Hey Yelp, when I search for "Chinese Food" in Santa Cruz, why doesn't this gem appear at the top of the list? Prices are reasonable and it has free parking, full bar and a Happy Hour, what's not to like? Some of the best Walnut Shrimp I have had, drizzled in sauce instead or drowned. Fresh vegetables and lean cuts of meat, bright and light sauces, you could be happy just with the appetizer menu. read more

Not bad for chinese food in Santa Cruz. I was actually really surprised. The place is fairly new. It is pretty spacious and really calm inside. The lady working as the waiter is super sweet and friendly. I went during lunch with a friend and had the chow mien noodles with the fried rice. It comes with your choice of soup, and my choice was the sweet and sour soup. The soup was pretty bland. I did not really like it, but when the main plate came out, I enjoyed that so much more. The chow mien was highly preferred over the rice. They use sticky rice which I really enjoy, it is just that there was not that much meat in it to add extra flavor when I was eating it. The chow mien on the other hand was flavorful and I could eat more and more of it. The portions are pretty big and really filling. I guess the food quality would be 3.5 stars but including the friendly service, the rating for the restaurant bumps up to a 4 for me. read more

Canton is our favorite Chinese food restaurant in Captiola... fresh ingredients and the best staff. We have become friends with all the staff. Delicious. read more

Amazing food! Would suggest dine in and not to go. I called it in they said 20 min. I showed up 30 min later (as I don't want to wait to long). Waited another 20 min for the food. read more

Dinner was amazing at Canton and our waitress was amazing! =)

As a Chinese, raised in the Bay Area and living in Santa Cruz, it's been hard to find anything super "authentic". But, Canton is definitely my go-to, because everything here has excellent flavor (no oily taste) and the veggies are always fresh. Some of my favorites are the Chinese Chicken Salad, Sizzling Rice Soup, Walnut Shrimp, Chow Fun, Cantonese vegetables and ginger fish. Miranda is a sweetheart and always she greets us when we come in. read more

This is the best Chinese restaurant on the east side of Santa Cruz! The food is fresh and tasty. Having some Japanese items is also a plus. The ginger fish is quite nice along with many other really good dishes. It's hard not to overindulge here. Happy hour is fun with many budget appetizers. A neighborhood gem! read more

I love Canton! They have an incredible happy hour and some fun speciality drinks. Their prices are a bit high especially when you want to order several items, it adds up quickly. But other than that their food is always fresh and consistant. Best Chinese food place in town by far. I recommend, the Mongolian Beef, the Seafood combo, and brown rice fried rice! Amazing! read more

It's been a while! Coming back the food was much better but the service still a bit slow. I'd say I'd come back more regularly now after this last experience. read more

A friend said this place is great. I finally got the BF to go. The place is nice and clean but noisy! There was only one table full, with child no less, when we arrived and when we left the place was probably half full. The acoustics are not very good and we had to speak louder than normal to hear one another. They need to have tapestries up or curtains to muffle the noise. The service seemed good until I noticed a table receiving their food before us when we were there first. That really irks me! We did get our food next; but still... So about the food. The wasabi sweet potato fries are deceiving! The description makes it sound like there is wasabi in the batter, not as a dipping sauce. They were just tempura yams in strips, tasty but not what we thought. The latex rolls were great and we got seafood combo in garlic sauce and beef in ginger sauce. The ginger sauce/beef was really good and I would order it again. The seafood combo not so much. The garlic sauce was great but I didn't care for the way they cooked the scallops. Overall, the food is good and I would like to go back and try other dishes. They seem to have a mismatched menu with lots of Asian options. Most of which look and sound good. Our bill seemed a little expensive for Chinese food; but I'll still come back. read more

Amazing food, clean, fresh. I used to eat here when I was super little, and loved it back then. I only recently started eating here again and regret all the years I put this place in the back of my mind. I've ordered 5 different things in the last few weeks and they're all amazing, especially the Kung Pow Chicken and Moo Shu Pork. read more

These days I'm not a big Chinese food eater but this is now by far my favorite in Capitola. Seafood mix with scallops, shrimp, veggies, and garlic sauce was awesome! Customer service is on the very weak side and they have screwed up our take out order the last two times but the food makes up for it. If you decide to get take out you check your order before you leave. Here is Canton's menu http://cantonchinesefoodsantacruz.com/cs/Satellite?blobcol=urlfile&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=inline%3B+filename%3Dcantonrestaurantfull-menu-05242012-0123am.pdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=Document&blobwhere=1301131054725&ssbinary=true read more

Fast polite and accommodating service . Bathroom was super clean, service was so nice and helpful. Fresh food & can out fast! Beers on tap - that's a PLUS!! Clean and friendly staff all around a great place for a quick meal or family sit down . read more

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happy hour is 3 PM to 5 PM daily & all day on Wednesday. Vegans & vegetarians: Order Szechuan tofu w/miso soup (hot & sour contains egg). Homemade hot sauce here makes this place worth a visit. Yum. Sadly, they don't have faux meet proteins for vegans so I had to deduct one star read more

We have eaten here (take out and in restaurant) a couple times and its yummy food! When we ate in the staff was very friendly, the restaurant was very clean, and it was a nice atmosphere! Only downfall is the staff was short handed the night that we went and it felt like everything took forever; highly recommended for take out! read more

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Most of the food here is very good. Decent selection for vegetarians. The only thing I've tried that I don't particularly care for is the vegetable chow funn. I find it very bland and much too greasy. The vietnamese spring rolls with peanut sauce are yummy. My favorite dish is the mu shu vegetable. The veggies are really fresh and crispy and they have a delicate flavor on their own but aren't overpowered by the plum sauce. I'd probably give this place four stars except the service is not so hot. They are very friendly but expect to be ready to leave long before you get the check. Worse yet if you want something to go... first of all, they always try to consolidate all your food into as few to-go containers as possible and second it will probably add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to your visit. Tonight I asked two different people for to go containers before getting them. I see they do a lot of takeout business, but the only time I ordered food to go I was very disappointed. I called it in because a friend was in town for just a couple of hours. Drove over there 30 minutes later and was told apologetically that my food was not ready yet and it would be "a little longer". I got my food 45 minutes later! I can't believe the kitchen was THAT far behind and still think my order was forgotten until I arrived to pick it up. I was furious since this greatly cut into my visit with my friend. To this day I don't know why I didn't tell them never mind and leave! Echoing other reviews, the dining room is very echo-y. The acoustics are terrible for chatting over dinner. But, it is a nice looking place! read more

I love love love this place. My family went here for years before it burnt down and as soon as I saw they were back i called my dad right away and we went it. The atmosphere is nice and upscale and the food is excellent as always. Here is what I love about them. You can say low oil on all the dishes you want. Or you can ask them to use a more healthy oil. I love Chinese food but it is usually so greasy but not here. You will love it. read more

They have happy hour EVERY DAY from 3:00-6:00pm. Most drinks and appetizers are $3.00 and delicious. We have also eaten lunch and dinner here. I recommend anything with the signature garlic sauce on it and the sesame balls! read more

The food is good, can't deny that. But the damn wait time is ridiculous! What we usually do is call in our order, then wait a FULL hour or more to actually go pick it up. Then expect to still wait 10+ min for them to actually hand you your food. Debated to give lower stars but hey I keep coming back so it's worth 4 stars on the food. Star knocked off for wait time & sometimes being out of extra spicy (who runs out of extra spicy stuff! Seriously! Maybe I should give them 3 stars). -chow fun: good! -walnut shrimp: delicious! Always. -combo chow mein: ok. -Ginger chicken: Never again. -shrimp fried rice: very good! -Mongolian beef: good! -Won ton soup: leave it. Nope. It was missing something. read more

Always a good bet for lunch or dinner. Nothing fancy or unique here, just tasty Chinese fare for American palates. The hot and sour soup is a staple for us, rarely have a meal without it. The service is basic; no frills. Tonight I had the garlic beef with steamed jasmine rice and iced tea. My partner had the sample platter, which includes a salad, both of which appeared quickly. Half of mine went home with me for lunch at work on Monday! Priced right at about $38 with tip all in. And we got out of the triple-digit heat, too! read more

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If you're looking for Chinese, they are probably the best you're going to get in Santa Cruz. To go orders are always on time and the wait staff very attentive. read more

This place has horrible service and they're not cheap. We got a table to order in and sat there forever while we watch them take care of all the to-go orders. When we finally got the attention of one of the servers she told the other server I'm not taking care of that table. Finally a server came over and when we ordered she rolled her eyes... because we ask for no onions on one of the dishes. You really can't believe their servers want return business; they hate their job and they hate their clients. Once we realized what we were dealing with we decided there are so many great places to eat in Santa Cruz over by 41st don't waste your time I just can't give a rating of -5 Stars on this app. We left, I had heard that the food is good. read more

Avoid. I'm a Santa Cruz native and since the implosion of O'Mei, my husband and I have been looking for a new favorite Chinese restaurant in the Santa Cruz area. When this place got 'Best of' in the Good Times, we thought we'd give it a try. We got take out so can't comment on service, but the sweet and sour pork was awful. We ended up throwing it out. The won ton soup and fried rice was nothing to write home about, but edible. I suggest trying a different place as there are plenty of better options on 41st Ave. read more

Over 30 years of GREAT food. Great service. Can't go wrong with this place. Thank you Canton!

We have ordered food to go from this restaurant for years. The food is just okay. It's convenient and near our house. Unfortunately yesterday my husband went in there to pick up food I had called in and the lady at the counter was extremely rude. She was helping him get the order and then another lady came in and just interrupted their conversation with some complaint. The lady at the counter ignored my husband and proceeded to help this lady with her issue along with answering the phones and doing whatever while he just stood there. Rude. Very rude. We will not be going back sorry to say. No need for such rudeness and this is not the first time either. read more

In my 10 years of living in Santa Cruz, this was the worst dining service and experience I'VE ever had. It's unbelievable how this still even exist. We came in for their Happy Hour special. But ordered off their main menu. Wondering why it was taking 25 min for our order after seeing others been served, our order was somehow forgotten. "oh I forgot." No apology. Was the answer as to why we didn't receive it. We had to leave but Told to return and it would be ready in 5 min. Came back and waited 20 more min. The same lady who "forgot" didn't apologize or said a word. She just seemed like she just came back from a Communist China army training boot camp and hated the world. Woah. Never going back. Geez. read more

My favorite Chinese place in Santa Cruz. I love the Szechuan green beans, potstickers, various chicken and pork dishes and most of all the walnut shrimp. Yum! The ingredients taste fresh, which isn't always the case with Chinese food, and isn't ever greasy. I never get the dreaded "fat full" feeling after eating here. I always get takeout since it is right down the street from my house, I'll have to eat inside at some point and take advantage of their happy hour specials. All day on Wednesdays! read more

Literally typing this as I'm eating here. Not your typical Chinese takeout! No extra greasiness here, ingredients taste more fresh. By all means I'm not saying this place is healthy, but it's definitely steps up from typical takeout. We had ordered beef with broccoli and orange chicken, both great. The orange chicken was crispy on the outside, definitely a plus. One of the waitresses seemed kind of bitchy, no smile whatsoever, maybe she was just having a bad day. other than that I have no complaints. Would come back! read more

Canton - crispy orange chicken - Chinese Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

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So delicious. Nothing too special otherwise, but it's clean and the people are friendly. The food is SO good though! I highly recommend the Mongolian Beef is amazing. read more

Canton - High-top. - Chinese Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

I used to go here now and then. Food is ok. Ambiance is nice. Process are reasonable but the waitress there tried to rip me off the last time I was there for $20. I had already paid my bill and tip. I needed some change... I had to insist they give me back my money. Won't eat there again. Nope. Rude, they smile too much. Insincerity doesn't work in the restaurant business. Lots of places to go besides there. read more

Our first visit, and boy, was it good! A late lunch on Saturday started with Szechuan string beans--salty, spicy, still somewhat crisp, fresh, hot, delicious! Our lunches included soup (she chose hot & sour, I had miso)--both very good. Entrees: Mongolian tofu, and king pao tofu. We opted for the brown rice. Until something better comes along, this is our favorite Chinese food in Santa Cruz (with the exception of O'Mei on a good day). read more

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Ordered here several times before for take out but tonight they were not taking take out orders. Two hour wait the gal stated. This is the first time ever in my life a Chinese food joint refused to take a to go order. Boo on them. On further reflection last time it took 45 min and the restaurant was only half full when I came in at 7 to get the order. Probably crappy management :(. read more

I've had good chinese food multiple times, and this place seems to be another multiple time. My first time here, and I found the food to be delicious and reasonable pricing. For about $12 bucks you can get a combination plate, which includes; rice, chowmein, side of meat and an egg roll. Also family style plates are available, the atmosphere and service another great thing for this place. I will certainly return here and bring friends, I'm from San Jose and we have a huge diverse asian culture here, so its not hard to find good asian food here. But in Santa Cruz very small asian culture, was very surprised to find a place with good chinese food here. I recommend everyone to come here. read more

I've made this the only Chinese place I go to for the last several years. Inexpensive lunch specials, delicious food, huge menu, huge portions, no mystery meat, place is spotlessly clean, staff is friendly and always thanks me for coming in. read more

I've been going here for years now. Service has always been really great - even throughout covid! I have been going here for takeout regularly over the past year and haven't yet had a bad meal. It's my go-to spot for Chinese food! read more

If I could give a minus star for the treatment I received tonight I would. After a hard day we treated ourselves to dinner here. Half way through my chow mein I found a big black fly in my food. I had to run outside to avoid throwing up. They actually tried to charge my husband full price for everything. I had to go back in and demand my money back. They only complied because I was about to throw up again. I will never set foot back there and I'm honestly more upset about how I was treated then the gross fly in my food. read more

Best Chinese in Capitola & Santa Cruz. Fresh & not too heavy with the sauces. Solid bar too

This is most definitely my favorite place for some Cantonese. Great service, great environment. The food is very rich in flavor, and I say this for the garlic, orange , sweet and sour chicken . The beef and broccoli and shrimp fried rice. Food here has always been a positive experience. Don't forget to get your wontons and sesame balls! read more

Kind of an hip, upscale, yet casual Chinese-Vietnamese fusion restaurant. We have come a lot for happy hour (all day Wednesdays) with $3 apps. The food is fresh and tasty, also. We love the Cantonese (combination) chow fun. We have never taken home leftovers. Outside seating along 41st ave is available which we have enjoyed from time to time. One of our regular spots when we're in the mood for Chinese. read more

The wait should tell you how good it is...but the food will finish the job if you still need convincing. Authentic like the village in China where I still have an apartment? No. Authentic like the hundreds of restaurants I have eaten in all up and down the vast country of China? No. Better than most bland / boring round-eye white boy Chinese food you typically find all around the lovely Santa Cruz area? Yes. The best part? If you ask nicely and tell them how you would prefer they make certain dishes...they do it without any fuss. I like my Kung Pao Chicken made with just green onions, peanuts, chili peppers, and chicken in a hot sauce. No broccoli, no carrots, no celery, no surprises. When I ask for it as I wish, I get it as I wish. Now if it were only not quite so popular for takeout. read more