Oriental Palace seems to be one of the more popular Chinese restaurants in Las Cruces. Although it is relatively small, it was almost full when I went. Fortunately, Chinese food does not take a long time to cook, so orders seemed to be coming out fairly quickly.

Oriental Palace does not have a buffet (I don't know where they would have room to even put one), and each order is individually prepared. I had hoped that this would result in better than average Chinese food. Even with a large list of inexpensive lunch specials and regular dinners, however, I looked in vain for anything more exciting that sweet and sour chicken or egg fu yung.

The plate I ordered was a combination with one of the items being the Egg Fu Yung. This was a thin patty that was well cooked, but it was difficult to discern any flavor other than the fried crust. The strangest part of it, though, was a brown sauce poured on top that looked like my grandmother's gravy served at Thanksgiving, but having little flavor.

The Chicken Chow Mein on the plate reminded me a lot of the canned variety I used to eat, although the vegetables were quite fresh and of good quality. It had very little sauce, though, and did not have any of the flavor I normally associate with Chinese food. Like the rest of the dinner, it was the preparation rather than the quality of ingredients that was disappointing. About one-third of the way through the dinner I began anticipating what I would be having at my next meal. The food was so Americanized I could not savor the experience as I normally do with Chinese food.

A pot of hot oolong tea or iced tea is provided free with every meal, and the overall bill was at an amount that would allow even those on the tightest budget to enjoy a Chinese meal. I think it would be stretching it, however, to say that eating here is something I would enjoy.