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Guangzhou Restaurant
Rating Details »
Categories: Chinese, Beer, Wine & Spirits
Neighborhood: Inman Square1220 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617) 547-6368
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
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17 reviews for Guangzhou Restaurant
I had my reservations about this place when I walked by it the first time - it seemed kind of empty and foreboding, but my chinese roommate said it was decent food. So, continuing on my quest to try every restaurant in Inman Square, I ventured in one night in search of cheapish Chinese.
The menu is split up by ingredient, as most are, though they have special sections for combo-meals, Szechuan dishes, and lunch specials. The special combos are, IMO, the way to go. I ordered the #5, which was short ribs, bbq, teriyaki, crab rangoon, and chow mein for about $13, a pretty good deal for a good amount of food. The key is to call in and order ahead of time, and just come in a pick it up, but as it was a spur-of-the-moment decision I placed the order and sat down to wait at the "bar." Fortunately, the hostess was a pleasure to chat with, and in-between taking orders and serving patrons we talked about the restaurant and the neighborhood.
Enough food came out of this order to make two decent meals. I found the rangoon and all of the meats to be quite well made and tasty, but the noodles were lacking a bit - possibly the sauce on them was not very good, maybe too much soy sauce? Not sure, but once I put some of the honey-sauce I got for the bbq chicken on the noodles they got better. They were also delicious the next day when I stir-fried them up to reheat.
I'll go with a 4-star rating, because the food and price were good and the hostess was extremely nice, but it's certainly not the best Chinese I've had in Boston, let alone ever.
I'm not really sure what to make of this place. The food was kind of mediocre. I ordered chicken with broccoli - nothing exotic at all and the taste and presentation was not quite right. They also don't offer brown rice, which is annoying. I don't think I would order from here again.
Maybe it's me but when my bill comes to nearly $20 for just me I expect the food to be spot-on.
This was nowhere near that.
I always try a few basics from a new (to me at least) place: rangoons and lo mein. Neither here were very good. The rangoons while plentiful (seriously there were a TON) were basically inedible after two. If you can't fry cream cheese up and make it tasty you have issues.
The lo mein was a tangled mass of noodles drenched in sauce with a reasonable amount of veggies in it. The mushrooms seemed canned which added a strange texture to the dish but it was the copious amount of soy sauce and presumably MSG that ruined this. I felt like I had made out with a salt lick and was in a sodium haze the rest of the night.
I would like to try this place again to see what else may actually work for me but the cost seems well out of line for that. It's a shame that it is so difficult to find yummy Asian food on this side of the river.
Good basic American-Chinese food.
Only thing is, avoid the lo mein, it's not that great.
The rice is good. The dishes are good. Tastes fresh. A little greasy but all American-Chinese food is... this place is definitely less greasy than average.
Friendly workers inside. I've only done takeout tho.
4 stars, it's def better than I expect out of most Chinese places.
I heard that this restaurant came under new management recently, which is definitely a good thing. I remember ordering food here about 1 1/2 years ago, when I first moved to the neighborhood, and it was truly the worst Chinese food I had ever ever EVER had. Seriously, ever.
Things seem to have turned around for GuangZhou, because after reading all of these yelp reviews, I figured I'd give them another chance. Glad I did - the food is MUCH better and fresher than it was before. The wonton soup was amazing, with huge cuts of pork and tasty little dumplings. The beef and broccoli was a bit bland, but not too greasy or oily at all. My boyfriend seemed pretty happy with his food too.
It's nice to see that GuangZhou seems to have finally gotten their shit together. Maybe now I won't have to order my Chinese food from Somerville all the time!
I was suckered into this place because the smell of Chinese food was overwhelming and awesome.
The decor is charming; Chinese three-paneled screens and landscapes give this place a family-owned business feel. We thought the food would be pricey(Pu Pu Platter for two is $22), but the portions are huge, and well worth it. Also, beer- including TsingTsao and Harbin- is only $3.50.
Adding to the neighborhood feel, a few crazy kids from Neutrino, an Improv Boston group, film here on weekend nights.
Definitely not the most amazing Chinese I've ever had, but there was a fresher quality to this food than other "American Chinese food" restaurants. Our waitress was seemingly new - or at least very un-used to having customers, for it took a while to get served, get tea, and get water. But she was very nice and quick to bring out the food after we finally ordered. The General Tau's tofu is good - not too greasy. The orange beef and chicken were also good, though I'd choose the chicken over the beef. Decent serving size and prices.
When I moved to Inman Sq 2 years ago, I spent all day moving my stuff and unpacking. When I was finally done I was exhausted and STARVING. Of course, I didn't have any food in my new place and was ravenously hungry, so I pounded the streets of Cambridge in search of cheap takeout. This hole in the wall seemed like it would do the trick, so I ordered some food. I don't remember what it was, but knowing me it was a spicy chicken dish and some hot and sour. I took it home and ate it, and then got in my car to head to my then bf's house. I wasn't feeling well but figured hey, i'm just tired from packing, my stomach ache will go away. But it kept getting worse, and fast forward to me pulling off of a busy street to vom chinese food which didn't taste good the first time, but tasted acrid the second.
Maybe things have changed since then, I don't know. But my rule is if your food makes me spew, i'm not giving you another chance.
I've picked up food to-go from this place a few times and can now confidently echo the other reviewers' opinions about this place so far:
Guangzhou IS in fact a pleasant place that makes food that tastes good and at the same time leaves you with the feeling that you have done something good for your body---Guangzhou's food DOES in fact seem to have much much less greasiness and heaviness than your standard cheap and heavy Chinatown food (which is delicious in its own right-- don't get me wrong). I really have no idea whether this makes it more or less authentic/traditional? And yes the staff IS totally nice and tries to remember your name and such.
Also important: With most dishes, you have the option of getting a half-order...NICE!
I am really impressed by this place. I wasn't expecting very much from its rather plain (as in unattractive) orange and white awning and uninspiring decor, but damn the food is good. If you don't like your chinese food too gloppy, this is the place to go! I've eaten in once, and ordered out once, and both times were surprisingly tasty. I have only one complaint -- the shrimp with black bean sauce, when ordered out, was disappointingly broth-y. It was more like (delicious) light black bean soup with shrimp and veggies than shrimp and veggies with black bean sauce. I should have had it over a lot of rice.
Overall, highly recommended.
I ate here for the second time a couple nights ago and have to say I really like Guangzhou! The menu is all pretty standard chinese for americans, but everything I've had has been superb- probably the best I've had in Cambridge.
Both times we've been the only people eating there, but with a somewhat steady stream of people picking up takeout orders. Also, many of the people picking up food seemed to know the owner/host/ess personally, probably from repeated visits to get food. A good sign, in my opinion.
I was curious about the previous (Allison's) review. The first line made me think the review was going to be negative, but then it wasn't. In fact it was quite positive, but then only 3 stars? I think it deserves four, though you are right that it's slightly more expensive than other similar places in Cambridge.
This is a surprisingly pleasant place to eat. From the outside you'd think it was just another hole-in-the-wall mediocre Chinese food place, but step in and you find lovely decor and friendly waitstaff (especially the owner!). The food is fresh and much less greasy than standard fare Chinese. Also great for takeout.
Tasty, quick, fresh delivery in Inman Square. Friendly people on the phone and when delivering. Ordered Americanized standbys (General Gao's Chicken, Moo Shu Beef) that were yummy and not oily. Will definitely order again.
YUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMM. As other posters have said, looks plain on the outside but inside it is nice and most important of all...the food is great.
I thought the food was terrible, and the waitress was even worse. Okay, so maybe I can't blame her for being a complete airhead and entirely inept at her job, but I could blame whoever hired her, at the very least. I understand waiting tables isn't the easiest job - I have done it myself in several places- but I just can't let this one go! Aside from that, it really was just plain old crappy food and the ambience wasn't even good- no redeeming qualities. With all the fabulous places to eat in Inman Square I would never bother to step foot in this place.
Overall, really good chinese food. My boyfriend could live off General Gao's for the rest of his life and die happy. It is really good though I must admit and we haven't found anywhere that comes even close! Their spare ribs are really tasty and not fatty. The chicken fingers are cooked perfectly, not too light like lots of other places. Quinn is really nice, we love to chat with her while waiting and Jimmy is nice too. Their rice could be a little better though...
So this may sound strange, but for my friend Heat, this place is home away from home. Heat is a couch surfer that has spent many a night passed out on my futon, and mostly wasting her days away drawing and playing with my chubby kitty. When she graces us with her presence it is impossible to not experience the wonderful take out food of Guangzhou. She eats their pretty much everyday, and orders the same thing---chicken chow mein. Seriously, I personally think this dish is pretty much the most boring thing on the menu, but somehow it floats her boat every time. Anyways, awhile ago I actually made the 3 block walk with her and wow, what an experience. The waitstaff talked to her like she was family, greeted her by name, had her order all ready, offered us free sake and beer while we waited and literally chatted with us like it was our local bar! So that being said, I always pick up instead of have it delivered, and obviously allow time for a drink or two at the bar. The atmosphere is interesting if not casual, the boneless spare ribs are to die for, the combo plates are huge and cheap, and the little sake bottles come with their own cups as caps! I tend to order the Lo-Mein noodles, and occasionally it has WAY too much garlic in it for my tastes, but mostly I am pleased with every visit. It is not the best Chinese food in the world, but it is certainly a place where it feels like my well being matters, if not just my business.
