China One Restaurant

Wow! I hadn't been here in a very long time…read more The food is DELICIOUS! The attention to the customer was the best! Stephanie was the most attentive waitress we could have had. Thank you!!!

I really don't understand the good reviews. Aside from the portions being huge and their eggroll…read moreand potsticker being okay, this place is borderline awful. I hate to say this, but I have to be honest...everything else was tasteless and super oily. My goodness, all I could taste was oil so I couldn't even taste any flavor of the entrees. It's oily fake Chinese food. I don't recommend this restaurant for their non-authentic foods (tasted like was made by Hispanics who are not experts in Chinese food) full of excessive oil and sauce, which made everything salty. Their white rice was too broken so texture was ruined too. Chow mein was super OILY. This restaurant is a joke. They'd play Chinese music in the background yet I saw no Chinese employees at all, not even one. Never coming back to this phony restaurant. Overall 1.5 stars. Steer clear of this place unless you want oily and salty fake Chinese food. New Ocean is much better.

Inside

Sweet & Sour Chicken

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Yummy tea

New Ocean Chinese Restaurant

3.9(171 reviews)

6.1 mi

The egg do young here is simply the best with rich gravy! I didn't want to eat anything else.read more

I really wanted to like this place, but I just don't get the hype…read more This was my first time trying New Ocean. I've heard about this place basically my whole life, and after my favorite Chinese restaurant, Pearl East, closed, I kept hearing people tell me, "Try New Ocean, they're the same owners." Well... I'm sorry, but there is absolutely no way this tasted like Pearl East. I ordered the orange chicken lunch combo. The food came out insanely fast. I literally went to wash my hands and came back and my food was already sitting there. It was hot, so I'll give them that, but the orange chicken and sauce just didn't taste fresh to me. The sauce was very runny and honestly tasted more like something I could grab from the frozen food section at the grocery store. Then came the bigger issue. I specifically asked what vegetables came in the rice because I did not want onions. I was told peas and carrots. My food came out with a LOT of onions. I was pretty grossed out because I had specifically asked beforehand. I told the server and, to his credit, he offered to let me leave without paying. I appreciated that. But when I reminded him that I had specifically asked about the onions, I was told it was the kitchen's fault. I understand mistakes happen, but I ordered based on the information I was given. Maybe I caught them on a bad day, and obviously everyone has different tastes, but after hearing so many people recommend this place, I honestly don't understand the hype. And as someone who absolutely loved Pearl East, I'm sorry but this was light years away from Pearl East for me. I wanted that old Pearl East flavor and unfortunately I just didn't find it here

Inside

Orange Chicken, Chicken Lo Mein, Fried Rice

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Menu and prices as of 1/1/2024

Pearl East

3.9(76 reviews)

4.9 mi•Midco

Pearl East on Broadway in Santa Maria Closed Permanently…read more.. Sad, it's a good place! My good friend found out they have a Sister Restaurant off Broadway in the old Mervin's/Big 5 Mall called New Ocean! Same Staff as Pearl East! Food Delicious! People need to know they are there!

Pearl East we miss you!!!!! Come back! Somewhere, anywhere in Santa Maria!…read more Your Egg Foo Young is unmatched!

Menu-Inside cover

Menu- Inside middle

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Menu- Inside back

Magic Dragon Asian Cuisine

3.8(312 reviews)

5.6 mi

Big portions , great customer service , delicious food . Everything was clean and workers were very…read moreattentive .

The place is cute and quaint, right across the street from the Historic Santa Maria Inn. The…read moreservice was friendly and pretty quick. Our food was good, plentiful! The Cashew Chicken was ok, could use more cashews though. The Salt & Pepper Shrimp was delicious but SPICY! The green beans were good too. The dishes were full enough to have to-go plates for lunch the next day!

Dining room

111. String Bean Chicken

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Dining area and kitchen is tucked away

Ming Dynasty

3.5(122 reviews)

4.3 mi•Midco

Whenever I travel I always go to a Chinese Restaurant to eat if there is one. I have been eating at…read moreMing Dynasty for at least 25 years now. And nowhere have I found a better selection of Chinese food. The buffet is always hot and fresh and delicious. During the Pandemic I drove from Lompoc to Santa Maria to get Ming Dynasty food. The service is is fast and friendly and when I leave I always take a large container of Hot & Sour soup and an order of egg rolls to tide me over until my next trip!

Food: 3.75 - 4.25. Came by for lunch on a Wed just before 12 noon. Place was mostly empty at the…read moretime but got busier as time passed. We were promptly greeted upon entering and directed to our requested booth. We chose their buffet which, at around 12 noon on a Wednesday, is $16.45 per person. There is no senior discount (at least not posted). Buffet is a nice size with a variety of common dishes like orange chicken, kung pao chicken, chow menu, sweet and sour pork, pot stickers, egg rolls, and mushroom chicken. My favorites were the tangerine beef and, orange chicken, and green beans. There was also a dessert section with soft serve and assorted cookies, cakes, and fruit. Staff was welcoming and friendly and bussed our table often. Ambiance is simple and fine. Their buffet is a great value and I'll definitely be back when I have a craving for Chinese food especially if ,I'm really hungry like this time.

Dessert options

Last plate of dessert items

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Dessert options

V Star Buffet

1.8(134 reviews)

5.0 mi•Midco

This is the weirdest Chinese buffet I've ever been to. It looked so nice when you walked in, with…read morethe fountain with the koi fish in it. It was $23 per person with a 2 hour limit. We were walked to our booth and asked what we wanted to drink. We asked for a coke and Diet Coke. We were brought a coke and a sprite. 10 minutes later he took the sprite back and switched it out with the correct drink I asked. I was surprised that they used styrofoam plates...making so much waste. The buffet was...odd. Random Chinese food with American food and taquitos. The food didn't have proper name plates for them so it was kind of a guessing game, and the ones that did weren't even labeled correctly. The food was okay. Not the best Chinese food I've had. They were all cold by the time I went back to my booth. They had steamed bao buns with NOTHING in it. It was just the bun. The only good thing there was the sesame balls. The sushi bar seemed sketch, so I didn't get the sashimi. They had a kid probably 10 years old, working at the sushi bar, playing on his iPad. Is that even legal? It was just so random and all over the place. Random stars on the walls and in the bathroom. I won't come back and I won't recommend this place to anyone. I should have read the reviews before I came here. Not worth $23.

Disappointing Experience at V Star Buffet…read more Our experience at V Star Buffet was very disappointing. The food was cold, dry, and tasted stale. The sushi was mostly rice with very little filling, which was not what we expected. They had seafood there as well but we did not want to take any chances on getting food poisoning. Overall, the food did not seem fresh or appetizing. The customer service was equally disappointing. During my visit, employees were gathered near the front, chatting with each other and looking at their phones. I did not feel that much attention was being given to the customers or the buffet area, which needed attention bad due to the quality of the food present. I also noticed a sign at the register requesting tips for the server! This was crazy to see because the only service I experienced was having drinks brought to the table. The overall level of service was trash. Between the quality of the food and the customer service, I did not feel the experience was worth the money. Based on my visit, I would not recommend this buffet. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND SPEND IT ELSEWHERE! I would give no stars, but this does not give the option.

Love the fountain by the entrance

Duck head

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Bathroom

Combo Express

3.1(17 reviews)

6.2 mi

Pretty good food. This place has been here for years and it's still the same…read more I wish they were not in the "mall" however the food is very flavorful and the workers seem to be accommodating when asking for things.

I think this Chinese takeout was one of the first takeout this city had, I'd have to estimate…read moreprobably 1992 it started at that location in the mall and still there. When it first showed up it was a hit for a couple years until others started popping up. Today was my first visit in decades, we had just came out of the theater and was thinking Panda Express, but all I wanted was Chow Mein and Combo Express was easy access. When we got there I got a small combo that was 2 items, Chow Mein and Orange Chicken. I looked at the prepared pans with all the foods and wasn't too thrilled about what I saw. Got home in 5 minutes opened up and started chowing, my only intention was too eat half because I had surgery a few days earlier. The Chow Mein was just okay, I love Pearl East Chow Mein 2nd would be Panda Express. The Orange Chicken was good, both items were warm at least it wasn't cold. Combo Express had an incident in the 90's and I had wondered what had happened after that, I googled it and read the same news as I remembered it. I guess if your in the mall and had a craving for Chinese this would help, but if your home and you need to order take out or delivery then go for your go to Chinese regular.

Charlie the steak

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Yes I eat it all the oil sauce mmm now I'm crying

Panda Express

2.1(204 reviews)

4.1 mi•Midco

I'm not sure why the reviews are so low. For a fast food Asian restaurant the fried meats are very…read moregood. The rice is the quality you should expect from fast food. I make some of these things at home so I enjoy the break every now and then.

Yeah no.... Why do they make you wait to pay for your food ... they need to have 2 registers open…read moreat all times... I like Panda, but not enough to stand in line to order and then wait to pay. Also, made me wait then forgot my Ragoons, so I had to go back in. ‍

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Thai Hut Restaurant

4.2(291 reviews)

1.7 mi

The owners are amazing. I have been going here for about 20 years or so. I love the food. I…read moreappreciate how Tu(spelling), one of the owners, remembers your name and usually what you had last time you were there. The food is delicious, you receive it rather quickly and it will leave you wanting more.

The owner was the sweetest lady ever! She was so nice and welcoming and personable…read more I ordered a shrimp pad see ew takeout and the flavors were so good. I just wish it had some egg in the dish, but overall still really good! Will definitely come again to try other things next time

Pad Thai

Inside of Thai Hut Restaurant

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Boba House

4.2(132 reviews)

4.2 mi•Midco

OMG - this is a wonderful place. A small eat-in area, I always bring mine home. Generaous size, the…read moreinflation has hit rice too. My dish is prepared to the eccentric way I want. A Happy Buddha always means good food.

Foods ok and the owner very nice. I like a more saucier and a more flavorful kick in the tasteread more

Curry chicken bowl w/ chicken lo-me in

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Mongolian Beef

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12 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Shaian G.

11 years ago

I am having an EXTREMELY hard time understanding the good reviews of this place, I rarely write reviews I just read them but the 4 stars this restaurant has compelled me to go on and leave one, this restaurant does not deserve more than a 2 star rating, and I'll break down exactly why so you save your money next time and go somewhere else. I went with 3 people all getting 3 different things, and it was an empty day so it wasn't like they were busy to rush things. Food: -portions are decent nothing special -the meat has almost close to NO taste, the chicken, steak, and the sesame steak. - the rice and the chow mein were bland and I could make em better on my stove at home. - onions are all cut up in huge pieces and the carrots are hard but that could be a bad batch so I won't judge it. Place: - feels very old and aside from the new flooring the rest of the place just looks like it barely made average - the kitchen is clean which is a plus - really not that many welcoming employees that work here Price: - I paid 8.52 for my rice and meat which as I stated before was nothing at all special and had close to no taste and I covered mine in siracha to give it some. - My friend paid 9 for the chicken bowl with a little side which again i stated how that was above - and my other friend got the sesame beef for 9 as well which even though it was seasoned it lacked Any texture at all. For those proces you could have a nice chipotle bowl with chips, or even panda express which is cheaper AND WAYYYYYY TASTIER, even though people hate on the place. -SG read more

William M.

6 months ago

Food Sunday night old, my bad there closed Monday that's why! Does that make a difference?? Haven't eaten here since 2022. Went to NY sold my mom's house and purchaced a home in old Orcutt. Been back since Oct 11 2025. Tried China One first time in about 4 years. They suck, never going back ! Orcutt peeps go to HaHa Sushi, unless they suck since 2023 ? Go to Santa Maria and get really good Asian food ! Love Orcutt and old Orcutt here permanently. Food trucks are good. But need a good Chinese Restaurant here !!!! read more

Larry C.

3 years ago

The man that answer the phone is an ass. RUDE!. ORDERED egg foo young, got chow mein and he wanted to argue with me. Never again! A17

Jennifer I.

12 years ago

Really liked the food here, it was really fresh and the staff was friendly! We would definitely visit again.

Jennifer R.

1 year ago

Food is always delicious. Always good to place to go. Service is always great and ambience as well.

Artosis A.

13 years ago

Very good food, great service and kind staff. Clean and tasty. Good for take out or eating there.

Julie B.

6 years ago

Love this place food is great and would drive the distance to order again.

Precious G.

16 years ago

Bad service! I'm asian, so this is not a biased review.

Charles W.

11 years ago

Great food, reasonable prices, and friendly service.

Ian H.

6 years ago

Absolutely tasteless. A complete waste of money.

Lori H.

15 years ago

nice Chinese takeout

Matt A.

14 years ago

Very good food!!

China One Restaurant - chinese - Updated October 2026

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