Jonathan S.

Food here is...okay. I wasn't personally wowed by anything there--stick to the usual suspects and you should be okay. The famous dish here are the Saugus Wings (appetizer)--they were good, but difficult to eat, and surprisingly no wet-naps were given post-consumption. Tangerine beef was decent, too. DON'T GET THE DRINKS. I know that tiki bars mix cheap liquors and stick an umbrella in it to justify the $10 pricetag, but these were EXTREMELY weak and not very tasty. So why go then? Well. It's an appealing place for the MAJOR kitsch value it provides. And if it wasn't for the big Polynesian wooden dude in front, I'd almost have regretted coming here.
(3)
Katie A.

Positives: cool atmosphere (a little tacky, but fun). The whole vibe and decor is as if you were on a ship without the sea sickness of course. The "Saugus Wings" are amazing and the portion is quite large. Our waiter was super friendly, got our order correct and quickly. Cons: the scorpion bowl was small and barely contained liquor from what we could tell. For the amount of money we paid for it, I was disapointed. Overall I'd say Kowloon is mediocre but I will definitely return at some point for more wings and to try another beverage.
(3)
Elfego S.

A night out at Kowloons is always a wonderful night out. If you never had a birthday celebration here then your child hood sucked. We came to celebrate my sister in laws 24th birthday. It was a pretty good size party 12 people so it's definitely good to call ahead to get it reserved. They had it all set by the hour that we called. The drinks were subpar, scorpion bowl lacked a punch. The Mai Tais are some what decent but the piÃ±a coladas have way to much milk product, my wife couldn't finish the Virgin piÃ±a colada that she ordered. But the food was amazing, just wonderful filling juicy all around goodness. The poo poo platters are the best to get way better than getting a plate. You get to taste all the goodness Kowloons has to offer. The rice was cooked perfect and no mistake that it's the best around.
(4)
Brett M.

I've gotten take out from here a few times. It's OK Chinese food when you want it but its very pricey compared to other places. Portions are also very big compared to other places too so keep that in mind. An order of the fried rice could probably feed 4 people. I think of the Kowloon more as a place to go to and experience rather than getting take out food.
(3)
Jon H.

Best Chinese egg rolls on the east coast. I fly up from Florida once a year to gorge myself.
(5)
Adam F.

Yeezus you guys are a tough crowd... It's American-style Chinese food in a huge psuedo-Polynesian temple. They have live music on the weekends, strong drinks, and insanely fast service. They are not trying to be O-Ya, so I'm not sure what some of you are expecting. I've been coming to Kowloon for years. Despite being from Needham and going to college in Bridgewater, I seem to always end up in the North Shore. My girlfriend and I have shared many romantic evenings together at Kowloon, so I feel it is finally time for my long awaited Yelp review. Unfortunately, I was so hungry last night that I started eating before I could take any pics #FoodPornProblems Everything about Kowloon is about size, and in their case, bigger is better. Massive parking lot (with an ATM). Massive dining room(s). Massive portions. There are 3 distinct dining areas in Kowloon. The furthest away area is where the band performs under the rigging of a large sailboat. I call that one The Boat Room. Then there is an area with a fountain in the middle, which is my personal favorite that I have dubbed The Fountain Room. Lastly, there is the plain old school Chinese restaurant room, complete with mirrors on the wall and 1950's pizza parlor tables that I have dubbed The Hospice. I'd rather wait for a table in the Boat or Fountain rooms than be seated right away in The Hospice. Even if the parking lot is full, there is a good chance you'll be seated right away at Kowloon, since they have seating for 50,000 (rough estimate). Last night, it was pretty packed, and we still got a table for 2 as soon as we walked in. The service is lightning quick, so be prepared to order! They operate on such high volume that asking for more time to look at the various menus completely disrupts their chi. I'll do you a favor - get a pu-pu platter (with teriyaki beef) and a scorpion bowl right off the bat. That'll buy you time to figure out of you want General Gau's Chicken or Szechuan Beef (hint: get both). If you have never been to a Chinese restaurant before and don't know what to order, perhaps you should practice at a mall food court before stepping up to the big leagues. I order literally the same thing at every Chinese restaurant. Crab Rangoon, Chicken Fingers, Scallion Pancakes, and Beef Teriyaki to start. No need to look at the menu. Our food was brought out 1 minute later which leads me to believe that they either own a time machine, or they just make a lot of popular items ahead of time. I'm leaning towards the time machine theory. For entrees, Kristina likes the Fancy Chicken, which is akin to Fancy Sauce from Stepbrothers. Just kidding, it's a Thai Dish with pineapples and cashews served in a carved-out pineapple. Everytime it is served, I'm taken back to Maui and forget that I'm eating on the side of Route 1 in Saugus. I always get vegetable lo mein because I am practicing a low carb lifestyle. I'm also a fan of the General Gau's Chicken, Szechuan Beef, Pad Thai, and Sushi. The Saugus Wings are also noteworthy, but super messy to eat (think wings dipped in hot molasses). The drinks are typical Asian Pacific fare. Mai Tais and Scorpion Bowls. One scorpion bowl is definitely enough for 2 people. The food coma combined with cheap alcohol buzz is enough to make driving a challenge. The prices are a tad above regular Chinese take-out restaurants. My usual order is about $55-60 at most places, and tips the scales at $70 at Kowloon. Do yourself a favor and swing by on a Friday night when you don't feel like getting $15 drinks spilled on you in The Seaport. Don't be a hater. Snitches get stitches. YOLO.
(5)
S T.

Kowloon has been around since before I was a kid and so has it's decor. I do love the Polynesian temple feel and don't get me wrong I love the water fountains and the ship dance floor but the rest of the place needs a remodel. Kowloon is a fun place to visit for the atmosphere. The food is not what it use to be when I was a kid or maybe it is because I now know better. The rice is always overcooked and the spare ribs if there is any meat on the bone is dried out. Probably from keeping it warm all day but the Saugus wings are great and Kowloon knows how to make a good egg role. They could teach other restaurants in the area a thing or two about egg rolls. However they are over priced and you can do better at smaller Chinese restaurants on the north shore.
(3)
Shawn W.

Yummy Chinese food & fast service. They need to update some of the decor. Good drinks. The only thing I'm sad about, they charged extra for brown gravy. Otherwise, a fun place to grab Chinese food.
(4)
Beth M.

I been coming here since I was kid with my parents, I love the Route 1 Area. Great decor and really big restaurant. A lot of parking. The food is really good, service is crappy. 10 mins for a refill. I could of choked to death. (The spicy sauce is really good) I love the beef and tomato extra spicy! Mmm! They add a 20% tip with parties over 4 people.
(3)
Johnny A.

This is a world famous establishment that had been around for years. Known to host Boston's championship winning teams post victory, it is a large enough venue for all of your friends. This place is always packed, and for good reason. The food is good, cheap, and quickly made. I cant promise everything is 100% fresh but stick to the classics (steak nuggets, chicken fingers, dumplings, rice...) and you'll be good. They also have a full bar with plenty of seats and you can find live keno with lotto ticket vending machines.
(4)
Karen K.

Went to Kowloons on a Thursday night from the south shore..It was pretty crowded and we sat in the bar area.We both ordered mixed drinks and they came immediately because they are a mix , nothing is made fresh.We ordered a pu pu platter for 2 ..inedible, ribs were chewy, just gross . Our waitress was crass.. Yes'm, crass. Snapped her gum, was more concerned about a "butt break" than serving us., her and the other waitress were complains about business cutting into their cig break.. the service is as cheap as the decor.I drive by this place all the time .. Wanted to try it for years .. If you like cheap tasteless service by rude staff at extremely high prices .. This is the place.. Staff sucks.. Food sucks ...
(1)
J S.

Just okay. Food is definitely not fresh. Not the friendliest place I've been. Decor is a little tacky and dated. Service is fast but "they have no confetti in their underwear." Humorless. The place needs to make an effort to provide fresh food and a fun environment.
(2)
Tiberius K.

Best Chinese food around and I love the old school atmosphere. Place hasn't changed since I was a kid, which is usually a bad thing, but it's kept clean and has a nostalgic feel. Staff is hard working and the food is great. Very few of their competitors compare.
(5)
Rick M.

To the naysayers... don't knock it until you give it a try! Kowloon has been around for a long time. And they are always packed until closing time. So they must be doing something right. We decided to check out the comedy room upstairs called Kowloon Komedy. I've been here before and they usually book some funny local comedians. But not before having some dinner downstairs in one of the two huge the dining rooms. It's primarily American style Chinese fare. However if you know your stuff you can find some authentic dishes on the menu that are surprisingly good. Here's what we ordered: Peking Ravioli Pan Fried Dumplings with Ginger Sauce - seared crispy on the outside. Not bad. Spicy Basil Chicken Fried Rice - a Thai rice dish that was seasoned just right with hotness and basil. Pad Thai Noodles - delicious dish done well considering it's a Chinese restaurant Tangerine Beef - thin deep fried slices of beef coated in corn starch swimming in a thick sauce. Perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Wor Hip Har - jumbo shrimp wrapped in bacon in tomato sauce. On a whim we all wanted to sample this one. A little different but definitely worth trying. Very tasty! Overall a good experience. And we had a few good laughs upstairs afterwards at Kowloon Komedy Room.
(4)
Amanda J.

Kowloon is one of the most interesting restaurant experiences I've had recently. My husband grew up on the north shore, so this place is a landmark for him and his friends. After hearing so much about this place, I was certainly not impressed during my first (and hopefully last) dining experience there. The drinks were OK. The food was OK. It was a pretty "meh" experience overall which made me wonder why people keep coming back for such mediocre Chinese food. Pros: - Huge restaurant, easily able to accommodate large groups with no reservation - Very fast service (but almost too fast) - Lots of weird decorations? (not sure if that's a pro...) Cons: - Food is definitely not fresh (food comes out minutes after your order) - Very limited gluten free options - Even though they have tons of space, I felt rushed in and rushed out - Not very good service
(2)
Christopher K.

Very mediocre American Chinese food. They also have Thai and Japanese offerings. Not recommended if you want a good authentic meal. I feel like I'm in Oklahoma again.
(2)
Carolann R.

Wow, I really wish I knew what happened to this place. My Mom wanted to go for her Birthday. She loves it here. Well, loved it. The food was horrible. The boneless ribs were inedible. The rice was mush. The crab rangoons were reheated and dry. The saugus wings didn't taste like they used too. And the service? Wow, rushed much? They didn't ask whether or not we wanted tea. The drinks we're watered down.. This used to be the place to be and be seen... Sorry Kowloon... There are much better places with much better prices... I used to love you. But sadly no more.
(1)
D C.

They have the BEST spareribs on this planet. That's what the two stars are for. They deserve five for those ribs, but they end up with a mere two stars because when you average everything else that happens at this place, two stars is all this place deserves. Why? Because the ribs are the ONLY thing they do well. They rush you through the dining experience. We think the apps must all be reheated affairs, except for the ribs. They've consistently served us dried out teriyaki when we order the Peninsula Pupu Platter, which is more expensive than the regular pupu platter, because of the teriyaki. But what is the point if they're dried out and clearly reheated? We brought it to the attention of the waiter the first time this happened, and yes, he brought out some more, but they were really no better. And if we're wrong, and the apps aren't reheated, then they apparently just don't know how to cook. The drinks are inconsistent. On one night they were good strength, and on another weak as hell. Again, if we were only voting based on those ribs, they would get a solid five stars.
(2)
Paul P.

Good American take on Chinese food. Hot and sour soup is tasty, hot tea is hot and flavorful. No. 1 seafood dish - shrimp & lobster topped with crispy scallops is excellent - tons of lobster and fresh vegetables! The decor is a throwback to the 60s and 70s, but the food is modern & not soaked in grease. So if you like up to date traditional Chinese food, you'll love Kowloon. Plus they are open super late - always a plus!
(5)
Jade B.

Get the Tropical Mai Tai. Hands down, the best Mai Tai I've ever had! $9 might seem steep for a beverage, but when you try it, you won't regret it!
(4)
Dan R.

While spending time in the Greater Boston Area, my partner decided to take me to Kowloon's. Before we walked into the restaurant my partner told me that it would be an experience unlike any I have had before. Not knowing what she meant I quickly recognized what she was talking about. When we walked into this massive restaurant, it was like walking into a market place. There were people selling jewelry as well as other cosmetic items and the bar in the front of the restaurant was packed. The restaurant itself looked as though it was pretty full, but we were seated right away. The decor in this place was unique and landed some where between "Chinese" and "Hawaiian". The waiter we had was polite and we didn't get any attitude when it took us forever to wait for friends and order. The drinks were pretty tasty and really strong. The food itself was average, but the sushi was pretty decent. Overall, the experience was great, but this place is more of a city than a restaurant. Note to anyone who gets overstimulated, this may not be the place for you. Beyond the chaos, we had a blast and will be back in the future.
(4)
Daniel N.

Heard that this place was pretty good so we decided to try it out tonight. At first I was hesitant because they have a lot of cuisines: Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Polynesian... Quite frankly I'm hesitant of these types of places with multiple identities. Inside is huge and the decor is awesome!! They have different rooms with different themes, we sat in the grotto Lake something with a fountain in the middle. For food my dinner date got the sesame chicken, which was pretty standard batter fried and sauced. I got the triple delight over crispy pan fried noodles, the triple delight being shrimp, beef and chicken. It was pretty good and not too expensive for a huge portion. The shrimp was kinda funky tasting though, like old rubbery tasting. Service was meh, the waiter was standoffish and to others would seem rude. Comparable to waiters in Chinatown restaurants. Also we asked for extra teriyaki sauce on the side - which he said no, they only have soy sauce. Okay, but you have chicken/beef teriyaki on the menu...so we couldn't understand that logic.
(4)
Bubba M.

NOT that impressed. VERY salty and I LOVE Crab Rangoon but wasn't happy with theirs. Will never eat here again at this point to me it's a good place to go after a night of drinking if you are just eating your buzz off.
(3)
Karen M.

I live far from the Kowloon and have regretted it till now. We used to love the food in the Thai grill. It was searingly spicy, and somewhat authentic. My husband and I ordered 2 separate dishes, and both came with the same gloppy gravy, (seriously in Thai food, gravy?) that smacked of Americanized Cantonese from an earlier time. somebody in the kitchen must have jumped ship, or maybe this change in cuisine was on purpose? Yuck, even the Mai Tais were meh!
(2)
Michelle D.

Gross gross gross! Bland and staff is rude. Not a fan and def won't be back. Yuck! I wouldn't recommend this place as the food really is terrible. How it has good reviews is beyond my understanding.
(1)
Kristen D.

Even though you walk through the door on a Friday or Saturday night and see people all over the foyer waiting, they move really quickly and get you seated as soon as possible. Want crab rangoons? They will basically be dropped at your table before what seems like the words even come out of your mouth. Have not had anything from here that I didn't like. My fave is the thai basil, peas and onions with shrimp (or chicken), but you must get it with white rice! Super spicy, so the rice helps tame that a tad. Sushi is also really good. Other notable items: saugus wings, kung pao chicken, general tso, white mai tai. Least favorite part about each visit is traveling crazy route 1, but it's worth it.
(4)
Rob M.

Overall my experience here was average. Time of stay and service was very quick. The food left some to be desired. My first problem is with the beverages (non-alcoholic). It seems every Chinese restaurant serves you a skinny glass filled with ice and not much liquid. Ordered Saugus Wings, chicken fingers, and pork fried rice. The wings were a little sweet but very tasty. The only downside was that only cloth napkins were available which made it messy. The chicken fingers were a nice surprise as they were strips as opposed to cutlets. A few seemed underdone and chewy. I like sriracha for dipping but settled with their chile sauce. The pork fried rice was large for the price. Overall, the food was adequate, but not great. Everything seems to be prepared ahead of time, rather then fresh to order. I'd maybe come back with a larger group to try more things since combo plates aren't an option.
(3)
Katie S.

Food was okay, drinks were weak, and our server named Ken... Extremely rude and unaware of his unprofessional demeanor.
(2)
Priscilla O.

Gross, overpriced and gross again. I ordered takeout Walnut shrimp and white rice.. My total was $30!!! What a rip off.. I have ordered similar items at other places coming to much less than that. It was the worst dish I had ever had and the shrimp tasted awful like it was rotten or something. Shame on Kowloon for ripping people off and not even giving them fresh seafood. I will be ordering from Royal Garden on Route 1 from now on, learned my lesson.
(1)
Mark W.

I've been coming to the loons for over 30 years having moved out of the area 10 years ago I frequent the restaurant only about once a year. Over the past 10 years I've seen a huge decrease in quality, service and the condition of the common areas which is filthy! I use to love the teriyaki bits this time they were hideous. The chicken fingers were hard and as small as a ball the stir fried vegi was cold. I fear that the Kowloons will be going the way of the Hill Top very soon.
(1)
Nate H.

The Kowloon is a national treasure--tacky tiki goodness at its best. The atmosphere is like walking back in time and the food is surprisingly good. Haven't indulged in the tiki drinks yet, but I'll be back for those soon (when I'm not the driver and can really enjoy it!). My only criticism is that I wish there was a fun Polynesian show with dinner on certain nights.
(5)
Nick L.

Staff is good.Food is good but not great. Many times I've eaten here the food in the regular section tastes greasy and thrown together.Funny though when I eat in the other section I think it's the. Front Thai section it's very good.Funny.I will return though.
(4)
Scott M.

I'm at the point where I don't even want to eat Chinese food anymore. The food came out in under 3 min (nothing freshly made). My scorpion bowl was weak and that too I believe was pre-mixed and just dumped on a bowl of ice for me. While I love the exterior of this building, the interior is dated. Anytime I eat in a restaurant that has rug... Yuck. After eating none of my party felt good.. Disappointing
(2)
Christopher B.

This place is great! I've always drove by this place but never went in. Saw it on Phantom Gourmet and had to give it a shot. Food was excellent! Ribs and Saugus wings are simply amazing. The pork fried rice was a bit sticky, which was a little disappointment but not enough for me to change my rating from 5 stars!
(5)
Mercedes T.

I went here for my 18th birthday dinner and it was awful. I heard bad things before but I ignored it. Big mistake. The food was good but some of my friends ran a little late and they kept nagging us about it. I honestly wanted to tell the people to shut the fuck up. On top of that when it came time to pay they were up our asses looking at the money to see what we had and looking for the tip that was already included in there! They didn't deserve that much of a tip, it was a $40 Tip. Not to mention they were so fucking rude. They ruined my birthday dinner to the point where I had to redo it because it was such a bad experience at another nice pleasant restaurant.The best part about the whole thing was my friends and the food. I will never go back again for any occasion.
(1)
Carolina E.

Soo. I used to come here all the time and the pupuplatter always was something u had to have, not any more not even flame? That is odd, any how the waiter just trow the food in the table like we were pigs is funny cuz we were pigging out that nite.
(3)
Joseph K.

First visit. Had Singapore Noodles. Menu said spicy; I found it not to be at all. If you like things hot, I would ask them to spice it up for you. I liked the waiter. He was fast, efficient, and quiet. Some might say standoffish but not me. I don't want chatter, I want my food hot and my drinks fast. He kept the water full and processed payment fast-- when I'm done, I'm done, and I want to move on with my night. Yes I would return next time in town.
(3)
Chrissy N.

This place is huge and has a huge menu. It was hard deciding what to choose! I ended up getting the szechuan tofu, which was delish! I would go again.
(4)
John S.

I'm not really sure what to say about Kowloon. It'd be like trying to review a volcano or the moon or something. What do you say about something so astonishingly big and bizarre? There aren't too many situations in which going to Kowloon is your best option. It's not a date place, since it is way too massive and way too ridiculous. It's not a business lunch kind of place because the food isn't terribly good. It's not a place to take relatives, because your mother will be wondering why her sushi took forty-five minutes while your chicken took ten. I went with about a dozen people who were in no rush and were just there for the company. I think that's about as good a situation as you can get at Kowloon. You'll get take-out quality Chinese food, exactly average sushi, and the attention of an overworked waitstaff. But you'll also get to sit in a place that is so huge and ridiculous that it must be seen once. Just once, but still.
(3)
Chris M.

The best way to describe this place is a Chinese food factory. It is an enormous landmark in Saugus; basically impossible to miss. I have been to the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee for food/comedy and expected a similar experience. Tonight, I went with 3 people for the comedy night with Jonas Gray of the NE Patriots (this should be a separate review because good god, don't quit your day job, Jonas). As soon as I walked in, I was somewhat surprised by the sea of people crammed into the downstairs area. I couldn't quite tell if they were waiting for tables? Food? A seat at the bar? The restaurant goes back as far as the eye can see. We were escorted quickly and politely upstairs to where the show was and sat at really small tables, 2 by 2. One tip if you're going to a show there: go with 4 people because you'll be crammed very close to each other. Almost immediately as we sat down, the waitress came up quickly and said "YOU WANT DRINK?" Fast, abrupt service. Great! Got the drinks within 3 minutes and she immediately said "YOU WANT FOOD?" I told her to give us a few minutes before she came back and repeated the question. Food was ok. I got 2 different sushi rolls, which by themselves my have been really good, but for some reason were slathered with chipotle looking sauce. Salty and hot were the main themes. Also, my friend's gf sushi came on my plate, so we had to awkwardly move it to another plate. Drinks were typical Chinese cocktails; Mai tai, blue Hawaii, zombie, scorpion bowl. One note about the scorpion bowl for one: it doesn't come in a bowl, but rather the same glass as the rest of the cocktails. Mkay. As for Jonas Gray, if His teammates saw him, they'd laugh for all the wrong reasons. Not necessarily worth the $25, but we gotta support our fourth string super bowl champion RB.
(3)
Dorsa S.

Food is fabulous... One star lose cuz of not friendly waitress but the full package is perfect ! Going here is a MUST !!
(4)
Sheri M.

I'm giving Kowloon four stars? You betcha, but let me explain. Go to Kowloon on a weekday for lunch. Go when there is mainly senior citizens dining. Sit in the Thai Grille. Order a Thai luncheon special, and only a Thai luncheon special. Don't get Chinese or any other Asian variety. Their Thai luncheon specials are actually outstanding and you can ONLY get them during lunch hours (Monday through Saturday, 11:30am to 4pm). Go for dinner and it's a wildly different Thai menu. For $6.95 I get the mouthwatering "Guy Pud Kring" (chicken with onions, peppers, chilies, ginger, and scallions plus white rice), tea, bread and/or diced pineapple (upon request), and a fortune cookie. You can't beat it. And it's delicious. I won't eat the Chinese food due to its less than stellar reputation, but I would eat "Guy Pud Kring" every day if I could. It's spicy to the point that I shed tears, yet I shovel it in time and time again.
(4)
Jenna L.

I had my wedding here in September and absolutely loved it. The function room upstairs was perfect for a wedding for 180 people. The function coordinator was so helpful and she quickly responded to any questions I had. The food was extra fresh. Some of my guests told me they thought it was better than when they normally went there. I think this a great idea for a non-traditional wedding reception.
(5)
Denise T.

I am sorry to report that I had lunch there today and it was terrible. The food was terrible and dry, let alone the service, which was worse. George, our waiter did not even come over and ask if our food was acceptable, let alone, he took our order and someone else served it to us. It wasn't until he saw that we needed another cocktail that he paid any attention to us since he took our order. Then he came over and complained about another customer which I felt was terrible customer service. Instead of complaining to us, I feel that he could have asked us how our food was. I don't think I would go back there. It's too bad that some people should not be doing customer service when they are not qualified to do so.
(1)
Local G.

Kowloon(s) has been my favorite restaurant ever since I was a little kid, maybe 5 or 6 years old I remember going there and honestly not much has changed inside! I go consistently throughout the years. Food is fantastic. Drinks are fantastic. Love the large restaurant and how there's all these sort of "rooms" that are themed in a way. I love eating by the "boat." Haven't been here around 9 in a while but for a long time that is when their live music plays a the boat area. Love it. I love the bar near the pink room that is sort of in the floor, it's a low bar. It's a nice spot late night for drinks and watch the tv with friends if there's a game on. There's a ton of menu items. I really just get the same things over and over. I tried their sushi last time and it's really good, fresh. Their first bar on the right at the entrance is all renovated now. Honestly, I miss the old bar!!! I love that this place has its dark and dated charm. It IS it's charm!! I hope they never change anything else of how it looks. Love it just the way it is. This is always going to be my all time favorite restaurant!
(5)
Kim C.

My husband and I ate at Kowloon today. We were very disappointed at the service. When we were seated, the waitress rolled her eyes before she asked us what we wanted to drink. We asked for tea, and she brought us water. From there things got worse. She took our dinner order and proceeded to hide behind a room partition, where she was laughing in a lively way with a waiter. After about 20 minutes, she brought out our food, then she disappeared for another half an hour. We didn't have chopsticks, so I had to get them myself from the nearby bar. We never got rice with our order, so I had to go to the host to have a discussion about missing food because our waitress was nowhere in sight. He couldn't be bothered, as he was reading a newspaper, so he shooed me away without ever looking up. When I came back to the table, we had been in the restaurant for an hour, and no one had come by to at least give us the check. I had to go to a bartender just to pay our way out of that place. I have never been so poorly treated at a restaurant, and I've been to my share of dives.
(1)
Scott S.

The food here is horrible. Any crappy Chinese takeout place would surpass this joint! Yet Kowloon is MUCH more expensive than any crappy Chinese food takeout place. So avoid Kowloon at all cost!! First of all, none of this is authentic Chinese food, so wipe that thought from your mind. Nevertheless, I like American Chinese food too, so that is how I will evaluate my dinner last Saturday night at this place. The restaurant is "fun" -- it's big with a cool vibe inside, lots of activity. But I am reviewing this place on the quality of the FOOD. And as far as the food, it was barely edible. I ordered one of the appetizer combos so I could sample a bunch of different items, and most were horrible. Wouldn't even feed it to the dog (if I had a dog and he was dining with me :) ). The real killer was the pork fried rice. I mean, any self-respecting American Chinese food place MUST have decent pork fried rice -- I think there's a rule out there somewhere for that. :) Yet this place's pork fried rice was the worst I've ever had. It was super dry, and mostly tasteless. You could tell that they had just scooped it out of some HUGE pot that probably had been sitting there all day. Adding insult to injury, EVERYTHING on the menu is overpriced. Again, this is cheap, American Chinese food -- nothing special or gourmet about it. Same stuff any takeout place would offer. Yet, the price was a LOT higher, despite the food being inferior. OK, you get the picture. Just get takeout from your favorite local hole in the wall instead of this crappy place.
(1)
Alison D.

This was *THE* place to go when I was in high school, mind you, that was the early ninetes and I probably spent at least an hour volumizing my hair just to go there. For some reason, we thought it was a special place. All my girlfriends and I came here for our last night out before we left for college. There was drama and there was more drama.... and that's before I even get to the food and the place.... If you live nearby, you have probably come here for the comedy or the food or the drinks or *something*. If you live nearby and haven't been here, check it out. It's a North Shore staple! I haven't been back since that fateful day in 1992, so I plan to go back sometime soon. My husband hasn't ever been, so I think I might have to take him there. Since, by my own advice, it is a North Shore staple.
(5)
Ben C.

Worst Chinese food experience of my life. The only thing good was how fast the food came out.
(1)
Yvonne V.

This place is huge, I've had good drinks here in the past and the Saugus wings are delicious. Tacky stuff and people watching inside are fun. Went on Monday for take-out lunch with one of my kids. Everyone at the counter was very nice. He got the tangerine chicken, he thought it was pretty good. I thought it was all batter and sicky syrupy not orange flavored stuff. Yuk. I got the pick 4 apps - special lo mein was good, but really greasy, the stir fried veggies were good, teriyaki beef nuggets were inedible - tasted like no teriyaki I've ever had before and i thought I was going to get food poisoning from them, boneless ribs were all fat. I threw most of it out. The best thing I've had are the Saugus wings - that will be the only thing I'll get if I ever go back. They are the only reason I gave this two stars instead of one.
(2)
Sarah T.

This is the second to worst Chinese food I have ever had. The Egg Drop Soup was slimy, and the Chin Lui Chicken, which is chicken, red and green peppers, and broccoli cooked in a special hot sauce, was not even the least bit spicy. Hello?? Not in the least. Even the egg roll was terrible - worst one that I have had. It certainly didn't taste fresh and seemed mushy inside - as if it had been frozen for far too long. My fiance's sushi was also sub par - nothing remotely interesting or tasty. And the drinks - too expensive for what you received. I ordered a rum drink that was quoted as being "served in a pineapple." What an expensive scam! I should have known better since my drink came in a CERAMIC pineapple. Not a fresh pineapple at all. And not even a large drink after all of that. I suppose people go for the atmosphere. We were seated in the big ship - so, so funny! It is nuts inside, but since the food is so bad - why even bother? We also went to the bar after our meal before the comedy show. The bar was a scary, scary meat market of a bar. I swear you could pick up a disease along with your one-night stand! The reason I give this establishment two stars instead of one is because the Comedy Show was HILARIOUS!! Lots of laughs! Skip the food and bar, and head upstairs for the comedy - after having eaten somewhere nearby.
(2)
Jessica B.

Okay, I'm going to start off by saying that I LOVE anything tiki or Trader Vic's or pretty much anything from the 1940's era of dining pleasure. So, imagine my delight, when I passed Kowloon for the first time. I then promptly decided to visit. My experience was nothing less than something from a Quentin Tarantino movie. We picked a friend up from the airport in Boston and headed over to 'Loons. When we go there and went in, I was blown away. The size of the place, the tiki decor, the full-sized boat just sitting in a lagoon or something with people eating onboard. It was insane. We sat down. Even though the dining room downstairs sits literally hundreds of people, there was a server for every 4 or so tables so the service is amazing. The menu is literally 20 pages+ in length with everything from Chinese to sushi to Japanese to Polynesian and even pizza if you're not of fan of Asian dining. We ordered. The food came almost immediately and the portions were enormous. They have a fun and fancy drink menu with a ton of choices and they sell souvenir mugs of course. We were loving it... ...then the whole place lost power. They came around with candles and I think the fountains were actually still working in the dark? It made the whole experience surreal and really funny. To be in a place like that... and lose power. But, the power came back on and our meal was wonderful. This place has become a tradition anytime we're near Boston. It was a great dining experience. NOTE: In the women's restroom the stall doors are see-through one way. So you can see out, but I (don't think) they can see in. That may trip you out the first time you use the facilities. But, it was just the cherry on the crazy sundae that is Kowloon for me. :)
(5)
Hungry B.

I guess every area needs a place like this... its old school tacky and sort of fun with the over the top decor, apparently its a north shore institution, etc. The food and drinks are both actually almost cheap, so value gets 3 stars rather than just 2, but its average at best, and honestly I can't say it left me wanting to come back. (a note on attire - feel free to wear your Ed Hardy and sweatpants, apparently...not that there's anything wrong with that, hey, I live in Brighton after all, I'm just saying...)
(3)
l. a.

I was told that I have to go to Kowloon and that it would be the most fun I had all week, and boy was it. This place is like Disneyland for Asian Cuisine. The menu is extensive and the Chinese food was actually really good. But even if the food sucked, this place would be worth a visit. Walking into Kowloon is like walking into 1985. The over the top cheesy decor and the local patrions makes this place a true experience. This is just a fun place,especially if you're looking for something to do on the weekend. If so, I would definitely head up to Kowloon to check it out!
(4)
Brian S.

It may be a landmark, but Kowloon is not making a mark in my land... er... in the land of restaurants? Crap this is going nowhere. I wasn't impressed by Kowloon. The place is huge, and the inside is kind of cool, but you get that "trashy" feel in here. The menu is gigantic, but I did not like my dish at all. And the waiter was not attentive or friendly. The only plus side, really, is that it's close and has a large variety of dishes to choose from. I would much rather go somewhere with a smaller menu, a nicer atmosphere, and better food for not much more money, though.
(2)
Ashley F.

The food is palatable to terrible. (Unless you like flaming food, fire is fun). It'd MAYBE be worth it if the prices were cheap, but they're not. The only food that I had that was decent was fried, and even that came to the table cold. Our waiter was a jerk. Let's call him Jim the Jerk. We were there in the middle of the day, and as it was, he only had our table to wait on. Jim was brisk to the point of being rude, not a smile out of him. He'd not listen to our order, having to be corrected often. Jim didn't do anything for the table except bring out food and drinks. He didn't fill up empty water glasses, he didn't once check on us to see if we were doing well, and he never came around so that we could ask for things. This is the worst part: Jim included his own tip on the bill. He calculated the tip AFTER tax, and gave himself a 21% tip. I don't give 21% tips unless the waiter gives me service under the table as well as above, and certainly not to a waiter who didn't even do the minimum of waiting needed for a tip. Only possible reason for visiting Kowloon? The atmosphere. It's adorable, kitsch, rundown, and fun. Unfortunately this awesome atmosphere is ruined by asshole waiters and shitty food.
(1)
D M.

This place isn't about the food, but the experience. They have themed rooms and different menus to fit the cuisine of the different regions and rooms you're seated in. It has kinda seemed to have gone down hill slightly since the first time I went there, or maybe I was in awe more on my first dining experience many years ago. We got a pineapple filled with candy meat in the form on chicken that was ON FIRE! You can't really go anywhere but down from there. We go here each year for my birthday and for Kim's birthday and we've been doing this for many years. It's usually during the day, and various involved parties are drunk at lunch, and it rocks. I endorse it for the fun that is Kowloon, and drinking, not for the food. It's pretty generic. I would suggest the food that can be lit on fire.
(4)
Joe G.

Most overrated restaurant in metro Boston. The staff clearly mailed it in 15 years ago and rides off its name recognition, because if you dine in, the food is awful (it's fine for take-out, but not that great - not worth the price or the hype). If you go during any sort of popular time, expect it to be so packed and loud inside that you can't have a conversation with the person next to you. It's also constantly packed with annoying groups of high school kids (I would know, I was in a bunch of those groups in my day) - they come after their baseball games, proms, graduations, parties, or anything else. The funny thing is, when we'd have these events, someone would always suggest the Kowloon, and almost everyone would say "Why? The Kowloon sucks." But we'd end up going anyway. I don't get it either.
(1)
Rob M.

this place is an institution. Great food lots of seating even though there is usually wait it;s not long. I have been coming here for years as it was always a special event to come here. I hope this place is here for my great grandkids to enjoy.
(4)
Sean H.

I have been to Kowloon's many times, never had a bad experience. Sometimes it can get noisy, but it is a family restaurant. I have always been seated in the back room usually near the ship, this time however we were brought into the first room on the left. We sat at a table with full view of the sushi bar, and kitchen ... It was awesome. I ordered the duck ... It was so good, and the portion was huge. I also ordered some sushi for an app it was very fresh and insanely yummy. My hubby got crab rangoon and chow mien both of which he was very impressed with.
(4)
Dany B.

great food (they must of changed something because I gave them the X about 5 yrs ago) fast and super pleasent service plenty of parking good crowd (real north shore..haha) pretty cheap too
(5)
Ian N.

This place is a North Shore/Route 1 icon/juggernaut/staple/fixture-that-will-Âwithstand-a-nuclear-holocaust. Just point at the menu and say yes. Drinks could be bigger, but they're always tasty and well mixed. Best part is that this place is the last place to serve booze-a-hol on the NoSho. I suppose you could say that I'm a fan.
(4)
Maria L.

Wah Wah Wee Wah! This is the mother of all Asian cuisine restaurants on the planet. Japanese. Chinese. Thai. Sushi. You name it, Kowloon's got it! The menu has 42,000 delicious items! The atmosphere was fun. Crowded, but fun. The clientele is a strange mix, but who cares its Kowloooooooooooooon! The food was delicious and made quickly and the wait staff was friendly and attentive. I would like to go back and sample the menu a bit more since I was only really there for drinks and appetizers, so I will surely review again.... But in the meantime THUMBS UP! Super cool place if you're looking for something to do on a Saturday night!
(4)
Mike B.

Great food and fun here at the Kowloon and if you're looking for something to do on New Year's eve - - this is the place! Food, entertainment and fun!
(4)
Tony C.

Great place for drinks and to chat with someone. I tend to feel im being rushed out by the staff. They come over often and ask "Is that all, check?". No i don't want my check yet but i'll take another scorp bowl. The food is alright i'm not into the whole biting into a chicken finger and the grease is just volcanic. Only good thing about this place is its open till 2am. Drinks till 115-130 i forget so i mean thats great. This is always a last call spot.
(3)
Sarah M.

Wow. Just, WOW. That is all I have to say after my late night visit to the North Shore mecca of people watching. I had never been there before, despite having lived in Malden for more than a year and half. But my friend and I were hungry and it was past 11, so we couldn't eat at Hugh O'Neills (the kitchen closes at 10) so we trekked to Saugus. First, we sat in the dining room and ordered two things to share--boneless spare ribs and pan friend noodles. The food was nothing spectacular but it was decent. I want to try the Saugus Wings so I guess I'll have to go back at some point. The waiter managed to knock over my mango colada and spill it all over the table when he brought the food out, but such is life. He brought me a new one so all's well that ends well. After we ate we went to the bar and had a few drinks. This is quite the place for people watching. For example--a guy with a cowboy hat and his oxygen tank (tube attached to his nose and all) pounding back the drinks at the bar. A guy getting escorted out by the cops at midnight, ready to start a fight with them. Note to that guy--starting a fight with cops at a bar = SO not a good idea unless you want to spend the night in jail. Just sayin. And what I assume is the typical Saturday night bar crowd there. It was quite the time. I might have to go back soon for some more laughs :)
(4)
Kate G.

I grew up in the area so a lot of events and fundraisers have been held here, I have also been to a lot of parties here and as much as the atmosphere is fun, which it is the rest is just not that wonderful. The drinks are strong but really expensive, the staff is hit or miss and the food itself is nothing extraordinary. They are really accommodating if you have more than four people but when you try to have a meal with just two it's awful. I guess they cater more towards the parties and such. Which makes sense to them as far as money goes but makes it hard for people to go on a date here and expect to get stuff done quickly. One time even with four people we had to search for our waiter to get us refills on soda! Soda! I mean it takes two seconds a cup and we were literally 10 feet away from the fountain! WTF?! The menu is giant and a bit overwhelming. Attempting to try something new is always a challenge because of the sheer cost of everything. Standbys here are the Saugus Wings, and the PuPu Platters. If you are willing to share a Scorpion Bowl I'd say do it and the rest of the drink menu is decent too but you might as well go all out and just get the Scorpion Bowl. I do come here a few times a year but there are better places with better service and better food at better prices.
(2)
Misty S.

I love the phantom gourmet, and after seeing the ad for Kowloon no less than 500 times and wanting to see a comedy show, I went with my husband and his father. We got there and it was a madhouse. I had never been before and it was just crazy. We got number 69, and when we listened to hear what number they were calling, they were under 10. We decided to go to the bar for a drink, and realized that we could eat in the bar. Not glamours, but quick. If we didn't eat in the bar, we would have missed our 7:30 comedy show. The food was ok. I've had better chinese at little chinese places in my nowhere hometown. I really liked the diversity of the menu. You can get anything here- Thai, chinese, schezuan, sushi. The sushi was ridiculously expensive, so I didn't try it. I was disappointed by what was in the pu-pu platters. They all have chicken wings, and we never eat those things and you can't substitute. The ribs had no meat on them, and the fried wontos were dull. I was wishing that we got something else. The pork fried rice was mediocre. We got the fancy chicken which was ok- too much sauce. The beef with black bean sauce was ok. The general gao's chicken was awesome, but it was gone pretty fast since it was the only thing that the three of us liked much. While at the bar I got a mai tai. Mai tai's are one of my favorite drinks, and this one was horrid. It tasted like it was from an awful mix. At a place like this, I was expecting a real Mai Tai. I didn't get another one, and I like to drink. Upstairs at the comedy club I ordered 2 apple martinis- perfect- stoli and pucker, no sour mix. Just how I like it. The service downstairs was mediocre. Super busy, so I understand. The food came so quickly it must have been ready on the counter before I ordered. Upstairs, the comedy show was great except for the host, and the service was very attentive.
(3)
Brian R.

Food used to be good here, now the place is just average. Lots of celebrities stop in here while they tour around town. Wrestlers, B-list actors, musicians. Come for lunch to get your money's worth. Dinner prices suck.
(3)
Elizabeth M.

Kowloon is a one-of-a-kind place fo sho! The huge Asian style building on Route 1 in Saugus stands out, the parking lot is always full, and the waits aren't too too long. Dining here is certainly an experience not to be overlooked. The menu takes about a week to read, the inside has the feel of "I haven't been dusted in about a decade" and the servers are uber speedy. Sometimes, the food comes too quick, leaving little time to enjoy the appetizer. Let's talk about their drinks. They are cheap (for around here), and boozed up like you wouldn't believe. The Mai Tai is my favorite, but all the "tropical" drinks end up tasting quite the same. The food is pretty good- I would say worlds better than the excuse for a restaurant "P.F. Chang's." They have all different Asian style foods, and even a small back section with things such as grilled cheese and spaghetti...Although I would be wary of those. The price is right, portions generous, service friendly, and always busy!
(3)
Missy S.

This place Rocks! I cannot tell you how many times Kowloon served as my way station on the way home from Boston after a wild night in my younger days..... My folks used to take me here as a kid, and I remember once coming home from France after being there all summer and this was the place I wanted to stop and eat on our way home! I had been stuck staying with a family over there who liked to eat all their food super rare, so had been living on french bread and crepes almost the whole summer....so I was ACHING for Chinese food and Kowloon was the only place I longed for! All the food is awesome.....and like reviewer Joe, having grown up on the North Shore, this place just calls out to you as you drive by....and nowadays is filled with wonderful memories, and still good food!! I loved his advice (and I say the same) when u order, make some sort of substitution and you will be assured of getting something made super fresh.....I can vouch for all the food being yummy (and oh, those scorpion bowls!) altho I do not eat sushi, so I cannot speak to that part of the menu. Service has always been wonderful, the place is HUGE and they still seem to run it like the family business that it is! Yes, it's a bit dated in decor, and is tacky in a fun way.....just enjoy the Kowloon Experience!
(4)
Lawrence M.

Here's the thing about this place... I've had a lot of Chinese food that's waaaaaayyyy better than this - many times, and from many different places, I might add. However, for some reason I just can't keep myself away from the kitschy wonderland that is Kowloon. Part of it is surely due to its proximity to my apartment. Part of it is also surely due to their late, late, late hours so close to a city jam-packed with early closings and early-bird specials. It's certainly not because of the service (which is apathetic at best toward the very presence of customers) or the quality of the food (which reminds me of any storefront Chinese delivery place I've ever patronized). The Best Parts of Kowloon: *The tacky tiki decor in the main dining room, complete with a glowing, erupting volcano on the wall... but be forewarned that you may be seated in the dank Thai dining room, or the polished-brass-and-flamingo-pink room I simply call "The Golden Girls Room." *Wonderfully whimsical (and POTENT) tropical drinks served in ceramic pineapples, coconuts, and tiki god statues *Late-night lounge bands playing covers of "I Will Survive" and "Lost In Your Eyes" are just amazing to begin with, but they're even better when they're standing on the deck of a fake ship in the middle of a Chinese restaurant. Really, they are. The Worst Parts of Kowloon: *The food is really greasy and just not always that good - though I will concede that sometimes all I'm craving *IS* some lousy, greasy Chinese food *A waiter once stuck his tongue out at my friend (he wasn't trying to be cute), and that pretty much sums up how friendly most of the servers are. All in all, this is a 3-star establishment. Not awesome, and not awful. Somewhere right in the middle of those two...
(3)
Joe S.

Ok... so I've been going to the Kowloon for years. Like so many from the north shore I've grown up around here and... well... the Kowloon has been my standard for certain dishes. They never disappoint! Never had a bad waitstaff experience. Mediocre yes, but not BAD. Here's a hint. After experimenting with the menu, try all of it, including Thai and sushi... add an ingredient NOT listed in the dish, or take out an ingredient you don't like. Path to freshness! Also try not to go on the busy nights. Favorites? The meatless or pork chow mien is the STANDARD all others have to live up to. Tried these two dishes every where. No one comes close. Spicy Thai Clams and Thai king crab rice are too good. Never had bad Sushi. The other home run that no one can come close to is the Mushroom Beef Chow Yoke (over rice for me) AWESOME every time! Twin lobster specials when available can't be beat.
(5)
Ronald P.

Huge place and yes sometimes there is a wait but it must be because of their Saugus Wings!!!!!!!!!! Amazing.... Great Food and Drinks.... And be on the look out because Lots of Stars come here so you never know who you may run into
(5)
Dani F.

I really do like Kowloon. Amazing chicken teriyaki and crab rangoon, which is very important to me. It's a great place to come with friends to stuff face and inhale yummy drinks. The place is huge so there is hardly ever a long wait. They also make VERY strong scorpian bowls - veddddyy niiicee!! I'll take two please (then it's blackout time!)
(4)
Casey B.

I've never been to a restaurant with such TERRIBLE SERVICE!!! They refused to take a take out order over the phone. Then when we drove 40 minutes to get there, the door was locked and I called again to get let in. The lady only didn't listen to me and just kept hanging up saying that they were closed!! They were open and serving people inside. When some patrons were leaving, they let me in. Once inside, one manager pointed me out to the front desk and said I could order there. I got to the front desk and there was the girl who kept hanging up on me. She then refused to take my order saying that the cooks had already left. Why would she tell me to come order in person if the kitchen staff wouldn't be there?!?!? The owner was not there, and the other manager didn't help at all and just said that the kitchen staff left and there was nothing that they could do. DO NOT COME HERE!! Irresponsible, unaccommodating, and unfriendly staff!!!! TWO THUMBS DOWN
(1)
C R.

Food good, service horrible. Husband and I went Christmas day, what a nightmare, we expected it to be a zoo because of the holiday but we waited close to 30 minutes after being seated before our order was taken and then a long time for food to come. Our poor waitress was so stressed out, they were severely understaffed and we watched a number of others get seated and food served while we waited and waited and waited. My miso soup and crab rangoon were good, sushi tuna was a bit dried out on surface. My husband got many appetizers and general gao, he said it was ok. But the wait ruined it all. It was my first time there. We drove from Portsmouth NH to go there. What a waste
(1)
Steven S.

I had a good time. The food was pretty good. It does come out fast like people say. That being said they could lower the price abit. Was like 51 for 2 people. Cool retro 80's look. Friendly service. I would recommend. The crab ragoons and scallion pie were awesome. The lobster was alright but not 5 star. Old lady hostess is very rude, makes you sit in crappy parts of the restauant, then when you ask to move she says no.
(2)
Daniel T.

Yuck, awful food, subpar drinks and the comedy show we saw after dinner was mediocre at best. Why is the place so popular and always so busy? Oh maybe because it's in Saugus lol. Spear ribs tasted like plastic.
(1)
T P.

The food here was good years ago, but went there a few years ago ( had a gift card) and was very disappointed. Food was very greasy, cold, and flavorless
(2)
Torrie D.

Meh. I go to this place once or twice a year.. I used to enjoy the cheap mediocre food and drinks on occasion, but last night my boyfriend and I went and the prices were much more expensive for the same mediocre food. Granted, it IS a lot of food... But it would be nicer to at least have small and large options on the appetizers again. For example: I really wanted chicken wings, but I did not need 15 chicken wings for $12. Anyway, our waiter was great, I wish I could give Kowloon more stars on his behalf, but this review is about the food and drinks instead. Not sure I'll ever need to return to Kowloon as we spent almost $100 (after tip) on dinner for two and two cocktails...
(2)
Jim D.

Went here the other day to take my mom out for lunch and food was less than what I expected. I had eaten here about 10 years ago and was very good. I have had much better though since moving to the South Shore since last visit!. Had the boneless spareribs and they were awful! Could not eat them. Had a bad taste to them and very dried out. Probably left over from previous night! Chicken wings were on the flavorless side as well. Saugus wings were basically flavor of the lobster sauce gravy and very messy. Pork fried rice very plain. Waiter was very nice and offered an order of chicken wings to go. Got them home and realized flavorless again and tossed them out. Should of asked for $$$ back instead of replacing with flavorless chicken wings. Oh well! Will not return nor recommend to anyone. Too bad too. Was very good years ago. Wanted my mother to like it. She didn't either. Also the front room we ate in smelled of grease. Yuck. Now I know why the host said people rarely eat in this area. How was I to know. Jeez!
(2)
Karen O.

Sad to see the poor reviews. We are here on a recommendation of a friend while visiting Maine and Massachusetts. We had the seafood pad Thai special, another Thai spicy seafood special, chicken pad Thai and beef with baby corn and mushrooms. We had tum kah gai soup and Chinese mixed egg drop/ wanton soup, egg rolls and scallion pie appetizer. Everything was great and portions were huge. Yes, a bit pricey, but there was so much left over, we had lunch for the next day. The service was good and the atmosphere was meh. It's not a fancy place, but the food made up for it. We will recommend and return!
(4)
Denise A.

If you're looking for a campy, Tiki, overwhelming experience...this is your spot. I'd seen this place countless of times driving on Route 1 thinking "what is a Mandarin (Kowloon is an area of Hong Kong) restaurant doing with a giant tiki statue on the front?" I can't even begin to describe how awesome an experience it was. I came here with the BF for a relative's birthday so I'll start out saying that this is the best place imaginable for a large group. They have tons of space (being the largest Asian restaurant in the US, that's not too surprising) and are willing to make accommodations even on a Saturday night. The restaurant is divided into 5 wings/rooms. One looks like a pirate ship! And I believe one is the upstairs comedy club. We sat in the Thai Grill area although you are by no means limited to food from that region. AND THEY GIVE YOU LEIS. We had party platters (possibly the ones listed under private parties/banquets) for the table which was waaaay more food than we needed but I was not one to complain. This included some of the best bbq wings I've had in the Boston area as well as beef skewers, fried wontons, "crab" rangoon, RIBS. There was so much food. It was an impressive array. There was fried rice, lo mein, scallion pancakes, moo goo gai pan, and some (desperately needed after downing all those wings and ribs) veggie dishes. On top of that, they light a candle-like thing that sits on top of one of your (several) platters like a volcano opening. They know how to do their fire here...flames were constantly erupting over by the grill, visible through a plexiglass wall looking into the kitchen. Then, of course, is the tiki aspect. You can get any of a wide variety of drinks. And, if you desire, you can have it served to you in a monkey-shaped coconut that you can take home. Most of the other drinks come in specialty glassware (many ceramic pineapples going around the table). Then, after we had packed up our leftovers and eaten our ice cream cake, we ate our cookies while "playing" scratch cards that were on sale at the restaurant. We won a few dollars here and there which we cashed in to buy more scratch cards. What a night.
(4)
Sami W.

Food is decent but right now I'm furious bc of piss poor service on the part of my waiter. He is NOWHERE to be found and I've been thirsty while eating for frickin 20 mins. Its a damn shame bc tonight there was a great vibe between the other patrons and the live band and all. I'm very disappointed.
(3)
Saleena S.

I have been here for several events with my family throughout the years. I can say that some of the menu items are really delicious, like the thai fried rice and some of the sushi rolls. But for large group dinners the food is quite bland. I came here for an event and the meal we got wasn't that great. It consisted of a pupu platter with pork eggrolls, pork, crab rangoon, and wonton chips. I could tell the eggrolls and by the way the pork was cut, was not fresh or even frozen. It just looks so apparent. Then came the fried rice, which is good if you aren't that critical about the quality of food. But to me it was under seasoned and lacked flavor. I left feeling unsatisfied that time. So i would say this place is good for family dinners, not spectacular for a big group.
(3)
Katie C.

Kowloons in my favorite place for chinese food. Never a long wait, service is fast and great, ( had one bad waiter once who hovered the whole time and asked us every five minutes if we were done...it was crazy...but i dont think he spoke a lot of english and didnt know how rude it was ) and the food is delicious and cheap. I love the way they decorated, they have different rooms with the theme of tiki,etc, my favorite room is the boat room with the stars in the sky its amazing!drinks are strong and yummy
(5)
Annette M.

Well, I have to say that this place was never the best but it has totally slipped and needs some serious updating!! The food is still OK and the drinks are good, but it feels like a cheesy casino! Wish they would update and renovate!
(2)
Heather O.

FINALLY visited the Institution that is Kowloon Friday night with two other Kowloon virgins and a seasoned Kowloon customer. The food was good - typical Chinese restaurant food in my opinion. I've had better and I've had worse. But I don't think you come to Kowloon for the food. You come for the experience. Something along the lines of "Kowloon - where the rednecks of the North Shore come to play." I'll update when I've perfected it...
(3)
Jenny G.

Best food ever. I will only get my chinese food from this restaurtant. Fast take out. Eating inside Kowloons is amazing. Beautiful atmosphere.
(5)
Nikki H.

The food has always been great here, the place is always freakin packed though so be prepared to wait a bit without a reservation. Good for parties, the place does look like they haven't updated their decor... ever!
(4)
Allison R.

Upon exiting the fabulous Kowloon, my roommate stated: "this is my new favorite polynesian lounge." I mean, really, what more needs to be said? It's a monstrous mecca of old-school chinese restaurant meets sushi bar meets keno meets a weird live band singing at the helm of a boat dance floor type thing...and it's awesome. Think waterfalls, fake palm trees, drinks served in coconuts, the whole nine thousand yards. Oh, and they can accommodate private parties of up to 500, according to the menu. My menu was sticky (I think it was orange chicken), but I didn't mind! All was forgiven when I saw those relic red-trimmed plates that I thought were gone forever. I can't speak for the Polynesian, Japanese, Thai, or "American family style" offerings, but the Chinese food sure was greasy and good. We started with Fog Cutters, a rum-based cocktail served with chopped ice and a cherry in a tall ceramic tiki glass. They were kind of gross, as expected. Then, we stuffed our faces with a pu pu platter for 5,000, full of chicken wings, an eggroll, fried shrimp, spare ribs, and pork strips (!!!). We added a couple of side apps as well, of course. The meal included constant water refills, fortune cookies tossed at us by the waitress the second we said we were done, and my escaping with a copy of their laminated cocktail menu for my bar. Who said you couldn't be classy at kowloon?
(5)
Andy S.

I finally went to Kowloon for diner last night. I love Asia food, specially Sea Food. I see it, I eat it..lol.. I liked the place, I mean, nowadays where can you find an old fashion Asia food Restaurant here in the USA unless you travel to an Asia country.I think it all depends on the mood you are in. I went in with a smile and I was treated with one as well.
(3)
John R.

I haven't been to the Kowloon in a long time was suggested the other day by a friend and I figured IMO it was always good. When I pulled into the parking lot I couldn't believe the amount of cars, they were very, very busy. Just went a few times on Friday and Sat nights recently and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. It's no wonder this is the most successful Chinese Restaurant in the country. I like the usual Americanized Chinese food we are all used to eating and I have to say it was all great. My friends eat other types of food like the Sushi and Thai and really enjoyed what they got but i couldn't tell you one way of another. I hate to say it but I am more of an Appetizer person when it come to Chinese but everything I got was awesome. I am now looking forward to going on a regular basis and I'll comment or update the review if anything changes.
(4)
Erin C.

I have been obsessed with trying Kowloon for about a year now. Every time I drive by it going to some other random shindig I'm reminded of all the glory I think is hidden away in there. After catching a movie at Jordan's IMAX, the BF and I headed over to Kowloon to get some dinner. The parking lot was PACKED and I was worried that we would have a long wait. Not at all! We were seated about 10 minutes later and our server was right there to take our order. We started out with the crab rangoon which was mostly cream cheese. I hate when that happens. We also had to try the sushi just to say we had. Eh. Not really their specialty. My main dish was the shrimp moo shi and it was yum-my. I really enjoyed the garlic sauce that came with it too! The date had some chicken dish that wasn't memorable at all. He mainly snacked off my dish that was more than enough for two. It was definitely worth the visit, but I doubt I would make a trip out that way just to hit up this place.
(3)
Leon J.

This was a friend and mine's first time to Kowloon in 17 years, and we went back to Kowloon inspired by memories of the Kowloon Restaurant of the past. But sadly, as it seems to be a trend these days with a lot of the older, established restaurants, the experience was actually quite a letdown from times past. Firstly, after we placed our orders, the table we were seated did not have any of the usual sauces that are a staple of Chinese dining, namely soy sauce, duck sauce, and hot mustard. We had to track down the wait person, whom initially wasn't available when we needed service, and request that these items be delivered to our table. We ordered the Saugus wings, the shrimp lo-mein, and some ginger-scallion lobster for a noontime lunch. By far, the most disappointing item was definitely the ginger-scallion lobster. We found it to be greatly lacking seasoning, the lobster used in the dish didn't strike us as very fresh, as the texture was a bit mushy, and the ginger sauce seemed more like gravy. Kowloon at one time served the best ginger-scallion lobster in Massachusetts, both at the Saugus restaurant, and at their Copley Place location, Kowloon Express, which closed long ago. But no longer is this the case, as the quality of the dish was on the par with cheaper, chinese fast-food take-out. The shrimp lo-mein was a little better, but the shrimp seemed to be shrimp that was not 'fresh-off-the-boat,' or it as least tasted that way. It was rather chewy and lacking intense shrimp flavor, as if it were previously frozen, and re-used. The better selection definitely were the Saugus wings, although the sauce used to coat the wings we found too thick and gooey, and not saucy and seasoned enough. Kowloon seems to be following a trend that a lot of establishments tend to follow, particularly the large ones that were extremely successful, icon-restaurants of years ago, wherein they get to be so large, and cater to so many patrons for so long, that generally in time the quality will definitely go down, as opposed to the smaller clientele, smaller-sized restaurants that have fewer customers to please, and thereby the quality of the food and service is usually stellar. It seems the same thing that happened to Hilltop Steak House, not too far away, is now starting to happen to Kowloon, a once chinese food legend, but sadly, is no more.
(1)
Sam S.

So happy we made it to Kowloons for New Years 2014! Hands down the most gracious establishment anywhere! Eggrolls are my favorite along with mai tai. Everything is delish, Everything!
(5)
Chris C.

Food is good, but I've had better. It's far too expensive to justify coming here as opposed to other Chinese Restaurants. The drinks are weak. And for a place that closes at 2 AM on Fridays, there are many ways that are more guest friendly in having them leave on time rather than having a cop walk through shouting, "3 MORE MINUTES, YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES!!". So we were kicked out by the police, dispite the group I was with being very polite, and rather manageable. To sum up, I'm not going to waste my time to go to a place that overcharges for ok food and weak drinks, just to be kicked out by the police just because they closed and can't tell us in person that they are closing. I was going to give it 2 stars for at least having ok food, but for not wanting to come here again, 1 star is all Kowloon's will get from me.
(1)
Michelle E.

It's a fun place to go and perfect for really large groups. The food is decent. I've never really ordered something I didn't like..and the portions are good, too. The service is quite excellent. Especially with large groups. The food comes out super fast and my water is never empty.
(3)
Frederick N.

Great place. Awesome food.Love the atmosphere. Does amazing business! Amazing Chinese and great drinks. Don't know what else to say.
(4)
Shaina S.

The decor is good for a laugh, but the food and service are truly terrible. The menu is huge and has Japanese, Chinese, and Thai sections. In the past I've tried several dishes from the Chinese section and each was greasy and tasteless. More recently, I ordered a sushi special- a baked lobster roll. It was not terrible, but it was huge so I didn't finish it. When the waitress came to clear my plate, she was surprised that I didn't want to take the last few pieces of my lobster roll home. She then asked me if she could try it. I was surprised but said, "Okay." She inserted her fingers into my food to pull out a piece of lobster. It was quite stuck, so she continued to dig her fingers into various bits of my food for 30-40 seconds. Finally she got it out and popped it into her mouth. She chewed for a while and then pronounced the lobster overcooked. (It was.) She took another bite. Meanwhile, the rest of my party was gaping at this crazy woman who was eating from my plate. I honestly wasn't particularly bothered by this experience because I know Kowloon is a hole and I was done with the food anyway. I do, however, realize that this kind of behavior is unacceptable in restaurants. That experience combined with the terrible food makes me fairly sure I will never go back.
(1)
Marie D.

This place was so gross. This place was old and dirty. The waiters were old and dirty too. The food.....ewww...looking at what was basically just dropped on the table gave me the creeps. What little I ate tasted old, stale and it was probably uneaten leftovers from a previous customer's plate. Stay away from this place....
(1)
Amy L.

Consistently good food. Good atmosphere too.
(4)
Heath M.

Really, there's two types of Chinese food restaurants. There's the kind where it's real, honest-to-God, what Chinese people eat in China. And then there's the sort of fake kind that's mostly composed of heavily-adapted dishes for the American palate. Kowloon is the latter. But it's unwise to hate on it. We've been living off of this type of food in Massachusetts for years and years to the point where its own category. And in that category, Kowloon does it well. They do the basics well: chicken chow mein, pork fried rice, egg rolls, chicken fingers and the like, they are all delicious. There are those that would remove points for what I call 'Polynesian camp.' To those folks I say "lighten up." Restaurants like Kowloon are part of the American experience and sadly, are dwindling in numbers in our area. Probably because we now have the real-deal Mandarin and Szechuan cuisines making their way out of the area between Essex and Kneeland street and the old, MSG-coated faux-Chinese, 'chop suey' joints that got their start in San Francisco's Chinatown at the turn of the 20th century and were augmented by fountains and tikki gods in the 50s, are now increasingly out of vogue. Isn't there room in our hearts for both? Mock it all you want, but you'll miss it when it's gone.
(4)
Mickey M.

I've been here for comedy shows, x-rated hypnotists shows, late night grub and late holiday-no-where-else-is-open grub. It's casual dining and the walls are covered with framed photos of semi-celebrities who eat there for the same reason everybody else does. It's easy to get to, and it's accommodating to big groups. I like to saddle up into a booth with friends, a signed Hulk Hogan framed photo overlooking my meal, as we dig into one of the bajillion special combos everybody shares.
(4)
Theresa J.

I love the Saugus wings. They are the stuff that dreams are made of. The last time I went here the bitchy ass waitress made me wanna commit assault...lol. I asked her if she could wrap me and my friends leftover food separately and she said "Do you want it in the same bag". Uh no, separately means not together dummy. Then she said "Ummm...do you guys live in the same house". Uh wtf does that matter I just want it bagged separately dammit. She made me so mad that now I just order my Saugus wings to go and eat them at home.
(3)
Johnna M.

After being stuck in the O'Neill tunnel for 2 hours causing me to miss my company Christmas party at the Colonnade, I thought nothing would cheer me up. Especially when I finally arrived at my date's home, only to find his Hugo Boss jacket tossed across the chair and him in his boxers and undershirt playing world of war craft. Luckily, he sensed my disappointment, got back into his monkey suit and took me to the place where all my dreams come true-the Kowloon. (besides being the place where all my dreams come true, its also the only place to stay open past 10 on a Sunday) This place is beyond tacky, as are most eateries on Route 1. I love tacky. I love Route 1. The actual building is gigantic and is home to: a boat in the middle of the restaurant where a live band plays, an actual pond and waterfall, and plenty of tables. They have a large Chinese and sushi menu. I ordered a wide variety of sushi and it all completely hit the spot. There were heaping portions and I polished them all off nicely. We also had several Mai-Tais and they were all delicious and potent. The crowd was young families and young singles looking to get Asian cuisine and or hammered on 10pm on a Sunday, yet I don't think anyone looked twice at us in our formal wear. Yes, the Kowloon, with its Elvis Blue Hawaii gone terribly wrong decorations and extremely Americanized Chinese food, made what could have been a horrible night an amazing one.
(4)
Mark M.

Kowloon ruined me for chinese food. My family used to go there for special occasions when I was a kid. In fact, special occasions were the only time we ate out. So to me, in my formative years, chinese food meant an hours drive to a huge restaurant with a huge boat in the middle of it, water fountains, koi ponds, tiki torches, luau music, plastic flower necklaces, Shirley Temples with half-a-dozen maraschino cherries in them...and food that was ON FIRE!!! I remember the first time I went for non-Kowloon chinese food...and how disappointed I was with the non-flashiness of it all. I've certainly had better chinese food since then...often, actually...but even still, I long for the luau music and wow factor (even though I'm not a kid anymore). Kowloon isn't so much a restaurant as it is an experience...a culinary universe unto itself. Not better or worse than other pan-asian restaurants...just different. it's sort of like Vegas. It's so tacky it hurts. But no matter how jaded you are, you find yourself being sucked in by the experience. The food is only okay, (though certainly not bad), and it's all of the Americanized Chinese variety (I still get cravings for their Beef and Mushroom Chow Yoke, even though I haven't eaten here in 15 years, if not longer). But that's not why you're here. You're here because it's Kowloons, and there's nowhere else on earth (or at least Massachusetts) quite like it.
(5)
Christopher M.

Kowloon is the Chinese sister restaurant to IHOP. It's where you go late at night when you're too trashed to taste the greasy slop you're shoveling in your mouth. The food is so terrible, you have no excuse for eating here otherwise. Not that I've EVER been in that kind of drunken state before... Here's a short list of things you're likely to see if you visit Kowloon: -Local high school kids in Prom gear trying to use fake IDs. -Suburban white gangstas, out for a drink with their hos before they head home to Mom's house for the night. -The trailer trash from down the road, scratching up a pocket full of lotto tickets. -Burnt out waitresses, taking refuge in the fact that the waitresses at Kowloon are more burnt out than they are. -Me, drunk, face first in my plate. There's also a comedy club attached. I can't imagine how washed up your career must be to book at show at the Kowloon.
(2)
Matthew S.

Awful on a couple levels: A) The food is terrible. I had a couple egg rolls that tasted like cardboard, literally like something you'd take out of the freezer aisle at your local ghetto-mart and microwave while staring at you filthy walls wondering how you ended up so run down when you were born with so much potential. My main dish was some chicken catastrophe with the most disgusting sauce on it I've ever tasted. My two companions were similarly unimpressed with their food. B) The atmosphere....people seriously go here for the atmosphere? I enjoy tackiness sometimes, but this wasn't tacky. It was just dimly lit with drab scenery and depressing dark decor. There was nothing funny or peppy about this place. It seems like the type of place terminally ill pensioners would go with their other friends who were also on death's doorstep. C) Price. Nothing on this menu should be more than 10 bucks. Most of it is well above. I give them 2 stars only because the drinks were...creative. They weren't strong by any means, unless you've got the liver of a 4 year old. They have one drink served in a coconut that you get to keep the coconut for after which I guess is something....it's sort of like passing a kidney stone made out of shrapnel from the Chernobyl disaster, but then getting to keep the glowing chunk of metal as a souvenir.
(2)
Kevin S.

As others have said. Kowloon isn't what it used to be. Until the mid 90's, this was THE place to get great asian food. Service was always as good as the food, and the food was GREAT! The last 12+ years? I've been here at least 5 different times (none of which were my choice) and each time I hope they return to their prior glory, but it hasn't happened. Better Asian food is down the highway. The fact they have a comedy club is nice, so maybe that's a reason to come to Kowloon now?
(2)
J C.

I have been eating here since i was a kid so i have some good memories in this restaurant. As far as quality of food, its just your basic heatlamp Chinese food, its nothing different than any other place on the corner. I pretty much only go there for the sushi take out now, its very fresh and the portions are very generous for the money and they get it to you pretty quick. I did see a mouse run by several years ago upstairs at a comedy show and that was not too appealing. The place does a lot of business but I'm not sure how clean they keep the place, seems very dated so its just an assumption. The reason for a 3 star and not a 4 is that i am also a DJ and i Dj'd a bday party upstairs last year and the coodinator scheduled 2 parties back to back only separated by a curtain and they complained about the volume of my speakers and made me turn them down which was not very fair to my customer seeing she spent a lot of money to have that party. Either way i will be back but i probably wouldn't sit down for dinner, only takeout in a pinch.
(3)
Summer B.

From out of town and my boyfriend took me here for a lovely dinner. The atmosphere is really cool...it looks kind of taken from another time. Like if the rat pack wanted to hit a happening Asian place with"style". I mean, it has kind of a fun kitchy vibe...South Pacific meets dinner theater and I like it. The food was great. We did the pu pu plater and I did some duck dish. I was so full I took most of the duck home, but it was crisp and tasty. The service was great (although I would have loved some more attention to the refilling of drinks).
(4)
nick k.

How dare anyone not give Kowloon five stars? So MAYBE the food is just OK. MAYBE there's a long wait on some weekend nights. MAYBE some things seem a little expensive. But WHERE ELSE can you dine in a room decked out in Tiki torch and grass skirt paraphernalia? WHERE ELSE can you eat your dinner in a room that has big water fountains and a pirate ship built into the ground with tables "on deck" and a three-piece band on the weekends that plays wedding/bar-mitzvah standards like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Like a Prayer?" WHERE ELSE can you see autographed pictures of professional wrestlers from the 80's-the present lining the walls? I'll tell you where...NOWHERE!!! Food = 2-3 stars depending on what you order Atmosphere = 1,000,000 stars I've never eaten in the pirate ship room with a group who didn't leave as happier people than when they entered.
(5)
Rahul S.

Most of the 4 stars are earned by the ambience of this place. Its huge from inside, and it has about 3-4 different dining sections. The place is very opulently decorated with waterfalls and big boat hanging off the ceiling! They also have a live band in the evenings. Their menu covers chinese, Thai, Japanese and if I remember correctly some Indonesian too! The food is good - nothing exceptional though. Drinks are nice and stiff - esp the Mai Tais and Scorpion bowls! Plenty of parking - good for a group get together on the north shore!
(4)
Courtney N.

The Kowloon is a place that I've wanted to eat at for years, but there's always been somewhere else to try first. I'm not the biggest fan of Chinese food, but this place has a reputation for being great food at great prices. My friend and I finally stopped in for an early lunch today. I liked the decor. It was interesting to browse the photos on the walls and see all of the celebrity fans. Our waiter was okay. Kind of slow and inattentive and it wasn't even busy. I liked the Thai menu and they seemed to have a huge selection. We ended up getting Thai meals and a side of fried rice. Wow- the rice was huge. I ended up just eating that and boxing up my meal. The prices were definitely great. I can see why this is a favorite place of many. I will say that I came away with kind of a sickish feeling in my stomach. I probably over did it on the fried rice (add to that the fact that I very rarely, like maybe three times a year, have Chinese). Would I go back? Sure. I'd like to see how the place is at night with the various bands and comics that appear.
(3)
Kadin L.

A-Ok. went here with my family and we had to wait for like 20 minutes because there was like a TON of people. no lie. Got our table, ordered the good (you have to say the number that's associated with food that you want because they would not know what you're talking about). VERY LOUD. like i can't stand it. i hate loud places. the foods were okay, i mean they're not like exceptional. would've given it 2 stars but their non-alcoholic drinks are AMAZING.
(3)
Laura D.

Since as long as I could remember we would drive by Kowloon and never stop. When I was little we would go to Malden to visit my grandpa and as an adult I drive by it every time I go home to Maine. So last weekend the fiancee and I decided to give it a try. I was so excited. We drove down rt. 1 and stopped at the mecca that is Kowloon. It was Friday night. Parking was easy and there was no wait. So we where seated right away. We where seated however in a hallway right by the kitchen and the take-out pickup. Not romantic but whatever they where busy. So we got our giant, I mean giant menu's with pages after pages filled with every kind of food imaginable. In my opinion chinese places should serve chinese food but it is the Kowloon so I thought who was I to judge. I got a martini. You can get drinks in carved out coconuts and pineapples but I stuck to a martini. The vodka was cheap and smelled and like nail polish remover....yuck! We ordered my favorite crab rangoon and well I was DISAPPOINTED! It was chewy and well just not very good. We split some pork fried rice that was ok but not great by any means. My fiancee had a spicy beef and vegetable thing and it was spicy but the beef was very poor quality. The only thing I would get again would be the saugus wings. I did not get a meal and got these instead. They where large, juicy and very good. The sauce was a teriyaki BBQ not what I was expecting but good. We got our fortune cookies and our bill. It was some of the most expensive chinese food we have eaten in a long time. When it came back my fiancee's credit card was charged 8 dollars more then the original bill. Our server spoke very little English and decided to tip himself! That is not ok in my book. Overall for two apps, a drink and one entree $60 was way too much to pay for chinese this bad. Kowloon you got me once on your good looks and pretty drinks but not again.
(1)
Sarah F.

The food was decent...but not great. I think part of going to Kowloon is the experience of dining somewhere that reminds you of the old 80's show Fantasy Island. What really turned me off was the tense visit we got from one of the hostesses about 10 minutes after we were seated. Apparently she had put us at the wrong table and had went on to tell us that we needed to leave by 7:45 for another party that was coming in. So I politely told her that HER mistake was not our problem and that we would sit and enjoy our meal for however long it would take us. After about five minutes of non-sensical back and forth she finally left after someone else in our party started to get really annoyed and yelled out "OK ...WE GOT IT!". But we continued to get dirty looks from her for the rest of the night. Not a great way to get repeat customers. I remember coming her ALL the time when I was little with my father...but I have to say our visit on Saturday night is most likely the last. We'll go to Golden Temple in Brookline next time...the food is better there anyways.
(2)
April P.

The food is decent, but I think it is overpriced. I got take out the other night, one chicken dish, lo-mein and one app. It was $28. It did feed two people well but it wasn't that delicious. I can go to the Fresh Taste of Asia, get a chicken dish, a combo meal and an app for the same price and the quality and taste of the food is much better. If I had gotten my dinner for under $20 (even $19.99 would have sounded better), I would get take out again, it was fast and easy to get on my way home from class at 9:30pm. But I don't think I will.
(2)
CJ S.

seriously, not good got takeout, ok I shouldn't have ordered at 3:30 in the afternoon everything I got was from lunch and overdone and not good, threw it all away will I EVER learn! geeze what a waste of my money and time
(1)
Joseph C.

The king of american style chinese food, such as it is. If you like the corner shop brand of what passes for chinese food and do not want takeout the Kowloon is the place for you. A kitchy decor and a huge menu will provide you with ample choices to satisfy your fast food chinese craving in a sit down venue. The quality of the food is similar to many local chinese food restaurants but the large variety of american chinese and thai items should provide you with some respite from your hunger pains. Not a fine dining experience but a place to fill your belly.
(3)
Lisa D.

Completely terrible. The pu pu platter had plenty of food but the chicken seemed old and all of it was cold. Beef chow yoke had chewy "beef." Rice was definitely a relic. Price versus quality is way off base. It truly was disgusting and we barely ate any of the food.
(1)
Tom D.

At the risk of losing any credibility I may have on this site, I will go out on a limb and say I like the Kowloon. What I'm sure started as a noble family-run business has now become a showy, flashy, almost tourist-trap of an Asian restaurant, and I know the love that the Phantom Gourmet exudes for this establishment may be a turnoff to some...or most...but I really do enjoy going there. For some reason, I always thought of this place as being a destination for a group celebration, like you needed some kind of special occasion to justify going there, but I had an intimate dinner for two there last night and frankly, I don't understand why I don't go here more often. It's got everything I want in a casual pan-Asian restaurant. 1) This place is teeming with kitsch. Tikis, giant backlit murals, fountains, booths with Asian character upholstery (I won't specify Chinese, Japanese, etc., because I can't read them and hence, they could be any of them or even completely meaningless for all I know). 2) The place is huge! I have never had to wait for a table here. 3) The service is incredibly fast. We were sucking down Saugus wings within 5 minutes of ordering them. I would love to get a glimpse of the kitchen here. It's get to be quite the frenzy in there. 4) Gigantic menu covering all your commonly encountered Asian food genres (Chinese, Japanese, Polynesian, and Thai). The food isn't really any better than most smaller sit down or even takeout places, but it's just fun to be eating it here in the almost casino-like atmosphere. To summarize, if you're looking for high class atmosphere with haute Chinese cuisine, look elsewhere, but Kowloon has a little something for everyone and presents it in a delightfully tacky setting.
(4)
Mister Chub S.

Kowloon is not the best Chinese around. Kowloon is an experience. Where else can you eat Chinese food in a 60 foot pirate ship? ...that's what a thought. They have an overwhelmingly long menu that's broken up in 6 or 7 categories- not including the drinks (they have their own lengthy menu.) I'm a big person with a big appetite and my meal alone (Shanghai noodles) was enough for 3 meals. No one's joking when they say they have large portions. My favorite dish of the evening were the veggie moo shi. It was really tasty. The other star of the night was the chicken terriakyi. They were honestly the best I'd ever had because they were plump and juicy, not thin chicken leathers that I've seen elsewhere. The egg rolls and spareribs were also good. I wasn't a fan of the chicken fingers (but I'm not a "chicken finger" person,)the cold "crab" rangoons, or the plain wontons. The service was ok- our server kind of made fun of how much food we ordered but we just didn't know how huge the plates were. Let's review: Sit in the pirate ship room Huge menu Huge portions Get the chicken terriakyi
(3)
Sherie J.

Eh. I really do not understand what all the fuss is about with this place. The sushi is mediocre at best and the Chinese....it's a food factory. The only thing really 'worth' it are the Saugus Wings and the Pina Coladas aren't too shabby either. Otherwise, skip it. Bad service...and just way too busy to be enjoyable. If you don't care about what you eat and just what to have a big party; this is the place to go.
(2)
Melissa W.

The food is not the healthiest nor is it the most elegantly plated. But it tastes good and I always have a great time here. People who come here get what they are expecting and in that way, this restaurant meets all their expectations. It is littered with just enough eccentric Asian decor and furniture to make you laugh in amusement and enjoy the atmosphere. The people who work here are always friendly and welcoming. The bartender is very nice, not obnoxious like those in other restaurants and actually stops to chat with you on a slow night. He also makes an awesome scorpion bowl. If you're in the mood for unhealthy and greasy Chinese food, this is the place to go. The worse food for you often tastes the best.
(4)
Joanna C.

Dude - I was more "Chinese" than my server, or my food. And oh yeah, I'm not Chinese! But pretty decent Americanized Chinese food. Do NOT order the sushi here... it was the worst sushi I ever had, but I was the idiot for ordering it at a so called "Chinese" restaurant. I was sick all night that night, and I still find myself dry heaving a bit when I drive by Kowloons. Good times.
(2)
Joanne S.

I was subjected to comedy night the other night and wished I stayed home. The comedians were good but nothing to brag about. My biggest complaint is the seating. They make you sit in these god awful chairs with little table space. I have RA and needed to put my leg up on another chair for pain relief and the lady that worked there took the chair away half way through the show and said "we can't have the chairs like that! ". My friend had to sacrifice his share of the table so I could put my elbows on it for relief of the pain of sitting in that chair for a long period of time. I was sitting in the very back of the room and there were plenty of seats to be had. At 20.00 a person they should be more accommodating!
(1)
Jef S.

Aieeeeeeeee! Kowloon! Eating at this restaurant is like that day when you were a kid that you tried to fit your whole hand in your mouth. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but once you have the hand in your mouth, it tastes awful and you wonder "Why did I do this?". Then, with your finger stuck in your throat, you vomit just a little. Ok, stupid analogy. Walking into Kowloon, one sees the scads of headshots of the famous people who have eaten at Kowloon: Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Don Ho, Telly Savalas. I would like to note, for the record, that all of these people are currently deceased. I'm not saying that eating at Kowloon had anything to do with this, but... Speaking of Don Ho, the inside of Kowloon is like an episode of Hawaii 5-0: the lights, the tikis, the wood, the pond, the boat thingy. I wish I could say that Kowloon has decorated like this for the kitsch factor, but in reality it just looks silly and old. You'll want to punch your server in the face, and they'll deserve it too. I've rarely seen more surly waiters. The food is cooked in buckets of oil, presented poorly ("Ooo! My pupu platter is actually on fire with Sterno gel! Now I can burn my fingers off while I eat crab rangoon!"), and powdered liberally with so much MSG that your heart will seize up with just two bites. The two things that Kowloon has going for it are speed and price. Other than that, if the place burned down in a tragic grease fire tomorrow ("Yang, you left the eggrolls in the fryer for too long!"), I wouldn't shed a tear.
(2)
Rita K.

This place is beyond terrible. My friend and I ended up here because it was the only place willing to serve us after 10:00 on a Monday. Granted, I did come at a weird time and was probably getting the worst the restaurant had to offer, but holy jeez was it terrible. We started off with an appetizer of crab rangoon. These tasted okay, but probably only because we were starving. They were clearly reheated from a big package of frozen crab rangoon you'd get from Cost-Co. They resembled the crab rangoon I used to get from the dining hall at the University of Massachusetts. Not delicious. Then we had mango/avocado sushi. These were incredibly disappointing. The mangos weren't even close to being ripe and the avocados were barely soft (but wouldn't have been able to tell anyway, due to the rock hard mangos). Then came the meals, which were the worst part of it all. My friend got something with tofu and I got something with beef. Both were just lacking. I can't describe it, it just wasn't good. I'm pretty sure they forgot the secret ingredient in all good American-Chinese food (MSG), but who knows. Anyway, basically, I have no idea why anyone is rating this place well. People are talking about the decor, but I found it to be kind of cheap and tacky. It was huge though; I could imagine it being a fun bar on the weekend. But yeah, don't come here for the food.
(1)
David H.

Kowloon is a funny place. I think it gets major points taken away when it comes down to its atmosphere. It just comes off as a cheesy place the second you walk in there. It's tacky Polynesian decorations do little to make this place feel like an authentic restaurant, seeing as it also has a comedy club, and a bar area, and a sushi bar, and dining areas. You just can't be fusing all these ideas into one place, it's impossible to take this place seriously. For example, the bar area attracts 40 year old cougars. But the dining area is meant to serve families. The crowd here just makes this place an uncomfortable environment. And the food? Not the best I've ever had. So do I recommend coming back here over and over again? Noooo...
(2)
Tulan K.

Food is great ... Decor is weird .... Chicken Satay is awesome so is chicken pineapple
(4)
Michael W.

Are you kidding me???? This place gives bad chinese restaurants a bad name. I get it, Eddie Andelmen and his idiot kids eat here....big deal. The food is bad, the restaurant is filthy and the wait staff seem completely unconcerned. Did I say "filthy", how's this, the wall next to our table was actually sticky and splattered with bits of food. Nauseatingly dirty. Big old Chinese restaurants which serve fried rice that is so over loaded in grease and chunks of unidentifiable matter are just disgusting. There are so many better choices for Chinese food. Stay away....tthe Andelemens should care more about their reputation.
(1)
Paul C.

Old school chinese food. Route 1 staple! I never been to a place where they are so rude and give you nasty looks. I love the food and the decor even tho it's alittle out of date. Still the food is served fast and taste great. I've been there for acouple of times this year and everytime a lady takes my wife & I to this area on the left where it's all red looking. I rather sit in the ship but I am afraid to ask since I don't want any BIG TROUBLE in little china to go down. Overall great food. Good for couples.
(4)
Heather L.

Don't tell my friends local to Kowloon, but this place definitely is the pitts. For years it's all I've heard about and how we have to do a girls night there some time when I'm home and visiting. Blah Blah Blah... I'd rather go into chinatown and get real chinese food. The scorpion bowls had no sting at all as they were mostly ice, and the food was the worst I've ever had at a so called chinese spot. When ever I go home, I love hitting Dragon Chef on broadway in Everett for their Crab Rangoon, and next time I'm offered the chance to hit up Kowloon, I'm going to smuggle some dragon chef and booze with me in my purse. About the only thing they got right was the edamame, but since you only have to boil that.... The decor is horrible, I thought the fake palm tree was going to snap off and spilt my skull open and I never need a shitty lounge singer performance ever... After spending $50 mostly on booze, I wasn't even drunk when I left here.
(1)
Michelle G.

This is the worst Chinese food ever. I have never tasted anything more disgusting! The hot mustard is watered down that it drips off of the food! The PU PU platter is overcooked, seems like they put the stuff in the oil 3 times before it came out to us. They called one item Chicken Fingers, I think not! Not to mention it came out cold, in fact we had to order Pork Strips and they came out cold!! The mai tais come out of a jug!!! If you want great Chinese food and don't mind driving, I've go two suggestions with fabulous Chinese food: China Blossom in Andover or Sugar Cane in Peabody! You will not be disappointed. I know I will NEVER be back at Kowloon! Downright GROSS!
(1)
Jesse J.

Food is hit-or-miss but the ambience elevates this place to another level. Service was friendly and like any good Chinese food restaurant, the entrees were on the table in five minutes or less. Worth a visit.
(4)
Jamie D.

Not much to say about Kowloon that hasn't been said. For simplicity's sake, I'll run down my personal pros and cons. Pros: * place is huge, tons of seating, generally a minimal wait, if any, unless you have a big group and its a weekend evening * menu is huge - most Eastern cuisines are pretty well covered * food comes out FAST * they're open late * live music is a nice touch * tons of parking * comedy club and private function rooms Cons: * waitstaff is almost always robotic and abrupt * can get pretty loud, like a dark high school cafeteria * Sake may be worth the extra drive if all u want is sushi If you have a group and your goal is a table full of tropical adult beverages and pupu platter fare, really solid choice. Date night? Sure. Take-out? Definitely. Its not quite perfection for me. As the reviews will show and any local who's been there countless times will tell you, it CAN be hit or miss, but you could do much worse than this Route 1 fixture that's probably been around longer than you.
(4)
Eve L.

Of course it's not "authentic Chinese food." You can't really get authentic Chinese food in this country, except maybe in certain cities' Chinatowns. It's almost always American Chinese. Also, this place has an enormous menu, separated by cuisine - they have Hunan, Polynesia, Japanese, and Thai. It's a little overwhelming. Plus, they have an extensive cocktail menu, and boy are their cocktails strong. The spring rolls were delicious (but fried) and their tofu with mushrooms, bamboo, and broccoli was also great. Good flavor, a little bit spicy. My spouse got their Hong Kong style duck was "meh" - she says it was overcooked and dry, and the sauce was not so good. :( It's a little expensive, but very fun for a special evening. Like, you know, Christmas. Which is the one time of year I ever got out to eat Chinese food.
(4)
Jeff G.

I dont even know where to begin with this place because theres so many things telling me to stay away from here...yet i go and entertain my curiosity. The concept is ridiculous, the place is huge and the only thing I can compare it to is a casino. When i first walked in, there was some local school asking me for money which I didn't think was appropriate to be bothered at a restaurant, but w/e theyre kids. When we put down our name, we received a number like when you wait at the DMV, which is tacky but given the size and volume of this place, perhaps i get it. We ordered drinks while we waited and my Mai Tai was pretty good, cept my friends mojito was terrible. Service: It's basically run like a factory and the waiters are robots that dont care what you order, they just want the # of the dish. Water was refilled often as well as tea but we never got those chinese noodle crisps even though they put out sauce...weird? Food: With the knowledge that i orderd off a menu with 300+ items, i expected the food to be shit. But to be honest it was rather good. The sushi was pretty tasty and the other dishes that came out were pretty generous and good. Note (doesnt come with rice) ..wtf Price: $$ a lil pricey, mainly based because its a gimmick restaurant and you pay for the crazy atmosphere Atmosphere: Even though it does look like a casino with all walks of life going by and the crazy and chaotic entrance way, I was impressed. We were seated right next to the pond in the middle of the room and it was cool. Overall, really cheesy yet entertaining night with good sushi for the north shore. I saw people that looked like they were on their first date...prob a bad idea buddy. Even though theres a comedy club upstairs, Chinese/Polynesian food inst that classy.
(3)
SA F.

Kitschy. Okay food. Decent service. Took kids there for the atmosphere & enjoyed the experience.
(3)
jeff b.

It is just as I remembered from 20 plus years ago. The portions are huge, the cost is reasonable, and the food is good, not great, but really good. If you are looking for good ol' east coast Chinese food ( darker brown fried rice, rich sauces, duck sauce) this is your place. They have a large menu, without the fu-fu BS. Looking forward to going back.
(4)
S. U.

Driving home from South Station after picking up my intended from a NYC trip, we were hungry but didn't want to fight for parking in the city. So, we decided to give Kowloon's a try as we headed north on Rt. 1. Parking was no problem as they have a huge lot and it was mostly full. This bode well. We entered and were immediately seated in the main dining room with a massive pool and fountains. The walls were dripping with kitsch. Oh, I thought, if only the food is halfway decent this could be a regular stop along this route. The food is terrible. Think of a Chinese restaurant in rural Kansas (no offense, Kansans, I love your BBQ!) and then lower your expectations. You will still be disappointed. The meat, whether it be shrimp, chicken, or, umm..."beef," is of very low quality and they attempt to mask this by serving every dish I saw/tasted with a gooey sauce. The scallion pie that I had as an appetizer was pretty good, however. The dish that the accompanying sauce came in was obviously dirty, though (there were floaters). Damn it, I wanted to like this place.
(2)
Peachy L.

I don't really know how to rate this place. The bar is ok. The drinks are not as good as people say. The food... it's ok. Nothing I would ever need to have again. I guess if you were with a big group at the bar it would be a good time. The DJ only had older 90s or 80s CDs, so music was baddddd. There were a lot of the North Shore "getting to old to party hard biker folk" which im not really in to. The bartenders were so busy they didn't have 3 seconds to pay attention to you, if you didnt yell out your drink at the guy he wasn't going to notice you. Place seemed pretty clean. I didn't hate it didn't love it.
(2)
Amanda B.

Food is gross. You can taste the msg, plus I got a bug bite while my hand was under the table! U can still see the scar!
(1)
Michael C.

I grew up only a few miles from Kowloon's and I have been going there for almost 40 years. I always love going there late at night to drink scorpion bowls and eat a pu-po platter. I have always wondered who made up that name and why ? Last Friday night I went there to have dinner with some friends. The food was OK we ordered a PU-PO Platter and it was cold but the other dishes we ordered were very good. The crispy orange chicken was excellent and the drinks were cold and strong and that is always a good thing. The waiter overheard me wishing my father a happy birthday and he brought over a birthday cake. I really appreciated the gesture and the service was great. We all had a nice evening.
(4)
Mark B.

One if the worst meals I have ever had. They used to be ok but now buyer beware. It was greasy and super salty (MSG?). Go some where else! There drinks stunk too. They are resting on their laurels. My wife almost barfed she is quite sick now : (
(1)
Jeremy K.

One word: disappointed. I had heard so much about this place. From the numerous celebrities that have been there over the years to the hype they have generated in and around Boston. A lot of my friends have been there and told me about it and I spotted the huge building from route 1 while going to New Hampshire and decided to return to it to try it out for myself one day with my girlfriend. Finding a parking spot was easy, they have a lot of it outside but once inside I was stunned by what I saw. The decoration is all runned down and very "kitchy", looks like they haven't changed anything since the 1970's. But I ignore my first thoughts and we were escorted to one of their tables in one of their bigger rooms. The place I hear seats up to 1,200 patrons at it's busiest which is impressive, and that also generated quite a lot of apprehension as to what kind of meal we were going to get. Their fare is exotic and traditional, but the food was tasteless and overpriced. I'm sure their drinks are awesome although because you can't get there with public transportation, I didn't have any since I had to drive home. The only advantage of this place would be to go there with a big party since it would be fun for a whole family or group of friends but honestly not worth it for a romantic, quality dinner for a couple. I was expecting to be refreshed and surprised with a great meal and left disappointed and slightly grossed out. The service was alright, but not exceptional.
(2)
Zoey M.

It's not bad. I'm from SF and there are better, fresh-food Chinese restaurants where I'm from, but I travel 3,000 mikes for Kowloon. Maybe it's the cheap prices. Maybe its the scorpion bowls, but this place is over-the-top old world Chinese food. Massive dining room and kitchy decor top off a menu that could use an update but why fix a good thing?
(4)
Erica D.

Ah yes, Kowloon Restaurant, I've gone here SO many times. Like I always say in all my reviews regarding Chinese food, I don't like it, but I always get suckered into going to these places. It's been over a year since I visited this little tropical fantasy melting pot, and nothing, besides their menu and the wait-time has changed. I went here for lunch (what's better than Chinese food after several hours of shoveling) and not surprisingly, there was no wait! Price: Expensive! But the lunch portions are pretty reasonable and come with a lot of food. Decor: It's fantastical! But seriously needs a face-lift. Service: The waitress was very friendly. When I ordered sushi, she asked if I wanted chopsticks and soy sauce. The only thing that bothered me was that I couldn't just order my meal but name; I had to give the sushi number. Food/Presentation: This time I order a miso soup, fried shumai and the grilled Boston Maki (grilled salmon, avocado, cucumber and lettuce--which had NO business being in my sushi roll!). Instead of coming in the typical six tightly wrapped rolls, this came in four sloppy ginormous rolls. It was impossible to eat in one bite but at least the sauce that was drizzled on it was tasty. I had to unwrap the roll to take out the lettuce and then re-wrap it with my chopsticks so that I could eat it. Thank god I wasn't on a date; otherwise I'd be mortified trying to cram the mammoth roll in my mouth! Location: Route 1 Northbound, the building is hard to miss. There are tons of parking spaces. Recap: Price: 2/5 Decor: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Food/Presentation: 2/5 Location 4/5 Total: 3
(3)
David G.

I must of had a mini stroke because for some reason I ended up here for dinner tonight. Ok, it was for a date I wanted to put less than zero effort into and I think I succeeded. If this wasn't the worst meal of my life it is without a doubt in the top 5 - and I once lived on MRE's and frozen dinners for two weeks. Got the Thai chicken red curry and white rice - not made to order without a doubt. It had the most pathetic runny soupy peanut butter sauce. Swanson Hungry Man curry that had been frozen and freezer burned for 8 years in a continuous thaw/freeze cycle and then warm over the leaking oil engine of a 1978 Chevy diesel pick up tasted better than this horrid crap. The rice was an over cooked mess that tasted of flavorful fluoride rich Saugus water. My date got the cashew chicken and managed about 4 or 5 small bites. When we finished any sort of eating activity the waiter came over and asked if we were finished. Yes, we replied. Our dishes were about 90% untouched. Would you like to take it home. No, we replied. It wasn't that good, he said, more as a statement than a question. My date replied, no it was not good at all. If you want to not impress a date and hopefully never see them again Kowloon's will fit the bill nicely. I am fairly sure I need to get my stomach pumped or at least have my memory erased of that horrid meal. -1 star.
(1)
Ana R.

I can imagine Kowloon used to be an awesome place to go. It seems impressive when you're 12 and everything looks really exotic, but with the smallest degree of scrutiny, you can see Kowloon is actually dumpy and a little gross. I came here for lunch while I was spending the day in the area. We didn't want to travel too far off Rt 1 to find some food, and the fella was craving General Gau's. I was overwhelmed with the menu(s) which comes in three sections, with several pages each, so I went with a staple I thought they would get right: I ordered the Chicken Pad Thai, which I understand is not going to stand up to the authentic pad thais I've had in Seattle, or even the other pad thais I've had right here in Boston. But this was flavorless, and a while later, made me feel sick to my stomach, even though I ate just a fraction of my gigantic portion. Fella was happy with his Chinese dish, and I did agree his tasted yummy. We didn't order any alcoholic beverages, though had we, our lunches might have tasted better. It was a sad experience. The decor is dated beyond the comforts of irony or nostalgia. The waiter was very sweet though.
(1)
Angela P.

This place is a landmark on route 1 it's so cute inside with the new sushi bar ,, that's kept very clean love the California rolls they truly have mastered the craft of sushi ! also not sure when they started takeout until 2 but it's awesome when you have the munchies just remember to go to the side entrance ! As for many know they have comedy that's pretty awesome for birthdays but you mostly go for the food one of my favourites is lo- mein with veg's very delishious ! Their always hot and fresh ! This place has been run by the same family for years and their sometimes they greet you at the door and are extremely friendly !
(5)
Jason A.

If you read Steven P's review from 9/28/2013, you would think that Kowloon serves "excellent, traditional Chinese cuisine." If you really do believe that, then Steven... I have some really bad news for you: Panda Express is also not authentic Chinese food. I feel like your dad telling you that Santa isn't real, and I am so sorry for this. So my fiancee convinced me into coming here, as we have driven by a few times, and both thought "hmm... a place with this many cars parked out front can't be bad right?". We were wrong. So wrong. The food was comically bad. Like food court Chinese food is a step up from this, and at least there you get to watch teenagers awkwardly try to hit on each other as a free lunch show. At Kowloon, you look around at all of the other patrons wondering why a restaurant named after a district in Hong Kong: 1) serves Thai and Japanese food, and 2) has palm trees when there aren't any in Hong Kong. Seriously folks... would you go to an Italian restaurant named "Rome" and order a burrito from their menu? If not, then why the fuck are you ordering sushi from Kowloon? I have a tip for people who enjoyed the food at Kowloon that will allow you to replicate it in the comfort of your own kitchen - buy MSG and salt, and load up anything in your fridge with both. That's it. Keep loading. It doesn't matter what you're adding the MSG/salt combo to. Cardboard? Sure! Old trash bag? Absolutely! Eventually, whatever you picked is going to taste just like the lo mein at Kowloon! I must have drank a gallon of water afterwards, and still felt thirsty. Please... if you have any respect for your body, do not subject it to the MSG/salt fest that is Kowloon.
(1)
Court S.

Like 3 stars, this place is A-OK. Its great for the ambiance and the experience. Kind of reminds me of Las Vegas with waterfalls and the decor. The lobster sushi & shrimp fried rice are my top notch orders. The crab ragoon wasn't too tasty. It tasted kind of old like it had been sitting there under a heat lamp for hours.
(3)
Rich B.

Such a legendary restaurant gone downhill. Kowloon in a nutshell is the Woodman's of chinese food, just another tourist trap. My wife and I went early on a Saturday evening. Slight wait but not bad. When we walked into the restaurant, the noise level was insane. Reminded me of those movies set in a marketplace in Asia, just pure noise and chaos. They pack you in like sardines as well. Our two person table was near a large kids birthday party. Had to be two big tables of 10 to 12 people at each. Kids running all over the place, no room to move. You get the picture. Food was okay, standard quality and not too bad. Had a Pu-Pu Platter. Very pricey - $22.95 for one without the beef teriyaki which if included jumped the price to $28.95 (Pu-Pu Supreme). Anywhere else a platter WITH the beef teriyaki was usually under $20. Bottom line - couldn't get out of there fast enough!! Find any other chinese restaurant and you will do better.
(1)
Jerome T.

Still the best after all theses years. Huge menu, huge portions, enormous restaurant that always has plenty of room. Always great service in the restaurant and the bar. Takeout is always10-15 minutes no matter what you order. Garlic Steak, Eddie Andelman low mein, and house special pan fried noodles are the best. The Sushi is always on point here as well. Best chicken fingers you'll ever try in a Chinese food restaurant!
(5)
Adam E.

I can't decide if I hate Kowloon or not. The atmosphere is circus-like and extremely loud. Like, yelling as loud as you can to try to converse with the person across the table from you. And then a band might start playing Nora Jones songs until you set yourself on fire with the flaming centerpiece of the pu pu platter. The silly paintings on the wall (fiber optic volcano, etc.), boat theme, and random outdoor fountain indoors are pretty awesome. It's a good place to bring a group. Everyone brings a large group, I think. You're on route 1 in Saugus, at a huge Chinese place with a cop stationed at the hostess station. Live through the experience by eating fried everything and drinking heavily. Scorpion bowl for 2? One straw. The food is suburban Chinese (and others but I don't generally get past page 1 of the menu). Make sure you get the wings and scallion pancake, but like I said, anything fried will do.
(3)
Tanya Y.

I swear they put crack in their Saugus Wings - garlicky, saucy, and so delicious. I salivate thinking of them! On the most recent visit here with a group of friends, we walked into Kowloon and were a little confused by what we saw: There was a bar/lounge to the left playing the Patriots game, blaring/booming music coming from an area above us, and directly in front was the most bad ass older Chinese woman wearing a Leopard print fur vest, black tights, and heels. Shortly after, we got seated right away at a table next to the sushi bar, in which we were able to see (and feel!) random flames from whatever the chefs were making. It was nice to have a show while waiting for our food. The menu is huge with something for everybody. Items varied from "A La Carte", which is similar to what you'd find on a Chinese Fast Food joint's menu, to Thai food, all the way to Japanese. We ended up getting two orders of the Saugus wings [ 10 pieces each ], Black Bean Sauce Clams, Seafood Fusion, Kowloon's House Special Fried Rice, and Spicy Beef. The spicy beef was by far the worst thing we ordered to a point where we had a ton left over and didn't want to take it home: it's not spicy at all and is lacking in flavor. The Seafood Fusion was okay: shrimp was garlicky, the fried scallops delish, and, we were even more impressed when we found pieces of lobster within the mix. Fried rice is fried rice, nothing too extraordinary. And the black bean sauce clams were just OK too; the clams were actually larger than what we were expecting! Parking is available in a lot connected to the restaurant, the Thai waiter we had was super sweet, they have a separate menu for alcohol, and apparently, they have "Kowloon Komedy" shows! Regardless of the other mediocre dishes, I know I'll definitely come back for more Saugus wings; they're THAT good.
(4)
Sally D.

Unfortunately will not return. Kowloon used to be good years ago... Hadnt been in a few years since we now live 40 min away. Excited to take a ride and go for dinner early Saturday night. Ordered some apps, rice & a few dishes. We were served less than 2 min after we ordered and the food looked old and unappealing. And it was terrible!! Did not even want to take home the leftovers! It tasted like days old food! So very disappointed $100 later..and that didn't even include drinks, we opted for water after seeing the prices! We left as very unhappy and unsatisfied customers. What happened to the good old Kowloon that I remember from a few years back?! Quality really, really went downhill...and prices went uphill... Will never go back there :(
(1)
David T.

I live 5 minutes away from Kowloon and love chinese food. So the fact that I only go there once a year should speak volumes. Kowloon is more about the experience than good food. Because the place is huge and the crowds can be enormous, don't expect your food to be cooked to order. If you know that going in then you're good to go!
(2)
Michelle M.

They need some quality control!! Terrible!! I have been coming here for years and the food gets worse and worse!! Waiter wasn't friendly- get in and out quick!! Returned the teriyaki nuggets, they weren't cooked!! Fried rice was sitting around, horrible!! Come on, Kowloon you have potential!! At least some customer service and an apology for such horrible food!!
(1)
Richard I.

Went to restaurant today for a quick lunch. Walked in was greated by a woman who ran at us asking us how many in our party. Relax lady we're coming, no need to bum rush us. She proceeded to hustle us to the side of restaurant where we were given a menu and water and told that wait person would be right over. Well after 20 minutes and still no waiter; wife and I got up and left. The prices are ridiculous now, make your own, my usual choice, was $8.95 NOW $11.50, and the service even worse. I was a long time loyal customer but won't be back again. THEY NEED TO GET BACK TO BASICS.DEFINITE THUMBS DOWN.DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.
(1)
Dave N.

I fail to see what people like about this place. Went there for the 2nd or 3rd time tonight. The huge parking lot is packed with cars...you'd think the place is awesome? We sit at the not very large bar (considering the size of the place). There are maybe 10 other people at the bar. The two bartenders are engrossed in watching football on TV, we had to ask for service. Drinks show up promptly, but meh. On a scale of 1-10, these Mai Thai'a are about 3. Order our food, appetizers, one entree and fried rice. It all comes out together....huh - wtf? The deep fried spring rolls were cold inside. The bartender did take those back to the kitchen and replaced with some that were better. The Peking Ravioli (better known as fried dumplings or pot stickers at every other Chinese restaurant I've ever been to) were obviously prepared maybe....4 hours earlier. They were dried out and lukewarm at best. The spicy beef....seem to have forgotten to add any spice. Bland as bland can get. Of the things we ordered the best thing was the fried rice. If you are someone who loves Kowloon, you need to try some other Chinese Restaurants. Being generous Kowloon is mediocre.
(2)
Alison F.

Awful! We asked the waitress to seat us somewhere eles because we where in the walk way of the kitchen. Her response "ill follow you" when I went to let her walk in front of me she pushed me! They charge for any menu change $3.00 for a side of sweet and sour sauce!!! We substituted crab ragoons instead of wonton on the pu pu platter and it was $4.00 for only 4!!! Food was ok...came out very fast which makes me feel as if it had been sitting there. Food was not good, I spit out the egg roll I bit into. The sushi was ok. The staff was awful, he could care less when we told him our low mien was cold and not good. Worst service ever, I will never eat here again!!! But the comedy shows I will come back for.
(2)
Kevin D.

I have been going to the Kowloon for 35 years.the food I feel is at a all time low..it must now be kept in warming trays for days...my last three visits poor at best NEVER AGAIN....
(1)
John S.

WARNING! Walked passed a waiter picking up chicken from the floor after he dropped a plate near the kitchen on my way to meet a friend at the door. On my way back to my seat the same waiter was serving the same chicken that fell on the floor to a table of people near my seat. If it wasn't for that I would be here just complaining about how bad the serves was up until this point when I left for obvious reasons. DO NOT WAST YOUR MONEY!
(1)
Juan I.

The WORST Chinese food Ive had so far living in Massachusetts.. Maybe Im used to NYC restaurants but The special fried rice I ordered was SUPER COLD when it got to my table.. the egg rolled SUCKED. Their Pad Thai is OOK, honestly the only thing I ordered that was decent was their sesame chicken.. This place is OVERRATED and over priced!
(1)
Dr Rev Gregory O.

The waitress tried to seat us at a table when we requested a booth. She was reluctant to give us an open booth near a big birthday party crowd. Shortly after ordering, the chicken fingers seemed like they were rushed to the table, followed by the pork fried rice and egg fu yung a few minutes later. The chicken fingers and egg fu fung seemed decent, but the pork fried rice was sub par quality. It was so bad that I actually wanted to drive the hour and a half home for better quality food. The server brought us the check out on a piece of paper under fortune cookies. I feel they should have used check holders. The server made us feel like he wanted us to quickly leave after he brought out the credit card receipts. I came there for a quality meal and left with an upset stomach. The restrooms seemed very clean, but the water in the sinks was ice cold (which is a Board of Health violation). They seemed alot better a few years back, although at that time, I caught a server handling the to-go food with his bare hands (which is also a Massachusetts Board of Health violation). While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I will not be back for a very long while.
(1)
honda c.

They are always busy so they must have something going for them... All I'm saying is I never ordered crab rang goon that when eaten, had no filling.
(1)
William G.

Great food, awesome atmosphere, great staff. We have been coming here for a fee years now, and this place improves itself every visit! Last time we went there, the food was amazingly fresh, our server was knowledgeable and friendly, and they had a live band playing smooth jazz. Awesome combination for a great night. I had the sweet ginger chicken wings, and fried rice and special house spicy chicken. My dish was a 10! My only advise is that this place can get a little crowded and it may be hard to find seats right away, so you might have to wait a bit but believe me, its worth every second.
(4)
Angie P.

The interior of this restaurant is amazing. It is decorated like an old 1950's Tiki Bar. I saw many, many amazing dishes coming out - they really out do themselves with the presentation. As impressed as I was by the atmosphere and presentation, the food was very mediocre. I ordered a combination appetizer plate, and the House Special Noodles. Everything was extremely fresh, but lacked any seasoning. I probably would not eat here again.
(2)
Emily H.

It is a nice place to go out to eat Chinese food ! I like their "fried rice and spring roll." Sometimes waiters were not friendly as much as expecedt, but it wasn't that bad! Good location and big parking space! However, I don't recommend to go this place on the weekend because this place is so so so busy!
(4)
Amy M.

So, you're sitting on an indoor sailboat with a keyboard and mounted swordfish behind the ship's wheel and a mural of an exploding volcano taking up the entire wall of the room and you were hoping for AUTHENTIC Chinese food? Are you serious? Why are you here? Authentic Chinese food looks something like rice with a little fish and a lot of broth - because that's all most Chinese can afford to eat. Is that what you wanted? Yeah, I didn't think so. Are you are here because you want a strong, fruity drink with some fried foods? GREAT. YOU ARE IN THE PERFECT PLACE! All restaurants should be as overly-themed as Kowloon. Just sitting down and looking at all the decorations and detail is half the experience! The PuPu Platters come out with real, little fires. The spareribs are better than many BBQ joints I've been to. The chicken fingers and fried shrimp are as good as any British-style fish 'n chips I've eaten in pubs. Yeah, they've got fried NAILED. We would have ordered a second fried ice cream had a family with several toddlers not sat down just as we were finishing the first one. So, leave room for dessert. I was also quite impressed with the soups. I thought $4 was a bit much but we really wanted pork wonton soup. They brought out huge bowls filled with tasty broth, fresh veggies and a generous portion of home-made wontons. For $4, it was actually a great value. Other menu items (lo mein, apps, rice, etc.) cost more than they would be elsewhere but you know, location, location, location and this is a location that kind of can't be beat. So, this isn't a great place for cheap take-out or regionally-specific food but it sure is an excellent place for a fun night with friends. If you're in a larger group they have a few prix fixe selections that have a per person cost - that makes splitting up the bill easy-peasy. The service was professional and attentive without being invasive.
(5)
Julia K.

This place is hilarious. It's pretty much the Chinese equivalent of Casa Bonita. I'm new to Boston, and two friends took me here as a bit of an initiation. Saugus is...really something. Kowloon just comes out of thin air on the highway and looms above you, right across from Hooters. You don't come here for good food. You come here to have a laugh, and to have one of those gigantic scorpion drink bowls (they are properly STRONG). The appeal is in the tackiness and in the fact that they try to do every Southeast/East Asian cuisine at once. Ask to sit on the boat. Oh, don't forget the scratch card machine. Won a dollar!
(3)
Brittany P.

I seem to be one of the few people who actually LIKE coming here. Maybe I've been lucky enough to get good service almost every single time. (A few months ago, we had a waitress that was forgetful & kept forgetting things we ordered/asked for. Very friendly otherwise!) I almost always get the PuPu platter when I come with one or two other people (one is plenty for three people) & with groups, we just order a slew of different appetizers & pig out that way. The food quality is consistent & quite enjoyable, even late on a Monday night. Great drinks of course, & they offer a lot of souvenir cups you can bring home after you have your drink. (Or you can buy the cups without the drink) The flavor & quality is certainly better than most local area restaurants where I am, & certainly offers a lot more food. What I really enjoy is the atmosphere of the main dining area, with all the fountains & lights & booths done up like little tiki huts along the wall. (Personally, I like that) For larger parties, they have a "boat" area towards the far side of the dining room lined with tables inside & booths along the outside. There's another dining area off to the far left side, past the tiki hut booths & the bar, where it seems a lot more casual & like a family restaurant with more lighting, but it's fine & clean. When you first enter, you see a couple of other rooms, like a lounge & sushi area. I've ever eaten/drank in there, so I can't give much feedback about that part of the restaurant. Nice & clean though, from what I can tell though, & always hopping on a weekend of course. There's one bathroom that is a little small & can get crowded quick, & the one-way glass for the stalls in that particular bathroom are a little uncomfortable. (I can't recall if the other bathrooms have it, since I've only used another bathroom once, but the one in question is near the "boat") No one can really see in obviously, unless they decide to press their face against the glass, but you can see out & it's awkward to look at someone on the other side of the door as you do your business. Sometimes they need to pay a little more attention to the bathrooms to keep things stocked and clean, but overall, they're not bad. Overall, a favorite place to go, especially with friends. Food is consistent, drinks are good, tables are clean, & I am a big fan of the environment.
(4)
Steven C.

Oh, Kowloon you created many memories growing up. Fortunately my palate has grown but your food has not. This may be the only two star review that I'll return to many many times The team started with the PuPu platter. Dad and the little guy then moved to sushi while nana and older brother stuck to traditional polynesian bleh. Maki was uneventful, Uni was delish. A north shore landmark.
(2)
Thomas S.

Where to start, although we were there for lunch it was just awful. First a foutreen year old could have drank th maitai and not broken the law. The hot and sour soup was large and absolutely tasteless. The boneless spear ribs were dried out and again tasteless. The beef and steak with black bean sause was flavorful however it was comprised of little beef and under cooked green peppers, the chow mean was a thick glob of vegetables. As for the rice it was inedible if that possible with rice. The service was difficult with an abrupt non english speaking waiter. To compound this huge facility was worn out. We use to enjoy this restaurant often but have not been back for a while THANK GOD.
(1)
David L.

Attended a function here last night which included hand passed appetizers of vegetable spring rolls and deep fried chicken potstickers along with a buffet of various items and I have to tell you that everything tasted sooooooo bland not to mention not freshly cooked. Expensive bar drinks made with pre-made mixers. The only saving grace of the evening was being with good friends. If I can help it, I will not be returning.
(1)
Alex H.

While escaping Boston on a recent road trip, I am rewarded while passing over a rise with the sight of a two-story Ku. Coupled with the Polynesian architecture and retro sign I knew that this was a tiki adventure worth having. So I pulled off the first opportunity I had and found a parking spot. This place is groovy. Multiple rooms with different themes. I am such a sucker for theme restaurants. And in the middle of the day they have bartenders available to make real drinks served in tiki mugs. The menu is dominated with above average "Americanized" Chinese food. I happily walked out with a pair of great tiki mugs emblazoned with the restaurant's logo. I walked through the whole place and was impressed by the private rooms upstairs that would accommodate two groups of 200+, which can be joined to accommodate around 500. I'd love to fill one of these up.
(4)
Scarlett B.

Nice ambient, good food. They have a wide variety of choices in their menu. Waiters are friendly and always checking if you need anything. Wait sometimes can be long when restaurant is a bit full I guess that's a sign that the food is good! I would recommend this place to anyone.
(4)
Luckyone D.

Didn't like where they sat my family for starters. In the back away from everyone and the sun was in my sons eyes the whole entire time. They sat us right by the staff which didn't make the experience enjoyable. The Egg foo young had egg shells in it. Disgusting. Won't go back anymore.Not pleased at all.
(1)
Adrina A.

I have gone to kowloon for years and as many of the other reviews I have read stated, not much has changed. The majority of the times that I frequent this place are when I get out of work, which is sometimes late (around 10 or 11 pm). They serve food pretty late and remain open until 2 am so it gives me plenty of time to grab some grub and suck down a few Mai-tai's before heading home. I usually opt to sit at the bar as my friends and I like to cut out the middle man (waiter) and get the alcohol in our system as fast as possible (I'm semi-kidding). Mike the bartender is very friendly and has a great sense of humor. Some of the food is a little pricey, but the Saugus wings and crab rangoons never disappoint. I have tried a few of their sushi selections as well, and though it's not the best, it's pretty solid. Basically, it's a pretty decent place albeit a bit outdated. Also, if you happen to be wrestling fan, anytime WWE is in town, it's almost guaranteed a few wrestlers will stop by after their show at the garden.
(3)
Shayna C.

I recently had my first Kowloon experience, after surviving the drive that is driving on Route 1. My friend hosted her wedding reception here, and it was definitely a memorable experience. It was a Saturday wedding, and I was surprised at how packed it was by 7PM; there was a ton of parking, and we easily found a spot. We were ushered upstairs to a reception hall, which was beautifully decorated and very spacious. I ordered a dirty martini, which ended up being served in a martini glass much smaller than your standard glass...but for the same high price. It was ok; not the best one I've had, but still something to sip on with dinner. The food was very impressive; it was a multi course meal for the wedding reception. We got sushi, jellyfish, scallops, shrimp, beef, chicken, among other things. Everything tasted pretty fresh, and was presented beautifully. I kind of want to try this place again on a normal day, to see how it is. I've seen a lot of mixed reviews, but I figure this place is worth another shot.
(3)
Matthew C.

Before I get to my review, the Saugus Wings on the apps menu are amazing. Those alone are worth 5 stars. I have been to Kowloon many times. While it is one of the better chinese restaurants I've been to, the food is still hit or miss. Some days you go and the food is great, other times you go and wonder why did I ever pick this place to eat? Overall the food can get pretty pricey. They don't offer combo meals unless you show up for lunch. When the dinner menu rolls around there's no more ordering a combo of teriyaki steak with chicken fingers and pork strips. Instead you have to order a normal meal like Sesame Chicken and then if you want rice you need to order that separately. Unfortunately I think this is the biggest issue with Kowloon as I'm a huge fan of the apps. Also, I do not recommend ordering take out. The one time I did it was awful. It tasted like the food had been sitting out for the entire day before i had gotten it and was just sitting under a heat lamp. Very dry and just disgusting. They also offer comedy shows here. I've never been so I can't comment on it. And they offer sushi, thai food, cantonese, etc...... Overall it's one of the better chinese food places but the 3 stars is due to the lack of combo's and the hit or miss dinners.
(3)
Joe P.

Been getting food here for decades and as far as I can remember, it's always been really, really good. I like Cantonese style and the consistency there. Prices are sort of reasonable, service is, for the most part very good. I have not found any other place that's better and that says 5 Stars to me.
(5)
Terry S.

We had been coming here for 20 years but today will be our last. Ordered a small appetizer platter & I was concerned when the food came out in 3 minutes. Everything was cold & disgusting, inedible the pork strips were cold & chewy, the ribs had coagulated fat on them as if they had been sitting In a buffet table for hours. The fried wonton had NO FILLING, ice cold & hard as a rock. Won't be coming here again!!
(1)
Ian W.

The Kowloon is a classic old school Chinese restaurant and lounge and a popular place for family-style Americanized Chinese dinners. My 1980s parents from NY would defintely love this place! The Kowloon also serves Thai food and sushi. I drive past the Kowloon quite often and over the years I've stopped in here a few times for lunch and dinner with friends and by myself (takeout service) and the food is just okay to me. I remember having decent fried ice cream for dessert here several years ago. Having not visited the Kowloon in over six years, I decided to stop in here for lunch takeout, just before 4PM over the weekend. The place was fairly busy as the sloped bumpy parking lot on the south side of the restaurant was half full. Inside, the takeout area was really hopping and the dark old school dining room/lounge was quite noisy. For takeout, I ordered the Combination 24 Shrimp With Garlic Sauce ($7.75 plus $0.25 for takeout and $0.56 meals tax) served with Pork Fried Rice and Fried Wontons. The portion of food was good for the price. The main entree was a good dish, which had jumbo chewy shrimp, green peppers, snow peas, onions, sprouts, bamboo shoots, and canned mushroom slices in a sweet & spicy garlic sauce. The pork fried rice was standard which had onions, traces of egg, and very small pieces of roast pork. The 2 fried wontons were eh, just deep fried skins. The service was pretty hectic as the woman cashier at the counter took my order and was answering the phone simultaneously, definitely not the friendliest person. However, when my order was ready 12 minutes later, I was never given a yellow receipt/ticket by the cashier, which is needed to receive my food order. I had to tell the staff member what I ordered and I had already paid $8.56 to the cashier. I was given my order and on my way. Would I return to the Kowloon? Probably, but not anytime soon.
(3)
Mike K.

I just had lunch at Kowloon Restaurant. What a trip back in time. This place looks like the set of Hawaii 5-0 circa 1975. Coming in the front entrance you are greeted with several autographed celebrity shots in the lobby. From there it is onto the Tiki wonders of this Polynesian palace. Complete with dark lighting and the table side fountains in the bar area, it is fun, fun, fun. I would have loved to sit in the bar area and rock back a couple of tropical drinks, but it was a working lunch today, so I dined in the main restaurant area. Like any other Chinese restaurant the menu is huge! So many choices! From the lunch menu I built my own plate. This is a great value. For a very reasonable $7.95 you are given 4 choices of items to build your huge plate. I did the usual egg roll, spare ribs, fried rice, and a dumpling. It was in a word...average. Average is not always a bad thing, so bear that in mind. I guess I could call it "good" average. It should be noted that I am not a huge fan of Chinese food, so I might be slightly prejudicial in my overall lack of enthusiasm. However, as I noted previously this place is worth coming to just for the "ambience." I would definitely return to Kowloon, if not for the food, then to visit the whacky Tiki bar for some fun tropical cocktails.
(3)
Sam J.

Kowloon is campy fun, the best of the best of Route 1 in Saugus. If you want better food... perhaps seek out a restaurant that doesn't contain a fiber optic mural of an erupting volcano, perhaps in a neighborhood which doesn't also feature a place with a giant cactus sign and fiberglass cows, or a store inside a model ship. If possible, sit in the boat. It's very special.
(5)
M I.

An absolute disgrace to chinese cuisine. Everything here tastes disgusting. It's loud and has a horrible ambience. The food is always overcooked and the seafood is not fresh. We ordered a noodle dish and it was basically stir fried instant ramen noodles. Home cooked instant ramen noodles would have tasted better than any of the food here. I honestly do not understand the popularity of this place. Maybe the food tastes good for those who have never eaten any real chinese food.
(1)
Shawn F.

Nothing like Kowloon- Boston style Chinese is the best in the country- lobster sauce, dark fried rice, boneless spare ribs, mmmmm. It's super tasty, not salty and service is great.
(5)
Miss M.

algae in fountains yucky egg foo young
(1)
Alan M.

Best chinese food on the planet hands down! I have been eating here since I was a small child, growing up nearby. I have eaten chinese food at many other widely acclaimed places around the country but this tops them all. The beef teriyaki, fried rice, drinks, rangoons, chicken fingers etc are the best, in fact i am disappointed when i order food elsewhere and it doesn't come close to the quality or taste of Kowloon. I hold them as my standard for all other chinese food and drink. Make sure you check your to-go order however, they have an extremely high volume of business and occasional mistakes do occur.
(5)
Jamie S.

My little family and I were invited by friends. I have a 14 month old, he was being quite disturbing because he was very hungry by the time we finally got our meals. I didn't see a kids meal or anything like that. But they had a high chair ( with no strap) and a changing station in the bathroom.( which women's room was difficult to find)my family and I hadn't eaten here since we first moved to Massachusetts 2010. It The food... it was ...okay.... my son got sliced chicken and vegetables( I ate some veggies from his plate not the best I've ever had.& my husband got hunan chicken. he said " it was not good, nothing to comment about." I was disappointed that I didn't get to pick the 8 different nigiri from #3137( I think is the sushi with Cali roll and 8 nigiri) I didn't know it came With miso soup and salad( which was nice) the sushi seemed a tiny bit dry to me. It was 21.00 for 8 peices of nigiri& 8pc cali roll.; miso soup& salad) that's not a bargin when i'm used to getting all you can eat made to order plus items from the kitchen for 23.00!! I think I am spoiled when it comes to sushi because of nana7 in Billerica!
(2)
Vincent T.

yeah.. Kowloon.. been here forever and a day. As other's have said, here's a Chinese restaurant stuck back in 1965, with all it's shtick and tackiness. The food is so-so, but comes out fast, and is relatively cheap. Nothing spectacular, old fashioned Americanized Chinese food. We ordered a PuPu platter, and I had the Kung Pao Chicken with pork fried rice. The appetizers were ok.. again, nothing spectacular.. the Kung Pao wasn't bad, not overly spicy but with a ok flavor. The rice was obviously cooked in such large batches that it was noticeable and a bit lacking in flavor. So.. overall.. one of those places to go if you're in the area, but not worth making a special trip.
(3)
Mallory S.

Everyone that grew up around Boston has been to Kowloon. I unfortunately didn't have the pleasure of growing up here, so I could never share in the exchanging of Kowloon stories..... until now! We stopped by Kowloon on our way home from Boston last weekend! It's huge, crowded and I would venture to guess that little has changed in the last 30-40 years (including our waiter who has been working there for 41 years). We had some apps, crazy drinks in interesting glasses and called it a night. There are multiple bar areas, a comedy club upstairs, large restaurant area... I think I only saw 1/3 of the place. I was happy to find the restrooms which were hidden behind an EXIT door. Service was quick, food was average, but atmosphere/people watching was fantastic.
(3)
Alexandra C.

Five stars for sushi and always quick service and minimum waiting time. Chinese food is an average msg (or whatever you call that crap) in Massachusetts. Interior hasn't been updated probably for 40 years. Waiters only know how to say hi - thank you - buy. But hey, when we don't know where to go - Kowloons is right here for us with great prices and drinks!
(5)
Scott T.

This has hardly been my first time at Kowloon Restaurant and certainly not my last. However, it has been the first time I've eaten sushi there. Correct me if i am wrong but aren't you suppose to eat sushi all in on bite each piece? That being said i would assume it would be near impossible to cut it with chop sticks and would fall apart if you just bit into it? I ordered the lobster sushi for 14.95. What i got was three enormous pieces of sushi. Pieces so big even my big mouth had a hard time eating them. They were delicious but for the price? Hardly doubt I would purchase it again. Let me remind you when you order sushi thats all you get. You have to purchase rice separately. Include a drink or two with tip and your looking at a 40.00 bill. As i said before i have had Chinese food there in the past and is one of the best around. Ive seen Johnny Winters, J. Geils, Ernie and the Automatics, and James Montgomery more times that I wish to admit since he is a regular there. The place need work in the main area as far as maintenance with peeling paint and new rugs needed. However, some of the best service in the area. Probably the best place to go to catch a celebrity or two. Don't believe me? Take a look at the walls that are cluttered with celebrities of all types.
(3)
Huy L.

8.50 for lunch menu that fills 2 meals, enough said. Nigiri where the fish is twice the size of the rice, gives this place the first 2 stars in my book, but the fact that the rest of my food was pretty mediocre with the fried rice soaking with oil and yesterday's taste, the general tsao chicken swimming in the ginger sauce, and the chicken itself having a cheap taste of Un-freshness, I would definitely be coming here drunk or on budget. I give one star for the Chinese food cause it fills you up for ok price and two stars for the fish portions on the sushi.
(3)
Jacqui R.

HOWIE CARR IS CORRECT - The Kowloon is the tastiest Chinese North of Boston. If you were raised on the North Shore then you love The Kowloon. The Loon was your "first experience" with Chinese food. They have most delicious Egg Foo Young smothered with thick brown gravy, yum. The Egg Rolls, Crab Rangoon & Chicken Fingers are hands down the best! The service may not always be the most pleasant but the Egg Rolls heal the pain of bad service. Friday nights the bar is always busy and your bound to run into a face from the good old days. I have only eaten the Chinese food it's so good I have not ventured over to the Thai or Japanese side.
(4)
William D.

Oldie, but a goodie. This place has been around forever, and is a staple of Saugus, and for good reason. It simply has a little bit of everything. (Thai, sushi, mandarin, comedy clubs, live music, etc.). Quality of good could use some minor improvement, but the ambience as a whole is great. Whether you have a craving for Chinese food late at night, need a decent place for a date, or just want to go by a bar to have drinks with friends... Kowloon is never a bad option. I've probably been to this restaurant more than any other restaurant in my lifetime, so my review holds water.
(4)
R B.

$14.45 for a plate of asparagus in beef sauce after I requested no animal product waiter doesn't know how to treat customers Dusty blinds scant lighting in restroom
(1)
Justin p.

Food is AWFUL. Drinks are overpriced and no booze in them, the comedy club is the only attraction other than that this should go the way of the Hilltop or Weylus. Sorry but im honest.
(1)
Alyssa G.

i won't be back here again. i ordered chicken wonton soup and an order of beef teriyaki...the soup's broth had no distinct flavor, the chicken was completely bland and the vegetables were not fresh and totally over salted or over seasoned with msg. the wontons themselves tasted like flour- and the inside had zero taste, just that of sodium. the beef teriyaki was awful. huge pieces with some undercooked, and the flavor was just off. the beef was so chewy and hard to eat. it's wicked expensive for crappy food. i'm still in love with lucky dragon in lynn. and i will keep trying other places near my work in saugus. i can safely say kowloon is ruled out for good.
(1)
Aimz P.

:(
(2)
Lauren A.

So, I really hate that I hate this place. It's conveniently located on Route 1 in Saugus. It's HUGE, and the atmosphere is really cool. The problem is, the service is terrible! Even when there a ton of waiters in the restaurant, yours always seems to disappear. Also, the food is mediocre at best, but it's expensive! You have to order rice separately, and they don't really have combos, unless you get a pupu platter. The drinks are expensive too. And let me tell you, they are all juice. No alcohol. BUT YOU CAN BUY THE NOVELTY GLASSES THEY COME IN FOR AN EXTRA $15! (that was sarcasm, if you couldn't tell) I went once for some late night food with friends (I was dragged there against my will) and all our food was cold. The sesame chicken was literally old cold chicken fingers that they drizzled a tiny bit of sauce on, then sprinkled a couple sesame seeds on it them. Also, the waiter was downright rude to us. He was an older gentleman, and maybe he worked all day, but you still have to treat your customers decently. Then, I went there with some friends on Thanksgiving (again, against my will), and there were about 15 waiters (that I could see) but ours did the magical disappearing act. Some other guy bused our tables and gave us more water. Now, our waiter wasn't waiting other tables. I could see him on the other side of the room wrapping silverware and bringing out stacks of clean plates. Mean while, we were waiting for him to take our order, for tea(which was slightly brown water), waiting on our bill, waiting for him to take our money, etc. THEN because we had a big group, tip was included on out bill (which we split up by couple). Fine. We were expecting to pay 18% (that's what was quoted on the phone when the reservation was made), they charged OVER 20% (trust me, my husband, the math genius, did the math multiple times to make sure) and they guy was terrible. I could be more understanding if he was a good waiter, or if he was swamped with other tables, or even if he was attentive, but this guy totally didn't deserve it. He barely deserved the 18% we were expecting. In short, if anyone tries to bring me here again, I'm doing the tuck and roll out of the car and walking anywhere else!
(1)
James G.

It's really all about the tiki charm here, food is good, drinks are good. It's not Thai food, it's not high quality, it's dirty, messy americanized chinese food, and if that's what you're looking for, then this is place.
(5)
Kim K.

Why else would you come here other to indulge and enjoy the splendor that is Kowloon? The food is heavy and greasy but perfect in that way. Prices aren't too crazy. Quantity is generous! Service is good, prompt and friendly. You'll never wait for a table at Kowloon, even with a big party.
(3)
Louis C.

I was a bit skeptical about a place that is regularly featured on the Phantom Gourmet but decided to trust Kelly. We stopped in to the Kowloon to have dinner with a friend of ours. When we first walked in it was very crowded and there was about a 40 minute wait, understandably so considering this place is a legit tourist trap destination. We waited in the front area of the restaurant and when our time was up our number was called over a bullhorn that compares to the MBTA announcement at Park Street. We followed the hostess towards out table in the back of the restaurant. The first thing I noticed while walking through was that the restaurant kind of smelled like a cat box. Maybe it was the fact that we had walked past a bussers station and there might have been some dirty dishwasher or something, anywho... it really stood out to me. Yuck. When our friend Heather arrived we ordered food and drinks, the drinks were pretty good, strong but not overbearing and the food came out fast. It was quite delicious for a place that seems to have a fast turn around of customers. There were many birthdays throughout the restaurant, including one directly next to us whose guest seemed to come over from the trailer park on the other side of Route 1. By the time we were ready to leave a band had started up, and while I would have liked another scorpion bowl I don't think that I could have stayed to listen to the horrible singing that was being performed. I may come back here depending on my mood and if Kelly asked me to, but I probably wouldn't take the initiative and suggest it myself.
(3)
Farah P.

Great food. A lot to eat. Great prices. Great comedy nights. Loved it!!
(5)
Sharon D.

Huge! Thid place is huge... the crowds are huge, the parking lot is huge, the drink menu is huge and the food choices... huge! Literally, everyone can find something here! The Chinese offerings are pretty standard. The sushi menu has some pretty creative options. The thai menu has lots to offer. We have always been seated quickly, had friendly servers and the food served quickly, hot and yummy. Ample parking with an ATM close by. Haven't been to their comedy show, but it looks to always be packed. Sometimes it gets overwhelming but not a bad choice on route 1 if you have a large group.
(3)
Lynn C.

Love this place ! Every time I go with friends , we are waited on promptly and the food comes out quickly. The staff is very friendly. I recently went to the comedy club upstairs and had a great time. I will be going back!
(5)
Tara S.

This is one of the best restaurants Ive eaten at. The food is great tasting and the variety is unending. Kowloon has been around for many years and has a good reputation in the area.
(5)
David P.

Decor is pretty confusing, but I thought the chinese food was excellent. Chicken broccoli came out with a lighter sauce than I normally see, and it was excellent. The roast pork fried rice was some of the best I've had, and my wifes sweet and sour chicken was also very good. I'm not a big fan of that dish. Drinks were a little pricey for the area, Pinot Noir at $9 a glass, local Sam Adams were better, and ice cold. I'd recommend it, and would go back if I was in the area.
(4)
Cecilia J.

This review is only for their comedy club (Komedy Klub). Located up the stairs to the left of the doors as soon as you walk in the entrance from the parking lot. (let's see how many prepositional phrases I can fit into one sentence!) Anyway, pay $20 per person to the hostess, and someone will seat you when you walk in the room/attic upstairs. It's a pretty big space that can fit maybe 100-200 audience members. A tiny stage up at the front for the comedian. Decor/furniture is a little outdated and tacky. But I think that has now become just part of Kowloon's whole image. The menu for the comedy show is a limited selection of all of the most popular Chinese takeout options (crab rangoon, spare ribs, fried rice, etc.) and a sizeable beer/cocktail list. Prices are a little high though. $50 for two people? On top of the $20/person admission price? It's a bit too much for what you're getting. Food was nothing special. There were 3 comedian stand-up acts, and they were all very funny. Had a really great time!
(3)
Davy C.

With such lousy Chinese food on the South Shore, we always make a trip to Kowloon when we crave Chinese. The interior decor is old and crazy but it brings back memories of the Chinese restaurants of my childhood. A private booth in the bamboo hut is a nice setting. The open area in the back has a sailing ship with band instruments when they have a floor show. It is not a good idea to be seated in that area for it us usually full of families who let their kids run loose and bang on the drums. The food is better than most in this area unless you go to Chinatown. The portions are always large enough to take home a to-go box. The service is fast and friendly.
(3)
Brian D.

So a buddy of mine and I were looking for a post-tennis match meal/lunch thingy and so we decided to venture up Rt 1 to see what really took us. Kowloon runs so many commercials during Phantom Gourmet, that we gave in to its marketing and ventured in here. First, this place is HUGE. I've never seen such a large Chinese restaurant. Food was decent, not the best I've had, but it was okay to say the least. I'm not sure I'd come back here, but it was a fun time, ate a ton. They've got a bunch of crazy crap on the walls in the front, spent a good 20 minutes just checking out all the pictures and such.
(3)
Mushhoor A.

Highly overrated. After all the fan fare and celeb sitings at this place I expected top notch asian food. What I got was ur typical chinatown whipped up meal that took a minute. (pre-cooked, re-heated? idk) Food was okay but not worth the $16. I'll stick to chinatown. Also its quiete suspect when you order something and the waiter tells you, "you don't want that." umm...thanks for the heads up??
(2)
Nakita N.

More like a 3 1/2. The food was great and VERY reasonable. Further, I had a party of twenty coming to town for dinner and at the last minute the first place I'd arranged double booked me! Luckily, Kowloon was able to take the reservation---AMAZING. The down side? The place is huge and a mad-house. A typical wait without reservations is between 1.5-2.5 hours. Definitely not the place for a quiet romantic dinner or even if you want to really be able to hear across the table. However, the noise is a lot better if you go there for an early lunch.
(4)
Yasa E.

This place is huge!!! Cheesy decor of a chinese restaurant x100 I actually really loved the food! Those saugus wings are to die for!! I'm a junkie for dumplings and the peking raviolis were enormous and really good. Crab rangoons and fried rice were pretty standard, but it's hard to mess those up. Now ....about the weirdness of this place. Everything is premade. Literally EVERYTHING. There is no way someone can cook ravioli's and chicken wings in under 10 minutes. Maybe I'm a snob, but I like to sit down a restaurant, gaze into my partner's eyes for a few minutes, take a few sips of water, get a drink, then another drink, then order apps, take my sweet ass time enjoying the apps, order another drink, then the entrees...now that's a paced dining experience. I feel like Kowloon is a huge Henry Ford-type assembly line when it comes to delivering food, drink and service. Here is how the night went. We walked in and before we could even respond to the "Hi! Table for 2?", we were seated. The scorpion bowl (which consists entirely of pineapple juice and sour mix) was delivered in under 3 minutes. Obviously it's premade. Within 7-10 minutes our entire order was on the table, we ate and were out the door. I'm pretty sure that was the fastest trip to a restaurant I've ever had and I'm not saying it's a bad thing because some people like to get in and get out, but it's not for everyone. In terms of service, it is very prompt and our waiter was a nice guy. The food is cheap, the drinks are even cheaper, and the portions are big enough to have an entire dinner the next day too. Gotta love that :)
(3)
CJ J.

Terrible food. Never had a good meal here and the final trip sealed the deal. Got take out and ordered kang liang soup, shrimp pad thai, pork fried rice, and chicken fingers. The soup was flavorless with a broth that tasted like water. The pad thai was dry, with no bean sprouts, and overcooked shrimp. The fried egg was barely mixed in too. The pork fried rice was mushy and cold. The chicken fingers were the worst, barely covered in breading and the breading that actually was there was completely saturated in oil. I strongly advise anyone who reads this to go elsewhere, especially with the amount of similar restaurants in the area. For sure, this will be my last trip to Kowloon.
(1)
Jeff C.

I have lived in New Hampshire, New York, Florida, California, North Carolina, Arizona and South Carolina. I have eaten ALOT of chinese food. If you want the best east coast chinese food you go to Kowloon. If you want the best West coast chinese food you go to Hunan in San bruno. Thats it.
(5)
Jesse S.

This place is an institution on the North Shore, but the quality of their food isn't really great. Very inconsistent. The food is better if you eat in than if you get take out, and the atmosphere is nice for a dinner out. The place is huge with a menu to match. I've tried many items on the menu over the years... I can't say there was ever anything I tried that was BAD, but there was never anything exceptional either. Very friendly service and very accommodating to preferences. Not deserving of 3 stars, but if there was a 2.5 I'd give it to them! They support a lot of charities and always sponsor a graduating class from Saugus High School. I like to go there on nights where a percentage of profit is donated to a local cause. They have several private room options for a party or function. Again, very accommodating and great customer service. Note- if you go just to go to the bar, the drinks are STRONG!
(2)
Corona W.

This place sucks! I blame Phantom Gourmet for their incessant advertising on this place. I should have known better considering the restaurants they have been covering - or actually - the SAME few crappy restaurants they have been covering for the past few years. They must have some kind of bilateral arrangement going on -- whatever. Anyways, I guess our curiosity got the better of us because my family and I threw in the towel and checked Kowloon out a couple of years ago. I don't know. Maybe we were bored and looking for an adventure - like the time my dad tracked down a BBQ truck in the middle of Roxbury because he saw it on tv. (That was pretty good actually.) Anyways, the decor is sooooo tacky. It could have been fun back in the day but now it just looks run down and old. Seats are ripped and dirty. Upon entering, a Chinese waiter, with a look of incredulity, flat out asked us why we were there. He also nicely explained that the food probably wouldn't "suit our taste." He was totally nice about it and my dad and the waiter had an Asian bonding moment...Anyways, since we were there, we decided to give it a shot. We ordered the usual Americanized dishes, fried shrimp, crab rangoons, lo-mein, beef and broccoli, fried rice etc. Even those were just ok. I mean, I like my share of Americanized Asian cuisine but come on, there is a thing as too much soy sauce. The beef was so brown that it looked more like a piece of turd than beef. Also, the smell coming from the bathroom ALLLL the way from across the room kept wafting over during the meal. Can I say, "Ew?" That day, I had a great time spending time with my family and we had a nice discussion on Americanized Chinese food on the car ride home--- However, If anyone ever suggests this place again, I'd have to say - "HELLLLLL NO!"
(1)
Julie H.

Gross. This one deserves an acrostic poem I think. Krappy tasting food Overpriced Waiter ignored us most of the dinner. Long menu hard to navigate Overrated Ohhh my stomach hurts!!! Nothing special. I hated it.
(1)
Kelley K.

The 3 stars is for the lunch menu; it's still possible to get a good lunch here. I've been coming here for over 20 years and watched it go downhill. Drinks are overpriced and weak. That's not to say this will happen every time you go; you may get a good drink sometimes, but it's not consistent. Don't go expecting it. They premix their drinks and pour them out of plastic jugs, so I only order beer or shots when I'm here. The scorpion bowl I got the last time was pale orange, and tasted like pure fruit juice. Same with my banana daiquiri. I couldn't taste any rum at all. Prices have gone way up. $16.75 for shrimp and lobster sauce? That's the highest I've seen around the area. Decor is the same tiki chic, but that actually appeals to me. They do however, need to keep it cleaner, and ripped seating needs to be replaced. Waiters can either be nice and attentive, or surly. They've changed their menu and my friend and I found it difficult to read through and find the items we want. I like the family that owns this restaurant, and wish they'd put things back the way they were. I don't want to see them go the route of the Hillttop.
(3)
Carrie M.

This place is way over hyped. We showed up late on a Tuesday night following a concert and we were not impressed by the lukewarm greeting from the host or the wait we experienced while seeking to place our order. We ordered one of the pu pu platters and side of beef fried rice and neither were anything to write home about. The server seemed annoyed that we were there, a point that was driven home by the fact that he took at least 30 minutes to return to our table after delivering our food as he was too busy laughing it up out in one of the back rooms with some of the other customers. Not to mention the fact that the decor in the place was covered in about an inch of dust. Disgusting. We will not return.
(1)
Matt M.

Great place! The Food is always good, the drinks are cheap and the atmosphere is awesome!
(5)
amanda w.

We sat at the bar which was a nice shirt place with just the right amount of energy. Ended up getting a scorpion bowl for two which was a little small but good to say the least. The Saugus wings are to die for. General gau chicken is sweet with just the right amount of spice. The sushi is also very fresh. Our waiter was very quick and polite. Best service I've had in a long time.
(5)
Leena W.

Great Chinese food hands down. Very spacious can get a lil packed on the weekends but worth it. My must have are the Saugus wings, house special fried rice and crab Rangoon. I have sampled some other items off the menu which were also good but those 3 are my must haves I don't even need to look at the menu when i go and sometimes i wash it down with a Mai Tai which could be a lil stronger. The service is good and the food is great keeping in mind of course this is pretty much just a fancy Chinese restaurant.
(4)
Michael C.

Kowloon is a North Shore staple. It has a large menu, I might even call it the Cheesecake Factory of Asian American cuisine. They do a ton of different stuff here. Is it the best Chinese out there? No, but it is not bad either. Fun place to have a Scorpion Bowl with a group. They also have a comedy club inside as well. I've never been but when I drove by it said that Beetlejuice from the Howard Stern Show was going to be there on New Year's Eve. I don't know what that says but it says something.
(3)
Cathy S.

If you go for lunch, DO NOT order the lunch combinations. I truly believe they use their leftovers from night before. The meat was tough, cold and tasted reheated. The pork fried rice meat tasted bad and rice definitely not fresh. It was only 12:30 so I would have thought it would have been hot and fresh. I have gone in the evening and have not had this problem, so that is why I gave them 2 stars instead of 1.
(2)
Cristina C.

I don't understand what the fascination with Kowloons was back in the day but I'm done with it now! This was THE spot to go in HS after dances/proms. It is ginormous and that is probably why since all the other towns went there too. I've been here plenty of times and enough to know that the food is decent but the prices are ridiculous and you can get cheaper food elsewhere. I've attended a function up stairs, that space is huge! I want to have a party there! The bar is alright, they limit your drinks now which is dumb and there is always a cop detail. The parking lot is huge! But expect to park a good distance away on a weekend or night with a comedy show and its located on route one so it's pretty dang simple to get to.' I go every now and again, usually with large groups we go, reunion style gathering. They are accommodating but it takes a while, service is slow and choppy. I think the atmosphere is what really brings people in and they keep going back, even if it isn't the best place. The boat, the pictures of all the famous people, mood lighting, water fountains; all that stuff I think adds to it and makes people return because they're like always busy.
(3)
Patrick M.

What's to write about a place that has been a restaurant monument that most people don't know... I guess the only thing to share about Kowloon is to order the Saugus Wings. The sauce for them is bomb de la bomb bomb. You can just order a side dish of that sauce to go and it goes good on literally anything. I have used it for pork, fish, steak, stir fry and just rice dishes... it's money in the bank. The Grey Goose White Mai Thai's that they serve there are the balls as well. The bar area isn't great, but it is much better after they remodeled it over the summer. Besides that, I'm impressed that they have done as well as they have for as long as they have. They have decent run of the mill Polynesian style Asian food as well as a menu that has expanded into dictionary size in recent years. Gordon Ramsey would be bullshit if he went into there and had to look through the massive menu. The food isn't blow your socks off and I would honestly rate them a 3.5... but I have been going to the place since I was a kid and I still have family gatherings there. The memories there more than make up the last half point.
(4)
j s.

I order the sesame tofu almost every time I go,it's awesome. I like to dine in the room with the gross water fountain. The pirate ship is a good time too. You should see how silly this place is. Don't go here on a weekend night. The wait is too long.Seriously the locals have nothing better to do and it's like the whole town plus 3 towns surrounding it, all packed in there at once. I don't have the patience for that shit. They won't do separate checks for larger groups or deliver to the next town over(even though their take out menu says they do). So I end up bringing my business with large groups to other restaurants.
(3)
Winnie K.

I have not been here in a while, but my high school reunion was just held here. Great place to hold a function. It is a landmark in MA & there is so much parking here. I am not that crazy about the "Chinese" food. but their Sushi & Thai food is really good. the drinks are good & strong. It still pulls in a crowd after all these years of being open. They have the comedy club here too, which always pull in a great crowd. Just not a fan of their Chinese food
(3)
Tamar A.

Kowloon first came into my life when a good, trustworthy friend told me that we had to go to the place that was considered "the best Chinese food in Massachusetts." Chinatown? I had asked. Better! I was told. Saugus! This should have been my first indication that there is no way to come here unironically. This is the land of maraschino cherries, food set on fire, waitstaff in polyester tuxes who request that you order food by number, and drinks that arrive in thick plastic coconuts. And you know what? IT'S AWESOME. So wipe that judgmental puss off yer mug and come here for wonton soup that's covered in a thick layer of that perfectly neon pink around the edges pork, a plate of crab rangoon, some actually quite fresh and delicious sushi, and a mango daiquiri, which, for an extra few dollars, comes in a souvenir glass, all the better to enjoy the Kowloon splendor from home. They have testimonials from porn stars and two-way mirror bathroom stall doors. Not to mention weekly performances of the "Kowloon Komedy Club". Nice save, guys. Stay klassy.
(3)
Brandon N.

Have you ever wanted Chinese food like you used to get when you were a kid? Not the crazy greasy kind, or the KFC fried chicken kind but the kind that was the local place your mom ordered for Xmas dinner when you were a kid growing up? Those places have become almost extinct due to I am assuming new generations taking over. I had been in an epic search trying to kind good Chinese food....well my search is over! Kowloon adds the old with the new without substituting the flavor! Fast service, a huge menu, and delicious taste! No wonder they have been in business for so long! A true staple on route 1! I am hungry just writing about it!
(4)
Ron J.

It had been awhile since I was at the Kowloon. I was in the mood for some Szechuan so I brought my party here and we ordered a variety of Chinese-Szechuan-American favorites. Bland bland bland. The food was so tasteless and unsatisfying -- as if the people running this place couldn't care less and that we're all a bunch of suckers who can't distinguish good food from bad food. The same attitude was also projected by the gruff service. If it weren't for the Hot & Sour soup, the one decent stand-out, I'd give the Kowloon 1 star. As a restaurant, it's time to shoot the Kowloon and put it out of it's misery, as the saying goes. Everyone managing or working here has obviously been at it way too long. As a cheesy kitschy destination, I guess the Kowloon is still fun to laugh at while enjoying some drinks.
(2)
Mr. X.

The Official Kowloon Rating System- Did you grow up in Boston or any of the surrounding North Shore communities? Other than going to the Cape or New Hampshire, have you never ventured more than 10 miles outside the town where you grew up? Do you think the Phantom Gourmet is the final word in restaurant reviews? Do you have a Dan Andelman poster above your bed or Dave Andelman pajamas? If you answered yes to these questions- 5 STAR RATING If you answered no to these questions- 1 STAR RATING
(1)
Jake W.

Really tasty chinese food! Try it!! Visited 10/30/13 We hit this place kinda late and they were only serving a limited menu. We were hoping for something a little more exotic than the normal pu- pu platter but we tried it based on the fact that everything else we wanted was unavailable and the waiter said it was very good. Well....it was DELICIOUS, I was so pleasantly surprised! The food had a lot of flavor. We also ordered some noodle dish the waiter said he likes personally, it was also very tasty as well. The bone in spare ribs were so delicious I even ordered an extra order to go! I can not wait to go back the next time I am passing through Boston, next time I will skip the tiny little mai-thai cocktail for $8.50 though.
(4)
Julie M.

This review is for the Kowloon Comedy club. I went Saturday night and Tony V was excellent, no complaint there. There is no reason for them to pack people in the way they do. You have to sit in your seat and you have a table on your back with the people behind you. You really can't move. The people behind me spilled their beer and since your chair is right against their table it went all down my back. They apologized and it wasn't their fault. I can't believe that it's not a fire hazard. There is no reason why they can't leave 6 inches for you to move. I did call the next day and all they said was I'm sorry. I will never go back there again. Also the food they serve at the Comedy club is not as good... don't waste your time. I will go to Giggles at Prince next time.. their seating is much more comfortable.
(1)
Melanie B.

This place is what I called really really bad Chinese food! The decor is Polynesian but the menu has American and Chinese dishes. We ordered the Pu-Pu Platter which comes with deep fried shrimps, BBQ pork (didn't resemble anything close to it), buffalo wings, onion rings, egg rolls, and Chinese BBQ spare ribs. Yes, this dish is screaming heart attack! I only ate a couple of the items and decided I better stop. It was way too greasy and the food didn't do anything for me. I almost wanted to puke eating a bite of the egg roll. It didn't taste anything like an authentic Chinese egg roll. This is a very White town, so I guess this is as best as Chinese food can get. Yuck and I will never recommend this place to anyone. Also, their glasses are small, so I had to ask for a couple of paid refills.
(1)
Ellen H.

I love Kowloon - great for a date or a night out with friends. I have had many, many great experiences at Kowloon, but for the sake of description, I'll just recap the outing I had two weeks ago: My boyfriend, his brother, a friend of mine and I all went to Kowloon around 10pm strictly for a night out. The parking lot was PACKED, but we were seated as soon as we walked in. Our waiter was adorable, and offered lots of suggestions when we asked him. I placed an order for crab rangoons and they were out almost as quickly as he went to place the order (but they weren't super-greasy or luke-warm like they had been sitting out). We started with the coconut drinks -- be warned, these drinks are not coconuts filled with your drink! These are coconuts, yes, but with a section inside for a small plastic cup with your drink in it... womp, wompppp. No good - went through that thing WAY too quick for a $17 drink. Next! (We got the rum punch and it was delicious, I definitely wish there was more of it!) We then ordered two fishbowls, which we had ordered last time we went to Kowloon so we knew what to expect: a small (as fishbowls go) bowl filled with blue liquid. Can be pretty dangerous, but we were cut off after we had ordered 3 for the table (among the 4 of us...) which seemed a LITTLE bit premature, since it was within an hour of last call. That is my only complaint on the restaurant-side. Our waiter brought us over some little wonton chips without being asked, which was a nice little munchie snack. The only downside besides being cut off was the prom that arrived about 15 minutes after we got there and was seated right next to us. It was fun for a little while to watch the kids dance, but they were so loud and obnoxious it got old, quickly. However this isn't the restaurant's fault, and if we had really hated it that much, I'm sure we could have moved. For me, maybe it's because I grew up eating Kowloon, or because I love scorpion bowls, fish bowls, and mai tais, but whatever it is, I think the novelty of Kowloon remains and I will be going back for more!
(4)
Natalie T.

Was dragged here by a friend who loved it. There were 4 of us and we ordered a lot of food, which came out in about 15 minutes, leading me to know it was just heated up. I don't think the crab Rangoon is worthy for dogs to eat. The waiter rushed us in and out, we stayed inside for about 30 minutes at the most.
(1)
Days G.

will only come here if i have to. my friend was a waitress here for years, and she wont even eat there. you can literally taste that the pork fried rice was just added some water and microwaved. GOOD DRINKS THO!
(2)
Stephenie B.

LOVE THE PLATTER WITH ALL THE FRIED GOODNESS. And the spareribs are to die for. The service is slow....but once you place your order the food comes out in like 10 minutes! This is probably one of the largest chinese restaurants I have been to. Love it and even though they have a dance floor and the live entertainment is cheesy. It is a fun place to go if you have kids and you can have a fancy drink to get rid of the chessiness of it all. P.S. Bathrooms are DISGUSTING!!!!! And to the lady who changed her kid and left her poopy diaper on the counter by the sink.....you are disgusting!!!!!! Pick up after your kid!!! Or find a trashcan be civilized for goodness sake!
(4)
Michelle B.

Horrible, greasy, over-priced! Our whole group was sick all night after eating here....I can't believe people come back here!!
(1)
Edward C.

Kowloon. This place has been talked about by many. The other night was my first time going. Join one south shore man for his adventures (cue Indiana Jones theme music here.....) Edward and the Temple of Kowloon...................... Right this way, Dr. Jones.............. I have to confess, I asked a lot of people I know and read a lot of reviews here before going to Kowloon. I have seen/heard everything from "greatest place on earth!" to "the most horrible place on earth!". I had to go in with an open mind. There was a group of 4 of us going for a friend's birthday. It was a Friday night and the place was hopping. I entered the doorway flanked by 2 great big white granite lions. What met me inside felt like a mix of the old Honoloul restaurant (it was in Norwood,MA for those who have ever lived in or been to the south shore.....) with a slight sports motif (did I really just use motif in a review? Oh well........). We were led back by the hostess toward what is known as the pirate ship section of the restaurant. Going past some pictures of sports figures, with a Boston Bruins painted electic guitar, I knew I wasn't going to forget the night. We were seated at a table quickly and greeted by Mike, our waiter. Let me tell you, this guy has a sense of humor and made the night fun. He was cracking some jokes and trying to get everyone in a good mood. One of my friends, who was originally from China, started speaking to Mike in her dialect. He responded, but then started asking all of us (in English) various questions on what we wanted to order. I happened to be next to him and could understand all of what he was saying. They couldn't, but then again they were further away. Oh yeah, and we hadn't even started drinking yet. :-) So, our drinks arrived. I ended up ordering 2 saki throughout the night. It was served nice and hot. Definitely strong, and it is good we had food to go with it. We went with a pu pu platter, a shrimp seafood dish, and their famous chicken dish which comes in a half pineapple (can't recall the name of it right now.). I have to say the food tasted alright. It seems to be your standard americanized chinese food. It has enough flavor to it. Although to be honest I think the place near me delivers better quality. Funny thing is, the more I drank, the better the food tasted. :-) The atmosphere was definitely unique. We were surrounded by young and old, hipster and gangsta, familes, single people, sports nuts, drunk and sober. As I lookeed around I realized "wow! I am eating chinese food near a ship's mast!!!!! silver spheres hang from the ceiling in the next room and it feels like a microcosm of humanity." Not that this was a bad thing at all. Bottom line is this. I would return with a group of people. Our waiter was great, the food was ok, and that is why the 3 star rating. Look, your not really going for the food so much as the experience. As far as price goes, it came out to about $40 per person with 2 drinks each and tip included. Would I call this the abosolute best place I have ever been? No. Would I recommend that everyone at least experience this once in their lives? Yes. It's an adventure. And............(cue dramatic movie trailer theme closing music)..... I will return.
(3)
J S.

The Good: - The best chicken fingers at a Chinese restaurant hands down. Loaded with meat and never too much coating. - The tempura lobster tails are also worth checking out. - Cool Atmosphere. Lots to look at and lots of crazy people. It's fun watching the drunks babble. Plenty of stimulation for those with ADD, maybe too much. - Plenty of seating The Bad: - Busy - Loud
(4)
Christopher S.

I have to be the odd man and give Kowloon 4 stars here. A long time ago in Framingham there was a restaurant called Hawaiian Village that was located on Route 30 heading towards Wayland just after the Mass Pike on-ramp. This was a place that my family went to for many, many years. What I loved about this place was the super-friendly staff and that fact that there were no windows. I don't know why but there is something about that feature I just enjoy. Hawaiian Village had large, heavy wooden door that lead straight to a hostess who would taken you into the single dining room with gold wall paper and bamboo furniture. As you can tell I that place was a big part of my childhood but sadly closed a long time ago and since then I've been looking for its replacement. So, tonight I wanted to go out with my girlfriend to Kowloon despite the low reviews from other Yelpers. The picture had me sold on going out for dinner here by themselves which I am not sure is a good thing. Never judge a book by its cover but I thought, "be adventurous." It is best to come here sometime in the later evening after the traffic has gotten a chance to die down. From the highway you can see the large TIKI statue into view and before you know it you are there. There is plenty of parking here and on first impression you will think the wait here will be very long, but remember this is also an entertainment complex (according to the website). When I entered through the front door I was immediately confused. I couldn't tell which way was the dining room. To the left you see a staircase that goes up, followed by a Sushi bar then to the right is a Sake bar (I think) but just keep walking straight and you'll be greeted. I have to say that I actually like how over-the-top tackiness this place is. When I saw the pictures online I was reminded of the place Henry Hill and Tommy DeVito burn up in the movie Goodfellas. A Hawaiian theme restaurant with outdated decor. I'm not sure how long this place has been here but it doesn't look like things have changed much in recent years. As we made our way to our table we passed as large indoor water fountain and what looked like the deck of a ship complete with sails. Some, not all, tables actually had fake Hawaiian leis waiting for customers but commonly there were tables of 8 or more. When my girlfriend and I sat down our waiter was quickly at our table ready to take our drink order. Now how classy can you get when the larger drinks have the text "YOU CAN TAKE THE GLASS HOME" below the drink of your choice? For the price you are paying you why not keep the glass?! So, we ordered the Zombie for 2 which was a powerful drink full of POW! Two extra long straws shoved deep in the ice filled glass which read "KOWLOON Saugus, MA" on one side. The menu here is very big divided into 5 different sections. Take your time looking over each section but honestly I think most people here will choose what they know: standard Chinese food. Be bold and select something new that you haven't tried before. You might be surprised what you get. For dinner I was one who stuck to the standard order: Peking Ravioli, Scallion Pie, Kowloon Adventure (Egg Roll, BBQ Spareribs, Pork slices), Won-tons, Roast Pork Fried Rice and Bor Lor Guy Pan (something new). Now I have to stress that anyone who knows me or had read my review of Chinese restaurant that I am on a never-ending quest to find the perfect Egg Roll. Well, I am happy to report that tonight I had found it here a Kowloon. Kowloon is now the second place that makes Egg Roll exactly as I like them: Extra Crispy Shell filled with veggies and shredded port meat! If you ever find yourself in Framingham order some from Sabrina Wong III on Water Street and you'll see what I mean. Kowloon is not for everyone as you see by the low reviews but I am one of the few who enjoy its tacky decor, tourist attraction, Las Vegas feeling restaurant. Keep it coming Kowloon!
(4)
Ethan L.

This is the living example of a place that is all big bells and whistles, spending more money on decor than what comes out of the kitchen (or in this case the freezer and the can). The only reason I ended up in this hell hole was cause the person I was travelling with had an affiliation for tiki. So a giant tiki pole outside suckered her in to go try it out and then shelter from the rain. Mind you this was sometime ago I ate here but let me tell you... This simply proves to me that Chinese food is not something that is ever good once you land in New England. Entrees of heated up frozen seafood. My friggin dish had canned CANNED mushrooms.. oh god are you f**King kidding me?!! You actually SERVE this stuff? On top of that the place is setup as a nightclub and we ended up seated at near a dance floor, and the place was packed and DEAFENING... what the hell is this? So I am suppose to eat this horrible food with stupid radioactive sour-mix drinks and loud music pumping in my face??? Don't friggin think so... Avoid.... like the plague. ..
(1)
Robert G.

****DISGUSTING !!!!!!**** Should be called the COW-LOON!! Way over priced, outdated pit having no quality control/consistency, and being one of the most disgusting restaurants ever! Their Chinese food tastes like it literally came straight from the dumpster and wouldn't serve it to my cat!! The Poo Poo platter apps such as the pork strips, beef teriyaki aka rat teriyaki, homeless spareribs etc all taste over a week old and warmed over in the microwave and deep fryer 4 times already, giving it that nice consistency of tree bark. Not fresh at all. They use old leftover product or just plain low grade meats and seafood. My dad tried offering me some of his leftovers, such as the shrimp tempura, and it smelled like pure a**! We threw it away or we both would have been sick for sure. The Thai Grill portion of the restaurant is also using leftovers, and that food is supposed to be cooked fresh every time! The chicken strips in the Thai Fried rice was totally disgusting, it was so old it had a grayish tint to the meat along with tasting like a piece of rubber. Fancy Pineapple chicken dish also didn't taste fresh and was wayyy over sauced to mask the dry chicken. This place only attracts the drunkin meat heads without any taste buds. If you care about your health, stay away!. I'm so glad I didn't come down food poisoning... yet
(1)
Ash D.

I just went here with my friend for the first time in like five years. We were seated immediately which I thought was nice because the place seemed pretty crowded(even for 11 p.m on a Wednesday night...) The menu was weird. I was hoping to get a combo plate with chicken fingers, boneless ribs, & pork fried rice but apparently they don't do that? I asked the less-than amused waiter about it and he said I could order the chicken fingers and add rice onto it... that would have been $14 which is a little ridiculous. So we ordered one of the appetizers that came with a little of everything. The food was REALLY good though! The chicken fingers here are greasy, but they don't have all of that nasty batter in them either! I thought the chicken wings were really good too. They were loaded with chicken which is something that you rarely get with wings. Bottom line being I think the menu stinks because you end up paying a lot of money just to get little portions of the threee things that you want. The service is fast & the food is good.
(3)
Erica T.

I'd been hearing about Kowloon for ages from the ranks of my friends. Never went on my own until most recently when it became the funventure destination of myself and Miss Amy K. I liked the expansiveness of the menu, though it did make deciding difficult. I opted for the basic Kowloon Combination appetizer sampler--a variety of my Americanized Chinese food favorites so I could accurately judge how the food was. It was amazing! The pork spareribs were smoked and not overly saucy or greasetastic which frequently occurs. The friend wontons were standard as well as the chicken wings. The spring roll was another standout contender, and the presentation with the top literally left on fire, was fabulous. My companion had the tangerine beef, which was scrumptious. We split the Saugus Wings which were TO DIE FOR. Best sweet and tangy garlicy chicken wings I've ever eaten. Wonderful, and I'm salivating just thinking about it! We both opted for drinks in the take-home souvenir glass, which were just delicious tiki drinks. I absolutely MUST have a drink in a souvenir coconut next time! The bartenders know what they're doing, and as it's a kitchy tiki bar, why not play along with the theme? The prices were not cheap, but the portions where ginormous! I had another meal out of my appetizer sampler, as well as my friend with her food. I can't wait to come back here! In fact, I'm thinking of belatedly skelebrating my birthday here :)
(4)
S T.

I will not be returning here. I've been 3 times, first time was great. The 2nd time I went my app came out cold, I got up to go to the bathroom and I came back to my food (that I wasn't finished with was already packed up. My boyfriend said they just took it without even asking. So after that i figured we would give them another try. There were 3 of us, all ordering drinks, getting a good amount of food. It took forever for someone to come over and take our order, and when he did it felt like we were an annoyance. We finished our food and asked for 3 more drinks and after our drinks came so did our bill. We were never asked if we were all set, or if we wanted anything else, he just brought over our bill, and by the way we were not finished!!! How rude!! Needless to say I will not be returning to this place ever again.
(1)
Jack M.

I will never understand the draw of this place. I will never understand why people go here. Sure - it LOOKS impressive, this huge building on a hill on Rt 1 in Saugus looming over the traffic. They really churn out the food and people too. They keep it moving. This place is so bad, it's good. But I don't mean that in a good way. It's bad. We went Saturday night for lack of being able to choose where to go and figuring we'd see how this farce would be for 2 to dine. It was super-crowded, but we only waited maybe 10 minutes for a table. This place is mass-produced asian food for white people, and that allows them to get you in and out. Inside is a crummy fountain thing - and all kinds of kitch crap on the walls and tacky decorations. The menu is ENORMOUS - so big you'll never be able to decide what to get. Few pictures - so forget trying to figure out what some of the items are. "Bread upon request" so we asked for some. The waiter looked at us like we had 3 heads between the pair of us. The bread was the best part of the meal. We got an appetizer of the rangoons which were ok- fried rice was good - and 2 chicken dishes that were surprisingly similar. Lame. At least they give you a lot of this garbage. We had tons to take home, then throw out. I would never choose to go here again. We went for a laugh, because the place just looks so ridiculous. These giant chinese/whatever restaurants are a joke to me.
(1)
Ricky R.

I hate this DAMN place! Over rated POS Chinese restaurant. Over priced ishy ass Chinese food that comes out cold every time. It never fails. I order food from the waiter (with their ishy ass attitudes) and just like magic he comes out in 15 sec with my big ass order of all the good Americanized chinese dishes we love. I swear they have a vat full of chicken wing, ribs, crap rangoons, and so on... Their food is comparable to buffet food but worse in my opinion. Great place for groups but other than that THIS PLACE SUCKS! POS!!! Step it up Kowloon, ROZAY JUST PUT YOU ON BLAST!!!! BOOM!!! 0 STAR FO YOU
(1)
Sarah B.

I had seen the Kowloon on Phantom Gourmet and really wanted to give it a try. I love asian food- especially a good sushi roll. Unfortunately the prices were a little high in my opinion. Also, when I was ordering sushi they didn't have good explanations of what each roll was made of so I accidentally ordered fish eggs. It was an adventure but not what I wanted. Overall, the food was good but I think it was priced a little high. Oh, and the drinks are KILLER but really good. Also a bit expensive but worth it.
(3)
George B.

Drinking the Polynesian Punch... As I close on my second year of living in Mass, I started to look back at eateries that I haven't tried. I have driven, weaved and curesed driving down Rt 1 I must have passed Kowloon a thousand times. I can honestly say that I never once felt the urge to stop and eat. I have allergies to tacky. This place screams big time tacky. Around lunch time, the co-workers and I were discussing our meal options. For some unknown reason I suggested Kowloon. What was I thinking? I guess I thought this might be an adventure. Traffic was light on Rt 1 so arriving was a snap. There seemed to be plenty of cars in the acres of parking but in the insided there wasn't many people. I didn't take a census inside but the cars to patron ration was 2-1 cars to patrons. The decor of this place screams early 1970's. I could almost close my eyes and imagine Bruce Lee in a Kung Fu action flick from the time. Red table clothes and napkins adorned the tables. It appeared a little untidy and must have seen brighter days. The booths had some serious length working too. I am pretty sure you could fit eight adults easy! The lunch menu seemed pretty reasonable. I went with the #13 - SS Chicken, Veggies and Rice. The service was lightening fast and my order was first out of the chute. The Chicken was tasty, Rice was just ok, and the Veggies didn't work for me. In all it was pretty ordinary experience. I can now say I have been to Kowloon but can't see it becoming a staple any time soon...
(3)
Chrissy H.

Sure there are little tiki hut like booths, water fountains, palm trees... but that doesn't make up for the horrible food. Yucky! The chow foon was super greasy and had no flavor, the spring rolls had a minimal amount of cabbage and a lot of grease. The best part of my meal was the tap water.
(1)
John F.

I will have to disagree with other statements about this place. This place has in fact stood still in time. I find most Polynesian type places highly overrated, and this was by far the worst I've ever experienced. I had better food at hospitals, the decor was cheesy and seriously old, and the place literally smelled like my Grandmother's linen closet. Aside from that...the service was horrendous. Our waiter, if you could call him such, was rude and unhelpful. He actually "huffed" at us when we asked him for something. If the food was at least flavorful, I might suggest this place. But otherwise, you should just order in from a respected Chinese delivery joint and save yourself the hassle. My girlfriend and I joked about the fact that EVERYTHING tasted like it was frozen and that the kitchen consisted of nothing more than 25 microwaves and a couple super sized walk in fridges. I didn't get to confirm this but I wouldn't be shocked. The review should be considered null and void under one condition...it is super late, nothing else is open...and you are too drunk to care. That is the only "pro" I can list is how late it is open.
(1)
Victoria J.

Ummm, right. Driving up Rt. 1 you see this building and go.. WTF? I've been here several times, mostly for the novelty of it when I was in high school - recently for my work Christmas party. Can't say I would ever really want to set foot in here again. Yeah the decor is outta control cheesy, and yeah after a few drinks it somehow starts to make sense, but why is that every time I eat here I feel an uncontrollable urge to want end it all. The food really isn't great tasting, nor is it prepared phenomenally. And my chicken tastes exactly like your shrimp dish...and his pork dish. Yeah, I think I am all set. Christmas rolls around and someone in the office thought it was a grand idea to have the office party here. Why? I don't know. I really can't explain it. So we go upstairs to the function hall, have our office party with 4 other office parties. We share watered down drinks and that awful food in copious, buffet style portions. All in all, OK. I can deal with this for an hour and a half, maybe two hours. And then the comedian came on...AWFUL. Awful awful awful. All you got was pussy jokes, and the clinking of people's dinnerware. Believe me that sitting next to my 60yr old Admin who goes to Church every Sunday & hearing pussy jokes was not my idea of comfortable, let alone a good time. Yeah. Good choice on that one guys.
(2)
Vanessa P.

I think some of my love of this place comes from fond childhood memories. It had been a few years since I had been there, and since moving back to the area I was excited to return. The place is just how I remember it, good for childhood memories but maybe needs some updating. The place was packed but we were seated in 10 minutes and although they move fast, you never feel rushed. The food was good American version of Chinese food (average for the area) and you get a ton of it for the price. I wouldn't come here for anything authentic. It came out hot and quick. Everything was clean including the bathrooms. It does host large parties and families so it can get noisy. Overall I was happy but can understand how other people might feel differently.
(3)
Niki M.

I hit up the 'loon, not for the delicious cuisine (cuz, uh, no), but for the cheeky ambiance (cuz, hell yeah). Aside from actually dining on a ship at sea, you will never feel closer to your fantastical pirate/polynesian/giant-plates-of-seasoned-meats fantasy (sans the motion of the ocean). Everyone loves cheap plastic palm trees, colorful stringed-lights, and the girliest of girly polynesian drinks (at equally cheap cost). Also, this place is your jam if you like to roll 10-35 deep. For realz, they can seat you and your entire posse. The menu is of impressive length and girth, but it's all fried in the same vat of oil, if you catch my drift. Situated in a mini Vegas-like strip of gigantically-neon-signed restaurants along rt. 1 (my favorite is the giant cactus further down the road), Kowloon is trashy fun.
(2)
Ruth B.

Had sushi there tonight and it was really yummy.Also had a couple of scorpion bowls which were good too just wish the one for two people were a bit bigger and had the flaming 151 shot in the middle.
(4)
Robyn G.

I've been here a few times, once for a joint birthday party (my own) with about 20-25 people. They were very accommodating and cheezy as it might seem to some, I really enjoyed the faux tropical ambiance. Re; The place is meant to be a fun experience, not a classy one. Honestly, the food is mediocre, but the menu is large, so there's alot to choose from. The drinks are strong, which young people tend to love, but definitely not made with top shelf booze i.e. if I drank more than two I'd probably have gotten sick. I definitely wouldn't go on a first date here or anything, but if you have a group of friends that want to casually grab a bite during a night out, you'd probably enjoy it here. Also, I should note as a vegan, I was able to find something to eat here without a problem.
(4)
Dan G.

I love Saugus. Kowloon isnt horrible..its your standard chinese restaurant with a cute little pond inside. Its great for kids and families and the food is also fairly good. It probably wouldn't be my first pick, but maybe second or so.
(3)
George M.

This so called institution is clearly living off its past laurels. I've been coming here since I was a little kid. The food now is vastly overpriced and they have the worst Mai Tai's I've ever had. They are overpriced with very little alcohol. There are much better neighborhood restaurants in our suburbs.
(2)
L S.

This place is overrated. Their food is sooo greasy. Rarely fresh. Decor is so old. I rarely go, only to meet friends or go w/a group of people.
(1)
Ron H.

I wanted to eat at this place for awhile. Every time I drive by, the parking lot is always crowded and the place looked big. I think this place is great if you haven't a bowel movement in days! While I admire the copious choices of Asian dishes (Thai, Japanese, Korean, and even American dishes) Kowloon misses the mark on service and quality. It's hard to mess up egg rolls, but kudos to Kowloon for doing so. We took the rest of the food home, and it stunk up the car so bad that we had to stop by the McD's next door to throw it out. If you are looking for variety of foods that can cause you to poo, this is it.
(2)
Dereck B.

This is the place. the place they all tell you about. Its an amazing mash of asian and tiki. I can't begin to describe how amazing this place is. This place makes me cry its so awesome.
(5)
Dana B.

Kowloon specializes in every type of Chinese food available, including my favorite: Polynesian. This type has become increasingly difficult to find especially done well! A pupu platter and some crab rangoons later, we were in polynesian heaven! We were a little daring and got some fancy drinks purely for the novelty of it. And they were the strongest drinks ever. If you're like me and hate the taste of alcohol, don't order a drink. I still am not even sure why I did!!
(4)
Betty P.

Being Chinese American myself, I really want to be loyal to The Wongs who own Kowloon's . . . but after a serious bout of food poisoning the day before my birthday 3 years ago, I must be honest and upfront with my review of their long-lived establishment. Ready??? This is some of the worse Chinese food ever!! I know it's Americanized Chinese food, so I am not knocking Kowloon for that (love King Fung and other "Americanized" places) . . . the food here ranges from tasteless to too salty and is often greasy and just plain inedible. A couple of coworkers and I went to sample this place for a company holiday party in '05 or '06 and out of the five of us, there wasn't one person who didn't grimace at their food. I mean, how often does everybody in your party make funny faces because of the cuisine. Of course, later that day and evening, I felt the effects of eating here. I had never had food poisoning before so I actually thought I was dying at first. It was the worse I have ever felt in my life. Turns out another co-worker got sick too. So the following day, my bday, I crawled into work and gave my two cents about the place. Needless to say, we unanimously decided we were definitely not going to K's for our holiday party. (And then my boss sent me home because usually that's a good rule of thumb when your employees are green in the face.) My friends and I often wonder how this place has survived over 50 years. They obviously have a local following and Phantom Gourmet has a secret pact with Kowloon's. If the Andelman brothers and all of the other people who go back to this place really think this is the best Chinese food that the greater Boston area has to offer, then I would be more than happy to introduce them to at least a dozen other places where they can get wicked good crab rangoons or pork fried rice AND not have to hurl after their meal. I love dive places and hole in the wall places, but this place is dirty and too nasty for me to ever come back.
(1)
Lux P.

I flew into Boston for a friend's wedding and promptly told him we needed to go to Saugus. "Why the fuck do you want to go to Saugus?" The reason was simple: The Kowloon is a tiki institution and that's where it is. The place was giant and well decorated, the food was a shatty flavorless pile, and the sea hag at the keno/lottery counter who was also supposed to be selling shirts was a complete fucking #%&*! One star for the tiki mugs I bought. Another for the fairly decent drinks(drink, don't eat) And minus 3 for food, grumpyoldwhite keno bitch, and the fact that I made a carload of California people go to Saugus!
(2)
S D.

Good place for stiff drinks in a fun & tacky atmosphere... (and great people watching!) but the food is barely edible. Mostly everything is pre-made in bulk, and/or old, unless you request that a dish be modified... For example: -Order fried rice: get a pile of old/cold fried rice. -Order fried rice with no onions: get a pile of freshly fried rice made to your specifications (but still below average). You get the idea.
(2)
Graham H.

I like to consider myself a student of Polynesian pop culture. I've been to the Mai Kai in Florida, the Jasmine Tree in Oregon and the Tiki Ti in California to name a few places. When I found drove by the Kowloon while shoe shopping, I was stunned that it wasn't on my radar. An occasion soon came up that called for eating out someplace different so we went to Kowloon. This is not a place that has stood still in time, and it has definitely changed with the times in order to stay in the thick of things. Sadly, there aren't many tikis here, they've presumably been replaced by all of the celebrity memorabilia that greets you as you enter. Going through the dining hall, it almost seems as the establishment went through a phase of detikification at some point. The food was surprisingly good given other reviews here. The lo mien was a disappointment though as they used some strange flat noodles in it. The drinks were a bit of a let down. I can make much more well balanced drinks at home. I did only try two of their drinks, and I should try a couple more before passing final judgment, but I'll probably stick to drinking tiki drinks at home. I'm glad that I went, but I'm not eager to return. If the opportunity presents itself, I'll go willingly, but I won't make special plans to return right away.
(3)
Marcos M.

Price was ok but the service and food were terrible. The restaurant overall was a bit dirty and where we sat it smelled a bit funky. The Asian waitress was rude and non accommodating. The spare ribs tasted nothing like pork! It had a strong odor and it might have been not cleaned properly or it was just old meat. I hope it wasn't a "different animal..." The rest of the food was average. Save a trip and order from your local Chinese take out...
(1)
Chris P.

Having been to this restaurant a number of times through the years, and then again once recently, I can say with conviction that I'm convinced the only reason it stays in business is because it caters to young people who want to get plastered drinking scorpion bowls who don't really care what they're eating to go along with it. The food is universally bland and un-interesting. None of it is horrible per se, but if I want truly mediocre Asian I'll look in a mall food court somewhere. Avoid avoid OK!
(1)
Mary S.

BEWARE!!! DO NOT eat at kowloons! They served me rotten chicken wings in pu pu platter on 1/4/2013! After I told them they only ffered to Replace wings with fingers and they brushed it off and laughed it off saying the chicken was prob in freezer too long!or at least thats what it sounded like. Believe me, that was not freezer burn! I'm just sorry I didn't press issue and demand my money back...I was charged full price! FYI had to eat raw garlic and drank freshly squeezed lemon juice and still don't feel well. Will never return ! I asked fr mgr but mngr never came over. They are rude and pretend not to understand! The waiter was young and polite though so I tipped him well. Can't blame wait staff for the food or mngmnt! They get 1star for waiter.
(1)
K S.

Drive by almost everyday and this place is always packed with cars! Must be good. I've only had the sushi and padthai here. Both are excellent. The seafood salad is not skimpy on the seafood at all.. very flavorful. The Pad Thai is the best I ever had! I havent tried the chinese food yet but Im sure its good.
(4)
mark g.

Made trek to the our annual Easter lunch. You really can get the same chinese food at the locale corner jint, but how can you pass up the North Shore experience? The Revere big hair, big heals, Jersey Shore wannabe's? The extended family outings with the 2 year old grand kids testing their vocal cords? (the waitress even had enough and had to tell the kids to quiet down) The mishmash of other people consuming the normal fare of MSG laddened "food." The indoor pool and ship. Why not make the indoor pool area a koi pond? We got the "number 2" puu puu platter. Very goo. Pork fried rice, chicken lo mein, lobster sauce and chikcen with broccoli. These plates were ok, not the usual for some reason. Flavor seemed off, maybe too premade slop wating fo the hungery Easter mob? We'll see how they do next year.
(2)
Shawn F.

Kowloon has pictures of all these famous people that have visited the restaurant and I don't understand why they chose to come here. The food is very average. I have experienced much better Asian cuisine elsewhere. This place is huge though. The parking lot is always full of cars. I don't understand the fascination with this place. I have come here many times for graduation parties and family gatherings and we always order "Chinese" food...AKA: Fried food and stuff you smother with duck sauce. One of the popular choices for this type of food is the pu pu platter. There are a few different options for pu pu platters but they all come with your standards: chicken wings, spareribs, egg rolls, fried shrimp, etc. This food is all average, but at least gives you the opportunity to have a few different kinds of meat and flavors. The chicken wings were normal, basically covered in grease. I was actually impressed with the spareribs. The meat was decent, but didn't fall off the bone as well as it should have, but the sauce used was better than I have had. It was a bit sweeter than normal. Highlight of the meal. One bite into the egg roll from a friend and it was thrown back onto the table. I was a bit frightened. The chicken lo mein was also a bit slimy and had too much other stuff in it. The chicken was also a bit fatty. Overall, this place isn't that cheap. I would say it's over popular for the price and quality of the food, but maybe i'll try something besides American Chinese food. I gotta keep going till I get my picture up there with the celebrities, right between The Rock and Barney the Dinosaur.
(3)
Julia C.

You don't go to Kowloon for the food - you go for the crazy atmosphere and the awesome tropical drinks! This is a fantastic place for a birthday party or a celebration of any kind - kids welcome! Try to sit in the boat if you are with a big group!
(4)
Paul S.

It's All Good Here...! I lived on this food as a boy. My Mom was a Head waitress here for almost 20 years. Back in the 70's and 80's. My mom would bring home shopping bags of Kowloon food every night. It's a bit pricey now. The Food is still the Best Chinese food in the Greater Boston area. No one comes close. I eat here on special occasions. My Picks: Saugus Wings, Teriyaki nuggets, Chicken lo mein
(4)
leah r.

This is just ok chinese food. Everything comes out in 10 minutes or so. Not bad, but got great.
(3)
Craig C.

"Cappy , you better come outside." Your wife is with a guy who we're definitely not letting in and she needs your help." That's how it began......and somehow it ended at Kowloon. I thought I was about to start the rest of my night entitled "Mr. C's Wild Ride" at Paddy o's with about 20 close friends after a very successful singles event at the Hooley House. But alas it was not be. I somehow ended up carrying a stranger (to me) up the street, across the street, stop so he could wet himself, stop again to argue with a bouncer from the Bell and Hand about whether i should get him an ambulance, waiting for the ambulance guys to convince him to go to the hospital, get his address out of him after he wouldn't go to the hospital. (are you guys getting the picture?) Placing him in my car and GPS ing his address after he gave me the wrong one again. Anyway, got him home in Stoneham where i really had no initial intention of going pretty much EVER . Now we were hungry. What's still open now on the North Shore? Kelly's? nah Hey Kowloon! Ambiance is priceless. I love it. (read the other reviews) The late night bar was packed on a Thursday with a older North Shore crowd. We ordered Peking Ravioli, Eddie Andelmans Lo Mein, and a Beef w/ black bean sauce. D - scusting. The worst Chinese in the history of China. and China has a loooong history.ok it was late. Maybe the bus boy takes over when the chef goes home. I don't know. But the "black bean sauce" was mud. The lo mein noodles were hard and like fettucini not noodles. ug I'm literally still sick the next day. My night started out great. I'll just focus on that right now. I'm nauseous. oh and the Phantom Gourmet says this place rocks every week. seriously guys? Maybe they'll name a dish after you just like your dad some day. The Andelman sons smelly dumplings or something. Why are they smelly? oh cause they're full of crap. Like you guys.
(2)
Melissa M.

I don't enjoy this place. I don't like anything about it. I can't explain it, the food was so bad (we had a huge party with us about 30 people) and no one seemed to like their food. So we just drank and danced. Yes, they had a cheesy band I felt like I was in my big fat greek wedding, only in a cheesy chinese restaurant. This place looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the Carter Administration.
(2)
Kevin W.

There's no easy way to describe this north shore institution, which bills itself as a "premier multi-concept dining establishment" - a pronouncement that very well might be true. the mutli-themed behemoth includes Tiki Lagoon, Volcano Bay, Mandarin and Cliff Rooms... you get the idea. It's like Disney had sex with Polynesia and left the goofy-looking bastard to fend for itself in a random strip mall. I go for Wing's (Wing is the bartenders name) white mai ties and sushi at the front bar (at the takeout entrance), the drinks continuously improve the quality of my visits.
(5)
Laura R.

As avid lovers of Chinese food, we asked the waiter what he would recommend in terms of "real" Chinese food. He laughingly replied that they didn't serve "real" Chinese food and suggested that we order the General's chicken (which we didn't). The salt and pepper shrimp was good, the pork fried rice and the Kowloon seafood special were both just ok, and the mild case of food poisoning that we contracted seemed to pass relatively quickly. Good luck.
(2)
Lauren V.

Holy study in ostentatious! This place is like a shining beacon of tacky visible to all that drive down Rte. 1 in Saugus. Unfortunately, instead of "mmm...Chinese.." this place has more of the "what a stupid-looking building" effect. And that should serve as a deterrent. On any weekend night, this place is packed. As I went for someone's birthday and they had made reservations, we didn't wait too long. Just long enough to see the bro-skis with their brewskies; the hussied-up 50 year-olds and what looked to be the cast of Growing Up Gotti. Everywhere. The gaudiness (and Gotti-ness) continued as we were ushered to our table. OK, fake pond in the middle of the restaurant and random pieces of ship jutting out of the wall. I can dig. It was a bit loud in here but hearing each other at the table didn't prove to be too much of a problem. The menu is huge. Not huge, colossal. Which is almost an annoyance. Yes, I appreciate the selection but the selection process ends up being a half hour event. If you have indecisive friends, go somewhere else, you will be here forever as they hem and haw over the menu. I ordered the Flaming Ambrosias. It was supposed to be battered shrimp in sauce served with fresh pineapple. All I could taste was sauce. Apparently the gods really like the taste of sweet and sour pungent sauce. Which is cool, but personally I wanted to taste the fresh pineapple that had been advertised on the menu. I could barely eat half of it because the sauce was so intense and filling.
(2)
Hanley R.

Nice place, big place!! Bar is very small though for the crowds that come. They should make it bigger. Huge menu, which may have hindered the quality of the food. Got sick here a few times, probably because of the huge portions of msg. Comedy club is nice. They should hold some more events here as it is built for that. Always packed and tough to get a seat on any night, so expect a wait. Overall, good food, not great...expensive drinks....and lots of celebrities.
(3)
Marc H.

I love cheese. And while the Kowloon Restaurant doesn't serve many meals with it, you really can't get away from it here, as the restaurant is beyond cheesy. Think of it as a tacky uber-Polynesian restaurant which includes some of the best (and worst) of the always-interesting Route 1 in Saugus has to offer. The food at Kowloon can actually be pretty good, probably because they get so much traffic that the food is always being brought in fresh. Some of the dishes are a scream--the flaming ambrosia, for example, is made by hollowing out a pineapple, filling it up with duck sauce, and dropping chicken fingers into it along with pineapple chunks and maraschino cherries. The whole thing is then set on fire, making for an experience that one will not soon forget. Gotta love a place like this!
(4)
neil s.

Why aren't there Chinese restaurants like this in CT?
(5)
Michael S.

Well if your driving on Route 1 you cant miss it. Its a local go to around here. That night we had lo mein, pork fried rice, shrimp and beef nuggets. Overall its good but its such a circus act in there. They have 6 or seven dining rooms packed to the gills. Its a huge! Ill go back but not for the food, its great for groups.
(3)
Jeremy K.

stars equal two here (just trying to change it up!) ok, so the last time wifey and i ventured up rt 1 it was to somewhere else. not kowloon. tricked ya! or did i?? the reason we went somewhere else is cause the last time we went to kowloon, it really wasnt anything great. i wanted it too be, the pictures on the wall would indicate greatness, the lame PG would have you think so too, but im here to tell ya, you can do better. what is it about this place that draws em in? i dont know, i can think of at least 3 better chinese restaurants. but jerko, what about the rest of the 16 page menu and the 3 different kitchens and blah blah. i dunno, i think its all the same crap just going out different door. the pupu is not great, they dont do noodles and duck sauce on the table and the place is complete a madhouse when you want to eat. oh and its greasy too. me no rikey
(2)
Steven E.

If I could give "zero" stars to Kowloon, then I would. We choose Kowloon to celebrate a birthday. There were about 20 of us, so it was not small party. We made reservation in advance, and when we got there, the table was already set up for us. The place was easy to find. There is "Las Vegas" ambiance inside. The prices are not excessive, but expect to spend about $40 per person. The worst part about Kowloon is not the food, or decor, as some other people here noted, but its the unimaginably poor service. There were 4 wait staff servicing our table, and somehow between the 4 of them half of our drinks never made it to the table. A lot of our food got mixed up, and some food never made it out of the kitchen, because the waiter forgot to write it down. When we reminded him of that, he forgot about it again. How many times does this happen?? I guess often enough in Kowloon. The reason why this happens is because most of the wait staff barely know English. They can not answer any questions about the dishes, or what's inside of them. They will not take special requests, and you have to tell them the number of the dish you want 10 times, before they finally write it down correctly. Come on Kowloon, we know that it is cheaper to hire illegals straight from China, but at least make them learn Englsih before sending them out to the floor!!! Pathetic! Now, to the food. Many people in our party though the food was not good, but I, myself thought that the dish I got ( Pad Thai ) was pretty good, but again, no one can ruin that dish! ;) I had some sushi there, and it was OK, nothing spectacular. I'll agree with most on Yelp, that the drinks are creative, and taste good, so maybe this place is good to go for drinks. There are too many alternatives for me to visit this place again....
(1)
Paul F.

I really enjoy the Tai curry dishes and satay, also the general chao chicken is awesome. Not a fan of the beef terriyaki.
(4)
Bear Paw B.

What!?!? Only 3 stars? I give this 5 stars and would give more if I could! This is the best place, ever. No chinese food compares. We would eat here every single day if we could. We usually get the poo poo platter and pork fried rice, but whenever we have tried something "new" we still love it. The mai tai cocktails are super strong also. We went to the comedy shows before, which were not bad. We also went to Tony and Tina's wedding and the buffett dinner was delicious and it really is as much as you can eat. I rolled out that night! Overall, the place is enormous and we have never waited more than 15 minutes, but trust me, it is worth any wait!
(5)
Steve R.

Oy. Okay, as awful as this sounds, the people of Saugus/Malden/Revere are hooked on these huge restaurants that are filled with fat people and subpar food. To start, I'm a bit biased because I'm originally from New York, and I know good chinese food. But I'll do the best I can with Kowloon's. No matter when you go, the parking lot is always packed. To the very last space. When I came for the first time, I was so confused. "How can such a tiny looking restaurant accomodate all of these people?" However, on the inside, it's plainly obvious that Kowloon's has a lot more space than meets the eye. The problem is that every single space is packed with people! The lobby on a Friday or Saturday night is jammed, with people moving around like cattle. What makes it worse is the stupid comedy club upstairs. People waiting for a show or coming down from a show always crowd the lobby, and it makes for a difficult waiting experience. But to be fair, there have been occaisions when I've walked in and been seated immediately. Kudos to Kowloon's for having such a huge, diverse menu. With so many options and different styles of Asian foods, I had my hopes up. Sadly, the food is mediocre, at best. While it does come fast, that's about the only thing it has going for it. I mean, I understand that there are SO MANY PEOPLE that need their entrees and there's little time to make quality food. But it's just not good. There's no flavor, it's all Americanized chinese food for the masses, and I'm disappointed. Plus, it's overpriced, and certainly not worth it. My main problem with this place is the fact that no matter when you go, there's always some event going on. Birthday parties, pre or post-game dinners, there's always a gathering happening. And it's always loud. I mean, this is certainly the place to bring that large group, but it's annoying as hell to others in the restaurant, and it's quite distracting while trying to eat. Best bet is to ask to be seated in the smaller dining room immediately to the left when walking in. It's more comfortable and seemingly quieter, as they tend to not put large groups of crazies in there.
(2)
Alexis J.

One yelper complained about the kitchy factor of Kowloon's... the funny thing is, that is exactly why I go there! I LOVE KOWLOON! It is like dinner and free entertainment... it is like going on a tacky cruise right in the middle of your work week! Where else can you eat in a faux ship, with a volcano and plastic palm trees surrounding your table? Where else is there an indoor lagoon to watch while you eat your egg roll? My god, it's fantastic. And I didn't even mention the wall of celebrity photos!!! Ok, ok, the food at Kowloon's is good but nothing to die for. I do love the veggie egg rolls, dumplings, and my favorite... the sesame tofu! They do tofu much better than most places. There is something for everyone on their menu, and how can their not be? It's like 20 pages and features a tab for each cuisine (Chinese, Thai, Sushi, American???). The servings are big enough for cool Chinese left overs the next day. I also like their islandly drinks that come inside of ceramic monkeys or pineapples. The Planters Punch is like adult Koolaid! Every time an out of towner comes to visit us Jonathan and I drag our unsuspecting guest to Kowloon's! Most of them love the cheesy, tacktasticness wonder that is Kowloon's... however, once my childhood friend brought her new boyfriend and I think he was scared. He, like some, just didn't get WHAT we love so much about "the loon". Oh, and PS - In the ladies rooms the doors are made of a 1 way mirrors so while your doing your business, you can see the other people in the bathroom. It really freaked me out the first time I went, but don't worry, they can't see you!
(4)
Lana H.

Passed this restaurant all the time on our way to boston and finally decided to go in. I had shanghai noodles and it was okay. The portion was big for $9.98 but I wasn't too impressed with the food or the place. David asked the waiter for chicken pad Thai and at 10:30pm pad Thai are no longer on menu. The waiter said this is served only earlier in the day. Huh??? At this huge gigantic sized of restaurant there are special times when pad Thai are offered on the menu?? Just silly I just wanted to leave just then bc my baby couldn't have what he wanted... but we stayed. He ordered pork lo mein but the noodle came out as being a different type noodle... Flat egg noodle. I guess the lo mein noodle here are different as well. I am used to a spaghetti like lo mein. The noodles for both our plates were fresh noodles, but mine was a tad greasy. I guess it was bc of the type of noodle it was. Oil prevents thicker noodle from clumping. This shanghai noodle was thicker than other shanghai noodles I had before. Last night the hostess seated us in an area where there prom goers. I am not sure why she did that. It was loud and the environment made it an unpleasant meal. It was great to see all the kids dancing and screaming to the tune of grease lightning but then the crowd got rouddy, stomping their feet and screaming, my headache was pouncing. Love the music of grease but not this way. If you like the noise, action and entertainment and getting a bite to eat then this is your place. If you want a quiet place with great Asian food skip this place. The menu offer cantonese, schewan, Thai, Japanese and hong kong style dishes. All in all food was just okay.
(2)
Mark D.

I don't understand the bad reviews here, I have been going to Kowloon for over 30 years. They are Great! Wonderful atmosphere and outstanding food. It Is Cantonese style. A restaurant does not become the biggest restaurant (in its class) in the USA foe decades and garner a low rating. Kowloon sets the standards for Chinese food in New England. The service is great, the cocktails...well the planters punch sets the standard like the rest of the experience. Kowloon is Americanized yes its fresh and consistent and done right. If you looking for a secret little hole in the wall Chinese restaurant with a grandmothers village recipes and the family running the place this ain't it what it is is a standard Chinese restaurant that you can compare with most other Chinese restaurants food of Cantonese influence and know its as good as and most of the time better than any where else doing the same menu...period. My hats of to forty or fifty years plus of family success!
(5)
Ken S.

I don't understand the attraction to this place. I have never had a good meal here. I drive by there a lot and just decided to give it another try since I was there picking up tix for the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. I should not have wasted my money. $22 for a platter with strange tasting beef, overcooked shrimp, empty and soggy crab rangoons, and one egg roll cut into three pieces! Note that the egg roll was the only thing that was good. Do yourself a favor and head up Rt 1 to Jades off of Lowell street. Completely different grade of food.
(1)
molly f.

Rt 1 is basically littered with places like this...gigantic theme restaurants that just beg you to mock them. We drive by Kowloon at least once or twice a month on our way to a family members house, and this time the call of the far east drew us in. It should be noted that you basically can't eat here with a straight face, so bring your sense of humor. The parking lot is absolutely packed with cars and I still have no idea where everyone was the place is that enormous. We lucked out and got an incredible table for two next to the palm tree/pond/fountain area. The kitchiness of this place is incredible. I mean, we're talking thatched roof, blue lagoon, hawaiin sunset ambiance- its pretty amazing. The food was good, not great. I'm sure if we hadn't been driving home we would have explored the drink menu which had some gem's on it...places like this just beg you to order a ridiculous cocktail in shades not found in nature with mini umbrellas in them. Next time we go, this will be a must. If you're driving by on Rt. 1 you should def check this place out...if only for the good stories & laughs you'll have.
(4)
J U.

This place is legendary. Go for the food, stay for the drinks. Plenty of nights I have enjoyed the strong delicious drinks there. The food menu is huge and not expensive. It has all the things you would expect; mai tai's, General Gau, noodles, etc. The crazy maki sushi roll is fan-freaking-tastic! I could go and just eat a bunch of those and be happy. They have a lunch menu and a comedy club that gets national acts.
(5)
Dina C.

While the Jade and Royal Garden totally reign when it comes to Northshore American Chinese, their food is 10 times better than the crap I get in Atlanta for old school Chinese. Their drinks are fantastic. They have strong Mai Tais and fabulous Polynesian tack everywhere. I went here as a kid. It is so funny looking back, because this was always considered a special occasion kind of place. We would always end up here or Weylus after semi-formals and proms. We'd ride up in our rented limo where we enjoyed some crap liquor that only teenagers would appreciate as we rode up through Saugus and we'd end up at Kowloon. It just felt so right and classy at the time to be surrounded by Love Boat decor and the colorful faux fountain while wearing sequins. Good times! I say go for the great drinks ands appetizers. Like most things from good old MA, they haven't changed a bit and I am truly happy about that.
(3)
Stephanie F.

I don't think Kowloon is the best place for chinese food, but I don't think it's the best either. I just go here when I want some chinese food close to home and I can sit down & enjoy some drinks too. That's when the bill gets pricey though. It's usually packed here on the weekends, but the wait isn't bad at all since it's pretty huge in there. The menu is huge too so there are a variety of dishes to order. A renovation of the place is definitely long overdue!
(3)
Chris G.

I'd say tied for my favorite restaurant on Earth - simply amazing. No matter slow or busy, once you place your order, it comes out (on average) 5-6 minutes later! I've always had great service. The comedy club has been hit-or-miss at times, but the last time I went I was dying.
(5)
Jargon N.

Ugh. . .we pulled up to this place new to Boston looking for decent Chinese food. Several people recommended this place. Tiki house kinda fun and is always packed full on our travels of rt. 1. My wife and I figured, that all these people couldn't be wrong. First of all the staff is perfunctory, they weren't rude. They'll seat you and serve you but don't expect any refills and are more likely to ignore you. The food is god-awful. I have no idea what Boston people think Chinese food is but this isn't Chinese food, just Americanized crap. It is the exact same stuff you can find at any number of greasy spoon Chinese places loaded with MSG and just terrible. This is one of the two places I've ever been to that my wife and I both took a few bites and just couldn't eat anymore and I can eat just about anything. Ungodly bad and wouldn't serve this food to a dog. I guess it might be good if you got drunk enough first but you'd have to get REALLY drunk.
(1)
Phil J.

Used to go here years and years ago. So recently we stopped in for dinner unexpectedly on a Monday night at about 6pm and the place was deserted. They have not changed te decor for 30 years. Dark and grundgy, but the staff was most helpful and attentive. I ordered the pork roast egg foo yong and it was pretty bad. I could not taste pork. I know other stuff on the menu is much better, though. I just strongly recommend against the pork!
(2)
Jeremy H.

really really yummy chinese food and its a experience everytime i love it here
(5)
Michael G.

Luncheon specials, Gross, Soggy rice, Food was cold, Waiter is ignorant at best.
(2)
Stephen D.

First off, this place looks amazing. Seriously, look at the outside. If you want to eat, eat before you come, because this place is made for drinking; straight up.
(4)
Joe R.

Kowloon is like the Steak and Shake of Asian cuisine - and for those of you unfamiliar with "the shake," that's only a compliment if you're drunk and everything and I mean everything within stumbling distance is closed. Kowloon will try (often successfully) to entice you with a multi-section menu offering styles ranging from Hunan, Thai, Szechuan, Sushi, and Americana. The portions are enormous and the service is solid. The food on the other hand was very bland. I suppose I should have guessed when they touted being able to serve 1,200 people at a time - I don't remember military chefs winning many awards. If I was to go again(and I won't), I'd skip the diner style booths and sit at the surprisingly lively bar. Try one of their large appetizer platters. ***Also, if you like spicy, make sure to emphasize that you really really like spicy. They seem to play it safe and dramatically under spice.
(2)
Dina Z.

Here I am in sunny Southern California and all I can think about is a little slice of paradise off a bleak stretch of highway north of Boston. There, you are invited to pass the afternoon/evening by drinking fruity cocktails, eating shrimp and playing pac man. A beautiful mural ensconces the walls and a general island vibe fills the place like a warm, tropical breeze. The food is probably a little better than average but not stellar. They have great variety and sizeable portions and the prices are not really appropriate. We always ordered the flaming pu-pu platter with the praiseworthy crab rangoon. Its not a place that can be appreciated at face value, but the kitsch factor is huge. Its fun, laid back and completely unpretentious.
(4)
The Hungry American E.

Kowloon is a North Shore Mass fixture. But it's reputation exceeds it worth. If you are looking for good food, skip it. It's more about the experience and seeing every celebrities picture on their wall. And not even that is worth a dime from your wallet. Wish they would tear it down.
(1)
Justin Gwailo H.

Sorry, but this restaurant serves authentic Americanized Chinese food, which only attract unrefined people. I don't know why it's SO POPULAR???
(1)
Cosmo X.

Gros Chinese food,,,,garbage
(1)
Derek W.

Okay, I know everyone shits on it because it's Kowloon and it's tacky (but come on, the tackiness is part of its charm) and it's very unauthentic Americanized Chinese food. But it's good and it's really cheap and it's open late, so I don't know what all the bad reviews are about. Drinks are really good and strong, too. And the sushi is shockingly delicious. I got it one time on a whim, not really expecting much, but it was some of the best sushi I've had. The crazy maki, in particular, was fantastic. So, to sum up: cheap good food, cheap strong drinks, open late, fast service, and fantastic sushi.
(4)
Liz T.

Huge menu. Delicious food. Possibly the best spring rolls I've ever had. Very large dining area. Even when it's packed, you don't wait long.
(5)
Nina M.

Went here for dinner on Christmas Eve... so okay it was probably busier than usual. But I don't think that's the excuse for our just "okay" experience. It was loud. The dining room is expansive and so open, there's no place for the sound to go. The menus we were given were specific to Christmas Eve, and they specifically states "no Thai food," and nothing off the menu. When we asked our waiter, we were relieved, but confused, to hear that we could order the Thai food, which had the only vegetarian options. This place has a full bar, and states on the sign outside they are a cocktail lounge. My brother ordered a fancy variation of a martini, and three waiters came over to clarify his order... no, it was not a "Corona." He ended up with a standard martini, after being informed they didn't make what he was asking for. Even though they are a cocktail lounge. The food finally arrived after quite a wait, and it was fine. The tofu in my curry was a little bit greasy, but the sauce was tasty. Overall, the Kowloon's vast size and exciting ambiance is not worth the mediocre service and food.
(2)
Ben C.

I just don't know. When I lived for 8 months in Saugus, I heard all the hype and was pretty excited to be living so close to the "world famous" Kowloons. A couple of water downed scorpian bowls and a couple of "where the hell am I going to park" moments later and I'm left just well... unsatisfied. The food is OK, but its nothing spectacular. You don't finish it because its a large plate, you don't finish it because you just don't want to. You do end up drinking a lot... mainly because the drinks are so weak! But, there is variety... its an oversized restaurant with an oversized menu... so you can satisfy all appetites and drink desires.... there is something fun about having a mai tai and chinese food. But seriously, you can go to chinatown, get the same drinks and get large portions of delicious food... for the same price. If its local, its convenient and can be fun with a good group of people. But there's absolutely no reason to leave the city for this place. None. Unless you want to meet one of the many WWE stars who frequent the place after an event in Boston (John Cena has been spotted there many times)
(2)
Meaghan S.

Don't get roped in by the campy decor. Kowloon is just not that good! I used to come here fairly frequently when I was in high school because it was the after-show venue for our drama club. I didn't really think it was cool then, but it was fun with 30+ people and we basically took over a room. Perhaps that's the only way to do Kowloon? In any case - the last time I went to Kowloon it was just my husband and I. Without any post-show adrenaline of the drama club days the place is a little sad. It's really run down, the crowd varies between small time mafia schmucks from the north shore, 20-somethings that never left their home town, and old people who were too impatient to wait for a seat at Hilltop down the road. We probably should have stuck to the appetizer portion of the menu. I do recall they have some pretty solid, albeit insanely greasy pu-pu platter items. However, we ventured into the dinner menu, and ordered a couple of dishes. One I cannot remember at all and the other, a chicken dish, was 75% celery. Seriously a bowl of mushy celery in bland slimy sauce. The menu didn't even mention it had celery in it, had it we never would have ordered that dish because we both hate celery! Yuck. I got some crappy Mai Tai - it was strong - but strong with a heaping dose of plastic bottle, bottom shelf rum. The food took forever to get to us and once we got it the waitress tried to hurry us out the door. Not impressive. I doubt I'll go back again.
(2)
Kimberly P.

Can you say tacky? Fake palm trees, amateur murals of islands, volcanoes and the ocean all accompanied by an aging cover band. The pu pu platter and other foods were pretty good... considering the fact that they were probably deep fried... thrice. The drink was pretty good too. I wish I could give this place three stars but the atmosphere alone gives me hives. I think I'm allergic to gaudy. :-/
(2)
Alex R.

Kowloon is not good. But it's definitely awesome.
(3)
Huong N.

This place is sooo overrated. the menu is huge which can be a negative for most restaurants and the food isn't great but it's good. It's just like any other asian restaurant out there. I've definitely had better.
(2)
Stacey M.

Last month I organized a small surprise party for the boy's birthday at Kowloon. I chose Kowloon strictly for the cheeziness factor and it did not fail to disappoint. We sat in the Volcano Bay Room. This is a great place for groups and they will even provide the plastic leis for you. On that particular evening they had a live band playing Christmas tunes and some folks dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus milling around. Yes, someone at our table told Santa that it was my boyfriend's birthday, and yes, Santa proceeded to announce it and then lead a happy birthday singalong. Ultimate cheeziness achieved! The food seemed kind of meh. I didn't hear anyone raving about their meal and the leftovers we took home ended up in the trash, which is saying something. I don't drink, but didn't hear any complaints about the alcohol. But then again, can a drink that comes in a ceramic pineapple or tiki head really be bad?
(3)
CaT P.

we drove by this place very often and a few weeks ago we finally decided to try it out. we were directed into some depressing, but huge, side room directly to your left when entering. it was rather dark and everything looked old and not maintained. at first the waitress came too often, then she stayed away. the menu is huge and me and my bf both just choose something. we had an appetizer which as just awful. it reminded me of fried paper (although i never had that; i do think it would taste like this...). i think there was supposed to be meat inside, but there wasnt. on top of it, it was cold. it was so bad that we asked her to take it away. my main dish was even worse. some battered fried chicken. perhaps there was an entire chicken there, but it tasted exceptionally horrible. must have been some bad frozen chicken. although i think i am quite picky, i often think its me when i dont like something. this, however, was sooo bad, i could not eat it. we also asked the waitress to take this away. my boyfriend's dish was doable, compared to those 2 disasters. but we barely ate from that as well. luckily, she did not charge us for the 2 dishes we sent back. still, the bill was far too much. after that, we went to mc donald's for a sundae and were disappointed we did not just go there for dinner, haha! needless to say, we will never go there again and i do not recommend this place to anyone, unless you want to see some freakishly old building with weird murals and many fountains....
(1)
Jocelyn C.

Kowloon is almost like the "South of the Border" of New England. Just as tacky, but probably a little too outside of Boston to be as touristy. They have seating capacity for 1200 people, a big-ass fountain in the middle, crazy drinks in even crazier glasses. The food is just as bad as you think it'll be, but the drinks and the kitschiness more than make up for it. Definitely come out here at least once, if only just to be able to say, "hey, I've been to there before!" whenever the commercial comes on during yet another "Phantom Gourmet" rerun.
(3)
Michael M.

The food is OK. Typical greasy, Americanized fare. There's really nothing special about this place except for the building - a relic of Asian restaurants from the 50s/60s. The service was terrible, but I've almost come to expect that from a Chinese restaurant. She brought the wrong dish, and when I said something to her about it, she simply said "oh" and walked away! Rather than ruin my meal I said f-it... ate, paid and will never be back.
(1)
Melissa A.

I made the comment that we were probably the only table with Asians [save the staff] that were there. I'm surprised they didn't suit us up to clear some tables. Lots of biker-looking couples and families. Kowloon is flashy like a reed-thin grandmother in a sequined jumpsuit. This place is old and crumbling and ought to know better than to be as flashy, but I suppose it doesn't care because people will still be attracted to this place. Naturally, at a table of 12 people, my plate is the last to be served, a nice 10 minutes after everyone else. I made the mistake of ordering sushi. I think that most foods heated at very high temperatures [read: deep fried] are okay to eat here, but not these GIGANTIC rolls of sushi. I guess they cater toward the white clientele, but do they have bigger mouths than Asians? I honestly could not wrap my mouth around a roll [yeah, I know. har har] and took out the lettuce [??] that they stuffed inside of it and nearly choked trying to chew/swallow as hot tears rolled down my left cheek. Alex's incredibly shiny dish looked like it was lacquered in shellac and managed to form a nice pudding skin after it sat, exposed for 20 minutes. I tried to get my fork to penetrate the skin and after several stabbing attempts couldn't break through. What I'm trying to say here is... don't take home leftovers. Order carefully and on the smaller side so as not to witness your food congeal and think about how later, it's going to coagulate in your arteries. So bring a strong stomach. The kitchy drinks definitely are what saves this place. Now, if they could manage not to break the glasses they come in, then I would have stolen all of them. And the flashy guy with the white-capped teeth who owns the place walked by our table. He just looks like the kind of guy who has several D-list acquaintances. The most awesome thing about him is if you go to the website and look at the celebrity photos with the owner/owner's family. You can witness his style change from 70s, tinted glasses, tight button-down shirt guy to 80s suit wearing, awkward-haired nervous fella to 90s boring has-been guy to today's silver-haired fox!
(3)
Kirs P.

Ah, Kowloon: Route 1 gem, mid-western dining establishment throwback, and where all the D list famous people go to dine when in Saugus. I visited Kowloon for the first time this last Sunday with 11 of my nearest and dearest. The experience, in list form: 1. Kowloon is easy to spot. It might be one of those places you can see from outer space. It's huge, almost imposing. We drive up and, because the parking lot is ginormous, we are able to get a prime parking spot. Also conveniently located in the parking lot is an ATM. Very helpful when you know you are dining with 11 others and you don't want to have to pay with 11 credit cards. 2. At this point only half of the party has arrived. Husband goes up to the hostess and tells her we want a table. She asks if we have a reservations. DAMN! We don't. But, it ain't a problem. She tells us to come back up when our whole party is here. 3. While waiting for the rest of the crew we grab "Polynesian" drinks at the bar (which has autographed photos of all the 'famous' people that have dined there. Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson appears to be a regular). My drink comes in a tiki glass, some come in a pineapple shaped things. The only thing that was missing were little umbrellas. Although there were about a dozen different drinks on the menu, they pretty much all taste the same. Fruit juice, sour mix, and rum can only be mixed so many ways. The gentlemen got "Suffering Bastards." Very fitting. 4. While waiting for our friends we discovered that not only is Kowloon a dining establishment, it is also home to Keno and lottery tickets. Fun times. Dan the Bastard won 28 bucks from scratch tickets. I lost two bucks. 5. And we are seated! Finally! They had the table all set up for us and ready to go. We are given menus, although not enough for everyone at the table. And there were two different kinds of menus which caused some confusion and general mayhem while we passed them around and shouted at each other. 6. I have the responsibility of ordering our apps. Two Pu Pu Platters, some crab rangoon, and vegetable ravioli. It freaks me out that New England Asian restaurants call pot-stickers "ravioli." I try to tell him we are also ready to order our lunch, but he says he'll be back. 7. Our apps arrive! Pu Pu Platters don't disappoint. They are a greasy smorgasbord of fake Chinese food, complete with flaming thing in the center. Now the waiter is ready for our lunch order- although after getting our apps and starting to eat them we wonder if we even need anything else. 8. Ordering goes smoothly. Added to the drinks: scorpion bowls and the super-duper volcano bowl which can easily get 10 people drunk. Husband and I share our own scorpion bowl in a take-home souvenir glass. I'm not drinking out of anything else, ever. 9. Our food arrives incredibly quickly. Unfortunately it just isn't good. Even by fake American Chinese standards it's bad. My dish was just bland, even though I ordered it extra spicy. Even when our Asian friends ordered extra spicy it wasn't spicy. (Which reminds me, they were probably the only Asian people to actually ever eat there- man, that place was WHITE). 10. Husband takes two bites of his food then stops eating. We watch as his meal begins to curdle and gets that creepy film that pudding gets if you let it sit out for too long. Gross. 11. The bill! $344 for 12 hungry yelpers, including tip. So, about 28 bucks a person. Eh. Not bad, not great. If the food had been even half-way decent it would be have been better. I'll pay a lot for cheesy ambiance and gimmicks- but feeling like you want to vom for the next couple hours after eating kinda ruins the experience. 12. Conclusion: Luckily I was there with a bunch of people intent on having a fabulous time- I can't imagine going back, though. If you've ever been to Denver the Kowloon equivalent is Casa Bonita. We always said, "You have to go at least once. Yeah, the food sucks, but man, it's Casa Bonita!" So, get thee to Kowloon, just bring a lot of friends and be prepared to consume large amounts of fruit juice, rum, and sour mix.
(3)
Aimee G.

I have never ever been dissapointed with this place. The food comes out fast and its always hot and delicious. I don't think these guys EVER screw up an order. Prices are reasonable, and you always end up leaving with TONS of left overs. Drinks are very good, but also VERY strong. The Scorpion Bowls and Mai Tais definitely sneak up on you!! I am a pretty picky eater. I don't eat seafood or anything off a bone, but they have a great selection of things even the pickiest of eaters would enjoy. They also offer sushi. I love the ambiance of this place. I love the palm trees and the giant ship like structure in the main dining area. Even though the decor has been the same for as long as I can remember, it just wouldnt be the same if they changed it. Kowloon is love!!!
(5)
James R.

I am always amazed at the disparity of Kowloon's reviews. Awesome vs. Terrible seems to be the infinite conversation. Mine will be short and definitely sweet. Drive by at lunch time - parking lot full Drive by late afternoon - parking lot full Drive by at dinner time- parking lot full. Drive by late - parking lot full Drive by very late - parking lot full There should be a sign in the parking lot reading "if you are a pretentious Asian food snob, we are probably not for you. If you love Americanized Chinese Food in large portions with fast service and a FUN FUN FUN environment where the common man and the famous people can laugh and play together, the KOWLOON IS FOR YOU. WELCOME" Millions of customers over the years can't be wrong; and, I'm one of those customers. Ps. Best kept Kowloon Secret? The fried scallop appetizer - try it. Bob a/k/a Doc L.
(5)
Domini J.

Disgustingly cheesy. Save your gas and don't bother. The service was slow and terrible. I have had better food from the local Chinese corner restaurant. Everything we ordered was cold. The scorpion bowl tasted like soap. Don't waste your money.
(1)
omar m.

I came for a wedding banquet here about a month ago. They served a Chinese banquet with 10 courses. The food was excellent and the service was great. Since I don't eat pork, the chef made a special fried rice just for me that didn't have pork in it. She also came out and checked on me to let me know which dishes have pork. That was hella sweet of her. The ambiance of the place is great. Parking is easy. The drunk fools from the other event were not so cool, but that's life.
(4)
Andrea K.

I first experienced Kowloon's about a year and a half ago (and ive lived nearby all my life but never went!) and it was good. Typical chinese food spareribs, crab rangoons, pork fried rice, all really good so I was pleased that I tried it. I have gone here a total of maybe 5 times and the last time I experienced Kowloons was the last time I will go there. The last time I was there the food was horrible. My boyfriend got the combo special (it was lunch time) and the food was dry and uneatable. As did I get the combo special with lo mein and sauteed vegetables. The vegetables had a wierd taste to them and the lo mein was very dry and uneatable as well. The prices are not worth the quality of the food that they provide. Also the service that we got was horrible as well our waiter came and took our orders and we did not see him ever again. The person that brought over our order was our new waiter and after receiving our food we did not see him till he brought the bill which we had to ask for so the service was very poor and I was not please. There are a lot of good chinese places all around the North Shore and this is not one of them so I would say shop around and find somewhere else to get Chinese and leave Kowloons for the roadtrippers who are driving by and get mesmorized by the big chinese looking place!
(1)
Brian A.

I have been to Kowloon's plenty of times, and I can say that its about average. The food is OK, just OK, however, the fried food tasted like it was hours old. The sushi is not bad, but expensive, and considering the fact that there is a kick-ass sushi restaurant 2 minutes up Rt. 1 north (Sake), its a mystery why anyone would come for the sushi. One star for the kick-ass decor and atmosphere, another for the drinks (3 mai-tai's and your hammid). Minus one for the tremendously overrated food, another for the crappy service, another for the high prices. There are hole-in-the-wall places that dont have the glitz and glamour of the Kowloon, but have tremendously better food and service and prices (again, Sake). Dont be lured in by the Tiki god above the front door, there are much better asain cuisine places nearby (Sa......never mind)
(2)
Ellen W.

*I'm changing my review of this restaurant* I am never going there again. It's says they fucking deliver to Wakefield, Saugus, Revere, Lynnfield, Malden and Melrose. I placed quite a large order only to be told that they only deliver to "borderline areas" of those cities. Are you fucking kidding me? So basically they lie about where, and THEN get specific? I'll be sure to tell everyone I meet to avoid those assholes like the plague. I'm so disgusted with these people and their inconsistencies.
(1)
Jeffrey N.

Huge restaurant and great atmosphere inside. Try to get a seat in the ship in the back. They have a nice big separate bar. They also have a pretty good comedy club upstairs. The food is better than average typical Chinese food choices. The biggest issue is that you could have to wait a pretty long time because it is such a big "large party" restaurant.
(4)
Lina G.

This place is disgusting. This is NOT real chinese food, it's totally americanized. I'm sorry but the people who go there should NOT be eating there. They go there on a Saturday afternoon and end up in the hospital Saturday night with an acute myocardial infarction. Seriously people, if you can't fit in a booth because of your enormous gut you should not be feeding on appetizers of pu pu platters....gross. The inside is comical and fun to check out. I do get so nostalgic there though. I've been back once since moving back to Boston and it always brings me back to my pathetic teenage years.
(2)
Dave B.

I know I'm not going to make a lot of friends here but Kowloon's is the last place I will go for Chinese food. Don't get me wong, err wrong, in the past I've dropped my share of the weekly paycheck here, but other than the kitschyness of it & the comedy club, unless you've never been here there no reason to go. I know its huge, I know it's a route one landmark, I know everyone & their mother has been here. I know the Phantom Gourmet loves it here, but the fact is its old & run down, there's silly long waits on weekends, its overpriced & the food is no better than a corner takeout joint. The ceilings & walls are water stained, the booths torn & tattered & on average your going to spend 30% more than anywhere else. Go for the show upstairs, get a few drinks and a Pu Pu platter if you must. Please don't limit your Asian dinning experience to Kowloon's, there's so much better.
(2)
Beck N.

Totally a tourist trap, but worth the stop in on a Saturday afternoon. I was really impressed with how big this place actually is. I know a lot of the radio stations throw their Christmas parties here, so I assumed there was a sort of function room, but the whole place is just big. & of course there is a comedy club section & a full line of touristy type whatnots you can purchase so that your trip to Kowloon will forever be remembered. The decor was pretty original for an Asian restaurant - though the flowing water was a bit distracting. I liked how there were large groups (they put out this lazy Susan type thing so you can just spin it to pass food -- how ingenius!) & small groups like my cousin & me, but I didn't feel like it was too loud or that our waiter paid any less attention to me. The afternoon specials are decent -- tons of food for very affordable prices. I think I got crab rangoon, veggie lo mein, chicken fingers, & a spring roll for like $8. Their drinks are good for your typical Chinese place drinks -- strong as hell & served in fun glasses. My biggest complaint about this place is the small bathroom. The place seems large enough, but there were only 3 stalls crammed into a small area. As if that was not bad enough, I could pretty much see myself while I peed. Odd. There is this film over glass which on the outside looks like a mirror & then there is a mirror outside the stall right across from it. The film on the glass allows you to see directly out. So say, if some random stranger was standing outside your stall, you could see them whilst you peed. Ick.
(4)
V P.

The servers are very rude and they rush you out the door to turnover the tables. The food is always cold and never fresh, way overpriced for the quality of food they give you. I wouldnt feed it to my dog. I will not be spending another penny of my money there, many other small Chinese foods places are much better.
(1)
kelli r.

Where do you go after prom? Kowloon!! Where do you go on a holiday when all else is closed? Kowloon!! Where do you go for late night drinks and dining? Kowloon!! Where do you go to drink your face off with scorpion bowls? Kowloon!! Where do you go to watch a comedy show? Kowloon!! Where do you go for good chinese food? Not Kowloon... Kowloon is definitely about the experience...not the food. I have been going here since I was a kid and will always love this place.
(4)
Bob M.

This place has seen better days. Every once in a while, I go here for lunch. Last couple of times have not been great; went again today (yes, I am a slow learner) and I was underwhelmed again. Lunch menu has typical Chinese fare, $8 or so for a combo plate. The food is at your table about 5 minutes after you order - this is great if you are starving, not so great if you want a good meal. It's more than clear that most items are pre-cooked and thrown onto a plate without a hell of a lot of thought - or concern as to whether or not it is actually hot. Bottom line - quality has gone down, food is mass-market / bland / nothing to get excited about.
(2)
Jared R.

I'm removing a star because after having a lot of other local chinese restaurants, Kowloons doesn't deserve that third star anymore. Kowloon still hasn't grown with the economy. The prices are outrageous, the food is still a la carte (figure $8-10 for every item you would LIKE to eat as there is only one size for most items), the waiters only seem to be there for the order and the check. non-alcoholic drinks are pitifully small and refills are not free. Here's an example of your 'standard' chinese meal: Pork fried rice, Chicken fingers and spare ribs. At your regular place. a meal like that would cost you about $8-9 and leave you with plenty of leftover rice At Kowloons it's $8.25 for the fingers, $8.25 for the spare ribs and $7.25 for the rice. So for that meal it's $23.75. It will feed 3-4 people though. But that's only three items. Everyone has to want chicken fingers and spare ribs and rice. If someone wants something different, expect to pay $9-12 for each additional item. There are much better options out there, even for large crowds. Everyone can get what they want and not have to share with each other or split a bill between a group that may have ordered and not eaten specific, expensive things. Also, there's not one single item they serve that stands out against the regular chinese take out place. I can't think of one item that I can say "Kowloons does it best" Also I've found that even after explaining to them multiple times that shellfish cannot be on any plate that I plan on eating off of, they NEVER SEEM TO GET IT! The last time I went they did it again and that was the last time I'll ever go there. When I say "Shellfish will kill me" I expect them to UNDERSTAND THAT SHELLFISH WILL KILL ME! Apparently there's a luncheon combination platter available M-F until 5pm and Sat and Sun until 4pm. They should make this available all the time.
(2)
Amy F.

Ordered a bunch of food and it came out literally in just a few minutes. It was barely warm....flavorless and the meat was tough. My second piece of food was of beef teryaki...I took the skewer out. I had a piece of wood that scratched the roof of my mouth. The wood was not from the skewer I removed but from the FIRST skewer that it was pierced with that was still logded inside the meat...broken off. Only to lead me to think that my barely warm, flavorless and tough meat was from other peoples plates that were not eaten. Needless to say... walked right out.
(1)
A D.

If you're a local, you love this place for what it is, even though you can't quite put your finger on why... On a night of bar hopping down rt. 1, we always end up here for a couple strong drinks (usu. scorpion bowls) and a pupu platter. Cool place for late night. I've been coming here since I was a kid and I agree, the place isn't pristine and it's nothing to write home about, but it's charming in its own way!! I disagree that the building is tacky or ugly or anything along those lines. It's an icon of route 1. I mean, are Border Cafe or Hilltop beautiful restaurants from the outside? Definitely not. Kowloon is always busy and the food and drinks are always good. Good place for big groups, late night, and a damn good scorpion bowl (they have one for 2 people or one for 4!)
(4)
Ryan M.

You figure this place would be on point with such a unique atmosphere. Nope. I remenber going last summer with a large group and having to wait an hour and a half to be seated. Granted it was a busy night but I saw even bigger groups being seated before us. Once we were seated it took about another half an hour to get just for the waiter to come over to us and serve us a glass of water. We waited about another half an hour before one of my friends said something which he was then ignored. We didn't wait any longer and just took off. No sense of wasting almost 3 hours just to for even more horrible service. Not to mention I've had friends come back with horror stories of things they find in their food.(mostly hair) No thanks Kowloon.
(1)
Xtina R.

Was excited to go here..went..ate..was very disappointed. Crab rangoons, chicken fingers, low meign all just OK if that..my regular Chinese place puts Kowloon to shame. Even their duck sauce was off...duck sauce! Didn't know they could mess that up!! However-sushi was good! I'd never go back...
(2)
Melissa D.

Ok, those Saugus wings are pretty damn good! A Chinese restaurant on steroids, I was happy with my experience here and the best place for tiki drinks and large parties. Yes, it has it's stereotypical layouts and an overwhelming menu that has to be color-coded, however, I still wasn't disappointed with the food at all. Great prices and plates large enough to share for four people comfortably, it was a good time for a casual night. We had the sesame chicken, crab rangoon, the addicting saugus wings, fried rice and the egg rolls. Those egg rolls are so huge and it's stuffed with shrimp, yes! If you really want to have a good time, uh-huh-huh, definitely have a couple-three tiki drinks. The plantar's punched, definitely knocked me out...it literally did after have 3 of them with a scorpion bowl..hahaha!
(3)
Dina B.

This place has the most hideous decor that you could imagine, and it is all so old and worn it should have been replaced a hundred years ago. It also seats 1,200 people between two floors. Yet, it is still consistently busy. Why? The food is darned good, the prices reasonable, and the service is prompt and pleasant. LOVE the garlic noodles and Saugus Wings. Mai Tai's are average, not particularly strong or weak. I've been before and have been equally impressed with food and service.
(4)
Heather F.

Food was decent but a new menu since our last visit with much higher prices. Hope the management reevaluates the prices on the menu
(3)
Aboud Y.

Nice cavernous space replete with fountains and faux Asian decor. The food is mostly greasy throwback Chinese-American cuisine and drink concoctions (think tiki bar and scorpion bowls). Too bad it all doesn't hang together and the food is pretty awful. I wanted to like this place but don't think I'll return.
(2)
Mary B.

The Loon. An enigmatic creature perched on a hill in a town called Saugus, a lovely place where neon signs go to flicker out and die. (I genuinely think those signs are a beautiful thing.) I came here for a birthday fete. It seemed like a lot of people do this because there were a ton of groups here. It's massive. Eventually I found my way to my crowd, with no help from the staff. "Just walk. Walk round." Don't mind if I do! I got a Zombie. It was a tall mother, with crushed ice and after a few sips my esophagus was seared. Burns so good. But, in the end, it did the trick. My friend's cough syrup martini and mojito were horrible. I don't think I've sampled drinks that bad maybe ever. We got her a Mai Tai to follow which was much better. #1 rule of life: friends don't let friends have shit b-day drinks. Stay with the Polynesian standards and stray from the fancy pants concoctions. I don't think we had an assigned waiter, there seemed to be a revolving door of vested men there to forget my drink and misappear for long stretches. I had my bad decision hat on when it came time to order foods, and got some stupid semblance of shrimp when I should have just ordered simple veg sushi. It was ok. I sampled some scallion pancakes and eel in a sushi bowl and both were also ok, but off a bit. When I was done eating my attention drifted to my surroundings. Ominous clouds painted above rocky, uninhabited shores made up the backdrop. Dusty palm trees and plastic black lava groped at us off the walls. Eeps. We've got to get off the island. Where's Faraday when you need a little indigestional course correction?
(2)
Gregory P.

Food is mostly average, but the drinks and atmosphere make this place fun. It's one of New England's largest and most famous restaurants. We love the live music on the weekends and the gigantic drinks and shared meals you can get. It's great for small and medium sized groups. Some food choices may end up disappointing you, but a lot of the menu is good to great. OPEN LATE! I think you can still order food at like 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.
(3)
Mark V.

Much like Pizzeria Regina, Mike's Pastry and the Dropkick Murphy's, the Kowloon is an overrated Boston institution . I have no idea why this place is so well known. It must be the size & location, or all the free press from the Phantom Gourmet. The food is meh!
(1)
Al Q.

the best! My favorite Chinese food place. It's on the expensive side but you have to splurge every once in awhile and the food is outstanding. I'm pretty basic when it comes to Chinese food--sesame chicken, moo-shi, etc. My wife's a bit more adventurous but we've never been disappointed. The menu is huge! And the service is fine and the decor tacky but in a good way. (*update--the food remains excellent but the prices seem to have gone up quite a bit. I'll remain a customer but won't be able to go here as often as I'd like due to the price)
(4)
Amanda N.

Went here with my parents, husband and sibling (parents treat). Neither of us had ever been here but my parents have always heard great things so we wanted to try it. First, the parking lot and the building itself is HUGE they can fit over 500 people in there and boy do they really pack them in like sardines. A lot of the seating is booth seating (made for 4 people) but they add small tables at the end so they can fit up to 6 people. This makes the walking aisles for customers/servers very small and makes the place VERY crowded. It's also VERY loud. When we went there were many huge parties celebrating various occasions. Don't expect to have quiet conversations here. The menu is also HUGE and has well over 500 things on it. They offer Thai, Polynesian, Chinese, Japanese, Sushi and even some "American" items. The food, although well portioned, is only mediocre at best, really nothing to brag home about or visit again for. I guess it makes sense when they are churning out food for that many people that it wouldn't be anything special. I have had much better food at smaller local to me asian restaurants. Again, at least the meals are very largely portioned, so that even though it's not that great, you get your moneys worth and get two meals out of it. We ordered some scorpion bowls and were very disappointed. You could barely taste the alcohol ...because there wasn't that much liquid....because the bowl was FULL of ice. They are not cheap, you could put more beverage and less ice in! Now, I'm sure there are multiple bathrooms in a place as large as this (I hope so) but the one nearest to our table (near the boat section) was so small and gross. How can a restaurant that big have such TINY bathrooms? Overall, not impressed with this place and I don't think me or my family will ever return. They do also have comedy upstairs on Friday and Saturday nights I believe for those who are interested in trying that out!
(2)
John Q.

If you have a large group don't even bother, the waitress in the bar area we had was absolutely atrocious. Didn't pay attention to anybody saw her about 5 times in a 5 hour period and then she cut our entire group off from alcohol as if we were causing trouble when people were just showing up and had one beer. We were ignored as if we were a bother to serve and then she didn't even add the bill right in the end. The place has gone downhill ill never be back there again due to this experience and i frequent there at least once a week. Disgusted.
(1)
Zach A.

Best in the area? Poor service, dirty booth, and less than mediocre "takeout" at a hefty price. Glad work's covering the bill... Food was edible, only reason it got 2 stars.
(2)
Katie W.

This place is truly and experience for all to try. It's like a bad Disney world. You're greeted by an enthusiastic hostess who quickly will whisk you off to one of their theme rooms--we sat next to the pirate ship, nuff said. The scorpion bowls are fantastic, the dumpling and rangoons are acceptable rest of the food is just down right bad. But I do love coming here with friends to split some scorpion bowls and let loose. Plus if the conversation ever runs dry--you can always find entertainment in the decor or the fact that the waitstaff tries to take your dinner away while your still eating it!
(3)
Sea G.

I'll give this place two stars only b/c the thai food from the thai kitchen is decent. The chinese menu is downright terrible with perhaps the fried scallops being an exception. As others have said this place is waaay over rated. My main problem with the place since I could just get the thai food is the cleanliness of the restaurant overall. It's basically a dirty restaurant, even with the improvements to the bar area. The bathrooms are totally gross which is a bad sign in terms of what the kitchen must be like. There are also lots of party people that go there on the weekends so don't be surprised if it smells like vomit at times. Yes I'm being serious. The non american staff is also totally rude. Especially some of the male bartenders and people who are relatives of the owners. I guess the relatives think they can get away with being unprofessional. I don't plan on going back.
(2)
K S.

I have to agree with the comment from Alice. We wet for dinner and the food was awful, it was cold and we did send it back. All they did was throw it back in the oil so when it came out it was so dark and greasy it was disgusting! Our server as well was not very attentive. We order teriyaki nuggets which were never given to us, but when we got the bill no surprise, we were charged for them. The only reason we went for dinner was because my 4 year old niece wanted to go and sit by the water fountains, but when we arrived, there was no water at all. I live 2 miles from Kowloon but do not frequent often. I drive to Billerica, where for the last 20 years the food at the Jade has always been consistent and is delicious....probably would have don't that tonight had it not been a Friday night on the middle of rush hour. I will not be going back t Kowloon ANYTIME soon!! I would have given a 1/2 star if I could have.
(1)
Gary C.

Kowloon has been on Rte 1 for 60 years. They must be doing something right. The duck I ordered has also been on Rte 1 for 60 years. I have yet to encounter a tougher bird. My wife said what do you expect for $13. I don't know, maybe meat that is chewable? She loved her thai seafood platter. I have never seen her not love a seafood platter, esp with lots of hot chili. Very loud 70's music. Back section was loaded with families, parking lot crowded on a tue night. Sort of a larger version of the China Dragon, you know, the one with the booths and bright florescent lights located between the pizza shop and the tattoo parlor
(1)
Sarah B.

This is a great place to go if you've just gone to a movie, or concert, or sporting event, and you're in the mood for Chinese food, because it is open until 2am. It's great any other time for Chinese food as well - anybody in the North Shore area knows about it, and anybody that comes to visit from out of town gets taken there at least once. The food is great, the staff is great, and the atmosphere is one-of-a-kind.
(5)
Bria D.

Wow. This really is the absurdist, kitschy, many-chambered love letter to Americanized Chinese food that my husband adored in his youth. We sat in the boat room at my husband's request, and I ordered a drink in a coconut carved into the shape of a monkey's head, as one does in this sort of place. It tasted about like you'd expect. We failed completely at finishing off our pu pu platter and two entrees, but that's a product of how huge the portions were rather than any disinterest on our part. It can't compare to quality Chinese food from Flushing, but you don't go to Kowloon if you want authentic dungeoness crab with sticky rice or lamb face salad. You go to Kowloon if you want kitsch-ramped-up-to-11, flaming food, plastic leis, and all that comes with it. If you have kids, it's absolutely, unquestionably worth a side jaunt if you're in the Boston area.
(3)
Mark S.

Not as good as it used to be, It was the place to go but food has gone down..
(3)
David S.

The food is horrible. Anyone who would call this Chinese food should not be allowed to serve food. The drinks are pre mixed and the service is terrible. This just proves if ur drunk enough anything tastes like chicken. I think colonel sanders said that.
(1)
Jennifer E.

I have absolutely no idea why people like this place. The food isn't great, it's expensive, and the service is HORRIBLE! I have walked out of this place more than once. They are beyond rude and offer no apologies. I grew up in Saugus and their success astounds me! I would never eat there willingly!
(1)
Jonathan Y.

Not sure about this place. When I was a kid it was by far the best heading in there with my parents. I always enjoyed it! Then as an underage drinker it was great to go out and toss back a few with my friends. So that was fun. But now as an adult I look at Kowloon as a sub-par establishment with poor quality food and bad atmosphere. Just seems like a place that has gone the way of so many other Rt. 1 establishments....downhill.
(2)
Simon I.

This place is pretty epic, not your typical Chinese food place. The menu is very extensive, everything from Chinese, Japanese, Thai and more. Kowloon is a very large, old establishment with many pictures of celebrities who have been patrons over the years. I recently had a family and friend graduation party here and while I never had problem previously, the reservations were lost and the service was poor for the large party. This made things slightly chaotic for a large party. However, my family wrote to management about the experience and they showed sincere concern and regret about the incident and made it up to us. If you live north of Boston or in the Boston metro area and feel like some good dine-in Chinese food its defiantly worth the trip and is a staple of the area.
(4)
Greg P.

One time i ordered take out and in my lobster sauce was metal shavings like they opened a can right over my meal ,well i went down and complained they had me fill out a form stating what happened and the woman i swear through it in the trash ,she did not know i was still in the building but i got over it and eventually went back and never had a problem again.
(3)
Stewart S.

Ask any of my good friends where my favorite restaurant is and they will all say "The KOWLOON" !! I have been going there for years..It's nice seeing and shaking hands with the owners as I walk in or leave.... I always stop there after doing my photo shoots when i am at my studio in Boston..I just cant help it! I usually saddle up at the bar, get a pepsi and an order of chicken wings or chicken fingers... hey are both mouth watering good!! When I have friends in town..I always want to take them there and usually do... The parking lot is huge, the restaurant is huge and the service is quick..No sooner are you seated...You get your drinks usually with in 5 to 10 minutes of ordering them...You food will be in front of you within 15 to 20 minutes of ordering and tastes amazing!! I have eaten here a 1000 times and never get sick of it!! I am not on their payroll but you would think I am the way I talk about this place!! Great food and drink menu.. Tables that can host 30 people as a group. Yeah it gets a little loud in there sometimes and some the wait staffs english isnt the great but the food is worth it as well as the price... Go there during the day and the price is even better with a great lunch menu. Every person I have ever brought to the kowloon loved it!! They now tell their friend and talk about it often with me.. Usually saying...That place you took me to was awesome!! I'm no food critic but do have a appetite and I never walk out of this place unhappy. I was shocked about some of the reviews i read but..Maybe some may be shocked with mine.. It's all an opinion people. Have a nice day.
(5)
Michele P.

I have been here twice, the first time was great, this time not so much. I went with my husband this past weekend and was disappointed in the experience this time. Lets start by saying that you don't go to Kowloon to get high end Asian Cuisine, and I already knew that. But it is super fun if you're in the mood for a good old cheesy 1970's Asian dining experience. And on This past Saturday that is was we were going for. However is was not nearly as good this time around as the last. The service was slow when it came to dinner and our drinks. But our Apps did come out in lightning speed. They do have the best Crab Rangoon around , and the Saugus wings are AMAZING. On the whole the food was great, but we were seated right near the kitchen door so there were waiters whizzing by (all except ours) So it wasn't exactly relaxing. Over all It was a lack luster experience. Maybe good for larger groups, but not for a nice dinner for two.
(3)
Paul M.

Like so many of Boston's landmark eateries this one is misunderstood by visiting dilettantes from fly-over country. I can't believe people actually write things like "my Chinese food was greasy". Oh really? Does water ever seem watery to you? Kowloon is an irreplaceable part of rt.1, where else are you going to get served as many drinks as you can stomach, before wiping the remnants of your dinner from your Sean John track suit and getting behind the wheel of your Expedition with that drunk townie chick that you just met, and going to one of the hundreds of cheap motels near by to father the next generation of state troopers, firefighters and career criminals? If you said Kowloon, you are correct. And by the way the chinese food is greasy, drinks are premade garbage, the crowd is jersey meets conan the barbarian.... This place has charm though, don't be scared.
(3)
Brandon K.

Kowloon's is, hands down, the best remaining vintage tiki joint in the Boston area. It's a massive A-frame building that seems to just go on and on, decorated with a giant tiki above the door. As many others have noted, they are very into hyping the celebrities who have stopped through Kowloon's over the years....so there's a a lot photos in the lobby of comedians (they have a comedy club - or "Komedy Klub" as they call it - upstairs), some actors, a few talk show hosts, and an overwhelming amount of pro wrestlers. Not sure how or why so many pro wrestlers have stopped through, but that's cool. The interior decor is amazing if you're into tiki or exotica. The Volcano Room has a giant mural with a glowing volcano and scenes of quiet Polynesian villages, there's an outrigger mounted from the ceiling. Another room (the Tiki Lagoon) has just that, a sizable water fountain with colored lights. There's many tiki carvings on the support beams, and everywhere is a lot of fake palms and tropical plants. I have friends who are into "authentic" Asian food, and have been critical of Kowloon's because they feel it's not really "authentic". But I beg to differ. Kowloon's has split the place into many themed areas, so you've got a bar that looks like it's more Tokyo-influenced, there's a Thai Grille, and then there's the aforementioned Volcano Room and the Tiki Lagoon which is more for your standard Polynesian/Chinese stuff. You have to give them a lot of credit to using their massive space to maximum effect, and their menu reflects these different areas. If in doubt, go with the Pu-Pu Platter. The drinks are fantastic. The Kowloon's Mai Tai is the drink by which I measured all mai tais for many years. And they have an extensive drink menu: Zombies, Fog Cutters, Planter's Punch, and of course, the mighty Scorpion Bowl. And as others have mentioned, hell yes they are served in tiki mugs and the like. They're even selling these tiki mugs in the front these days. Perhaps the best thing about Kowloon's is the staff. The doctors and nurses are very nice and extremely accommodating. I've been here many times and we were always pleased that given the amount of foot-traffic that this place gets, they always remembered us as regulars and even gave us free meals several times for our loyalty. Who else does that? Only Kowloon's. So if you're one looking for "authentic" Asian food without the kitsch, go over to Cambridge and find some authentic restaurant. But for me, I'll take the authentic slice of mid-20th Century American pop culture that Kowloon's offers up. This is a tiki joint! Don't forget to order a Mai Tai!
(5)
Jesse S.

For a restaurant with 900 things on their menu, I was surprised at how good all of the food was. I had several dishes and they were all top notch. The waiter wasn't very helpful. I asked how spicy one of the Thai dishes is and he refused to tell me. I asked three times and he would not tell me if it's spicy or not. I asked if they can make it not spicy and he said "no." Also disappointed with how extremely extremely slow the service was. While other tables were served quickly, we were there for over two hours. We waited around 45 minutes between appetizer and main course, and the waiter took more than 20 minutes to take our orders. Also disappointed with how extremely noisy the place is. The interior seems to be designed to reflect the maximum amount of noise at you. Came here with a group of 10 and I couldn't even hear the person next to me.
(4)
Jess H.

One star is far too generous, I think. I went with a group of girlfriends, and the night went to hell from there. Several items we ordered were never brought to us, yet still we were charged for them when the bill came around. We fixed it immediately, but the waiter didn't seem to think there was a problem. I ordered sushi, the Alaskan roll, but when I received it, it looked, tasted and felt as though they had simply bought a roll from Market Basket, stuck it on a plate and handed it over. it was cold, tasteless and gross. Sushi, particularity the rice, is supposed to be warm. Mine tasted as though it had been living in a fridge all year. Yuck. We ordered some Chinese food as well, such as pork, meatless and chicken fried rice. Oily and gross. One friend ordered the crab rangoons, and she said they were tasteless, and that soemthing was wrong with the cream cheese. Eep! I ordered a pina colada. More like a pina glassoficeada. Our waiter showed up twice an hour. we were there, not becuase we wanted to be, for three hours. It was ridiculous. Eight people and limited service? Come on. The music was also simply awful. For a place that was Asian themed, you'd think we'd just listen to some Asian music, not terrible jazz-lounge renditions of Bruno Mars and Sting. it was far too loud as well. All in all, terrible food, terrible service. terrible restaurant, I will never go here again. if you want amazing Asian food, particularly sushi, I recommend Aikia in Swampscott, Kame in Beverly and Sea Lion Sushi in Liberty Tree Mall. Any other Asian restaurant in the North Shore will be better than this place.
(1)
Jason G.

This is a very large and famous restaurant on the north shore. The decor is outdated but it's what keeps the regulars coming back. The food itself your basic run of the mill Chinese food. I would not stray and try the Sushi, you will not be pleased. Once you order the food will arrive within 10 minutes because food is just precooked and just waiting to be called upon. Kowloon is the place to go with a big group or party if you want atmosphere, fun and decent enough food.
(3)
Mike M.

I should have read the reviews before coming here. The decor is very interesting. I was like on a boat, in a moat, and on some tropical island all at the same time. But we were seated at a dirty table. I don't think it was part of the decor. This was during lunch on a weekday, and there was only a handful of other people in there besides us. For the most part I didn't like the food. The hot and sour soup was ok, but not really that spicy. Both chicken dishes we ordered of the menu were disgusting. Neither sauce had any taste to it, and the chicken was rubbery. Off the appetizer menu, the boneless ribs were ok and the thai rolls were great. In conclusion, I wouldn't come back here to eat, but it looks like a great place to go for drinks or if you need a laxative but can afford to spend a little extra.
(3)
Dan D.

7/22/15 Party of 9 for adult birthday party. Been here many times, was impressed with how *clean and kept up the place looked. It's been here a long time, but they keep up with routine maintenance and the place is OK. This is a big place too; capable of virtually any size group/party. Its twin lobster month with 12 diff specials of prepared lobster. Two diners with seafood allergies canceled any plans for lobster. Special note: when we ordered, our allergy diners mentioned the allergy to the waitress. She stopped, got the manager/owner, and he listened to all the concerns and explained in detail exactly how they keep their cooking separate to avoid any allergy cross contaminated pans or utensils. A+ for sincere and through effort explaining everything. For food.........it was all appetizers, rice, sushi, poo poo platters.........TONS OF FOOD, TONS BROUGHT HOME. The actual food is solid and always exactly the same. Good. Kowloon is always reliable for a solid dinner and can accommodate just about any group. Highly recommend.
(3)
Eric C.

Food was good. But decor was way outdated and kind of run down. Lunch menu was good but dinner menu was completely different with no combination plates. What the heck is chinese food without a combination plate? Not to mention the appetizers on the normal menu were ridiculously expensive for chinese and it was one of something or nothing. Restaurant really needs a make over if it wants to actually be the premier Asian dining experience it advertises itself to be.
(3)
Dan R.

Wow this place is such a tourist trap! This place gets a SSF award....Shitty Service, Shitty Staff, Shitty Food. I mean come on if your going to sell poor quality good at least serve it well. Manager/Owner doest care. Place has gone down hill since I was a kid. I will never be back and hope you don't waste your time or money here. Stand clear.
(1)
Preet M.

Very disappointed....I have enjoyed my previous visits but where do I start for this one. Firstly, The server was very rude, appetizers were being reheated because the plate was hotter than the actual food, and after bringing the issue to their attention they had the audacity to bring it back in the same situation. The worst experience ever and probably won't be going back....ever! Good luck!
(1)
Khalid K.

I ate at this place around 7pm, and now it's 5:38am. Horrible tasting food that still haunts me. If I could only rewind time and not go to this garbage place. I can't wait for the bad taste to get out of my system. I want my money back. I ate the last meal at this place and never returning again.
(1)
Joshua C.

Always have driven by and this spot is always packed out. Decided to stop by one evening thinking I must be missing out. First of all this place is huge. Looks like its hay day has long passed and all thats left is an old dirty building desperately needing renovations. The bar was packed and the bartenders were great. Very friendly and made great drinks. The food is on the same level as the crappy china garden that delivers the same msg laced fried goodness you regretfully order after a night out. Overall this place can be fun to go grab a drink but don't waste your money on the food and definitely not a dinner destination spot.
(2)
Annie G.

Worst take-out experience I've ever had. Can't speak of the actual restaurant experience, but I'll never be back to find out. The first red flag was when an item we ordered didn't make it on the ticket. I only noticed the item wasn't accounted for when the bag with my order felt light, but since the item wasn't on my receipt I let it slide. Do 3 people really need two main dishes anyway? I chalked the mistake up to a miscommunication. The second mistake was partially my fault and partially some miscommunication again. I thought white rice came with every order (at least every main dish order) as it does in every other Chinese restaurant I've been to. I could have sworn the man working said it was included too. Anyways, I ended up paying $5 for plain white rice. I should have studied the menu more carefully. Maybe it was written there that white rice will cost you. The third and most egregious mistake was when the one main dish that actually made it onto the order ticket was not placed in my bag. No wonder the bag felt light. When I called to complain, I was told that the dish came from a different kitchen (it was Thai while the rest was Chinese), and therefore it came in a separate bag. Why didn't the man working catch that? How was I supposed to know that it would come separately? The item couldn't be delivered because I lived too far away, and there was no way I was facing rush hour traffic to go back and pick it up. The restaurant compensated me by removing the cost of the forgotten item from my bill (which should be a given considering I never actually received the item). In the end, I paid $15 for two small cups of soup and some white rice. I guess I also paid for a lesson on the importance of reading the little receipt they first give you and on opening the take-out bag at the restaurant to make sure everything is actually there.
(1)
J M M.

Two words - spare ribs! My husband has been coming to Kowloons since he was a child and we love it as a family. We highly recommend Kowloons for the food and the atmosphere!
(5)
Scotty C.

Kowloons absolutely gets 4 stars! Me and all my friends might complain about this place more often then not, but let's be real... we always go back for more lol...yes there prices have gone up and food quality isn't the same as it once was...but it's kowloons! If I want a drink that's going to put me on my ass kowloons is the spot....and fast service (Not great service lol) I never wait to be seated and the food comes in minutes...I don't know if that's a good thing? Aha but anyways kowloons is what it is and I'll always go back for more!
(4)
Lauren O.

5 stars for the cheesy, vintage Tiki charm and tropical drinks in a really big building. Where else in the northeast does a place like this exist? Look, if you're a foodie looking for the best Chinese, Thai or sushi restaurant, go somewhere else. The food here is OK (FYI portions are HUGE and a great value...about 3 yelp stars), but nothing to write home about. Go here for the kitschy tropical getaway you've been searching for. Bring as friend (or everyone you know because the place has infinite seating!) and order the tropical drinks and some food to share. Most importantly, enjoy the ambiance of this hokey, delightful Tiki paradise. Make sure to walk around this place to check out the different decorations.
(5)
David N.

When going to the Kowloon restaurant one can easily see why this establishment had so many celebrity endorsements. The food is delicious and plentiful even The place itself is like a landmark that sits in the heart of route one and is hard to miss. The biggest reasons for my bad review are the prices , the obvious shortcuts they make like watering down of the sauces and mustard. The tiny size of their glasses as they charge substantially for soft drinks with no free refills like other places would. And most importantly the service sucked because the waiter took our order and never checked up on us for drink refills or extra napkins. Pretty much the decent food portions are the only saving grace.
(2)
Ensia M.

Omg i loved kowloon! We just arrived here from NYC and it was the first meal of the day. Must try the saugus wings, really they are the best. Our friend from boston called for the famous crab ragoon (cheese + crab), they were nice but not my thing. We got the cashew chicken for the mains, was good but nothing exceptional. Our drinks, well i had the money in the pirate coconut... It had coconut,pineapple juice etc. Honestly.. It was too sweet for me! Like a dessert. Would prefer something more fruity like the real pirate coconut(refer the pics) my friend got. Oh and you pay 20bucks and take the coconut as a souvenir. Which we obviously did #memories . Id say give ot a try...its HUGE!
(4)
Chuck G.

Great soup but wings were room temperature. Not cooked fresh. If I wanted a buffet I would have gone somewhere else. Disappointed
(3)
Stuart K.

Stopped in after the Red Sox game. Have not been there for years. The place has not changed one bit and that is a shame. Needs a complete make over. Sat in a booth with ripped seats. Bathrooms not so good either. We had some chicken wings $10.95 which were tasteless. Some beef lo mein $13.00 and an order of white rice $4.25. That part was fine and tasty. We also had a tiny glass of Coke $2.25 and a Mai Tai $8.25 which was good. Prices were very high for Chinese food in the area. $50 with the tip for a snack after the game. And I thought Fenway prices were high.
(2)
Stephen W.

recently there on an early saturday evening (6pm), was immediately husstled to the back. waited at least 15 minutes to be aproached by an "overworked waiter" who wanted to know if "we were ready to order food!" no ,my party wanted a cocktail first. the waiter took the drink order,put down our drinks,and asked again if "we were ready to order food! after saying we are going to be a "few minutes", we waited 20minutes for his return. after placing the food order,within 4 minutes it arrived and plopped on the table!!! i still have the salt taste in my mouth!!! this place is now a destinatoin locacation for "out-of- towners" one visit, no return customers!!! as a local, i will never go to kowloon again!!!!
(1)
Michael S.

Soooooooooooooo bad oh my lanta please avoid at all cost, this place is a dump and I wish I just stayed home saved $100 and ate my feces, Thanks kowloon for ruining my thought of Chinese food......
(1)
Lindsay D.

I have gone to Kowloons quite a few times and there is always the same scenario on entry. Chaos to get into the Comedy club and undersized bar and then a disorganized loud crowd of people waiting for tables. However, they still manage to seat about a hundred people in a rotating system in less than 30mins every time. This place is a well oiled machine. Usually the menu is about twenty pages long similar to Cheesecake Factory but all various types of Asian (Thai, Cantonese, sushi, etc) but this time it had the first new menu I think since the 1970s. I used to feel overwhelmed but as a vegan it's actually super helpful. So the new menu is much more streamlined. They have fan faves and sushi and a few specialty items but my coconut pineapple curry was gone which I was craving so I was bummed. Otherwise I was happy. I got noodles and asked for peanut sauce to top it and was a very happy girl. I brought my 5month old thinking she'd love the distractions of the ship the twinkle lights the water fountains but it was all too much. She didn't love it but there were actually tons of young families. I was happy to see that the servers are still awesome and even baby friendly and the food is still fast and hot and very good. So overall it is still a Saugus staple and route one will have it forever.
(4)
Lexi S.

I give this 2 stars only because it's different than other restaurants in the sense that it's huge and has fountains and many other attractions that differentiate it from a regular restaurant. I went here with my grandmother for her birthday last week and our experience was anything less than mediocre. They have a huge parking lot and the restaurant itself was big so there was no wait. That was a plus. The host and servers were friendly when seating us but when taking our order, not so much. They seemed rushed and not connected, but that's to be accounted for with so many tables to be waited on. We ordered a pu pu platter and a side of vegetable lo mein, which might I say racked up a bill of $50. The only thing that was decent to eat was the lo mein. Everything on the pu pu platter was dry and not flavorful. My grandmother and I looked at each other after we finished and both said we wished we went somewhere else.
(2)
Rich A.

Really enjoy going here...always good. It is so consistent. Bobby Wong and his family are great hosts! Mai Tais and food are always worth the trip to Saugus.
(4)
Kelly S.

Food is good. Service is a little slow. Be aware that these dishes are not for one person. Possibly not even 2...
(3)
Charlotte M.

I have not been here in 20 years and decided to take my husband who has never been. Huge mistake. When you walked inside it just felt and looked dirty. There was a chef on break picking his teeth walking around the kitchen that is opened up and later as I went to the ladies room he was eating his meal outside the bathroom. There was another woman sitting on a step stool in the kitchen doing nothing. We ordered chicken goo pan and that was good, the beef with vegetables and fried rice tasted like it was left over and microwaved. Disgusting. We will not return.
(1)
Ernest S.

I went to here today with my son we had a great meal the hot and sour soup was actually delicious also the general pho was good,I also have enjoyed many of the weekend Theater shows,
(4)
Jonathan C.

My brother recently moved to the foreign land that is the North shore, so I joined him on his first trip to this route 1 landmark. I think everyone notices two things when they walk in - how big it is, and the decor which included row boats hanging from the ceiling. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's more interesting than most Chinese places. The service was pretty good. The food came out super fast - there must be an army of Chinese dudes cooking egg rolls in the kitchen. The server brought out drinks like Johnny Chan on the spot. The drink menu is interesting, but expensive. I suggested a Fog Cutter, which is a great drink to get if you've never had one (strong). Anyway, he suggests Fog Cutter for 2 - 1 for each of us. Originally, I thought this was a mistake, but I think the alcohol content was about half what it could have been. So I wouldn't get it (and I don't really want a Kowloon glass in my cabinet). I also had a Suffering Bastard which I recommend. The Pu Pu platter was ah-so-so. I was a little disappointed in the sesame chicken. It wasn't terrible, but I've had much better. I also ordered the Eddie Andelman Special, which I just had to try after watching the Phantom Gourmet all these years. It was OK - I think I liked it better as a leftover for some reason. I'd like to think that if I ever become locally famous, I can do better than getting a dish at the Kowloon named after me. (Not everyone can have a burger at Bartley's!) Dinner and drinks came to $55pp. The comedy show - which had it's moments- was another $20. First time visiting, so I'm not entirely sure what to give. Kowloon isn't a bad time, but I'm in no rush to go back. 2.5 stars perhaps?
(2)
Gina B.

Literally never write reviews but felt like this place warranted one... As a warning for all you yelpers. Ambiance was nice when you walked in. It was a little empty, maybe because it was a weekday. As a former New Yorker, I love me some Chinese food. I got the spring roll and the "special chicken" I think it's called. Chicken, cashews, mushrooms and pineapples drowning in a "special" sauce which tasted like a salty mess that had been sitting out all day. But I wanted it because they served it in a pineapple shell, and that's so cute right? I ate maybe a quarter of it because I couldn't even chew it without cringing. Gave the rest to my fiancÃ© and fought nausea the whole ride home. My fiancÃ© ordered general gaos chicken, which was mostly fried batter swimming in sweet sticky sauce with no real flavor but that of SUGAR and artificial orange. There was literally no chicken. He was also sick when we got home. Now for the BEST PART! The waitress was shady and made us feel very uncomfortable. She grilled us about our age and said we looked too young when we ordered our scorpion bowl to share (which was the only thing in that restaurant that actually tasted nice, go figure). We are 23 and 24, and while we like the compliment that we look 18, I wouldn't call that factual but that's fine. Just very uncomfortable. So that's the review I wasn't going to leave here because I figured maybe they were having an off night. My mind changed 5 minutes ago however, when my fiancÃ© discovered that his debit card had been swiped and copied with charges for hundreds of dollars!! He usually uses his credit cards, but that night he used his debit card and he is almost certain the card info was stolen at Kowloon. Please stay away, and if you feel like you must experience the gimmick that is Kowloon and writhe in stomach pain all night, at least do yourself the favor of paying in cash.
(1)
Alex A.

There's really no way to rate Kowloon on a comparative scale to other, similar restaurants, mainly because it's not really so much a restaurant as it's an institution. You kind of have to evaluate this place on its own merit, and what "its own merit" is is completely batshit insane. Walking into Kowloon after 11 PM is like walking into a bizarro parallel universe that is made up entirely of fake Asian decor and scorpion bowls. My favorite Kowloon highlights include: * I used to work at a theatre in Wakefield/Reading, and would occasionally go out with the cast for a late dinner at Kowloon. One night we got there around midnight, and there was a party of - I shit you not - thirty people seated at a table near us, ten of whom were elementary school-age children. WTF? * Their scorpion bowls are fucking enormous. Seriously, it's like drinking an ocean made out of rum and fruit juice. You will be three sheets to the wind before you even make it a quarter of the way through one of these bad boys. * The whole place is decorated like a Bond villain's den. There are fake Terra Cota warriors literally everywhere, a neon-backlit fountain, and the overall ambiance kind of just resembles the interior of an evil scientist's lair situated on top of a river of molten lava. Bear in mind: this place is located in Saugus. * Their food is alright. You won't be blown away by it, but let's face it: if you're eating General Gau's chicken and washing it down with a My Tai at 2 AM, you're really not concerned with it being gourmet-quality. That said, it's never bad. It's just very, very average - even for that part of Boston Metro. * The late-night waiters are often hilarious.
(5)
Susie F.

I had lunch with a friend. ..music was so loud we couldn't converse. Food was good, service horrible. Had to wait 20 minutes to get the check so we could leave. .. this is the 4th time we've had horrible service!
(2)
Paul J.

We would always come here for New Years Eve & usually Kowloon would deliver on a great meal. Atmosphere and how things are setup with the celebrity pics on the wall are very welcome. Unfortunately none of this matters because the last time I came we were met with poor service as well as food. This alone wouldn't drive me away from coming back however, it's the fact that we all saw them take the duck sauce we were using & pour it back into another container to be used by another customer. This is unacceptable & is a health risk.
(1)
Roger T.

Good food no doubt. Fun place to come with groups plus they have a comedy club upstairs. Strangest thing of the night was hearing the big bald manager with glasses say to a server "hey dummy lets go over there and ask those other 2 F'ing dummies" loud enough for us to hear from our table. Very unprofessional I'd say and not a way to motivate staff.. Other than that, food was good, kitchen was fast and they have a TON of drinks to choose from.
(4)
Richard D.

Drinks were decent, but came out almost instantly, so I'm guessing they were premade from a vat. Maybe this should be expected, since I was there for the comedy show, and if they were made from the bar, people would probably complain about wait times otherwise. For dinner, we ordered the General Tau's chicken and the "Crazy Maki" roll. The sushi was pretty good and the chicken was excellent - piping hot, with just the right amount of crispiness. I wish I had tried the crab rangoon, based on some of the other reviews. It would have been nice if they had cleared our plates away after we finished eating, since they remained in front of us for over 90 minutes as we sat through the show. There was also one clown in the crowd who kept talking or yelling in response to almost every line (must have been too long since his last "guys' night out" or it was his first night drinking), but he was never called out by any of the comics. However, that's on the comics, not the restaurant.
(4)
Caitlynn F.

If I could give no stars I would. Kowloon use to be great place to go but not anymore. Everything in the restaurant from the booths to the carpet to the walls is outdated and torn from years of use and not getting repaired or replaced. How do you make such a profit from celebrities going there yet you can't have a decent looking place. The staff is extremely rude other than when first greeted, although I would like to be asked where I would like to be seated. I had to ask 4 times for a refill on either my water or my husband's soda. Each time the waiter acted like we were a bother to him. Also, he was just sitting at a table on his phone while we were waiting for refills and when we were done. Their Pu-Pu Platter for 2 is 29.95. Are you kidding? The portion is minimal and I can go to many other places around that's cheaper and decent size quantity of food. This is the last time I ever go to Kowloon.
(1)
Steve B.

Kowloon is one of those places you go to and you're never sure why you keep returning. I'm almost positive the drinks are ladled from a giant 55 gallon drum shipped over from China or else they've got the only bartender on the planet that can make 2 Mai Tai's and 2 Zombie's in a minute and a half. The food isn't even worth mentioning, but I would say I take serious issue with any one that thinks it's good. Expect mediocre service, stale drinks and re-heated lifeless food and you won't be disappointed. That being said, it's a fun place to drink your ass off while munching on some cold egg rolls. See you there!
(4)
max s.

The place is next to red roof inn.. I ordered the margarita.. That's ok The menu is international .. They have a Japanese bar, Chinese and Thai as well as Singaporean.. I ordered tom yum soup.. It's ok!! I can make better tom yum. I also ordered Singaporean street noodles.. Of the many food on the menu, I ordered that!!
(3)
John S.

Yeah. Best Chinese and Japanese food around. I always order Sushi takeout on my way home from work and its seriously consistent and great. Chinese food is great, fresh and always consistent. Service is quick and great! I love Kowloon
(5)
Lynn B.

Took a road trip from Maine with my friend Janat just to have lunch at Kowloons. It was after 2 on a Wednesday so it wasn't crowded. Service was excellent - I appreciated the courtesy hot pot of tea etc and our waiter even laughed at a couple of my jokes. Janat had a spicy lemony shrimp soup S1 - which she loved and a duck vegetable dish. She was extremely pleased with her duck. Pic attached. I enjoyed a shrimp and veg miso soup and shrimp with lobster sauce on white rice. The shrimp were huge and tasty and the lobster sauce was dark brown with a deep rich flavor that isn't found in restaurants north of Massachusetts. Yummmmm! I also got a Rummy sweet Mai Tai that rivals any I've had north. Kowloons does it right as they've done for decades. Always a great choice for Chinese food! There is a comedy club upstairs as well !
(5)
Steven P.

If you're looking for a fine dining experience, or cheap Chinese take-out, you won't find either of those experiences here -- so stop whining. But if you want excellent, traditional Chinese cuisine served quickly, hot out of the wok, in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, then look no further. We don't get to Kowloon's as often as we'd like, but when we do, we're never disappointed. During our most recent visit, I enjoyed an exceptionally tender szechuan beef entree seasoned to the perfect heat level, while my wife ordered a delicious portion of lo mien loaded with mega-huge shrimp. We also indulged in a great (but modestly expensive) pu pu platter to start, stacked high with fresh, tasty offerings. Maybe the traffic on Route 1 does suck, and maybe the staff tends to herd its never-ending line of patrons during peak hours, but so what. It's quirky, affordable and delicious. Isn't that why you came in the first place?
(5)
Ben L.

If i could, i would give this 2 and a half stars, only reason im giving a star is the very nice atmosphere and im very sure thats why people go there. Wouldnt be so special to a chinese native like myself because being a chinese native, the looks doesnt matter to us at all, it's how the food taste and thats where it's downhill. The food really isnt anything special to me. If anything it's just expensive and a little less mediocre. I had 2 rolls of sushi, a plate of wings and a bowl of fried rice. None are just special to me because it just taste plain, i cant say it was bad, I finished it. The service was okay too, it was a thursday night, and the food actually all came out in 10 minutes. The waiter was nice, not the smiley kind, just the "im here to do my job but I wont be ignorant looking" kind. They probably had a lot of sponsors because i see that theres other businesses trying to promote themselves at the entrance. Comedy club seems a huge hit, bar was really packed for a thursday. and the drink does seem decent cheap, but i didnt order any. Overall, nothing specail, it is better than PF changs. (then again, so is any other chinese restaurant). I think it's just the atmosphere is what everyone is attracted to. really cant be anymore huge
(2)
Angel M.

Jersey Shore people bottled in the early 90s is what is happening here. Oh, you call your talons, nails? Nice, you could really defend yourself in a fight here. Which is what happens sometimes because there is a full time cop here. My favorite area to sit by is the lagoon. Yeah, a flourescent indoor lagoon with water fountains. Its pretty nice. White Mai Tais. Swear to god, you can order crab rangoon, and the second the words spill out of your head you know that your app will arrive in less than 30. seconds. I think 30 seconds is the max. How do they do it? Who cares. its delicious. their menu is 40 pages long. sometimes they are out of the fish neck. prepping for polynesian? yup. taste for thai? you got it. care for chinese? duh. jamaican me hungry for food from japan. okay, so they dont have jamaican, but they do have american. if you get here sat or sun between 7-9, be prepared to take a ticket. its about 45 mins....unless you meow ;) such an experience. seriously. dont take my word for it. ample parking. ample people watching. its 3 floors. and weddings are conducted in the attic. check. it. out.
(4)
Kevin L.

Having worked in Mass for years I have heard so many bragging about how good the Kowloon was. We went yesterday driving 1 hour in the rain. We were seated right away and order Mai Tai's. They came very quickly but lacked that last little splash of dark rum. Not worth the $10.00 per drink. The appetizers were the best part of the meal but they came out COLD! The meals were just ok. The Steak in the Steak Kew was decent the sauce needed something. The pork fried rice was salty and the Chicken dish (#7) who's name I forget was forgettable. Our waiter was funny and attentive. Not worth the drive or the $154.00 pre tip for four!
(1)
Mike W.

Been coming to Kowloon for 51 years and watched lots of other Chinese/Polynesian restaurants in the area come and go. That should tell you how much the locals love the place. Kowloon has been run by the same family since it was started in the 1950s. My dad was one of the early original customers. Baseball great Ted Williams was a regular there, and if you're lucky you'll see a Red Sox or Celtics player there. Some newbies are too snobby or spoiled to appreciate the place, as you can tell from the whiners who wrongly give one or two stars. Kowloon is an experience. To make the best of your experience, make reservations to sit in the old part of the restaurant. I wouldn't be caught dead in the newer parts.
(5)
Amber B.

I know Kowloon's is an institution in itself at this point. I grew up going here for special occassions. In the last decade or so, I do not understand for the life of me why this place continues to be popular. I've had better prepared, cheaper Chinese food prepared in my own kitchen or at the corner "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant than Kowloon's. Sadly, the Wong family needs to reevaluate their standards unless they want to go the way that the Hilltop Steakhouse. Otherwise, they'll just end up a legend too.
(2)
David G.

Very disappointing, after we tried the terrible drinks, Mai tai & a zombie , we decided just to try a few basic dishes. Hot & sour soup not good and served cold Egg rolls ($7), how do you mess up egg rolls? They did. Dumplings, (Peking ravioli), a doughy mess, served without sauce. Vegetable lo mien, without any vegetables, bad news. Kowloon may translate to rip off, or abdominal pain.
(1)
Michelle R.

I used to live Kowloon but no more. The quality is not as good as it used to be and after spending the evening vomiting, I won't be returning.
(1)
Daisy P.

This place is a glorified Chinese restaurant... All the food tasted bland with no flavor.. The crab ragoon only had cheese and no crab, presentation of that dish sucks... The Pad Thai had a funky smell to it and the tofu, I assume it was tofu. Tasted horrible so we picked it all off our plate. Again presentation of tired looking lettuce, a lemon, and a cocktail cherry was just confusing. This place reminds me of mass produced, barely passable, banquet hall... Or maybe buffet food. I would not recommend this place at all!! My local neighborhood place does a much better job!
(2)
Christopher H.

Very different than it once was, a shadow of itself. Quality of food was pretty bad. Terrible chicken fingers. Great service!
(1)
Rich G.

Drive the 30 miles to Kowloon once a month to catch up with a buddy. We order the "make your own dish". Its an option to pick 4 items for about $12. The food for as long as we have been going has been great. The chicken fingers are the best around. The food flies out of the kitchen fast. The service is blah blah blah. There will be no chuckles with your server but so be it. The lounge is a nice set up with keno and a lottery machine that does everything but wax your car. You know going in that it is not fine dining but it is better than average chinese food. I cant speak to the Thai/japanese menu but may try one day. Plenty of parking and always fun pulling out of lot onto busy Rt 1. Floor it!!!!!!!
(3)
Adam J.

I love Kowloons!! I go at least once a year when I visit from Chicago. Service is pretty bad but when you're on vacation you have all the time in the world to wait 15 minuets for a refill. Always get the pu-pu platter and it's worth every penny. If you're hungry for a late night meal here's your place.
(4)
T.Vanessa C.

everyone told me i need to go there for great drinks and awesome food.i was so disappointed one sip of the mai tai and i knew it was not what i wanted,yes im spoiled and i know great food me being a chef,it was horrible,my friend and i wounded up at the golden temple-great drinks and awesome food.guess most people will settle for less.so i experienced it and never again.
(1)
Melissa S.

Great Service Amazing Drinks Excellent Chinese food, especially appetizers. Sushi was good but the rolls were a little large and hard to eat in one bite. Try the saugus wings! They are a chicken wing in a dark sweet molases sause. So good. There are so many options to choose from, perfect for sharing and great for large groups.
(4)
Steve S.

I should update this because I've been back twice since my last review in 2011. Most recently, in my last trip to Boston, we did a huge take out order at my friend's house. That was this past weekend. Every time I come to Boston, I use Kowloon as a meeting place to gather as many of my Boston friends as possible and have a huge meal with them. It can get up to about 20 people each time I have the gathering. Kowloon never has a problem hosting it because they're just so huge that they can handle it. And we just load the table up with pupu platters, fried rice, appetizers, Saugus wings (a must), and various dishes. Everybody always loves it. I have so many memories here. I got to know some of the staff and management here and they always treat me well (Hello to the Wong family, and to Bobby Wong the best waiter and host I've ever seen). Quite honestly, I'm addicted to their chicken fingers, fried shrimp, and teriyaki sticks. I'm also addicted to their fried rice and pan fried noodles. Hell, I'll eat anything here. Even on the take out order, the food is just as good. Sometimes it's not as fresh on takeout since it has to travel. But I still loved it. And on top of it all, my wife who doesn't eat a lot of the same fried crap I get here, now is a fan of the pad thai. I still love you Kowloon. I just thought I'd tell you that.
(5)
Vacation W.

Kowloon's is an old favorite and I love to go there with my kids when visiting the States. As with everything in the States, the prices seemed higher, but the food was great. We always get the Pu Pu Platter, chicken or pork chow mien, beef or pork fried rice and my kids like the sushi as well. There also always seems to be plenty to be able to take some home. The Thai food side of the house is just OK. Being used to real Thai food, it's hard to match it unless extra effort is utilized with fresh Thai herbs and spices. I have never been there for any of the shows, but they still have the familiar signed celebrity pictures hanging on the wall. The restaurant has pretty much looked the same over the years but that's OK because Kowloons is Kowloons just the way it is. :)
(4)
Bruce D.

Dined here on Christmas eve. One of the few places open. Was not expecting much however pleasantly suprised. Menu is extensive. Excellent mixed drink selection. Friendly staff. Enjoyed the sushi. Wasabi was the hottest ever, excellent. Portions are generous and prices are very fair. Will return next time I need a place to meet friends at an easy to get to location. Free parking and plenty of it.
(3)
Adrienne T.

Ewwww. Never, ever, never, never again. Never. This was SO hideously bad that I've been trying to write a review for about a week now. I give up. It was so bad that we complained (yes, in "this" type of establishment, cultural norms understood), and actually GOT half our meal comped. The ONE star is for the manager knowing that the food (tasteless, bland, semi-warm) was AWFUL and handling the situation properly. Thank you, Misses Manager, YOU are to be commended.
(1)
Vezna S.

I wish I could really love this place, I really do but there's just too much going against it. In the past 10 years or so.. I've come here probably around 4 times and each time I was disappointed. The size is massive but it's always always packed which really annoying people who are loud and obnoxious. There are many places you could go in here. There's the Volcano Bay Room, Tiki Lagoon, Thai Grille, Luau and Mandarin Rooms and the Hong Kong Lounge. For this review, I visited the Hong Kong Lounge. To start off, the lounge is located at the first right turn from the entrance. It was PACKED so me and my brother and cousin elected to just sit at the tables on the outside of the place. It was COLD outside and sitting there by the entrance was a bad idea because every time the door opened (which was very frequent), a cold burst of air would envelope us. You know how some places have the heat on high at the entrances to stop this from happening? Yeah well not Kowloons! I would think that they'd do that judging by the prices they charge but nope.. no such luck. We weren't that hungry and since there was just three of us, we ended up just ordering beers and a large pupu platter. I've got to say that it was the worst pupu platter I've ever had. The wings were disgusting, the ribs were dry to the point that I thought they were actually fossils of animals long extinct. But the worst was the fried wontons. There was absolutely minimal filling in each one.. it was like eating rolled up tortilla chips with just a TINY SPECK of filling. Absolutely atrocious how they would serve something so utterly disappointing. I literally, took a bite out of one of them and just sat in disbelief at this joke of a wonton... which both my brother and cousin agreed upon was the worst one we've had anywhere. Lastly.. yes the parking lot is huge but good luck finding a spot. I don't understand why this place is so popular.. it's just not worth it to me. The only times I go is when everyone I'm with just had a plan to go there and I tag along because I have no choice. Horrible place. The prices are insane for the quality of food they're dishing out and the service is SLOW. The parking is bad and the ambiance, although it's quite lovely... is often overpowered by the droves of douchebags who come in. Avoid if possible.
(1)
Sean T.

I grew up ordering from here. I have fond memories of running up to route 1 with my dad, getting a bag of Chinese food then going home and having a feast with the family. Those were the days. Kowloon was the best! Sad to say that this is no longer the case. Well they have gone down hill over the past 5, 10 years, we ordered from them the other night was absolutely the worst I have ever had. I will never order from them again. So long to a family tradition.
(1)
Paul J.

This place is HUGE, and always seems busy so I decided to try it out. But I think I expected way too much from Kowloons. It's like this restaurant doesn't know if it should be Chinese, Japanese, Thai or what. The Pad thai was mediocre, and the sushi was not very fresh. I would rather have had less selection and better quality food.
(2)
Alyssa N.

It's a spectacle. And now that I've seen it, I don't have to back for a long time. The food wasn't especially great. And NO Mushrooms mean No Mushrooms. Service wasn't great (plus the server began fighting with me about the mushroom thing).
(2)
Sumath S.

I went here for mother's day and was hoping for some authentic chinese food. When I got there I noticed the cool building and was excited about eating. Since it was only my parents and me we got a table almost instantly. Inside the atmosphere is fun and inviting, but the furniture looks like its older than me. I dont know if we got a regular menu, but the ones we got were large single sheets and didn't offer much choices. I saw the menu and I couldn't find anything that I wouldn't find at a fast food chinese. My mom wanted a fish dish, but the waiter said they didn't have any. I guess this place is good if you want crab ragoons or lo mein. I won't be coming here again and I'll stick to Chau Chow City.
(3)
Riem K.

I have to agree with some reviewers and say this place is about the experience and not the food. Me and the hub were looking for a place to eat, we first went to the one on the cliff, I think it's called Jin, you know, the one after Kappy's on rt. 1 and you go up a winiding road on the side of the cliff. Well, they weren't open for dinner service, so we went to Kowloons. We both haven't been here for years and the last I remember it was good. Place was loud, but lots of decor to distract you. Menu was overwhelming and just pages and pages of stuff. I got the sushi and hubs got the pu-pu platter with fried rice. Sushi was adequate, not horrible, but not that great. Honestly, I've had better sushi at whole foods. Not to mention that I like my sushi to be a little colder than room temp. the pu-pu platter was pretty good, but it was your average appetizer you can get anywhere. My wine was flat and you can tell the bottle has been opened for awhile. Did I mention the noise level in this place? You're senses are constantly being bombarded with everyone 's conversation except your own! Well, I go here again? Not unless I have some kids with me so they can at least be entertained by the decorations. This place is good if you're in large groups or have small kids. If you want to have a nice quiet dinner, I suggest you go somewhere else. All in all, I say this is average.
(3)
Tony D.

OK, right off, I love this place. I grew up an Saugus and have eaten (and drank) there more times than I can remember. Do not go there when it is crazy busy. Do not order Thai food or Sushi. Stick with the Cantonese food. The Pupu platter is good although I've always hated the dried out pork strips. Egg rolls are great. Chicken fingers (and pork fingers) are terrific. The Saugus chicken wings are a must have! If you try nothing else try those. Lobster sauce and pork fried rice are classics. They have a dish called Lung Har Guy Poo Lo Mein which costs about $23 dollars but is large enough to feed several people. Meat, seafood and veggies on a bed of lo mein. The LobsterFest is a good value, twin lobsters in your choice of various cooking styles/sauces (try the spicy ones). As mentioned in other reviews their drinks are good. If you are looking for authentic Chinese food go to Chinatown. If you go to Kowloons stick with what they do well and you won't be disappointed. Break out the Hawaiian shirt, grab a lei and head to the little bar in the corner of the front-most room for a comfortable spot to drink, nibble on appertizers and enjoy the theater that unfolds before you.
(5)
Tammy C.

the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Kristen L.

good place to get drinks any day of the week and the saugus wing song is amazing sitting in the bar area is better than the restaurant if you just wanna hang out with some friends ..
(4)
Kate H.

Came here with a party of about 15-20 a few days ago. They were able to seat us quickly and the service was pretty good - attentive, yet not very friendly. That said, the food was hit (Saugus wings, house rice, egg roll) or miss (shrimp fried rice, beef teriyaki, lobster sauce), beers were skunked, and the place was pretty dirty. I'm always a little curious about a place with super dark lighting - I get the whole "ambiance" ordeal, but I could clearly see the faults with Kowloon's dirty interior. And overly priced, to boot.
(2)
Phil O.

After being on the road a lot of the time, I guess I might have developed a more distinguished palate. This appetizers at Kowloon are beginning to taste more and more like the dog food served at Chow Chau City in Boston.
(4)
Katy W.

It's hard to rate Kowloon because there are two distinct components to the experience: the food and the setting. I would give the setting at least 4 stars because it is so over-the-top ridiculous. I had been explaining Boston's bizarre relationship to "Chinese" cuisine to my husband for years. The strange fascination with Polynesian kitsch and pineapple; the oddities of a roll and butter; the gooey sweet and sour sauce; the pu pu platter in general. . . I could go on and on. Anyway, it seems like this "tradition" has been eroding for years, especially on the South Shore where many of the tiki Chinese joints have been closing. Or else, the food has just really gone downhill. Sadly, as a kid, I had never been to Kowloon because it was "all the way" up on the North Shore (heavens, no!). But, I remembered that I was always attracted to its lights and general Disney atmosphere whenever we drove by on our way to Maine. We got our opportunity a few months ago and even I was blown away by how packed it was in the lobby, but also by how efficiently we were seated. I guess given how gigantic the main dining room is, it makes sense that they just keep rolling people through. We had an okay seat in the bigger room with the giant ship replica. However, I would have liked sitting in the more romantic part with dim light and several blue-glow fountains. We ordered a pu pu platter (what else?!?!) and I got whatever drink comes in the actual ceramic tiki mug. It was awesome! We also got pork fried rice and mongolian/shanghai beef (can't remember exactly). The pu pu platter came out in a jiffy and it was possibly the best I've eaten. It was cooked to perfection and not overly greasy. I guess it's because nearly every table orders one. BUT, the pork fried rice was very bland and the beef dish was bordering on terrible. So, it seems like you have to stick with the very basics. That's weird too because their menu is enormous. I was pretty impressed with it since they divide it by regional cuisines. They have a Polynesian section and then Chinese and there were other options too. They have American dishes as well. So, we'll definitely come back. I think I'll bring my mom, too. Maybe we'll venture into other parts of the menu? I'm not sure. But, Kowloon is definitely a destination and I'm happy to see that it seems to be doing a booming business. I wish they would work on getting their pork fried rice up to snuff. Bonus, here's a cool article in the Globe about faux-Chinese cuisine and its tradition in Boston: bostonglobe.com/lifestylâ€¦
(3)
John H.

Growing up, I used to love going to the Kowloon. My family is large and this restaurant has the space to accommodate a great many diners at one time. And the food was excellent. The key word here is *was* I find the food just acceptable now. But for the price that is charged, this has to be a notch above. The choices offered are many and the quantity is also acceptable. However, since the Kowloon has fallen to the point that my local Chinese takeaway is better - I have to with a great deal of regret say that I am no longer a patron.
(2)
Taylor S.

Come on! Kowloon deserves 5 stars, people! This place is an institution!!! RESPIETO!!!!
(5)
Sarah P.

Was it the best food I've ever had, no. Was it good fun and worth doing once in awhile, definitely. The drinks were good, the food was right for the price and we waited about 3 seconds to be sat. It's kitsch and with a big group would be a ball.
(3)
Mina I.

Epitome of Rt. 1 kitch! Worth a trip even just to say you've been. The food is not bad but it probably won't blow you away with radness.. Be willing to enjoy it lightheartedly - when Ryan and I went there was a room with little row boats hanging from the ceiling and waves & palm trees on the walls .. we were into it and enjoyed it for what it is, a fun over the top Chinese restaurant.. great service and good memories.. Thanks Kowloon!
(4)
Marina P.

Great food. We had a table of about 8 people and we order several different dishes so that we could try them all. The steak "nibblets" were delicious, that is not really what it says in the menu, but we named them that because it seemed very appropriate for the bite sized steak. We also had their delicious house fried rice, chicken fingers, low mein, etc.... all very good. Hands down - my favorite was their muay thais, which i heard it is a secret recipe, passed down from generations... not sure if that was true, but very worthy if it is. Not a place to go for a romantic dinner, but great place for bigger parties or family dinners.
(3)
Thomas F.

I went with a group of about a dozen friends. We each ordered something different, and then shared everything. We found almost everything to be bland and goopy. Nothing was disgusting, but nothing was inspiring of a return visit. Oh, and it took FOREVER to get our food, and then they seemed to completely lose interest in us, so I had a really hard time getting a glass of water when I really needed it. I won't be returning.
(1)
Hannah L.

i love tacky themed places (route 1 is quite the stimulating drive) and i love kowloon. the fountains, the different themed rooms, the geriatrics, the huuuge menu....it's great!!! i brought my friend here from NYC and she basically obsessed over kowloon the remainder of her trip. i am a sucker for ironic places, and i love this place. its so cheesy and themed and not updated, and i love it. everything!!!
(4)
chungo m.

i have always seen this place as I am driving on Rt 1 and always wanted to go inside. Well I did. It's wicked awesome! i had a few scorpion bowls and woke up the next morning at a stranger's house. The stranger was hot, so it was a good time!
(5)
Brian D.

Where do you go on a crappy Sunday afternoon when you are dreading the thought of Monday? Where do you go when you have 7 hours before the Sox game to pre-game booze? And what if you want these pre-game drinks in funky glasses filled with chilled rum? AND what if you want to wash this rum down with egg rolls, chicken wings, crispy won tons, crab rangoons and Mass State Lottery scratch card action???? Kowloons!! Seriously though, this place is no joke. Massive menu, drinks that can make a sailor lose his sea legs and 2 floors of pick your own adventure style themed seating. Massive am mounts of north shore memorabilia and celebrity kitsch shit everywhere, plenty to keep the eyes busy. It's sort of Las Vegas'esque and you lose track of time, theres just too much to see. I just wish the food was good. Yeah, big problem the food blows.
(3)
Byron M.

This is the epitome of the american chinese restaurant - polynesian food. The Wong family had founded this huge shrine of american chinese food so many years ago I can't remember. This place is a local landmark on Route 1 and has a loyal following of regulars. Don't expect gourmet authentic chinese cuisine here, you will need to go to Chinatown for that, but this is a great place to kick back, have a scorpion bowl, and some "chinese" appetizers with friends.
(3)
Danny G.

We got seated right away. Friendly staff and food was pretty tasty almost comparable to Asian food in California. lively atmosphere. apparently they have 3 kitchen, so food came really quickly.
(4)
Sarah S.

I've never, ever had a bad meal here. There are some days when th food is spot-on fantastic, and some days where it's simply solid, tasty food. The crab rangoon is orgasmic. Like, honestly. I could eat an entire order by myself and not feel bad/gross/greasy afterwards. I would, however, stay away from the sushi. The rice isn't seasoned well, and the rolls typically aren't rolled very tightly. You're at a Chinese restaurant, anyways, so you might as well eat Chinese. Service is fast, usually friendly, and the place is HUGE, so you'll never really wait too long for a table. Prices are more than reasonable, and the menu is gargantuan. You shouldn't have trouble finding dishes that everyone in your party likes. Oh, and there's this water fountain pool thing. What's not to like?!
(4)
Jillian Y.

I went here all excited about it - I'd seen the ads during Phantom Gourmet, had driven past it hundreds of times, and heard about the drinks. First off, we went on Easter, so the restaurant was PACKED with churchgoers (not a judgement, just a statement) - and their obnoxious children. Second, we weren't drinking because we had 30 minutes more to our drive home. So that sucks. We were seated away from the awesomeness in some addition built on the side that was ugly as sin. Also, dirty. Also, near the bathrooms. Our booth had a tear in the seat. A nearby child was throwing food. Yuck. Then we ordered - I was certainly pleased with my food. We both got seafood dishes priced around $20, but which lasted us for three meals. My Heineken was like, $5 though, what's that about?
(3)
Rebecca Y.

Overpriced, average Chinese food in a Disneyland setting. Restaurants should not try to be everything to everybody. Kowloon has that problem in a BIG WAY.
(2)
Melissa K.

Kowloon has a great atmosphere. Very quirky, but unique decor. The place is huge, and has some entertainment while you dine. Despite the great atmosphere, food is okay. It's good, just not great. But if you're looking for a late-night meal, this is the place to go. It's one of the few places, that serves food til 1:30am. The menu is vast, and I'm sure you can find something that suits everyone's palate.
(3)
Melissa C.

There are no words for how great this place is. A little kitsch, a little annoying sometimes (depending on the number of groups with kids), but it never discourages me. The chinese food is great and surprisingly the sushi is better than many of the "fancy" sushi places i go to in boston. This place has become a tradition and I love it every time.
(5)
Lisa K.

Kowloon is Awesome!!! If you're looking for good food, this would not be the place. But if you're looking for an experience- here it is. The tea they serve is bad, I would not eat the sushi here at all but if you order something like a pupu platter or terryaki- and have some of the specialty drinks- you'll be pretty safe. It is a people-watching paradise! Last time I went there was a birthday party and there were so many cheezy people dancing to bad music on a dance floor shaped like a boat...does it get any better than that? Not in my opinion. The staff is friendly and service is fine...its definitely a North of Boston institution- has been around for many years. Keep rockin' Kowloon!
(4)
Sara S.

(Sushi and drink review) The Good: - Strong, yummy Mai Tais served in a pineapple. - Incredibly cheesy decor. - Celine Dion look-alike hostess. - Live music... again, totally cheesy. - Very large sushi menu. I got the Spicy Tuna Roll (quite good, tuna, mayo, and tempura flakes mixed together, six pieces in total), and the LOBSTER KING ROLL. Let me tell you. The Lobster King Roll is the most ridiculous, over-the-top sushi roll I have ever had in my entire life. When I tell you this roll is king sized, I am not kidding! For $19.95, it better be! There was literally an entire lobster in this freaking roll, as well as cream cheese, avocado, picked veggies, lettuce, topped with coconut and spicy mayo. I highly doubt that this was an authentic roll, but it was AWESOME. Rarely do I ever get fried sushi, but I felt it was fitting considering overall situation, and it was great! This roll is totally big enough for an entire meal. - Ken N., our waiter. He was the bomb. He accidentally thought I ordered two drinks. When he brought them over, he said "Do you normally drink two drinks at one time?" No answer. The bad: - The overall experience probably isn't everyones cup of tea. If you are looking for an authentic atmosphere, you should know not to come to this place. But I enjoyed it, and my food was great. I can't attest for the Chinese food, but for sushi, drinks, and an overall cheesy night, I'd go back!
(4)
Kat H.

As a Northshore transplant, I'd driven by Kowloon tons of times, but never gone in (why go Rt. 1 if I don't have to?). But on a 1 (2?)am food run with my husband, it was the only thing open that late on a Friday night. Just walking in was a freaking trip...it's like a set out of the '70s part of Casino or something. PINK everything, fountains, MIRRORED walls...craziness, absolute craziness. And for some reason, they have a police man at the front desk during those hours. Got there too late to be seated, so we got Chicken Lo Mein, Pork fried Rice and Pork Strips. All was pretty bland, very greasy, and not that good. However, just the decor...yes, if I go again, that is why. I'm thinking I'll go just to bring some out-of-town people that I know really well, and once that pool of shock-and-awe is exhausted, never come here again.
(3)
Brett M.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Then, I'm pretty sure he created Kowloon. Divine Intervention is only explanation for such an incomprehensible combination of decor, food, staff, and entertainment. Don't come here expecting an evening of fine (or even semi-fine) dining. Kowloon is like a Formica Garden of Eden, complete with fake palm trees, volcanoes, and a large scale ship (perfect for birthday parties...all ages). The food is manageable, and occasionally kinda good. I had cashew shrimp and scallion pancakes. Neither were mind blowing, but neither were terrible. My friend, however, ordered Sushi and the piece I had (something containing Lobster) was pretty delicious. The highlight of the evening, for me, was the five-star lounge band that graced the Volcano Bay Room with a memorable rendition of Killing Me Softly.
(4)
Liz A.

I went here on the Saturday night before Easter. It was busy as always, when they sat us the put us in between 4 big parties. The servers ignored us for a while then about 20 mins after we had been sat someone came over for our drink order. By this time we were ready to order. We put in our order for food and drinks then saw no one till our apps came out. My partner ordered a soup that had a hot pepper in it that was so hot that he drank all the liquids at the table. He has had that soup before at other Chinese restaurants and never had it contain a hot pepper! At that point he was done with his soup. When our main meal came out the server had put in the wrong thing and we got beef with tofu and not what we wanted and when we complained he added the items we ordered but never said that he was sorry! Besides the fact that the Water glasses were still empty at this point! I have had good and bad experiences here it's disappointing to see such a problem with service. That is what makes a business run. I most likely will go back but I will be hesitant and really consider my experience. All over they don't really care about there guests. They did take off the soup but the server tried to explained that the peppers are made into the soup. No that is not the way that this works, and its not like he has never had that soup before.
(1)
Kristina D.

Kowloon brings back memories of Asian Buffet and Fuji in Charlottesville. Its proximity to Roller World makes it good for staff outings, especially when the owner knows your headmaster and bestows many plates of free chicken wings and fried shrimp upon you. However, given the many Chinatown restaurants that pwn Americanized Chinese/Thai/Polynesian/Indonesian/Malaysian places such as this, I'm surprised at its insane popularity with Boston-area residents. One-star drop from neutrality because their forbidding us from making a reservation for 20 people caused us to wait for half an hour in the one-star worthy "lounge-ish" bar.
(2)
Patrick S.

If Kowloon's was going for overpriced, disgusting, dried up, overcooked, undercooked, chewy, horrible food served by rude, impolite, discourteous servers on sticky, smelly, unclean tables, then Kowloon's nailed it! Great job guys.
(1)
Ed H.

Quality has gone downhill. I ate at Kowloon 3 years ago and was impressed that they had great authentic tasting dishes that would come close to rivaling restaurants in Chinatown. On this visit, many of the items on the old menu are gone, replaced by standard westernized Chinese food. The Pupu platter appetizer was dried out and tasteless - especially the egg rolls which should have been the highlight of any Chinese restaurant. The pork and tofu dishes we ordered, although they had distinctly different names and came from different sections of the menu, were made with the exact same ingredients and same sauce. Pad Thai noodles were pale and lacked the typical sauce found every Thai restaurant I've eaten. Service was fast in spite of the full dining room and the line of people waiting for tables moves very quickly. The restaurant is undoubtedly popular however I will not return.
(2)
Mary C.

When you know what to expect at Kowloons, you will not be disappointed. I planned a dinner with 8 friends at the Kowloon for a "remember when we were 16 years old and un-ironically thought Kowloons was the best restaurant in Massachusetts" dinner. Everyone had a great time. From the Hawaiian leis at every place setting, to the flaming pu-pu platter appetizer, to the Saturday night band in the Volcano Bay room, every element of our dinner was pure Kowloons. Service: I reserved our table several days in advance. Our group was promptly seated in our requested area (volcano bay). Our waiter was quick and efficient with our orders, and all our drink and dinner orders were correct. The food was good Chinese food - yummy, but nothing exceptional. Atmosphere: Kowloons will always be crowded on a Saturday night. The tables are close together and it's not an ideal location for a quiet dinner. Dress code: Anything goes. There was a black-tie wedding reception next to tank tops. Summary : Kowloon has big decorations, large crowds and a fun, bustling atmosphere. If that's what you are looking for in your dinner experience, you will most certainly enjoy Kowloons.
(4)
Lia M.

I went to the Kowloon twice (yeah, I know) this weekend. But, I had a good time. I lreally iked the food, thought it was definately better than the local Chinese grease. I had a bit of everything: lo mein, chicken & broccoli, pad thai, Hunan chicken, dumplings. The only thing I didn't really like was dumplings. I didn't think that they were flavorful. The drinks were good & service was alright. My teacup was dirty, though. But I would definately go back.
(4)
sal a.

The cook at Kowloon always seems to know when I'm coming. How else can the food be ready in less than 3 minutes? I don't exactly know why I keep coming, except that I may subconsciously want to punish myself for one reason or another. Maybe it's because I came here in my youth and had great times with friends. Time for me to grow up... or find some new friends.
(2)
Sarah C.

The food is greasy and not even good at 2am when you've had a few too many. Last time we were there our chicken skewers and scallion pancakes were literally dripping with grease and completely unappetizing. Totally overrated. I could only understand going to say that you've been and never return. Expect to over pay for you meal as well and your (extremely weak) alcoholic beverages. I wouldn't go back if it was free
(1)
Dan W.

The food isnt amazing, the wait is long on the weekends, and the waitstaff and other employees are assholes. That said, I loved this place. The drinks were strong and the atmosphere was super tacky in the best way possible. Sometimes you wanna get wasted on cocktails and eat a bunch of garbage while sitting in a fake bamboo hut while listening to a shitty live band cover I Will Survive.
(3)
PJ M.

I'm in the Military so naturally i have been to many places and i have a # of diffrent Cantonese, Szechuan, Sushi, Polynesian and Thai cuisines restaurants. By far Kowloon's is the best place i have been to. Each room under the roof has a different theme which i find to be very cool:) been going there since i was about 8 years old!:-D
(5)
Food S.

I was recently re-introduced to this restaurant, I had a nice flashback to when I was back in high school. Kowloon has been around for as long as I can remember. This is probably the first place where I was introduced to any sort of Americanized Asian foods. I remember the flavors, the scents of the place, everything right down to the tacky plastic plants that are in the what I call the "greenhouse" room of the facility. The tackiness and the Kitsch of this place is what adds to it's charm, the friendly mainly Asian waitstaff, the very heavy menu's, the outrageous drinks, (I think this is also the place where I had my first Suffering Bastard and my first Scorpion Bowl...but, I really don't remember, which makes me think that it could be...) If you are driving north on Route 1, stop in to this place, it's very difficult to miss. The huge red lettering, the Tiki figure on the facade of the building. There is a comedy club there as well. Give them a ring if you wish to find out who is performing there. Well worth the trip. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
(4)
Gisele M.

Ok so maybe it is a little kitschy, however, the teriyaki wings are really really good. Would I rush back, probably not. I mean its ok if you want quick chinese food in a hurry and some real good chicken terriyaki wings (probably the best I've had in a while) then by all means check it out. Hey, its good to try it once....The service is very quick and the food comes out really fast and the celebrity wall is a cool thing to check out too.
(3)
Joanna A.

I was really craving chinese food since i am 3 months pregnant and it seems to be what i want, more often than not. Well, it didn't sit so well. Went with my inlaws and we shared a pupu plater with teriaki steak strips and crab rangoons. really, of all of it i think only the crab rangoons were worth eating. the egg roll in particular was pretty gross. Ordered a virgin pina colada. a mistake.. it wasn't frozen and smooth..it was crushed ice with coconut milk and pineapple juice and it was crunchy and slimy. For entrees we shared general gao's chicken, pad thai, egg fo young, an fried rice. The fried rice was bland. The general gao's chicken had good flavor but it wasn't crispy enough on the outside and the chicken was too fatty. Everyone liked the pad thai since it was my suggestion and they weren't that familiar with it. but i've had much better. it wasn't lemony or peanutty ehough. I tried the egg foo young for the first time and it was ok... better than i thought it would be, but seemed pretty heavy on the brown gravy. When we got our bill, it looked like we were charged about 15% tax. When brought to the front desk they told us its an "old system". They reprinted the bill and apparently 10% of that 15% sales tax was really attributed to the food. Sketchy. Just too much grease, not very good service, and a wacked out billing process. The ambiance is fun, but we ended up in the boring thai room. bummer. Of course, beign a saturday nite the place was packed. I know we'll be back, the inlaws love it. but i'll just go along for the ride....
(2)
Scott P.

Kowloon has been a staple in the Saugus area for 50 years, the Wong family should update the menu.Do people who like food eat mushroom beef chow yoke anymore? That sauce is so thick it would make great wallpaper paste. The Thai menu is very good. the sushi is so-so. they need to add a better variety of vegetable dishes. always a favorite stop for a mai tai at the bar.
(2)
Matt L.

If you happen to drive up to this gigantic spot on busy Route 1 in Saugus, you can't miss it. It looks like it should be in Japan. The place has been here forever and touts the best Chinese food in the area. The interior is so big, you could get lost in there, with its own banquet facilities and comedy club. The service is poor of course and could care less about the customers. The drinks are good but don't balance the food selections out. the food is terrible. I have had better Chinese in a food court in a mall. The choices look like they would be good, but taste like they have been sitting under a heat lamp all day. Skip this place unless you are starved and want a quick drink and a bite to eat. The service is fast here, but you may get sick!
(3)
AJ F.

Not a big Chinese or Japanese food eater...But, Kowloon's is the only place I go. Its def. the Americanized version of Chinese food. Grease, fried, a lil' more grease...ohhh sooo good! I don't frequent here often due to the unhealthiness of the food(Grease)..If your a health food, eat healthy type not for you....Im that type but will have the cheat day, and Kowloon's my choice!! The place is packed 24/7..no matter what day, what time, there is always people there. Never have to wait, because they're crankin out people and food like a factory. Food is def. good and tasty! I prefer to sit in the bar/lounge area...its easier and can get better service there. Drinks are solid...need more booze in them but def. good!...I recommend the White Mai Tai The decor is old school for sure!!....There are water fountains, statues, and yes a Boat!!....They do have entertainment on the boat, some loungey type band. There is a Dj I think in the bar area too!!.... The crowd is def. diverse Families to couples to whatever. The lounge def has its share of characters. It has the North Shore types...The meat heads, the cougars, the AquaNet teased hair, and blow-outs! Def. a fun time to sit back and watch what goes on. Good place to go for drinks if your not looking to go into town and keep it low key and local
(4)
Ashley J.

Place is all hype. Another restaurant people try to convince themselves is good because everyone seems to like it. Food is not good, over priced,. and takes forever. Drinks are weak and take forever. I am glad so many people like this place so I can go somewhere else and not have to wait. ick
(2)
Hans R.

The food is good American style Chinese food. Love the chicken fingers and the "make your own" plates. Good mai tai, scopian bowls and zombie drinks. Do not like the teriyaki steak tips or lobster sauce. This place is big enough to have a separate Thai section, a few bars and comedy club upstairs. Just dining, go for the cheesy 70's decor and sit in the sailboat in the dining room, enjoy the volcano on the wall. the food at the Mandarin Reading and Su Chang's is better but the Kowloon is an experience once you get by all the smokers with O2 tanks at the front door.
(4)
Minda H.

Booo. Worst chinese food I've EVER had.
(1)
Steve N.

come for the kitsch, fried rice and Saugus wings. stay for the drinks.
(3)
Heather G.

Kowloon, a local institution, is more like a food complex than a single restaurant. Within its walls, there's a Chinese restaurant, a Sushi bar, a beer & wine bar and a comedy club, not to mention arcade games and some scratch-and-win machines in the lobby. (There might be even more that I'm forgetting.) The decor is odd (one half is typical, the other half has a pirate theme that includes a dance floor in the middle of the "ship") and the place is always almost packed. But the food is reliable and delicious, with an enormous menu that includes Thai, Cantonese and more. On Thanksgiving, they even offer a traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, etc. Kowloon attracts atheletes like crazy, especially wrestlers, all of whom add to the restaurant's wall of autographed photos. Also, it's rumored that the Boston Bruins eat at Kowloon after every home game. Bottom line: If you want good food and a unique locale, Kowloon is the place to go.
(4)
R C.

Kowloon is the best place in the Boston area to go for Tiki kitsch, Polynesian cocktails, and Americanized Chinese food served on flaming platters. They also have live music and a comedy club. If that isn't what you're looking for than go somewhere else.
(5)
Kara B.

Oh my God, can you give it less than 1 star?? Huge, noisy, a little grubby and with some of the worst Asian food I've ever had, this place is a nightmare. We went with people who live over that way and think this is great food. They had multiple mai-tais, so maybe that accounts for how much they love it. No taste buds! Flavorless soup, greasy appetizers, over-thickened/sweetened sauces, so-called spicy dishes totally bland. Fried rice tasted like it had been made in the '70s and kept on a steam table. The low points: some kind of sweet&sour thing that was bright orange and the dish I choose, Shanghai noodles which is usually a lovely delicate spicy dish with thin noodles, a slight curry flavor and crispy edges was a mess of slimy, thick noodles with a brown sauce and canned mushrooms. The stuff at the food court at the mall is better.
(1)
Malena L.

"My biggest weakness may be that I'm a little too awesome"
(3)
Chris D.

What can you say about the Kowloon that hasn't been said before? I have to say I sorta grew up here. I went here with my grandparents as a kid, went here many times after high school parties, concerts, my prom, dates-GREAT atmosphere! You HAVE to get a scorpion bowl here though you better have cab fare home because you will be stumbling out the door! The comedy club is worth hitting as well, since you will be half in the wrapper after your scorpion bowl head upstairs and laugh your ass off as well!
(5)
John M.

HORRIBLE! Food and service are one a downward spiral and the prices are on an upward spiral. Only good thing about this place is the comedy connection. Don't waste your time, VERY OVERRATED!
(1)
Kathy H.

I'm going to go with referring to our waiter as Jim the Jerk as well because we had an almost identical experience here. We got there in time for the luncheon menu (goody, because if I had paid any more for this trash I'd be even more irritated), and were Jim's only table at first. He wasn't the least bit friendly and required us to repeat the order multiple times. However, he seemed to work quickly after that so all was well. I'm not starving for a smile from an obviously unhappy man. The food arrived quick but it would've been nice if it were cooked. I had the chicken and broccoli and I sort of expected the "chicken-food" substance but the broccoli was raw and hard. The water was never refilled and we were never asked if we wanted another soda. We didn't say anything, mind. We just ate and things were going along fair enough. Jimbo brought our check and then went missing. We sat around for a while, laughing and reading our fortunes. Still in good spirits at this point, but after waiting some more we eventually decided to ask someone if we were supposed to pay somewhere else, it had been that long. As we were politely asking another employee, low and behold! It's Jimbo! So we redirect the question to Jim who seems to immediately get all pissed off. He slams down the tray he's carrying and snatches the check/card out of my hand and huffs off to register. He comes back w/ our receipts, mumbling to a coworker as he passes (who seems to think whatever he said was terribly funny), flings them on the table and exclaims "sign, sign it!" Yeah I know, I've paid for stuff before. Perhaps needless to say, but Jimbo didn't receive a tip this afternoon. And this is the first time I've ever not-tipped at a sit down place. And I tip generously, in cash. I figure, not reporting your cash tip is on you if you choose to do so, you're welcome. In summation, Kowloon would've gotten maybe even 3 stars for the lovely ambiance, despite the shitty food, if Jimbo hadn't been an epic asshole. Oh, and he might've gotten a tip, too.
(1)
Dani G.

Recently had another great experience. Our server was prompt, totally open to our requested substitutions and it was all delicious!!!!!
(4)
Randy M.

most places like this shine in their appetizers and drinks, have issues in main courses. This place is the opposite. The ribs were old, shriveled, cold no sauce at all... the waiter told me to eat them before telling him they had no sauce..so I took a bite and still no sauce.. the crab rangoon was unremarkable. I have no clue what was in the mai tai but I know it was not alcohol based .. maybe the juice from maraschino cherries. The scorpion bowl was all mixer.. no alcohol again. Then the surprise was the lobster with ginger and scallion with msg and the family style tofu was actually well prepared and fresh. I asked for no msg, I think I got extra msg in the sauce but I ordered a 1 1/4 lobster and got a real 1 1/4 lb lobster. Liked it enough to get a second one. so skip appetizers. order deconstructed drinks with the liquor on the side and main courses and you will be fine. By the way, this was a Sunday night..not too busy.. not too quiet..
(2)
Mike C.

The only thing this place has going for itself is the decent location+parking and the average ambiance. Take heed, the food here is horrendous -- do not listen to those who tell you otherwise. And if the food is terrible, the location or ambiance shouldn't even matter. Stay away.
(1)
Ami L.

Cool looking building, hideously overpriced food. We had ours delivered when we stayed at a hotel in Saugus... seriously overpriced for what it was. The portions weren't nearly as big as other Chinese food places, which I could have overlooked had the prices not been the same or higher than the other places. It also didn't taste as good. Come to think of it, I wonder if they overprice their food in order to afford such a fancy looking building? Eh, whatever. I always see advertisements for performers or pseudo-celebrities coming to Kowloon. Not really my type of thing but I guess it's everyone else's, because the parking lot seemed to always be packed. Maybe I would have enjoyed it more had we gone inside. Regardless, the service itself was fine: the guy on the phone & the guy who delivered were both very nice. They were pretty fast, too... then again, if they'd taken longer, it would have been very odd since we were practically right next door. I'm not sure if I'll ever try these guys again. I guess it's a possibility. They do have a pretty sweet looking building. :D
(3)
Huan z.

I have to say, Kowloon is one of the American Chinese restaurant. very greasy. They even sell burgers and fries. They are very big. You feel like a gym when you are inside. There is one interesting dish they setup flame on top which is not tasty, it's just a nice show off. I won't recommend if you want try real Chinese food.
(2)
Francesca R.

This is the mega-tacky faux-Polynesian "Chinese" food restaurant to which all other mega-tacky faux-Polynesian "Chinese" food restaurants aspire. It's a magical land where you suspend your disbelief and accept the meal in front of you as "authentic" and "containing nutrients." When I was about eight years old I thought this place was heaven on earth. I guess that sense of wonder still lives in my heart even though I've actually lived in Asia and know that this represents absolutely nothing of Asian food or culture. If you should find yourself stranded out on Rt 1 sometime in this enormous homage to MSG, just order yourself a Mai Tai and go with it.
(5)
Alicia M.

This place is awful. The Chinese food is just not that good and not worth the drive. I don't understand how they keep getting good reviews on Phantom Gourmet. I've had way better Chinese in Boston and the surrounding area. Don't waste your time.
(1)
Liz S.

I've been here time and again and have never had a dish or cocktail I didn't like. (This restaurant remains the only place where I will eat moo shi.) The decor is unabashedly festive, with leis aplenty for everyone, and the service is friendly and lighthearted--if you want to watch them light your appetizer on fire again, they're happy to humor you!
(5)
Storm L.

fast and cheap for lunch with lots of atmosphere. Dinner can be a wait, but it is a fun place to eat. Kitsch best describes it. Worth it just for that. Food is ok and plentiful. I like the thai kitchen to the left of the lobby for a quick lunch. This place is almost a characature of what what we think an old chinese-american restaurant is. Its been awhile since I had dinner there, but went with a group and enjoyed it. There was a comedy room upstairs at the time and enjoyed that too. Hope its still there. Drinks were awesome. Volcano anyone? Frozen mudslide?
(3)
Marcus D.

To completely steal from the movie FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS - the place reeked of high grade class formica and plastic palm trees. Kowloon, or the Loon, as I like to call it, is NOT the best, but it's as comfy as an old shoe. It's a landmark, the Cocoanut Grove of Route 1. Once you pass through that human tunnel that forms from the main doors through the garish lobby to the dining-room, you know that there is either a prom, bar (or bat) mitzvah, confirmation, retirement, reincarnation or coming of spirit going on - when is there not nine functions going on at once? The lounge is packed cheek to jowl with Bruins stars, past and present, unfunny celebs like Jackie the Jokeman Martling, who was a complete dick to me, by the bye (he's lucky to be recognized), and MILFs struggling to look twenty-five (when exactly does the glamor start to wear thin and the thick greasepaint applied?) If the menu sux, the Saugus Wings have never let me down, and are a MUST - nice and garlicky. The mai tais are strong - I recommend two before switching (Green Tea has THE best mai tais). When I was a little kid we used to sit by the fountain - my mother always requested it, as if she were asking for seats in the Royal Enclosure at Ascot. I've been here a million times and will be back again. Lobsterfest is also a favorite. It's a good excuse to wear my tackiest clothes. I've also stolen numerous Tiki glasses from the Loon and am still walking the streets a free man.
(4)
Tina D.

Bring your sense of humor to the Kowloon and you a guaranteed to have a good time. The service is fast and friendly. The drinks are tasty and so are the chicken fingers. This is a "pu-pu platter and people watching" type of restaurant, you don't go here expecting fine asian cuisine and you don't go here for a romantic/ intimate dinner. The music from the lounge lizard band is so loud it drowns out any attempt at conversation anyway. Lighten up, how much can you expect from a restaurant with a totem at the entrance that looks like something the Brady Bunch picked up in Hawaii. Kowloon is a classic!
(4)
Maria R.

Huge menu- may be best to review it before you go! The food has been consistently good here and it's just sort of a crazy-campy atmosphere that must be experienced to appreciate.
(3)
Ann C.

looks CHEESY from the outside but it's just your typical chinese-american restaurant with barely average food. place is too busy inside and it just gets hectic. i really don't know why this place is still popular. we're in the 2000's- let's get over this early 90s restaurant.
(1)
Bob C.

I don't get it. It's over-priced and the food is greasy, tasteless and sometimes not fit for human consumption. But somehow, someway this is probably the highest grossing restaurant in New England. The parking lot is continuously jammed. The only thing I can figure is that the drinks must be very strong. Something has to take your mind off how bad the food is here. And how in the world do they get your food out so quick? The last time I was dragged there, we got our food four minutes after ording. Must be a lot of pre-cooked crap under food lamps in that huge kitchen! But god bless the Wongs. They have everyone hoodwinked into thinking this is both real and great asian food. What a joke. It takes forever to get a table The food sucks The prices are too high The waiters are mean and nasty, and the place is filthy Other than that, how did you like the play Mrs. Lincoln?
(1)
Eva N.

Kowloon's is one of my favorite restaurants. The food couldn't be more delicious! I LOVE their variety as well as the atmosphere. The service is fast and the food top notch. My mouth is watering as I write this review. =) They are located on Rt. 1 in Saugus. There are plenty of choices from foods to drinks that will have you coming back for more. I love this place and I believe you will too! In case you need a little more detail, they have a variety of Thai and Chinese foods to satisfy your cravings, sushi & maki galore! I love their duck and hot mustard sauces. Try the beef teriyaki nuggets, no other restaurant has anything like this. Don't even get me started on their chicken fingers!
(5)
Shannon S.

Everytime I see photos of Kowloon, it looks like everyone is having the best time in the world, sipping on drinks with umbrellas, sporting bright colored plastic leis, and stuffing their faces with noodles, sushi, & battered chicken. I went with a huge group of about 14 people. Our table wasn't completely ready when we got there, so we watched the locals rolling up in the parking lot and waiting outside. There was the usual Route 1 selections-- mullet-haired 80s woman, slutty teen daughters, sloppy sons. None of this deterred me though, inside there were going to be leis and fruity drinks! We were seated quickly, got leied and began perusing the Novel-sized menu. I not-so-quickly decided to go with the crispy chicken in mandarin-orange sauce and a side of egg rolls. Since we came with such a big group, the group got served very slowly, almost painfully slow. Also, we only got 1 round of badly mixed syrupy drinks before they started asking for the next round (after half of us had been served dinner) Since our party was so large, it didn't bother me that much and I'd rather get my food when it's warm than wait for everyone else. Looking around the table, there were a variety of reactions. Some people seemed to be pleased with their meal, but most everyone agreed that cold Chinese is no good--and stopped eating about 10 minutes in. Some people got goopy looking chunks of "something swimming in a brown sauce "Is this Chicken? Is this Lobster". No way to tell at Kowloon! My Mandarin Orange Crispy Chicken was actually very good--though the portion was SO big I wished I had split it. The eggrolls arrived after my meal and were bright pink inside and tasted like rotten cabbage, I didn't approve, but I did like the Crab Rangoon. I wouldn't recommend either though--the entrees were so big--a lot of us had trouble polishing off more than what was already on our plate. Despite the fact that the place was ghetto (at around 10pm the place became a seedy underbelly for slutty teens and their chodelicious boyfriends + swarms of poofy haired families --- I had fun laughing at the whole situation with my friends. I would recommend going once for laughs--but don't spend a lot of money on the side dishes and be careful with what you order --it was touch and miss for many of us.
(2)
Eric S.

Was there last friday night and i have to tell ya its really really good chinese food and they give you alot for your money we actually sat in a faux looking chinese hut and felt like you were in china or somthing lol no but really,,its a short drive to saugus many other restaurants are around but was worth it all the way there and the chinese tea is good too i reccommend everyone try this place out...
(4)
Sarah A.

Kowloon is indeed an experience. You have to try it, at least once. The whole ambience of the place reminds me a lot of Jersey. There are a lot women with big 80s hair, wearing way too many gold chains, toting their faux designer handbags and wearing a lot of colors that don't really match. There's also a whole bunch of middle aged fat, balding dudes wearing sports jerseys. But it's all part of the charm. There's a big dance floor contained in a boat sort of thing and often there's live music to which you can watch these people get down. The food is not terrible, but I would not try to get anything too unusual. Stick with your basic Chinese take out stuff. The drinks are the highlight of the whole experience for me (along with watching the Jersey-looking people). They are served in awesome pineapple cups and fairly strong and delicious. While I was tempted on several occasions to steal the awesome pineapple cups, I never quite worked up the nerve and instead, asked if I could purchase them. To my delight, they were for sale. I think they were around $6 a piece. I proudly display them in my kitchen and they always are popular whenever I have people over for pina coladas. :)
(3)
Raul C.

Kowloon is a landmark in the North Shore. They have been there forever and have plenty of loyal fans. My experience, however was not positive. The place feels like out of a 70's movie with tacky lounge music and Tiki Tiki room decor; the only thing missing is Burt Reynolds walking around in tight jeans and fake hair. Sorry! I find their ambiance REALLY depressing. We ordered a signature dish, the Pu Pu platter with Egg Roll, Spare Ribs, Chicken Wings and Fried Shrimp. The food was super greasy and the shrimps seemed decently sized until I took a bite, it turned out to be a tiny shrimp inside a huge blob of fried batter. Some positives: an ample menu with plenty of options, including Sushi, Thai, Cantonese; a great bar with chintzy drinks served with tiny umbrellas (fun!) and a good selection of beer and wine; this is probably why many folks like to come! Service was very good, the host and wait staff were friendly and the place is so big that you never have to wait long for a table. If you are partying and want to travel back in time to 1972, this is the place for you; but if you want good Asian food in the North Shore there are defninitely better options.
(1)
John T.

The only reason why people come here is for the strong drinks, and they have cold americanized chinese food. The sushi is served hot here, so don't go near that. They try WAY to hard to accomidate (sp) to everyone. Did you ever notice the house in their parking lot? I think it is where some of the waiters live.
(2)
Tom K.

Had Lunch here today.I really enjoyed the food except the spareribs they were alittle burnt or old.The rest of my meal was great!
(4)
Jay and Jenn O.

Tasty Chinese/Polynesian food in a "classy" setting. Do yourself a favor and get the Saugus Wings- don't be afraid of how the sauce looks.
(4)
Julie R.

I really like the food here. I heard this place is been around forever so maybe thats why they are always packed! Great Pu-Pu platter, lomein, fried rice. The themed rooms are kind of dated but the food is great. Big parking lot too.
(4)
E M.

this is your basic amerinese restaurant with a true identity crisis, came here with a party of five for lunch. i didn't even order after looking at the menu, but i did have a couple of johhnie walker black on the rocks. the only thing that seemed edible was the fried chicken wings, but hell, you can probably deep fry bacon wrapped around in baby poo and it'll still taste good. our mutual aquaintence was complaining about not paying for his food since it wasn't authentic, so i tipped the kind waitress $20, on a tab totalling $71 for the embaressment.
(2)
Sarah D.

The food is cold and taste like it has been microwaved a million times over, the waiters hound your table when they give you your check and half the time the items on the checks are printed over one another so you cant even tell what you are paying for! Was so much better back in the day.. Not to mention drinks are not cheap!
(2)
Bill M.

I wish you could give them 6 stars. The Wong family has run this restaurant for 59 years. The food is amazing. Andy, Bobby & Stanley...I hope this place is around for another 59 years.
(5)
Jay G.

According to what I have heard this place often has famous people there so look out for some celebs while you are there. I will make this short and brief for those of you who don't want to read long stories about this place. Basically the food is okay. I live in the south shore and don't think I would travel down to Saugus unless I was meeting with a group of friends. I want to try and and come here on a week day hoping it will be less crowded. The reason Kowloons has doesn't get 5 stars from me is I could barely move when I went in there! The wait was about a half hour which is okay because we were at the bar. The drinks are really good and like I said the food is okay I have had better. But you have to think about it, if this place is so crowded there is a reason people don't come from all over to eat here just to be in a crowded space. There are plenty of Asian restaurants in this area but I guess this one takes the cake. I am very picky about food and think the food is greasy but I guess that good if you are driving home and have had one to many to drink this way you can absorb the liquor with all that greasy or just add more fat to those thighs! Just give this place a try I recommend with a group of friends, not a first date because you will be unable to hear eachother it is so loud!
(4)
Caroline D.

i enjoy this place and have been since before i can remember ... i do however think it needs to be revampped... its smells kind of musty near the fountains. it is kind of tacky as i read in someone elses review... but it is good.. i dont recall a time dining in or at a function, or even with take out that i didnt enjoy the food. i never tried their sushi. thai menu is good... not a fan of their american food on the menu - - if you come here and order fries, then you probably came to the wrong place. also not a fan of their saugus wings. i stick to the usually chinese food staple dishes...pu-pu platter and friend rice.
(3)
Matthew S.

Fun Place, Phenominal Drinks, Fantastic "Americanized" Chinese Food, Good Atmosphere, Great for Groups, and the Saugus Wings taste like something out of a dream.... they are a must!!!
(4)
Stephanie B.

I don't have much to say about the restaurant part, what I'm interested is the comedy club upstairs! Set in an attic area....they hire comedians to perform and I have always enjoyed it. I love comedy shows, I like this relaxed atmosphere....it kind of feels like you're watching stand up in your living room, however, with the close quarters you're likely to get picked on by the comedian. It's happened to me, and I loved it! Full bar, scorpion bowls etc, as well as a full menu from the downstairs restaurant is available during the show.
(3)
Patrick M.

It's definitely an interesting place and it is a good place for large groups. The best part is the outside of the restaurant- it's definitely a landmark and I had to stop. The inside though, wasn't as stunning. They do a decent job with the decor but it wasn't quite cheesy enough. I was expecting more atmosphere. The vinyl booths, for example, made me feel like I was in any other Chinese restaurant. I went on a Saturday night and there was a live band playing 80s music. That was cool. The food was decent. I got the "Fancy Chicken" or #322 (that should give you an idea of the menu and another drag on the atmosphere) which was served in half of a pineapple. Dinners were $13-15 and the mixed drinks were $7.50.
(3)
Stephanie H.

I have lived in the Boston area for almost 6 years now and finally made it to Kowloons last night. My husband and I met another couple there- and we decided on here because none of us have been here before and it was a good half way point between Salem (where we live) and Brighton (Where they live). I knew going into it that to go here and appreciate it the food is eh and the experience is sweet. I agree. The food is eh. Typical greasy americanized chinese food. Enough for leftovers. My friend got the sushi which was the only dish finished at the table. I got the General Gau chicken which wasn't as spicy as I am used to. My husband got a huge appetizer platter thing for dinner, and we split an order of meatless fried rice. My friends boyfriend got the kung pau chicken and chicken terayki and some sort of soup. He couldn't finish the soup cause it had some items that coudln't be identified and to many mushrooms. Overall, the expeirence was good, food came out relativly fast and the drinks were great. I give it a 4 for atmosphere and a two for food.
(4)
Linh V.

the food was really tasteless and the waiter was a complete creep. he was like one of those foreign kids back in high school who stalked girls until they had to complain to their headmasters.
(2)
Stephanie W.

Ok, ok, ok...I went here the first time, and I HATED the leftovers...but I tried them again. I definitely recommend the sushi and the thai food...not so much the cantonese stuff. Oh, and they have this big PuPu Platter which is awesome to share with your buds. But don't get the Scorpion Bowl...go to the Hong Kong for those ;-). Oh yeah, they have a Comedy Connection there, for those nights when you're in the mood for a dinner and some laughs.
(3)
M C.

good food, horrible and rude service. I won't be going back.
(2)
Audrey C.

Meh. The first time I visited this restaurant I was less than impressed by the moldy water fountain that made me sneeze non-stop. But, I gave you another chance Kowloon, and you made me relatively happy. Only some of the traditional Chinese appetizers are made with MSG, everything else is without. Food is good, and can be a little pricey depending on what you get. It's also nearly impossible to get in on a Saturday night, as this place seems to be a tradition for many families. The decor of Kowloon is part of the whole experience, but it's starting to look a little yucky. Time for a deep cleaning.
(3)
John B.

Kowloons = my favorite place in the world. Enough said...
(5)
Mitch E.

service ok, the food had no wait, this was nice, the fried rice tasted like it was way over soy sauced and oer cooked. the lo mein was good, chkn/brocalli was very good !!!! this is truly an overrated place, I would go there maybe 1 time every 5 years, I dont recommend for the folks who are health aware-I am so it was kinda scary food (you can tell they cok in pure lard)
(3)

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Address : 948 Broadway
Saugus, MA, 01906
Phone (781) 233-0077
Website https://www.kowloonrestaurant.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : 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
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : No
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Chinese Cuisine

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.

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Kowloon

948 Broadway, Saugus, MA, 01906

Kowloon Menu

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