Mandarin Horror

So this is more for my downtown colleges, like Point Park (shout out!), and AIP.

We all like our Chinese food, right? We want it hot, fast and tasty (and for you dexterously talented people - with chopsticks!). But we want it reasonably priced with out so much attitude!

Well I'm here to tell you where NOT to go this time. This hit home a few times since I, myself, go to Point Park University and not till recently did I know there were any other decent Chinese restaurants around downtown.

Mandarin Gourmet on Wood Street is a place you do NOT want to go everyone! Even though it is a nice-looking restaurant with professional type staff I highly suggest going somewhere else (like Hong Kong Express II by AIP)!

Mandarin Gourmet is expensive like no other. A regular dinner meal will cost AT LEAST $10.50 plus more if you want an appetizer and/or soda. Compared to Hong Kong Express II which is ALSO nearby these two campuses, Gourmet is the WOREST choice out of the two.

The atmosphere is nice here but should you really be paying double the price for it? And that is were the "nice" things end. The service, while courteous, is quite rude and demanding. They EXPECT you to leave a tip in one form or another. I'll give you an example...

I went there one night with some friends. Besides being appalled at the prices and the quality of food I was disappointedly surprised when the cashier REQUIRED us all to leave tips and got thoroughly upset when one tried to not leave one. She started shouting and screaming at him to come back and leave a tip. This is NOT what service is supposed to be. Tips are OPTIONAL if the service is GOOD!

Simply put: DON'T GO TO MANDARIN GOURMET.

But I'll let you make your own choices....