Perseverance Pays Off

Fantastic food, family friendly ambience and attentive service—all of these words are used to describe the impression left on the customers of Ming’s Garden. Having been in America for 21 years, the owner Mingzhou Zhu opened his first restaurant in California back in early 1996. However, things were a bit difficult in the beginning. His first attempt didn’t achieve big success, and neither did his second attempt. Then came his third restaurant—Ming’s Garden, established in October, 2004 in Salt Lake City of Utah, unlike the first two it quickly became a local favorite.

The location of a restaurant is vital to its success, but picking a location is not a problem for Mr. Zhu. He had past experience in selecting locations, as he has moved his restaurant two times. Ming’s Garden stands close to several residential areas. “I haven’t put any advertisements on newspapers or on TV, or sent out any leaflets to the customers, but the number of customers has still increased. They keep on coming back time and time again and bring their friends and families here,” Mr. Zhu says proudly.

What is the secret behind Ming’s Garden’s popularity with the locals? Tasty food is certainly one reason. The menu is filled with a wide range of delicious offerings meaning customers are always able to find what they want. Hot & Sour Soup, Chow Fun, Chow Mein and Happy Family are just some of the dishes offered. Newcomers will wonder what the Strawberry Chicken, Pineapple Chicken, and Lemon Chicken taste like. Even hardcore fans of Chinese cuisine may not have had the opportunity to taste these dishes, as they were created by Mr. Zhu, who has 20 years of cooking experience. These dishes are made using jam or anything like that. The Strawberry Chicken, for example, is made of fresh strawberries, which are boiled in syrup. Then the strawberry syrup is poured on the fried chicken. According to Mr. Zhu, this sweet and sour taste appeals to many customers. The Pineapple Chicken is not only tasty in flavor, but also a feast for the eyes. Served in a halved pineapple, this dish is popular with both kids and adults. Every dish prepared at the restaurant has no MSG and is low in salt and oil. “We don’t add any MSG to the dishes because we care about our customers” asserts Mr. Zhu.

Two words that can be used to describe the decor of the restaurant would be “classical” and “graceful”. Glancing around the restaurant you will see well-arranged tables and chairs, neat and tidy. The restaurant is bathed in a light yellow light making it bright and cheerful. Entering the restaurant you might be thinking only about what you will order. But before you sit down at your table, the traditional Chinese paintings on the wall, the colorfully painted vases, and other accessories will draw your attention. You will be enchanted by this homey ambience and eager to recommend this nice place to your friends and relatives. Family parties or friends’ gatherings are welcomed here, as the restaurant can seat 100 people. In addition, the parking lot is spacious.

What’s more, you will be warmly greeted by the smiling waitress the instant you step into the restaurant. The staffs treat all the customers the same, no matter if they are regulars or not. To some extent, this explains why customers keep on coming back time and time again. They come here not only for the food, but also to chat with the staff. If you come here with a child, the staff will also make sure to attend to his or her needs.

Fans of this restaurant will be very glad to know that Mr. Zhu is planning to open another branch. The signatures dishes that they have come to love at Ming’s Garden will be offered along with dishes hailing from other cuisines. Sushi and Vietnamese cuisine, for example, will be included. Those visiting the new restaurant will be able to enjoy a wide range of dishes while being treated to the excellent service they have become accustomed to receiving at Ming’s Garden.

Summarizing his thoughts regarding how to achieve success in the restaurant industry, Mr. Zhu says, “Maintaining a good relationship with the customers is very important”. He always continues to build on this relationship and his efforts have been paid off. Ming’s Garden has become quite popular and its future looks bright.

Ming’s Garden
Location: 3640 Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106
Phone: 801-272-2091
Offers: Dine-in, Take-out
Cuisine:  Americanized Chinese Cuisine
Signature Dishes: Lemon Chicken, Strawberry Chicken, Pineapple Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken
Capacity: 100
Year of Establishment: 2004