Excellent! Food was delicious! Their attention to customer needs can be seen their offer three varieties of soy sauce- gluten free, special blend and low sodium. Staff was very genuinely friendly, nice and efficient. Ambience is so so cute! The restaurant is shaped like a merry go round and has awesome decor. Plenty of vegetarian options. They even have resident well behaved and very beloved pit bull 'blue' in residence. He does not bother diners. And accepts petting like a gentleman. Definitely worth the visit! On our second day as we asked around about restaurants, everyone recommended about merry go round. read more

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Got takeout from here. It's quite busy and cramped inside. The staff were friendly, and considering how busy it was, the food took about 40 minutes to get ready. The portions felt just okay for the price, but it was definitely nice having a spot to get Chinese food kind of in the middle of nowhere. We brought it with us for our Whitney camping trip, and it was really nice to have a hot meal out there. I also liked that the dishes come with rice, which made the portions feel more complete. The noodles were a little overcooked for me, and the beef and broccoli had a bit too much soy sauce, but overall it was a solid option for the area and convenient for takeout. read more

Merry Go Round - Take Out - New American Near Me - Lone Pine, California

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We were seated pretty quickly and got water. About 15 minutes later the server asked about if we wanted anything else to drink. We ordered hot & sour soup and three entrees. After an hour the soup came and it tasted Smokey like bbq sauce. Ok otherwise. Lo mein was bland. Mu shu shrimp was good. Shrimp was well cooked. Hunan chicken was bland with no spice although it was marked with a red asterisk. All the food was hot. We never had soy sauce on the table and the chop sticks request was never fulfilled. The server did take off a good chunk of the bill for the wait which was nice. Lone Pine is a small place but I was expecting better service and food. read more

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Really expensive and the taste isn't there to make up for it. I don't love leaving not great reviews. Maybe it could have been a one off experience. The sweet and sour shrimp was like triple deep fried and unlike any sweet and sour shrimp I've had. The wonton soup was good! 2 stars for the wonton soup. The service was good. Inside it was extremely hot so maybe the AC wasn't working great that day. read more

We were staying in lone Pine for two nights and when we asked the receptionist at our hotel where we should eat for dinner, she said merry-go-round with no hesitation. So we went there on a Wednesday night and first off it is so darling. The inside doesn't have tons of tables, but we were lucky to get one. Love the history and vibe that's in the restaurant. It's super cute. They have a big menu with all kinds of food. I was excited to see vegan and gluten-free options. I got a Kung pao tofu which was delicious and my mom got one of the specials, teriyaki which the waitress happily helped her choose. The servings were large. An older man, I don't know if he was the manager or owner, stop by to check on us and chat with us several times as he was doing with other people in the restaurant, very friendly. We both needed to-go bags and ate it as our lunch the next day. I also got a nice sake to go with my meal. It was a super memorable dinner and definitely recommend to anyone. in fact, I recommended it to some hikers the next day. read more

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Well, when you happen to find yourself in lone Pine, California and your sons are over there climbing Mount Whitney and hunger strikes. You would think finding delicious Asian food would not be an option in the small quaint town of lone Pine. Well that's where you'd be wrong, my friend. I called in for takeout cause I was staying at the nearby hotel and the person that answered the phone recommended a dish to me which was like like a sauté garlic shrimp dish. It was extremely plentiful and delicious. I ate the whole thing. I'm not gonna lie. It was terrific and hit the spot as I was sitting on the back porch of my motel room looking up at the Sierra Nevada mountains and drinking a Sierra Nevada beer he just doesn't get much better than that. read more

Nothing particular. Non impressive but decent, Chinese food in the desert. Evidently dogs are ok inside if you say its a service dog.

Stopped here going through town and was really disappointed. The service was not great but the real disappointing part was the food. Everything was lacking flavor and really had no taste. I wanted to love this place but will not be returning. read more

This is a cute little place. It very much gives the feel of stepping back in time. The inside of the restaurant is shaped in a geometric round way like a carousel. So that said it is a little on the cramped side. If the weather is nice, they do have some tables outside in front of the building. In terms of food, they have all the standards you would expect at a Chinese restaurant. They offer several specials, which we very happily took advantage of. The curry noodles were a highlight. Tasty flavor with just the right amount of heat. The broccoli was very yum. Staff is very kind and do their best to accommodate preferences. read more

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Cute and quirky atmosphere. Very attentive and friendly staff. Ask about the history of the place, and look for the horsies throughout the restaurant. Great vegan options. This was more than just a meal, it was a great memory to start off our vacation. read more

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The service was terrible. We waited over an hour for our food, and every time we asked, we were told it would be "15 more minutes." The wait was frustrating, and the communication from the staff was disappointing. Unfortunately, based on our experience, I would not recommend this place. read more

What a disappointment. We arrived to a busy place but tables outside were open. Didn't receive drink order for 15 minutes and no food for an hour. The food was hot but flavorless and the fortune cookies were awful. Don't waste your time read more

+ Yummy, filling Chinese-American food. . Funny restaurant name, considering you aren't riding an actual merry-go-round while having your meal here. I guess it's just cuz the restaurant interior is circle-shaped. + Very polite, friendly, attentive staff. The amicable setting comes from it being a family-run business. + Plenty of indoor seating. - The receipt doesn't detail what I ordered, + but my total was $24.75. Somewhat cheap, considering I ate a lot. + Multiple restrooms. . Decent amount of side street parking. . They open til 8:30pm, so thankfully I made it in time to grab dinner here before crashing at my Airbnb for my early Whitney hike the next day. read more

Always the greatest while passing through Lone Pine. Great food, great service and just a great ambiance to enjoy a good meal at! read more

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The restaurant had a huge dog sitting on a pee pad inside the restaurant. The waiter didn't move it to let us sit in the booth. Pretty unsanitary! Was looking forward to eating here but was disgusted when I saw the dog sitting on a pee pad, like dogs but do not want them peeing while I'm eating. Left immediately. read more

Second time at this place. While backpacking and exiting the wilderness I have this in mind as a place where we'll have our first real meal. Did not disappoint. Also, the people that works there are so warm and friendly. Just love it. read more

This was a fantastic dinner spot on our motorcycle trip through the area. It was nice and warm inside to warm us up before going camping in Alabama hills. The restaurant is small inside but the circular design is very neat! We had a big table in the middle for all 9 of us. My hubby and I split the flat noodle bowl with beef, chicken, shrimp and veggies. It was delicious and they provide a nice big portion for the $21 it costs. The table also got some appetizers that were good. I loved the Chinese new year paper place mats and the decor within the round restaurant. Plus they provided fortune cookies at the end which is always a star in my book. I would definitely come here is you are looking for this sort of cuisine. It hits the spot during a camping trip! read more

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Their food is the best Chinese food I've ever had the orange chicken is awesome the wonton soup is awesome basically everything is awesome. We went in with no wait and the service was fast. The inside had a cool design and the seating is very comfortable and it's best coming back from a sieera 14er Whitney, Williamson north palisade wmp etc read more

This is an adorable little restaurant in a charming small town. The service was very helpful and pleasant. I had a Deschutes Obsidian Porter and Hunan chicken, and both were quite good. I'm glad to have a break from typical burgers on the road. read more

Amazing food and friendly service, what more could you ask for? We had Orange Chicken, Beef with Broccoli and Singapore Noodles. Will definitely be back. read more

some of the best Chinese food i've ever had, and the whole family agrees. Service was AMAZING, it felt really at home and welcoming because you walk in and you're greeted with smiles which was really refreshing. It's a perfect restaurant if you want a relaxing ma and pa vibe. The service dog Blue is very well mannered but if that's not your cup of tea you're able to sit on the other end of the restaurant to not be by the dog. P.S the music taste of the aux owner was impeccable ;) - Cyber truck/roadtrip family. read more

The food was great and a very interesting interior. Service was a bit slow but the servers were very good.

Had a great dinner here. Staff are friendly, and the restaurant itself is uniquely charming. Food was delicious, fresh, and fast!

This place has the most authentic best tasting chinese food! The portions ore huge, and so full of flavor. If you are in town, this should be a place you stop in at, worth every penny. Do note they charge a 4% fee for credit card transactions, so cash is preferable. read more

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We came to Merry Go Round (MGR) as a recommendation from the hotel desk clerk. So it happened the night we tried to go to MGR was on a holiday weekend evening and the place was packed! We walked in to learn that the wait for a table would take 45 minutes. It never occurred to me that reservations is a thing in Lone Pine. We learned our lesson and came earlier the next night with a reservation. It is not a very big place, so it can fill up fast. So if you want to dine at a specific time, make a reservation and avoid disappointment. MGR has a diverse menu covering Chinese and American dishes. We dined from the Chinese side. We had hot and sour soup, tofu with vegetables, and kung pao 3 flavors (chicken, beef, and shrimp). White rice comes with dinner, but you can order fried rice instead. Soups can be ordered by the cup or in S/M/L sizes to be shared. We got a S bowl to share, which provided about 3.5 servings. It had a nice mix of vegetable textures: tofu, woodear, bamboo, carrot, bean curd, etc. The spicy soup was perfect warm up on a January night. The tofu and vegetables was just what we were looking for. A variety of vegetables (bok choy, asparagus, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage) stir fried with pieces of tofu in a light sauce satisfied our desire for veggies. The kung pao 3 flavors was a carousel of flavors in a deeply flavored sauce, spicy dried peppers, and peanuts. Everyone at the MGR is very friendly and accommodating. They really enjoy chatting with locals and the place has a cozy atmosphere. It's always nice to find a place where the locals go. MGR is a great dining option for Lone Pine. read more

Merry Go Round - L to R: hot and sour soup, tofu with vegetables, and kung pao 3 flavors - New American Near Me - Lone Pine, California

I love this place! When I first visited about 5 years ago I was delighted that the chef was able to make my hot and sour soup gluten free. It turns out that they can make most dishes gluten free, just ask! Now when I'm back in town I ALWAYS make sure I eat here at least once. The food here is also fresh and delicious. The portion sizes are generous. On a couple occasions we were able to bring leftovers back to share at camp. I wish I'm having some Merry Go Around food right now! read more

In the outback of the beyond is the freshest, most delicious Chinese food I've had. What a find! Still thinking about the meal we had. Big portions, good prices, but most of all, fantastic food. Fun decor. read more

The orange chicken was some of the best I have ever tasted. It was breaded and fried perfectly.

We had a delicious dinner at the Merry Go Round. We especially enjoyed the orange chicken and the fried rice. The restaurant is small, but charming and comfortable. It was over 100 degrees outside and we we very comfortable inside. The staff was very friendly and efficient. We didn't see the dog. He had the night off. read more

From the outside it looks sketchy, but the friendliness and warmness of the owners immediately make you feel at home. The green beans with tofu and Szechuan chicken both were solid. The owner I believe is like a grandfatherly figure walking around engaging guests with funny stories and their loving dog. read more

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My partner wanted to come here based on a write-up that mentioned the history of the building, special soy sauce, and extremely kind staff. The staff was kind, and the building was cool, but that's where the charm ended. We walked into an obese pit bull literally sitting on a chair at the table, right next to where we got seated. There had been a sign out front saying there was a "service dog" inside with a picture of the obese pit bull in question, so I guess that's helpful but calling it a service dog really stretches credulity. I'm not sure what service the dog is providing for the owner who was not present until the end of our meal, at which point he paraded the dog around the tiny restaurant to greet customers. Another customer came in with a dog, too - apparently this tiny restaurant is teetering into becoming a dog park. I love dogs. I work with animals for a living. I am a dog owner and bring my dog everywhere I can, within reason and with the explicit permission of the businesses we visit. I do NOT appreciate a poorly-behaved pit bull, kept docile by virtue of his excessive weight, slobbering on a dining table. I do not appreciate dog dander in my food. But mostly, being in a family that used actual guide dogs - as in, dogs that were specifically bred and trained for YEARS by experienced professionals to assist their visually impaired handlers all day, completely ignore food and people that try to interact with them, and to tuck themselves quietly at their handler's feet at a restaurant, I'm put off by "service dogs" just moseying around a restaurant or sitting at a table with diners. It really does seem like this dog's main purpose is to hang out and be a restaurant mascot, which sure sounds like a health code violation. Dog dander aside, the food was basically on par with what you might order at any American-style Chinese restaurant. The orange chicken had a strong orange peel flavor, so it stood out. The rice was dry. I didn't notice anything unique about the soy sauce. The other items we ordered were unremarkable. read more

Great food! Wonderful staff I would go back in a second . It's small, but excellent . I even thought the prices were very reasonable read more

This is in my opinion, the best place to eat in Lone Pine! At least is you want good Chinese food with good portions! This restaurant is on the main street with everything else, and it's street parking. I didn't find the parking particularly difficult and the traffic was light enough to pull in. When you walk up to this restaurant it's a super cool carousel shape building with a neat sign. Kind of retro! They have outdoor seating and indoor and it gets quite busy! I visited this restaurant late May and it seems that this place is popular amongst both people who live here and drive through. I ordered their orange chicken with side of rice(and I ordered the same thing a few more times), it definately hits the spot. Delicious! The service is always decent with communication. You order and they tell you when it'll be ready. Simple transaction! Anyways, I have good memories of this place when I picked up a part time Jon at the gear store when I needed a break from the snow on my thru hike! So if you're a hiker, this place is great! read more

The food was excellent and so was the service. Due to the small number of tables inside, we almost felt rushed as it seemed they were trying to move people through quickly. The wonton soup came out with our main dish, which was unexpected. But the food was good and hot, and very tasty. I'll try to post some photos of the menu, since it seems the ones I saw on Yelp were over 2 years old. Prices are higher now. read more

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Amazing food and amazing service. Ujwal was incredible-- very responsive to any and all requests. We were group of about 15 people who tried different Vegetarian Punjabi food-all really delicious. Naan was nice and soft and very tasty. Will be visiting often. read more

A wonderful surprise with great food, responsive (if over worked staff!) and a great environment. A true treasure in Lone Pine, and perhaps a victim of its well deserved success. A jammed Monday night and a bit slow on the service because the place was jamming. That said, the staff deserved kudos for performing in a high paced, high stress environment. Great folks! Hey, management, hire a busboy and/or runner! They have great food, HUGE portions, a great home made chili paste and an incredible custom soy sauce. I took home a bottle home with me. And Yes, they sell it, and I didn't "five finger" a bottle t take home. You will want one. Five outta five. read more

Great meal, friendly and fun staff, we were lucky to be in LP on a lonely weeknight, so we didn't have to wait long for a table! Cute and kitschy, but still top quality food. read more

Quirky place! Servings were quite large and food was pretty good. Nice views, but the inside was a little odd. read more

Merry Go Round - Vegetable Lo Mein - New American Near Me - Lone Pine, California

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I got takeout a few weeks ago with my family since dining out with my small children is tough right now. The food was excellent. The portion sizes are very generous, and the packaging was great. read more

Great Chinese food. big servings Great service and ambiance Can't belleve I havent stopped it before read more