I rarely am inspired to write a negative review, but the food quality was so poor as to warrant warning others before wasting their time and money when there are so many better options available in the Windmill Food Hall. I love dim sum, and I have had a range of excellent to disappointing dim sum. My two items were barely edible, and I did not sense this was because they were having an "off day," so I did not bother to ask for another dish. I had the potstickers, which were encased in unevenly cooked dough and bland without dipping them in sauce. My shrimp and chive dumplings were mostly chive and surrounded by an odd batter. Maybe someone who had never had dim sum would have considered the food adequate, but if you are expecting something tasty, do not order those foods. Maybe their other food is better, but skip these items for sure.
Enjoli J.
Had the sushi burrito and loved it. Some may think it was pricey but have you been to McDonald's lately?! And if you enjoy sushi you understand price and for what I got it was worth it! They have choices.
Peter Rudolf
Ordered to go for my wife general tso tofu with rice and veggies. They sent home chicken, without veggies. Either they can't get it right, or they handed my wife's food to someone Else because they didn't pay attention to their food delivery. On top of it all it was just before closing so I couldn't go back, or call for a refund. Terribly upsetting. Way too expensive for food that won't ever be eaten.
Service: 1
David C.
This review is for the boba only. We ordered a large brown sugar boba. The size was generous, the taste of the drink was good if not a little sweet, the boba was not good. The boba was a bit starchy, not chewy at all, maybe not fresh? Disappointing.
Jesse G.
I just purchased and attempted to eat the "crispy mandarin orange chicken", it was soggy, the chicken felt like goo, the sauce was over powering and when it was all done and said I feel sick. Based off of this experience I will not be a returning customer, as I am actually frightened and offended by what other kitchen catastrophe's their menu hold. I wouldn't recommend this place, it's over priced failure.
Jenny L.
My husband was a bit skeptical trying, but he ordered beef ho fun, not knowing what he wanted to try at Windmill food hall. The ho fun noodles (thick rice noodles) turned out quite tasty, I would give it 3.4 stars, the noodles had a good texture, and the beef had a bite to it. It gave me the impression of a pud see ew Thai dish and Chinese traditional beef ho fun, I thought of pud see ew because it was kind of sweet! Normally, chinese beef ho fun wouldn't be sweet but rather savory. There's not much service, order, and pick up at the food court. I don't think we'll be coming back, though. The dish was $16.97.
Leslie Rivers
Food was good, we ordered the Mongolian Beef, Crab Rangoon, and Tofu Chow Mein. Would have loved to have tasted more crab in my Crab Rangoon, but other than that, food tasted good. Service was good too, took about ten minutes to get our food which was average. Atmosphere at the Wind Mill Food Hall is great, a must see for first timers as there are many places to choose from!Vegetarian options: Some egg products in a few dishes, make sure you ask!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Dennis K.
First let me tell you Secret Sauce is inside the Windmill Food Court as I surely didn't know and drove around the area for 10 minutes.It's just inside the food court and it's just a walk up window and if you wish to dine in there is public tables through out the court. I am from NorCal so not familiar with area. I ordered I thought delivery as I gave my address but it ended being pick up. Technical issue or was it me? Didn't really matter as it was only 5 minutes away.Okay I ordered pot stickers, orange chicken & jasmine rice all confirmed on my order. The pot stickers were tasty but a little too crisp. The orange chicken serving was large, very tender and not drowning in sauce which made the pieces very enjoyable. This entree was very good. Unfortunately I did not get the jasmine rice I ordered but sticky white rice. This should have been told to me as it was disappointing. I was looking forward to Jasmine so do not show it as a choice on your order menu if you don't have it. I might try them again as the entree was very good. I will check the rice order.
Taylor D.
First time in the Windmills food hall, I got garlic pepper wings from Secret Sauce with special sweet creamy chili plum. It was amazing good mixture of crunchy,saltiness, sweet and garlicky. It was very tasty so I had to go back and order a side of jasmine rice from them. My boyfriend got a chili dumplings. I have to say their sauces are best, it was not only tasty but it got a taste that want you to keep eating. The cashier was very polite. You could see how the orders being cooked right on spot from their tiny kitchen.
This joint is inside the Carlsbad Windmill Food Court.STAY AWAY!I love Chinese, including some American Chinese too. But this place does great damage to Chinese cuisine. To get a quick bite, I ordered steamed buns, both veggie and what they called Korean BBQ. Two for $7.50 each. Hardly any meat in the BBQ bun, and only a few slices of tiny mushroom (as advertised) hidden in a wad of chopped green veggies in the veggie bun. The buns themselves were poorly steamed and brittle. I didn't think anyone can mess up steamed buns this poorly. Were they frozen buns microwaved or something. I can imagine what other dishes would taste like and the poor state of used ingredients they are using. Unless you are a masochist and gullible, don't even try. Don't be tempted with those glossy pictures of nicely steamed delicious looking buns and the rest. And it took forever to serve these buns.Lastly, I don't see how this place gets rave reviews. Plastic utensils/trays, paper boxes, salt, salt, salt on all dishes, very American teriyaki sauces, scrimpy servings, etc. what is there to like? No, I was not having a bad day. Instead, this place ruined my mid-day.
Mei T.
The noodles had a nice texture, the fried tofu were good, and the veggies had a nice crisp and were not over cooked. Sadly, the sauce was extremely salty! I ate what I could and took the rest home. What I should've done was just take the whole thing home and fix it. After eating some of it, I felt so sick and bloated later in the evening and into the night. I ended up dumping the leftovers the next day.I did not have a good experience and will not be returning.
My Le
Made to order quick Chinese food. I got walnut shrimp. It came with a side of rice. The shrimp was a decent size. Coconut and flavor was on point. My only complaint was the portion. It was deceiving because the bottom of the container was a layer of wonton chips. That was unnecessary. I would have preferred it to be all walnut and shrimp.This place also serves boba milk tea and dim sum!
Myphuong L.
Made to order quick Chinese food. I got walnut shrimp. It came with a side of rice. The shrimp was a decent size. Coconut and flavor was on point. My only complaint was the portion. It was deceiving because the bottom of the container was a layer of crispy wonton chips. That was unnecessary. I would have preferred it to be all walnut and shrimp.This place also serves boba milk tea and dim sum!
Anotai Rewthong
Love the Ha Gow and best general Tso chicken in North county. Full flavor or garlicky, tangy and spicy sweet, I never have enough. Highly recommended . Definitely go back there again
I rarely am inspired to write a negative review, but the food quality was so poor as to warrant warning others before wasting their time and money when there are so many better options available in the Windmill Food Hall. I love dim sum, and I have had a range of excellent to disappointing dim sum. My two items were barely edible, and I did not sense this was because they were having an "off day," so I did not bother to ask for another dish. I had the potstickers, which were encased in unevenly cooked dough and bland without dipping them in sauce. My shrimp and chive dumplings were mostly chive and surrounded by an odd batter. Maybe someone who had never had dim sum would have considered the food adequate, but if you are expecting something tasty, do not order those foods. Maybe their other food is better, but skip these items for sure.
Had the sushi burrito and loved it. Some may think it was pricey but have you been to McDonald's lately?! And if you enjoy sushi you understand price and for what I got it was worth it! They have choices.
Ordered to go for my wife general tso tofu with rice and veggies. They sent home chicken, without veggies. Either they can't get it right, or they handed my wife's food to someone Else because they didn't pay attention to their food delivery. On top of it all it was just before closing so I couldn't go back, or call for a refund. Terribly upsetting. Way too expensive for food that won't ever be eaten.
Service: 1
This review is for the boba only. We ordered a large brown sugar boba. The size was generous, the taste of the drink was good if not a little sweet, the boba was not good. The boba was a bit starchy, not chewy at all, maybe not fresh? Disappointing.
I just purchased and attempted to eat the "crispy mandarin orange chicken", it was soggy, the chicken felt like goo, the sauce was over powering and when it was all done and said I feel sick. Based off of this experience I will not be a returning customer, as I am actually frightened and offended by what other kitchen catastrophe's their menu hold. I wouldn't recommend this place, it's over priced failure.
My husband was a bit skeptical trying, but he ordered beef ho fun, not knowing what he wanted to try at Windmill food hall. The ho fun noodles (thick rice noodles) turned out quite tasty, I would give it 3.4 stars, the noodles had a good texture, and the beef had a bite to it. It gave me the impression of a pud see ew Thai dish and Chinese traditional beef ho fun, I thought of pud see ew because it was kind of sweet! Normally, chinese beef ho fun wouldn't be sweet but rather savory. There's not much service, order, and pick up at the food court. I don't think we'll be coming back, though. The dish was $16.97.
Food was good, we ordered the Mongolian Beef, Crab Rangoon, and Tofu Chow Mein. Would have loved to have tasted more crab in my Crab Rangoon, but other than that, food tasted good. Service was good too, took about ten minutes to get our food which was average. Atmosphere at the Wind Mill Food Hall is great, a must see for first timers as there are many places to choose from!Vegetarian options: Some egg products in a few dishes, make sure you ask!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
First let me tell you Secret Sauce is inside the Windmill Food Court as I surely didn't know and drove around the area for 10 minutes.It's just inside the food court and it's just a walk up window and if you wish to dine in there is public tables through out the court. I am from NorCal so not familiar with area. I ordered I thought delivery as I gave my address but it ended being pick up. Technical issue or was it me? Didn't really matter as it was only 5 minutes away.Okay I ordered pot stickers, orange chicken & jasmine rice all confirmed on my order. The pot stickers were tasty but a little too crisp. The orange chicken serving was large, very tender and not drowning in sauce which made the pieces very enjoyable. This entree was very good. Unfortunately I did not get the jasmine rice I ordered but sticky white rice. This should have been told to me as it was disappointing. I was looking forward to Jasmine so do not show it as a choice on your order menu if you don't have it. I might try them again as the entree was very good. I will check the rice order.
First time in the Windmills food hall, I got garlic pepper wings from Secret Sauce with special sweet creamy chili plum. It was amazing good mixture of crunchy,saltiness, sweet and garlicky. It was very tasty so I had to go back and order a side of jasmine rice from them. My boyfriend got a chili dumplings. I have to say their sauces are best, it was not only tasty but it got a taste that want you to keep eating. The cashier was very polite. You could see how the orders being cooked right on spot from their tiny kitchen.
great management and fresh food!!??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This joint is inside the Carlsbad Windmill Food Court.STAY AWAY!I love Chinese, including some American Chinese too. But this place does great damage to Chinese cuisine. To get a quick bite, I ordered steamed buns, both veggie and what they called Korean BBQ. Two for $7.50 each. Hardly any meat in the BBQ bun, and only a few slices of tiny mushroom (as advertised) hidden in a wad of chopped green veggies in the veggie bun. The buns themselves were poorly steamed and brittle. I didn't think anyone can mess up steamed buns this poorly. Were they frozen buns microwaved or something. I can imagine what other dishes would taste like and the poor state of used ingredients they are using. Unless you are a masochist and gullible, don't even try. Don't be tempted with those glossy pictures of nicely steamed delicious looking buns and the rest. And it took forever to serve these buns.Lastly, I don't see how this place gets rave reviews. Plastic utensils/trays, paper boxes, salt, salt, salt on all dishes, very American teriyaki sauces, scrimpy servings, etc. what is there to like? No, I was not having a bad day. Instead, this place ruined my mid-day.
The noodles had a nice texture, the fried tofu were good, and the veggies had a nice crisp and were not over cooked. Sadly, the sauce was extremely salty! I ate what I could and took the rest home. What I should've done was just take the whole thing home and fix it. After eating some of it, I felt so sick and bloated later in the evening and into the night. I ended up dumping the leftovers the next day.I did not have a good experience and will not be returning.
Made to order quick Chinese food. I got walnut shrimp. It came with a side of rice. The shrimp was a decent size. Coconut and flavor was on point. My only complaint was the portion. It was deceiving because the bottom of the container was a layer of wonton chips. That was unnecessary. I would have preferred it to be all walnut and shrimp.This place also serves boba milk tea and dim sum!
Made to order quick Chinese food. I got walnut shrimp. It came with a side of rice. The shrimp was a decent size. Coconut and flavor was on point. My only complaint was the portion. It was deceiving because the bottom of the container was a layer of crispy wonton chips. That was unnecessary. I would have preferred it to be all walnut and shrimp.This place also serves boba milk tea and dim sum!
Love the Ha Gow and best general Tso chicken in North county. Full flavor or garlicky, tangy and spicy sweet, I never have enough. Highly recommended . Definitely go back there again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5