Merry Go Round

A hidden gem in Lone PineWhat a delightful surprise to find a high-quality Chinese restaurant in the small town of Lone Pine! The Merry-Go-Round is family-owned, and we were warmly welcomed by Chef Kuei (Judy) from Taiwan, who even stepped out of the kitchen to greet us at the start of our meal--a wonderful personal touch.Before we ordered, the owner kindly let us know that the portions were generous--such incredible integrity! We went with the Kung Pao Chicken and requested snow peas to be added, and we were thrilled with the result. Fresh, vibrant vegetables made all the difference, especially in an area where dining options tend to lean heavily toward burgers and cheesesteaks.Beyond the great food, the prices were reasonable, making the experience even better. To top it off, Chef Judy surprised us with fresh Mandarin oranges as a dessert treat. Thoughtful hospitality, delicious food, and fair pricing--what more could you ask for?We highly recommend The Merry-Go-Round and will definitely be back!

This delightful restaurant may look a little different on the outside, only because we're not used to an eatery shaped in the round. However, once inside one will find a very quaint and cozy restaurant that out performs most Asian places. The food is outstanding and the portions quite large. And, as if that weren't enough, the owners dog, Blue, is your best friend and, if you like, company for your meal. All in all, whether you're traveling north in the Sierra, or like us, traveling from Bishop, you won't regret spending dinner at the Merry Go Round in Lone Pine,CA.

This was a fantastic dinner spot on our motorcycle trip through the area. It was nice and warm inside to warm us up before going camping in Alabama hills. The restaurant is small inside but the circular design is very neat! We had a big table in the middle for all 9 of us. My hubby and I split the flat noodle bowl with beef, chicken, shrimp and veggies. It was delicious and they provide a nice big portion for the $21 it costs. The table also got some appetizers that were good. I loved the Chinese new year paper place mats and the decor within the round restaurant. Plus they provided fortune cookies at the end which is always a star in my book. I would definitely come here is you are looking for this sort of cuisine. It hits the spot during a camping trip!

We came to Merry Go Round (MGR) as a recommendation from the hotel desk clerk. So it happened the night we tried to go to MGR was on a holiday weekend evening and the place was packed! We walked in to learn that the wait for a table would take 45 minutes. It never occurred to me that reservations is a thing in Lone Pine. We learned our lesson and came earlier the next night with a reservation. It is not a very big place, so it can fill up fast. So if you want to dine at a specific time, make a reservation and avoid disappointment.MGR has a diverse menu covering Chinese and American dishes. We dined from the Chinese side. We had hot and sour soup, tofu with vegetables, and kung pao 3 flavors (chicken, beef, and shrimp). White rice comes with dinner, but you can order fried rice instead. Soups can be ordered by the cup or in S/M/L sizes to be shared. We got a S bowl to share, which provided about 3.5 servings. It had a nice mix of vegetable textures: tofu, woodear, bamboo, carrot, bean curd, etc. The spicy soup was perfect warm up on a January night. The tofu and vegetables was just what we were looking for. A variety of vegetables (bok choy, asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage) stir fried with pieces of tofu in a light sauce satisfied our desire for veggies. The kung pao 3 flavors was a carousel of flavors in a deeply flavored sauce, spicy dried peppers, and peanuts. Everyone at the MGR is very friendly and accommodating. They really enjoy chatting with locals and the place has a cozy atmosphere. It's always nice to find a place where the locals go. MGR is a great dining option for Lone Pine.

This is in my opinion, the best place to eat in Lone Pine! At least is you want good Chinese food with good portions!This restaurant is on the main street with everything else, and it's street parking. I didn't find the parking particularly difficult and the traffic was light enough to pull in. When you walk up to this restaurant it's a super cool carousel shape building with a neat sign. Kind of retro! They have outdoor seating and indoor and it gets quite busy! I visited this restaurant late May and it seems that this place is popular amongst both people who live here and drive through. I ordered their orange chicken with side of rice(and I ordered the same thing a few more times), it definately hits the spot. Delicious! The service is always decent with communication. You order and they tell you when it'll be ready. Simple transaction! Anyways, I have good memories of this place when I picked up a part time Jon at the gear store when I needed a break from the snow on my thru hike! So if you're a hiker, this place is great!

The food is super yummy. Vegetables are crunchy and delicious. Had the shrimp and snow peas with carrots and bamboo shoots. The portion is very generous and healthy. The service was great! Expedient and friendly! It's located in the center of Lone Pine, very close to the Dow Villa. Great ambiance!It's our go to place when transiting between California and home.

Please forgive me for lacking photos--if you every decide to climb Whitney in a day, you will understand how lifting a phone to snap a photo might be taxing.This is the perfect post climb meal. The starters were quite yummy--lumpia, fried shrimp, and the best paper wrapped chicken I have ever had.The 3 flavor lo mein was also outstanding. And the General's Chicken was cooked to a crispy and flavorful perfection.Then, after an excellent meal, I left my credit card there. I called the next day and they are mailing it--friendly and delicious!!!

The only Chinese restaurant in town and i guess they can price it high for the area. Each dish is about $23. Either way, i was looking forward to a good meal after my hike. We ordered orange peel chicken and beef with mushroom and Chinese broccoli. Chicken was ok, nothing special. Beef was a bit chewy. We ordered them to go so I'm not sure how the service would be. The space was small. There's an outdoor seating area. I think i would try another place next time.

Best Chinese Food in California.Point blank and the period.This was a delightful and unexpected top-notch final meal and excellent ending to an excellent year.En transit, from Tahoe to LA on NYE we were lucky enough to get a table right before the rush. This is clearly the local favorite and hands-down the best restaurant in Lone Pine & probably the best restaurant on the 395.First of all, the best egg drops soup I've ever had.Secondly, they make their own soy sauce, which is absolutely delicious. 12/10 for the hot and spicy shrimp!!4thly - no lie, the best orange chicken I've ever had.Last but not least, this was one of the most unique and amazing restaurants I've ever been in. Have to be honest, it's so small with so many tables packed in, even the bathroom space is super small so that you literally feel like you're eating in a restaurant in New York, that might not be everyone's slice of pie, but it made me feel like I was in Manhattan and honestly that feeling is magical.I would call this a Destination Location restaurant.Extremely highly recommended

This place is the definition of *eclectic*. You'll be drawn in by its bizarre exterior, and once you step inside, you'll be hooked by the vibrant staff, oversized portions, and the whimsical chaos that feels like a carnival on a sugar high. It's the kind of experience that makes you think, "Did I just stumble into a fever dream?" Don't miss out on this Lone Pine gem. Big thanks to Dan for turning the vibe dial up to eleven.