Mencius's Gourmet Hunan Rstrnt

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januaryblue

Joined 2 years ago

awesome service! good food!. this place was awesome. they close at 9 pm the day we went, and we came in about 830. some places when customers do that, you expect rudeness or rushyness to close.

not here.

we were seated and given all the full oppurtunities that any other customer was recieving who was there prior to us.

the best thing to me is when my water glass is always full, and even if it gets ALMOST empty they walk by asking if i needed more. i like that.

i had the spicy chicken with mini corn and my husband had the hunan beef. so good! it wasnt rushed cooking and was prepared amazingly. loved it.

i def recc. this place, despite what reviews say otherwise- you cannot always believe the bad ones, just try it for yourself. it was great to us. and we are def. coming back.

Doesn't Recommend

lduran

Joined 5 years ago

Never Again!. Never Again! I wanted crispy duck not fried dried duck. My husband ordered the mencius beef special and it was rubberish and tasted like a shoe would. I then wanted to try their sushi but the waiter said they were too backed up so they were not taking any more sushi orders. So iwe order the bill instead. We got charged twice for a plate so my husband told him to adjust the bill, he did but charged us twice on the tip so my husband tried to explain that we got the tip charged twice so the waiter started to argue with him. Another waiter came along that knew his math so he explained to our original waiter his mistake. Our waiter admitted he was bad with math. We admitted we did bad in eating here... No Mas!

Doesn't Recommend

Cavaglione

Joined 2 years ago

Bad News. Most of the very good reviews for this place date back five or more years, and even then...I used to go to M. some two three times a week for lunch, because, esp. when it first opened, the food was extraordinary and the service impeccable.But that's all changed over the last 3-4 years: the food is at most passable, but generally bad; the service is nearly always rushed, inattentive or rude. About the only thing that is still good is the sweet and sour soup. Don't order the cheaper shrimp appetizer---I thnik the shrimp is canned and it is very tiny. I stopped going there, but returned every year or so to see if there had been a pickup, at least in the food, but no. Downhill forever! I think they just don't care any more, because they've got a captive clientele at lunch time---it's very close and convenient from the Medical Center . But that's it.

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lbctx

Joined 5 years ago

Does the good food offset the rest of the experience?. OK, Mencius food is really good. However, a dining experience is the whole experience, and Mencius doesn't do well with every part. When you enter, you'll see sign after sign about what they won't do: no incomplete parties, no this, no that. Wait ... I thought I was a paying customer here. There are also signs for additional charges for things that SHOULD be gratis: brown rice ($1.00 extra - are you kidding?), and $1.00 for a to-go cup for the iced tea that they will refill anyway. Plus, the quantity of food is smaller than most lunch portions elsewhere, yet the prices are premium. For example, with sesame or General's chicken, you only get about five medium-sized pieces, and the lunch price is close to $7.50. Egg rolls are also a bit skimpy, and the condiment containers are frequently in need of wiping down after being passed through so many tables. These things might be OK if Mencius wasn't already charging a premium and making you fight for a parking space in an overcrowded strip center. But all things being equal, some days the food just isn't worth it.

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Crism2002

Joined 4 years ago

chinese, carryout, medical center. The sesame chicken is fantastic! It's the best I've ever eaten. Their sweet and sour chicken is also great. The dining room is pleasant, but I'm happiest with their carryout service. They're located on the edge of the Medical Center area, so they can be pretty busy during the weekday lunch hours. You might want to call ahead with your order and then take it back to your home or office.

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bluerivertj

Joined 5 years ago

Good food. Good chinese food but not great. The chefs are not consistent with the cooking, so there are days the food is so salty it is not edible and other days you can't get enough. Most of the time lately the crispy wonton the comes with the soup is stale. Lunch are busy and service can be slow, so if you are for a quick lunch this is not the place for you at peak times.

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singleTXprofessional

Joined 5 years ago

Best sesame chicken ever!. I've been to Mencius twice: once for a business lunch and again for a relaxing dinner with family. Both times were fantastic, although it does get crowded at lunch (and we were relegated to the little stumpy table outside of the kitchen entrance). There is always a bit of a wait, but I PROMISE the sesame chicken is worth it. I've heard that they are known for the SC, which doesn't seem like a typical specialty food in a chinese restaurant (not exactly exotic), but it is just the right combo of crispy, hot, and tender. The portions are mid-sized: not ridiculously huge but filling nevertheless, and the prices are pretty comparable to lesser-quality Chinese food. Enjoy!

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agmg107

Joined 6 years ago

Best Chinese Food in SA. Mencius has the best Chinese food in SA by far. The service is impeccable. From the hostesses to the waiters, this restaurant experience is similar to fine dining. Except for the prices, which are more than reasonable. The dining room is clean and they are very "kid-friendly". I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who is interested in great food and great service. My favorite is the Chicken with Black Bean Sauce!

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sbuent

Joined 6 years ago

a schizophrenic experience. I love the food at Mencius. I always have. It has come to the point, though, where I am going to refuse to go there--a loss to my palate, but not to my stress levels. I work at the Medical Center, and Mencius should be a great place for celebration lunches. However, without exception, every time I have had the misfortune to have to organize a lunch there, I come away having been exposed to some of the rudest, most self-entitled behavior I've experienced in a restaurant. This place is not on the A-list in New York City, after all, but they think they are, apparently. Reservation requests are accompanied by a list of what they will and will not do--only hold the table 10 minutes, only at 11 and 11:15, all must be present before seating, no separate checks, must announce beforehand whether you will pay with cash or credit card...and this litany is spouted out to everyone, even if you didn't *ask* for separate checks. Who the heck do these people think they are? I am fed up with this attitude, and I will not go to Mencius again. I'm sure they won't miss my business, but it will give me great satisfaction to boycott their self-righteous establishment.

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deeceetexas

Joined 7 years ago

The "Whole Package". Many chinese food restaurants serve up your everyday "run of the mill" overfried, under quality dishes that taste like they have been run through an assembly line. This is the reason I hate buffets! I want QUALITY! Well, Mencius DEFINITELY has the complete package. They have a clean atmosphere with absolutely EXCELLENT service. The waitstaff, the manager Dan, and the friendly owner provide accommodating service that is matched in quality only by the fresh food. HIGHLY recommend this restaurant. I am trying to eat fewer carbs and expressed this to my waiter and the manager. I don't mind paying extra for extra vegetables as long as they are willing to accommodate my dietary needs and Mencius and the staff went above and beyond. Thanks guys!