David Oakes
UPDATE: Since my bad experience at the Lotus Blossom three months ago, I decided to give them another chance. I went in with a friend at 5PM for an early dinner on a weekday. The waitress was great. We both ordered dinner specials, and I have to say, it was fantastic. I got a combination plate with General Tso’s chicken, pork fried rice, and an egg roll. Now it wasnt cheap. I think it was over $16 plus $3 for a glass of soda (way too much for a glass of soda!) and a $5 tip put the bill at $25. However, the plate was heaping with food. My friends plate was also heaping. He could only eat a third of it. But the food was so fresh – my General Tso’s chicken was perfect. A little bit crispy on the outside. It was obvious that everything had just been cooked. Which brings me to the only problem with Lotus Blossom – do not go there mid afternoon and get a luncheon special, because obviously they will be giving you food that was cooked for the lunch crowd. By 3pm, that food has been sitting since noon time. I would also have to say, do not get the specials for take out because they give you less food compared to dining in. Based on my experience, go early – like 5pm, and get the food cooked fresh for the dinner crowd. By 6pm, alot of that food has already been sitting in the kitchen for an hour. The best deal at Lotus Blossom is the Pu-Pu Platter for Two. Get that, and an order of pork fried rice, and it will be plenty for two or even three people. Again, I recommend you dine in, but if you have to get take out, the earlier the better. Frankly, I wouldn’t get take out past 6pm.
Old Review: I was very disappointed with my visit to the Lotus Blossom today. I ordered two luncheon specials with chicken wings, beef teriyaki, pork fried rice, and chicken fingers. It is obvious that when you buy the luncheon specials, they rip you off by cutting down on the portions they give you. First, the chicken wings were tiny, shriveled up and dry compared to what I received with my last order which was a combination plate. See Photos. Also, the beef teriyaki was half the size that it is normally. See Photos. The egg rolls were smaller than normal. I have been a regular customer at this restaurant as I live nearby. So I know when an order isn’t right, and this order wasn’t right. Not only that, they have repeatedly raised their prices in a short period of time while reducing the amount of food they give you. At this point, a “luncheon special” will cost you $15 or more, and it is very skimpy. They have just raised their prices beyond what is reasonable. I used to love this restaurant but things are too expensive and portions are too small now. I am taking back the food I purchased today because it is inedible. I suggest you go someplace else if you want good Chinese food at a fair price. These guys are just over reaching on price. I won’t go back once I get a refund for this meal.
… moreJosh Cicchino
Wow, just when you think Chinese food couldn’t get any worse in Maine, there’s the Lotus Blossom! Dried, Dried, dried, dried out pork fried rice that looks more like old meat in rice saturated with beef broth/soy sauce. Chicken fingers of cut up small pieces of chicken breast, dried out after the grease reached the meat and then placed on top of the old dried out rice to hide it. Beef lo mien, that is clearly old, noodles drying out, uncooked onions, no traditional veggies, other than 3 pea pods in the whole order. Oily, old, and gross! General So’s chicken was served with absolutely no sauce, also dried out, and with just 2 pieces of broccoli. The food was terrible but the response I received from the manager, Ruth(who probably gave a fake name) was the worst I have ever received from any restaurant manager in my life! Unfortunately, my husband witnessed her having a disagreement between she and her boyfriend while picking up our food, and I think she turned our complaint into an argument with her boyfriend, when my complaint was specific to how the phone was answered and the quality of the food. I have never had someone actually fight with me over the phone like that from any restaurant, and after years of restaurant experience it was just one of the most unbelievable experiences I have had with someone in the industry who should be fired! Unbelievable disrespect, and someone who literally escalated at every turn, when had I received a simple apology for feeling that way, or an offer to replace the food, or future discount there would have been no issue. Unlike a lot of people, I prefer to actually present the problem before giving a bad review. The manager then ultimately pawned me off to an amazing server, who’s job it should never be to listen to an angry customer, or deescalate a situation like this, while audibly rolling silverware in the background. Ruth*if that’s her name, should be fired immediately, and the wonderful server I spoke with for 19 minutes should be given her job! Being one of the only places in the region to serve Chinese food will only work until you have a better competitor, what then if your food is not good?
… moreMichael Luong
I don’t know why I expected much for Chinese food from Farmington Maine. The “Spicy” general tso was overly mild and plain, there were times I thought I was eating orange chicken. I don’t even know what they tried to do with the brown rice but it was not pleasurable, and the egg roll doesn’t taste like your traditional egg roll; I think they tried putting ham in it ? Very kind waitress though.
… moreRose Robbins
Best Chinese restaurant in the town of Farmington. The waitresses are wonderful especially Ruthie she is the best. Always has a smile on her face and always refills my drink before it gets empty.
The food is fresh and yummy and hot .
Great company and socializing every time I eat there. Great place to make new friends.
And Ruthie boyfriend is great eye candy …ahah
… moreJenna Packard
My husband and I had a recent Date Night here and we had an absolutely wonderful time. The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. We have been looking for a Chinese place to go for awhile now and I can say for sure we found what we have been looking for.
The price is very reasonable and the portions are amazing. And we ordered non alcoholic drinks that we the best I have ever had. My husband is getting ready to celebrate 2 years of Sobriety so these were a perfect choice. I had the alcohol free strawberry daiquiri and my husband ordered the alcohol free Pina colada and he said alcohol would have ruined the taste it was so good.
We’re going to have to plan another date night soon.
… moreEsther Winslow
It was great a few years ago but has heavily declined. The only good wait staff is Darcy and even she is seemingly getting tired from taking on most of the responsibilities of others.
Went in this summer and a customer started choking on his food; the two waitresses had no idea what to do. Someone else had to do the heimlich and then someone *STILL* had to tell one of the waitresses to call 911.
Food has gone so downhill – it’s rarely fresh, I’ve gotten raw meat several times, wrong orders, messed up soups, you name it and the cook has fudged it up.
I’ve given so many chances because we all have our down days, but to be physically ill puking my guts because of bad food.. I won’t let it happen more then three times and third time is the time for a review!
I sincerely hope that management steps up, properly trains *ALL* their staff to reclaim the wonderful status of a great Chinese restaurant in Farmington. Prices and portions are fair to decent depending on what you order (recently seems they’ve cut back on meat portions in a noodle/veggie dish ♀️.)
Not related to my rating but, in all these years… Is it too much to ask for an ambiance update? A bit dated, cheap and dull looking.
… moreKali Blais
Food is delicious, big portions, and one of the better chinese restaurants near me. The only issue I had was the beef teriyaki was cold and didn’t have much flavor, everything else was excellent.
… moreChrissy Sunshine
⭐ 1 Star
My husband (a Veteran) and I came here for lunch on Veterans Day, hoping for a quiet meal. Instead, we got one of the most disrespectful dining experiences we’ve ever had.
Not long after we were seated, a group of children nearby began banging their chopsticks on the table for several minutes. It was loud, disruptive, and no staff intervened. Finally, an older gentleman dining with his wife politely said, “Now that’s enough,” and the children stopped.
Shockingly, a woman sitting at the bar — who we later learned was the assistant manager — yelled at the man, saying “That was uncalled for.” No one apologized to him, to us, or to anyone else in the restaurant trying to enjoy their meal.
We spoke to our waitress afterward, and she confirmed that the assistant manager was the one who confronted the customer instead of addressing the noise issue. Completely unprofessional behavior.
On Veterans Day, of all days, when respect and courtesy should be shown, this restaurant failed miserably. If you’re looking for a peaceful, respectful place to dine, I’d strongly suggest going elsewhere.
… moreLuciddreamer
Crab ragoons lacked cream cheese flavor
Thumb sized teriyaki sticks
Lo mein was good
Willing to give it another try.
… moreTrina Collins
The beef and brocoli tasted like straight so sauce and the chicken wings were under cooked, the waitress never came back to check on us after dropping the food off until she plunked to go boxes and the check on the table. The person cashing us out when I responded how the food was immediately got rude when I pointed out the waitress never came to check on us and said she was the only waitress working so to give patience or to have flagged her down like a different table had done without even considering that there might be a reason as to why that didn’t occur such as the massive anxiety I have. I will NEVER return here. It’s gone way down hill.
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