Golden Dragon — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

I have been craving Chinese food for so long now (since my only go to place Golden Garden was sold) so I decided to go to this place. I had been warned by friends that the food just wasn't like it used to be here but I needed my Chinese food fix. So I got a dish I figured you just can't mess up. The beef with snow peas. Well, apparently you can mess it up because it just wasn't to my liking at all. I got it To Go so I know the snow peas can get a little mushy in the drive if they are cooked just right to begin with so I opened the container to let steam out and hopefully save them from becoming mushy. It didn't work, they were so mushy I didn't enjoy them at all. And because they don't put any water chestnuts in the mix the whole dish was just a bunch of mush. I don't know what they do to their beef but it tasted fishy and I do not like fish. I ended up not eating most of it. I also ordered the fried won tons which were ok, nothing great and a bit greasy. I had buyers remorse and felt I just threw $30.00 down the drain. The restaurant itself looked run down and not very appealing. I remember a long long time ago how it looked and I can tell you it doesn't look like that anymore. Looks like it's a wonder it passed inspection actually. I do not recommend this place even if no other Chinese food restaurants were within 50 miles. Now I'm going to have to try and find a new place to get my fix. I'm so upset with you Lisa and Jim (from Golden Garden) for selling my beloved restaurant while I'm...

Before I get started let me first say, I've been coming to The Golden Dragon since 1984, yeah you read that right, I've been coming here since 1984... This restaurant is a family owned, second generation run, authentic Chinese restaurant serving it's customers authentic family recipes dishes. Now like I said it's two generations of serving the best Chinese food in Orange County, now if they've been here since 1984 you know they are doing it right and the food speaks for itself, it is soo delicious 😋 You have to try their musho chicken (chicken deluxe) also if you love shrimp you must treat yourself to the Kung Pao Shrimp, crazy good no spicy heat just great flavor 😋 and try the egg rolls try the special egg rolls they used to be an off the menu item, but so many people heard of them the owners had to put it on the main menu. 😋 The staff is very friendly, there is plenty of seating and if you have to wait, trust me it's well worth the wait, you could always have a seat at the full service bar and enjoy your favorite cocktail or beer. Like I said this restaurant is old school authentic with a retro vibe and great food and very reasonable prices and serves large portions this is a good value meal for your hard earned money. Trust me you're gunna love it, so if your hungy and want great food you gotta try The Golden Dragon. Enjoy 😊 Tell them Fred Rea sent you 😉 Or Tell them Smokey...

Perhaps it was good back in the day? Perhaps? We ordered four dishes, noodle, beef, chicken and vegetables

Vegetables were good, can’t complain about them, broccoli and snow peas were fresh

Everything else was bland and disappointing.

A known fact in Chinese cooking is using baking soda when marinating beef, that should only be done a few minutes before you start the cooking process. Baking soda will tenderize the toughest meats when used properly. Very little does wonders without compromising the “quality”. However, when abused, this becomes a pasty chewable mess, even though very “tender” it clearly shows and hides the fact that no quality is being used here. The noodles just plain bad, beef and even a signature dish like the ginger beef lacked texture, flavour as Chinese cuisine is known for.

4.4 star rating on Yelp is overrated for the quality and experience, it’s sad but true, don’t be fooled, this is not it!

Service was ok, but then again, being one of three tables in a roughly 150 seat restaurant should be easy to manage considering 3 servers and a buss person, including a husband and wife duo at the door making sure that cash does not go missing!

Overall a lousy 2 stars and only because of service somewhat making an effort to make you...