China Garden Buffet

First time there, Friday at noon. Lots of regulars. Mostly men on their lunch breaks. The host knew it was out first time. The buffet was $11 including tax and a drink, so a good deal. 2 huge hot stations, including things for kids, then a cold station with fruit and desserts.

I rarely write a 1 star review. If I do it would be reason I wouldn't come back. In this case, my wife wouldn't come back and I agree. Our grandchildren, 8 y/o Jace and 6 y/o Cali wanted to go out for Chinese food. The restaurant closest to our home and the Best in the Southern Indiana was sold and no where near what it used to be, so we thought to try the one near our grandchildren's home in Charlestown Indiana.A week ago, wife, Jace and I visited CG and found the food okay, at best. We had an issue with the owner charging us above what the menu pricing was. This time I planned to avoid that.We entered the restaurant and I showed the owner a menu which I grabbed on my way in the door. My wife and grandchildren were next to me and I told the owner this time I would like to be charged what the menu prices state.She said, she would charge me for 4 adults. I looked at her and pointed to my little grandchildren and said you are charging adult for them also? She asked me how old they were. I said 1 is 6 and 1 is 8. She then asked me if we were coming on or not. My wife looks at me and says, "that is rude." Perhaps it was, but I'm a little thicker skin than that. I felt like we drove all this way and there isn't much else in Charlestown so we are going to come on. I accepted what she printed up and planned to do the math before leaving and bring it up to her then, since there was other people standing there waiting.The prices for a Sunday lunch are $4.20 for 6 y/o and $5.37 for 8 y/o. My wife and I would be $8.78 each. That makes a TOTAL of $27.13. I told her we would all have water, no sodas. My receipt was $35.45. The amount on the receipt doesn't break down food and drinks, but she must have charged for drinks also. That would total $33.13. Perhaps there is a tax of $2.32. I can't tell by receipt. Last week, when wife, Jace and I visited the restaurant, the owner said we HAD to buy drinks even though I said we didn't want soft drinks.The food was almost okay for me for what I found to eat. The grandchildren are kind of picky and didn't eat much. Wife gets what she usually has, one of which is General Tso's chicken. On this occasion she found only 1 of pieces of breaded chicken had chicken in it. The rest were just breading. I am wired to eat ALL the food I take at a restaurant and tried to teach my grandchildren the same way. I'm sorry to say, on this rare occasion I left food on my plate. The chicken on a stick was rather tough and not wanting to come off the stick. I would still say the food is "okay" at best.In any case, I let my wife and grandchildren walk out while I discussed my receipt and menu prices with the owner who works at the cash register. Her demeaner took a strange turn when I questioned the difference in the receipt and prices on the menu. The owner told me she had the lowest prices anywhere. I asked her why she didn't honor the prices on the menu. She said she has been in this restaurant for 22 years. I told her perhaps she needs to change the prices on the menus to reflect what she charges. She told me. "thank you for your advice." I smiled and asked if she was going to change the prices on the menu or charge what the menu states. She said, "I don't speak good English." Ha! I told her I am finished and can't come back again. I think the only time I give 1 star is when things are just unacceptable and I won't revisit. This is one of those times. I really don't like when this happens, but being accurate and transparent is important to me, especially where it applies to dealing with customers and their concerns. I have worked in the customer service field and did treated customers as I would want to be treated. I am also a stickler when it comes to MATH. I hope this isn't something that happens to everyone that comes on in at CG.

The wife and I eat here quite frequently. Consistently good. If you're anywhere around Charlestown, IN, you should go.

Just to update the days...it seems I may have confused the days open...the only day they are closed is Tuesday. Open regular hours on Saturday and Sunday!!

Food is very good and always kept "fresh". Have been here multiple times and never disappoints! The crab Rangoon is excellent (& one of my favorites)!! Nice staff & clean as well! Always has customers, even at 2-3pm, so I'm not alone in thinking they have very good food and great selection on buffet!!

We had just left the So. Indiana Renaissance Festival and decided to stop for dinner. China Garden popped up in my Yelp! Recommendations, so we gave it a shot. First concern? No cars in the driveway. But it was around 4:15, so I wouldn't expect a ton of drinkers at that hour. We went in and checked out the buffet. Everything looked fresh and there seemed to be a nice variety. For around $12.50 you have the run of the buffet and the soft drink dispenser. A word of caution. Another reviewer said the beverage was included. Actually, there's a $1.50 fee for your soft drink which is added to the $10.99 buffet. Still, more than fair. The steam tables had the usual variety of standard dishes. About 8 different chicken dishes, a pork dish. Fish, LoMein and a ton of seafood options. Crab Rangoon was excellent. As was the hot & sour soup. Shrimp, crab & scallop dishes were both plentiful and fresh. The various chicken dishes actually had different flavors. There's a salad section, which, in full disclosure, we completely ignored. No sushi, China Garden focuses on Chinese fair. And what seems to be an obligatory need for fried shrimp, chicken, egg rolls, spring rolls and nuggets. Scoop up some ice cream for desert, and you've got enough calories to last a week. This is a mom & pop restaurant. And someone takes great pride in their food. FYI, you pay before you eat. Guess they've had folks skip out on them. That's a shame. These are nice folks, working hard to make good food at a great value. China Garden is well worth a stop when you're in the area.

Best Chinese food in the this area. Small but what it lacks in size it makes up for In delicious food. The staff are all so friendly and kinda have become like part of the family. Like other restaurants in this town the building was once something else and I have a lot of memories going there when it was a Dairy Queen. Even more memories from when it was a Druthers. The carpet has worn where people walk and I can still see the pattern of the old tile floor and I remember spending many mornings there with my papaw with his Druthers coffee crew. So it now looks different inside but still feels like a comfortable place. I love going there my kids love hanging out with the employees when they finish their food. Just love this place!! You won't be disappointed.

My favorite Chinese restaurant. The food is great. We use carry out frequently. Staff is extremely friendly.

Food is good, workers are friendly. Restaurant is clean and peaceful. Very nice place

Great food, amazing service and a very welcoming atmosphere. I highly recommend this place to anyone because the owners and family that run it are very welcoming, cheerful and keep everything clean and tidy. The food is always hot and fresh and it's also nice to be able to walk in and get anything to go. They also offer call in orders and have a larger menu to order from if you are not wanting to dine at the buffet. Always happy to go here !