Yummy Garden

Driving by this place is somewhat horrifying but once you walk inside, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. There is a nice dining area and very friendly staff. The food itself is pretty good. Nothing super special. Good portions, always warm and always handed to you with a smile.

It’s the only Chinese food in town, but you’re better off going out of town for takeout and then reheating at home. They don’t call this place Yucky Garden for nothing!

The only reason I am not giving this restaurant five stars is because, let’s face it, one has to leave room for absolute perfection. Considering the fact that Yummy Garden is located in a tiny town in Central MA, in an even tinier village within the town, the variety and quality of their food is pretty impressive. I have been a customer for quite a few years now, and have honestly never had a bad meal. I lived all over the U.S. as a young child, then spent my major growing up years in a suburb of NYC, where fine restaurants abound. I know the difference between good Chinese-​American food and substandard. If you have a hankering for fresh, hot, delicious classics, you’d be hard pressed to find better dishes than those created by the chefs at Yummy Garden. The staff and extended family members who fill various service positions are outgoing, polite, and friendly. Whether you eat in or take out, portion sizes are generous and the menu items here are consistent and delicious. I encourage you to give Yummy Garden a try … and count yourselves lucky that we have such a gem in our midst!

You wouldn’t expect to find good Chinese food this far from civilization, but fear not: if you are in the mood for some good old American-​style Chinese, this is your place. Unless it’s New Year’s Eve. But I’ll get back to that.
This is, hands down, the easiest place to take the kids for dinner. The food comes out almost immediately. (They don’t seem to understand that appetizers are supposed to come out before the entrees.) It is never crowded. It is bright and clean. And they have all the stuff you would expect.
In particular, you *must* try the French Fries. I’m not kidding: they are the best fries you will ever find, anywhere.
Our kids usually have sweet & sour chicken, which are basically deep-​fried battered chicken tenders. Steamed vegetables, and fries. Did I mention the fries?
My personal favorites are the orange chicken, and the chicken with broccoli. The peking ravioli is also good. Oh, and the fries. Did I mention the fries?
They also have the standard selection of cocktails you would expect to find in a Chinese restaurant. My favorite is the Head Hunter. They make them incredibly strong, so be careful.
They do a booming takeout business as well. And, well separated from the dining area, there is a dive bar where the locals hang out.
My only caveat is that you must never, ever try to get takeout from here on New Year’s Eve. We called our order in at 4pm, for 6:30 pickup. We arrived at 6:30 and there must have been 50 people there waiting for their food. One poor soul had called his order in at 10am for 4pm pickup, and HE WAS STILL THERE! But the crazy part is that while all these people are standing there, the phone is still ringing, and they are still taking orders, and they are telling people «15 minutes»! After waiting a while, we finally gave up and told the hostess to cancel our order. She thanked us! Fortunately, Northeast Pizza was open, and they saved the day.

I must say the crab ragoons and the french fries are dope. if you like chinese food and you like to have a good time check this place out. With two seperated dining areas as well as an outdoor patio and full-​bar* they always have room. Most places in MA are typical when it comes to american-​style chinese but the french fries here are fried in the same oil as everything else: making them the tastiest fries i have ever eaten — to this day. But, if you are intolerant to oil. watch out. you may want to skip.