I have been going to this place forever!. I have been going to this place since my Grandfather started me when I was a boy. I thought of this restaurant as a special place because my family never really went out to eat much. I always thought I was in another world being there because of the decor. Now, the decor is what makes the place happen. The food is wonderful. With so many Chinese buffets out there. Princess Garden is the only place I go to sit and have Chinese food in town. There are other places but, I measure them against Princess Garden. The steam dumplings are the best and the Duck is the best in town. My niece and I have coming since she was a little girl she was raised on this restaurant, now my niece is in KU. Everytime she comes into town to see her Aunt and I there's only one place we go. I think because the owners and staff know us so well and have known my niece since she was a little girl it's like home. The owners always come and talk to us and they know what we love. So, they just go get the food going. Many times I have been in the restaurant and you will see two or three generations at one table and the staff knows everyone in Waldo and Brookside. It is like home for me and my family. The memories just grow.
Gem of a Restaurant. Back in the late 1970s, my mother won a raffle at the school across the street from where Princess Gardens stands for five free presidential dinners. It was my first experience with Chinese food. We dressed up for the occasion, and when we entered, I sucked in my breath at the beauty of the restaurant. It was truly KC's most fancy Chinese restaurant in those days. We sat at a round table and approximately every seven minutes, a waitress arrived with yet another bowl of delicious food to place on the lazy Susan in the middle of our table. The food did not seem to end! The flavors have always stayed with me. I largely forgot about the restaurant after that, as it was expensive for a family of four. When I moved back to KC after some years away, I was shocked to discover that it even still existed. All this to say that on a return visit for lunch there today, the inside was still beautiful and clearly maintained, and the food was delicious. I realized as I bit into my piping hot crab rangoon that it is indeed the benchmark, the one by which I have judged every crab rangoon since then, but without even realizing it! The service was super efficient, the wait-staff welcoming, and all dishes were delivered hot to our table. The bill was astonishingly cheap for lunch: a mere 21.00 for three. We will certainly go back! Thank goodness some restaurants have staying power, saving us from the corporate chains (and regional ones) that dominate our landscape.
New Favorite!. I went to this restaurant today, and I have to say that it is the best Chinese restaurant in the area! The decor was absolutely beautiful and the music was just the right volume. I was impressed by how much thought and effort clearly went into the decor. The food was served very quickly and the waitress was polite. The food tasted great. The crab rangoons weren't too greasy and had a good flavor. The egg-drop soup was excellent. Even my mother, who is notoriously picky, complemented them on their food. Because of the fancy atmosphere, I was worried about the cost, but the price was great, too. Also, when I left, I forgot my to-go bag. The waitress came running out in the rain to give it to me! Great food, great service, great price. I will definitely be back.
Why haven't I been here before?! The outside is so unassuming.... The service is si super awesome and friendly. The decor is beautiful. The food was great at a great price. Dressed up or dressed down, thia place will be what you are looking for. I will for sure come back.
What a Great Afternoon. From the outside, The Princess Garden looked kind of small, but cute. When I entered there was another door leading to the restaurant and I did not know what to expect. The moment I walked in a Korean man seated me in a booth, just as I wanted. My server, also Korean, came within a minute with a water and my menu also asking what I would like to drink. I ordered hot tea. I also put in my order, knowing exactly what I wanted: Egg drop soup, shrimp fried rice and shrimp lo mein. Once he came with the hot tea, he poured a cup for me. Shortly after, he brought me my soup, which was delicious and nice and hot. Five minutes later he came with a cute covered dish holding my fried rice. Two gentlemen, a few tables from me, were talking about how delicious their food is. The server then came with the lo mein covered with a similar lid. And even though it was noon, I ordered the dinner portion of both. I watched as the server quickly cleared off a table that had been occupied by a couple a few minutes before. He had done it so quickly, I had not even tried my lo mein yet. The rice and lo mein had plenty of shrimp, which is usually not the case at a majority of the Chinese restaurants I eat at. The lo mein noodles were cooked perfectly as I listen to the gentlemen mmm-ing and ooo-ing about the tastes of their own food. They hid their kitchen door with a very traditional wall with a Chinese dragon in the middle. The lighting was dim but there was enough light for me to read the book I had brought with me. The food was not too greasy and none of it tasted like it came from a plastic bag. The server came to check up on me a few times, always asking how the food was and serving me more water. I was not offered chopsticks, but that is to be expected because of their demographic. My server brought me to-go containers, which indicates he was watching how much I had been eating, and also took my empty soup bowl. Once I start slowing my eating, I notice the music. Traditional, with a bright, cheery sound. I can tell the instruments are xylophones, marimbas, and vibraphones. All percussion instruments played with two rods with a soft ball of yarn at the end, in contact with the instrument, causing resonance. Twenty minutes after my first helping, I take the lid off of the lo mein and find it still nice and warm. Just as I start eating my little portion on my plate, my server comes with the bill. I tell him I will be here a while still and he tells me to "relax and enjoy myself". He also asks if this is my first time here, I tell him yes, and he thanks me for choosing to have my lunch there. The portions were so bug that I had to use a big box to put my leftover rice and lo mein in. I finish the rest of my rice on my plate and wait. My money is ready to be taken and I hear how busy they are in the kitchen. Only three minutes go by when a different server comes to take my bill and asks if I am leaving already, and even though I had been there for a good hour, I wish I could of stayed in that environment longer. But my time had been spent.
Good restaurant. Only problem was that it came up as being located in the Plaza, but in reality it was no where near it (approx 15 mins away).
Great Atmosphere, Service, Food. We love this place! The ambiance is very laid back with some very cool decor, the service is so personable -- everyone is treated like family -- and the food is always amazing. I love the Empress Chicken and Shrimp, which is basically chicken and shrimp fried in tempura with veggies and a wonderful sauce. My husband always like to get one of the Triple Delight options, which is chicken, shrimp and pork mixed with different things, and no matter which he chooses, he always loves it. There are always ample leftovers. OH! The crab rangoon are big and full of crab and the egg rolls are huge and crispy and not greasy. It's definitely more pricey than your standard grab-and-go Chinese takeout, but it's worth the splurge every now and then. It's up there with Bo Lings in quality and value for us!
Princess Garden saved me... We moved here 5 years ago from back east, three things were killing me, bad Chinese, bad Italian (including Pizza and Kansas City versions of Grinders,) and the horrible cost of Maine Lobster.
Princess Garden is not fancy, the plating isn't Haute Cuisine, but the food is very, very good and the people there are absolutely wonderful.
It doesn't hurt that it's right next to another Gem, The Smokestack BBQ, Mama Fiorella, Jack had nothing on you!
This place is an "oldy but goody" in Kansas City. My husband and I ordered take out from here but the inside of the restaurant is something special and we've eaten inside previously. While the inside of the restaurant is unique the parking lot can be tricky to navigate when they're busy.
We ordered Shrimp Fried Rice ๐ (spicy), Combination Fried Rice and Crab ๐ฆ Rangoon. All dishes were tasty. You get a nice value for your money as well. The service was a bit slow but they do make it fresh so I'll take that over quick old or cold food.
We'll definitely have to make it a point to visit a couple more times prior to them closing in 2024 for good. That makes me sad because they've been in the same spot for decades but I suppose change is inevitable. I will say it can be tough when they're closed three days a week. Many a day I've forgotten that and called to place an order only to realize they're closed. ๐๐ If you catch them during their operating hours than I definitely hope you enjoy!
Great atmosphere! This place has been here 55 years! Workers have been there from the beginning! Food tastes different than you think, but very tasteful! Definitely worth trying before they close next year. :(
This, by far, is some of the best food we call Chinese cuisine I've ever tasted. Do they havel food like chicken feet, or pigs elbow or some of the food I've tried over the years? No. But they know their audience and cater perfectly to them. From the crispness of the egg rolls to the spicy Sichuan chicken, everything was well made. I'm saddened to hear they will close in 2024, but every time I visit Kansas, this is my go-to.
I grew up in this restaurant since they started off 75th & Wornall Rd. I cannot remember the women I took to Princess Gardens. But, now I just go with my wife. Coming to this place is home cooking too me. This place must continue on. Princess Gardens is a mainstay of the Waldo area. Long before Waldo Thai there was Princess Gardens period.
We love this place! Best Chinese in Kansas City. The crunchy beef is a must! Weirdly great tropical cocktails.
This place has been amazing for decades. The staff have remained true to their roots, and this restaurant is great because of it. The Orange Beef is phenomenal.
Feel like I'm back living in China again. The owners are wonderful, the interior is very South China, & the food is excellent...try the crispy orange duck...yum, yum, yum
One of my favorite Asian restaurants in KC it is awesome food quick and speedy service. Place feels nice and fun. Always recommend crunchy beef to everyone
Long time great establishment. Attended recent dinner in their event space. Excellent food & great service.
We really enjoyed our lunch again. The service is great, and the egg rolls and crab Rangoon are huge, as well as the main first course. The oriental decor really gives the place a nice atmosphere! They are currently only open Thursday through Sunday!
Amazing customer service. Iโd come back just based off the service alone. We had their spicy duck, peanut chicken, and general Tsaos and they were all phenomenal. The rice is a little bland if you like to eat it alone, but the flavors of the main dishes mix well with the rice. Their dumplings were great, but the crab Rangoon was more cream cheese than anything. The traditional interior is also a nice touch, as you donโt see it often anymore.
Incredible family owned business! Everything is delicious. Always a great place for a family dinner.
Great flavors! Perfect lunch sizes, egg roll, soup.. outstanding!!!
The spicy peanut pork.. ahhhh-mazing!
Great bit of sause, and perfect flavor hits.
Egg roll was very tasty. Burnt my tounge on it cause I would not let it sit long enough to cool. (Not sorry.. worth it)
The atmosphere is on point. Dim, beautiful music.. and staff is sooo nice!
Very worth the trip to this side of town!
We had always drove past this place and it was always a full parking lot so we decided to give it a try and it was amazing! Such amazing staff and food.
Not only did the interior make us feel so cozy but the kindness of the staff and amazing food portions!
This is the first time we had Chinese food that didnโt make us feel bloated and gross after eating it. It was so good!
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