Empire Corner II

Empire Corner II is a Chinese restaurant located at 1415 5th Ave in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City (zip code 10029). As a local establishment within the Chinese Restaurant category, Empire Corner II aims to serve the community with a range of Chinese culinary options. They can be contacted by phone at (212) 410-5756 or their mobile number, +1 212-410-5756.

Based on the limited customer reviews available, the experiences at Empire Corner II appear to be quite varied, indicating potential inconsistencies in food quality and service. One customer, who had previously ordered a significant amount of food (around $60) and generally found it to be good, had a severely negative experience with a recent order. This customer reported that the chicken they received looked and smelled bad, and tasted even worse. Upon attempting to return the dish for a refund, they claimed to have been cursed out by a worker and advised to call the police. This interaction escalated until the manager intervened and provided a refund. This incident raises significant concerns about food safety and customer service handling at the restaurant.

In contrast, another long-term customer, who has been patronizing Empire Corner II since 2013, offers a much more positive perspective. This reviewer consistently enjoys several dishes, specifically mentioning that their chow hu fun is "always delicious!" They also regularly order young chow fried rice, shrimp thick noodles, or shrimp with lobster sauce. The fact that this customer has been a loyal patron for many years suggests that Empire Corner II has the potential to produce well-received dishes and maintain customer loyalty. Additionally, this reviewer praises the "truly magical" ice tea, indicating a unique and enjoyable beverage offering.

Given these contrasting reviews, it is challenging to definitively characterize the environment of Empire Corner II. The negative review suggests a potentially unprofessional environment with at least one instance of hostile customer interaction. The positive review does not offer specific insights into the ambiance or cleanliness of the restaurant itself, focusing primarily on the food and the positive experience of a long-term customer.

Regarding services, Empire Corner II offers both takeout and likely delivery, typical for a Chinese restaurant in New York City serving a local neighborhood. The negative review details an attempt at a return and refund, highlighting the restaurant's handling of customer complaints in at least one instance. The positive resolution by the manager in that situation is a noteworthy aspect of their service recovery. The long-term patronage of another customer suggests consistent service that meets their expectations over time.

The features of Empire Corner II, in terms of its menu and culinary strengths, are somewhat unclear due to the conflicting reviews. The chow hu fun is specifically highlighted as "always delicious" by a loyal customer. Other favored dishes mentioned by the same reviewer include young chow fried rice, shrimp thick noodles, and shrimp with lobster sauce. These could be considered signature or consistently well-prepared items. However, the severe issues reported with the chicken in the negative review raise concerns about the quality and freshness of their ingredients and food preparation standards across the menu.

Promotional information is not provided in the available text. There are no mentions of lunch specials, discounts, or any other promotional offers that Empire Corner II might have. To learn about any such promotions or a more comprehensive view of their menu, local users would likely need to contact the restaurant directly or check if they have an online presence with this information.

In conclusion, Empire Corner II in East Harlem, New York City, presents a mixed picture based on the limited customer reviews. While one long-term customer consistently enjoys several dishes like the chow hu fun, young chow fried rice, shrimp thick noodles, and shrimp with lobster sauce, and praises their ice tea, another customer had a severely negative experience with spoiled chicken and unprofessional service from a worker, although the manager did resolve the issue with a refund. This inconsistency in experiences, particularly regarding food quality and customer service, should be a significant consideration for local users.

Potential customers might find some dishes to be reliably good, as indicated by the loyal patron, but the risk of encountering quality issues and potentially negative service interactions, as described in the other review, cannot be ignored. Local users considering Empire Corner II may want to proceed with caution, perhaps trying the specifically praised dishes based on the positive review, but remaining mindful of the serious concerns raised by the negative experience. Further investigation into more recent reviews or perhaps a small initial order might be prudent to gauge the current quality and service standards at Empire Corner II.