Oriental Palace - Las Cruces

In September 2014, I revisited the Oriental Palace and ordered the Mongolian Beef. The restaurant hasn’t changed much since my last visit. It appears clean and is suitable for a casual meal, though it lacks a certain sparkle. If you’re looking for a pleasant ambiance, you might want to look elsewhere. The service was quick, friendly, and efficient, with my meal arriving promptly from the kitchen. The fried rice was average; it was seasoned with soy sauce but had no additional ingredients. The Mongolian Beef was served in a covered silver dish and included sliced beef, shredded carrots, green pepper, and plenty of onion slices (not scallions). The portion was generous given the price—a good value for the money. The beef was tender and flavorful, though the sauce was slightly sweet. The dish was billed as "hot" (as Mongolian Beef should be), but it lacked real spiciness. Overall, this was a decent interpretation of Mongolian Beef—not spectacular but solid. I would rate the meal a 'B'; it's fair to average Chinese food—neither bad nor great. **Original Review:** The Oriental Palace is a small, family-run Chinese restaurant located in a little plaza on Idaho. True to its name, it is certainly not a palace. The establishment has around twelve tables and is neat and clean, but offers nothing particularly special in terms of atmosphere. To reach the restroom, you need to walk through the kitchen. I would rate the ambiance a B-. The menu offers a variety of dishes, but there seems to be an overabundance of chow mein options, which typically consist of shredded cabbage, carrots, and a few crispy noodles. I found the service to be friendly and efficient. My food was prepared promptly, and drink refills were offered regularly. I would give the service a solid B. The food itself was fresh, well-prepared, and presented nicely on the plate. The vegetables, particularly the cabbage and carrots, were cooked to a crisp without being overdone. The fried rice was just plain rice with no onion, carrot, egg, or peas—just rice. The chow mein included small pieces of chicken, which were fairly bland but acceptable. Overall, while the chow mein was fresh and well-prepared, it lacked flavor. I would rate it a solid B. The sweet and sour sauce was unconventional and somewhat lacking in taste. In summary, the food at the Oriental Palace was okay but not worth going out of your way for. I cannot say I am eager to return. Nonetheless, the prices are very reasonable, making it a good value for your money. If you find yourself in the area, it's not a bad choice. I would rate this bistro three-and-a-half stars for the dining experience, indicating that while it's not great, it is above average for a Chinese restaurant in the region. **BOTTOM LINE: WILL I RETURN? PROBABLY NOT, BUT IT'S DECENT.**