Mandarin Reading

We were driving home from Maine last week and decided to give the Mandarin in Reading a try, we have been to Mandarin in Milford and had a great experience at one of their special events called the Wok-​and-​Roll i think…
The Mandarin Reading was right off the highway and extremely convenient with plenty of parking. When we first entered the restaurant i could tell it was a really nice atmosphere for our dinner. Our server was very nice and friendly, and even the owner «Robert» came by to say Hi and to make sure we were pleased with everything.
So, if your in the North Shore area and looking to have a great meal then I would recommend the Mandarin Reading as your next stop. We will be back… Thanks!

Great food. A little more pricey but worth it. It gets busy so call ahead. A few times we have gotten the wrong order and I think they need to address that and treat the customer better when they have.
I calked to tell them and they said next time I would get a free dish and it would be under my name and number but when I tried to clam it they didn’t have any proof. Not cool

The General Gau Chicken was overly sweet and no vegetables… hoping they would have put some broccoli int there or something. Also the waitress was not friendly and didn’t have people skills. I’m not asking for pampering. but hello, how are you, should be expected.

We have been coming for the Lunch Buffet the last 2 years. I have long been a sushi fan, and keeping my expectations low for sushi– has served me in good stead. California Roll is the one good sushi item offered (kanikama, the fake crab stick in Cal. rolls, is a cheap product so there’s no reason for theirs to be bad, as opposed to their other fish maki and nigiri which are abominably low quality.) You will not be finding high quality (=expensive) salmon and tuna here. Their tempura vegetables CAN be very good if you get them at the beginning of lunch, but it is pretty much just squash and sweet potato.
I almost never eat the meat, seafood and vegetable chinese dishes, because for me, they have about zero flavor. I think the vegetables, meat and poultry they use– are decent, but it’s the cooking that renders them lifeless. Very occasionally, a dish does have flavor, but it seems that the chefs long ago lost their tastebuds and they operate in a kitchen without ginger, garlic and chilis. The result is bland, bland, bland. And beware anything served on a stick– the meat is overcooked to cardboard. Cardboard with teryaki sauce on it. However, the peking ravioli and crab rangoon are both surprisingly excellent and full flavored.
So if you’re a sophisticated eater, just keep your expectations low and I know you will find a few things that you like and that make it worthwhile to come back.

My family and I have been coming here for years, although not that often recently. Tonight, a Monday evening, was quiet here, compared to the hectic weekends with the buffets. Four of us shared a Bo Bo Platter (chicken wings with no batter, shrimp tempora, chicken fingers, crab Rangoon — very creamy, which I like — spring rolls and my ultimate fav, beef teriaki), shu mai, which was tasty but not the best I’ve ever had, Peking raviolis which are very tasty, sweet & sour chicken (fairy standard) and beef lo mein, which I (we all agreed) found was delicious. We also added a crazy Maki roll, which we all enjoyed. Service was fine, although one should note that the food arrived staggered over time (some might not like that but I am fine with it). For Chinese-​American fare, one of the better places; if you are looking for traditional Chinese food, then this is not for you.

The food here is so yummy! The lo mien and orange chicken were delicious. The staff was attentive too. I want to come back soon for the buffet!

Horrible service today. Staff are very rude and unprofessional and have zero people skills. Left without ordering anything.

Almost everyone I know have been to Mandarin Reading, but me until 2 days ago. I’m not a big Chinese food fan. I’m a vegetarian, and also have a severe seafood allergy which putting all this together, the skipping of buffets. Much safe that way :) So, I was asked to meet there for a date. The date wasn’t really to my liking, but Mandarin– Reading was!
My review is from what I ordered from the menu along with the service. I decided on scallion pancakes. My thought was to keep it simple. I must write that they arrive piping hot, and were absolutely delicious! Since I hadn’t gone wrong with the scallion pancakes, I boldly opted for Chinese Eggplant in garlic sauce — Another hit! The eggplants were sliced at an angle, along with a generous amount of broccoli, not overdone with too much of the fabulous garlic sauce. It wasn’t heavy and sticky in any way… very tasty.
The server was attentive and prompt. She filled our water glasses, and was there for anything we needed. Would I return? YES! And, hopefully real soon!

This is your average Chinese buffet place. If you need a quick fix to satisfy your desire for Chinese, this is the place to go. Don’t expect anything extremely fancy in the buffet; there are only two smaller buffet tables — one is for the entrees (noodles, rice, meat, crab Rangoon, etc.) and the other for sushi and fruit/​dessert. One note about the sushi — not that great at all. Hardly any rolls containing sashimi, most of them were just vegetable rolls with sugary sauces on top. Again, this is the kind of sushi to expect at a place like this.
I only went there for the buffet lunch, but I did notice a seemingly legit sushi bar in another corner of the restaurant — I would assume that the sushi quality is much higher at that bar.

This place is ideal for busy moms. If u get the buffet, the food is ready to eat once you’re seated. Then you can actually enjoy you’re meal. Everything is good, but I really loved their dim sum dumplings, teriyaki chicken and lo mein noodles. I will definitely go back for lunch, but get there early cause it gets crowded fast!

No one could decide where to go for lunch so my coworkers and I drove 12 minutes down 95 and headed towards Mandarin Reading for their daily lunch buffet.
Usually parking is tough in the crowded parking lot but we scored a prime spot by the entrance a little past noon.
Originally, some of us were going to order sushi a la carte but once we saw the sushi chef prepare the sushi platter, it was a done deal to go with the buffet option for $ 12.50 per person.
In addition to the freshly prepared sushi maki rolls, there were a few other interesting rolls already at the buffet station.
Looks like the crowd already beat us to the buffet and most of the items were already in need of fulfillment. There were your typical Chinese fast food staples; wings, crab rangoons, eggrolls, boneless spareribs, lo mein, etc.
I preferred the baby clams dish with plain white rice. Although it had been sitting out there for a while, it was still good. Also, the fried chive dumplings was delicious. I got three!
For dessert, there were the typical jello and small bite size pastries. I went with the ginger ice cream
I like this place. I would compare it to Bamboo in Bedford or the buffet at Feng Shui in Chelmsford. Pretty good deal for $ 12.50 per person.

Service is iffy, but the food makes up for it somewhat. Good veggies, but they add extra salt and sugar to all their dishes… Above the average chinese buffet restaurants but barely in some ways. If you avoid the sauces you should be fine.

Big time cheaters. BE CAREFUL WHILE PAYING WITH CREDIT CARD.
went there on 12/​31/​2014 for buffet for lunch. got sat down and started the buffet. the food was mediocre and there was only one veggie and one chicken dish. No veggie sushi for the sushi part of the buffet either.
ate half satisfied and disappointed. Then came the bill 24.99. A normal lunch buffet which is normally i think around 12 bucks or so was 24.99. complained to manager and he said it was NY special buffet. What special i ask and he said well we have a lobster dish today. So one lobster dish made the price go up 100%. not to mention the server never came back with out soup or water
Decided not to pay the tip and left the rest with the payment of 24.99 on CC.
Got my statement today and looking at the statement the charges are 28.99. They took upon themselves to add the 4 dollar tip on my CC. Call my credit card company tomm and also call the them as well as Better business bureau.
never seen such a fraud with my rest. bill before. Def not going there again. Will have to get proper authorities involved too. Wonder how many times they have done this.

Best Chinese buffet I have ever had. Hot and fresh. They have sushi bar also. Love the Terri chicken. They are always busy at lunch so the food is hot and fresh

Had a business lunch here yesterday and the place was packed!
Buffett was fresh with many nice meat, seafood, and veg options.
Everything we had was good and flavorful, and the service was attentive, with waters filled and plates quickly cleared.
I did not try the sushi rolls as they were not labeled so I was not sure what It was.
One note, the parking lot is very small with narrow and awkward angles. Drivers beware.

Went here Friday night about 6PM with one of my adult daughters. Very nice prompt service. I commented that I liked really cold beer so I received a very cold beer in a very cold glass.
Had very nice spring rolls and Chung King pork and salt and pepper shrimp. Very nice.
I’ll be back

Great location, prices, staff, drink list. Ordered the crispy pad thai. Flavor was great, I’m just not a big fan of the crispy noodles. Next time I’ll order soft noodles.
Drinks and food were fast to arrive. Girlfriend ordered Buddha Delight — and it was about 6 pounds of veggies, steamed perfectly.
Would like to go back and try their lunch buffet.

Yesterday I had a meeting in some random place in Massachusetts for work. I had not eaten breakfast and by the time I was able to leave the meeting it was well past 1 PM. So as my co-​worker and I hopped off a random exit that promised food, I was getting to be quite starving. However, the exit we took lead us to nothing. And my patience and hangriness was growing.
But then after a wrong turn and right, there stood before us, Mandarin. At first I questioned if it was open & what it was. I scoped it out on Unilocal and saw it seemed to have decent reviews. So inside I went. And it was great! My food was fresh and tasted wonderful. My co-​worker seemed to also enjoy her food!
It was like finding paradise. Great tasting food and friendly service! We had just missed the buffet, but that looked like it must be a great spot for a quick lunch.

I cannot believe I haven’t rated this place before. I either eat in or order for pickup at least once every other week.
Everything here has tasted great. Here are some of my favorites:
— Caterpillar and rainbow rolls.
— House friend rice
— Mini-​Shumai (Steamed)
— Crab Rangoon
— General Gau’s chicken
— Sal and pepper pork tenderloin
— Beef w/​broccoli
— Lo main… etc.
The point is: food is great.
Service is also very very good.

This place is huge! Surprised to be greeted with a whole BBQ roasted pig at the front door but I guess it’s cause it’s Chinese NY!
The interior is very nicely decorated, very clean, and roomy. My friend and I were sat at the sushi bar area. We were promptly greeted by the waitress for our drink orders then shortly our food orders.
The drinks were made well and so was the food. I had the Aloha while my friend enjoyed a Zombie. We then ordered some sushi (shrimp tempura maki, snow mountain maki, and Spider Maki) and also vegetable tempura, which were all delicious. The sushi was fresh-​nothing to complain about at all!
Aside from the food and service, the facility is very clean and a pleasure to be in. I’d highly recommend this place. Check it out next time you’re in the area!