Hidden Gem: Golden Gate Restaurant

Primarily, these “Hidden Gems” are written by me — Tanner — but on almost every single one of them, I have been accompanied by Murat. We have written a few together, but our journey doing “Hidden Gems” only started a few months ago with our review of Ichiban. We never intended to review Ichiban that night, in fact we set out to review Golden Gate. 

Over the summer, Golden Gate experienced staff shortages which led to it being closed on Wednesday nights. Thankfully, our journey has come full circle and allowed us to dine at Golden Gate — and we even went on a Wednesday night. So, here are our expert opinions on this quaint hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant. 

Some Chinese restaurants in the United States reinforce a Western interpretation of Chinese culture that is shaped by American consumers’ perceptions. This interpretation can create a hyperreal version of Chinese culture that caters to American audiences.

Although many of us enjoy this version of Chinese cuisine very much, it's important to recognize that it may not be a completely traditional representation. Golden Gate Restaurant only appears to feed into this phenomenon in subtle ways. 

Located right next to our favorite local bar, the Blue Fox, Golden Gate is the perfect distance from campus. Year-round, there is a path that allows easy access from West Hall for students who want to walk to dinner. 

Upon entering, you are greeted with the tantalizing smell of sesame oil being stir fried, which evokes every craving you may have for Chinese cuisine. 

The booth seating provides a level of privacy for diners. The benches of the booths are comfortable, yet not so soft that they swallow you in, and their backs rise tall above patrons' heads for maximum privacy. The service was accommodating and cordial.

There was a noticeable absence of music in the dining room, which wasn’t bothersome, but music could have added to the mood. The ambiance is relaxed. Large embossed pictures of the Great Wall of China hang between the booths. Above, Chinese dragon wallpaper trim runs along the top of the wall, wrapping the room in red and gold.

As a starter, we indulged in cream-cheese wontons. The wontons were good, but the sweet-and-sour sauce is what stole the show here. It was a little bit thicker than you might find at any other restaurant, making the appetizer less messy than normal. 

We ordered the Mongolian beef as an entrée. It can only be described as “so ******* good.” We could not stop eating and we had to force ourselves to get boxes to take the portions home. Truly good food. 

We also ordered Szechuan chicken and asked for it to be prepared as spicy as possible. When the dish arrived, the server indicated that it was the hottest level. We felt that it had a decent level of spice but could have been much hotter. The texture of the breading was crisp yet tender. 

Finally, we ordered a side of chicken fried rice. The rice was warm and buttery, and the chicken-to-rice ratio was respectable.

The pricing appears steep, but when taking into account the massive portion size, you are realistically buying two meals, so it makes sense. 

Golden Gate manages to encapsulate exactly what it means to be a hidden gem. The food is delectable, the atmosphere is relaxed and the proximity to campus is unparalleled. 

If this article has done its job, you should be feeling a temptation to eat some Chinese food. We are hoping that you will act on this temptation and pay a visit to Golden Gate, although it is advised that you call first to verify that they are open.