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Phoenix Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Phoenix Restaurant
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Birthday & Celebration Central
Comfort Food Classics
Upstairs in Chinatown Square since the 1990s, Phoenix blends menu-based and cart-passed dim sum in a large, banquet-style room. Regulars come for chicken feet, shrimp dumplings, and roast meats at busy weekend seatings, treating it as a classic, slightly old-school option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken feet in black bean sauce, Shrimp shu mai, Steamed BBQ pork buns
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 6.3
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Upstairs banquet hall where classic dim sum and Cantonese roasts run all day.
Who should go: Dim sum traditionalists who like carts and big family tables.
When to visit: Weekend mornings before peak rush or later afternoon lulls.
What to order: Chicken feet, shrimp shu mai, steamed BBQ pork buns.
Insider tip: Ask specifically for favored items if carts skip your section; staff will fire them from the kitchen.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Chinatown Square garage and surface lot parking available; fills quickly on weekends, metered street parking nearby when the plaza is full
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; families and large groups dress comfortably
Noise level: Lively and loud during peak dim sum hours; conversation is easier at off-peak times
Weekend wait: Usually minimal or short waits (10–25 min), longer on holidays and large-group evenings
Weekday lunch: Often no wait or short wait outside peak dim sum rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some options (vegetable dumplings, noodle and tofu dishes), but many items include seafood or pork — confirm when ordering
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable plates and noodles may qualify depending on preparation; ask about eggs, stocks, and sauces
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free program; many dumplings and sauces contain wheat — safer to stick to select rice and seafood dishes after confirming with staff
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or social dates than an intimate one — the room is busy, energetic, and focused on sharing plates rather than quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins are common, especially for smaller parties. Expect a wait during weekend dim sum; add your name at the host stand and be prepared for paging.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — large round tables, high chairs, and shareable dishes make it family-friendly. Weekend crowds can be loud, which works well for children comfortable in busy spaces.
Best For
Better for: Large family gatherings, traditional dim sum service with carts, and classic Cantonese comfort dishes in a banquet-style setting
Skip if: You want a quiet or romantic meal, highly modern dim sum, or strict dietary accommodations such as gluten-free or vegan-focused menus
Phoenix Restaurant
8.0
Upstairs from the Chinatown bustle, Phoenix runs a classic rolling-cart dim sum service with white-tablecloth dining rooms and views over Archer Avenue. It’s a long-running choice for families and tour groups looking for a traditional brunch experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg yolk lava buns, Shrimp siu mai dumplings, Chicken feet in black bean sauce
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 6.2
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Traditional cart-service dim sum brunch overlooking Chinatown’s main drag.
Who should go: Families and groups wanting classic cart dim sum.
When to visit: Early weekend brunch before peak tour-group crowds.
What to order: Siu mai, egg yolk buns, steamed rice rolls.
Insider tip: Ask servers for off-cart specials if you don’t see favorites passing.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited around Chinatown during peak brunch; expect to use nearby paid surface lots or meters along Archer and Wentworth.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — families and travelers are common, but neat attire fits the white-tablecloth setting.
Noise level: Lively during peak cart service — conversation is possible at smaller tables but can be energetic around large groups.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the restaurant is primarily a daytime dim sum/brunch destination.
Weekday lunch: Usually minimal to short waits outside holidays and peak tourism periods.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate — several dim sum items are vegetable-focused, but dishes are not always clearly labeled; ask staff when unsure.
Vegan options: Limited — some veggie dumplings and rice rolls may qualify, but preparation often includes eggs or shrimp; confirm item-by-item.
Gluten-free options: Limited — many items use wheat wrappers or soy sauce; rice rolls and some steamed dishes can work with careful selection.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, activity-style dining than an intimate date — rolling carts and large tables make it more social and lively than romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but arrive early on weekends — walk-ins are common, though peak brunch hours can see queue-style waits for larger parties.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — spacious dining rooms, shareable plates, and quick cart service work well for families; strollers and booster seats are common.
Best For
Better for: Traditional cart-style dim sum with large tables, classic banquet-hall service, and a nostalgic brunch atmosphere overlooking Chinatown.
Skip if: You want quiet, intimate dining, fully labeled dietary menus, or chef-driven modern dim sum — consider a smaller à-la-carte spot instead.
Phoenix Restaurant
7.7
A Chinatown mainstay since the mid-1990s, Phoenix operates a multi-room dim sum and Cantonese dining complex with private rooms used for tour groups, community banquets, and family celebrations. Food and service can be uneven, but its long history and availability of enclosed spaces make it a practical choice when you need private Chinatown dining in the heart of the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Feet (dim sum), BBQ Pork Buns, Peking Duck
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 6.1
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A long-running Chinatown dim sum institution with multiple private and semi-private rooms overlooking Archer Avenue.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing location and history over polish.
When to visit: Early dim sum hours to avoid peak cart congestion.
What to order: Chicken Feet, BBQ Pork Buns, Peking Duck.
Insider tip: When booking a private room, confirm cart access and dim sum hours—Phoenix’s service rhythm can change between lunch and dinner seatings.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Neighborhood surface lots and metered street parking nearby; street spaces fill quickly on weekends and during dim sum rush.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — family celebrations sometimes lean dressy, but everyday wear is acceptable.
Noise level: Loud during peak dim sum service; conversation is easier in enclosed private rooms.
Weekend wait: Often 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer for large groups or private rooms.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait outside of peak dim sum hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Moderate — several vegetable dishes and dim sum items, but not a fully dedicated menu.
Vegan options: Limited — a few vegetable plates may work if you confirm preparation and sauces.
Gluten-free options: Limited — many items use soy sauce or wrappers; ask staff to guide safer options.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Generally better for group meals than a first date — it’s busy, lively, and service can feel banquet-style rather than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes during slower periods, but weekends and larger parties almost always benefit from calling ahead — private rooms require advance booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — spacious rooms, large round tables, and sharable dishes work well for families; strollers are easier to manage in private rooms.
Best For
Better for: Large celebrations, community banquets, and groups that need enclosed private rooms in a central Chinatown location.
Skip if: You want polished service, refined plating, or consistently high-end Cantonese — consider alternatives with smaller dining rooms and tighter execution.