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Golden City

Posted by Geeky Swedes on August 11th, 2008


Golden City (Chinese)
5518 20th Ave. NW (map)
(206) 782-6809

Yelp.com: “If you want something fancy and cutting edge, don’t go here. But, if you want good, consistent ‘comfort food’ Chinese then this is the place to go…”
SeattleWeekly.com: “The restaurant at the Ballard Golden City is simply a front for the lounge…”

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (48 votes, average: 2.85 out of 5)

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  • Elltaes
    I would be shocked if the food here drew anyone in. Not that I have had it mind you....I was always under the impression that a seedy lounge solely occupied the space and sign never got changed. Guess I'll have to check it out.
  • Rudy
    Elltaes... don't go alone... strength in numbers, strength in numbers. I have seen great 'seediness' around that place. Best of luck.
  • m
    Seediness? Understatement - this is a crack lounge with mediocre food on the side.....
  • John
    I love this place! While some may think it is seedy, the people who run it are actually very friendly. The service is always quick, good portions, and good quality American-Chinese.
  • JD
    I walk by this place daily, eat here about once a month. (really how seedy can a place half a block off market REALLY be?)

    We've always found the food good for american style chinese. The staff are very friendly, good service, and honey walnut prawns are really good.

    It is what it is...cheap decent chinese. Don't overthink it.
  • ahb
    Agreed with JD. Sad that good ol' fashion bar regulars are considered seedy in the new "Ballard's the new Belltown" Ballard. BTW, this is the only place I've been where someone has bought a round for the bar.
  • m
    wow ahb - you don't go to many neighborhood bars around Ballard, do you?
  • Lin
    I have never been inside the place but have had delivery from them a few times. Not top notch Chinese food, but definitely not bad either.
  • new2bllrd
    People need to recolize! This is a seedi (ey) (y) ahh what he hell_ _... Chinese joint. Come on..who hangs at these places in the lounge anyways? ooops me. But really, the food is american chinese greezy wheezy and the drinks are stiff and cheep! Just did my first tour on Christmas (yes I have a wife and kid; but they left on their own accord) and I almost had to correct a local. But this is expected. Merry Christmas and God Bless the "crack smore" that was so kind to me. Feliz Navidad!
  • SushiLush
    Cheap Chinese food = good. I also second that it's the only bar that I've been to that someone bought a round of drinks for everyone. Sweet!
  • Trix
    Good, cheap food. Good, cheap drinks. Yeah, it's a little seedy. I mean, it's not Lombardi's. But I've never been hurt in there. In fact, people in there are pretty friendly.
  • nwkitty
    Food was okay, but if you have your order delivered, check your order before they leave. 95% of my orders were wrong. I always ask for steamed rice and they would give me fried. They could never remember the correct soup. The final straw was when I noticed they kept rounding up the bill after the tax was added on.

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