A reasonably priced and good lunch buffet with a decent variety of things to choose from. Nothing fancy. Friendly staff. Place has been there for years! I probably go there twice a month or more and have never been disappointed. I can't speak for the menu, as I've only gotten the buffet. read more

Best plain chow mien I've had. I always try other places and am always disappointed. Now I know never eat it any place else, Crystal Garden is the best. I always walk in to order and never have to wait longer than a few minutes. read more

My wife and I have lived in the neighborhood for the past couple of years, walked past this place dozens of times and never thought to try it out. I guess because it's in a strip mall we assumed the food would not compare very well to many other Chinese restaurants. We just tried this place for the first time tonight and man were we pleasantly surprised! For appetizers we tried the cream cheese puffs and egg rolls. They were good but average. We asked our server what we should order if we want to try their best dish. He recommended that we each try one of the hot pot dishes. We agreed and a few minutes later two sizzling pots of food arrived at our table. I asked for the hot and spicy version and at the table he added the spice and stirred it into the dish. Now we were all set. The first thing I noticed about the dish was how fresh the vegetables were. They were so crisp and flavorful. It made me realize how unremarkable the vegetables are at many of our usual Chinese restaurants. The chicken was cooked perfectly - not too greasy, not too dry. The sauce was what sent it over the top - savory, hot, and complimentary to the flavors of the chicken and the vegetables. Service was impeccable. The three servers stood at the ready scanning the tables for water glasses that could be topped off, dishes that could be removed, or checks that could be passed out. Again, this was our first time. Our hope is that our experience is the norm for this possible neighborhood gem. I'll let you know after our next visit. Thanks to all of you who posted reviews for Crystal Garden. You made us want to try it! read more

I've been here a few times now since moving to the area, and you get the bare minimum of what you pay for. First time we ordered off the menu, and the food was average. Second visit was another story, as I tried the buffet. Multiple buffet items were cold and the buffet seemed to be "over" without any indication from staff that that was the case, even though it was 12:45 when we arrived and I saw no sign indicating a cutoff time. There are much better Chinese buffet options, so I'd recommend looking elsewhere if that's what you're looking for. read more

The only thing I have ever had here is the cashew chicken, and it is plenty good after several samplings. I wish more rice came with it. I always have to order extra since the ratio of cashew chicken to rice is not good. The service as a takeout place is always matter-of-fact and quick. I do think the price is a tad high for the quality and quantity. It's the closest Chinese takeout to where I live, and it is pretty good for what I expect. read more

Nothing extravagant here at all. But that's not necessarily what everyone is looking for. Where this place shines is the food. They have great Chinese buffet food at the right price. It's always the same two guys working when I come and they are very informal and polite. If you come here even fairly frequently they will remember you. Great service. Food: again, Americanized Chinese food. I love it. I especially like this place's egg rolls and dumplings. Their chicken goo young is also really good. I actually somewhat found his place on accident. It's nearly hidden. read more

Had a lunch combo today with chowmein, fried rice and egg foo young and it was good at a decent price. My only complaint is that the chowmein noodles were a little stale. read more

I came here after reading Jaymi M's review about Crystal Garden having unusual vegetarian/vegan dishes. Unfortunately, you shouldn't get your hopes up. Crystal Garden is just another Chinese strip mall joint, although it does offer a few more veg. dishes than I would have expected. We shared the "lychee mock duck" ($8.50) which was the most unusual-sounding dish on the menu. It was basically just mock duck, carrots, lychee and pineapple in a savory brown sauce with cornstarch. While it's uncommon to find lychee in stir-frys, I felt the lychee wasn't well-integrated in the dish. This was just an average stir-fry with one odd ingredient. The "Buddha's delight" ($8.50) was also a brown sauce stir-fry with peapods, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, broccoli, carrots and mushrooms. It was exactly the same as you'd find it in any other Chinese strip-mall restaurant. Other than that, you'll find a bunch of other tofu and mock duck dishes with garlic sauce or brown sauce, etc. All that said, the service was friendly and attentive. The waiter was knowledgeable about ingredients and assured us that there was no oyster sauce or chicken stock in any of the dishes we ordered (you should still ask questions regardless). read more

Solid local Chinese. I can't say enough about the quality of the meats; it is always incredibly tender and flavorful - at a really great price. Don't expect bold, nuanced flavors; just good-quality food. read more

I have been a loyal customer for over 25 years. The food is excellent and the staff always friendly and helpful. I am grateful for the safety procedures in place because of COVID. read more

I used to really like Crystal Garden but these last few years I've been very disappointed. I thought I'd give it another try today but found it to be very tasteless again read more

I live nearby and have been here a handful of times, mostly for takeout. Their food is okay, not too greasy, good quality meats. However, last night when I went to get takeout, I used my credit card and when he presented the slip for my signature, he held it down and put his other finger on the tip line and said "Tip for cook here!" in a demanding way. I didn't feel like it was optional. I quickly wrote in a $2 tip so I wouldn't get spit in my food or something. What the heck?? Aren't we already paying the cook by buying the food?? I didn't appreciate the feeling of having been shaken down. I also wonder if he'd have been that bold if it were my boyfriend instead. IF we go there again--we're leaning towards never returning--I'm sending him in instead of me. I know he wouldn't stand for that if the guy did that to him. read more

OMG this place rocks...! Looks like a hole in the wall, but lots of tables inside. Many of the Fort Snelling folks come in for lunch/dinner. I have spoken with people who came Andover, Stillwater and Anoka...that's some trek for Chinese Food. They have good cantonese style food. I love love love their Chow Fun. It's excellent. Good home made wontons in the soup, their egg drop soup is like it was in NY; not bizzare like in some other twin cities places. Egg rolls are good too, not with that icky cinnamon flavor/weird spice that some many place seems to carry from a central vendor. Excellent Moo Shoo and Egg Foo Yong. Really everything here is good. I love their traditional pots of hot tea (you do have to ask for it, about .50 per person) read more

First off, there are some very nice people that run this restaurant. That being said, I still wouldn't eat here if it wasn't quite tasty. How many of you want a stir-fry with peanuts and end up disappointed when there are a total of 6 peanuts in the whole dish? Never the case here! Same with the chicken almond ding. And the peanuts/almonds are toasted and crispy - so yummy. Their egg drop soup is our go-to "I'm sick" food. It is great. I am in a bit of a food rut as far as what I order here, because of the aforementioned nut thing, but recently tried the double-sauteed pork with distinctive sauce (not sure yet what that sauce is, but it was good) and liked that dish too. Decent egg rolls, decent fried rice (although not as good as Bill's Garden). read more

I lived in China for awhile, and I've been on the hunt for authentic Chinese food. Crystal Garden, despite it's strip mall location, it great! Service was wonderful. We went on New Years Eve and brought in a bottle of Champagne, they only charged us $3 corkage! The prices were good and they had items on the menu I had never seen before. I'm totally going back. read more

Eat here about once a week (dinner)...it's a close walk. Have pretty much been throughthe menu and have never been dissapointed...The shrimp and scallops are the best in town..really! So fresh tasting-perfectly cooked- and PLENTIFUL. After a few attempts with the appetizers, I've given up. Not just boring, but pretty tasteless. Soemtimes I break down (bad memory) and order the hot-sour soup... good 1 time out of 3. Skip the egg rolls, pot stickers and wontons...(my memory is clear about these choices. The hot pots are my favorites!!! Really good! I tend to gravitate to anything seafood, as it is always SO good and plentiful. A great way to get a seafood fix of under $15. read more

Got some take out from here. Worst chinese food I have had in a long time. Sweet and sour chicken was super dry and tough, general tso's chicken was not good (according to the fiance) and it had mushrooms in it which is just weird. Plus, they only gave a tiny container of rice for the 2 meals, seems kinda cheap. Will not go back, which is a shame seeing how it is only a mile from our house. read more

I go here allot. Classic Asian! Great food, great buffet, great service, great selection, quick service and NO additives which make allot people sick. read more

I've been eating here for only twelve years. The food is delicious. It is always the same - no surprises. They know how to cook tofu perfectly -large chunks. The staff is always super friendly. The only negative is their dining room- too brightly lit and a little out of date. Who cares. Just eat the food at home on your couch while watching Homeland . ( I always get take-out.) They are freaky fast. Never more than 15 minutes, usually ten. Crystal garden, I love you. read more

For Classic American Chinese food, you can't get much better. We ordered approximately 20 different items for a birthday party, and every dish was amazing. The food is extremely fresh tasting and exudes the impression of high quality ingredient. I highly recommend this restaurant for takeout Chinese food. read more

We live in the neighborhood and often pick up Take Out from here. My dad loves their Walleye and their Sweet and Sour. went to the lunch buffet for the 1st time. Good food. quick turn over on the dishes so all were fresh. Typical Chinese American food. Small selection but all good. excellent service. We had been going to the big Sushi Buffet and the Teppenyaki on Lake Street to try them out. They are good but this place is just as good just small selection and only Chinese food. but quiet, and calm. We aren't big fans of buffets and like good food vs quantity so we don't stuff ourselves. ' I especially liked their Chinese coleslaw and Egg foo young. read more

The food is good but I need to write based upon a customer service experience I overheard today. We go here at least once a week as we work just over at the VA so it's close. The friendliness of the servers sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Actually, the younger of the guys is nice but the older one is quite cranky. The young lady is usually nice but today, I head her cranky side, too. Hopefully, short version. A lady came in over lunch and was going to get something to go and told them she had a credit on the book. She went over to the buffet and went back and then heard her asking whether it was there, hesitation, did he write what happened, hesitation, the older guy said he'd have to talk to the other guy, and said she could use her credit "this time." She ordered, the older man questioned her why she was ordering what she ordered before. Even the young lady asked her if the younger server that took her call told her to bring the container in? She said no, hesitated, and said she lived somewhere in St. Paul. Now, this is a small place so it's plenty easy to hear what's going on at the register. When he brought her order out, I heard them at the door. I won't go into what was the problem as it's not fair to put that online since it hadn't happened to me but suffice it to say there was not a single "I'm sorry" from the either server, just another pointed comment that she was lying. If what she said was true and there was no reason to believe it wasn't, as things do happen, then the least they owed her was an apology and if she didn't report it to the Health Department, a big thank you. Although the food is consistently good, the customer service leaves A LOT to be desired. This place has been here for years. There are many other place to eat Asian food at so if they want to continue for many more years, they should check into customer service training ... or just be respectful. It's not that difficult. read more

This is my neighborhood Chinese and I'm glad about that. The people who run the place are fabulous. Service is always quick, the prices are good and the food it pretty tasty. My husband and I love their Hot and Sour Soup, and we're kinda snobs about that dish. read more

Buffet nothing to write home about but it's only $9.50. I still ordered the curry beef wontons...delish!

This has been our favorite Chinese restaurant for almost 20 years. The food is always fresh, quick and friendly service and properly priced. Nice variety of options on the menu including Cantonese and Szechuan. Everything is cooked to order,so don't be afraid to ask for your entrees the way you like them. read more

I have been going here for over a decade! Their egg rolls are exactly what I hope for. Vincent and his team are awesome! While my dad was alive, he and I would hit the buffet weekly. Something about the atmosphere, the delicious grub, the friendly staff... it just feels like family. I recommend the lo mein, sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, and the egg rolls. read more

I checked them out via takeout for lunch. The kung pao was mildly spicy (we asked for extra spicy), and decent enough. The fried pot stickers were tasty, although towards the bottom of the container they were pretty soggy. My girlfriend said the soup was pretty 'meh'. They have a takeout menu that looks suspiciously like those of the Syndicate (of invariably bad Chinese restaurants). I dunno, it's OK but seemed just mediocre overall. Pretty much 'adequatulent'. read more

Always excellent. We eat here every time we visit in the Twin Cities. Food is always fresh and tasty, and the staff as friendly as can be. Noodles in sesame paste! read more

Good enough for on the way home food, but nothing special, and very 'American.' Our Tofu, Beef, and Chicken dishes all pretty much tasted the same! I WOULD TRY them again, and found the value of the meal very good. read more

Good, reliable Americanized Chinese Food. Very friendly staff!

Buffet was kind of cold, they do not keep it fresh. Show up for the lunch buffet at 1100 sharp or who knows how the quality of food will be. Don't go after 1pm for sure. read more

My mom lives nearby and whenever I am in town I visit the Crystal Garden for either dine in or take out This is Americanized Chinese but my guess is that if you wanted something authentic they would make it for you. Living in California I can not get Minnesota style chow mein. The house special fried rice is not as good as my local haunt in CA but it is loaded with meat The staff is always friendly and the service is quick If you want consistent local Chinese food, do not pass by the Crystal Garden read more

Very good food and plenty of it. I had the mock duck with veggies and it was nicely flavored with just the right amount of garlic. Was very happy to see that they had a good variety of vegetarian dishes. I will definitely be going back soon. read more

This has been a family favorite for a long time, although I am the least fan of Chinese food in the family. That said, I have long enjoyed the Tiger Pork, the only meal I've ever eaten. The dining room is spartan but lately looks pretty run down. Also, they stopped serving beer, which was a HUGE let down. Over the years, the consistency of the food has varied some. In the last 12 months or so, I would say the consistency has varied quite a bit, and lately, our food has not been very good. I asked my wife to start looking for a replacement, given the run down nature of the dining environment and spotty quality of food. read more

Love their food! Everything is reasonably priced, great variety to choose from, and the staff is always friendly. Whenever I place a take-out order it is ready quickly. Anything I have ever tried has been quite delicious! read more

This place serves cold food during the buffet. The waiter even had the audacity to make me pay while I was eating. I usually pay after I am done eating at the front like everyone else. I witnessed two tables full of people who paid on there way out. I usually come here but will never come again. Horrible customer service. read more

I've spent over a year trying to find something at least as good closer to my home and have as yet been unsuccessful. So I continue to trek down 110 and up Hiawatha to Crystal Garden. So I'm now giving them the fifth star because according to the standards of other Chinese fare in this city, they are the best. And as for the two waiters, I've seen them keep that whole dining room going when it was busting at the seams on Christmas Eve. (All the jewish folks are here on that night!) They are amazing! Love this place read more

Horrible service. Went there last night and ordered general chicken with fried rice, and instead of just receiving general with rice they gave me dinner orders of each and charged me the full price for both when I strictly asked for the combo. when I tried figuring out what happened, because trying to justify $25 for a simple combo platter, they just told me it was what I had ordered even though I asked for the combo. Horrible Service, and will try to penny pinch you out of anything. They even asked me to tip them after ripping me off $12.50. I will never eat there again. read more

The meal I had there pretty much expressed everything wrong with many Chinese restaurants today. Hunan chicken I've had at other places had a light sauce with with visible signs of some peppers and a small kick. The Hunan Chicken I got at Crystal Garden was basically flavorless in a deep brown sauce, mostly deep fried breading and a little chicken (if it was chicken), with a lazily cut green onion. The service was ok, but I was the only one there; the meal unrecognizable. read more

I came here for dinner,friday night,may 14th,because it was close to where i work,and i was hungry!.If you're not familiar,with minneapolis side streets,it can be a pain,trying to find this place,as it's located in a strip mall.alongside Hiawatha ave.There is plenty of free parking,in the lot,though.The restaurant was empty,when i got there,so i had my choice of where to sit.The decor here,is very spartan.....light blue walls,carpeted floors,and a minimum of artwork,on the walls.My servers name,was Michael,and he was friendly,fast,and did a great job,as my server.I ordered the sweet&sour chicken.($9.75),with a diet coke.($1.75)It came with a generous side bowl,of white rice.The food was good,the chicken,was nice,tender,breaded chunks of white meat,with a side bowl of sweet&sour sauce.The sauce was just right,with a syrupy thickness.Good balance of sweet&sour flavors.The menu,has something for everyone....beef,seafood,pork,chicken.Crystal garden,also serves beer&wine.They do have a lunch&dinner buffet also,besides the main menu.Overall,i was impressed with crystal garden.It may be hard to find,but it was work the effort!.I give crystal garden,a solid four stars,for a job well done!. read more