Mencius' Gourmet Hunan Restaurant

We had a delicious lunch today! Thanks to Ernest for the great food recommendations and friendly service. 🙂👍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very tasty food with quick and great service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

This was good food! I do think the staff could be a little clearer. When offered a drink, I asked a question about options (I can't recall what I specifically asked at this time) and was told they only had iced tea. I thought it was weird but said OK. As I looked at other tables, I saw that they had other options than sweet tea. The tea is gross and unsweetened on top of it. I asked to replace it with a sprite. The waitress kindly made the change and did not charge me any additional, but if you have options, why tell me that you don't? It felt unclear whether or not the waitress fully understood anything I had said until she came back with things. Maybe I didn't understand her? Other than the sweet tea mix-up, everything else was good. The prices are reasonable; the portions are sizeable. The location is clean, but the decor could use some modernization. I'd leave the rest and take the food!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 4

Love the food and Aaron is the best!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Aaron was Fabulous! On point for service. Above amazing service. The food was superb!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great quick lunch again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My experience at Mencius was truly outstanding, and it definitely deserves a full five stars. From the moment I walked in, everything felt warm, welcoming, and organized — but the real highlight was the food. Every dish was absolutely delicious, full of rich flavor, and clearly made with fresh ingredients. You can taste the care that goes into their cooking, and it shows in every bite.

What really impressed me was the lunch special. It’s not only a great value, but the portions are generous and satisfying. You get a full, flavorful meal without feeling rushed or shortchanged. Everything came out hot, well-seasoned, and perfectly balanced. It’s the kind of lunch that leaves you full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

The staff was friendly and attentive, making sure everything was just right. Even during busy hours, the service stayed quick and smooth. The atmosphere is comfortable and clean, making it an easy spot for both a quick lunch or a relaxed sit-down meal.

Overall, Mencius delivers on all levels — amazing food, great prices, and a lunch special that’s hard to beat. If you’re searching for a delicious, satisfying meal that feels homemade and authentic, this place should be at the top of your list. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates good food and great value.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The is to live for. Everything I have eaten has been very pleasant to my palate. A great place to if you like Asian cuisine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lemon Chicken Triple Delight, Hot and Sour Soup

Today was my first time having lunch here at Mencius because I happened to be in the area to run some errands 🏃‍♀️! I was really hungry 😳! So I figured I would stop by and try this place since I was already in this plaza. Being Chinese myself, I have tried many authentic Chinese restaurants in Southern California, where I grew up. I have to admit that I wouldn't consider Mencius to be authentically Chinese food, but more Americanized Chinese food. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give a 4 for the food quality itself, but a 5 for the excellent customer service 🌟🙂!

Overall, my lunch special of the Triple Delight (3 kinds of meat 🥩 🍗 🍤) was delicious 😋 and came with a refreshing iced tea 🍹and a yummy egg roll 🙂! But I also ordered the wonton soup 🍜 and the crab flavor cheese puffs 🦀 🫕 in addition to the lunch special ☺️! Bret, the waiter who took my order, was really friendly and courteous and recommended the Triple Delight 😃! He was really awesome 🤩 and kept checking 👀 on me, asked how the food 🥘 was, and refilled my iced tea 🍹 multiple times 😃! Although I came here on my own, this restaurant has a fantastic ambiance 💫 for great conversations 💬 with family 🥰, friends 🙂 and colleagues ☺️! I think coming here on a weekday was perfect 😃👌! Although, because I came solo and right before the lunch crowd, I was seated right away. I noticed there was a line and people waiting after I finished my lunch. So I can imagine that the weekends might get packed here 😬!

For anyone who wants to check out 👀 this restaurant, or is craving Chinese food 😋, I would still recommend this place 😃👍! All of the employees are really friendly 🙂, courteous ☺️ and helpful 😃! And Mencius is still a fantastic dining experience 🥡 🥢 😋!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We have been eating lunch here for years and it is always delicious.

Atmosphere: 4

Service: 5

In San Antonio for an upcoming surgery. Hubby and I wanted good Hunan, and ordered for the first time thru DoorDash. Had the egg rolls SUBLIME! The specialty fried rice, DELICIOUS! Hubby had the chicken in garlic sauce, and licked the bowl clean! He thought his fried dumplings were DIVINE! Would recommend this to dine-in or delivery! Thanks for a great meal!

Food: 5

Visiting area. Wasn't sure what to expect. Solid lunch options. Excellent value. Will return!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Buyer beware! It is your typical American Chinese fair. It is not Hunan. It is Fujian cuisine. Ordered garlic chicken spicy, but it came back with sugar sauce and uncooked vegetables from the mushrooms to the carrots to the water. Chestnuts were all raw and covered in sweet sticky sauce. The chicken was overcooked and dry. Asked for steam rice and I got fried rice. She said she would bring steam rice back, but she never did so we got up and left. My mom had a pad Thai, but it was not pad Thai. It did have rice noodles and bits of peanuts, but it tasted like dish, water, and the peanut dipping sauce you get for spring rolls. Her shrimp were a bit off tasting like they had seen their last day yesterday. Lots of people there And they do not have a buffet anymore just to let you know, even though they’ll try and convince you that they never had a buffet and even argue that point. Thumbs down.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 2

The dining room was clean, the waiter was attentive but not overbearing, the food was delivered quickly, and it was hot and very delicious. It was my first time there; it will not be my last!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Been eating here since 1992. The only thing I could eat during my 2nd pregnancy. We live in the Windcrest area and drive across town to pick up. Always the same order, family dinner for 4. The price has increased since our last visit, which I understand. However the increase isn't a few dollars or even $10... It's $27 more ...another person. Okay okay, I love this place so I ordered. Was asked for phone number and what kind of soup and told 20 minutes. Reception was not pleasant but cashier was. Asked if this was everything because I usually receive 2 large bags, not a large and a small...yep. 26 minute car ride home ( for the last 6 years ) while our stomachs ate themselves from the delicious smells! Unload the bags and the foodbcontainers are smaller for sure. The first thing my son said was I thought you went to Mencius. The food was good, but something was off for sure. The only things consistent were the soup portion and the rice flavor. Completely consistent, we've never been disappointed in 32 years.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5