I will be hosting a family dinner (8-10 people) and would like to get referrals for a good but affordable chinese restaurant between Carpinteria and Goleta. Edhatters have an suggestions for me? Many thanks in advance!
COMMENT 162851P
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2011-04-11 10:52 AM |
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Red Pepper in Goleta - you will probably have to call in advance for them to accommodate a group of that size but they are very affordable and the most authentic.
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COMMENT 162854
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2011-04-11 10:53 AM |
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Shanghai on Milpas - we think it's the best in town
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COMMENT 162855
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2011-04-11 10:55 AM |
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Panda Express...Everyone loves it and they serve nice amounts for around 24-27 a tin.
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COMMENT 162856
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2011-04-11 10:56 AM |
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Schzuen on La Mesa is also really great but they tend to be pricier...
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COMMENT 162858
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2011-04-11 10:57 AM |
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Red Pepper is good, i agree with first comment
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COMMENT 162861
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2011-04-11 10:59 AM |
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Red Pepper or Mandarin Palace. everything else pales in comparison!
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COMMENT 162863
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2011-04-11 11:02 AM |
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Mandarin Palace at Five Points. Too bad about the inadequate parking lot though, it's one of the worst in the city.
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ANEMONEFISH
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2011-04-11 11:02 AM |
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Red Pepper is great. Also consider China Pavilion on Chapala at Anapamu. Easy access off 101 via Carillo. Might have an easier time with a group.
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COMMENT 162865
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2011-04-11 11:04 AM |
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Empress Palace..the best!
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COMMENT 162873
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2011-04-11 11:15 AM |
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Panda Express is gross! I've heard good things about Red Pepper but never tried it. Our family always goes to Madam Lu's on State St (at Ontare). They have a nice large table in the back room that is family style with a lazy susanne in the middle.
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COMMENT 162875
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2011-04-11 11:17 AM |
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Madame Lu on State near Las Positas. Much better than China Pavilion. Big round tables in the back.
Isn't Red Pepper Thai? Used to be.
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COMMENT 162880
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2011-04-11 11:26 AM |
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What type of Chinese food are you looking for? China is a big place, lots of different cuisine.
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HDB
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2011-04-11 11:27 AM |
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China Pavilion is great for groups- they have a private room and the food is delicious. Red Pepper staff is kind of rude, in my experience.
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COMMENT 162885
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2011-04-11 11:34 AM |
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Madam Lu on State - good food and cheaper than Mandarin Palace and China Pavillion, and just as good.
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COMMENT 162892
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2011-04-11 11:45 AM |
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Shanghai on Milpas is our favorite go-to Chinese place. Always easy, dependable, reasonable.
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COMMENT 162895
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2011-04-11 11:52 AM |
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Important question....are you hosting this dinner at home or do you want to go to the restaurant? If you are taking out the food then I highly recommend Wings on Hollister, near Modoc. Wings has a very small and uncomfotable seating area , though.
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COMMENT 162896P
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2011-04-11 11:53 AM |
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I love Madam Lu's on State. Haven't tried any of the others.
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COMMENT 162900P
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2011-04-11 11:55 AM |
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Mandirin Palace at five points
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COMMENT 162902
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2011-04-11 11:58 AM |
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I thought Madam Lu's was good, until I started trying other places in town, and there is a quality difference. you can do better. Red Pepper's quality is almost tops in this town and they treat you like family, I got a togo order and I got a HUG when I left with my food. Red Pepper is the bomb!
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COMMENT 162909
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2011-04-11 12:10 PM |
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Rude at the Red Pepper, I doubt that.
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COMMENT 162919
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2011-04-11 12:25 PM |
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Shanghai is awesome! Really good vegetarian food as well (ask for the vegetarian menu).
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DELILAH
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2011-04-11 12:33 PM |
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I recommend Uncle Chen's in Carpinteria. They have all the favorites, super yummy, friendly people and the place is nice for a sit-down dinner if that's what you have in mind.
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COMMENT 162927
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2011-04-11 12:52 PM |
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I feel for Chinese restaurants. They use to be the only ethnic cuisine destination (French food does not count, and Mexican food is as original to this area as can be). Now there is so much competition, and of course, Thai food grew wildly in popularity. Do folks still by and large love a good Chinese food meal, or have most of you switched to Thai, Sushi and other cuisines? When I was in college in 1980, my friends and I ventured to a very dicey South Central LA neighborhood to have a rare, hard-to-find thing called THAI FOOD. Sure is fun to have felt like a gastro-pioneer back in 1980! Had the same pleasure investigating Ethiopian food in D.C. years back. Very yummy.
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COMMENT 162930
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2011-04-11 01:01 PM |
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Sue, the owner does hug just her regular customers. She's really sweet. I took family there that had lived in Singapore for a number of years and they loved it and identified it as authentic Chinese from a particular region. It's not upscale, but the food and the staff make you feel rich from the experience. Whomever is saying that the staff at Red Pepper is rude has a hidden agenda.
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EDHATBARBARA
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2011-04-11 01:07 PM |
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I like the China Pavilion restaurant in Montecito. Their duck dishes are wonderful and I also like their mu shu -- here's a link to their menu: http://china-pavilion.com/menu.pdf
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EDHATBARBARA
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2011-04-11 01:08 PM |
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The Siam Elephant in Carpinteria is also very good if you like Thai food. They have some Chinese dishes as well.
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COMMENT 162934
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2011-04-11 01:10 PM |
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Red Pepper, hands down, best staff.
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COMMENT 162935
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2011-04-11 01:14 PM |
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Love Red Pepper!
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COMMENT 162936
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2011-04-11 01:23 PM |
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My vote goes to China Pavillion!
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COMMENT 162941
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2011-04-11 01:34 PM |
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China Pavillion is my vote too
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COMMENT 162946
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2011-04-11 01:37 PM |
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If you are worried about impressing the rest of the family I also suggest trying a few of these places by yourself first.
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COMMENT 162952
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2011-04-11 01:51 PM |
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@162880 ??????????????????
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CHERIDIANE
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2011-04-11 02:07 PM |
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Madame Lu's on upper State Street. 3524 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105-2628
(805) 898-9289
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COMMENT 162960
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2011-04-11 02:12 PM |
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When we come back to SB, we always go to Madame Lu's now. We had tried many others, but this has good food and nice atmosphere. We used to go to the buffet on Dela Vina, but it is always crowded.
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COMMENT 162963
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2011-04-11 02:13 PM |
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Keeping in mind that online menus aren't always up-to-date, I looked up the price of a standard Chinese dish (Kung Pao chicken) to compare the local Chinese restaurant prices.
$7.50 Wings
$8.25 China Palace
$8.55 Uncle Chen's
$9.50 China Bowl
$9.75 Red Pepper
$9.95 Yen Ching
$9.95 Shanghai
$9.95 Siam Elephant (closest thing to KP chicken)
$10.95 Madam Lu
$10.95 Szechuan
$11.95 China Pavilion
$???? Mandarin Palace
$???? Empress Palace
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COMMENT 162964P
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2011-04-11 02:13 PM |
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Ming Dynasty 290 G. Storke Rd. (Next to K-Mart) (805) 968-1308. In addition to an extensive menu, they have a great buffet with Mongolian B-B-Q. The buffet would control your costs, because it is a fixed price per head and includes all they can eat.
Food is amazing. Lots of Chinese friends eat there and steered me to the restaurant years ago. Never go anyplace else.
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COMMENT 162978
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2011-04-11 02:29 PM |
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Sounds like theHIGHlander has the munchies.
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COMMENT 162986
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2011-04-11 02:47 PM |
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I second Ming Dynasty, yum.
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COMMENT 162997
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2011-04-11 03:17 PM |
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I work right down from the Red Pepper, the 2 times I have ate their I felt sick, and I am a vegetarian...
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COMMENT 163072
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2011-04-11 05:58 PM |
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Red Pepper! I love them and they love me! Every meal comes with a goodbye hug. And their veg-beef is the best in the area.
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COMMENT 163076P
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2011-04-11 06:12 PM |
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Whatever you do, stay away from Uncle Chen in Carpinteria. It's the worst Chinese food I've ever had. We gave it many, many tries but it was always awful. Last time we went, the entire family got food poisoning. Only go if your taste buds are dead and you have an iron clad stomach.
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COMMENT 163081
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2011-04-11 06:29 PM |
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Red Pepper!! You have to do Red Pepper! It's the most delicious Chinese food ever. And the lady hugs you.
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ZIPPER101
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2011-04-11 07:24 PM |
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Shanghai on Milpas especially if there's a vegetarian in the crowd. I am not a vegetarian but love many of their veggie entrées, made with soy (I think, or wheat?) and sometimes you'd swear you're eating the "real" thing. China Pavilion is quite good too, maybe a bit pricey but within the ballpark for SB. Do not judge it by its former incarnation, China Castle, which was pretty awful. First SB Chinese restaurant I visited when I moved here 20 years ago and when I saw salt and pepper and ketchup on the table I knew there was a problem. Wish someone would open a Chinese bakery here such as one finds in SF, east coast Chinatowns etc.
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COMMENT 163105P
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2011-04-11 07:44 PM |
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Being from Solvang, non-Danish, I've never been to Red Pepper, but it sounds from the comments I should go. What a "must" there? Thanks
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SBARTS
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2011-04-11 09:39 PM |
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Wings is our favorite. Great food and family run/owned.
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COMMENT 163134P
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2011-04-11 10:08 PM |
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We also like Ming Dynasty. I believe they can serve things not on the menu. Visitors from China impressed.
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COMMENT 163157
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2011-04-12 07:02 AM |
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Love Shanghai!
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COMMENT 163167
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2011-04-12 07:21 AM |
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The best thing about Red Pepper is that it is cheap, not good. Location, parking and interior ambiance are very poor.
Madame Lu has excellent food, good service and pleasant atmosphere. You and your guests will be impressed by the food and you can hug each other. The staff are busy being professional.
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COMMENT 163189
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2011-04-12 08:03 AM |
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167- Love the comment!
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COMMENT 163191P
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2011-04-12 08:13 AM |
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I'm kind of new in town and have been on the look-out for a good Chinese restaurant, so thanks everyone for weighing in. Panda Express is to Chinese food as McDonald's is to whatever your best white tablecloth gourmet cuisine restaurant is. Empress Pavilion is extremely pricey and just not very good the two times we've tried it. Madam Lu's wasn't all that great, either. I've been told Shanghai is really good but haven't been yet. China Pavilion on Chapala and Szchewan on the Mesa were okay; we'd try it again. However, I did have rave reviews for Mandarin Palace (5 Points) and can add my family's to that. We love it.
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COMMENT 163199
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2011-04-12 08:28 AM |
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At a lot of the places mentioned here (Red Pepper, Szechwan. China Pavilion) the standard American Chinese menu is just ok. If you want the good stuff you have to ask for the Chinese menu, it’s a whole different world.
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COMMENT 163208
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2011-04-12 08:41 AM |
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Szechuan in the mesa Shopping Center is great. We've been eating there for about 10 years. Food and service is great, they can handle 8 people. Highly recommended.
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COMMENT 163214P
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2011-04-12 08:54 AM |
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Mandarin Palace - nice atmosphere and they have a large table up front you can reserve. Red Pepper okay but much more basic for hosting guests. Have heard good things about Madam Lu; haven't been there.
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COMMENT 163220
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2011-04-12 09:04 AM |
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Um... I am a Chinese food freak, I mean I should probably be Chinese for how much I love Asian food. Shang Hai is easily the best affordable Chinese food in town. My boyfriend and I are trying not to eat vegetarian these days so we had all of the same stuff we always get (sesame chicken, chow mein, egg foo yung (sp?) and pot stickers) but vegetarian-style, and it was sooooo good! I love all of their food and it is hands down the best. Everything is always super fresh and hot and feels clean. China Pavillion is good but they are pricey and have more upscale entrees. Shang Hai has big tables to accommodate 8-10 people. Enjoy!!
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GRANNYFRANNY
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2011-04-12 09:09 AM |
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Red Pepper has an unusual appetizer that we loved, wish I could remember what it is called, but it's crispy and delicious.
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GRANNYFRANNY
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2011-04-12 09:11 AM |
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Oh yeah -- I remember the appetizer at Red Pepper: onion pancakes! delicious.
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COMMENT 163228
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2011-04-12 09:13 AM |
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I've been to Red Pepper a couple of times - the location is great (I love Goleta), but honestly I thought the food was pretty meh. It just seemed like your standard greasy American-style Chinese food. I like the dishes at Shanghai and China Pavilion much better.
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COMMENT 163236
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2011-04-12 09:27 AM |
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I vote for Madam Lu, there is a private dining room with large round tables, which we have used many times for our family. Service is great and the food is excellent and affordable. We have always had a good time.
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COMMENT 163239P
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2011-04-12 09:30 AM |
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ming dynasty has the best venue of all the aforementioned restaurants. nothing in town is really exceptional or authentic. good chinese food is found in areas with large chinese populations like Oakland, San Francisco and probably LA (if you can deal with the traffic and ugliness). you won't find an extensive cantonese menu or traditional mandarin cuisine in santa barbara. @ 220: if you're a chinese food freak why would you only mention americanized dishes? chow mein is about as chinese as a pizza.
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COMMENT 163252
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2011-04-12 10:06 AM |
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Whoops, I meant to say that we ARE trying to eat vegetarian right now, so Shang Hai is fabulous for that. It's on Milpas at Canon Perdido : )
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COMMENT 163253
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2011-04-12 10:08 AM |
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I've had parties before at Madame Lu. The back room has the big round tables that can accommodate your group. The food at China Pavilion is not very good.
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COMMENT 163272
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2011-04-12 11:16 AM |
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Madam Lu's on State. She has a private room off to the side and a large room in the back.
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SV-650
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2011-04-12 11:46 AM |
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Another vote for Madame Lu. I have lunch there several times a month. Delicious, very clean, very professional. A serious Chinese restaurant with excellent parking - on Upper State near Ontare.
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COMMENT 163288
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2011-04-12 11:52 AM |
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Has anyone tried Mama Lu's? Is there any relation to Madam Lu's and Mama Lu's?
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COMMENT 163289
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2011-04-12 11:57 AM |
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@JSDUCKY85 I don't know if there is a relation (I think there is), but I've had Mama Lu's delivery several times since there is somewhat of a dearth of Chinese delivery in this town unless I've missed something. It's okay. Not great, but better than Yen Ching.
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COMMENT 163307
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2011-04-12 12:53 PM |
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@SY Szechwan on the Mesa delivers.
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COMMENT 163330
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2011-04-12 01:55 PM |
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China Pavillion on Chapala @ Anapamu. I've attended large dinner gatherings there, they have a nice banquet room and a great menu.
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COMMENT 163409
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2011-04-12 05:42 PM |
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@239P... my apologies, I meant to say that I am an American Chinese food freak. But hey, I'm American so go figure. It is still good food, no matter what you order : )
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FLICKA
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2011-04-12 05:45 PM |
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Uncle Chen's in Carpinteria is wonderful. Friends from singapore loved the food. Have eaten there many times, always great! Very nice staff.
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COMMENT 163549
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2011-04-13 08:54 AM |
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China Palace (formerly Pavilion) in Montecito is much better quality than downtown. Turns out the owners are different. The Montecito chef is classically trained in Cantonese, Sichuan, and Shanghai cuisine. If you want to venture out with some traditional Chinese dishes, just ask the chef there (Raymond) to surprise you. I've done that several times and have never been sorry. His cuisine is varied, fresh, and delicious. My current faves: the salt and pepper chicken wings; the simple, yet sublime steamed sole with fresh ginger; the snow pea leaves with garlic; and the rolled tofu skins with mushrooms.
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COMMENT 164370
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2011-04-15 08:29 PM |
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shanghai all the way! love love LOVE it, never been dissapointed...
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COMMENT 409097
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2013-05-15 04:38 PM |
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I like Red Pepper the best. My friends and I are big fan of their unique lunch soup. They don't add any MSG. Dim Sum at China Palace downtown is very good also. They only serve Dim Sum during lunch time on Saturday and Sunday
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