 The Cathay Pacific restaurant in Quincy, Worst Chinese Meal Ever |
  |
| JimFoster |
 Jul 19 2007, 09:54 AM
Post
#1
|
 Group: Members - Basic Posts: 1,702 Joined: June 23 03 Member No.: 156  |
I've been living in Milton for 7 years now, and I go through North Quincy all the time. I've been curious about the Cathay Pacific for years, knowing full well the dangers of "Polynesian/Cantonese" cuisine. The design of the place, golden lions out front included, looks like something from a 1950's MAD magazine spoof on Chinese restaurants. And it features a big lounge with "live entertainment nightly". So yesterday I decided it was time to finally cross the Neponset River bridge and get me some lunch at the Cathay Pacific.
It was the absolute worst Chinese food I have ever had. I knew I was in trouble when: - the service person waiting on me was not of asian heritage (in N Quincy?) - upon being seated I was served rolls & butter in a plastic basket Is this place some kind of bizarre institution that's been hanging on since the the Eisenhower era? It was mostly full of retirees. With all the great Chinese food in Quincy (I'll stick with my beloved Quincy Dynasty from now on, thank you) you'd think it would be extinct. And the lounge, which had enticed a few sullen mid-day drinkers, was also something you don't see much anymore. The band photos and Karaoke host head-shots posted in the glass promo case were like bizarre charicatures of performers that would play the Chinese restaurant circuit. Oddly fascinating. It was like what my parents would picture when they think of a Chinese restaurant (they never quite caught on to Szechuan). Anybody ever catch a band at the Cathay? |
   |
 
|
| Charlemagne |
Jul 19 2007, 09:57 AM
Post
#2
|
 Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 28,556 Joined: May 1 04 From: Menotomy, Massachusetts Member No.: 2,593 |
QUOTE(JimFoster @ Jul 19 2007, 10:54 AM)  I've been living in Milton for 7 years now, and I go through North Quincy all the time. I've been curious about the Cathay Pacific for years, knowing full well the dangers of "Polynesian/Cantonese" cuisine. The design of the place, golden lions out front included, looks like something from a 1950's MAD magazine spoof on Chinese restaurants. And it features a big lounge with "live entertainment nightly". So yesterday I decided it was time to finally cross the Neponset River bridge and get me some lunch at the Cathay Pacific. It was the absolute worst Chinese food I have ever had. I knew I was in trouble when: - the service person waiting on me was not of asian heritage (in N Quincy?) - upon being seated I was served rolls & butter in a plastic basket Is this place some kind of bizarre institution that's been hanging on since the the Eisenhower era? It was mostly full of retirees. With all the great Chinese food in Quincy (I'll stick with my beloved Quincy Dynasty from now on, thank you) you'd think it would be extinct. And the lounge, which had enticed a few sullen mid-day drinkers, was also something you don't see much anymore. The band photos and Karaoke host head-shots posted in the glass promo case were like bizarre charicatures of performers that would play the Chinese restaurant circuit. Oddly fascinating. It was like what my parents would picture when they think of a Chinese restaurant (they never quite caught on to Szechuan). Anybody ever catch a band at the Cathay? Before you moved to Milton, were you from the South Shore area? I am guessing you weren't because it is well known in Quincy, Milton, etc. that the Cathay Pathetic is horrible. There have been many a person who got violently ill after a meal there. I went to school with the owner George Chu. The place has been known for years as god-awful. Welcome to the South Shore! |
|
|
|
| khan |
Jul 19 2007, 09:59 AM
Post
#3
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 5,960 Joined: July 12 05 From: North America Member No.: 5,809 |
they're more known for their Karaoke than they are for their egg-fu-dennis-de-young
|
|
|
|
| duffy |
Jul 19 2007, 10:01 AM
Post
#4
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,700 Joined: May 19 04 From: Dorchester Member No.: 2,772 |
I like the food at the Cathay Pathetic! It's about the only place around that has consistent Chinese eats.
I was suprised to see the Cathay in Hanover is gone. Place always did a pretty good business. |
|
|
|
| Charlemagne |
Jul 19 2007, 10:02 AM
Post
#5
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 28,556 Joined: May 1 04 From: Menotomy, Massachusetts Member No.: 2,593 |
Anybody ever catch a band at the Cathay?
Yeah, I took drum lessons from this guy who had a band that played there. They were a really bad Berklee/R&B/Funk Wedding type band. He is a great drummer but I sort of felt sorry for him that night. |
|
|
|
| khan |
Jul 19 2007, 10:03 AM
Post
#6
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 5,960 Joined: July 12 05 From: North America Member No.: 5,809 |
QUOTE(duffy @ Jul 19 2007, 11:01 AM) It's about the only place around that has consistent Chinese eats. Great Chow!?!?!?! |
|
|
|
| duffy |
Jul 19 2007, 10:04 AM
Post
#7
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,700 Joined: May 19 04 From: Dorchester Member No.: 2,772 |
QUOTE(khan @ Jul 19 2007, 11:03 AM) Great Chow!?!?!?! I got really sick from there recently. I'm deathly afraid of that place now. |
|
|
|
| Charlemagne |
Jul 19 2007, 10:06 AM
Post
#8
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 28,556 Joined: May 1 04 From: Menotomy, Massachusetts Member No.: 2,593 |
QUOTE(duffy @ Jul 19 2007, 11:04 AM) I got really sick from there recently. I'm deathly afraid of that place now. When it started out (1997?) if was really awesome. I think they might be suffering just a bit from their own popularity. |
|
|
|
| duffy |
Jul 19 2007, 10:08 AM
Post
#9
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,700 Joined: May 19 04 From: Dorchester Member No.: 2,772 |
QUOTE(Charlemagne @ Jul 19 2007, 11:02 AM) Anybody ever catch a band at the Cathay? Yeah, I took drum lessons from this guy who had a band that played there. They were a really bad Berklee/R&B/Funk Wedding type band. He is a great drummer but I sort of felt sorry for him that night. YES! I saw these dudes play: http://www.panacheband.com/ My whole table was laughing at the band, so the guitarist jumped up on our table and did a 15 minute long Van Halen solo. Shut us right up. |
|
|
|
| khan |
Jul 19 2007, 10:08 AM
Post
#10
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 5,960 Joined: July 12 05 From: North America Member No.: 5,809 |
QUOTE(duffy @ Jul 19 2007, 11:04 AM) I got really sick from there recently. I'm deathly afraid of that place now. that's not good news. |
|
|
|
| DanPM |
Jul 19 2007, 10:10 AM
Post
#11
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 55,983 Joined: June 24 03 Member No.: 195 |
The worst Chinese food is at International Buffet in Quincy
|
|
|
|
| fil |
Jul 19 2007, 10:10 AM
Post
#12
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,731 Joined: July 8 04 Member No.: 3,183 |
I grew up in Quincy.......it has been knicknamed Cathay Pathetic since......god....I want to say the early 80's.
|
|
|
|
| khan |
Jul 19 2007, 10:12 AM
Post
#13
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 5,960 Joined: July 12 05 From: North America Member No.: 5,809 |
QUOTE(DanPM @ Jul 19 2007, 11:10 AM) The worst Chinese food is at International Buffet in Quincy I've always wanted to check it out, though haven't. They have an awesome sign, though. |
|
|
|
| duffy |
Jul 19 2007, 10:12 AM
Post
#14
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,700 Joined: May 19 04 From: Dorchester Member No.: 2,772 |
QUOTE(khan @ Jul 19 2007, 11:08 AM) that's not good news. It's cool, I ended up losing 10 lbs. |
|
|
|
| HereWeGoSouthie |
Jul 19 2007, 10:13 AM
Post
#15
|
|
Noise Board Sponsor Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 16,580 Joined: March 16 04 From: Quincy, via Southie God's Country Member No.: 2,206 |
There are far worse places to get Chinese food in Quincy. Just about every single shitty small takeout place is horrific. Anything named International, Jade, Pacific, Peking or Dragon is going toi be grade z dog meat
Best place ever, Mandarin Garden is gone. For those that live in Quincy now, why the do you people bother going for Chinese food in Quincy, other than convenience? Just go to E. Milton Square and got to Mr. Chan's. While not everything there is great it's better than anything in Quincy with the exception of th every expensive Little Duck. This post has been edited by HereWeGoSouthie: Jul 19 2007, 10:14 AM |
|
|
|
| DanPM |
Jul 19 2007, 10:14 AM
Post
#16
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 55,983 Joined: June 24 03 Member No.: 195 |
Cafe Asiana in Braintree is pretty good
|
|
|
|
| TOPPER |
Jul 19 2007, 10:15 AM
Post
#17
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 7,105 Joined: April 4 06 Member No.: 7,794 |
QUOTE(khan @ Jul 19 2007, 11:03 AM) Great Chow!?!?!?! Great Chow is decent, Dynasty is much better, people sat that the place in the Square near Finian's is food, also the old China Star,, Mandarin Garden. |
|
|
|
| khan |
Jul 19 2007, 10:15 AM
Post
#18
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 5,960 Joined: July 12 05 From: North America Member No.: 5,809 |
QUOTE(DanPM @ Jul 19 2007, 11:14 AM) Cafe Asiana in Braintree is pretty good Is that the thai/asian place by south braintree square? |
|
|
|
| duffy |
Jul 19 2007, 10:16 AM
Post
#19
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,700 Joined: May 19 04 From: Dorchester Member No.: 2,772 |
QUOTE(DanPM @ Jul 19 2007, 11:14 AM) Cafe Asiana in Braintree is pretty good Is that the little place across from Mcdonalds? |
|
|
|
| DanPM |
Jul 19 2007, 10:16 AM
Post
#20
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 55,983 Joined: June 24 03 Member No.: 195 |
QUOTE(khan @ Jul 19 2007, 11:15 AM) Is that the thai/asian place by south braintree square? yeah ... right across from the McDonalds. |
|
|
|
| TOPPER |
Jul 19 2007, 10:17 AM
Post
#21
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 7,105 Joined: April 4 06 Member No.: 7,794 |
I misspoke , not the late, great Mandarin, the Star is now called Imperial Terrace, pretty decent, I can also vouch for Mr. Chan's.
|
|
|
|
| khan |
Jul 19 2007, 10:17 AM
Post
#22
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 5,960 Joined: July 12 05 From: North America Member No.: 5,809 |
i'm starving
|
|
|
|
| duffy |
Jul 19 2007, 10:18 AM
Post
#23
|
|
Group: Members - Basic Posts: 3,700 Joined: May 19 04 From: Dorchester Member No.: 2,772 |
QUOTE(DanPM @ Jul 19 2007, 11:16 AM) yeah ... right across from the McDonalds. Great pad thai, never had any of the Chinese dishes. |
|
|
|
| DanPM |
Jul 19 2007, 10:19 AM
Post
#24
|
|
Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 55,983 Joined: June 24 03 Member No.: 195 |
QUOTE(khan @ Jul 19 2007, 11:12 AM) I've always wanted to check it out, though haven't. They have an awesome sign, though. I can say that International Buffet was the worst eating experience of my life. A few of my wife's coworkers said it was good. There were fish heads. |
|
|
|
| HereWeGoSouthie |
Jul 19 2007, 10:19 AM
Post
#25
|
|
Noise Board Sponsor Group: Members - Platinum Posts: 16,580 Joined: March 16 04 From: Quincy, via Southie God's Country Member No.: 2,206 |
See ya soon a the Kowolooooooooon!
 |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: May 18th 2013 - 05:20 PM |
Invision Power Board
v2.1.7 © 2013 IPS, Inc.
Licensed to: The Noise