Mayflower Chinese Restaurant

Reviews

• Eric A.

  star star star star star_border 14 June 2026

  I have been a long time customer and I have to say that their food is good. I have to say that this is one of the best Chinese food restaurants in Santa Cruz among others like Guang Zho on Portola Dr.
  I have noticed that Mayflower has been lagging more of the meat, chicken, shrimp, tofu, and fish on a lot of these plates. I've noticed when I dine in my plate has less of the meat as to the people sitting next to me would look as if their plate has more.
  I get the feeling that when I order the waitresses may put less in my orders. I am not exaggerating, I do look at the small details. so please don't judge, I'm just keeping it honest. thank you

• Antonio H.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 4 June 2026

  Walked in for the first time, and asked us if we wanted food to go or to dine in. They were upset my parents and I wanted to dine there. I kid you not the server brought the food out, the tab (or bill) and to-go boxes at the same time. I left no tip, these people do not want your business. Considering it was a saturday afternoon when families are out and about.

• Peter L.

  star star star star_border star_border 27 May 2026

  This is a small restaurant ran by a couple who has been here as far as I could remember. I haven't been here for a very long time and recently stopped by to try it again. My past experience wasn't very good.
  
  We ordered a few different plates and shared them all.
  
  -fried rice/chow mein
  -sweet and sour pork
  -Mongolian beef
  -beef with fresh mushrooms
  
  I don't want review then in depth but to sum it up the food was extremely Americanized, bland, and there were random ingredients that I usually don't find elsewhere. Green beans in sweet and sour pork, pineapples in the beef with mushroom and Mongolian beef. The Mongolian beef didn't have green onions either which I find at other places. I feel when they dont have some of the ingredients they replace it with others?...
  
  The hot and sour soup was also weird. Very watery, flavorless, and awkwardly sweet. Starting with that I knew it was a bad sign but I kept it to myself. The food was okay/edible by adding chili paste and soy sauce it just wasn't the flavor I was expecting according to the dish.
  
  The prices are good, the food looked good and the owners are nice. They just cut corners and maybe try to save a few bucks and it shows. Don't want to bash local businesses so I'll just keep it at 3 stars.

• Abigail A.

  star star star star star_border 24 May 2026

  This place is pretty good. The food is consistent, and the prices are good. It's my go to for a quick lunch with friends when you don't want fast food and you don't want to pay a fortune for a sit down restaurant. Is it the best Chinese food I've ever had? No, but it's pretty dang tasty and it keeps me coming back!

• E H.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 21 May 2026

  Haven't been here in probably over 8 years, my first visit being underwhelming most likely or I just didn't feel like writing a review.
  
  Got here around 3:00pm and surprisingly found they serve lunch specials from 11:00am till 4:30pm!  When I was seated I asked for water and they brought me a nice, full carafe of ice water with lemon...nice start.
  
  Hmm, for the food is where it starts to go askew.
  
  All lunch specials come with a starter of Egg Flower or Hot and Sour soup.  Avoid the Hot and sour...trust me on this.  It is NOT spicy as most hot and sour concoctions I've had at the majority of Chinese places. Very odd combo of canned tomato soup, sugar, a few veges.
  
  Ordered the Hunan Beef Rice Plate ($7.95) lunch special which came with huge portion of steamed rice, 2 very hard wontons with a artsy drizzle of sweet and sour sauce, frou-frou vege garnish of 3 carrot slices and 2 pieces of cold steamed broccoli.    The portion of "Hunan beef" was on the skimpy side, 6 or 7 small pieces of of thinly slice beef deep fried with a crispy coating atop of a bit of fried rice noodles and sweet & salty glaze.  While they note it's spicy you may wished you ordered it extra spicy as it's not.  Flavor was on the bland side, while they claim NO MSG is used they make it up with a that liberal sprinkling of salt--thank goodness for that carafe of water.
  
  Service while friendly is business like.  I did notice they are more chatty with their "regulars" though with a bit more spoonful of sugar and everything nice.
  
  Since there aren't too many choices for a late Chinese lunch on this side of 41st...well, you decide?
  
  PLUSES:  They bring you a nice full carafe of ice water.  Food presentation is nice.  Place is clean and seems to draw it's faithful locals.
  
  MINUSES: portions on the skimpy side, mediocre tasting.  Avoid the most oddest Hot & Sour soup unless you like tomato soup heated up with sugar like some of the reviewers describe...it's all terrifyingly true!