Peking Delight

Peking Delight is a Chinese restaurant situated at 21001 San Ramon Valley Boulevard A-3 in San Ramon, California. It appears to cater to customers seeking takeout options. However, recent reviews from patrons paint a concerning picture regarding both the quality of the food and the level of service provided. Potential local customers should carefully consider these experiences before deciding to order from Peking Delight.

One customer initially perceived Peking Delight as a convenient spot for a quick takeout meal after work. They ordered combination fried rice and honey walnut prawns. However, the experience quickly turned negative. The fried rice was described as "very bland and weirdly flavored," containing bits of chicken and small pieces of dark meat that tasted like anchovies, an unusual and off-putting flavor profile for fried rice. The honey walnut prawns were also not prepared in a standard way, with the ingredients separated for the customer to mix at home, a preparation method the reviewer found "very strange." Ultimately, this customer did not recommend Peking Delight due to the unsatisfactory taste of the food and the subpar service they encountered. They reported a significant wait time for their order. After being initially told 10 minutes, the customer went shopping next door and returned 15 minutes later. Their husband went inside to inquire about the order and found the staff member on her phone. Only after being prompted did the staff member realize the order was ready. For a total of $37.00 spent, this customer felt neither the food nor the service justified the cost.

Another customer ordered a schezwan chicken lunch plate and reported a rigid policy regarding substitutions. They were informed that everything was pre-cooked, making any changes impossible without incurring an additional charge of five dollars per substitution. This inflexibility was compounded by the perceived high price of the lunch plate itself, costing $15 before any potential substitutions. The customer calculated that with a substitution, the lunch could escalate to $25-$30, which they deemed excessive, especially given the "extremely bad quality food." The schezwan chicken was described as "extremely sweet and greasy" and tasting "really bad." Even the accompanying white rice was reported to be stale ("not fresh"). This reviewer managed to eat some of the food but had a negative experience when paying the bill. They stated that before they had even submitted the signed receipt, a staff member prompted them to fill out the tip section, creating an uncomfortable situation. Furthermore, this customer described the restaurant's environment as "noisy and dirty to some extent," observing servers cutting vegetables and having loud phone conversations in the seating area. Given this overwhelmingly negative experience, this reviewer expressed confusion as to why anyone would choose to return to Peking Delight, especially with a "very, very decent Chinese Junction" located just a short drive away.

Based on these two recent and detailed reviews, several critical issues emerge regarding Peking Delight. The food quality appears to be inconsistent and, in some cases, significantly below expectations, with descriptions of bland and strangely flavored dishes, poorly prepared seafood, and stale rice. The restaurant's policy on substitutions for lunch plates seems inflexible and expensive, potentially leading to a poor value proposition for customers with dietary needs or preferences. The service is also a major point of concern, with reports of inattentiveness, long wait times, and potentially inappropriate behavior regarding tipping. Finally, the environment of the restaurant is described as noisy and unclean, which would detract from the overall dining experience for those choosing to eat in, though both reviewers seem to have opted for takeout.

Given this consistent negative feedback across different aspects of the dining experience – food quality, service, and environment – local users in San Ramon should exercise extreme caution when considering Peking Delight. The reported issues are significant and suggest a lack of attention to detail in food preparation and customer service. The price point, as indicated by one reviewer's experience with a lunch plate, may not align with the quality received. The inflexibility regarding menu modifications could also be a deterrent for many customers.

While there is no information provided about any positive aspects or promotional offers that might counterbalance these negative experiences, the strong and specific criticisms from multiple customers cannot be ignored. The existence of alternative Chinese restaurants in the vicinity, as mentioned by one reviewer, further diminishes the incentive to risk a potentially unsatisfactory experience at Peking Delight.

For local residents seeking Chinese cuisine in San Ramon, it would be advisable to explore other options that have received more positive and consistent feedback regarding food quality, service, and overall value. The negative reviews for Peking Delight highlight significant shortcomings that could lead to a disappointing dining experience.

In conclusion, the recent customer reviews for Peking Delight in San Ramon, CA, raise serious concerns about the restaurant's food quality, service, pricing, and environment. Potential local customers should carefully weigh these negative experiences before deciding to patronize this establishment. The reported issues suggest that there are likely better alternatives available in the area for those seeking a satisfying Chinese meal.