Little Dragon Cafe

Little Dragon Cafe is a Chinese restaurant located at 175 Main St C101, Edwards, CO 81632, USA. Situated within the Chinese Restaurant category, Little Dragon Cafe can be contacted at (970) 926-3050 or their mobile number +1 970-926-3050. Based on recent customer feedback, Little Dragon Cafe offers tasty food at reasonable prices, with options for both dine-in and takeout. However, potential patrons should be aware of certain aspects regarding the dining environment and billing practices that have been noted by customers.

One customer who dined in for lunch with their fiancé reported a mixed experience. On the positive side, they found the food to be "tasty" and the prices "reasonable," suggesting that Little Dragon Cafe offers value in terms of cost and flavor. This indicates that the culinary offerings are a significant draw for customers. However, the reviewer also highlighted two key areas that detracted from their overall enjoyment. The first concern was the ambiance, specifically the ventilation within the cafe. While describing the atmosphere as "cozy," the reviewer noted a significant drawback: they left with their clothes and hair smelling strongly of fried food. This lingering odor was described as "quite unpleasant," and the reviewer suggested that improved ventilation would greatly enhance the dining experience for those eating inside the restaurant. This is an important consideration for potential dine-in customers who may be sensitive to strong food odors clinging to their clothing and hair after their visit.

The second issue raised by the dine-in customer concerned the restaurant's service charge policy. According to the review, an 18% service charge is automatically added to the bill. The reviewer found this policy "problematic" because it was not clearly disclosed beforehand. Furthermore, despite the inclusion of this service charge, the restaurant still asks for additional tips. This practice was perceived as "a bit misleading" and left a "bad impression" on the customer. The reviewer emphasized the importance of transparency in pricing and suggested that this particular policy could negatively impact the overall customer experience. Potential dine-in customers should be aware of this automatic service charge and the subsequent request for additional tips when reviewing their bill.

Despite these drawbacks related to the environment and billing, the dine-in customer still offered a qualified recommendation, stating, "I’d still highly recommend it, but be prepared for the lingering fried food smell and double-check your bill!" This suggests that the quality of the food itself is a significant positive factor that outweighs these other concerns for this particular reviewer, albeit with important caveats for future diners.

In contrast to the dine-in experience, another customer who ordered takeout had a more overwhelmingly positive review. This customer ordered the shrimp and vegetables to go, requesting it steamed with the sauce on the side. They reported that everything was "very fresh and cooked perfectly." Specifically, they noted that the shrimp were not overcooked, and the vegetables retained their ideal texture. The white sauce that accompanied the dish was described as "super light but very flavorful," indicating a well-executed sauce that complemented the fresh ingredients. This positive feedback highlights the quality and care taken in preparing their takeout orders.

The takeout customer also took advantage of a promotional offering, adding miso soup for an additional dollar, which they found to have "great flavor." The dish they ordered also came with a choice of white rice or plain fried rice at no extra charge, and they opted for the plain fried rice. As an added bonus, the restaurant included a Rangoon and a mini eggroll in their takeout order, which the customer did not explicitly review but suggests a generous gesture that enhances the perceived value of the meal. Based on their positive experience with the fresh and well-cooked food, the flavorful additions, and the extra items included, this customer stated they "would highly recommend this place." This review indicates that Little Dragon Cafe excels in its takeout service, providing fresh, well-prepared food with thoughtful additions.

Considering both reviews, Little Dragon Cafe appears to be a Chinese restaurant that offers tasty and reasonably priced food, particularly noted for its fresh ingredients and well-cooked dishes, as highlighted by the positive takeout experience. However, potential dine-in customers should be aware of the reported issue with the lingering smell of fried food within the cafe due to potentially inadequate ventilation. Additionally, the restaurant's policy of automatically adding an 18% service charge to the bill without clear prior disclosure, coupled with a subsequent request for additional tips, is a point of concern regarding transparency in their billing practices for dine-in service.

The contrast between the dine-in and takeout experiences suggests that the primary drawbacks noted by customers are more pertinent to the in-house dining environment and billing. For those prioritizing the quality and taste of the food and perhaps opting for takeout, Little Dragon Cafe seems to be a strong contender, offering fresh and well-prepared dishes with flavorful sauces and potentially generous additions. However, for those planning to dine in, it would be prudent to be prepared for the possibility of leaving with a noticeable fried food odor and to carefully review their bill to understand the service charge and tipping expectations.

In conclusion, Little Dragon Cafe in Edwards, CO, is a Chinese restaurant that receives positive feedback for its tasty and reasonably priced food, especially its fresh and well-cooked takeout options. However, potential dine-in customers should be aware of reported issues concerning the smell of fried food in the dining area and a service charge policy that some customers have found to be less than transparent. While the food quality appears to be a significant strength, these other factors are important considerations for local users when deciding whether to dine in or opt for takeout from Little Dragon Cafe.