The Lotus Palace

I’m giving this place one star because it won’t allow me to give none. The only semi decent thing about this place is the food. The service was absolutely terrible, for the second time.
My boyfriend and I walked in and sat down after standing in the front for a minute. Figured it was seat yourself night because they clearly had looked at us and said nothing. We choose a seat and waited 16 minutes before the boy came to ask us if we «wanted any drinks or needed menus». 16 MINUTES! There was a old woman and a boy that had both walked by without saying anything multiple times. The woman actually greeted TWO tables that had walked in after us that were directly next to our table. It was not even busy, there might have been 5 or 6 tables total.
Being a server myself I was forced by my own conscious to be polite. After we finally got some Luke warm, flat soda with 4 ice cubes in it, we ordered. The server mumbled everything while making no eye contact. I really hope he plans on going nowhere in life, because with that haircut and attitude, he’ll stay in that hole in the wall forever. After we got our food which was COLD and SOGGY, he took my boyfriends soda glass away and NEVER brought it back. Never came back to ask how anything was. Then waited 25 minutes for boxes and a check.
This was the first time I had allowed my boyfriend to not tip somebody. Tips stands for, TO ENSURE PROMPT SERVICE. Well we had none of that. And if you plan on going here I hope it’s not going to be your first date, because there is no music or noise at all. Very awkward and weird when you have to whisper everything. We go out to eat every weekend and this is by far the worst service we’ve ever had. Please do yourself a favor by ordering carry out. The first time we had ate there the food was great and was the only reason we went back. Defiantly will be going to Golden Wok next time. I will NEVER be returning.
Also, the other person who made a «5 star review» I can almost guarantee works for the place, because nothing in that review about the service is true. I’ve never seen any of those servers be «friendly», or «talk to the guests as they knew them», or «greeted the regulars by name». I doubt they even have regulars because nobody in their sane mind would ever go back there more than two times.

I feel the need to write a follow-​up review for a few reasons — 1) I am passionate about GREAT food and skilled people that make it 2) I love supporting local and cannot stand for some of the blatant untruths posted 3) I’ve eaten here more often than most people I know, although I know many, many of the people that come in have been coming in for 15 years or 20 years plus. Literally.
First, here are some honest truths:
+ Family owned and operated for 30+ years
+ EVERYTHING is MADE — to — ORDER which means nothing is frozen, or mass-​made — you order it, they begin to make it! (Really… who does this anymore? Love!)
+ They make everything FROM SCRATCH! The egg rolls, the wontons, even the BREADING that is on the generals, almond chicken, etc. The soup and the soup stock (properly made stock! Which means from bones on a low simmer for hours… the best!) and every single SAUCE. Homemade. from scratch. Most restaurants don’t this anymore, unfortunately… most people don’t think/​realize it.
+ The owner and his wife make EVERYTHING. They are the only chefs and manage everything — that is quality control.
+ Everything is fresh.
+ Every single person works their butt off here! I always see them hustling around and they work hard! I know at least two of the waitresses have been with Lotus Palace for 15 – 20 years… that’s always a good sign. I hear them greet regulars by name and ask questions about their family. I love that.
+ Finally, I support local. I support honest, hard-​working people that have been here for more than 30 years and that also provide jobs for those in Adrian while providing fresh, delicious food. Period.
To be honest and blunt — this is a top Chinese American restaurant. Unfortunately, some people have never cooked homemade food with every bit made from scratch… so they don’t know what real food tastes like and are used to pre-​made, frozen, and cheap food. For those with McDonalds’ palettes go ahead and keep eating at McDs. Some people just want that greasy, fake, rubbery, 3 days old mall «chinese» food… so go on ahead and go to the mall. For those with discerning palettes — this is the best.
Lotus Palace, El Chaps, and Mario’s are truly my most frequented restaurants in Adrian. For one reason only, they are the best and the food is damn good.

Eat here if you enjoy gruel. This was the worst Chinese food that I ever had. I ordered one of the most expensive dishes and it was so full of corn starch that it looked gray and tasted slimy. Horrible! Inedible! I paid for the meal but will NEVER eat there again. In addition, the restaurant looked dirty and the waitress was unpleasant… actually rude. Save yourself some heartburn and go somewhere else.