Happy Garden Restaurant | Chico

Good customer service, relaxing environment, great food at reasonable rates, took mu fiance there, out first time to happy garden and we enjoyed every bite of savory food. The portions were well worth the cost of the 2 dinners, we both made 4 meals out of the food. The Thai tea was perfect, flavors and smells of food hit us as soon as we were handed our food. I would definitely recommend this place.

Food was impeccable! That which was to be tender was tender and moist, that which was to be crispy was perfectly crispy, flaky, and perfectly cooked inside. We had the Honey Walnut Shrimp and apparently dance worthy for my wife. Wontons were melt in your mouth triangles of the divine. I had the Szechuan Beef lunch. Only thing I didn't eat was the plate! Service was top tier. Quick, friendly, helpful, and (most importantly) understood my joke about the plate! They weren't too busy, but I get the feeling being excellent service providers is who they are. Atmosphere is the only down mark. The place had the feeling of long term placement; kind of that neighborhood place three generations of your family have regularly eaten at. But it shows in the worn down and, frankly, kind of dirty surroundings. Torn seat cushions, dirty bathroom, etc. Only one bathroom for all.

I'm once again "Happy" that Happy Gardens is once again available for in dining eating. I arrived on a Friday night, immediately seated, and knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered the Mongolian Beef, Lemon Chicken, Special Chow Mein, and the Sweet/Sour Prawns. No more than 10 minutes later my food arrived... and tasted like Heaven! The portions are STILL plentiful and extremely tasty, with the right amount of spices, sauces and meat/vegetables in each dish, leaving me thoroughly filled with extra for the next day's lunch. Not much more can be said about how great this restaurant is. The service is crisp and attentive, prices are normal for an establishment like this, and not too crowded on Tues-Thu. Lunch specials can be found, and dinner specials for 2-3 people make this an absolute necessity for a date night. A piece of heaven I will continue to patronage for years to come.

My go-to Chinese spot. This time I had take out. Love their Mongolian lamb. Tried the Mandarin Chicken for the 1st time and not too spicy, just right. Salt and pepper shrimp could be more volume but flavor is good Service has always been awesome and my 2 yrs daughter loves it here.

Some South of the border type eateries after the Covid pandemic, started charging for chips and salsa, not that they were any better than the few that still maintain that fine tradition of unlimited chips/salsa. Really is not trying to save a few dollars, for the average consumer is generous and appreciative when well treated. Some Chinese are doing the same with their steamed rice, which is a low blow, because they also raised their price across the board. Got to have some Quî (balls) considering 98% of their food requires rice. Dishes ordered at this cocky establishment: Curry Chicken, $11.50+ Something about South China prized curry. Big, mean Big, pieces of green bell peppers 🫑, the norm not the exception. Onions, sliced carrot, and tender diced chicken. Not a hefty amount, but with the expensive white rice, edible at least. 2 Stars. Mongolian Fish, $15.95. Plenty of extra soggy onions, green onions, sauce makes it look 👀 tad mushy, and fish. We are still wondering what fish it was, as Tilapia, mostly all farm fed, seems the norm in several cuisines. Cheap and plentiful, but give credit where it’s due, the small amount of fish presented was acceptable, even though I like to point out that i’ve seen a few photos of much bigger portions, which makes me feel left out, and since I believe in equal treatment when it comes to portions in a restaurant, I guess I will not be including them on my very special Christmas list this year, or for that matter any other one. Limited amount was once again to be enjoyed with their high prized white rice. Overall not a great dish but likable . 3 Stars. White Rice (L?), $3.95. Steamed, bought by the bushel. 3 Stars. This outfit strikes me as self assured, which is no surprise as most Chinese carry a tiny chip on their shoulders. Traffic while I waited seemed brisk, which made the other one we went on mother’s day, a little uneventful, funereal. Total with Apple Pay was close to $36, no gratuity needed nor deserved. 2.5 Stars. 7-30-2023 Second time worst. There is just no winning. Mongolian Fish, $15.95. I can't believe I ordered this one again. Mediocre with capital M. 1.5 Stars. Braised Chicken, $14? What I expected to be an above average dish, kind of like salt and pepper, turned out to be a disaster, breaded, mushy, dry chicken inside, with a sweet garlic sauce. 1.5 Stars. House Special Chow Mein, $12+? Combination my fortune cookie! 90 % noodles, thick, al dente, and the rest leftovers did not see one shrimp, still edible. These establishment lies through their teeth. Have the nerve to load the cheap noodle, totally dry piece of pork, no shrimp, etc. Yet they are the toast of their admirers. Cheap, quite capable to sell terrible take out, since they know it will be too late by the time is discovered. Total: $45+. Yet lots of people love it! Small servings, no class yet they are highly praised. 1.5 Stars.

Coconut shrimp is outstanding. Beef Chow Fun is delicious. And another one of our favorites is the War Wanton Soup. The staff is always nice and make you feel like family. We’ve been going there for years.

Whatever you do don’t order the kung pow chicken. They throw a whole onion into your food and barely any chicken. Waiter never came. Their menu has no pictures so you’re just guessing what food the plate is. My wife liked their sweet and sour.