Oriental Garden Gourmet Rstrnt

I've lived in Carrboro for a while now, and decided to try this place out. Arrived at 12:30 for lunch to an empty restaurant (red flag alert). Very musty smell, it felt like they hadn't cleaned in a while. Also, didn't see a sanitation rating (isn't it supposed to be posted?). They got our order wrong, and the food was utterly disgusting. I'm very surprised they are still in business. Very sketchy - never going back. Pros: Quiet Cons: Food, atmosphere, cleanliness more

The women that run this place had friends that were vegans, so they know what you may be looking out for. You may meet one of these women at the market next door (which has awesome vegan lotus wraps in the freezer section!) This is a good place if you want Thai dishes, too--they will leave out the fish sauce. Actually, with exception to the appetizers, I've only ordered off the Thai menu, because it has more interesting dishes, like the fake fish. It is not expensive, and the meals are always full of flavour. This is a good place to go if you have time to hang out, not if you are in immediate need of your meal (it can take a while to prepare). If I went there tonight, I'd get the hot tea, the pan fried dumplings, Tom-Yum soup with tofu, and something with eggplant and the word ""evil"" in it (hot stuff it you like). Pros: vegan food novelty Cons: wait for food more

Oriental Garden is another sit down Chinese restaurant. The owner is very aware of ""vegetarian"" and even told me that a dish was in fact ""vegan"" without me asking. Big bonus points. \r \r This restaurant has a Chinese and a Thai menu, both with a separate vegetarian section. \r \r The wonton soup is always vegan, no matter who orders it - it just comes that way. Very exciting. They also have vegetable dumplings. \r Pros: Vegan Options more

They have a big selection on the menu of both meat and vegetarian dishes. Good thing they do not use MSG in their food. However, upon walking into the restaurant, a hot and humid wave of air surrounds you. They have a small fan blowing near the counter instead of AC. There is also a slight smell of chlorox in the air, perhaps from cleaning the restaurant. The lady who took our order was the only waitress and she spoke good English. I had ordered tofu with vegetables and the entire dish was runny from the tofu. The ""sauce"" was nothing more than salt water. I was disappointed in our waitress' response when she asked us how the meal was. I had mentioned that the tofu was sour. I personally think the tofu had gone bad. I didnt bother mention that the sauce was runny. She replied that when tofu is cooked in a dish it changes its taste. I have had excellent tofu and veggies at other restaurants and find her claim hard to believe. Their other dishes may be worth trying but I definitely wont be back again. Not pleased with the service and the food was hardly filling. Pros: not much Cons: Humid air, runny tofu dish, bad service more

So, their decor is not the most interesting, sometimes, they don't even turn on the lights during the day, but the overhead cost of having a restaurant in Chapel Hill must be high. THey spend their attentions and money on the food you are eating instead! The Thai section of the menu is the only side I ever order from and with dishes like ""Evil Tofu"" and ""Thai Tofu in Garlic Sauce"", I forget that there is Chinese there too...I agree that the atmosphere is spartan and in need of sprucing, perhaps dusting, but they do play traditional Chinese elevator music (which is kitchy and cool) and they care more about the food they serve. For lunch, you can't beat the price and the good hot food. Give them a try and don't worry if the tablecloth is a bit smudged, they can't afford to wash every tablecloth after every patron during the lunch crush! Pros: Very good food selection for Vegetarians, free parking. Cons: Interior needs updating, but so what? Food is great. more

I am not a big fan of chinese food but the food in this restaurant is just so delicious. The menues consists of different types of Chinese, Thai, and even some Vietnamese foods. I always order mine the way I like it everytime and they remember it even before I order them. You should definitely try it out. They have the best food and the best service. Pros: Delicious Food, Extensive menus Cons: Wait time more

The service was great. The food...I had Thai and even the ""very spicy"" wasn't really spicy enough for me. Everyone's dishes looked great and tasted fine. Great prices! Extensive menu...complete chinese and thai sections. Pros: Inexpensive, Service, Menu Cons: Ambiance more

We've been twice and had very positive experiences both times. I am not a big fan of standard Chinese food, but this was delicately spiced, not sweet and gloppy. It's great to have both Chinese and Thai offerings, and both are good. (In comparison, Neo-China, which everyone seems to love, was overpriced with poor food.) I would recommend that people who've had a bad time try it again--maybe just a bad night? In any case, definitely worth trying, as it is the best Chinese food we've had in the area. Pros: inexpensive, unpretentious, tasty more

We decided to try this restaurant despite the mixed reviews. Although the hostess/owner was pleasant, the rest of the meal was not. It was disconcerting to see the very dingy/stained tablecloths (we switched tables -- same situation). The vegetarian Pad Thai was sub-par, using fettucine noodle and tossed in a sweet sauce (indescribable ingredients) sprinkled with peanuts and some egg only. Even with the paucity of good Thai restaurants in Chapel Hill, we will never return. Pros: Inexpensive Cons: , Food, Location more

I am amazed this place has been rated well. I have only been once, but that was enough. It was dingy and unclean. The food was mediocre, at best. A friend of mine ordered Pad Thai (a very standard dish) and it was made with fettuccini noodles. Unfortunately, this is probably the best Thai place in Durham or Chapel Hill,a nd that is saying very little. If you like Thai food, head to Que Huong in Raleigh - it is worth the trip. more

A great Chinese AND Thai restaurant! They serve you dishes anyway you like them and taste great! I recommend the eggplant dishes or any of the Thai soups. A good place for vegetarians and health conscious people (they'll prepare dishes steamed, or without oil, or with low salt, etc). The servers are attentive and rememberd us when we came back. They could work on the decor, but the greenhouse atmosphere gave us the ""garden"" feel. Pros: Good parking, Not busy, Huge selection Cons: Moderately priced more