Top Chinese Restaurant in National City
Golden Chopsticks Restaurant
1430 E Plaza Blvd, National City, CA 91950, United States
Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings!Yup, it’s what makes Golden Chopsticks Restaurant and its rival Royal Mandarin so popular.Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings are a staple at family gatherings in San Diego but this is the first time I dined inside the restaurant.Golden Chopsticks Restaurant is a mid-to-large sized, casual, sit-down Chinese restaurant located on Plaza Blvd and Palm Ave in National City, near IHOP and Jo-Ann’s Fabrics. Getting here via Google Maps is easy but the parking is a bit crazy. It has a shared lot between businesses - plenty of parking spaces but most are unavailable during the weekend. Consider your vehicle choice before coming here because the parking spaces are tight for large trucks and SUV’s.The ambiance inside the “private” room to the right was beautiful - open and brightly lit with natural light. I say private room because our large party took up the entire space minus 2 tables. I loved the large artwork in the back wall. Noise level is loud here.The staff were able to service our party and get all the dishes and drinks out. The tableware was neatly organized and the condiments were plentiful and easily accessible at every table.We had a preselected, family-style menu across all the tables, which included their famous Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings. It was better eating it dined-in than served in party trays at the family parties I’ve had in the past. I did, however, like the Salt & Pepper Squid (Calamari) more than the chicken. The Beef Broccoli was my favorite of all the dishes. We also ate had noodles and fried rice. While I enjoyed the dishes, the post-meal inflammation did not.Overall, it’s a decent spot for a step-above-casual-dining Chinese food. The salt and pepper dishes are addicting but I’ll probably stick to the Beef Broccoli.
Panda Express
1115 Highland Ave, National City, CA 91950, United States
Worse Panda experience ever. Me and my fiancee had just got done with a very busy day and we didnt feel like cooking. We decided chinese food would be nice. Our usual place was closed already and I suggested panda express to which she was hesitant about going because she already didnt have a good opinion on it. I vouched and said its not too bad. We get there and ordered 3 plates. They were out of the shrimp and told us itd just be 6 minutes. Which isnt a big deal but while they were making our plates they were going back and forth with employees and asking us what we wanted while making another plate for who knows who because no one else was there. Overall the way they took the order was just all over the place and confusing. Then they rung us up and we still are waiting on the shrimp. So they told us to go wait outside because of their covid rules even though san diego is a red tier now and we were the only customers in the store. I never seen another restaurant have the only customers in the store wait outside. I told them I have my 2 year old daughter with me and I rather her stay inside because she can get sick outside at night in the cold. They said no you have to go outside. I told them ok well we will be in the red car (theres only like 2 cars in the parking lot) and then they said no we cant do that you have to wait outside by the tree. I couldnt believe it. I told my fiancee to take our little girl to the car and wait for me. This was ridiculous I use to work and manage fast food when I got out of high school and this was not how you treated customers. The employees were terrible but I think it falls on poor management too. It was also embarrassing when my fiancee already didnt have a good option on panda. Sadly we will no longer be eating here and probably at any panda express for that matter.
Royal Mandarin
1132 E Plaza Blvd #205, National City, CA 91950, United States
What an incredible staple in the National City area. And youll get in and out, in lighting speed, as the kitchen and service is insanely fast.Royal Mandarin Restaurant continues to deliver time and time again with their affordable, delicious and comfort food. You cant go wrong with the Fried Chicken Wings & Chow Mein. Cant decide? Order a combination plate.Is it the best Chinese food out there? God no.Is it a solid restaurant with decent authentic Chinese food - especially in San Diego? Yes.Is it a community favorite? Absolutely.Is the food consistent? Not always. I wish.Is this place clean? Debatable and questionable.Regardless of when you visit Royal Mandarin Restaurant, youll find countless locals and hungry Yelpers dining and/or grabbing take out at this community favorite.Overall, I would recommend the Royal Mandarin Restaurant! It definitely fits the bill of the usual hole in the wall craving and Chinese spot.
China Super Buffet
3007 Highland Ave # 9, National City, CA 91950, United States
I had not been here for at least 10 years and the food continues to be surprisingly good. They have great soups and a variety of options/dishes that include seafood, chicken, beef, as one expects from a buffet. Everything is very tasty. They are not monitoring how much you eat as in other restaurants. Sushi does not disappoint. Please stay away from french fries, pizza, chicken nuggets, and mac&cheese, as these are quick fillers and not worth eating at a Chinese buffet. I will definitely come back. Price per person has increased slightly, but what has not here in Cali. Recommend.
Panda Express
3030 Plaza Bonita Rd Fc - 4, National City, CA 91950, United States
I was greeted in Spanish but they were not friendly after I answered in English. They assumed my race by color of my skin and asked me, why I never learned my language. These girls working the counter will also assume you are either paying together or separate if a man and woman are standing in line next to each other, but never asked this to groups of one gender standing in line before me. They asked me this 3x assuming me and the man behind me were a couple and the man said he wouldnt mind if I paid in a joking way. I asked the counter helpers and cashier why they assumed this, (out of curiousity) and they told me that is how they ask to make sure they are charging correctly. I calmly suggested they just ask people how many plates customers have and not make assumptions about peoples marital status. This clearly upset the two girls near the register and they got sassy with me stating that Im the only person to complain about that. They are rude, have no critical thinking skills, and lack empathy. I suggest to management they need more communication and customer service skills as making biased assumptions based on race, skin color and marital status is indeed discrimination. I have also forwarded this to corporate.
Ma Noodle House
3108 E Plaza Blvd, National City, CA 91950, United States
Ordered Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings. They were just as tasty as the big name places, but $5 cheaper. Their menu is universally a few dollars cheaper than every other Chinese restaurant in the area.They probably save on money by being a one man operation. This is a no frills, order at the counter kind of spot. But the cook was friendly and the food was prepared to order. Cant really ask for more than that.
Chowking
1325 E Plaza Blvd Ste 102, National City, CA 91950, United States
Staffs are respectful but the wanton and lauriat needs improvement . Lauriat taste old and the noodles was hard, portion was pretty small too.Siomai is good, location is convenient and free parking available on site. Store is clean and no long lines. Price is reasonable.Edit: changing my 3 star to 1 star. Definitely the worst chowking I've ever been. Instead of improving they're getting worst.Ordered online order and I have missing orders two times in a row. How inconvenient. You'd need to check your order 100x before leaving to make sure they've got everything but of course not everyone have that luxury of time especially if you're in a hurry. Curbside pick-up barely works, same as online pick-up they're most likely to just preparing your order once you're at the store.It's not really worth it coming here anymore they don't even know how to cook CHOWKING FOOD . Probably only come here for their Frozen siomai and siopao and that is. This branch needs better management .
Bistro City
1819 E Plaza Blvd #3701, National City, CA 91950, United States
Delicious and reasonably priced food. On top of it all the employees are amazing and have great people skills. My go to Chinese food restaurant in National City to dine in or take out.
Oriental Cafe
39 E 7th St, National City, CA 91950, United States
All I can say Is WOW!! I drove pass this place the day before I ate here and my thoughts were man that looks run down and ghetto. I was at the bar in the hotel ramada the next day and the bartender suggests it I laughed thinking he was joining but he wasnt. Fast forward Im in this little Chinese restaurant and the prices didnt reassure my first thoughts from the night before but boy was I wrong not only did me and my friend get their delicious dinner but we ordered food to go for lunch the next day. Point of the story dont judge a book by its cover I suggest anyone in the area to please try this amazing restaurant.
Imperial Palace
1630 E 8th St, National City, CA 91950, United States
I dont like slamming places, so Im giving it 4 stars. I didnt actually eat here because when I came in, there was a sign for CASH ONLY. I have a company credit card, so I had to leave and go somewhere else. Ill have to find another Chinese restaurant that can accept a credit card.