Sometimes looks aren’t deceiving. What you see outside the Golden City Chinese restaurant parallels what you’ll eat indoors. (For those who may not know about Golden City, it’s the building at the corner of Mulberry and Green that looks like someone began knocking it down only to get bored and forget about it.)
Is anything as inviting as a dirty awning faded by the elements?
I’ve heard the food is hit or miss, that it sometimes tastes like it’s been tanning under the heat lamps for a few days. I didn’t get that impression on my trip, but I heard the sentiment from the lips of a regular (who seemed to be okay with spotty service), so I’ll take it for what its worth. The interior was infinitely cleaner than I anticipated, almost as pristine as a real restaurant. The cashier, who by my count spoke no English, wore a classic tee shirt that read: TO DO LIST: POPULAR CHICK (CHECK), RICH CHICK (CHECK), EASY CHICK (YET TO BE CHECKED). Get it? His to-do list is different women! He’s going to do them! Seriously, though, how is it the only people I ever see wearing shirts like that (outside of a NASCAR race) are people who probably don’t understand how inappropriate their tees are? I’m still crossing my fingers for the day my ancient, foreign grandmother wears a shirt that says “Do I look like a fucking people person?”
Whoa, let’s get back on track. Uh, foreigners… tee shirts… the Asian guy… Golden City… ah yes! The food. It’s what you’d expect from a Chinese restaurant: lo mein, wontons, chicken and broccoli, General Tso/Gau/Tau chicken, chicken and broccoli, beef and broccoli, yellow or white rice, et cetera. You get the idea. Egg rolls were conspicuous by their absence (How the hell do you not have egg rolls?), and I discovered coconut chicken, which was… different. Doused in a thick, creamy white sauce, I found myself just a tad turned off on sight alone.
Plate 1 was unavailable for comment, but Plate 2 included all this. The bottom center of the photo shows my favorite item on the menu, Chinese sausage and peppers.
Plate 3, featuring obligatory vegetables and the mysterious coconut chicken (far left), which looks like a glazed donut.
Three plates went by without incident, and I’d go so far as to say it was all good on the way in, especially considering the $6.50 all-you-can-eat buffet price. The exit – 30 minutes later – was much more violent.
I just wanted to post this photo somewhere.
So that bulldozer that started razing the building finished the job elsewhere: my stomach. If you want to press your luck, see the info below:
Golden City
58 Green Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 242-2020
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:35 am
Why is that craphole still standing?
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
WOW Quade, I would love to taste some of your homemade Coconut Chicken saucse!!!! I hear its to die for!!!
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
I think you need to get Grandma that shirt….
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 am
That type of “exit” is common with Chinese Buffets…but at $6.50 it’s worth it.
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:53 am
Oh my god, T… YES! Merry Christmas, Gram!
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 am
I definitely steer clear of the Chinese Buffets due to the aftermath, but I enjoyed the picture of the mice in Chinese dress. . . interesting.
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 am
Won’t be going there but there is a Chinese place on Commerce St (near Airlie) which is decent. Avoid the buffet and have one of their lunch menu choices ($5-6) which they prepare to order. There is also a selection of more authentic Chinese dishes which are similarly priced (squid, cabbage, tofu etc)
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:39 am
Thanks for the tip, track5. I’ve seen that place, and it looks as equally sketchy as Golden City. But if someone recommends it and hasn’t died of dysentery, I’ll give it a whirl.
Oh, and Marv95, why is it standing? Because people actually GO THERE! I’m as flabbergasted as you, but every table was in use when I went last week.
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 pm
What’s up with the dressed up mice???
I too would like to see your granny with a shirt like that!
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Quade, it does look as sketchy and will not win any interior design awards, but it’s close to Gateway and decent. (As is the buffet at the Food Court just up the street.) Again, not a strong recommendation, but haven’t seen any EMT trucks outside and it is still open for business. (Unlike the brew pub which was to have opened last month – still waiting…)
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
People went to the bodega across the street from it on Mulberry and that was torn down. This should be no different. There’s already a Chinese joint on Commerce, which is less sketchy, so what’s the need for this one?
It looks like Kosovo.
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
i’ve only ordered delivery from them, and it’s been good. i have celiac disease which means no wheat (which means no soy sauce, brewed with wheat) and golden city has always been excellent about doing steamed rice, broccoli and what seems to be boiled chicken – no soy sauce, no seasonings. My girlfriend loves the wonton soup (obviously i can’t try it). The lesson here might be to avoid buffets and stick to single portion orders. Delivery orders also tend to come with a free ‘bonus’ can of soda or egg roll (they do have them for delivery).
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Why does Google Maps always indicate Newark Airport right near city hall??
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Are there any good chinese take out in the Ironbound?
Please not the one on Ferry Street near Penn Station, I hate that place.
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Seriously, what’s with Google trying to move the Airport into the J&L parking lot? I had a few brews and went there 3-4 weeks ago and it was Godly…that is of course after a few pints. I also ordered to go and avoided the buffet.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
This joint should be bulldozed down, it is prime land for a bar/restaurant.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:22 pm
This was funny as hell. But you know better than to eat Chinese food from any place except one that’s been recommended! I never see Chinese people eating Chinese food in 99% of those places…(LOL)
You should put people onto the buffet in the Gateway “Kingdom” (the little place that’s a few steps away from the starbucks/hilton)…there’s actually decent food to be had in there….wait, is that a buffet or cafeteria?
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
WHY WOULD YOU EVER GO HERE?
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:29 pm
I’m with Ziggy – is there really any good Chinese food to be had in Newark? With all the great restaurants here if find it weird that I’ve yet to find a decent Chinese place.
November 4th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Seems like the general consensus from everyone is to stay away from buffets in general…
track5, thanks again for the heads up. I’ll check that place out one day.
November 4th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
The place in Gateway near Hilton is called Metro Cafe. It’s a buffet, deli and pizzaria. Good quality and always busy. There’s also a very nice cafe/restaurant in the lower level of the legal building. That’s the dark red brick tower on Raymond Blvd connected to Hilton by walkway. The cafe can be accessed from the street too.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I don’t want to knock all buffets thought. There is something about conducting that rediculous contest where friends see who can plow through 3 or mor full plates of cruddy Chinese food…
November 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I’m sorry but I’m with Quade on this one. All the Ironbound Chinese Places suck. You know when a Chinese Place is good is when it’s packed with Buisnessmen, Lawwyers, and Police officers. I have never seen a place packed like this one and it’s clean believe it. Mandy they women who owns it runs it with Authority she is not to be messed with and makes sure everyone is happy and the cooks keep that place spotless. Easily the best Chinese Food place in Newark best park they deliver to the Ironbound!!! For all the Naysayers shut it until you have actually tried it and buffet there is amazing and cheap. Great Gem Quade as usual.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Anytime you set foot in a CHinese buffet, you’re in for a few surprises here and there. Looks like you got every one imaginable at this place!
November 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I’m surprised it’s taken this much time since I started reading these posts for you to get sick from something. Kepp’em coming though!
November 9th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I typically will eat anything and Newark has it’s gems but man I have defintely found some combos that have sent me flying to the toilet.