Golden Temple

08/26/09

Worst Customer Service Sub Par Food

by Ragegrl28

I was very excited about ordering take out from Golden Temple because I had read good things about their food and was looking for a healthier option for Chinese food in my area. I sincerely regret ordering from Golden Temple. First they messed up my order sending two orders of egg rolls instead of the scallion pancakes we had ordered. When I called to inform them of their mistake they said they now saw they had accidently not charged us for another item we had ordered so they would bring us the scallion pancakes along with a new bill, including an additional charge for the item they hadn't charged us for originally. After getting over my shock at their horrible customer service and telling them not to bother coming back I tried the food that they had actually bothered to deliver to us. It was much less healthy than I anticipated, dripping with grease and overall just okay, nothing better than the local take out. It is very over priced for what it is. They need to actually offer a healthy product and decent customer service if they want continued business.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Customer Service, Price, Food

02/15/09

Used to be good. No Longer.

by DiningDoc

Formerly a very decent neighborhood destination.

Driven to ever lower quality in food, ambiance, and service over the last couple of years.

Hard working but hopelessly overwhelmed servers and kitchen staff.

Food reasonably priced, with very large portions, but much of it tasteless glop. One hint to quality is the relatively few Asians and even fewer Chinese you'll spot amongst the dining crowd. If your idea of Chinese food is a bucket of of Colonel Sanders, or McDonalds filet-o-fish, piled high on a plate with a heap of hot and sour sauce on top, this will be nirvana for you. Take your place in line. If not, take your appetite elsewhere. Still packed on weekends and holidays. Especially popular with young people aiming for a cheap dinner date, who either dont care about quality if everything is super-sized, or dont know the difference. They cram as many tables as humanly possible into each room to accommodate them, with all the charm of all-you-can-eat-night at IHOP.

I guess that qualifies as a kind of success story.

• Pros: Parking
• Cons: Food, ambiance, service

01/13/09

Not consistent on service and food quality as of recent times..

by TruthHonorJustice

When the food is good IT IS GREAT, the unfortunate part is that doesn't always happen.

I can understand when they are REALLY busy that things might not go as hoped, but numerousl times now at less busy times the food and service have been inconsistent with long wait times for service and food coming to the table.

It is too bad as most of my past experiences over the last 15 years were more positive, it just the last 7 or so months have been less then desirable.

• Pros: When it is good it is great
• Cons: Less then good in service and food quality the last 7 months or so

12/31/08

Worst Service Ever

by zbolsen

New Years Eve I place an order for delivery for two people at 6 pm. I was quoted an arrival time of 8 pm. At 8:15, I call to check on the status of my order and was told that it would now arrive at 8:45. I called a second time to double check on my food and was treated very rudely by the hostess and management staff and was told that they had my order but my food had never been made! The Assistant General Manager said that because they were busy that my food would have to go to the end of the list of deliveries and wouldn't be sent until 9:45 pm. I told him that I was extremely unhappy and didn't think I should pay for my dinner (coming two hours late). He claimed that they did not have the correct phone number to confirm my order. And thus it was my fault that the food didn't get made. Now which is more likely? That I don't know my own phone number, or that their staff wrote it down wrong? This ruined our night.

• Cons: Horrible service, Rude, No resolution to problem

12/04/08

Extremely Rude

by Naomi5421

I tried to talk to them about getting food for a university function (which would have been a considerable amount of money for them), but the person I talked to kept shouting the same question at me (refusing to listen to any reasonable explanations). I finally gave up and said I'd have to go elsewhere, which (the rude woman said) was fine with them. I have heard the food is good, but I won't brave venturing near them again.

• Cons: Unpleasant to deal with

12/04/08

Rude

by kjho2795

I also tried to call to order delivery and encountered a shockingly rude person. I ended up ordering from Chef Chow's House on foodler, which was an infinitely more pleasant experience.

• Cons: Rude

12/03/08

Very Rude

by ChadN250

I just tried to order delivery from them and spoke to an incredibly rude person. After being yelled at for five minutes, I finally had to hang up. No idea whether the food is good or not.

11/11/08

The worst service. Employees Insulting and Rude.

by MURPH08

I've been ordering lunch from GT for years. After my recent experience this past week I will never give them my business again.

Long story short: coworkers and I ordered lunch. Over one hour later it was delivered. All 5 orderers were wrong. I called, offered to bring back and pick up correct food. I was told they "wanted to do right by me" that they would deliver. 45 min later they never show. I check my voicemail, the woman from GT leaves msg that she checked with the chef and my order was correct. Confused, I called them back and tell the woman Im insulted that she believes that my coworkers and I have nothing better that we would "fake" that we received the wrong order. The food sitting still untouched in the bag. She puts the Manager on, the one who wanted to do right by me" and he starts SCREAMING at me!! Seriously, SCREAMING!!! I put him on speaker so that everone in my office could hear this guy. He threatened me that I am never to call or go to GT again (as if I would at this point) Also that noone from my place of employment is to order from there again. Then he hung up on me still screaming!

I guess thats "doing right" by a customer at Golden Temple

Unbelievable

• Pros: Food is really great if they manager to get your order right.
• Cons: If they get your order wrong ITS YOUR FAULT!!

10/23/08

Guest Service is Exceptional

by JKozmic

This is my first review, but I felt inclined to let other Bostonians know that chivalry is not dead. I had gone to the Temple with a group of friends to have expensive cocktails (quite tasty, and you only need a couple), however I had never ordered take-out. The food arrived in 20 minutes (Living in JP, I find this 4 star worthy alone) and the delivery guy was dressed in a shirt and tie. He was by far, the most polite, well mannered, friendly take out delivery man i've ever encountered. We tipped him 25% for his manners alone. When we opened the bag, which boasted organic, and go green slogans, we were suprised to see a well packaged take out situation. For those looking for not greasy, well made, non-MSG take out, definitely call in here. My boyfriend and I will absolutely be ordering from there again soon.

• Pros: Fresh Ingrediants, Well Mannered Staff

08/01/08

Brookline institution serves fresh, award-winning Chinese fare in a hip and elegant atmosphere.

by Eric Grossman

The Scene
With a stylish, modern dining room and a trendy bar/nightclub area, Golden Temple stands out among typical Chinese restaurants. The setup of the restaurant caters to all types: couples, large parties, and party goers. The extensive menu appeals to a range of tastes, and the powerful and exotic drinks keep the party going in the discotheque-style E Room. Whether serving dinner or drinks, waitstaff is always respectful and accommodating, willing to alter dishes by request.

The Food
Golden Temple is consistently placed among the best Chinese restaurants in town. While prices are on the high side (for Chinese), the portion sizes of most menu items--from the traditional General Gau's chicken or beef and broccoli to to deep-fried chicken livers and ginger-garlic littleneck clams--are well worth the cost. Flavors and sauces are light and subtle thanks to a focus on fresh and healthy ingredients.

Hits
Outstanding service, exceptional choice and a focus on freshness keep the Golden Temple experience at or near the top of the city's "best of" lists for Chinese.

Misses
While half of the dining space is separated from the E Room, the sounds spilling from the dance floor the DJ's turntables may be a bit loud for some.