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| - I think gourmet may be stretching it a bit, but Mandarin Gourmet does manage to rise above the mediocre haze of "fast food" Chinese places in the downtown area. If I could, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars.
With large lunch specials and an inviting space for patrons who prefer to stay and eat, the MG balances their somewhat greasy and oversauced standard chicken, pork, and beef dishes with hospitality, fast service, and never providing a truly bad meal.
As a regular who eats there once a week or so, the management and staff recognize me - such personal attention at a downtown restaurant! What's more, if you tire of their run-of-the-mill General Tso's or Sesame Chicken, try their soup noodle dishes for a refreshing change.
Lunch specials come with soup or an egg roll and your choice of rice. I always get steamed rice simply because the amount of sauce included with the dish will usually permeate the rice anyway. If you eat there, the rice will come in a separate bowl, as opposed to the one-piece tupperware you receive if you choose to grab take-out instead.
Their portions, as I mentioned, are large; the MG is one place that won't leave you wondering how soon you'll get to eat dinner.
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