North China Restaurant Santa Maria Menu: What Stands Out
- 01. Complete Menu Breakdown by Category
- 02. Appetizers & Soups
- 03. Signature Entrees by Protein
- 04. Menu Value Comparison Table
- 05. Dishes to Skip According to Reviews
- 06. Specific Recommendations to Avoid
- 07. Practical Ordering Information
- 08. Price Expectations for Full Meals
- 09. Frequently Asked Questions
North China Restaurant in Santa Maria offers a comprehensive Chinese menu featuringSzechuan specialties, with standout dishes including Honey Walnut Shrimp ($18.95), Mongolian Beef ($14.95), and Pot Stickers ($7.95), while dishes to skip include the generic Vegetable Fried Rice ($8.95) and basic Egg Rolls ($5.95) which offer less value compared to signature items. The restaurant, located at 113 N Broadway since 1982, serves authentic hand-made appetizers and fresh-to-order soups with dinner sets ranging from $33.95 for two to $149.95 for ten.
Complete Menu Breakdown by Category
The main menu spans appetizers through desserts with 70+ entrees organized by protein type. All appetizers including dipping sauces are made fresh by hand in their kitchen, distinguishing North China from chain competitors.
Appetizers & Soups
- Pot Stickers ($7.95): Signature handmade pork and vegetable dumplings, six pieces per order
- Fried Wontons ($7.95): Crispy pork-filled wontons, ten pieces-better value than egg rolls
- Cheese Wontons ($7.95): Customer favorite with crab meat and special sauce, eight pieces
- Sizzling Rice Soup ($7.95 for two): Diced chicken, shrimp, peas topped with sizzling rice
- Hot & Sour Soup ($7.95 for two): Roast pork, bean curd, black mushrooms balanced with pepper and vinegar
The soup section emphasizes fresh preparation with every soup made to order, a critical quality differentiator for discerning diners.
Signature Entrees by Protein
- Honey Walnut Shrimp ($18.95): Golden-crisp shrimp with honey and candied walnuts, known as "golden mountain"
- Mongolian Beef ($14.95): Tender beef with green onions on crispy rice noodles-most reviewed dish with 44 reviews
- North China Shrimp ($16.95): Must-try hot and spicy shrimp in red-hot pepper garlic sauce
- Kung Pao Chicken ($13.95): Spicy soy-based sauce with bell peppers, onions, water chestnuts, peanuts
- North China Vegetable Deluxe ($13.95): Vegetarian delight with broccoli, cauliflower, baby corn, snow peas in white wine garlic sauce
Menu Value Comparison Table
| Dish Category | Price Range | Best Value Pick | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appetizers | $5.95-$9.95 | Fried Wontons (10 pcs) | Egg Rolls (4 pcs) |
| Chicken Entrees | $13.95-$15.95 | Kung Pao Chicken | General Tsu's Favorite |
| Beef Entrees | $13.95-$14.95 | Mongolian Beef | Black Mushrooms with Beef |
| Seafood Entrees | $16.95-$18.95 | Honey Walnut Shrimp | Salt & Pepper Shrimp |
| Noodle Dishes | $11.95-$12.95 | North China Special Lo-Mein | Vegetable Chow Mein |
| Dinner Sets | $33.95-$149.95 | Dinner for Four ($56.95) | Dinner for Two |
The dinner sets provide exceptional value for groups, with Dinner for Four at $56.95 including soup, pot stickers, two meats, vegetable deluxe, and rice.
Dishes to Skip According to Reviews
Based on 200+ aggregated reviews, certain dishes receive lower ratings due to inhomogeneous portions or generic preparation. The Vegetable Fried Rice ($8.95) lacks the complexity of the North China Special Fried Rice ($9.95), which includes beef, chicken, and shrimp.
Specific Recommendations to Avoid
- Egg Rolls ($5.95): Only four pieces versus ten Fried Wontons at same price point
- Basic Fried Rice varieties: Upgrade to North China Special for $1 more
- General Tsu's Favorite Chicken: Less authentic than Kung Pao or Orange Chicken
- Black Mushrooms with Beef ($13.95): Simpler preparation than Mongolian Beef at same price
The spicy indicator (🌶️) appears on Hunan Beef, North China Shrimp, Twice Cooked Pork, and Kung Pao variations-skip these if heat-sensitive.
Practical Ordering Information
North China Restaurant operates Tuesday-Sunday with lunch (11:00 AM-2:30 PM) and dinner (4:00 PM-8:00 PM) slots, closed Mondays. Phone orders accepted at 925-3705 with curbside pickup available.
Price Expectations for Full Meals
- Appetizers + soup + 1 main per diner: $140-$150 for group of 4
- Dinner for Two set: $33.95 (soup, pot stickers, Mongolian beef, sweet & sour pork, rice)
- Individual entree + rice + drink: $18-$22 average
- Wine glasses: $6-$10; bottles: $27-$31
The vegan options include Ask-for-vegan tofu dishes, vegetable fried rice, and vegetable deluxe with advance notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful tips and tricks for North China Restaurant Santa Maria Menu What Stands Out
What is the most popular dish at North China Restaurant Santa Maria?
Honey Walnut Shrimp is the most photographed dish with 19 photos and 42 reviews at $9.95 (lunch price), while Mongolian Beef has 44 reviews as the top-rated entree.
Is North China Restaurant Santa Maria good for vegetarians?
Yes, the menu offers North China Vegetable Deluxe ($13.95), Moo Shu Vegetable ($15.95), Almond Tofu ($13.95), and Kung Pao Tofu ($13.95), with vegan options available upon request.
What are the best value items on the menu?
Fried Wontons (10 pieces for $7.95) offer better portion value than Egg Rolls (4 pieces for $5.95), and Dinner for Four ($56.95) provides the best per-person cost at $14.24 including soup, appetizers, and three entrees.
Does North China Restaurant serve alcohol?
Yes, they offer red wine (Bell Town Cabernet, Susan Fields Cabernet), white wine (Estancia Pinot Grigio, KLJ Chardonnay), domestic beer (Budweiser, Coors), microbrews (Blue Moon, Sierra Nevada), and imports (Kirin, Heineken) with glasses from $6-$10.
When was North China Restaurant Santa Maria established?
The restaurant first opened its doors in 1982 at 113 North Broadway, Santa Maria, and temporarily closed during the pandemic before reopening in May 2020 with curbside service.
