China Garden reopens in Frederick after 2019 fire

Mary Grace Keller, The Frederick News-Post, Md.
·2 min read

Sep. 9—China Garden is back in business.

The Frederick restaurant shuttered after a fire damaged the building in May 2019. Now, there's a new building at 506 W. Patrick St., and it had a line extending to the door Thursday afternoon.

"I've been so lucky. All my customers remember me," co-owner and manager Allen Chiang said.

It's been "crazy busy" since a soft opening Sunday, his sister and restaurant co-owner Mei Lin Chiang said.

The restaurant is so popular that community members voted China Garden "Best Chinese Restaurant" in The Frederick News-Post's Best of the Best contests in 2021 and 2020 — while China Garden was closed.

"This place is a big part of Frederick," customer Nicole DeVoe said as she waited for her order Thursday.

Orders were only available to go, and it may be that way for a little while. The restaurant is short on staff and supplies, so the menu is limited, according to the owners.

Customers did not seem to mind.

DeVoe, of Frederick, has been coming there since she was 3 with her mom. Now that DeVoe has a daughter of her own, she hopes to continue the family's China Garden tradition with her.

"We're happy to have them back," DeVoe said.

Allen thanked the customers for their patience. He hopes the wait time will improve. Mei Lin said they are looking to hire servers — it's a plus if they are bilingual.

"Thank you for supporting," Mei Lin said. "We appreciate it."

Assistant Manager Steve Trifone echoed the words of gratitude for the community.

Customers Shaunte Hildebrand, of Frederick, and Myersville resident Jeff Fulp chatted excitedly while they stood at the end of the line.

Hildebrand said she has been waiting a long time to see the restaurant return. She said China Garden's egg rolls are the best.

While the eatery was closed, she traveled to Leesburg, Virginia, in search of the next best Chinese food.

Fulp is a customer of 35 years. He was pleased to hear China Garden reopened.

"I was so happy," Fulp said. "The food's great."

The two agreed — they will be back for more.

Follow Mary Grace Keller on Twitter: @MaryGraceKeller