I've had good Chinese food and this is far from it. The Asian bistro has much better food if you don't mind traveling to fairbanks.
(3)
Kymberly G.
In town to see a friend and he brought us here. Food was excellent. Service was super friendly, and nice. Beware... lots of food for the price so you will need to share! I especially liked the sweet and sour items. The BBQ Pork was moist and had lots of flavor.
(4)
Marylou B.
Been going here before they were on triple D !! Always good always friendly always hot and fresh!! Yummy!!!
(4)
Kelcey K.
We were driving around North Pole town to check out the Santa Claus house. There wasn't much in town and so we yelp-ed for food options and up popped Pagoda. The interior had lavish Chinese imperial designs, very fanciful. It was rather quiet during that lunch hour. Our server was exceptionally friendly. They served really good tea in a heavy metal pot that made the Chinese dining experience even more realistic. We ordered the lunch specials of beef chow mein and kung pau shrimp which came with soup, fried spring roll and pork fried rice - all for $13. The clear vege soup was tasty but not too salty. The kung pau shrimp was pretty good, the beef chow mein was okay...all in all, it was money well-spent because the portions are enormous! We had to pack more than half of our meal because after the bowl of soup and huge spring roll, we were pretty stuffed! Looking around town, I don't think there's that many options for food anyway, so might as well pop by here if you're there to check out Santa Claus house :)
(4)
Julia R.
Pagoda's is a fun experience. It has all the kitschy, stereotypically icons of your favorite neighborhood chinese resturant. Hugely decorated red and gold ceiling plus enormous water-scened paintings. Large portions of saucy meat and vegetables with an eggroll like a baby's arm and a mountain of rice all for $12. Thank you lunch special. All the Guy Fieri memorablia is pretty cool too.
(4)
Bill M.
We also saw Pagoda on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This time, Guy hit a home run. The food is very flavorful and plentiful. We went there for lunch and we both were unable to eat all of the food on our plates. We wanted to; but, we just couldn't eat anymore. We would definitely go back; but, we would split a plate. Pagoda is located in a shopping center; so, parking is plentiful and free.
(4)
Godzilla T.
A wise Chinese girl once told me - "no Shark Fin Soup, no frog legs on menu, not real Chinese food. . .it's Chinese food for Americans. Sweet and Sour Pork is for Americans." Yeah, Pagoda is Chinese American - by no means is it anything like what I've got at home a few blocks away. Probably can't get sesame jellyfish (which, surprisingly, isn't bad). But, that Sweet and Sour Chicken was damn good! (bows head in shame) And the Walnut Shrimp is deelish! It would go nice with her mom's grass jelly drink (you're missing out!). But I had the plum wine instead and it was yummy!
(4)
I S.
Ate here twice, not impressed. Food was okay, ordered the General Tso's chicken & Mongolian beef. General Tso's chicken had more batter than pancakes, was very disappointed. There was maybe 1 chicken thigh that made up the dish. Mongolian beef was much better. Service was friendly & quick. Prices were $$ for Chinese food.
(3)
Mai S.
The Mongolian beef and walnut shrimp are very very delicious. The service is quick. I never have to wait for more than 10 mins for a table even when they are super crowded and busy.
(4)
Karen S.
Our service and dinner left a lot to be desired.... First of all what is up with having mulitple waitresses???One is enough. We found this to be ridiculous. Also we were asked about 6 times or more if we were ready to order, yet. This was our first visit and the menu is large, you need time to read it. 2ndly the pot of tea wasn't that good at all. Very dissapointing. The candle under the pot was not lit. Thirdly I have not ever seen egg in Wonton Soup before..I usually eat Chinese at least once a week and have had it in NJ,NY,KS,GA,AL,AK but none had any egg. The soup appeared clear, not greasy and with nice fresh looking vegetables-but I did not try it due to eggs in it. It was sent away 95% full as the other 3 diners did not like it either. 4thly Another first-NO crunchy dry noodles and duck sauce were put on our table nor anyone elses. ( there were 2 pieces strangely placed in a bin on our pu-pu platter.) 5th Our eggrolls were hit and miss. 2 out of 4 tasted appetizing. We ordered a pu pu platter. Once again our fire was NOT lit. So the lil grill to warm your food was useless. The shrimp was greasy but good. The pork was not the expected "spare ribs". The thing in foil was not good and we have no idea what it was. The 2 large dry noodles were??? suppossed to be what???You usually get a bowl or two or three of these. The steak on a stick was just ok, but the best thing on the pu pu platter. We also ordered sweet & sour chicken for the children. Both of them would not eat it, They did not like it. This also has not ever happened before. There were cold slices of carrrots on top of the hot chicken nuggets. The waitresses could see it was not touched and not one of them offered to take it back and off the bill. We did not take anything home. I guess we will stick to our chinese food here in Fairbanks. Much better
(1)
Trang P.
Definitely had much better elsewhere. Maybe it's because it's the only Chinese place in that small town, but since I've eating in major chinatowns (NY, LA, SF, Chicago, and the list goes on), this place doesn't stand a chance. Price is reasonable, however, because food in Alaska is expensive in general, I guess I see why these people think it's a steal....
(2)
Neil O.
It's no wonder Santa Claus is fat. Pagoda is down the street from his house, and their Chinese food is the best in North Pole if not the Fairbanks North Star Borough. There's something about the food that sets it apart from other Chinese restaurants, in a good way. Almost seems like the stuff is authentic and well-crafted rather than run-of-the-mill. Service is five-star and often times I had to wait for a seat, which is good because they have a steady crowd. The ambiance has lots of positive energy. I'm guessing they took some time to feng shui the place.
(5)
Michelle S.
The Mongolian Beef is hit or miss. We've had it be excellent to just so-so. The General Tso's chicken we ordered was sweet and sour chicken - not the same dish. The food comes out so quickly that I think it's pre-cooked in the back and just topped with a different sauce. Everything is heavily sauced making it overly soggy. If you want quick (but not necessarily good), this is the place to go.
(2)
Eva G.
Just moved to the area, and wanted to get some Chinese take out. mixed reviews of both north pole chinese restaurants. Decided to go with pagoda purely because there were more pics on yelp, the food looked good, and I'm a visual person. When I called, the person answering the phone was nice, answered my questions about the menu, and was easy to understand. I ordered their version of sesame chicken which had a good flavor, but tasted like orange chicken (tart and with a little spice). I would order it again because my husband and I both liked the sauce, just be aware its not the usual sweet sesame flavor. There was a lot of breading like another yelper had commented but I'll take good quality white meat without those hard/chewy pieces (you know the ones) with a little extra breading any day. We also had the garlic shrimp. Taste was average, but there were a lot of shrimp, and they were a nice size (not the tiny little ones you usually get). The one thing I was not impressed with was the price. $35 for 2 chinese take out dishes is a little steep. If it were amazing, I wouldn't mind. They did use quality ingredients, and we are in alaska, but it was only a small step up from a panda express meal which would cost me $16 in California. Of note, they are a free standing building in the Safeway plaza, and they are renovating. Google navigation tries to take you a weird way because it doesn't recognize this and thinks there is an entrance off of the highway.
(3)
S C.
Went here and had Hong Kong style noodles: yuck. Hong Kong style is crispy pan fried noodles softened by pouring a [savory] sauce on top. We got a lo-mein dish with a thai style sweetish sauce on top. I'd be okay if the sauce was even somewhat tasty, but it was not. It's hard to just ignore the history of good meals I've eaten here, but now every time I think about making the drive to North Pole and Pagoda, I remember this noodle dish and go somewhere else.
(2)
Jade K.
I'm new to Alaska and I've eaten here twice. It's become my favorite Chinese place in Fairbanks/North Pole Area. When I generally think of Chinese food, I think of eating out of a Styrofoam container or a paper box, but this place makes me excited to eat Chinese. I love the atmosphere. Lots of neat things to look at to set the tone, and your food always looks gorgeous and appetizing, as well as being delicious. The portions are also large and very filling. Great bang for your buck. You also get your food VERY fast, and fresh! I don't know how they do it, but I've been very please with my experience, and the servers and employees are all very nice and give you a warm greeting and goodbye. They genuinely seem to care how the service and food are, and I've been please to tell them that it's been wonderful every time!
(5)
Tiffany D.
The food was okay but the screaming babies. Gees, what is with Alaska parents that they treat their babies so badly that they force them to scream and cry in public while people are trying to eat. And what's with that restaurant that allows parents to sit there and eat while their baby is screaming and crying to cared for. Gross. I'll never eat here again.
(1)
Jeff D.
Decoration was ver authentic but the quality and taste was average, portions were excellent and service was also excellent. I would recommend ordering separate items off menu and not the family meals.
(3)
Jenny H.
Came here for lunch after going to Santa Claus' House since it was one of the few options available. I was surprised at how expensive all the dishes ($16-20) were since most things in Fairbanks have been quite cheap. My friend and I ended up getting the $13 lunch specials that come with soup, egg roll, fried rice, and a dish of your choice. I chose chicken & broccoli and my friend got shrimp with Peking sauce. I was quite surprised by the mountain sized portion of food and knew it was enough for at least two meals. Food was greasy and salty and I felt a little sick after eating here. There was probably a lot of MSG because I was dying of thirst afterwards.
(2)
J U.
If I want to dine out in the Fairbanks area with the expectation I'll receive quality service and great food, Pagoda's is my go to place. In a locale where the norm is horrible service and not so good food, it seems unlikely that I'd provide the following rating, but Pagoda's really is the best Americanized Chinese food I have ever eaten. Just one question for the owner, Benny. I've been making you rich since the late 90s. When are you going to give the outside of the building a facelift?
(5)
J T.
Delivery is fairly quick, and the food was still hot. Although if it's really busy delivery time may get close to two hours so order early. Dine in was good everyone is friendly and helpful, although we did feel a bit rushed. They seem to try and turn tables quickly, but this is a very busy restaurant. We never had a bad dish, although the consistency of specific items seemed to vary.
(4)
Dana B.
It's my Dad's favorite restaurant so we gave it a try. The food was good. Service was pleasant and prompt. More on the bland than spicy side. Portions are ample. My dad was pleased to take home lots of leftovers.
(3)
Kurtis J.
AMAZING!! Was on a TDY to Eielson for two weeks and went to this restaurant at least four times. Everything was cooked very well. The best Chinese food restaurant iv ever been to. Hopefully will be able to go back.
(5)
Elly G.
I missed Chinese food but I mean this kind of Chinese food! Amazing food and friendly people. Really big portions so expect left overs . I see why Guy had to check this place out , best food in the area
(5)
Dayna H.
even though this is the best restaurant I've eaten at in North Pole it's still way too expensive for meh food. Needless to say, North Pole is lacking in the food (or anything good, or fun, or entertaining) business.
(2)
Ben H.
Not bad, dumplings are good. I was a little disappointed because the hype was so high. It's good food not great by any means
(5)
Carl W.
The food is really good, and the portions are more than ample. We went here both nights of our stay at Eielson AFB. As good as the food is, the service is very good too. The wait staff is attentive but not overbearing. I recommend this place to anyone coming through the area.
(5)
Dead M.
Had to try this place after working in Fairbanks... Drove up to the North Pole and stopped in for dinner. Well, the place was packed with people and others getting "take out", so it must be the shizz, no? Well, I ordered the sweet 'n sour chicken, egg role, house soup, rice and chicken chow mein. It was just, ok IMO. I've had much much better chinese food in Washington state, hands down. If you plan on driving all the way out to the North Pole, just to get this chinese food, you will be dissapointed. It was really, not that great. The sauces on the chicken and the noodles, etc was a bit tasty, but it was the actual meat inside the breading that killed it for me... grissle, over cooked and chewy. Sorry "Guy" of Diner, Drive Ins and Dives, but this place was a frown for me.
(2)
Teresa C.
I love this place!! The portions are huge and the food is good!!! Who would have thought that the North pole had great Chinses Food?!
(5)
Ian H.
This was positively the best chinese food I have had in over fifteen years! To think it is in the middle of no-where....had mongolian beef which was flavorful and tender. Took less than ten minutes to get our order! Will frequent again...
(4)
Jomarie T.
ah! Pagoda! The best of the best. Soo good. Then again I am biased because I grew up eating it and went to school with the owners daughter. But always amazing food and amazing service. If you ever go though Fairbanks, make a pit stop to North Pole and try it!
(5)
Ashley S.
Hard to believe that some of the best Chinese food I've ever had was in North Pole, Alaska of all places!! Very impressed with Pagoda!! From the service to the food, you won't leave hungry or disappointed!!
(5)
e J.
I went here for a work lunch fully expecting to be disappointed with the usual Americanized Chinese food, cheap ingredients, and tons o' salt. Much to my surprise the food and overall experience were great. There's complimentary hot tea in the traditional cast iron teapot and the Kung Pao Bean Curd I had was excellent at a reasonable price to boot!
(4)
Daniel P.
This is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The staff and owner are friendly, prices are good and the food is delicious. The portions are huge, plan on taking at least half of your dinner home, or come with friends and share.
(5)
Rey T.
Orderd three crown and schz beef,veg rice, hot/sour. Very good ! About $16 for very LG entre.
(4)
Drew K.
I moved outside a few years ago and didn't realize how truly outstanding the Mongolian Beef at Pagoda was until I tried to find anything even close in the lower 48. My last disappointment was in Chicago Chinatown. Pagoda food is outstanding, portion size is great and flavors are all different and wonderful. Wish I could get back there for more!
(5)
Greg S.
Ughh.. So disappointed by my visit this week while working at Eielson AFB. Ordered the Kung Pao Chicken again, but this time, so bland, so overcooked, and too salty. Egg roll was undercooked (swear it was still cold in the middle after being taken out of the freezer and thrown in the fryer). Edible, but not something I would come back for, especially at their high prices for a lunch plate ($12.95). Scratch this one from future visits unless I hear something about their turning around (many folks that live here shared the same opinion). Aloha, Greg
(1)
Mario C.
food was awesomeness, the portion are outrageous. ... if you go home hungry you gotta a problem!. we went in a group of eight. it took a bit to get service but once we did the food came out quickly. the ladies in the pink shirts take care of the drinks , hot tea and all tge rice you can handle. you will really enjoy the food..
(4)
Danielle D.
We moved here from Atlanta and have had a lot of Chinese food and this is by far the best we've ever had! Definitely worth the trip to North Pole! A little pricey but portions are large and food is excellent!!
(5)
Frank T.
Really good (typical) Asian restaurant. Get the Mongolian Beef - extra crispy. I tried some of the other dishes and I'm sure this is the best one. And don't forget the crab puffs, they are really good here.
(4)
Shawn Y.
I mean where else in Fairbanks can you get the best Chinese food? Price cannot compare to the enormous portioned food you get.
(5)
Jeanielle H.
Get the Mongolian beef! Tried all other entrees the people I was with and mine was the best! Love it when it works out for me:-)
(4)
Dustin R.
Almost a 3 star review, just wasn't really impressed with anything. Just a typical Chinese place for me. I'd rather take the time to go the extra miles to Fairbanks and grub somewhere special. Not sure why Guy Fieri came here before, I guess because it's one of the few places to eat in a town with a cool name like North Pole. The service was good and the food came out fast, which keeps them at 4 stars from me.
(4)
Carla C.
My kids love this place. I love that I got to visit North Pole! We ordered the Happy Family Special for our special occasion dinner. 8. Happy Family Special $20.95 (each person!) Wonton or Hot & Sour* Soup Chicken with Garlic Sauce* Sweet and Sour Shrimp Beef with Chinese Greens Pork Fried Rice Hot Tea and Fortune Cookie Apptetizers: eggroll, fried shrimp, barbecued pork Typical American Chinese food...ingredients seem fresh and spiced correctly. We love that we can box up so much of it and have ... leftovers! What a wonderful American tradition! We got there about 8pm and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. The place was packed. Nevertheless, we were happy campers. Decent service, pleasant staff.
(4)
R H.
Very good Chinese food. I definitely like the Pu-Pu platter and the Combo "C" for one. Delivery, take-out, and sit in dining. Always good food. They don't mention this on the website but for Delivery or Take-Out the tea is NOT free (even if your meal normally comes with it.) It's $3 per tiny container. The delivery fee as of this review is $4 (Also not on their website.) Good food, pretty good staff, and OK delivery times.
(4)
Julie R.
Overly hyped!! Very expensive. Don't bother. Hit up the Thai place down the road.
(1)
Cc B.
This is not Chinese food, it's Korean!! Just so everyone knows, it's good Korean food, But it is not a Chinese food establishment, and extremely expensive. Just like pretty much everything in and around Fairbanks.
(1)
Tom S.
The best Chinese food in the U.S. The service is great and the portions are big!
(5)
Brittany O.
In town for work and everyone highly recommended this place. It was okay. I had the Kung Po Chicken. I found out the next day the best thing to get is the Walnut Shrimp. Maybe next time
(4)
Michelle R.
Went there today for lunch. Service was fast, efficient and friendly. Food was just ok. The Walnut Shrimp Appetizer was delicious. The Eggroll had a nice flavor, hot and crispy. I ordered the Sesame Shrimp. Breading was super thick and soggy, sauce was too sweet. Not recommended. My husband ordered the Mongolian Beef, flavors were good but it was on the cold side. All in all, I regretted it.
(3)
Jessie L.
All of their food is amazing. No other Chinese restaurant even comes close. They only bad thing about Pagoda is their prices, they're really expensive.
(4)
Tiffany L.
This place is OFF THE CHAIN! I love love love love their new dishes! Their service is excellent and clean. Their prices are reasonable and cheap for their large portions. Speaking of portions, leftovers are a must! Love this place and I hope to come here again! Way to go Benny!
(5)
J.D. G.
This place is awesome! Fast, great service and delicious food. Mongoloian beef is the my favorite here... and I usually don't care for it! Highly recommend this place
(5)
Ky K.
This was the best place to eat Chinese food in the Fairbanks or North Pole area. The staff is exceptional and the food is great. After I ordered it only took about 5 to 10 minutes for the food to come. The food is sort of pricey if you are not eating during the lunch special times Mon through Friday but well worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(4)
Mina S.
Seriously the BEST chinese food we have ever had! Even though the place was packed, we were seated right away and our food came out really fast. The portions were huge so we will definitely be ordering a lot less next time. The orange chicken is just beyond amazing. I got lo mein because I usually don't like white rice but theirs is really good. My husband wasn't as happy with his food, he ordered the mongolian beef, but there was more than enough orange chicken to share and he loved that too. Definitely worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(5)
Paul W.
Lunch special gives you soup, egg roll, pork fried rice and an entree all for $12.95. Soup was delicious especially on a cold afternoon. I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp which was good with just the right amount of kick, but not enough to et your eyebrows sweating. Egg roll was a little soggy for my taste, but overall, a really good lunch option. On a side note, they are very proud of Guy Fieri, they have pics and autographs plastered all over the place, including the menu.
(4)
J'sMama H.
Yum. Great Chinese Food! The walnut shrimp is amazing.... I have attempted to find a version down here in the lower 48, but can't seem to. Looking forward to eating it again when I visit! I've only had the take-out, so I can't speak to ambiance, etc.
(4)
Khamla I.
I loved loved this place. My group and I were a bit tipsy when we got there but we were well behaved :) ! Right as I walked in i said hi in a friendly voice slightly loud and was returned with a very warm welcome. There was 6 of us and they made room for us right away even though this place was a bit smaller and extremely busy. Service was phenomenal! Never had to wave a waitress down for anything. Always checked on us and topped off all our waters/drinks. We all ordered entrees and more drinks. Everything was oversized and made to stuff you. We ate family style and by the end of it we had about 4 medium to go boxes. Some items were a bit pricy which I thought everything kind of would since it was in North Pole, Alaska. I say about 4/6 dishes and our drinks were consistent with other restaurants. Decor was awesome. Every inch of the place was covered with something awesome. I'll post pics up when I get to my hard drive since I deleted everything after my last sync
(5)
Leann M.
A little pricey, but you do get large portions of food. The food was good, they do get busy and the restaurant does get loud, its best to come before the food rush. The restaurant is clean and the staff is friendly
Meh....I usually like places Guy checks out but this place wasn't very great. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. Food was rather bland...we got the sweet & sour chicken, beef chow mein and shrimp with cashews. It's a nice sized portioned place but just not very flavorful at all.
(2)
Ryan M.
I have lived in North Pole for three years and you should know what Pagoda offers. Decor is fine and you'll notice that the place has a picture of guy fieri, big whoop. This is not authentic chinese food, it is a panda express like style but not half as tasty. Mongolian beef I find is the best you'll get but even that is heavy and will have you wanting a nap afterwards. Pros: big portions, prices aren't too high, and sometimes you get good service I've lived in hawaii and am used to a certain standard when it comes to chinese food. These people miss by a mile. This place is a joke Look elsewhere!
(1)
John M.
Had lunch here the other day. It was super busy and was looking forward to some good Chinese food. Based on how busy it was and all the kudos from Guy Fieri I had high expectations. Unfortunately me and my dining companions went away disappointed. On the good side, the portions were huge which made the $12.99 lunch menu worth the price. On the bad side, the food was tasteless and medicore. I ordered the almond battered chicken. What came out was basically sweet and sour chicken with almonds on it. Not the fried chicken breast with the yellow gravy and almonds. the sesame chicken my dining companion ordered was a big glop of shiny sauce with sesame seeds sprinkled over it. I'd skip this place but I know Chinese restaurants are few and far between so just go knowing it aint the best.
(2)
Aidan R.
Pagoda is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The service is always excellent, fast and very friendly. The portions are always huge, perfect to take left overs back home.
(5)
Robb W.
Very nice inside...clean with nice decorations. Service was slow after food came out (e.g. no water refills) 2 of our party of 5 ended up with the sh*ts so, thumbs down
(1)
Naomi V.
The food is decent, but I wouldn't say it is any better then any other Chinese restaurant. They are seriously over priced. We only go here because it is the only Chinese restaurant in North pole.
(3)
Lard Belly E.
For a Chinese restaurant located outside of Fairbanks and near a strip mall I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered green tea that came in a traditional pot, sat over a small flame to keep warm. For lunch I ordered the shrimp with garlic sauce combo, and a friend ordered the beef lo mein, both $11.95 that came with egg drop soup and an egg roll. I asked for chow mein noodles to add to the soup for crunch. The portions were huge! And it didn't effect the quality, but I always wonder about the MSG in cheap places like these. I would come again.
(4)
Robert A.
The food here is excellent, always is. Sesame chicken, general tso, beef with broccoli. Excellent food, service is great, prices are reasonable and large portions, I always need a to go container
(5)
John M.
Who knew that some of the best Chinese food would be found in North Pole, Alaska?? *Shrugs Shoulders* Long story short, I had some time to kill before that O'Dark hundred flight back to the lower 48 and wanted something to eat so that I could sleep on the plane. I really was expeciting to experience a ho-hum meal but boy was I surprised. The dinner combination of eggdrop soup, almond chicken, shrimp, and tea was an excellent choice! The almond chicken in particular had an awesome combination of spices that gave the dish a distinct flavor. The veggies were not overcooked as you normally find in other restaurants like this. Geez... even the hot tea was good, served in a iron pot! Oh yeah, all for about $16 made this a very worthwhile stop. The decor is a bit dated and loud. The LED xmas lights along the ceiling are a bit tacky, but that should not deter a visit. If (its a big if) I am back in the area, I will be making another stop.
(4)
Drew K.
I moved outside a few years ago and didn't realize how truly outstanding the Mongolian Beef at Pagoda was until I tried to find anything even close in the lower 48. My last disappointment was in Chicago Chinatown. Pagoda food is outstanding, portion size is great and flavors are all different and wonderful. Wish I could get back there for more!
(5)
I S.
Ate here twice, not impressed. Food was okay, ordered the General Tso's chicken & Mongolian beef. General Tso's chicken had more batter than pancakes, was very disappointed. There was maybe 1 chicken thigh that made up the dish. Mongolian beef was much better. Service was friendly & quick. Prices were $$ for Chinese food.
(3)
Mai S.
The Mongolian beef and walnut shrimp are very very delicious. The service is quick. I never have to wait for more than 10 mins for a table even when they are super crowded and busy.
(4)
Michelle S.
The Mongolian Beef is hit or miss. We've had it be excellent to just so-so. The General Tso's chicken we ordered was sweet and sour chicken - not the same dish. The food comes out so quickly that I think it's pre-cooked in the back and just topped with a different sauce. Everything is heavily sauced making it overly soggy. If you want quick (but not necessarily good), this is the place to go.
(2)
Eva G.
Just moved to the area, and wanted to get some Chinese take out. mixed reviews of both north pole chinese restaurants. Decided to go with pagoda purely because there were more pics on yelp, the food looked good, and I'm a visual person. When I called, the person answering the phone was nice, answered my questions about the menu, and was easy to understand. I ordered their version of sesame chicken which had a good flavor, but tasted like orange chicken (tart and with a little spice). I would order it again because my husband and I both liked the sauce, just be aware its not the usual sweet sesame flavor. There was a lot of breading like another yelper had commented but I'll take good quality white meat without those hard/chewy pieces (you know the ones) with a little extra breading any day. We also had the garlic shrimp. Taste was average, but there were a lot of shrimp, and they were a nice size (not the tiny little ones you usually get). The one thing I was not impressed with was the price. $35 for 2 chinese take out dishes is a little steep. If it were amazing, I wouldn't mind. They did use quality ingredients, and we are in alaska, but it was only a small step up from a panda express meal which would cost me $16 in California. Of note, they are a free standing building in the Safeway plaza, and they are renovating. Google navigation tries to take you a weird way because it doesn't recognize this and thinks there is an entrance off of the highway.
(3)
S C.
Went here and had Hong Kong style noodles: yuck. Hong Kong style is crispy pan fried noodles softened by pouring a [savory] sauce on top. We got a lo-mein dish with a thai style sweetish sauce on top. I'd be okay if the sauce was even somewhat tasty, but it was not. It's hard to just ignore the history of good meals I've eaten here, but now every time I think about making the drive to North Pole and Pagoda, I remember this noodle dish and go somewhere else.
(2)
Jade K.
I'm new to Alaska and I've eaten here twice. It's become my favorite Chinese place in Fairbanks/North Pole Area. When I generally think of Chinese food, I think of eating out of a Styrofoam container or a paper box, but this place makes me excited to eat Chinese. I love the atmosphere. Lots of neat things to look at to set the tone, and your food always looks gorgeous and appetizing, as well as being delicious. The portions are also large and very filling. Great bang for your buck. You also get your food VERY fast, and fresh! I don't know how they do it, but I've been very please with my experience, and the servers and employees are all very nice and give you a warm greeting and goodbye. They genuinely seem to care how the service and food are, and I've been please to tell them that it's been wonderful every time!
(5)
Tiffany D.
The food was okay but the screaming babies. Gees, what is with Alaska parents that they treat their babies so badly that they force them to scream and cry in public while people are trying to eat. And what's with that restaurant that allows parents to sit there and eat while their baby is screaming and crying to cared for. Gross. I'll never eat here again.
(1)
Jeff D.
Decoration was ver authentic but the quality and taste was average, portions were excellent and service was also excellent. I would recommend ordering separate items off menu and not the family meals.
(3)
TJ H.
I've had good Chinese food and this is far from it. The Asian bistro has much better food if you don't mind traveling to fairbanks.
(3)
Kymberly G.
In town to see a friend and he brought us here. Food was excellent. Service was super friendly, and nice. Beware... lots of food for the price so you will need to share! I especially liked the sweet and sour items. The BBQ Pork was moist and had lots of flavor.
(4)
Marylou B.
Been going here before they were on triple D !! Always good always friendly always hot and fresh!! Yummy!!!
(4)
Jenny H.
Came here for lunch after going to Santa Claus' House since it was one of the few options available. I was surprised at how expensive all the dishes ($16-20) were since most things in Fairbanks have been quite cheap. My friend and I ended up getting the $13 lunch specials that come with soup, egg roll, fried rice, and a dish of your choice. I chose chicken & broccoli and my friend got shrimp with Peking sauce. I was quite surprised by the mountain sized portion of food and knew it was enough for at least two meals. Food was greasy and salty and I felt a little sick after eating here. There was probably a lot of MSG because I was dying of thirst afterwards.
(2)
J U.
If I want to dine out in the Fairbanks area with the expectation I'll receive quality service and great food, Pagoda's is my go to place. In a locale where the norm is horrible service and not so good food, it seems unlikely that I'd provide the following rating, but Pagoda's really is the best Americanized Chinese food I have ever eaten. Just one question for the owner, Benny. I've been making you rich since the late 90s. When are you going to give the outside of the building a facelift?
(5)
J T.
Delivery is fairly quick, and the food was still hot. Although if it's really busy delivery time may get close to two hours so order early. Dine in was good everyone is friendly and helpful, although we did feel a bit rushed. They seem to try and turn tables quickly, but this is a very busy restaurant. We never had a bad dish, although the consistency of specific items seemed to vary.
(4)
Dana B.
It's my Dad's favorite restaurant so we gave it a try. The food was good. Service was pleasant and prompt. More on the bland than spicy side. Portions are ample. My dad was pleased to take home lots of leftovers.
(3)
Kurtis J.
AMAZING!! Was on a TDY to Eielson for two weeks and went to this restaurant at least four times. Everything was cooked very well. The best Chinese food restaurant iv ever been to. Hopefully will be able to go back.
(5)
Elly G.
I missed Chinese food but I mean this kind of Chinese food! Amazing food and friendly people. Really big portions so expect left overs . I see why Guy had to check this place out , best food in the area
(5)
Dayna H.
even though this is the best restaurant I've eaten at in North Pole it's still way too expensive for meh food. Needless to say, North Pole is lacking in the food (or anything good, or fun, or entertaining) business.
(2)
Ben H.
Not bad, dumplings are good. I was a little disappointed because the hype was so high. It's good food not great by any means
(5)
Carl W.
The food is really good, and the portions are more than ample. We went here both nights of our stay at Eielson AFB. As good as the food is, the service is very good too. The wait staff is attentive but not overbearing. I recommend this place to anyone coming through the area.
(5)
Greg S.
Ughh.. So disappointed by my visit this week while working at Eielson AFB. Ordered the Kung Pao Chicken again, but this time, so bland, so overcooked, and too salty. Egg roll was undercooked (swear it was still cold in the middle after being taken out of the freezer and thrown in the fryer). Edible, but not something I would come back for, especially at their high prices for a lunch plate ($12.95). Scratch this one from future visits unless I hear something about their turning around (many folks that live here shared the same opinion). Aloha, Greg
(1)
Mario C.
food was awesomeness, the portion are outrageous. ... if you go home hungry you gotta a problem!. we went in a group of eight. it took a bit to get service but once we did the food came out quickly. the ladies in the pink shirts take care of the drinks , hot tea and all tge rice you can handle. you will really enjoy the food..
(4)
Danielle D.
We moved here from Atlanta and have had a lot of Chinese food and this is by far the best we've ever had! Definitely worth the trip to North Pole! A little pricey but portions are large and food is excellent!!
(5)
Frank T.
Really good (typical) Asian restaurant. Get the Mongolian Beef - extra crispy. I tried some of the other dishes and I'm sure this is the best one. And don't forget the crab puffs, they are really good here.
(4)
Shawn Y.
I mean where else in Fairbanks can you get the best Chinese food? Price cannot compare to the enormous portioned food you get.
(5)
Jeanielle H.
Get the Mongolian beef! Tried all other entrees the people I was with and mine was the best! Love it when it works out for me:-)
(4)
Dustin R.
Almost a 3 star review, just wasn't really impressed with anything. Just a typical Chinese place for me. I'd rather take the time to go the extra miles to Fairbanks and grub somewhere special. Not sure why Guy Fieri came here before, I guess because it's one of the few places to eat in a town with a cool name like North Pole. The service was good and the food came out fast, which keeps them at 4 stars from me.
(4)
Carla C.
My kids love this place. I love that I got to visit North Pole! We ordered the Happy Family Special for our special occasion dinner. 8. Happy Family Special $20.95 (each person!) Wonton or Hot & Sour* Soup Chicken with Garlic Sauce* Sweet and Sour Shrimp Beef with Chinese Greens Pork Fried Rice Hot Tea and Fortune Cookie Apptetizers: eggroll, fried shrimp, barbecued pork Typical American Chinese food...ingredients seem fresh and spiced correctly. We love that we can box up so much of it and have ... leftovers! What a wonderful American tradition! We got there about 8pm and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. The place was packed. Nevertheless, we were happy campers. Decent service, pleasant staff.
(4)
Brittany O.
In town for work and everyone highly recommended this place. It was okay. I had the Kung Po Chicken. I found out the next day the best thing to get is the Walnut Shrimp. Maybe next time
(4)
Michelle R.
Went there today for lunch. Service was fast, efficient and friendly. Food was just ok. The Walnut Shrimp Appetizer was delicious. The Eggroll had a nice flavor, hot and crispy. I ordered the Sesame Shrimp. Breading was super thick and soggy, sauce was too sweet. Not recommended. My husband ordered the Mongolian Beef, flavors were good but it was on the cold side. All in all, I regretted it.
(3)
Jessie L.
All of their food is amazing. No other Chinese restaurant even comes close. They only bad thing about Pagoda is their prices, they're really expensive.
(4)
Tiffany L.
This place is OFF THE CHAIN! I love love love love their new dishes! Their service is excellent and clean. Their prices are reasonable and cheap for their large portions. Speaking of portions, leftovers are a must! Love this place and I hope to come here again! Way to go Benny!
(5)
J.D. G.
This place is awesome! Fast, great service and delicious food. Mongoloian beef is the my favorite here... and I usually don't care for it! Highly recommend this place
(5)
Ky K.
This was the best place to eat Chinese food in the Fairbanks or North Pole area. The staff is exceptional and the food is great. After I ordered it only took about 5 to 10 minutes for the food to come. The food is sort of pricey if you are not eating during the lunch special times Mon through Friday but well worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(4)
Mina S.
Seriously the BEST chinese food we have ever had! Even though the place was packed, we were seated right away and our food came out really fast. The portions were huge so we will definitely be ordering a lot less next time. The orange chicken is just beyond amazing. I got lo mein because I usually don't like white rice but theirs is really good. My husband wasn't as happy with his food, he ordered the mongolian beef, but there was more than enough orange chicken to share and he loved that too. Definitely worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(5)
Khamla I.
I loved loved this place. My group and I were a bit tipsy when we got there but we were well behaved :) ! Right as I walked in i said hi in a friendly voice slightly loud and was returned with a very warm welcome. There was 6 of us and they made room for us right away even though this place was a bit smaller and extremely busy. Service was phenomenal! Never had to wave a waitress down for anything. Always checked on us and topped off all our waters/drinks. We all ordered entrees and more drinks. Everything was oversized and made to stuff you. We ate family style and by the end of it we had about 4 medium to go boxes. Some items were a bit pricy which I thought everything kind of would since it was in North Pole, Alaska. I say about 4/6 dishes and our drinks were consistent with other restaurants. Decor was awesome. Every inch of the place was covered with something awesome. I'll post pics up when I get to my hard drive since I deleted everything after my last sync
(5)
Leann M.
A little pricey, but you do get large portions of food. The food was good, they do get busy and the restaurant does get loud, its best to come before the food rush. The restaurant is clean and the staff is friendly
Meh....I usually like places Guy checks out but this place wasn't very great. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. Food was rather bland...we got the sweet & sour chicken, beef chow mein and shrimp with cashews. It's a nice sized portioned place but just not very flavorful at all.
(2)
Ryan M.
I have lived in North Pole for three years and you should know what Pagoda offers. Decor is fine and you'll notice that the place has a picture of guy fieri, big whoop. This is not authentic chinese food, it is a panda express like style but not half as tasty. Mongolian beef I find is the best you'll get but even that is heavy and will have you wanting a nap afterwards. Pros: big portions, prices aren't too high, and sometimes you get good service I've lived in hawaii and am used to a certain standard when it comes to chinese food. These people miss by a mile. This place is a joke Look elsewhere!
(1)
Paul W.
Lunch special gives you soup, egg roll, pork fried rice and an entree all for $12.95. Soup was delicious especially on a cold afternoon. I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp which was good with just the right amount of kick, but not enough to et your eyebrows sweating. Egg roll was a little soggy for my taste, but overall, a really good lunch option. On a side note, they are very proud of Guy Fieri, they have pics and autographs plastered all over the place, including the menu.
(4)
J'sMama H.
Yum. Great Chinese Food! The walnut shrimp is amazing.... I have attempted to find a version down here in the lower 48, but can't seem to. Looking forward to eating it again when I visit! I've only had the take-out, so I can't speak to ambiance, etc.
(4)
John M.
Had lunch here the other day. It was super busy and was looking forward to some good Chinese food. Based on how busy it was and all the kudos from Guy Fieri I had high expectations. Unfortunately me and my dining companions went away disappointed. On the good side, the portions were huge which made the $12.99 lunch menu worth the price. On the bad side, the food was tasteless and medicore. I ordered the almond battered chicken. What came out was basically sweet and sour chicken with almonds on it. Not the fried chicken breast with the yellow gravy and almonds. the sesame chicken my dining companion ordered was a big glop of shiny sauce with sesame seeds sprinkled over it. I'd skip this place but I know Chinese restaurants are few and far between so just go knowing it aint the best.
(2)
Aidan R.
Pagoda is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The service is always excellent, fast and very friendly. The portions are always huge, perfect to take left overs back home.
(5)
Robb W.
Very nice inside...clean with nice decorations. Service was slow after food came out (e.g. no water refills) 2 of our party of 5 ended up with the sh*ts so, thumbs down
(1)
Naomi V.
The food is decent, but I wouldn't say it is any better then any other Chinese restaurant. They are seriously over priced. We only go here because it is the only Chinese restaurant in North pole.
(3)
Lard Belly E.
For a Chinese restaurant located outside of Fairbanks and near a strip mall I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered green tea that came in a traditional pot, sat over a small flame to keep warm. For lunch I ordered the shrimp with garlic sauce combo, and a friend ordered the beef lo mein, both $11.95 that came with egg drop soup and an egg roll. I asked for chow mein noodles to add to the soup for crunch. The portions were huge! And it didn't effect the quality, but I always wonder about the MSG in cheap places like these. I would come again.
(4)
Robert A.
The food here is excellent, always is. Sesame chicken, general tso, beef with broccoli. Excellent food, service is great, prices are reasonable and large portions, I always need a to go container
(5)
John M.
Who knew that some of the best Chinese food would be found in North Pole, Alaska?? *Shrugs Shoulders* Long story short, I had some time to kill before that O'Dark hundred flight back to the lower 48 and wanted something to eat so that I could sleep on the plane. I really was expeciting to experience a ho-hum meal but boy was I surprised. The dinner combination of eggdrop soup, almond chicken, shrimp, and tea was an excellent choice! The almond chicken in particular had an awesome combination of spices that gave the dish a distinct flavor. The veggies were not overcooked as you normally find in other restaurants like this. Geez... even the hot tea was good, served in a iron pot! Oh yeah, all for about $16 made this a very worthwhile stop. The decor is a bit dated and loud. The LED xmas lights along the ceiling are a bit tacky, but that should not deter a visit. If (its a big if) I am back in the area, I will be making another stop.
(4)
R H.
Very good Chinese food. I definitely like the Pu-Pu platter and the Combo "C" for one. Delivery, take-out, and sit in dining. Always good food. They don't mention this on the website but for Delivery or Take-Out the tea is NOT free (even if your meal normally comes with it.) It's $3 per tiny container. The delivery fee as of this review is $4 (Also not on their website.) Good food, pretty good staff, and OK delivery times.
(4)
Julie R.
Overly hyped!! Very expensive. Don't bother. Hit up the Thai place down the road.
(1)
Cc B.
This is not Chinese food, it's Korean!! Just so everyone knows, it's good Korean food, But it is not a Chinese food establishment, and extremely expensive. Just like pretty much everything in and around Fairbanks.
(1)
Tom S.
The best Chinese food in the U.S. The service is great and the portions are big!
(5)
Kelcey K.
We were driving around North Pole town to check out the Santa Claus house. There wasn't much in town and so we yelp-ed for food options and up popped Pagoda. The interior had lavish Chinese imperial designs, very fanciful. It was rather quiet during that lunch hour. Our server was exceptionally friendly. They served really good tea in a heavy metal pot that made the Chinese dining experience even more realistic. We ordered the lunch specials of beef chow mein and kung pau shrimp which came with soup, fried spring roll and pork fried rice - all for $13. The clear vege soup was tasty but not too salty. The kung pau shrimp was pretty good, the beef chow mein was okay...all in all, it was money well-spent because the portions are enormous! We had to pack more than half of our meal because after the bowl of soup and huge spring roll, we were pretty stuffed! Looking around town, I don't think there's that many options for food anyway, so might as well pop by here if you're there to check out Santa Claus house :)
(4)
Julia R.
Pagoda's is a fun experience. It has all the kitschy, stereotypically icons of your favorite neighborhood chinese resturant. Hugely decorated red and gold ceiling plus enormous water-scened paintings. Large portions of saucy meat and vegetables with an eggroll like a baby's arm and a mountain of rice all for $12. Thank you lunch special. All the Guy Fieri memorablia is pretty cool too.
(4)
Bill M.
We also saw Pagoda on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This time, Guy hit a home run. The food is very flavorful and plentiful. We went there for lunch and we both were unable to eat all of the food on our plates. We wanted to; but, we just couldn't eat anymore. We would definitely go back; but, we would split a plate. Pagoda is located in a shopping center; so, parking is plentiful and free.
(4)
Godzilla T.
A wise Chinese girl once told me - "no Shark Fin Soup, no frog legs on menu, not real Chinese food. . .it's Chinese food for Americans. Sweet and Sour Pork is for Americans." Yeah, Pagoda is Chinese American - by no means is it anything like what I've got at home a few blocks away. Probably can't get sesame jellyfish (which, surprisingly, isn't bad). But, that Sweet and Sour Chicken was damn good! (bows head in shame) And the Walnut Shrimp is deelish! It would go nice with her mom's grass jelly drink (you're missing out!). But I had the plum wine instead and it was yummy!
(4)
Karen S.
Our service and dinner left a lot to be desired.... First of all what is up with having mulitple waitresses???One is enough. We found this to be ridiculous. Also we were asked about 6 times or more if we were ready to order, yet. This was our first visit and the menu is large, you need time to read it. 2ndly the pot of tea wasn't that good at all. Very dissapointing. The candle under the pot was not lit. Thirdly I have not ever seen egg in Wonton Soup before..I usually eat Chinese at least once a week and have had it in NJ,NY,KS,GA,AL,AK but none had any egg. The soup appeared clear, not greasy and with nice fresh looking vegetables-but I did not try it due to eggs in it. It was sent away 95% full as the other 3 diners did not like it either. 4thly Another first-NO crunchy dry noodles and duck sauce were put on our table nor anyone elses. ( there were 2 pieces strangely placed in a bin on our pu-pu platter.) 5th Our eggrolls were hit and miss. 2 out of 4 tasted appetizing. We ordered a pu pu platter. Once again our fire was NOT lit. So the lil grill to warm your food was useless. The shrimp was greasy but good. The pork was not the expected "spare ribs". The thing in foil was not good and we have no idea what it was. The 2 large dry noodles were??? suppossed to be what???You usually get a bowl or two or three of these. The steak on a stick was just ok, but the best thing on the pu pu platter. We also ordered sweet & sour chicken for the children. Both of them would not eat it, They did not like it. This also has not ever happened before. There were cold slices of carrrots on top of the hot chicken nuggets. The waitresses could see it was not touched and not one of them offered to take it back and off the bill. We did not take anything home. I guess we will stick to our chinese food here in Fairbanks. Much better
(1)
Trang P.
Definitely had much better elsewhere. Maybe it's because it's the only Chinese place in that small town, but since I've eating in major chinatowns (NY, LA, SF, Chicago, and the list goes on), this place doesn't stand a chance. Price is reasonable, however, because food in Alaska is expensive in general, I guess I see why these people think it's a steal....
(2)
Neil O.
It's no wonder Santa Claus is fat. Pagoda is down the street from his house, and their Chinese food is the best in North Pole if not the Fairbanks North Star Borough. There's something about the food that sets it apart from other Chinese restaurants, in a good way. Almost seems like the stuff is authentic and well-crafted rather than run-of-the-mill. Service is five-star and often times I had to wait for a seat, which is good because they have a steady crowd. The ambiance has lots of positive energy. I'm guessing they took some time to feng shui the place.
(5)
Dead M.
Had to try this place after working in Fairbanks... Drove up to the North Pole and stopped in for dinner. Well, the place was packed with people and others getting "take out", so it must be the shizz, no? Well, I ordered the sweet 'n sour chicken, egg role, house soup, rice and chicken chow mein. It was just, ok IMO. I've had much much better chinese food in Washington state, hands down. If you plan on driving all the way out to the North Pole, just to get this chinese food, you will be dissapointed. It was really, not that great. The sauces on the chicken and the noodles, etc was a bit tasty, but it was the actual meat inside the breading that killed it for me... grissle, over cooked and chewy. Sorry "Guy" of Diner, Drive Ins and Dives, but this place was a frown for me.
(2)
Teresa C.
I love this place!! The portions are huge and the food is good!!! Who would have thought that the North pole had great Chinses Food?!
(5)
Ian H.
This was positively the best chinese food I have had in over fifteen years! To think it is in the middle of no-where....had mongolian beef which was flavorful and tender. Took less than ten minutes to get our order! Will frequent again...
(4)
Jomarie T.
ah! Pagoda! The best of the best. Soo good. Then again I am biased because I grew up eating it and went to school with the owners daughter. But always amazing food and amazing service. If you ever go though Fairbanks, make a pit stop to North Pole and try it!
(5)
Ashley S.
Hard to believe that some of the best Chinese food I've ever had was in North Pole, Alaska of all places!! Very impressed with Pagoda!! From the service to the food, you won't leave hungry or disappointed!!
(5)
e J.
I went here for a work lunch fully expecting to be disappointed with the usual Americanized Chinese food, cheap ingredients, and tons o' salt. Much to my surprise the food and overall experience were great. There's complimentary hot tea in the traditional cast iron teapot and the Kung Pao Bean Curd I had was excellent at a reasonable price to boot!
(4)
Daniel P.
This is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The staff and owner are friendly, prices are good and the food is delicious. The portions are huge, plan on taking at least half of your dinner home, or come with friends and share.
(5)
Rey T.
Orderd three crown and schz beef,veg rice, hot/sour. Very good ! About $16 for very LG entre.
(4)
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Address :431 N Santa Claus Ln
North Pole, AK, 99705
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 : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only 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.
TJ H.
I've had good Chinese food and this is far from it. The Asian bistro has much better food if you don't mind traveling to fairbanks.
(3)Kymberly G.
In town to see a friend and he brought us here. Food was excellent. Service was super friendly, and nice. Beware... lots of food for the price so you will need to share! I especially liked the sweet and sour items. The BBQ Pork was moist and had lots of flavor.
(4)Marylou B.
Been going here before they were on triple D !! Always good always friendly always hot and fresh!! Yummy!!!
(4)Kelcey K.
We were driving around North Pole town to check out the Santa Claus house. There wasn't much in town and so we yelp-ed for food options and up popped Pagoda. The interior had lavish Chinese imperial designs, very fanciful. It was rather quiet during that lunch hour. Our server was exceptionally friendly. They served really good tea in a heavy metal pot that made the Chinese dining experience even more realistic. We ordered the lunch specials of beef chow mein and kung pau shrimp which came with soup, fried spring roll and pork fried rice - all for $13. The clear vege soup was tasty but not too salty. The kung pau shrimp was pretty good, the beef chow mein was okay...all in all, it was money well-spent because the portions are enormous! We had to pack more than half of our meal because after the bowl of soup and huge spring roll, we were pretty stuffed! Looking around town, I don't think there's that many options for food anyway, so might as well pop by here if you're there to check out Santa Claus house :)
(4)Julia R.
Pagoda's is a fun experience. It has all the kitschy, stereotypically icons of your favorite neighborhood chinese resturant. Hugely decorated red and gold ceiling plus enormous water-scened paintings. Large portions of saucy meat and vegetables with an eggroll like a baby's arm and a mountain of rice all for $12. Thank you lunch special. All the Guy Fieri memorablia is pretty cool too.
(4)Bill M.
We also saw Pagoda on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This time, Guy hit a home run. The food is very flavorful and plentiful. We went there for lunch and we both were unable to eat all of the food on our plates. We wanted to; but, we just couldn't eat anymore. We would definitely go back; but, we would split a plate. Pagoda is located in a shopping center; so, parking is plentiful and free.
(4)Godzilla T.
A wise Chinese girl once told me - "no Shark Fin Soup, no frog legs on menu, not real Chinese food. . .it's Chinese food for Americans. Sweet and Sour Pork is for Americans." Yeah, Pagoda is Chinese American - by no means is it anything like what I've got at home a few blocks away. Probably can't get sesame jellyfish (which, surprisingly, isn't bad). But, that Sweet and Sour Chicken was damn good! (bows head in shame) And the Walnut Shrimp is deelish! It would go nice with her mom's grass jelly drink (you're missing out!). But I had the plum wine instead and it was yummy!
(4)I S.
Ate here twice, not impressed. Food was okay, ordered the General Tso's chicken & Mongolian beef. General Tso's chicken had more batter than pancakes, was very disappointed. There was maybe 1 chicken thigh that made up the dish. Mongolian beef was much better. Service was friendly & quick. Prices were $$ for Chinese food.
(3)Mai S.
The Mongolian beef and walnut shrimp are very very delicious. The service is quick. I never have to wait for more than 10 mins for a table even when they are super crowded and busy.
(4)Karen S.
Our service and dinner left a lot to be desired.... First of all what is up with having mulitple waitresses???One is enough. We found this to be ridiculous. Also we were asked about 6 times or more if we were ready to order, yet. This was our first visit and the menu is large, you need time to read it. 2ndly the pot of tea wasn't that good at all. Very dissapointing. The candle under the pot was not lit. Thirdly I have not ever seen egg in Wonton Soup before..I usually eat Chinese at least once a week and have had it in NJ,NY,KS,GA,AL,AK but none had any egg. The soup appeared clear, not greasy and with nice fresh looking vegetables-but I did not try it due to eggs in it. It was sent away 95% full as the other 3 diners did not like it either. 4thly Another first-NO crunchy dry noodles and duck sauce were put on our table nor anyone elses. ( there were 2 pieces strangely placed in a bin on our pu-pu platter.) 5th Our eggrolls were hit and miss. 2 out of 4 tasted appetizing. We ordered a pu pu platter. Once again our fire was NOT lit. So the lil grill to warm your food was useless. The shrimp was greasy but good. The pork was not the expected "spare ribs". The thing in foil was not good and we have no idea what it was. The 2 large dry noodles were??? suppossed to be what???You usually get a bowl or two or three of these. The steak on a stick was just ok, but the best thing on the pu pu platter. We also ordered sweet & sour chicken for the children. Both of them would not eat it, They did not like it. This also has not ever happened before. There were cold slices of carrrots on top of the hot chicken nuggets. The waitresses could see it was not touched and not one of them offered to take it back and off the bill. We did not take anything home. I guess we will stick to our chinese food here in Fairbanks. Much better
(1)Trang P.
Definitely had much better elsewhere. Maybe it's because it's the only Chinese place in that small town, but since I've eating in major chinatowns (NY, LA, SF, Chicago, and the list goes on), this place doesn't stand a chance. Price is reasonable, however, because food in Alaska is expensive in general, I guess I see why these people think it's a steal....
(2)Neil O.
It's no wonder Santa Claus is fat. Pagoda is down the street from his house, and their Chinese food is the best in North Pole if not the Fairbanks North Star Borough. There's something about the food that sets it apart from other Chinese restaurants, in a good way. Almost seems like the stuff is authentic and well-crafted rather than run-of-the-mill. Service is five-star and often times I had to wait for a seat, which is good because they have a steady crowd. The ambiance has lots of positive energy. I'm guessing they took some time to feng shui the place.
(5)Michelle S.
The Mongolian Beef is hit or miss. We've had it be excellent to just so-so. The General Tso's chicken we ordered was sweet and sour chicken - not the same dish. The food comes out so quickly that I think it's pre-cooked in the back and just topped with a different sauce. Everything is heavily sauced making it overly soggy. If you want quick (but not necessarily good), this is the place to go.
(2)Eva G.
Just moved to the area, and wanted to get some Chinese take out. mixed reviews of both north pole chinese restaurants. Decided to go with pagoda purely because there were more pics on yelp, the food looked good, and I'm a visual person. When I called, the person answering the phone was nice, answered my questions about the menu, and was easy to understand. I ordered their version of sesame chicken which had a good flavor, but tasted like orange chicken (tart and with a little spice). I would order it again because my husband and I both liked the sauce, just be aware its not the usual sweet sesame flavor. There was a lot of breading like another yelper had commented but I'll take good quality white meat without those hard/chewy pieces (you know the ones) with a little extra breading any day. We also had the garlic shrimp. Taste was average, but there were a lot of shrimp, and they were a nice size (not the tiny little ones you usually get). The one thing I was not impressed with was the price. $35 for 2 chinese take out dishes is a little steep. If it were amazing, I wouldn't mind. They did use quality ingredients, and we are in alaska, but it was only a small step up from a panda express meal which would cost me $16 in California. Of note, they are a free standing building in the Safeway plaza, and they are renovating. Google navigation tries to take you a weird way because it doesn't recognize this and thinks there is an entrance off of the highway.
(3)S C.
Went here and had Hong Kong style noodles: yuck. Hong Kong style is crispy pan fried noodles softened by pouring a [savory] sauce on top. We got a lo-mein dish with a thai style sweetish sauce on top. I'd be okay if the sauce was even somewhat tasty, but it was not. It's hard to just ignore the history of good meals I've eaten here, but now every time I think about making the drive to North Pole and Pagoda, I remember this noodle dish and go somewhere else.
(2)Jade K.
I'm new to Alaska and I've eaten here twice. It's become my favorite Chinese place in Fairbanks/North Pole Area. When I generally think of Chinese food, I think of eating out of a Styrofoam container or a paper box, but this place makes me excited to eat Chinese. I love the atmosphere. Lots of neat things to look at to set the tone, and your food always looks gorgeous and appetizing, as well as being delicious. The portions are also large and very filling. Great bang for your buck. You also get your food VERY fast, and fresh! I don't know how they do it, but I've been very please with my experience, and the servers and employees are all very nice and give you a warm greeting and goodbye. They genuinely seem to care how the service and food are, and I've been please to tell them that it's been wonderful every time!
(5)Tiffany D.
The food was okay but the screaming babies. Gees, what is with Alaska parents that they treat their babies so badly that they force them to scream and cry in public while people are trying to eat. And what's with that restaurant that allows parents to sit there and eat while their baby is screaming and crying to cared for. Gross. I'll never eat here again.
(1)Jeff D.
Decoration was ver authentic but the quality and taste was average, portions were excellent and service was also excellent. I would recommend ordering separate items off menu and not the family meals.
(3)Jenny H.
Came here for lunch after going to Santa Claus' House since it was one of the few options available. I was surprised at how expensive all the dishes ($16-20) were since most things in Fairbanks have been quite cheap. My friend and I ended up getting the $13 lunch specials that come with soup, egg roll, fried rice, and a dish of your choice. I chose chicken & broccoli and my friend got shrimp with Peking sauce. I was quite surprised by the mountain sized portion of food and knew it was enough for at least two meals. Food was greasy and salty and I felt a little sick after eating here. There was probably a lot of MSG because I was dying of thirst afterwards.
(2)J U.
If I want to dine out in the Fairbanks area with the expectation I'll receive quality service and great food, Pagoda's is my go to place. In a locale where the norm is horrible service and not so good food, it seems unlikely that I'd provide the following rating, but Pagoda's really is the best Americanized Chinese food I have ever eaten. Just one question for the owner, Benny. I've been making you rich since the late 90s. When are you going to give the outside of the building a facelift?
(5)J T.
Delivery is fairly quick, and the food was still hot. Although if it's really busy delivery time may get close to two hours so order early. Dine in was good everyone is friendly and helpful, although we did feel a bit rushed. They seem to try and turn tables quickly, but this is a very busy restaurant. We never had a bad dish, although the consistency of specific items seemed to vary.
(4)Dana B.
It's my Dad's favorite restaurant so we gave it a try. The food was good. Service was pleasant and prompt. More on the bland than spicy side. Portions are ample. My dad was pleased to take home lots of leftovers.
(3)Kurtis J.
AMAZING!! Was on a TDY to Eielson for two weeks and went to this restaurant at least four times. Everything was cooked very well. The best Chinese food restaurant iv ever been to. Hopefully will be able to go back.
(5)Elly G.
I missed Chinese food but I mean this kind of Chinese food! Amazing food and friendly people. Really big portions so expect left overs . I see why Guy had to check this place out , best food in the area
(5)Dayna H.
even though this is the best restaurant I've eaten at in North Pole it's still way too expensive for meh food. Needless to say, North Pole is lacking in the food (or anything good, or fun, or entertaining) business.
(2)Ben H.
Not bad, dumplings are good. I was a little disappointed because the hype was so high. It's good food not great by any means
(5)Carl W.
The food is really good, and the portions are more than ample. We went here both nights of our stay at Eielson AFB. As good as the food is, the service is very good too. The wait staff is attentive but not overbearing. I recommend this place to anyone coming through the area.
(5)Dead M.
Had to try this place after working in Fairbanks... Drove up to the North Pole and stopped in for dinner. Well, the place was packed with people and others getting "take out", so it must be the shizz, no? Well, I ordered the sweet 'n sour chicken, egg role, house soup, rice and chicken chow mein. It was just, ok IMO. I've had much much better chinese food in Washington state, hands down. If you plan on driving all the way out to the North Pole, just to get this chinese food, you will be dissapointed. It was really, not that great. The sauces on the chicken and the noodles, etc was a bit tasty, but it was the actual meat inside the breading that killed it for me... grissle, over cooked and chewy. Sorry "Guy" of Diner, Drive Ins and Dives, but this place was a frown for me.
(2)Teresa C.
I love this place!! The portions are huge and the food is good!!! Who would have thought that the North pole had great Chinses Food?!
(5)Ian H.
This was positively the best chinese food I have had in over fifteen years! To think it is in the middle of no-where....had mongolian beef which was flavorful and tender. Took less than ten minutes to get our order! Will frequent again...
(4)Jomarie T.
ah! Pagoda! The best of the best. Soo good. Then again I am biased because I grew up eating it and went to school with the owners daughter. But always amazing food and amazing service. If you ever go though Fairbanks, make a pit stop to North Pole and try it!
(5)Ashley S.
Hard to believe that some of the best Chinese food I've ever had was in North Pole, Alaska of all places!! Very impressed with Pagoda!! From the service to the food, you won't leave hungry or disappointed!!
(5)e J.
I went here for a work lunch fully expecting to be disappointed with the usual Americanized Chinese food, cheap ingredients, and tons o' salt. Much to my surprise the food and overall experience were great. There's complimentary hot tea in the traditional cast iron teapot and the Kung Pao Bean Curd I had was excellent at a reasonable price to boot!
(4)Daniel P.
This is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The staff and owner are friendly, prices are good and the food is delicious. The portions are huge, plan on taking at least half of your dinner home, or come with friends and share.
(5)Rey T.
Orderd three crown and schz beef,veg rice, hot/sour. Very good ! About $16 for very LG entre.
(4)Drew K.
I moved outside a few years ago and didn't realize how truly outstanding the Mongolian Beef at Pagoda was until I tried to find anything even close in the lower 48. My last disappointment was in Chicago Chinatown. Pagoda food is outstanding, portion size is great and flavors are all different and wonderful. Wish I could get back there for more!
(5)Greg S.
Ughh.. So disappointed by my visit this week while working at Eielson AFB. Ordered the Kung Pao Chicken again, but this time, so bland, so overcooked, and too salty. Egg roll was undercooked (swear it was still cold in the middle after being taken out of the freezer and thrown in the fryer). Edible, but not something I would come back for, especially at their high prices for a lunch plate ($12.95). Scratch this one from future visits unless I hear something about their turning around (many folks that live here shared the same opinion). Aloha, Greg
(1)Mario C.
food was awesomeness, the portion are outrageous. ... if you go home hungry you gotta a problem!. we went in a group of eight. it took a bit to get service but once we did the food came out quickly. the ladies in the pink shirts take care of the drinks , hot tea and all tge rice you can handle. you will really enjoy the food..
(4)Danielle D.
We moved here from Atlanta and have had a lot of Chinese food and this is by far the best we've ever had! Definitely worth the trip to North Pole! A little pricey but portions are large and food is excellent!!
(5)Frank T.
Really good (typical) Asian restaurant. Get the Mongolian Beef - extra crispy. I tried some of the other dishes and I'm sure this is the best one. And don't forget the crab puffs, they are really good here.
(4)Shawn Y.
I mean where else in Fairbanks can you get the best Chinese food? Price cannot compare to the enormous portioned food you get.
(5)Jeanielle H.
Get the Mongolian beef! Tried all other entrees the people I was with and mine was the best! Love it when it works out for me:-)
(4)Dustin R.
Almost a 3 star review, just wasn't really impressed with anything. Just a typical Chinese place for me. I'd rather take the time to go the extra miles to Fairbanks and grub somewhere special. Not sure why Guy Fieri came here before, I guess because it's one of the few places to eat in a town with a cool name like North Pole. The service was good and the food came out fast, which keeps them at 4 stars from me.
(4)Carla C.
My kids love this place. I love that I got to visit North Pole! We ordered the Happy Family Special for our special occasion dinner. 8. Happy Family Special $20.95 (each person!) Wonton or Hot & Sour* Soup Chicken with Garlic Sauce* Sweet and Sour Shrimp Beef with Chinese Greens Pork Fried Rice Hot Tea and Fortune Cookie Apptetizers: eggroll, fried shrimp, barbecued pork Typical American Chinese food...ingredients seem fresh and spiced correctly. We love that we can box up so much of it and have ... leftovers! What a wonderful American tradition! We got there about 8pm and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. The place was packed. Nevertheless, we were happy campers. Decent service, pleasant staff.
(4)R H.
Very good Chinese food. I definitely like the Pu-Pu platter and the Combo "C" for one. Delivery, take-out, and sit in dining. Always good food. They don't mention this on the website but for Delivery or Take-Out the tea is NOT free (even if your meal normally comes with it.) It's $3 per tiny container. The delivery fee as of this review is $4 (Also not on their website.) Good food, pretty good staff, and OK delivery times.
(4)Julie R.
Overly hyped!! Very expensive. Don't bother. Hit up the Thai place down the road.
(1)Cc B.
This is not Chinese food, it's Korean!! Just so everyone knows, it's good Korean food, But it is not a Chinese food establishment, and extremely expensive. Just like pretty much everything in and around Fairbanks.
(1)Tom S.
The best Chinese food in the U.S. The service is great and the portions are big!
(5)Brittany O.
In town for work and everyone highly recommended this place. It was okay. I had the Kung Po Chicken. I found out the next day the best thing to get is the Walnut Shrimp. Maybe next time
(4)Michelle R.
Went there today for lunch. Service was fast, efficient and friendly. Food was just ok. The Walnut Shrimp Appetizer was delicious. The Eggroll had a nice flavor, hot and crispy. I ordered the Sesame Shrimp. Breading was super thick and soggy, sauce was too sweet. Not recommended. My husband ordered the Mongolian Beef, flavors were good but it was on the cold side. All in all, I regretted it.
(3)Jessie L.
All of their food is amazing. No other Chinese restaurant even comes close. They only bad thing about Pagoda is their prices, they're really expensive.
(4)Tiffany L.
This place is OFF THE CHAIN! I love love love love their new dishes! Their service is excellent and clean. Their prices are reasonable and cheap for their large portions. Speaking of portions, leftovers are a must! Love this place and I hope to come here again! Way to go Benny!
(5)J.D. G.
This place is awesome! Fast, great service and delicious food. Mongoloian beef is the my favorite here... and I usually don't care for it! Highly recommend this place
(5)Ky K.
This was the best place to eat Chinese food in the Fairbanks or North Pole area. The staff is exceptional and the food is great. After I ordered it only took about 5 to 10 minutes for the food to come. The food is sort of pricey if you are not eating during the lunch special times Mon through Friday but well worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(4)Mina S.
Seriously the BEST chinese food we have ever had! Even though the place was packed, we were seated right away and our food came out really fast. The portions were huge so we will definitely be ordering a lot less next time. The orange chicken is just beyond amazing. I got lo mein because I usually don't like white rice but theirs is really good. My husband wasn't as happy with his food, he ordered the mongolian beef, but there was more than enough orange chicken to share and he loved that too. Definitely worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(5)Paul W.
Lunch special gives you soup, egg roll, pork fried rice and an entree all for $12.95. Soup was delicious especially on a cold afternoon. I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp which was good with just the right amount of kick, but not enough to et your eyebrows sweating. Egg roll was a little soggy for my taste, but overall, a really good lunch option. On a side note, they are very proud of Guy Fieri, they have pics and autographs plastered all over the place, including the menu.
(4)J'sMama H.
Yum. Great Chinese Food! The walnut shrimp is amazing.... I have attempted to find a version down here in the lower 48, but can't seem to. Looking forward to eating it again when I visit! I've only had the take-out, so I can't speak to ambiance, etc.
(4)Khamla I.
I loved loved this place. My group and I were a bit tipsy when we got there but we were well behaved :) ! Right as I walked in i said hi in a friendly voice slightly loud and was returned with a very warm welcome. There was 6 of us and they made room for us right away even though this place was a bit smaller and extremely busy. Service was phenomenal! Never had to wave a waitress down for anything. Always checked on us and topped off all our waters/drinks. We all ordered entrees and more drinks. Everything was oversized and made to stuff you. We ate family style and by the end of it we had about 4 medium to go boxes. Some items were a bit pricy which I thought everything kind of would since it was in North Pole, Alaska. I say about 4/6 dishes and our drinks were consistent with other restaurants. Decor was awesome. Every inch of the place was covered with something awesome. I'll post pics up when I get to my hard drive since I deleted everything after my last sync
(5)Leann M.
A little pricey, but you do get large portions of food. The food was good, they do get busy and the restaurant does get loud, its best to come before the food rush. The restaurant is clean and the staff is friendly
(4)Kelley T.
The portions were huge. Big enough that even though it's a bit expensive, you're definitely going to be having leftovers and you're getting your money's worth. The food was typical Chinese-American food. The egg drop soup had veggies in it, which I've never had before, but it was good. The menu was huge. The best value is the combo meals. I had the Mongolian beef combo and it was pretty good. I ate a walnut shrimp that a friend ordered and it was pretty damn good, despite my initial hesitation. I was a little disappointed with the tea, but I haven't been to another Chinese restaurant that gives you hot tea with your meal here so they get props for that. Overall, it was a good experience and I'll be going back to try some other dishes on the menu. Update: the Moo Goo Gai Pan is absolutely delicious and a really great healthy alternative to some of the heavier plates. It's chicken and fresh crispy vegetables sautéed in a light clear sauce, and is really wonderful. My new favorite.
(3)LeeLee B.
Meh....I usually like places Guy checks out but this place wasn't very great. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. Food was rather bland...we got the sweet & sour chicken, beef chow mein and shrimp with cashews. It's a nice sized portioned place but just not very flavorful at all.
(2)Ryan M.
I have lived in North Pole for three years and you should know what Pagoda offers. Decor is fine and you'll notice that the place has a picture of guy fieri, big whoop. This is not authentic chinese food, it is a panda express like style but not half as tasty. Mongolian beef I find is the best you'll get but even that is heavy and will have you wanting a nap afterwards. Pros: big portions, prices aren't too high, and sometimes you get good service I've lived in hawaii and am used to a certain standard when it comes to chinese food. These people miss by a mile. This place is a joke Look elsewhere!
(1)John M.
Had lunch here the other day. It was super busy and was looking forward to some good Chinese food. Based on how busy it was and all the kudos from Guy Fieri I had high expectations. Unfortunately me and my dining companions went away disappointed. On the good side, the portions were huge which made the $12.99 lunch menu worth the price. On the bad side, the food was tasteless and medicore. I ordered the almond battered chicken. What came out was basically sweet and sour chicken with almonds on it. Not the fried chicken breast with the yellow gravy and almonds. the sesame chicken my dining companion ordered was a big glop of shiny sauce with sesame seeds sprinkled over it. I'd skip this place but I know Chinese restaurants are few and far between so just go knowing it aint the best.
(2)Aidan R.
Pagoda is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The service is always excellent, fast and very friendly. The portions are always huge, perfect to take left overs back home.
(5)Robb W.
Very nice inside...clean with nice decorations. Service was slow after food came out (e.g. no water refills) 2 of our party of 5 ended up with the sh*ts so, thumbs down
(1)Naomi V.
The food is decent, but I wouldn't say it is any better then any other Chinese restaurant. They are seriously over priced. We only go here because it is the only Chinese restaurant in North pole.
(3)Lard Belly E.
For a Chinese restaurant located outside of Fairbanks and near a strip mall I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered green tea that came in a traditional pot, sat over a small flame to keep warm. For lunch I ordered the shrimp with garlic sauce combo, and a friend ordered the beef lo mein, both $11.95 that came with egg drop soup and an egg roll. I asked for chow mein noodles to add to the soup for crunch. The portions were huge! And it didn't effect the quality, but I always wonder about the MSG in cheap places like these. I would come again.
(4)Robert A.
The food here is excellent, always is. Sesame chicken, general tso, beef with broccoli. Excellent food, service is great, prices are reasonable and large portions, I always need a to go container
(5)John M.
Who knew that some of the best Chinese food would be found in North Pole, Alaska?? *Shrugs Shoulders* Long story short, I had some time to kill before that O'Dark hundred flight back to the lower 48 and wanted something to eat so that I could sleep on the plane. I really was expeciting to experience a ho-hum meal but boy was I surprised. The dinner combination of eggdrop soup, almond chicken, shrimp, and tea was an excellent choice! The almond chicken in particular had an awesome combination of spices that gave the dish a distinct flavor. The veggies were not overcooked as you normally find in other restaurants like this. Geez... even the hot tea was good, served in a iron pot! Oh yeah, all for about $16 made this a very worthwhile stop. The decor is a bit dated and loud. The LED xmas lights along the ceiling are a bit tacky, but that should not deter a visit. If (its a big if) I am back in the area, I will be making another stop.
(4)Drew K.
I moved outside a few years ago and didn't realize how truly outstanding the Mongolian Beef at Pagoda was until I tried to find anything even close in the lower 48. My last disappointment was in Chicago Chinatown. Pagoda food is outstanding, portion size is great and flavors are all different and wonderful. Wish I could get back there for more!
(5)I S.
Ate here twice, not impressed. Food was okay, ordered the General Tso's chicken & Mongolian beef. General Tso's chicken had more batter than pancakes, was very disappointed. There was maybe 1 chicken thigh that made up the dish. Mongolian beef was much better. Service was friendly & quick. Prices were $$ for Chinese food.
(3)Mai S.
The Mongolian beef and walnut shrimp are very very delicious. The service is quick. I never have to wait for more than 10 mins for a table even when they are super crowded and busy.
(4)Michelle S.
The Mongolian Beef is hit or miss. We've had it be excellent to just so-so. The General Tso's chicken we ordered was sweet and sour chicken - not the same dish. The food comes out so quickly that I think it's pre-cooked in the back and just topped with a different sauce. Everything is heavily sauced making it overly soggy. If you want quick (but not necessarily good), this is the place to go.
(2)Eva G.
Just moved to the area, and wanted to get some Chinese take out. mixed reviews of both north pole chinese restaurants. Decided to go with pagoda purely because there were more pics on yelp, the food looked good, and I'm a visual person. When I called, the person answering the phone was nice, answered my questions about the menu, and was easy to understand. I ordered their version of sesame chicken which had a good flavor, but tasted like orange chicken (tart and with a little spice). I would order it again because my husband and I both liked the sauce, just be aware its not the usual sweet sesame flavor. There was a lot of breading like another yelper had commented but I'll take good quality white meat without those hard/chewy pieces (you know the ones) with a little extra breading any day. We also had the garlic shrimp. Taste was average, but there were a lot of shrimp, and they were a nice size (not the tiny little ones you usually get). The one thing I was not impressed with was the price. $35 for 2 chinese take out dishes is a little steep. If it were amazing, I wouldn't mind. They did use quality ingredients, and we are in alaska, but it was only a small step up from a panda express meal which would cost me $16 in California. Of note, they are a free standing building in the Safeway plaza, and they are renovating. Google navigation tries to take you a weird way because it doesn't recognize this and thinks there is an entrance off of the highway.
(3)S C.
Went here and had Hong Kong style noodles: yuck. Hong Kong style is crispy pan fried noodles softened by pouring a [savory] sauce on top. We got a lo-mein dish with a thai style sweetish sauce on top. I'd be okay if the sauce was even somewhat tasty, but it was not. It's hard to just ignore the history of good meals I've eaten here, but now every time I think about making the drive to North Pole and Pagoda, I remember this noodle dish and go somewhere else.
(2)Jade K.
I'm new to Alaska and I've eaten here twice. It's become my favorite Chinese place in Fairbanks/North Pole Area. When I generally think of Chinese food, I think of eating out of a Styrofoam container or a paper box, but this place makes me excited to eat Chinese. I love the atmosphere. Lots of neat things to look at to set the tone, and your food always looks gorgeous and appetizing, as well as being delicious. The portions are also large and very filling. Great bang for your buck. You also get your food VERY fast, and fresh! I don't know how they do it, but I've been very please with my experience, and the servers and employees are all very nice and give you a warm greeting and goodbye. They genuinely seem to care how the service and food are, and I've been please to tell them that it's been wonderful every time!
(5)Tiffany D.
The food was okay but the screaming babies. Gees, what is with Alaska parents that they treat their babies so badly that they force them to scream and cry in public while people are trying to eat. And what's with that restaurant that allows parents to sit there and eat while their baby is screaming and crying to cared for. Gross. I'll never eat here again.
(1)Jeff D.
Decoration was ver authentic but the quality and taste was average, portions were excellent and service was also excellent. I would recommend ordering separate items off menu and not the family meals.
(3)TJ H.
I've had good Chinese food and this is far from it. The Asian bistro has much better food if you don't mind traveling to fairbanks.
(3)Kymberly G.
In town to see a friend and he brought us here. Food was excellent. Service was super friendly, and nice. Beware... lots of food for the price so you will need to share! I especially liked the sweet and sour items. The BBQ Pork was moist and had lots of flavor.
(4)Marylou B.
Been going here before they were on triple D !! Always good always friendly always hot and fresh!! Yummy!!!
(4)Jenny H.
Came here for lunch after going to Santa Claus' House since it was one of the few options available. I was surprised at how expensive all the dishes ($16-20) were since most things in Fairbanks have been quite cheap. My friend and I ended up getting the $13 lunch specials that come with soup, egg roll, fried rice, and a dish of your choice. I chose chicken & broccoli and my friend got shrimp with Peking sauce. I was quite surprised by the mountain sized portion of food and knew it was enough for at least two meals. Food was greasy and salty and I felt a little sick after eating here. There was probably a lot of MSG because I was dying of thirst afterwards.
(2)J U.
If I want to dine out in the Fairbanks area with the expectation I'll receive quality service and great food, Pagoda's is my go to place. In a locale where the norm is horrible service and not so good food, it seems unlikely that I'd provide the following rating, but Pagoda's really is the best Americanized Chinese food I have ever eaten. Just one question for the owner, Benny. I've been making you rich since the late 90s. When are you going to give the outside of the building a facelift?
(5)J T.
Delivery is fairly quick, and the food was still hot. Although if it's really busy delivery time may get close to two hours so order early. Dine in was good everyone is friendly and helpful, although we did feel a bit rushed. They seem to try and turn tables quickly, but this is a very busy restaurant. We never had a bad dish, although the consistency of specific items seemed to vary.
(4)Dana B.
It's my Dad's favorite restaurant so we gave it a try. The food was good. Service was pleasant and prompt. More on the bland than spicy side. Portions are ample. My dad was pleased to take home lots of leftovers.
(3)Kurtis J.
AMAZING!! Was on a TDY to Eielson for two weeks and went to this restaurant at least four times. Everything was cooked very well. The best Chinese food restaurant iv ever been to. Hopefully will be able to go back.
(5)Elly G.
I missed Chinese food but I mean this kind of Chinese food! Amazing food and friendly people. Really big portions so expect left overs . I see why Guy had to check this place out , best food in the area
(5)Dayna H.
even though this is the best restaurant I've eaten at in North Pole it's still way too expensive for meh food. Needless to say, North Pole is lacking in the food (or anything good, or fun, or entertaining) business.
(2)Ben H.
Not bad, dumplings are good. I was a little disappointed because the hype was so high. It's good food not great by any means
(5)Carl W.
The food is really good, and the portions are more than ample. We went here both nights of our stay at Eielson AFB. As good as the food is, the service is very good too. The wait staff is attentive but not overbearing. I recommend this place to anyone coming through the area.
(5)Greg S.
Ughh.. So disappointed by my visit this week while working at Eielson AFB. Ordered the Kung Pao Chicken again, but this time, so bland, so overcooked, and too salty. Egg roll was undercooked (swear it was still cold in the middle after being taken out of the freezer and thrown in the fryer). Edible, but not something I would come back for, especially at their high prices for a lunch plate ($12.95). Scratch this one from future visits unless I hear something about their turning around (many folks that live here shared the same opinion). Aloha, Greg
(1)Mario C.
food was awesomeness, the portion are outrageous. ... if you go home hungry you gotta a problem!. we went in a group of eight. it took a bit to get service but once we did the food came out quickly. the ladies in the pink shirts take care of the drinks , hot tea and all tge rice you can handle. you will really enjoy the food..
(4)Danielle D.
We moved here from Atlanta and have had a lot of Chinese food and this is by far the best we've ever had! Definitely worth the trip to North Pole! A little pricey but portions are large and food is excellent!!
(5)Frank T.
Really good (typical) Asian restaurant. Get the Mongolian Beef - extra crispy. I tried some of the other dishes and I'm sure this is the best one. And don't forget the crab puffs, they are really good here.
(4)Shawn Y.
I mean where else in Fairbanks can you get the best Chinese food? Price cannot compare to the enormous portioned food you get.
(5)Jeanielle H.
Get the Mongolian beef! Tried all other entrees the people I was with and mine was the best! Love it when it works out for me:-)
(4)Dustin R.
Almost a 3 star review, just wasn't really impressed with anything. Just a typical Chinese place for me. I'd rather take the time to go the extra miles to Fairbanks and grub somewhere special. Not sure why Guy Fieri came here before, I guess because it's one of the few places to eat in a town with a cool name like North Pole. The service was good and the food came out fast, which keeps them at 4 stars from me.
(4)Carla C.
My kids love this place. I love that I got to visit North Pole! We ordered the Happy Family Special for our special occasion dinner. 8. Happy Family Special $20.95 (each person!) Wonton or Hot & Sour* Soup Chicken with Garlic Sauce* Sweet and Sour Shrimp Beef with Chinese Greens Pork Fried Rice Hot Tea and Fortune Cookie Apptetizers: eggroll, fried shrimp, barbecued pork Typical American Chinese food...ingredients seem fresh and spiced correctly. We love that we can box up so much of it and have ... leftovers! What a wonderful American tradition! We got there about 8pm and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. The place was packed. Nevertheless, we were happy campers. Decent service, pleasant staff.
(4)Brittany O.
In town for work and everyone highly recommended this place. It was okay. I had the Kung Po Chicken. I found out the next day the best thing to get is the Walnut Shrimp. Maybe next time
(4)Michelle R.
Went there today for lunch. Service was fast, efficient and friendly. Food was just ok. The Walnut Shrimp Appetizer was delicious. The Eggroll had a nice flavor, hot and crispy. I ordered the Sesame Shrimp. Breading was super thick and soggy, sauce was too sweet. Not recommended. My husband ordered the Mongolian Beef, flavors were good but it was on the cold side. All in all, I regretted it.
(3)Jessie L.
All of their food is amazing. No other Chinese restaurant even comes close. They only bad thing about Pagoda is their prices, they're really expensive.
(4)Tiffany L.
This place is OFF THE CHAIN! I love love love love their new dishes! Their service is excellent and clean. Their prices are reasonable and cheap for their large portions. Speaking of portions, leftovers are a must! Love this place and I hope to come here again! Way to go Benny!
(5)J.D. G.
This place is awesome! Fast, great service and delicious food. Mongoloian beef is the my favorite here... and I usually don't care for it! Highly recommend this place
(5)Ky K.
This was the best place to eat Chinese food in the Fairbanks or North Pole area. The staff is exceptional and the food is great. After I ordered it only took about 5 to 10 minutes for the food to come. The food is sort of pricey if you are not eating during the lunch special times Mon through Friday but well worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(4)Mina S.
Seriously the BEST chinese food we have ever had! Even though the place was packed, we were seated right away and our food came out really fast. The portions were huge so we will definitely be ordering a lot less next time. The orange chicken is just beyond amazing. I got lo mein because I usually don't like white rice but theirs is really good. My husband wasn't as happy with his food, he ordered the mongolian beef, but there was more than enough orange chicken to share and he loved that too. Definitely worth the drive from Fairbanks.
(5)Khamla I.
I loved loved this place. My group and I were a bit tipsy when we got there but we were well behaved :) ! Right as I walked in i said hi in a friendly voice slightly loud and was returned with a very warm welcome. There was 6 of us and they made room for us right away even though this place was a bit smaller and extremely busy. Service was phenomenal! Never had to wave a waitress down for anything. Always checked on us and topped off all our waters/drinks. We all ordered entrees and more drinks. Everything was oversized and made to stuff you. We ate family style and by the end of it we had about 4 medium to go boxes. Some items were a bit pricy which I thought everything kind of would since it was in North Pole, Alaska. I say about 4/6 dishes and our drinks were consistent with other restaurants. Decor was awesome. Every inch of the place was covered with something awesome. I'll post pics up when I get to my hard drive since I deleted everything after my last sync
(5)Leann M.
A little pricey, but you do get large portions of food. The food was good, they do get busy and the restaurant does get loud, its best to come before the food rush. The restaurant is clean and the staff is friendly
(4)Kelley T.
The portions were huge. Big enough that even though it's a bit expensive, you're definitely going to be having leftovers and you're getting your money's worth. The food was typical Chinese-American food. The egg drop soup had veggies in it, which I've never had before, but it was good. The menu was huge. The best value is the combo meals. I had the Mongolian beef combo and it was pretty good. I ate a walnut shrimp that a friend ordered and it was pretty damn good, despite my initial hesitation. I was a little disappointed with the tea, but I haven't been to another Chinese restaurant that gives you hot tea with your meal here so they get props for that. Overall, it was a good experience and I'll be going back to try some other dishes on the menu. Update: the Moo Goo Gai Pan is absolutely delicious and a really great healthy alternative to some of the heavier plates. It's chicken and fresh crispy vegetables sautéed in a light clear sauce, and is really wonderful. My new favorite.
(3)LeeLee B.
Meh....I usually like places Guy checks out but this place wasn't very great. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great. Food was rather bland...we got the sweet & sour chicken, beef chow mein and shrimp with cashews. It's a nice sized portioned place but just not very flavorful at all.
(2)Ryan M.
I have lived in North Pole for three years and you should know what Pagoda offers. Decor is fine and you'll notice that the place has a picture of guy fieri, big whoop. This is not authentic chinese food, it is a panda express like style but not half as tasty. Mongolian beef I find is the best you'll get but even that is heavy and will have you wanting a nap afterwards. Pros: big portions, prices aren't too high, and sometimes you get good service I've lived in hawaii and am used to a certain standard when it comes to chinese food. These people miss by a mile. This place is a joke Look elsewhere!
(1)Paul W.
Lunch special gives you soup, egg roll, pork fried rice and an entree all for $12.95. Soup was delicious especially on a cold afternoon. I ordered the Kung Pao Shrimp which was good with just the right amount of kick, but not enough to et your eyebrows sweating. Egg roll was a little soggy for my taste, but overall, a really good lunch option. On a side note, they are very proud of Guy Fieri, they have pics and autographs plastered all over the place, including the menu.
(4)J'sMama H.
Yum. Great Chinese Food! The walnut shrimp is amazing.... I have attempted to find a version down here in the lower 48, but can't seem to. Looking forward to eating it again when I visit! I've only had the take-out, so I can't speak to ambiance, etc.
(4)John M.
Had lunch here the other day. It was super busy and was looking forward to some good Chinese food. Based on how busy it was and all the kudos from Guy Fieri I had high expectations. Unfortunately me and my dining companions went away disappointed. On the good side, the portions were huge which made the $12.99 lunch menu worth the price. On the bad side, the food was tasteless and medicore. I ordered the almond battered chicken. What came out was basically sweet and sour chicken with almonds on it. Not the fried chicken breast with the yellow gravy and almonds. the sesame chicken my dining companion ordered was a big glop of shiny sauce with sesame seeds sprinkled over it. I'd skip this place but I know Chinese restaurants are few and far between so just go knowing it aint the best.
(2)Aidan R.
Pagoda is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The service is always excellent, fast and very friendly. The portions are always huge, perfect to take left overs back home.
(5)Robb W.
Very nice inside...clean with nice decorations. Service was slow after food came out (e.g. no water refills) 2 of our party of 5 ended up with the sh*ts so, thumbs down
(1)Naomi V.
The food is decent, but I wouldn't say it is any better then any other Chinese restaurant. They are seriously over priced. We only go here because it is the only Chinese restaurant in North pole.
(3)Lard Belly E.
For a Chinese restaurant located outside of Fairbanks and near a strip mall I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered green tea that came in a traditional pot, sat over a small flame to keep warm. For lunch I ordered the shrimp with garlic sauce combo, and a friend ordered the beef lo mein, both $11.95 that came with egg drop soup and an egg roll. I asked for chow mein noodles to add to the soup for crunch. The portions were huge! And it didn't effect the quality, but I always wonder about the MSG in cheap places like these. I would come again.
(4)Robert A.
The food here is excellent, always is. Sesame chicken, general tso, beef with broccoli. Excellent food, service is great, prices are reasonable and large portions, I always need a to go container
(5)John M.
Who knew that some of the best Chinese food would be found in North Pole, Alaska?? *Shrugs Shoulders* Long story short, I had some time to kill before that O'Dark hundred flight back to the lower 48 and wanted something to eat so that I could sleep on the plane. I really was expeciting to experience a ho-hum meal but boy was I surprised. The dinner combination of eggdrop soup, almond chicken, shrimp, and tea was an excellent choice! The almond chicken in particular had an awesome combination of spices that gave the dish a distinct flavor. The veggies were not overcooked as you normally find in other restaurants like this. Geez... even the hot tea was good, served in a iron pot! Oh yeah, all for about $16 made this a very worthwhile stop. The decor is a bit dated and loud. The LED xmas lights along the ceiling are a bit tacky, but that should not deter a visit. If (its a big if) I am back in the area, I will be making another stop.
(4)R H.
Very good Chinese food. I definitely like the Pu-Pu platter and the Combo "C" for one. Delivery, take-out, and sit in dining. Always good food. They don't mention this on the website but for Delivery or Take-Out the tea is NOT free (even if your meal normally comes with it.) It's $3 per tiny container. The delivery fee as of this review is $4 (Also not on their website.) Good food, pretty good staff, and OK delivery times.
(4)Julie R.
Overly hyped!! Very expensive. Don't bother. Hit up the Thai place down the road.
(1)Cc B.
This is not Chinese food, it's Korean!! Just so everyone knows, it's good Korean food, But it is not a Chinese food establishment, and extremely expensive. Just like pretty much everything in and around Fairbanks.
(1)Tom S.
The best Chinese food in the U.S. The service is great and the portions are big!
(5)Kelcey K.
We were driving around North Pole town to check out the Santa Claus house. There wasn't much in town and so we yelp-ed for food options and up popped Pagoda. The interior had lavish Chinese imperial designs, very fanciful. It was rather quiet during that lunch hour. Our server was exceptionally friendly. They served really good tea in a heavy metal pot that made the Chinese dining experience even more realistic. We ordered the lunch specials of beef chow mein and kung pau shrimp which came with soup, fried spring roll and pork fried rice - all for $13. The clear vege soup was tasty but not too salty. The kung pau shrimp was pretty good, the beef chow mein was okay...all in all, it was money well-spent because the portions are enormous! We had to pack more than half of our meal because after the bowl of soup and huge spring roll, we were pretty stuffed! Looking around town, I don't think there's that many options for food anyway, so might as well pop by here if you're there to check out Santa Claus house :)
(4)Julia R.
Pagoda's is a fun experience. It has all the kitschy, stereotypically icons of your favorite neighborhood chinese resturant. Hugely decorated red and gold ceiling plus enormous water-scened paintings. Large portions of saucy meat and vegetables with an eggroll like a baby's arm and a mountain of rice all for $12. Thank you lunch special. All the Guy Fieri memorablia is pretty cool too.
(4)Bill M.
We also saw Pagoda on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This time, Guy hit a home run. The food is very flavorful and plentiful. We went there for lunch and we both were unable to eat all of the food on our plates. We wanted to; but, we just couldn't eat anymore. We would definitely go back; but, we would split a plate. Pagoda is located in a shopping center; so, parking is plentiful and free.
(4)Godzilla T.
A wise Chinese girl once told me - "no Shark Fin Soup, no frog legs on menu, not real Chinese food. . .it's Chinese food for Americans. Sweet and Sour Pork is for Americans." Yeah, Pagoda is Chinese American - by no means is it anything like what I've got at home a few blocks away. Probably can't get sesame jellyfish (which, surprisingly, isn't bad). But, that Sweet and Sour Chicken was damn good! (bows head in shame) And the Walnut Shrimp is deelish! It would go nice with her mom's grass jelly drink (you're missing out!). But I had the plum wine instead and it was yummy!
(4)Karen S.
Our service and dinner left a lot to be desired.... First of all what is up with having mulitple waitresses???One is enough. We found this to be ridiculous. Also we were asked about 6 times or more if we were ready to order, yet. This was our first visit and the menu is large, you need time to read it. 2ndly the pot of tea wasn't that good at all. Very dissapointing. The candle under the pot was not lit. Thirdly I have not ever seen egg in Wonton Soup before..I usually eat Chinese at least once a week and have had it in NJ,NY,KS,GA,AL,AK but none had any egg. The soup appeared clear, not greasy and with nice fresh looking vegetables-but I did not try it due to eggs in it. It was sent away 95% full as the other 3 diners did not like it either. 4thly Another first-NO crunchy dry noodles and duck sauce were put on our table nor anyone elses. ( there were 2 pieces strangely placed in a bin on our pu-pu platter.) 5th Our eggrolls were hit and miss. 2 out of 4 tasted appetizing. We ordered a pu pu platter. Once again our fire was NOT lit. So the lil grill to warm your food was useless. The shrimp was greasy but good. The pork was not the expected "spare ribs". The thing in foil was not good and we have no idea what it was. The 2 large dry noodles were??? suppossed to be what???You usually get a bowl or two or three of these. The steak on a stick was just ok, but the best thing on the pu pu platter. We also ordered sweet & sour chicken for the children. Both of them would not eat it, They did not like it. This also has not ever happened before. There were cold slices of carrrots on top of the hot chicken nuggets. The waitresses could see it was not touched and not one of them offered to take it back and off the bill. We did not take anything home. I guess we will stick to our chinese food here in Fairbanks. Much better
(1)Trang P.
Definitely had much better elsewhere. Maybe it's because it's the only Chinese place in that small town, but since I've eating in major chinatowns (NY, LA, SF, Chicago, and the list goes on), this place doesn't stand a chance. Price is reasonable, however, because food in Alaska is expensive in general, I guess I see why these people think it's a steal....
(2)Neil O.
It's no wonder Santa Claus is fat. Pagoda is down the street from his house, and their Chinese food is the best in North Pole if not the Fairbanks North Star Borough. There's something about the food that sets it apart from other Chinese restaurants, in a good way. Almost seems like the stuff is authentic and well-crafted rather than run-of-the-mill. Service is five-star and often times I had to wait for a seat, which is good because they have a steady crowd. The ambiance has lots of positive energy. I'm guessing they took some time to feng shui the place.
(5)Dead M.
Had to try this place after working in Fairbanks... Drove up to the North Pole and stopped in for dinner. Well, the place was packed with people and others getting "take out", so it must be the shizz, no? Well, I ordered the sweet 'n sour chicken, egg role, house soup, rice and chicken chow mein. It was just, ok IMO. I've had much much better chinese food in Washington state, hands down. If you plan on driving all the way out to the North Pole, just to get this chinese food, you will be dissapointed. It was really, not that great. The sauces on the chicken and the noodles, etc was a bit tasty, but it was the actual meat inside the breading that killed it for me... grissle, over cooked and chewy. Sorry "Guy" of Diner, Drive Ins and Dives, but this place was a frown for me.
(2)Teresa C.
I love this place!! The portions are huge and the food is good!!! Who would have thought that the North pole had great Chinses Food?!
(5)Ian H.
This was positively the best chinese food I have had in over fifteen years! To think it is in the middle of no-where....had mongolian beef which was flavorful and tender. Took less than ten minutes to get our order! Will frequent again...
(4)Jomarie T.
ah! Pagoda! The best of the best. Soo good. Then again I am biased because I grew up eating it and went to school with the owners daughter. But always amazing food and amazing service. If you ever go though Fairbanks, make a pit stop to North Pole and try it!
(5)Ashley S.
Hard to believe that some of the best Chinese food I've ever had was in North Pole, Alaska of all places!! Very impressed with Pagoda!! From the service to the food, you won't leave hungry or disappointed!!
(5)e J.
I went here for a work lunch fully expecting to be disappointed with the usual Americanized Chinese food, cheap ingredients, and tons o' salt. Much to my surprise the food and overall experience were great. There's complimentary hot tea in the traditional cast iron teapot and the Kung Pao Bean Curd I had was excellent at a reasonable price to boot!
(4)Daniel P.
This is by far the best Chinese food in the Fairbanks area. The staff and owner are friendly, prices are good and the food is delicious. The portions are huge, plan on taking at least half of your dinner home, or come with friends and share.
(5)Rey T.
Orderd three crown and schz beef,veg rice, hot/sour. Very good ! About $16 for very LG entre.
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