure. Lastly, it was boiling hot – scorch your palette hot.
I looked around the dining room and everyone was scarfing their food down – so maybe we were the only four people that have had decent food elsewhere? I can't speak for the other diners, but there wasn't an Asian in the crowd – which to me speaks volumes.
To sum it up: greasy, salty food and oddball service. Prices are low, which could explain the crowds, but seriously, the take out guy we use is much better.
Parking in a small lot – if you are lucky to find a spot.
I'm surprised to see that I've never written a review of Empire Garden. We've been coming here since we moved to New Hyde Park over 15 years ago. Empire Garden has consistently been the best Chinese restaurant in the area. I'd put their food way above average for a Chinese restaurant outside of Flushing or Chinatown. While the waitstaff isn't the most friendly, they've always been polite and efficient. For take out, the two young ladies at the counter are always friendly. Their delivery men are friendly as If you're looking for Chinese in NHP this is THE place.
we called our order in before we left the house because I know that this place can get super busy. this is not your dirty Chinese that comes in those white boxes. everything comes in plastic Tupperware like containers.
we ordered
boneless pork ribs. quart of wonton soup, house lo mein (which includes all meat and seafood and veggies a great deal), house fried rice and bean sprouts in the a pt container.
sometimes they are out of bean sprouts because when you dine in they give you a small bowl to have while you wait for the rest of your food and they are seasoned delicious!
when we arrived our order was ready and the place was not busy. I was surprised but happy my order was ready and that they did have bean sprouts.
the girl at the front counter is always there and is super friendly.
my boyfriend knows that when he is over my house we do not get dirty Chinese since we have been going here for about 16 years. dirty Chinese doesn't compare. the quality of the food and service always leave me full.
btw they do not cook with MSG! which should be the standard!
We don't go anywhere else for our Chinese food. Empire Garden is perfect. Great selection, the Chinese food tastes better than any Chinese food I've had. Perhaps the ingredients are better.
We always call in our order, and pick up 10 minutes later.
This is one of the great lunch places in Lake Success! I love their hot&sour soup, General Tso's chicken and sesame chicken.
I never had bad service here, I brought my staff here for a Christmas lunch and everyone was happy!