Mandarin Grill: A Dining Review
On a Friday in mid-November 2022, Neighbor Roy and I headed for Wokfire Grill at Speedway and Park in Tucson. But we could not find a parking space to save our lives. So we headed north to Grant Road and stopped at Mandarin Grill. I did not know anything about this place but Roy had been here years ago and thought it might be OK.
We entered and were immediately seated. Our server brought menus that were very extensive. First, we ordered an appetizer: Calamari. Then Roy ordered his usual house lo-mein. Atypically, I ordered orange beef with fried rice. I initially asked for pork fried rice but was told it only came with a lunch-size order. So, I declined the bigger portion.
Roy also ordered hot tea, which came in a cute little decorated cup. Roy can tell you about his experience.
“Today we dined at the Mandarin Grill, on Grant Rd. It was our backup choice as we could not find a parking spot near our first choice. I had been here many years ago when it was a Mandarin Buffet. It is clearly an older building, but well maintained. We were promptly greeted and seated, menus presented, and drink orders taken. The menu is extensive and the prices are reasonable. I ordered my usual tea and house Lo-Mien. We also ordered a serving of two-pepper calamari. The restaurant was 1/2 full. It did take some time for our waitress to take orders and then deliver them. In the meantime, a family of 3 came in with a small child–not quite ready for prime time and fussed and whined periodically. When my order arrived it was obvious that the noodles were homemade, and the dish was very full of chicken, beef, and shrimp. I remarked to Jim that this was one of the better Lo-Meins I have eaten in Tucson.
On rating the meal, while slow to deliver, my 3 1/2 rating reflects excellence, and the waitress deserved a good rating, but since she was the only wait staff, I will give this restaurant a 3 1/2 saguaros. If you go please be prepared for a leisurely meal, very good but slow.”
My orange beef was delicious, and my fried rice was OK too, particularly if I poured some orange sauce on it. Unlike Roy, I give Mandarin Grill 4 saguaros. The service was a little slow on account of only one waitress in the whole place, but not that bad. The portions were exceedingly generous and we both took home a to-go box for the next day. This facility has comfortable booths, as well as dining tables, with oriental pictures on the walls.
Psst. Ms. Karen here. I got three pieces of beef and a lot of rice.
505 E Grant Rd., Tucson
Mon-Thurs: 11:00 to 8:30
Friday: 11:00 to 9:30
Saturday: 11:00 to 8:30
Sunday: 12:00 to 8:30