Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Golden City Chinese Restaurant in Santa Cruz

4.1 (106) 1230 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, United States

Categories

Chinese restaurant
Restaurant

Location on the map

Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, California, US

Phone: +1 831-423-0688
Site: https://goldencitycatogo.com/

Opening hours

Monday:11 AM–9 PM
Tuesday:11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday:11 AM–9 PM
Thursday:11 AM–9 PM
Friday:11 AM–9 PM
Saturday:11 AM–9 PM
Sunday:11 AM–9 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.1

106 Reviews for Golden City Chinese Restaurant 2024:

Review №1

2023-04-19 09:42:24

The food here was really good! We ordered pork fried rice, cream cheese wontons, sweet and sour prawns and lemon chicken! Everything was delicious!! Our waitress was very kind, friendly and always had a smile. The atmosphere was nice, we liked all the windows with the sun shining in. We would definitely come here again. Recommend this place 10/10!!

Review №2

2023-03-04 02:00:38

Wow, just wow. Ive been going to this restaurant for years and its always been one of the best Chinese places in Santa Cruz. They recently just changed ownership and the quality took a tremendous nose dive.The lemon chicken was just awful, what was once a nice light breaded texture is now a deep fried, fishy smelling mess.The walnut shrimp was also very low quality. Way too much breading and dry as a bone. All of the meat in our order tasted very old and dry.The worst part by far was the egg rolls. For almost 5 dollars you get 2 Costco frozen isle egg rolls. Very small and pretty disgusting. A far cry from the egg rolls this restaurant used to have.I wish we saved the $70 and just went to Panda Express. Thats seriously the quality you can expect from this place, worse than Panda.People who used to go here dont. Its not the same and the value you get now is abysmal.

Review №3

2023-12-02 17:49:46

Food is great, it is well seasoned and not bland. Portions and pricing are good as well. Would highly recommend eating here.

Review №4

2023-11-22 02:24:50

I love Golden China. Their food is fresh, hot and tastes out of this world.. and they have never let me down. Ive been going here fot over 20 years. They are generous with their portion size. I always have enough left over to have another meal, the following day. Keep up the good work, and a big thank you. If you love chinese food, come to Golden China. You wont be dissapointed. I will be going there tomorrow and its all your fault. Lol

Review №5

2022-06-22 04:46:27

Old school style Chinese restaurant with mum & pop service. Great taste.Huge portions. Value for money!Loved it!Definitely coming back...

Review №6

2023-07-04 22:30:28

I got the Beef Chow mein and orange chicken. Food tasted fresh and was ready fast. This place really knows how to fry chicken period very juicy and delicious. Definitely got more meat than breading versus some other places

Review №7

2017-06-21 00:47:51

Golden City is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Santa Cruz, CA. Food is tasty, price is reasonable, and the people there are friendly. Ive been eaten there for nearly five years during my stay in UC Santa Cruz. This place is always one option for my after-hour unions.

Review №8

2023-06-18 04:33:40

Great food here. There is a pleasant, clean dining room, but not much atmosphere. So its especially good for takeout. Nice folks.

Review №9

2023-06-03 23:04:15

I did not realize they have new owners. Ive been getting food here for years and it was always good. The service was good but the restaurant itself looked like it was in the middle of an unfinished remodel. The food we got was also very bland. Unfortunately their prices skyrocketed under the new ownership and at the new prices I expect food with much more flavor. Too bad.

Review №10

2022-11-19 00:47:31

The Mongolian beef is Always Delicious just Awesome.. Its my goto when in Santa Cruz. However if fried rice is your thing this is Not the place... There is not the first onion or scallion garlic or ginger no oyster or other sauce to be found. No Flavor in the rice at all. I dontunderstand. This is why I give 4 stars not 5.

Review №11

2018-05-06 21:00:06

My General Chicken was still just dough on the outside. The chicken inside was overcooked, but I can deal with that... The dough was so raw on the outside, it was inedible. The staff are nice enough, but they couldnt really help because of the language barrier. They ended up saying that I would get the order for free next time I called... But I have no way of verifying that that will actually happen. I asked her to text me that for verification and she said she didnt know how to text. I really think when I call next time theyll have no clue what Im talking about. $30 is just a little too much for that kind of food.

Review №12

2023-03-18 04:53:17

I did not realize that Canton took over Golden City here. Golden City was excellent.....and Canton is even better! Great new menu and recipes. Those who know Canton on the East Side, know this. I am so happy, now living on the west side, to have a Canton nearby! The best Chinese in town by a mile.

Review №13

2022-09-05 23:37:06

Lady at front was nice, smaller restaurant with a family owned feel. Prices are great compared to other placer in the area. Ordered the walnut shrimp and some fried wontons, all very delicious and fresh tasting. Definitely recommend stopping here.

Review №14

2021-11-24 04:43:04

Nobody would serve us after sitting in a booth for 20 minutes. Then, when we walked out they snagged my vape mod off of the table and denied it when I came back. No hospitality and thievery as a bonus 👎👎

Review №15

2022-05-17 19:49:15

Local of Santa Cruz, absolutely love this restaurant and owners. Huge portions and always fresh and fast! Love the honey walnut shrimp and veggie options. Our go to for HOT takeout.Thank you Golden City for delicious food!

Review №16

2021-05-21 19:42:33

Crispiest generals chicken ive ever had, clearly cooked by an expert of his (or her) craft.

Review №17

2022-10-06 03:04:17

The best fried shrimp appetizer I ever had! 8 breaded crisp shrimp and every time I eat here I fall in love with this large appetizer for around. $10-12Thanks Sue

Review №18

2022-03-02 10:20:10

Most AUTHENTIC and DELICIOUS Chinese food in all of Santa Cruz, owned and operated by the most DARLING Chinese couple I’ve ever met! It’s worth going here just to admire how hardworking and absolutely LOVELY they can be!! Highly recommend coming here and trying the hot and sour soup, roasted duck, and more!! ID RATHER DIE than go anywhere else for Chinese food, I’m not kidding you. Help support small businesses by going to Golden City!!!! Their food reminds me of my childhood in Oakland Chinatown :’)

Review №19

2023-09-30 02:59:20

Always a place to sit. Great value for the eating experience.

Review №20

2022-04-22 00:59:37

We asked for more sweet and sour sauce and she brought out the whole container to serve us. She also saw my brother wiping his plate with napkins to get it clean and instead of giving us a new plate, she just asked for the napkin. After we paid she did not believe my credit card was mine so I proceed to show my ID to show her it matches the name and when she saw it matched she then lets me sign for my receipt. As we were gonna leave the parking lot, she approaches my vehicle demanding to see my ID again because she specifically says “ I need to check if it is your credit card”. I then take it out and show her and she tries snatching it out my hands TWICE!! when the first time I told her if she can please not touch my belongings. I place my wallet away because I knew she saw it already and then she asks to see it again but this time for my ID number. I told her “ I’m sorry but from I remember I don’t get asked for my ID number when I pay with my credit card?” but she kept demanding for it and did NOT step away from my vehicle . I was feeling very uncomfortable and upset and this whole scene caused us to leave over tons of left over food. I wanted to leave so I told her “ I paid the full payment, I would like to go “ and that’s when she finally leaves me alone. Terrible customer service!!!

Review №21

2022-01-12 02:30:29

Nice price on mediocre food, or at least their wonton soup was boiled to heck, rendering the veggies dead slash overcooked... Poor snow peas! However, the wontons were actually good. But thats not a dish to order if you want something good to eat. Egg roll super greasy, but tasty.Best fortune cookies ever, specifically for the fortunes. Gnomic!

Review №22

2023-03-02 21:34:49

Our first time experiencing the new ownership, and we were very disappointed in the quality of the food, portion sizes, and pricing for the portion sizes given.

Review №23

2022-02-25 00:46:45

I have bern going there since I was at UCSC. Ive been to many other Chinese restaurants but come back to this one. I prefer the taste, style and its not greasy. Even my niece who is 5 prefers this restaurant. My family go tos are monglian beef, beef broccoli, shrimp chow fun, szechuan chicken, orange chicken ( flat one), my mom really likes their sizzling rice soup.I believe its only the owners working now.

Review №24

2022-10-28 03:36:49

Good traditional West-coast Chinese-American food. The kids and I loved the orange chicken and beef and broccoli. We felt comfortable there.

Review №25

2022-10-18 19:05:18

Good solid Chinese place for a meal. Traditional dishes. Yummy full portions. Many years serving Santa Cruz families and customers.Give it a try!

Review №26

2018-09-01 04:50:36

Familiar business with authentic Chinese plates. Eggplant we tried was gorgeous and the pad Thai was amazing. Owners are really friendly and helpful. They prepare food to go. Portions are big. Reasonable price

Review №27

2018-06-06 02:09:32

This is the most disappointing food Ive had. Got chicken chow me in, which was fine. I also got orange chicken. This is the weirdest orange chicken ever. Its a flat breaded piece of chicken fried, that looks more like KFC, and a box of sauce. What? Sesame balls were as expected. Fried want tons would have been good but the dipping sauce that it comes with was not good. SO disappointed! Never again. Ill just stick to my regular spot downtown. Oh and its more expensive than other places. Not worth it!

Review №28

2019-08-18 04:04:34

I will be honest, not the best Chinese food I have ever had, and it is by no means a fancy restaurant, but the price is fair and their speed is excellent. Perhaps the most outstanding part of the restaurant is the customer service. Depending on the waiter/waitress the English can be hard to understand.Now time for an anecdote.I went to the restaurant to buy some Kung pow sauce for a meal I was cooking at home, and despite it not being on the menu, they happily sold me it and for a fair price. But more over, they must have noticed my sweat from the bike ride over (as the day was hot) they offered me a glass of water, and to accompany my water they offered me soup, all of which was free. To top it all of they sent me home with sesame balls as a treat.

Review №29

2018-08-31 15:32:18

Been going there off and on for years but yesterday’s visit is my last.Ordered a healthy amount of food for me and my family and one of my favorite plates Mongolian beef had a funny lamb like taste in the meat.Maybe was oyster sauce or the meat wasn’t fresh but had to return it.The owner got very rude and could not accept that I was not happy with the plate.She pushed me to purchase something else and did not accept that I wasn’t buying another plate. She even said that she did not care if I ever came back to her restaurant. But that I needed to pay for the plate. ????I admit that yes I could of purchased another plate and yes sometimes mistakes happen in the kitchen but her attitude wasn’t pleasing.Never eating there again..

Review №30

2018-05-11 17:29:52

One of our favorite Chinese in town! They know how to use tofu well, everything is delish, and portions are large- always friendly accommodating staff. Love the salt and pepper eggplant or tofu... good bits of real green peppers! (just avoid a left turn on Mission St. when leaving!)

Review №31

2017-08-31 02:43:13

Wonderful food. Kind service. Ive had Chinese food all over the world. Im a Wor Wonton fan. These sweet people have been serving up some of the best basic Chinese fare available for many years. Fresh, delicious and never a pool of oil left behind on the plate. Prices are right. Menu is right. Staff are more than right. Ive been pleased since the day I moved to town 14yrs ago. Thank you.

Review №32

2019-05-29 19:49:30

OMG! This place gets worse every year. Last time I ordered dinner to go here, no one would eat it, it was so boring, bland & uninspired. Dont run a restaurant if you cant summon any enthusiasm. Ever heard of seasonings? Peppers? Spices? Fresh ideas?

Review №33

2016-04-13 00:38:47

Portions are generous and seating is spacious! I went with a large group of friends years ago and we all shared separate plates which can circulate to everyone on their lazy Susans. The food was satisfying and delicious!

Review №34

2018-06-05 04:32:46

I ordered food from their website through Deal dash. The driver gave them the wrong phone number and my order ended up being cancelled. Once I called the restaurant they figured out what had happened and offered to deliver. The food was excellent. Only issue was it ended up costing me more then it was going to be from deal dash.

Review №35

2022-03-28 04:33:31

Hands down the best Chinese food me and my husband have eaten EVER!!! Everythings so tasty and just perfect. Cant wait to go back!!!

Review №36

2019-08-11 23:50:16

Ive been eating here for a few yrs, whenever I have the chowmein (any of the different kinds)there was always large cut veggies on it..... today, just plain, no veggies, no taste. Kind of dissapointed but good food usually and will return.

Review №37

2018-06-01 21:05:06

Good prices for huge portions. Servers are super nice and speedy. Food is good but not great. Excellent place for big groups on a budget or for anyone looking for quick Chinese carry out

Review №38

2017-06-17 16:37:34

I adore the food here. It has by far the best chow mein Ive ever tasted. However Im pescatarian and multiple times now Ive found chunks of chicken and beef in my shrimp chow mein. Im never going to be able to trust their food again.

Review №39

2022-01-20 04:09:58

General chicken was awful. Dry and flavorless...my dog wont even eat it. Mongolian beef was sub par at best. This place sucks

Review №40

2021-11-29 22:34:40

The place doesnt look like much, but the food is inexpensive, tasty and plentiful. I cant stop ordering the kung pao tofu.This is the former site of Saturn Cafe.

Review №41

2016-12-28 01:37:52

Great deal, filled ourselves and got like a weeks worth of leftovers for less than $30 for two people. And their Sweet and sour pork was perfectly cooked. Very happy.

Review №42

2016-04-03 21:44:47

The food is sooooo good and the staff are very friendly. The walls all have large windows, so the room is filled with lots of natural light. The prices are more than reasonable and the portions are generous!

Review №43

2015-09-07 20:19:17

Love the friendly servers and the food. They will make any adjustments needed. My daughter eats chow mein with broccoli only and they make it just perfect every time.

Review №44

2021-10-21 01:50:55

Great food GREAT portions, MUST have cream cheese wontons. Beef chow mein is great! Been coming here for years never disappoints.

Review №45

2020-02-11 03:19:18

Portion was huge, tasted great and it was cheap.

Review №46

2022-10-08 00:37:33

Delicious Mongolian beef. Very generous portions, one dish enough for two people

Review №47

2018-05-29 06:46:21

I looooove Golden City. Big serving sizes, but a bit pricier. They box your left-overs for you. Staff are friendly, especially to regular costumers. Will recognize you and ask about your family and whatnot. That warms my heart.

Review №48

2022-11-18 18:18:08

Great staff and service, clean and tidy, the best place in Santa Cruz for Chinese food.

Review №49

2010-05-16 04:09:05

This place may not look like much from the outside, but the food is just great! The server are friendly and happy to help, and the prices are very reasonable. I come here frequently when I want Chinese food.

Review №50

2023-04-03 02:35:52

Excellent new ownership- great dinner! (Take out)

Review №51

2017-03-12 21:49:49

I have been coming here since I was in college. Good price, great food, and great staff.Gotta try the flat style orange chicken.

Review №52

2022-07-20 03:05:13

Great price great food it was absolutely delicious and amazing very kind people

Review №53

2021-07-25 20:22:41

The food was good, service was fast but the restaurant was run down and they had empty boxes everywhere.

Review №54

2019-05-04 21:08:26

This place is bad. The owners and staff were nice, and the lunch special prices were good, but the food here is just awful. My friends told me to stay away from this place. I should have listened.

Review №55

2019-11-15 03:58:19

Traditional Family owned Chinese food certain Specialities are best in Town like wor wonton soup and Chicken wings appetizer.

Review №56

2019-07-12 00:14:30

Food was good .. bbq pork buns were okay not out of this world .. chow mein was good and customer service was great.

Review №57

2017-07-12 20:49:02

The food got dinner fast but it did not taste amazing, and the servers were very unpleasant. Take it off your too do list

Review №58

2022-09-04 03:25:47

VERY GOOD Veg chow mein, crispy Almond Chicken is very good.

Review №59

2018-03-04 01:54:34

This place never disappoints. They are very friendly and the restaurant is clean. The food is really very good!!

Review №60

2022-01-23 06:19:39

Great, fast, well made food. Nice family run local business.

Review №61

2019-05-05 05:13:27

Going for a couple of years and love the fresh food. They are always like family when you walk in.

Review №62

2017-11-14 04:23:05

Tried this place last night and it was good. The only thing that sucked was cash only. But it is worth coming back to.

Review №63

2019-05-01 01:23:04

Love this place. Very friendly. Daniel is great! Food is perfect every time.

Review №64

2023-08-15 22:14:57

Great customer service !

Review №65

2016-06-16 01:32:59

Great stuff. No complaints! Even gave me a complementary bowl of soup while I waited!

Review №66

2017-08-16 04:23:38

Food is not that great, I had way better Chinese food. Service is fairly nice though.

Review №67

2016-08-13 08:11:12

Pleasant service! Lots of food for the money. Very tasty sauce!

Review №68

2018-06-29 04:41:20

Food was not great and they te was much expensive than the other Chinese foods. Save yourself money and time!

Review №69

2016-08-17 04:13:22

Great service and food! Offered soup while waiting. These guys are great.

Review №70

2017-04-19 15:53:58

Delicious. Ordered Orange chicken, chicken schezuan, and sweet and sour soup. Yum!

Review №71

2018-02-25 02:56:35

Just good Chinese food at reasonable prices. Family friendly.

Review №72

2017-06-03 22:37:58

Delivery: great service, fast,tastes great,reasonable prices/portions. very happy :)

Review №73

2018-08-28 19:13:16

I paid $20 for 2 egg rolls and some fried rice. It was like they made up the price on the spot I was like 🤤

Review №74

2018-06-24 20:49:05

Delicious food, great prices, awesome staff!

Review №75

2018-05-03 20:48:49

Great Food, Great Staff, always a wonderful experience.

Review №76

2019-03-10 20:47:43

Love the food! Also good customer service

Review №77

2019-06-12 00:08:29

This is one of my favorites Chinese restaurants in Santa Cruz A+

Review №78

2021-09-22 20:46:35

Aways our favorite. Hot soup and lots of flavor

Review №79

2018-11-13 04:01:10

I dont know you and maybe I never will, but I know this is what youre looking for. Very good. Fuego

Review №80

2023-07-29 18:29:03

New owner ship

Review №81

2023-02-18 00:59:51

Too much salt in your meals. 🤢🤢

Review №82

2023-03-21 17:50:35

Good place to get food to go

Review №83

2019-11-25 02:05:07

Great food. Fast and affordable.

Review №84

2017-08-22 03:12:19

Way over charged us and food was terrible

Review №85

2019-06-24 22:40:48

Says delivery but they dont deliver.

Review №86

2017-01-16 04:57:44

Great food. Great vibes.

Review №87

2018-06-04 23:42:06

This is the only Chinese food place I will go to in the area.

Review №88

2020-09-07 22:12:03

Maybe an off day but all food inedible

Review №89

2016-06-06 04:49:14

Best fried rice in town!

Review №90

2019-04-09 18:15:50

Great soup.

Review №91

2021-04-04 06:53:20

Good food

Review №92

2017-10-31 05:31:39

They cook.very delicious

Review №93

2017-08-01 14:38:29

Nice people. Good food.

Review №94

2017-11-24 08:11:40

Best Chinese food on The West sid

Review №95

2023-02-08 00:02:01

Great food

Review №96

2023-02-22 22:27:27

New ownership 👎

Review №97

2019-06-14 14:33:21

Never eat here.

Review №98

2019-10-13 22:38:50

Great service.

Review №99

2020-06-09 00:26:14

Nice

Review №100

2016-02-29 21:24:20

Best place in town.

Review №101

2018-04-03 21:54:44

The Best in Santa Cruz

Review №102

2021-11-16 00:51:19

Excellent.

Review №103

2023-12-12 12:40:43

No longer Golden City. Their chef was much better. Chow mein was not good.

Review №104

2022-01-30 06:05:35

The food is good, the problem is the service. If you go and order 3 meals, I think they should give you 3 sauces. At least I went and ordered food for 3 and I asked them for 3 sauces and they told me its a dollar more. I think its ridiculous. If you are eating at their restaurant for less, they should give you the sauces, I think thats all.

Review №105

2017-03-25 17:17:43

Very delicious food, everything very delicious at a good price

Review №106

2018-07-07 04:43:46

The food is very delicious, you could see it going 😀