Some of the best Chinese food I have had anywhere and that includes China. The food is gourmet quality and the portions are generous; if you want just volume and not quality you may want to consider one of the other local Chinese places. I have not had anything on the menu that was not great with the exception of the chicken fingers which were only just OK. The hot and sour soup is the best I have ever had. The restaurant is BYOB. The food is all cooked to order but even allowing for this the service is very slow. Because of the slow service I frequently order take out from here and that is the only reason that I have not given this place five stars.
(4)
Stephen H.
I've been going to this place for 15 years. It is, without fail, the best authentic chinese food in Rhode Island. There's no comparison. If you want to go to Chen's or the Green dragon you can get what some think of as "chinese food". This is the real deal. Please be advised, however, that the hours are a little strange, we have gone there tons of times forgetting the times and sitting around waiting. Also, it will take a little while to get your food, this is the truth. They aren't taking chicken fingers off of the warmer and fried rice out of the cauldron and sticking it on a styrofoam plate. This is a real restaurant and it makes you see Asian food differently. If all you have ever had in this world that is "chinese" is an egg roll, challenge yourself to try the hot and sour soup! Its tucked in the back of Mariner Square, lots of local people love this place (I'm now out-of-state, a transplant if you will)
(5)
John B.
They serve very, very good food: authentic, fresh and perfectly balanced in flavors and textures. The chef is an artist of the wok. Every dish is hand crafted by him, which leads me to my only real complaint: You're served when he's ready to cook your food, not when you want to eat. You might wait a very long time (an hour or more). To some, the payoff may be worth it, but if you're the least bit impatient, you might want to find somewhere else for dinner.
(4)
Robyn F.
This amazing restaurant is hidden in a little plaza in Narragansett. The ambiance isn't the best, but the food is probably the best I've had in Rhode Island when it comes to "chinese food". Don't go into Ocean View with a closed mind, don't go in looking for your typical "American chinese dishes" -- AKA : General TSO chicken, sweet and sour chicken. Go in looking to try something new, and I promise you won't be disappointed. The hostess is extremely pleasant and will gladly make sure to explain the dishes to you, so don't worry about not finding something to suit your taste buds, she will offer her advice or explain the dishes. Speaking of dishes, the dishes are made fresh on the spot, they do not pre-prep like most places, so not only is the food extremely fresh, it's also a good sized proportion -- perfect for sharing with friends and family!
(5)
Sarah L.
Ok first.... this place is kept dirty. What would you expect. There is two people who own it as well as run it. You believe the food is "authentic" ... it's as "authentic" as the owners. They are horrible people, which is why they don't have help, besides being charged for assaulting an employee and harboring illegal citizens while forcing them to work in exchange for living in the home they currently own. Not an even swap seeing how the home is in no condition to live in. (Infested with mice, termites, and cockroaches) which if they keep their rental home in this condition.... I would think again about where they make peoples "authentic" food. But that's just my opinion. The wait time is extremely long, and really who wants to spend valuable family meal time listening to the owner MiMi go on and on about how hard her life is working 3 jobs because she can't afford all her expenses, how hard it is to do and treat people with respect especially when they Always have treated her respectfully. Yeah I'd rather hear her in the kitchen helping the crazy guy who likes to threaten people if they don't do or eat what they tell you. Oh they also charge you extra for any take out containers~ utensils ect.. so be prepared.. there is no view... unless you're into looking at local sewage plant.. nice smell. They keep the lights dim, not for setting a "mood " but because they don't want to pay for it, or maybe it's because they don't want you to see what your eating or how scrubbed out the place really is. Over all experience with these two dishonest business owners...... thank god New Dragon is around... now thats "AUTHENTIC" . Please if you value your taste buds and like ordering what you like without being told otherwise.... eat somewhere else.
(1)
Luz N.
Amazing food! Got number 24... it was really good. Don't let the the outside appearances discourage you. The host/waitress is extremely nice, and the food was one of the best Chinese I have had to date. And that says a lot since I am constantly traveling and I am always looking for a good Chinese place to eat.
(5)
Andrew M.
Don't expect the same atmosphere or food that you will get at any other Chinese restaurant. I have eaten here dozens of times over the course of several years, and have yet to have a meal any less than delicious. Stop wasting your time ordering the same General Name-is-slightly-different-everywhere's chicken and get into Ocean View. Here is what you do, go in, be polite, sit down, open the bottle of wine or bottle of beer you brought and toast with that large group of friends you like very much. You are going to stay here for a while, and you will enjoy it. Not every meal you eat needs to take less than ten minutes, so take the time with this one.
(5)
Lyd M.
There are so many things I love about this place: First, the food is delicious. It's like no other Chinese food I've ever had around here and even dishes that sound familiar by their menu description arrive at the table with new and complex flavor combinations. The owners are a husband and wife team...she takes care of the floor and he works the kitchen. Because of this, service is by no means prompt, but come here expecting this and you will be fine. He basically cooks one dish at a time, so your dishes will come out staggered. The hot and sour soup is bomb. We also always get the hot and spicy wings. This last time, I chose a green curry entree with eggplant, basil, mushrooms, and chicken...it knocked my socks off. We've always been one of, at the most, 3 tables. Mrs. Ma is friendly, funny, and knows the menu and they both take great pride in the quality of their food and the flavors they achieve. Decor is basically non-existent and there is no ambiance to speak of, but it's all about the food and that's where the magic lies. Also, BYOB is always a fun thing, and there's a liquor store just up the street behind the gas station on the corner.
(5)
Jeremy R.
Strangely amazing. One of my favorite restaurants in all of Rhode Island. Don't let the fact its in a strip mall or that you might be the only ones there stop you from giving it a chance. The chef is wonderful!
(5)
Ronald S.
I was looking on Yelp for vegetarian options while in Naragansett and this place pops up at the top of the list, so we wanted to stop in and give it a try. First, the location is a bit out of the ordinary and if you don't know it's here, you won't find it. Behind the strip mall off the main road, inside a small professional building, down the hall. Not a prime restaurant location but I am sure it's not a high-rent site, so it's easier for them to sell food and stay in business (over 30 years so far!) and the locals who want good chinese food know where to go without much tourist traffic. In addition to the location the website feels very outdated (and it even says its from '09) but it has enough information and menus to help you out. The menu isn't like many other chinese restaurants, it seems a lot more 'authentic' with a lot of things i have never seen before on a menu and a vegetarian menu that rivals many vegetarian-only chinese restaurants I have been to. Their menu says "Authentic Mandarin & Szechuan Gourmet Cuisine" and I believe it. also, it had a good sized selection of in-season, fresh options. Always nice to see a chef using fresh seasonal produce. We had it to go, and it took a while to prepare but it's good to know it was all made to order. The food we had was all very good, It's good to know we can get away to the beach and have amazing vegetarian food without driving too far. Probably next time we will eat-in and enjoy the unique ambience.
(4)
Matt P.
I just threw away 35 dollars worth of takeout from Ocean View. The chicken wings that we ordered were spoiled. Not a little off...but totally bad. If I hadn't spit out the bite that I took, I would be spending the rest of my Saturday night vomiting. The 'Chef' placed a couple of slices of lemon inside the container that the wings were in and my guess is that he was trying to mask the smell. The lo-mein that we ordered was linguini and because of the lingering taste of bad chicken still in my mouth, I was unable to eat any of the dish. I'm totally pissed off right now but I know from the reputation of the owners of this restaurant that I have a snowball's chance in hell getting my money back. Never again.
(1)
Jamie M.
This is outstanding gourmet Chinese food - not discount Americanized fast-food variety. Mr and Mrs Ma are from Taiwan - he is the chef and she hosts and waits the tables. I have been bringing my family, friends and relatives there for 30 years. Here are my tips: - go during off-peak times, OR plan for a relaxed long dinner with your favorite people and wine you bring (it is Bring Your Own Booze) - If Mrs Ma predicts that things are going to be slow, she will tell you so and will suggest that big groups during peak times will do better if you call a day ahead of time. If they are stressed out, they don't hide it very well. When they are doing well, the experience is pleasant and personal. - Friday and Saturday Evenings are peak times - but if you get there between 4:30 to 6 pm, there won't be a queue in the kitchen, and the food will start to come out quickly. If there are a bunch of patrons already in the restaurant, walk out or accept the fact that you will need to be patient. It could even take a while to put your appetizer order in if she is busy serving or preparing in the kitchen. I used to take my kids in the hallway of the very quiet interior mall and let them explore and run around. - ask Mrs Ma about her recommendations! There are many crazy-good and unique dishes on the menu. If you are avoiding gluten, he has gluten free soy sauce available for cooking.
(5)
Julia T.
Just got this from the owner and thought I would share. Maybe things I mentioned hit home! Mimi W. Block User "You must been to another Chinese restaurant and confused yourself with the name sweet hear, your comment about the high price and wait of service is out of date. a party of 20 people maybe will cost you more than $300, and that's normal , maybe cheep, but at this restaurant under $100 for 6 people, we could have a wonderful meal. As the wait, depends on when you visiting a restaurant, at the peak hour , the wait is surely longer than usual, try to come during the week and off peak time, I am sure you'll be happier about the service and everything. O by the way , the New McDonald in Wakefield,RI is newly opened, the wait won't be THAT LONG." My Response: Mimi....two of my nephews at the tables are chefs. We didn't get confused with the name of your restaurant or the service. Even the other diners were mentioning how they ALWAYS have to wait, so PLEASE don't try to put the blame on us for your lousy service. A meal is supposed to be served at one time. If your chef can't handle it by himself, hire another one. and you definitely need more floor people. You can't handle it by yourself. You're not as young as you once were! ************************************************************************ Original Review Okay, so SOME of the food was good, but when you walk in, and there is NO ONE in the place, and the owner yells at you for not making a reservation, and then continues to yell about HER having to be the one to push tables together for a party of 8? Houston...we have a problem! It was our LAST night of vacation, so we didn't just leave. That was the mistake we made. It took an hour to get Won-Ton Soup, and after everyone finished their soup....the owner brought the noodles, but charged us $3.75/bowl for the soup noodles. It took a total of 2 and a half hours to get our food. The price you ask??? Close to $300.00 for one dish a piece and I ate fried rice that I shared. So for 7 dishes and a dish of fried rice, $275.00. The food came out every 10 minutes or so. I was finished with mine and ready to go and my sister-in-law had not been served yet and wouldn't be served for another 30 minutes. The flavors are good but, when you are yelled at and are getting upset with the owners comments that are DIRECTLY aimed your way in no uncertain terms......how can ANYONE give this place 5 stars? The owner made the comment several times that there was NO HELP but her so she wouldn't rush. NEWS FLASH......HIRE SOMEONE!!!!! The more upset SHE got, the longer the food took to get out. When you asked about your food...she commented that good food takes time. Come on...an hour for Won-Ton Soup???? It wasn't THAT good! Most dishes were around $20-$25. Now the menu says it's only $17-$18, but when taking the order, she justifies the price with, "That will be fair market price and not necessarily the price quoted. This place is less than a mile from where the shrimp, lobster, scallop and fish boats anchor, so "splain to me Lucy, how come the price is so high?" Bottom line: Tasty...but NOT worth the aggravation or the price.
(1)
D. B.
I dont even want to review this place because I dont want anybody else to know about it. There are only two people running the entire restaurant. They are old and its already busy enough. So know that its really good but dont go. I dont want you to ruin it for me. As other people have pretty clearly explained, you may wait. You may wait for a long time. Think of this as more like being a guest in someones home than a traditional restaurant experience. If you are kind and patient, you will be treated well and really enjoy the experience. If you are a nitty, impatient asshole, you will probably be treated like one. So be nice to Mrs. Ma! Bring some drink,relax and converse. Do not try to order sweet and sour chicken here. If you want that go somewhere else. Order off of the special menu or ask for recommendations. This is gourmet chinese food. If you want something similar to sweet and sour I suggest the Imperial chicken. It is fantastic. The dumplings are pretty much the best things you will ever have, ever. So are the wings. Hu Shang pork is my favorite entree. Hai Nan Chicken, Sizzling Platter of Mongolian Beef and Beef with Spicy Bbq Sauce are also beyond incredible. Mr. Ma could knock the shoes off fancy reviewers in Boston, NYC, San Francisco and probably even Shanghai or anywhere in the world. We are blessed to have him cooking in the back of a strip mall in Narragansett. Its truly world class food. So take your time, relax and enjoy. If you truly appreciate quality food and an intimate experience it doesnt get any better anywhere.
(5)
Kimberly S.
This is the best Chinese food I have ever had, NOT greasy at all! I can't wait to go back!!! The service is great, she recommends items and you never get that type of service at any other Chinese restaurant.
(5)
M K.
This is quite possibly the best restaurant I have ever been to. Every time I go there I am amazed by how delicious the sauces are. I am always trying to copy them at home but I can never get it quite right. I have been going here for more than 2 years and as a vegan (and gluten free, you can request gf soy sauce) I am delighted that they have an entire veg menu. (this was actually the reason I went here the first time) Every single thing on the menu is delicious. I recently tried the string beans in delicious brown sesame sauce which was incredible. The owner is always so nice and she certainly works very hard. They have been in business for 30 years and it is obvious why, it's the best food around. I love all of the vegetable and tofu dishes but I can't get enough of the delicious sauces. There is a ginger soy sauce that comes when you order spring rolls which is fabulous. The chef also makes a wonderful fresh Daikon radish, cucumber and carrot salad which is raw and simply divine. Other delicious dishes (well everything is delicious) are the tofu in chef's curry sauce, anything in the chef's special green sauce, hot and spicy eggplant, basil with shitake mushrooms, vegetarian sesame noodle. Oh! And you can order brown rice with your meal (instead of white) I am incredibly disappointed when I see people giving this place a bad review. Maybe they don't know what real Chinese food is. This food is so worth any wait. The owner even says that you can call in advance and order so that when you get there they will be ready to start making your food. I have called from the road at the end of a long trip as well as calling the day before when I went there for a family dinner. They make everything fresh and you can certainly tell. It is BYOB which is great as I think it lends a more relaxed atmosphere to the place. I wish I could give Ocean View more than 5 stars!! This is a delicious, healthy, vegetarian, gourmet restaurant with extremely reasonable prices and fantastic and friendly owners.
(5)
L S.
Stay away. When you can't even cook a piece of broccoli adequately, it doesn't bode well for the rest of the meal. We ordered four dishes, and every one was terrible in cooking skill and flavor. To make matters worse, the food was pretty expensive. I'm almost ashamed to call myself Chinese afterwards.
(1)
Jane P.
Don't eat here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The owner was arrested for beating an elderly Chinese man who was working for him a few years ago. The wife is a crack pot! There are signs all over the place and she yells at patrons! They should be closed down!
(1)
Kate B.
In 2013, I gave this restaurant 5 stars...all valid. Went back there last evening for take-out, and it was just terrible. Not sure if we just hit it on a bad night for the chef or what happened, but feel the need to update my review. First, we ordered by phone at 5:10 pm (they open at 5) and were told it would be ready at 6...sounded like a lot of time to wait, but OK. Got there and was told it would be ANOTHER 20 minutes. When the food was finally in hand, it was 6:30...nearly 90 minutes since we ordered it. There actually were customers eating in the restaurant (we've been there before and have been the only ones...)...but none with food on their plates that I could see. A family of about 5, with young children were waiting and waiting for their food (they actually got up from the tables and were occupying themselves outside because it was taking so long for them just to get their appetizer)...oh, and the AC didn't appear to be working based on the heat inside and the exposed duct work hanging down from the ceiling...not far from the poor family's table. Back to our order, we ordered 3 entrees, two soups, two appetizers. We ordered crispy shrimp with ginger and scallions, chicken and broccoli, and some type of lamb, beef, veggie dish, plus 1 egg roll, an order of fried dumplings with meat, chicken fingers, and a pint each of the wonton and hot and sour soup. My fiance has eaten here going back 10 years and more and said it was the BEST hot and sour soup he's every had...he had one mouthful and poured the rest out into the trash. The chicken fingers were overcooked and were close to being burned...I actually sampled one in the car as we checked out our order to make sure all was there...and I was starving. Almost brought the box back in and asked for a refund, but it wouldn't have been worth the aggravation. At home, took one more bite and tossed them. The chicken in the Chicken with Broccoli was barely cooked through, the broccoli was over cooked, and the flavoring was like a lemon dishwater...it was terrible. The crispy shrimp was mediocre, my fiance said his lamb, beef, veggie dish was subpar as well, not anywhere near the quality of flavoring that he's had there before. The eggroll was completely gross...I could have gotten better from frozen supermarket version and the taste from the chicken fingers and eggroll was of old fryer oil that needed to be changed. The fried dumplings were just OK and had the same bad oil flavoring. To make it worse, what we paid for this meal was about double what you'd pay for Jackie's Galaxy or your other standard RI Chinese Food..$85!!! All of their pricing seems to be made up on the spot as the website lists 2012 menu pricing...or earlier...with notes that the price on the menu may actually be higher...and it was. As I left with our take out, the owner/host vaguely apologized for the extra time we had to wait but said something to the effect that when it's gourmet food, the wait is worth it. There was a time when I would have (and did) refer to this as gourmet Chinese food and the best in the state, but based on last night's experience, that ship has sailed. Save yourself some time and money and disappointment...find another place for good Chinese Food in Rhode Island. And when you do, please share it on YELP so I can try it out! As a side note, I do feel compassion for the owner/host as she seems to have an extremely tough job...but it's not fair to let my original review stand so that others will have the same wallet crunching poor dining experience as we did last night.
(2)
Barbara B.
This is THE best Chinese food we've ever had and this includes NYC's Chinatown and places throughout Europe. Mr Ma is a genius in the kitchen. We've been going for more than 20 years and the quality of food is more consistent than any other restaurant I know. However, as other reviewers have commented, don't expect the food to show up quickly and do expect a bill much higher than you'd expect for Asian food. We consider it well worth the wait and cost. My daughter won't eat any other Chinese food except for Mr Ma's. It is that good! And Chen's? (the other Chinese restaurant in town) The one time I went there the waitress brought white rolls and butter and asked if I wanted rice or french fries on the side! If that's what you want, don't bother with Oceanview. It's for sophisticated palates only. One more comment, be nice and respectful to Mrs Ma and she will be a gracious hostess. I don't think she suffers rude or impatient customers very well!! Enjoy!
(4)
Grub S.
The General Gau's Chicken is the best General's Chicken available in this part of Rhode Island at least. It should be mentioned that Southern Rhode Island isn't really a hub of well thought out cuisine. This is one reason Ocean View has survived for so long. They're an interesting restaurant in a sea of boring. You want chicken? Chicken prices are up this week, they're going to have to add a dollar to the price, OK? Or, in my case I like the General Gau's Chicken. In fact, it's one if the most popular items at any Chinese Restaurant. You'd think people who run a business, no matter how stubborn, Oppositionally Defiant, or even stupid they are (sometimes people succeed in spite of themselves) would try to fulfill requests that lead to profits... But no, NOT ONE TIME that I've been here have I had an entire order to myself. I almost got an order of it once, when they had it, my friend ordered the last order apparently. He ordered before me and the Mama San came back out to break the predictable news. Yeah. Let me try the Imperial Chicken, maybe that will be good... It was so-so. I'd rather have a Lean Cuisine Mandarin Orange Chicken with the plastic cover still on it. I will tell you readers this however since I've really only repeated the theme of many other posters here until now: if you want commodity market tips - Rice, Beef, Corn, whatever... Ask this lady. Apparently they play the wholesale food market and adjust pricing on the fly in anticipation of micro adjustments in the cost of ingredients. Ocean View has all the comfort of a Morrocan Reverse Auction complete with the gypsy-like shenanigans and negotiation. If you're a glutton for punishment and frustration, definitely go here. If you want some damn good General's? Just make sure you call ahead and skip the bullshit.
(3)
sean g.
By far it's the most authentic Chinese in RI. Food is excellent, and well worth the wait. No canned hot and sour soup here! Don't go if all you want is the boring Americanized staples. Allow the staff to guide you on a culinary adventure. In order to fully enjoy the cuisine, put yourself into the owner's hands. BYOB. Everything is made fresh, so take that into consideration, as the wait can be extreme. Also, the dining room is creepily empty. this place can be awkward, but in the culinary wasteland that is southern rhode island, it is a shining gem.
(4)
Sarah W.
After not going to the Ocean View for many years, my boyfriend and I decided to stop in. He is vegetarian and I am vegan. This restaurant has an entire menu just with vegetarian options! There were so many it was difficult to choose. We ordered the vegetarian "pork" and the Buddha Delight (vegetables with tofu and wheat gluten). Everything was amazing and we had plenty of food left over for the next day. They also had the option of brown rice or white rice, which is rare. It is also byob so you can bring your favorite beverage along with you. Can't wait to visit again, and also the service was helpful and friendly.
(5)
rina l.
I can't add much to the comments, as I agree with most of the reviewers here. Delicious, on the slow side, and with weird hours, but worth it to those who want something more than crappy cafeteria Chinese. WELL worth it, and a great place to take friends for a long evening out over conversation. Also a great respite from all the restaurants in RI that think a television (or three) somehow adds to the atmosphere.
(5)
Katie W.
BEST CHINESE FOOD YOU WILL EVER EAT! Our family has been coming here for over 20 years and have a few words of advice to anyone who is a new customer. Good things come to those who wait.....and be expected to wait a long time. Only one chef and one waitress (husband and wife team) so they have their hands full when there are a few tables. DO NOT order General Tao's chicken or anything else you would find in a mall food court. Do order any of their basil dish's, my ultimate favorite is Pan Fried Garlic Shrimp, spicy. Its amazing. It has a very peppery flavor, with thai basil and the shrimp really absorb all the wonderful flavors or the garlic. I like to suck on the shrimp before peeling to get full affect! Best Chinese food I have had since I visited Hong Kong. The Crispy Shrimp and Scallop comes in a close second. The shrimp and scallop are battered in rice flour which give it a light and airy texture and great flavor. It is served with a great chili peanut sauce as well. The pork fried dumplings I could eat alone for dinner, and usually order 2 extra orders just to take home with me for later. They are the best, most flavorful, crispy little dumplings I have ever had. A must order. Anything from the chef's menu is also a great bet, the two of them together make some really special dish's that are a treat to enjoy. I would give this place 10 stars if I could. Its BYOB. And if you ask for take away boxes, make sure you take EVERYTHING. The owner is great, she works hard, but often is stressed so be understanding and go in with an open mind if you know what I mean....
(5)
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Address :140 Point Judith Rd Ste 39
Narragansett, RI, 02882
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Steve S.
Some of the best Chinese food I have had anywhere and that includes China. The food is gourmet quality and the portions are generous; if you want just volume and not quality you may want to consider one of the other local Chinese places. I have not had anything on the menu that was not great with the exception of the chicken fingers which were only just OK. The hot and sour soup is the best I have ever had. The restaurant is BYOB. The food is all cooked to order but even allowing for this the service is very slow. Because of the slow service I frequently order take out from here and that is the only reason that I have not given this place five stars.
(4)Stephen H.
I've been going to this place for 15 years. It is, without fail, the best authentic chinese food in Rhode Island. There's no comparison. If you want to go to Chen's or the Green dragon you can get what some think of as "chinese food". This is the real deal. Please be advised, however, that the hours are a little strange, we have gone there tons of times forgetting the times and sitting around waiting. Also, it will take a little while to get your food, this is the truth. They aren't taking chicken fingers off of the warmer and fried rice out of the cauldron and sticking it on a styrofoam plate. This is a real restaurant and it makes you see Asian food differently. If all you have ever had in this world that is "chinese" is an egg roll, challenge yourself to try the hot and sour soup! Its tucked in the back of Mariner Square, lots of local people love this place (I'm now out-of-state, a transplant if you will)
(5)John B.
They serve very, very good food: authentic, fresh and perfectly balanced in flavors and textures. The chef is an artist of the wok. Every dish is hand crafted by him, which leads me to my only real complaint: You're served when he's ready to cook your food, not when you want to eat. You might wait a very long time (an hour or more). To some, the payoff may be worth it, but if you're the least bit impatient, you might want to find somewhere else for dinner.
(4)Robyn F.
This amazing restaurant is hidden in a little plaza in Narragansett. The ambiance isn't the best, but the food is probably the best I've had in Rhode Island when it comes to "chinese food". Don't go into Ocean View with a closed mind, don't go in looking for your typical "American chinese dishes" -- AKA : General TSO chicken, sweet and sour chicken. Go in looking to try something new, and I promise you won't be disappointed. The hostess is extremely pleasant and will gladly make sure to explain the dishes to you, so don't worry about not finding something to suit your taste buds, she will offer her advice or explain the dishes. Speaking of dishes, the dishes are made fresh on the spot, they do not pre-prep like most places, so not only is the food extremely fresh, it's also a good sized proportion -- perfect for sharing with friends and family!
(5)Sarah L.
Ok first.... this place is kept dirty. What would you expect. There is two people who own it as well as run it. You believe the food is "authentic" ... it's as "authentic" as the owners. They are horrible people, which is why they don't have help, besides being charged for assaulting an employee and harboring illegal citizens while forcing them to work in exchange for living in the home they currently own. Not an even swap seeing how the home is in no condition to live in. (Infested with mice, termites, and cockroaches) which if they keep their rental home in this condition.... I would think again about where they make peoples "authentic" food. But that's just my opinion. The wait time is extremely long, and really who wants to spend valuable family meal time listening to the owner MiMi go on and on about how hard her life is working 3 jobs because she can't afford all her expenses, how hard it is to do and treat people with respect especially when they Always have treated her respectfully. Yeah I'd rather hear her in the kitchen helping the crazy guy who likes to threaten people if they don't do or eat what they tell you. Oh they also charge you extra for any take out containers~ utensils ect.. so be prepared.. there is no view... unless you're into looking at local sewage plant.. nice smell. They keep the lights dim, not for setting a "mood " but because they don't want to pay for it, or maybe it's because they don't want you to see what your eating or how scrubbed out the place really is. Over all experience with these two dishonest business owners...... thank god New Dragon is around... now thats "AUTHENTIC" . Please if you value your taste buds and like ordering what you like without being told otherwise.... eat somewhere else.
(1)Luz N.
Amazing food! Got number 24... it was really good. Don't let the the outside appearances discourage you. The host/waitress is extremely nice, and the food was one of the best Chinese I have had to date. And that says a lot since I am constantly traveling and I am always looking for a good Chinese place to eat.
(5)Andrew M.
Don't expect the same atmosphere or food that you will get at any other Chinese restaurant. I have eaten here dozens of times over the course of several years, and have yet to have a meal any less than delicious. Stop wasting your time ordering the same General Name-is-slightly-different-everywhere's chicken and get into Ocean View. Here is what you do, go in, be polite, sit down, open the bottle of wine or bottle of beer you brought and toast with that large group of friends you like very much. You are going to stay here for a while, and you will enjoy it. Not every meal you eat needs to take less than ten minutes, so take the time with this one.
(5)Lyd M.
There are so many things I love about this place: First, the food is delicious. It's like no other Chinese food I've ever had around here and even dishes that sound familiar by their menu description arrive at the table with new and complex flavor combinations. The owners are a husband and wife team...she takes care of the floor and he works the kitchen. Because of this, service is by no means prompt, but come here expecting this and you will be fine. He basically cooks one dish at a time, so your dishes will come out staggered. The hot and sour soup is bomb. We also always get the hot and spicy wings. This last time, I chose a green curry entree with eggplant, basil, mushrooms, and chicken...it knocked my socks off. We've always been one of, at the most, 3 tables. Mrs. Ma is friendly, funny, and knows the menu and they both take great pride in the quality of their food and the flavors they achieve. Decor is basically non-existent and there is no ambiance to speak of, but it's all about the food and that's where the magic lies. Also, BYOB is always a fun thing, and there's a liquor store just up the street behind the gas station on the corner.
(5)Jeremy R.
Strangely amazing. One of my favorite restaurants in all of Rhode Island. Don't let the fact its in a strip mall or that you might be the only ones there stop you from giving it a chance. The chef is wonderful!
(5)Ronald S.
I was looking on Yelp for vegetarian options while in Naragansett and this place pops up at the top of the list, so we wanted to stop in and give it a try. First, the location is a bit out of the ordinary and if you don't know it's here, you won't find it. Behind the strip mall off the main road, inside a small professional building, down the hall. Not a prime restaurant location but I am sure it's not a high-rent site, so it's easier for them to sell food and stay in business (over 30 years so far!) and the locals who want good chinese food know where to go without much tourist traffic. In addition to the location the website feels very outdated (and it even says its from '09) but it has enough information and menus to help you out. The menu isn't like many other chinese restaurants, it seems a lot more 'authentic' with a lot of things i have never seen before on a menu and a vegetarian menu that rivals many vegetarian-only chinese restaurants I have been to. Their menu says "Authentic Mandarin & Szechuan Gourmet Cuisine" and I believe it. also, it had a good sized selection of in-season, fresh options. Always nice to see a chef using fresh seasonal produce. We had it to go, and it took a while to prepare but it's good to know it was all made to order. The food we had was all very good, It's good to know we can get away to the beach and have amazing vegetarian food without driving too far. Probably next time we will eat-in and enjoy the unique ambience.
(4)Matt P.
I just threw away 35 dollars worth of takeout from Ocean View. The chicken wings that we ordered were spoiled. Not a little off...but totally bad. If I hadn't spit out the bite that I took, I would be spending the rest of my Saturday night vomiting. The 'Chef' placed a couple of slices of lemon inside the container that the wings were in and my guess is that he was trying to mask the smell. The lo-mein that we ordered was linguini and because of the lingering taste of bad chicken still in my mouth, I was unable to eat any of the dish. I'm totally pissed off right now but I know from the reputation of the owners of this restaurant that I have a snowball's chance in hell getting my money back. Never again.
(1)Jamie M.
This is outstanding gourmet Chinese food - not discount Americanized fast-food variety. Mr and Mrs Ma are from Taiwan - he is the chef and she hosts and waits the tables. I have been bringing my family, friends and relatives there for 30 years. Here are my tips: - go during off-peak times, OR plan for a relaxed long dinner with your favorite people and wine you bring (it is Bring Your Own Booze) - If Mrs Ma predicts that things are going to be slow, she will tell you so and will suggest that big groups during peak times will do better if you call a day ahead of time. If they are stressed out, they don't hide it very well. When they are doing well, the experience is pleasant and personal. - Friday and Saturday Evenings are peak times - but if you get there between 4:30 to 6 pm, there won't be a queue in the kitchen, and the food will start to come out quickly. If there are a bunch of patrons already in the restaurant, walk out or accept the fact that you will need to be patient. It could even take a while to put your appetizer order in if she is busy serving or preparing in the kitchen. I used to take my kids in the hallway of the very quiet interior mall and let them explore and run around. - ask Mrs Ma about her recommendations! There are many crazy-good and unique dishes on the menu. If you are avoiding gluten, he has gluten free soy sauce available for cooking.
(5)Julia T.
Just got this from the owner and thought I would share. Maybe things I mentioned hit home! Mimi W. Block User "You must been to another Chinese restaurant and confused yourself with the name sweet hear, your comment about the high price and wait of service is out of date. a party of 20 people maybe will cost you more than $300, and that's normal , maybe cheep, but at this restaurant under $100 for 6 people, we could have a wonderful meal. As the wait, depends on when you visiting a restaurant, at the peak hour , the wait is surely longer than usual, try to come during the week and off peak time, I am sure you'll be happier about the service and everything. O by the way , the New McDonald in Wakefield,RI is newly opened, the wait won't be THAT LONG." My Response: Mimi....two of my nephews at the tables are chefs. We didn't get confused with the name of your restaurant or the service. Even the other diners were mentioning how they ALWAYS have to wait, so PLEASE don't try to put the blame on us for your lousy service. A meal is supposed to be served at one time. If your chef can't handle it by himself, hire another one. and you definitely need more floor people. You can't handle it by yourself. You're not as young as you once were! ************************************************************************ Original Review Okay, so SOME of the food was good, but when you walk in, and there is NO ONE in the place, and the owner yells at you for not making a reservation, and then continues to yell about HER having to be the one to push tables together for a party of 8? Houston...we have a problem! It was our LAST night of vacation, so we didn't just leave. That was the mistake we made. It took an hour to get Won-Ton Soup, and after everyone finished their soup....the owner brought the noodles, but charged us $3.75/bowl for the soup noodles. It took a total of 2 and a half hours to get our food. The price you ask??? Close to $300.00 for one dish a piece and I ate fried rice that I shared. So for 7 dishes and a dish of fried rice, $275.00. The food came out every 10 minutes or so. I was finished with mine and ready to go and my sister-in-law had not been served yet and wouldn't be served for another 30 minutes. The flavors are good but, when you are yelled at and are getting upset with the owners comments that are DIRECTLY aimed your way in no uncertain terms......how can ANYONE give this place 5 stars? The owner made the comment several times that there was NO HELP but her so she wouldn't rush. NEWS FLASH......HIRE SOMEONE!!!!! The more upset SHE got, the longer the food took to get out. When you asked about your food...she commented that good food takes time. Come on...an hour for Won-Ton Soup???? It wasn't THAT good! Most dishes were around $20-$25. Now the menu says it's only $17-$18, but when taking the order, she justifies the price with, "That will be fair market price and not necessarily the price quoted. This place is less than a mile from where the shrimp, lobster, scallop and fish boats anchor, so "splain to me Lucy, how come the price is so high?" Bottom line: Tasty...but NOT worth the aggravation or the price.
(1)D. B.
I dont even want to review this place because I dont want anybody else to know about it. There are only two people running the entire restaurant. They are old and its already busy enough. So know that its really good but dont go. I dont want you to ruin it for me. As other people have pretty clearly explained, you may wait. You may wait for a long time. Think of this as more like being a guest in someones home than a traditional restaurant experience. If you are kind and patient, you will be treated well and really enjoy the experience. If you are a nitty, impatient asshole, you will probably be treated like one. So be nice to Mrs. Ma! Bring some drink,relax and converse. Do not try to order sweet and sour chicken here. If you want that go somewhere else. Order off of the special menu or ask for recommendations. This is gourmet chinese food. If you want something similar to sweet and sour I suggest the Imperial chicken. It is fantastic. The dumplings are pretty much the best things you will ever have, ever. So are the wings. Hu Shang pork is my favorite entree. Hai Nan Chicken, Sizzling Platter of Mongolian Beef and Beef with Spicy Bbq Sauce are also beyond incredible. Mr. Ma could knock the shoes off fancy reviewers in Boston, NYC, San Francisco and probably even Shanghai or anywhere in the world. We are blessed to have him cooking in the back of a strip mall in Narragansett. Its truly world class food. So take your time, relax and enjoy. If you truly appreciate quality food and an intimate experience it doesnt get any better anywhere.
(5)Kimberly S.
This is the best Chinese food I have ever had, NOT greasy at all! I can't wait to go back!!! The service is great, she recommends items and you never get that type of service at any other Chinese restaurant.
(5)M K.
This is quite possibly the best restaurant I have ever been to. Every time I go there I am amazed by how delicious the sauces are. I am always trying to copy them at home but I can never get it quite right. I have been going here for more than 2 years and as a vegan (and gluten free, you can request gf soy sauce) I am delighted that they have an entire veg menu. (this was actually the reason I went here the first time) Every single thing on the menu is delicious. I recently tried the string beans in delicious brown sesame sauce which was incredible. The owner is always so nice and she certainly works very hard. They have been in business for 30 years and it is obvious why, it's the best food around. I love all of the vegetable and tofu dishes but I can't get enough of the delicious sauces. There is a ginger soy sauce that comes when you order spring rolls which is fabulous. The chef also makes a wonderful fresh Daikon radish, cucumber and carrot salad which is raw and simply divine. Other delicious dishes (well everything is delicious) are the tofu in chef's curry sauce, anything in the chef's special green sauce, hot and spicy eggplant, basil with shitake mushrooms, vegetarian sesame noodle. Oh! And you can order brown rice with your meal (instead of white) I am incredibly disappointed when I see people giving this place a bad review. Maybe they don't know what real Chinese food is. This food is so worth any wait. The owner even says that you can call in advance and order so that when you get there they will be ready to start making your food. I have called from the road at the end of a long trip as well as calling the day before when I went there for a family dinner. They make everything fresh and you can certainly tell. It is BYOB which is great as I think it lends a more relaxed atmosphere to the place. I wish I could give Ocean View more than 5 stars!! This is a delicious, healthy, vegetarian, gourmet restaurant with extremely reasonable prices and fantastic and friendly owners.
(5)L S.
Stay away. When you can't even cook a piece of broccoli adequately, it doesn't bode well for the rest of the meal. We ordered four dishes, and every one was terrible in cooking skill and flavor. To make matters worse, the food was pretty expensive. I'm almost ashamed to call myself Chinese afterwards.
(1)Jane P.
Don't eat here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The owner was arrested for beating an elderly Chinese man who was working for him a few years ago. The wife is a crack pot! There are signs all over the place and she yells at patrons! They should be closed down!
(1)Kate B.
In 2013, I gave this restaurant 5 stars...all valid. Went back there last evening for take-out, and it was just terrible. Not sure if we just hit it on a bad night for the chef or what happened, but feel the need to update my review. First, we ordered by phone at 5:10 pm (they open at 5) and were told it would be ready at 6...sounded like a lot of time to wait, but OK. Got there and was told it would be ANOTHER 20 minutes. When the food was finally in hand, it was 6:30...nearly 90 minutes since we ordered it. There actually were customers eating in the restaurant (we've been there before and have been the only ones...)...but none with food on their plates that I could see. A family of about 5, with young children were waiting and waiting for their food (they actually got up from the tables and were occupying themselves outside because it was taking so long for them just to get their appetizer)...oh, and the AC didn't appear to be working based on the heat inside and the exposed duct work hanging down from the ceiling...not far from the poor family's table. Back to our order, we ordered 3 entrees, two soups, two appetizers. We ordered crispy shrimp with ginger and scallions, chicken and broccoli, and some type of lamb, beef, veggie dish, plus 1 egg roll, an order of fried dumplings with meat, chicken fingers, and a pint each of the wonton and hot and sour soup. My fiance has eaten here going back 10 years and more and said it was the BEST hot and sour soup he's every had...he had one mouthful and poured the rest out into the trash. The chicken fingers were overcooked and were close to being burned...I actually sampled one in the car as we checked out our order to make sure all was there...and I was starving. Almost brought the box back in and asked for a refund, but it wouldn't have been worth the aggravation. At home, took one more bite and tossed them. The chicken in the Chicken with Broccoli was barely cooked through, the broccoli was over cooked, and the flavoring was like a lemon dishwater...it was terrible. The crispy shrimp was mediocre, my fiance said his lamb, beef, veggie dish was subpar as well, not anywhere near the quality of flavoring that he's had there before. The eggroll was completely gross...I could have gotten better from frozen supermarket version and the taste from the chicken fingers and eggroll was of old fryer oil that needed to be changed. The fried dumplings were just OK and had the same bad oil flavoring. To make it worse, what we paid for this meal was about double what you'd pay for Jackie's Galaxy or your other standard RI Chinese Food..$85!!! All of their pricing seems to be made up on the spot as the website lists 2012 menu pricing...or earlier...with notes that the price on the menu may actually be higher...and it was. As I left with our take out, the owner/host vaguely apologized for the extra time we had to wait but said something to the effect that when it's gourmet food, the wait is worth it. There was a time when I would have (and did) refer to this as gourmet Chinese food and the best in the state, but based on last night's experience, that ship has sailed. Save yourself some time and money and disappointment...find another place for good Chinese Food in Rhode Island. And when you do, please share it on YELP so I can try it out! As a side note, I do feel compassion for the owner/host as she seems to have an extremely tough job...but it's not fair to let my original review stand so that others will have the same wallet crunching poor dining experience as we did last night.
(2)Barbara B.
This is THE best Chinese food we've ever had and this includes NYC's Chinatown and places throughout Europe. Mr Ma is a genius in the kitchen. We've been going for more than 20 years and the quality of food is more consistent than any other restaurant I know. However, as other reviewers have commented, don't expect the food to show up quickly and do expect a bill much higher than you'd expect for Asian food. We consider it well worth the wait and cost. My daughter won't eat any other Chinese food except for Mr Ma's. It is that good! And Chen's? (the other Chinese restaurant in town) The one time I went there the waitress brought white rolls and butter and asked if I wanted rice or french fries on the side! If that's what you want, don't bother with Oceanview. It's for sophisticated palates only. One more comment, be nice and respectful to Mrs Ma and she will be a gracious hostess. I don't think she suffers rude or impatient customers very well!! Enjoy!
(4)Grub S.
The General Gau's Chicken is the best General's Chicken available in this part of Rhode Island at least. It should be mentioned that Southern Rhode Island isn't really a hub of well thought out cuisine. This is one reason Ocean View has survived for so long. They're an interesting restaurant in a sea of boring. You want chicken? Chicken prices are up this week, they're going to have to add a dollar to the price, OK? Or, in my case I like the General Gau's Chicken. In fact, it's one if the most popular items at any Chinese Restaurant. You'd think people who run a business, no matter how stubborn, Oppositionally Defiant, or even stupid they are (sometimes people succeed in spite of themselves) would try to fulfill requests that lead to profits... But no, NOT ONE TIME that I've been here have I had an entire order to myself. I almost got an order of it once, when they had it, my friend ordered the last order apparently. He ordered before me and the Mama San came back out to break the predictable news. Yeah. Let me try the Imperial Chicken, maybe that will be good... It was so-so. I'd rather have a Lean Cuisine Mandarin Orange Chicken with the plastic cover still on it. I will tell you readers this however since I've really only repeated the theme of many other posters here until now: if you want commodity market tips - Rice, Beef, Corn, whatever... Ask this lady. Apparently they play the wholesale food market and adjust pricing on the fly in anticipation of micro adjustments in the cost of ingredients. Ocean View has all the comfort of a Morrocan Reverse Auction complete with the gypsy-like shenanigans and negotiation. If you're a glutton for punishment and frustration, definitely go here. If you want some damn good General's? Just make sure you call ahead and skip the bullshit.
(3)sean g.
By far it's the most authentic Chinese in RI. Food is excellent, and well worth the wait. No canned hot and sour soup here! Don't go if all you want is the boring Americanized staples. Allow the staff to guide you on a culinary adventure. In order to fully enjoy the cuisine, put yourself into the owner's hands. BYOB. Everything is made fresh, so take that into consideration, as the wait can be extreme. Also, the dining room is creepily empty. this place can be awkward, but in the culinary wasteland that is southern rhode island, it is a shining gem.
(4)Sarah W.
After not going to the Ocean View for many years, my boyfriend and I decided to stop in. He is vegetarian and I am vegan. This restaurant has an entire menu just with vegetarian options! There were so many it was difficult to choose. We ordered the vegetarian "pork" and the Buddha Delight (vegetables with tofu and wheat gluten). Everything was amazing and we had plenty of food left over for the next day. They also had the option of brown rice or white rice, which is rare. It is also byob so you can bring your favorite beverage along with you. Can't wait to visit again, and also the service was helpful and friendly.
(5)rina l.
I can't add much to the comments, as I agree with most of the reviewers here. Delicious, on the slow side, and with weird hours, but worth it to those who want something more than crappy cafeteria Chinese. WELL worth it, and a great place to take friends for a long evening out over conversation. Also a great respite from all the restaurants in RI that think a television (or three) somehow adds to the atmosphere.
(5)Katie W.
BEST CHINESE FOOD YOU WILL EVER EAT! Our family has been coming here for over 20 years and have a few words of advice to anyone who is a new customer. Good things come to those who wait.....and be expected to wait a long time. Only one chef and one waitress (husband and wife team) so they have their hands full when there are a few tables. DO NOT order General Tao's chicken or anything else you would find in a mall food court. Do order any of their basil dish's, my ultimate favorite is Pan Fried Garlic Shrimp, spicy. Its amazing. It has a very peppery flavor, with thai basil and the shrimp really absorb all the wonderful flavors or the garlic. I like to suck on the shrimp before peeling to get full affect! Best Chinese food I have had since I visited Hong Kong. The Crispy Shrimp and Scallop comes in a close second. The shrimp and scallop are battered in rice flour which give it a light and airy texture and great flavor. It is served with a great chili peanut sauce as well. The pork fried dumplings I could eat alone for dinner, and usually order 2 extra orders just to take home with me for later. They are the best, most flavorful, crispy little dumplings I have ever had. A must order. Anything from the chef's menu is also a great bet, the two of them together make some really special dish's that are a treat to enjoy. I would give this place 10 stars if I could. Its BYOB. And if you ask for take away boxes, make sure you take EVERYTHING. The owner is great, she works hard, but often is stressed so be understanding and go in with an open mind if you know what I mean....
(5)