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Golden Phoenix

5565 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90045
$$

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Golden Phoenix 7.9
Westchester
A long-running Chinese restaurant dating back to 1952, Golden Phoenix is where Westchester and airport-area regulars go for huge family-style portions and old-school dumpling platters. While it’s a broad Chinese menu rather than a pure dim sum house, the pot stickers, steamed dumplings, and combo appetizer plate play the dim sum role for group meals.
Must-Try Dishes: Chicken Pot Stickers (10 pcs.), Shrimp Steamed Dumplings (10 pcs.), Combination Appetizer Platter
Scores:
Value: 8.4 Service: 7.6 Consistency: 8 Food Quality: 8.2 Atmosphere: 6.2 Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Decades-old Chinese institution near LAX known for generous dumpling and appetizer spreads.
Who should go: Families and groups wanting hearty, shareable Chinese.
When to visit: Weekend dinners or relaxed weeknight group meals.
What to order: Chicken pot stickers, shrimp steamed dumplings, combination appetizer.
Insider tip: Leverage the lunch specials or large-format platters to feed a crowd on a budget.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free shared lot in the plaza plus ample street parking; fills up during peak dinner hours but still manageable.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable β€” jeans, tees, and sweaters all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate; lively during peak hours but conversations at the table are still easy.
Weekend wait: 20–35 minutes for groups; smaller parties may be seated faster.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; you can walk in and be seated right away.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes β€” several vegetable dumplings, stir-fried greens, tofu dishes, and meat-free noodles.
Vegan options: Limited β€” a few vegetable-forward dishes can be made without egg or oyster sauce if requested.
Gluten-free options: Some options exist (e.g., steamed rice dishes, certain stir-fries), but most dumplings contain gluten; ask staff for guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Decent if you want something casual and comforting β€” not romantic, but great for a low-pressure meal with plenty to share.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes β€” they primarily operate on walk-ins. Reservations help for larger groups, but small parties can usually be seated quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Very β€” big booths, quick service, and familiar dumpling dishes make it easy for young kids; high chairs are usually available.
Best For
Better for: Large-format platters, nostalgic Chinese-American comfort favorites, and dependable dumpling spreads for groups.
Skip if: You want cutting-edge modern dim sum or specialty regional cuisine β€” this leans classic and old-school rather than adventurous.