We've been looking for a Scorpion bowl / scallion pancake house since China Rainbow in Watertown Square closed, and I think the search is over. I may miss Tammy and the Mai Tais that could peel paint, but Magnolias delivers across the board. Scallion pancakes were perfectly crispy, and the dipping soy was rich with garlic and ginger. I ordered the Yu Xiang shrimp and asked them to make it spicy... it was perfect, with crisp vegetables in a flavorful sauce and a generous potion of shrimp, no shell. My girlfriend got the pineapple fried rice and while it didn't come in a pineapple, it was a solid meal... and nobody eats the pineapple bowl anyway. But what about the scorpion bowl? It came to the table cold, and while it wasn't as wide a bowl as a lot of places, it was deep, and it did not play. Let's just say you get your moneys worth... not just the rocket fuel, but fresh juices expertly blended with not too much ice. We still had ice in the bottom when we finished, but the shape of the bowl kept the smaller portion of ice colder longer so the ice didn't melt and water it down. Service was prompt and friendly, decor was tasteful and understated, settings were neat and clean. Bartender was hip and friendly. Spectacular. 10/10. We'll be back. read more

Magnolia - Yiu Shang shrimp and scallion pancake - Chinese Near Me - Maynard, Massachusetts

Follow-up lunch visit, finding Magnolia at pretty much the same level: almost really good, but not quite. Mixed bag with highs and lows. -- Hot and Sour Soup (on a lunch combo): Pleasing rendition, with many mushroom types, a just-thick-enough broth, and some mini bits of red pepper in addition to liquid heat. Above average. -- Magnolia Special Chicken Wings: Big plate of wings in a dark sauce combining sweet, heat, and a bit of sour, but not to be mistaken for sweet and sour. Outside, not much crispness. Inside, not much tenderness, and barely moist (forget juicy), but nice marinade flavor deep down. Above average to well above average, but previously elite. -- Pork Egg Foo Yong (on a lunch combo): Two naked patties/omelettes with thick brown gravy on the side. Exterior not crisp, but firm. Interior perfectly tender with a profusion of large chunked onions and tasty pork, and fairly fresh pork at that. Good flavor to the gravy-- served as a big bowl with no monkey dish or spoon. Near-elite. -- Pork Fried Rice (on a lunch combo): Fresh and nice texture but subtle of flavor and not old school style. Decent amount of pork. Rice-a-Roni flavor. Average to slightly above. (Yes, maybe slightly above. Rice-a-Roni has its place.) -- Chicken Fingers (on a lunch combo): Standard issue with the usual low meat-to-batter ratio. Nothing noteworthy on the positive or negative side. Average. Servicewise, I felt ignored the entire meal. Had to grab my own napkins off another table. Hoped for a chance at a water refill that came too late. Long wait for the check. Nothing rude, but not present, alert, or efficient. read more

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Great local "old school" Chinese restaurant. Fast service and good, tasty "traditional" American-Chinese food all the standard offering. Very good price and lunch plates are great option plenty of tasty food and a great price. read more

Magnolia - Wonton Soup on a cold day. - Chinese Near Me - Maynard, Massachusetts

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Their family style bean curd is the best, that I have had in New England for the past 26 years.

What Dawn B said. I should move on to Yelping that McDonald's in Acton that's been closed for years, but I've more to say about Magnolias. A hidden gem. Not in the classical sense of a 5-star Michelin restaurant. The food is hot and flavorful, and inexpensive. Two luncheon specials, with soup, for twenty-five bucks. Mixed drinks are in the 8.50 range. If I were still an alcoholic, I'd belly up to that bar every night. Seriously, and maybe I'm overinformed by meals at the China Ruby, Magnolia is worth every penny and much more. read more

Magnolia - Chicken and Vegetables. - Chinese Near Me - Maynard, Massachusetts

Two years after opening, and Magnolia is as great as it ever was! If you haven't tried Magnolia, you are missing out. read more

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Lunch special review (this time): large plate lunch of General Gau's chicken, had a tangy sweet/sour mildly spicy, included hot&sour soup (which was quite good), and a nice egg roll. Very good quantity, good price. (Hey, nothing wrong wanting (non-traditional) Chinese food once in a while!) read more

I miss the Ruby, but Magnolia really does a great job with their offerings. The egg rolls were a little cabbagey but everything else was an absolute hit. read more

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Went in for lunch I like to try different places when I'm in a new area this was an excellent experience food was great huge portions will definitely go back when in the area read more

Some of the food is OK I'm not a big fan of their chicken chow mein. When China Ruby was down there I loved all their food. The chicken chow mein was delicious. The fried rice was good. Magnolia has the worst fried rice. It's usually crunchy when I get it. read more

Terrible service and the server was extremely rude and should not be waiting tables or work at a restaurant. This is by far the worst experience. The server walked away in the middle of us ordering multiple times. We asked for waters about 6 times and she did not respond to any of our requests. Will not be returning, simply because the service was the worst! read more

Added seafood pan fried noodle. Very good veggies and seafood over lo mein. Nice size servings for the orice. read more

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So last year, our beloved China Ruby in Maynard closed. Mid summer, Magnolia took its place. Food was delish. We had their version of a pupu platter, fried peiking ravioli, happy family and house lo mein. 5 stars for everything, except 4.5 stars for selection. Why doesn't everyone have pork strips on the menu.??? read more

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Had take out. It was better than last time chicken fingers were really outstanding lots of chicken not so much breading. Everything we had was super good. Would recommend highly for take out or dining in. read more

So happy Magnolia finally opened. Bit busy first day but they crushed it. Food very good, drinks even better. Prices good, full bar, Keno and Touch Tunes. What more does one need. Head on over. Same as China Ruby though, the bar fills up fast, Put it on a short list. Not disappointed. read more

Chinese food is Chinese food, right? Yes, but when a restaurant allows you to sit and eat at your own pace, that's rather unique. Waitstaff does not hover, they allow time and space. How novel! I was treated to dinner, so I do not know prices, but the dishes included. General Gau chicken, chicken fried rice, spicy chicken wings. Parking is available everywhere, very clean restaurant, very happy staff and friendly service. read more

Got take out from here and absolutely loved everything. The scallion pancakes were unreal and portions sizable. Highly recommend. The inside looks clean and would be a fun place for date night. Definitely will be doing that next time. The hostess was incredibly friendly. Can't wait to order again. read more

I was on route to Sudbury Chinese spots but wanted to try some place different , so why not Magnolias Maynard: A Disappointing Experience. Although the BBQ ribs had good char and flavor, meaty but not tender, they were served in a small portion, with only four ribs provided, and one rib fifth one appeared deformed. Price was 13.95 which is 3.49 a rib if we don't include the 5th mini rib. Maybe the pig broke a rib or was minus a few chromosomes .The lunch special consisted of rice, a beef teriyaki that was somewhat dry, a chicken wing that was acceptable, and chicken fingers that were mediocre. Unfortunately, the won ton soup had a strong, unpleasant flavor, similar to dish soap. It may gave been Dawn from the smell. I ate it with the assumption my intestines would get a cleaning .The service was poor, and I had to wait for my water glass to be refilled after finishing the salty ribs. As I was preparing to refill my glass in the mensroom, the waitress finally reappeared from her Safari. As I exited, one of the owners or bartenders, standing outside the entrance, blew cigarette smoke in my face I guess as a come again farewell Indian smoke signal? Based on this experience, I do not plan to return to this establishment. read more

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Food is surprisingly good across the board. Chow Foon, pad Thai, Udon, spicy chicken, general gaos tofu, hot and sour soup, moo shi pork... everything was really excellent! read more

Good Chinese food. They have quick and attentive service. It was a bit too much sugary sauce for my preference. We spent $100 for our dinner. read more

Absolutely awful experience. staff was extremely rude and it took over 1 hour to get our food. Please never go here!

Hot fresh and flavorful not to mention the staff is friendly and professional. Will be back if in the area.

Yummy. Came here for dinner the other night and this is a good place to go! It's right in downtown Maynard so it's convenient, the food did not disappoint, and the drinks were outstanding. We tried both the Regular and White Mai Tais (the White uses vodka instead of rum), and for food we got Sesame Chicken, Veggie Lo Mein, and the sampler -- all tasty. My friend got the Egg Drop Soup and said that was also very good. The portions are a bit on the smaller side for the price, but when you're getting quality food that's something I'm ok with. The service was excellent. We'll be back! read more

ever since magnolia opened it has been my go to Chinese restaurant! The food is always great, friendly and helpful staff and they have a nice separate bar to grab a drink. My only complaint is that I wish they stayed open later 9:30 seems awfully early. read more

Everything was perfectly cooked. Great service and drinks are awesome. Owner was able to do my all time favorite ginger scallion lobsters for us. Fantastic! read more

Magnolia - Chinese New Year Lunch with family and friends. - Chinese Near Me - Maynard, Massachusetts

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Magnolia transported me to my childhood memories of Chinese food with their hot & sour soup, pork fried rice, chicken fingers, General Gao's chicken & fortune cookies. We were able to upgrade our chicken fingers w/a side of their creamy honey sauce & glazed walnuts for the cost of sweet & sour chicken (normally served w/honey walnut shrimp). It was delicious and a staff secret is to dip fries in it. Complimentary ginger, duck & hot mustard sauce were brought upon request. Their generous portions, delicious food, customer service & price point have deemed Magnolia as our favorite Chinese restaurant in the greater Boston area. Please reference below glamour shots for prices. Bonus: 3 minute walk to the Fine Arts Movie Theatre. read more

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EXCELLENT! Our "Go To" place for takeout Chinese. We like the chicken and green beans as well as the sesame chicken. Consistently good quality and friendly staff. read more

The BEST Chinese restaurant! Magnolia is on our permanent rotation for takeout in Maynard. Incredibly fast, friendly service; huge menu; and EXCELLENT dining, whether eating-in or via takeout. read more

It's Chinese food. Not the best but definitely not the worst. The staff is nice and attentive. After 10 PM the bar patrons get a bit "sketchy". If you've ever done time at the house of corrections you will fit in nicely. read more

Came here for lunch on July 25th, 2023 with a friend. The staff was very friendly and attentive. This place was the old China Ruby in Maynard. The place was updated, but I heard they focused mostly updating the kitchen. But a fresh coat of paint and new floor can brighten any place. The luncheon specials were plentiful. You were able to order a soup, an entree, 1 piece of an app and side( rice or lo mein) I ordered the sesame chicken with lo mein and a spring roll. My friend order kung pao chicken delight with white rice and a spring roll. We both ordered wonton soup. The bill came to 28 bucks . I think next time I dine here I will come at night to enjoy some beverages . Give this place a try, and you might just enjoy read more

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My kind of Chinese! The kids love it. We love it. Try the sweet & sour chicken! Yummmmm

Let me preface this by saying I really like the staff here. Very kind staff and the service is prompt. The seats were ample and we got a chance to see the dining room area. With that being said, the food might need some work- at least when my family and I were there. The chicken wings were hard, and some of the seasonings in the other dishes (vegetarian plate) were not really a "delight" more so just steamed and placed on the plate. The crab Rangoon was ok, but I think that this place has the potential to do better. read more

Carry out service tonight was TERRIBLE. Food was 45 minutes late. If I had wanted to spend my Friday night in a Chinese restaurant, I would have eaten there. So, I'm not really interested in your apologies, you are now at the bottom of the pile. See you in a few years..... Do better read more

I recently tried Magnolia and was really pleased, but I wanted to try a few more dishes before reviewing. I have been really pleased with each visit! My favorites so far are hot and sour soup, vegetable lo mein, pork strips and crab rangoons! Soup is hearty and nice ratio of tofu to other vegetables. Although I prefer a flat noodle lo main, this one is tasty and a good consistency and nice amount of a variety of veggies. The pork strip are tender, moist. have a nice sear, low amount of fatty parts and super flavorful. The crab Rangoon was possibly the best I've ever had! So creamy inside, great filling with visible crab, and nicely flavored. They were nicely and constantly folded and fried to perfection! Just the right crisp to the generous filling! I will be back for more!!! read more

Food and service is better than average for the area. We've gone there for takeout as well as dine in.

Where do I begin? Had reservations for 10 one week in advance. Had never been there before. Incredibly drunk, loud and obnoxious group were seated in an open room as you walk in, next to the bar. As soon as I saw that they were sitting my group of senior citizens right next to the drunk bunch, I had them move us to a booth in the next room. My opinion is the service was terrible, they allowed this wasted group to yell and scream so loud that we couldn't hear each other talk. We waited forever for our food and three of us were still waiting as the other's were getting their extra food boxed to go!!!! My chicken and eggplant was subpar, but at this point, who cares. So, if you are more interested in getting wasted with no consequences this is your kind of place! I however, will still be searching for a Chinese restaurant to take the place of my favorites that closed for good. read more

Went for a couple apps/drinks and played a few rounds of Keno. We sat at the bar, it was perfect. Quick service and pretty quiet as it was 12 o clock on Tuesday. We got the BBQ spareribs and the steamed wontons in spicy peanut sauce, and they were both really good! We typically get a pupu platter or those type appetizers so we wanted to have something different than the usual. read more

Magnolia - Steamed spicy wontons in peanut sauce - Chinese Near Me - Maynard, Massachusetts

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For those who aren't locals, Magnolia occupies the space formerly occupied by the restaurant, China Ruby. China Ruby was the worst Chinese Restaurant I've ever eaten in. It was a crime against humanity. Racoons wouldn't eat out of their trash. We spoke of it only in whispers. Magnolia is a different critter. The food, while not exciting, is perfectly serviceable Chinese food. My wife and I had the Moo Shu Pork and General Tso's Chicken, where were fine. Service was quick and polite. The prices were fair. Nice to be able to get good Chinese food without having to go to Concord. read more

Food was great and great vibe. I would definitely go again when I am around the neighborhood.

This is a wonderful restaurant that uses fresh ingredients and makes a great Mai Tai! Highly recommend - we thought it was going to be hard to find another Chinese restaurant after Chang An closed its doors - but we are happy to say that was not the case. read more