By Chris Yow
Editor
TRUSSVILLE — Although successful for many years, chinese restaurant Lee Garden closed its doors to make way for Mr. Chen’s Chinese Cooking to open late August of this year.
Mr. Chen’s, now with four locations, chose Trussville because of the fact it wasn’t a start-from-scratch business.
“This was already an existing restaurant,” General Manager Thomas Chen said. “We didn’t want to have to put more blood, sweat and tears into another location, but this one was already built in.
“The building was well-maintained, and they were a successful place.”
Chen says Mr. Chen’s prides itself on authentic Chinese cuisine, and not so much the Americanized version. Setting themselves apart from others is important, and they do that by using fresh products.
“Our main ideal goal is not only to put out good food, but fresh food,” Chen said. “We use as minimal canned products as possible. We try to use fresh produce or make everything
from scratch if at all possible.”
Another thing they strive to do is provide excellent customer service with their authentic cuisine.
“We are more along the line of a mom and pop, and not a corporate operation. They style we present and make our food is like we would make at home,” Chen said.
So far, sales have been a little less than average of their other locations, but that doesn’t deter Mr. Chen’s.
“We’re going to be here for a while,” Chen said.
This location joins Hoover, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery.