Phoenix Garden has become my go-to for Chinese food cravings. Whether I pick up the order or sit down and eat it, I’ve never had a bad experience eating here. The food is top quality, MSG free, generously portioned, and reasonably priced. The service is free of frills but the servers are efficient and polite. Sitting down in a comfy booth, the first thing to do is order a pot of steaming jasmine tea. Sipping on the tea from little ceramic cups is a relaxing experience and soothes my growing appetite while I ponder the menu. Ordering off the menu is extremely difficult. With so many choices, I have trouble making my mind up. I attempt to convince myself to try something new, but even if I do, I can’t bring myself to not order the sesame beef. The sesame beef is lightly battered, covered in sesame seeds on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. Served with chile peppers and broccoli, it’s a light meal on its own but I’d rather order a smorgasbord of several dishes to share with others at the table (and take home the leftovers). Another must order is the shrimp fried rice. The plump shrimp were abundant in the dish and were juicy when biting into them. For a treat, order the honey walnut shrimp. Unlike the other entrees, this tastes more sweet than savory, thanks to the roasted walnuts and light honey-mayo sauce coating on the shrimp. Both the chicken and barbecue pork pan fried noodles are equally delicious. Served in a light sauce with vegetables, including rat’s ear mushrooms and bamboo shoots, the dish is very filling. Ask for a lighter hand with the sauce if you want crispier noodles since the sauce softens them. At the end of the meal, chocolate dipped fortune cookies are presented and provide a perfect ending to a delicious meal.
Phoenix Garden 641 W Arrow Hwy San Dimas, CA 91773
(909) 599-5231