Mayflower Restaurant

This has been my new go to Dim Sum shop since the infamous Happy Chef closed.  I know I am a gweilo, but I was a well recognized one at that by the Happy Chef staff.   Is this as good as California, Toronto or Vancouver?  Most likely not.  Do they do a good job and provide excellent value?  A resounding YES.  The worn carpet and furniture along with the dirty lobster tanks in front will scare off the less daring.  Let them run off to Mayflower's prettier counterparts Ming Hin and Cai in the newer plaza.  And for those who venture forward, await plump and succulent delicacies of the Guangdong region.  The Dim Sum servings are large, hot and tasty.  The ambiance is warmer and more traditional than the very austere Happy Chef, but the prices are comparable.  As I would tell the squeamish, if the food is hot, don't concern yourself with the decor.  You are here to eat, drink tea and of course chat with your friends around large round tables.

This review only pertains to afternoon Dim Sum.  I have never been there for dinner.  English and forks do not appear to be an issue for the staff.  As is many times the case in Chinatown, service is on an on-call basis.  You don't call, they don't come.  Get it, got it, okay!

Group of 8 people. The waitress kept ignoring us and they forgot two of the di
shes ordered. One of the dishes we did receive was incorrect. Unlike most times, the tea was watered down or maybe it wasnt green tea. not sure. We left no tip and one of the waitresses had the nerve to smack around the dishes afterwards and pour tea on the table out of what I'm guessing was frustration. Bizarre experience. No one apologized for forgetting two orders. i used to love this place. A major problem is the fact that one of the two waitresses didn't understand us at all when we tried explaining the lack of good service.

This was the first dim sum I tried since moving to Chicago.  I'm originally from the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles, essentially an area extremely populated with cantonese-Americans.  In other words, I have had exceptional dim sum.

Had I reviewed this RIGHT after I had eaten here, I would have rated it a 3-star.  However, I have been to dim sum twice in Chicago post-eating here, and Mayflower's food is superior compared to that of the other experiences.

First and foremost, don't expect to be impressed by the decor.  As other reviewers have remarked, the bathroom is no picture of perfection.  However, that's the case with most "real" Chinese restaurants, so it doesn't phase me.

On to the food.  Pretty straight-forward dim sum, with okay selection.  I still miss places with the little carts, but I'll settle.  I was a little disappointed that they didn't serve their full menu until a little later in the morning; because dim sum is traditionally served for breakfast, I went early.  I was hoping to order a few entrees to bring back home, but their entree chef had not yet arrived. boo.

The prices.  Okay, I know Chinatowns are always marked up with prices (blame it on being a tourist trap), but I'm used to dim sum being between $1.50-3 a plate.  I'll survive.  Plus this place is cheaper than Minghin.

The staff.  So the moment I got to Mayflower, I headed for the restroom.  My non-Chinese looking friend sat at our table, and when I got back, he told me that they brought tea.  Given that dimsum is basically tea time, I was a little disappointed at the lipton they sat at the table.  The moment the staff realized I was Chinese, I was asked what kind of tea I wanted, a courtesy not extended to my friend. The whole time we were at the restaurant, I was the only one addressed - I attribute this to the language barrier.