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Little Dragon - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
1119 8th StSacramento, CA 95814
Neighborhood: Downtown
(916) 448-7517
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Little Dragon
Review Highlights
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"Hands down on Beef Stew fun noodle soup." In 1 review -
"...forget about the soft serve ice cream available to you if..." In 1 review -
"...order the House Special fried rice which has shrimp, meat..." In 6 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Kenny M.
Sacramento, CA
9/23/2011
I spent a year in Taipei, Taiwan, and I loved the food. Surprisingly, real Chinese food isn't as greasy as the crap they sell you here! Even though many of the dishes are the same, the food in Taiwan tends to be much healthier.
After coming home, I haven't been able to satisfy my craving for some good wonton noodle soup...that is until I tried Little Dragon! Probably the best Chinese food in Sacramento. Of course you can get good Chinese food in SF, but it's a rarety around these parts.
I recommend this place to all of my friends. People who don't like it, probably don't like Chinese food.
Suggestions: Kung Pao Chicken served with Crispy Hong Kong noodles, or the Wonton Soup. -
Review from Last M.
Rancho Cordova, CA
11/17/2011
The are no longer in business.
The City gave them a 30-day notice, because they didn't want to invest in fixing a prior plumbing leak's water damage. The leak was about....2 months ago? .
So they decided that they were closing today, and they told a few customers. Well it must have gotten around, because I have never seen it so packed. Slammed. It took over 40 minutes to get my to-go order. And when someone wanted me to add chow fun to my order, Tony said they were out of chow fun (and that was around 1 o'clock). And by the time my food was ready, they were telling new phone customers that they were out of all food.
The plan for the Yu's is to go on vacation after cleaning out the restaurant next week, and then when they return from vacation, they might go looking for a new location to re-open Little D. Or they might not. They've been in business since 1984. :( -
Review from Darren T.
Sacramento, CA
8/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I work in the area and never knew this place existed. Came here for lunch with some co-workers and ordered the House Special Fried Rice. It was a little dry, but otherwise the standard fried rice. Maybe my standards are higher? They give a lot of food, which is a plus. I didn't finish my plate (I normally do) and didn't take the rest to-go (I normally do), but didn't feel it was worth it.
One great thing about this place is the customer service. Oh yeah, can't forget about the soft serve ice cream available to you if you get the special. -
Review from Marshall H.
Sacramento, CA
8/31/2011
This is a staple for the downtown state worker. Prices are reasonable and the portions are large, which is good for the state worker on a furlough budget. I've had several items off the menu and have always been pleased. Yesterday I had their chicken and brocolli over steamed rice and was very impressed with the flavor. I was a little worried at first glance because the chicken was pretty pale and looked rather lack-luster; however what I didn't notice was that it had been tossed in a light gravy which was a nice contrast to the steamed rice and brocolli.
Overall, I'm a fan of most of their menu and was pleased to find a relatively light alternative to the usual fried (everything).
Tip: They have soft serve for the dine-in customers, but are happy to let the takeout customers have one too, if you ask. -
Review from Adonis V.
7/27/2011 13 Check-ins Here
Little hole in the wall is what they should call this place, but then again that can be deceiving since this restaurant can probably hold 200 little dragons. The establishment is old and smells old, sort of like an earthy sour and humid old wood aroma...but don't let that dissuade you because it just adds to that authenticity of a dive restaurant mom and pops operation.
Now to the food: Their braised beef is very tender and melts in your mouth. The chow mein and fried rice won't cause a heart attack since is it's not overtly greasy - probably the less greasiest I've ever had. The soups are decent; the wonton in particular is above average. The hot and sour is, well...hot and sour but I love hot and sour, coalesce that with the earthy sour and humid old wood aroma as mentioned and you have an authentic hole in the wall feast!
Price? It's a dive fer chrissakes, can't go wrong for under 9 bux. -
Review from Cliff L.
Hands down on Beef Stew fun noodle soup. This place severs the best beef stew because it's very tasty and you don't get the fatty chucks of fat and skin unlike other Chinese restaurants. In addition, the amount of food you get for the price is outstanding, only $5.95.
If you're not a beef stew fan, my back up dish is the scramble egg with BBQ Pork over rice. They serve a huge omelet style that has BBQ, green onions dressed with oyster sauce on top on a bed of rice. The price of this bad boy is $5.95 also.
Service is very prompt and you receive your food within 5mins especially during lunch hours (12-1pm).
Pros:
- Quick Service
- Food comes out within 5-7mins
- Big restaurant and great for groups
- Very reasonable prices for the amount of food
Cons
- Very simple ambiance
Any time you're in the mood for soup or for some very tasty beef stew, this is the spot to go. -
Review from Tom B.
Benicia, CA
Updated - 10/24/2011
As of last Friday, closed, gone, out of business. Ah, the great Sacramento economy strikes again!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/7/2010
The old carpeting in this place has probably never been cleaned and indeed you notice a miasma of… Read more »
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Review from Will P.
Sacramento, CA
6/28/2011
I've been working downtown on K st. a little over a year and an employee found this hidden gem about 4 months ago. I don't think I've had a bad entree yet. Now granted, it's not the most finely decorated Chinese restaurant nor is it culinary artistry, however it's value, tasty grub and good sized portions make up for it's dull ambiance and stereo typical Chinese food. I've been there at least once a week if not more and have never noticed any urine odor wafting in through the front door. Sure, it's not in the greatest location nor is my office, but it's a lunch joint and I appreciate their food, quick service, smiling faces and excellent prices. I'm sure to keep patronizing until they close or I move my office. My last advice, leave your restaurant snobbery at the door and judge it for what it's designed for... a quick cheap decent lunch.
And... the customer service is exceptional. Maybe others need to take note. -
Review from Jessica P.
Sacramento, CA
First: I am generally not a connoissuer of chinese food. I am mostly veggie and generally find little I can eat at chinese restaurants. Please read my review with that general filter in mind.
Second: Please do yourself a favor and read the "filtered" reviews at the bottom, Yelp tries to downplay reviews from people who only have written a few reviews, but I find them helpful as context.
Third: I was biased about the food before I walked in, mostly due to the overpowering sidewalk smell of urine and pigeon guano that graces most of the K street area's dingier blocks.
The review: Ok, so like I said, I was struck by the odor before I entered the restaurant, and when I found that the odor does carry into the interior, although more muted (sucked in through HVAC?), my stomach soured. The place is surprisingly large and bright inside. It reminds me of a cafeteria. The decor leaves much to be desired. A cool mural, but otherwise it is like someone decorated in the 1970s and hasn't bothered to adjust a thing since then (faded plastic flowers in the window, dying cacti, pastel theme, sneeze guard buffet station that is no longer in use, etc.).
I went here reluctantly for lunch after both of my companions wanted Chinese.
If you don't mind or do really like greasy, generic, saucy chinese and can get past the decor and odor, then I think you might like this place. It is very affordable and portions are huge.
I do not and could not, so I won't be back.
Also, this place seems to have once served alcohol, but the two beers were crossed off the menu with a pen.
The servers were very friendly.
Sorry, Little Dragon. -
Review from Nina R.
Sacramento, CA
12/28/2010
This place is a hole in the wall. I usually love hole in the walls because the food is usually more authentic. ehhhh... I go here from time to time because its CHEAP and really close to my work. The food is... edible. Its not all that great but if you are hungry and in the mood for chinese, then this place might satisfy you.
One star because of location
Another star for fast service and low prices.
I went here today and all I wanted was the general chicken rice plate with shrimp fried rice instead of regular fried rice. HOW HARD is that to understand? The waitress said she was new..... new to earth? She brought over another waiter and I told him the exact same thing. I told them I understood there was going to be an extra charge, they still looked confused. I repeated my order again and also added "is that hard?" and the man replies "yes" so i stood up and left.
I went to Sakura a couple blocks up. Way worth it.. I was craving sushi anyway. -
Review from Jason H.
Sacramento, CA
10/21/2011
Affordable greasy chinese food in big doses. Really dug this place but as of 10/15/11 they're closed. Anyone know if they've moved somewhere nearby?
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Review from Mindi E.
Long Beach, CA
11/29/2006
Little dragon = big meals. I was kind of scared to try a new Chinese place without a recommendation, but was reassured by the large lunch time crowd and people who appeared to be regulars in the to go line. My braised beef combo was ENORMOUS. I It's definitely been around a while and pretty easy to miss, but worth a stop. It's across from the old location of Texas Mexican Restaurant (RIP, TexMex).
The beef is tender, like slow cooked pit beef, but with Vietnamese flavor...I think. My boyfriend promised to try it and give his feedback.
At less than 6 bones for a styrofoam container worth 2-3 meals, the Little Dragon has karate-chopped its way into my heart. -
Review from Arlene O.
Elk Grove, CA
3/30/2010
I eat Chinese food at least 10 days out of the month. And, honestly when I read all the reviews about little dragon on yelp I thought it was going to be a place that has quality affordable Chinese food that would make me remeber it because of it pros not cons. But sadly, IT DID NOT!
From the moment you walk in you smell this mysterious sent that over takes you. Maybe it is mold or stinky carpet, I am not sure. Then yes you sit in dated furniture but, that did not bother me. The waiters were very happy friendly people. The food is made quickly after request. BUT, the real problem: THE FOOD. I just ordered curry chicken and chow mien off the well priced combo menu, and it was truly nasty. The noodles were extremely salty and the curry chicken was over flooded with seasoning. I forced myself to eat some, so I would not dishearten the cook, but once i left i was so happy. I will NEVER go there again ever. -
Review from Guy S.
Sacramento, CA
9/23/2009
I love this place.
It's good greasy comfort chinese food like back home in SF and like my Grandma would make.
Portions are huge. THe staff is always nice and very accommodating.
It is just your run of the mill cantonese american food, but its tasty and always good! -
Review from jenna k.
Davis, CA
5/19/2011 2 photos
Definitely not the BEST Chinese food ever! But I love the location and its friendly staff. Great customer service! You get a free ice cream cone with the daily special, however, they usually just give everyone a free cone at the end of their meals. Always a plus :)
I've noticed that the quality of food differs between the time of day you go. Food is fresh and steamy hot during lunch time, when all the state workers get their grub on. Once the lunch rush is over, the place is deserted and the preparation of dishes seem to suffer. -
Review from alexa f.
Folsom, CA
6/8/2011 6 Check-ins Here
I ordered the wonton noodle soup and I was satisfied with the food, except for the fact that the noodles were still a little hard. The place is also a little worn down, like those "hole in the wall" type of feel, but still managed to have a decent amount of customers. Prices are okay for the amount that is received.
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Review from Crissy G.
Sacramento, CA
11/2/2010
I work downtown and this place is amazing for lunch! I have had their tomato beef rice plate and also the wonton noodle soup. My favorite is the wonton noodle soup. Great place for cheap yummy Chinese food. I like to call in and get my food right when I get there!
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Review from Gerard Y.
3/2/2007
Used to eat here on a regular basis when I worked around the area. Really affordable prices and they give you large portions. I usually order the House Special fried rice which has shrimp, meat, chicken... a little bit of everything. The only thing that annoyed me was that the waitresses would never refill your drink even if your cup was noticeable empty. The trick to avoiding the crowds is to come just after everyone takes the usual lunch break. 1pm sounds about right.
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Review from Yo P.
Hawaii, HI
3/30/2010
The people that think this place is any good are nuts. First, when you walk in it smells like moldy carpet. Second, the quality of the food SUCKS! The price is cheap, but so is the quality of food. I ordered a combo plate and got old salted busted junk. THIS PLACE IS NO BUENO!!
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Review from Lisa W.
5/5/2007
I went far out of my comfort zone to try this place with some coworkers who sometimes refer to these little hole-in-the-wall Asian food restaurants by a different name: Parts. They call these places "Parts" because you can't always tell what "part" of the animal you're getting. Little Dragon is NOT "Parts." Now, I'm no Chinese food connoisseur; in fact, I didn't even eat Chinese food until about 10 years ago. I'm so unadventurous with food that I have a hard time trying new flavors of ice cream. With that in mind, you should believe me when I tell you that Little Dragon is a safe bet. I have eaten at least a dozen lunches here without ever having to become intimate with the toilet, and I have enjoyed my meal every time. My favorite is the beef chow fun, and the portion sizes are so large, I get to have fun twice (and I mean that in a non-sarcastic way). And don't let the state worker lunch crowds scare you... these guys are FAST. The food comes out quickly and is always fresh and steaming hot. Something that's not on the menu but is available to order (my DH loves it) is the Singapore Rice Noodles. It comes with those super skinny noodles (looks like angel hair pasta) and is full of shrimp and bbq pork, and it is fantasmic! I don't like shrimp, but I'll eat around it when we share bites. The only thing I'm not nutty about here is the fried rice, but overall, I heart Dragon food!
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Review from Julian b.
Sacramento, CA
1/27/2011
I went here before for lunch when I was in training. The food came very fast, was hot and fresh and very tasty and I would have had to give it five stars. But of course, when I go there with my girlfriend for lunch, different story. Our food took FOREVER to come. I only had an hour for lunch and the food took about 35 mins, even though they took our order right away. Maybe they were short-handed. The busboy/dishwasher was serving as well as bussing and they were all moving very quickly, but it wasn't all that packed. My gf ordered the mongolian beef and me the mongolian beef, with chicken instead of beef, which they did for me, even though it was not on the menu. Not bad, and spicy enough, which is usually my complaint, but the chilis kind of over powered the flavor and it came with a sczechwan-type sauce instead of being wokked like you would expect something with "mongolian" next to it, but the bell peppers and onions were well cooked, but not droopy. I have to give it two stars this time due to the slow service, not getting exactly what I expected when I ordered and the dish being more spicy than flavorful. I'll give it another try next time and see if I just got them on a bad day - food wasn't bad, though and service was friendly.
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Review from Danny Y.
Sacramento, CA
11/10/2008
Great place for lunch. I've tried many dishes here from won ton soup, tomato beef chow mein, pork chow fun, and shrimp fried rice. Great deal and fast service.
