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# Dragon Gem – Authentic Chinese Restaurant in Pickering, Ontario

Dragon Gem is a well-regarded Chinese restaurant located in Pickering, Ontario, known for its authentic Chinese-American cuisine. With a menu that features a variety of traditional dishes, Dragon Gem has become a local favorite for both dine-in and take-out options. The restaurant has garnered positive reviews for its generous portion sizes and satisfying flavors, making it a go-to spot for those craving Chinese food in the area. Established years ago, it has built a loyal customer base that appreciates its consistent quality and community-friendly atmosphere.

## History
### The story of Dragon Gem
Dragon Gem was founded with the vision of providing authentic Chinese-American cuisine to the Pickering community. The founders aimed to create a welcoming environment where locals could enjoy traditional dishes that evoke the flavors of classic Chinese cooking, adapted to American tastes. Over the years, the restaurant has maintained its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, becoming a staple in the area.

### Milestones and growth
- Established in the early 2000s, Dragon Gem quickly gained popularity.
- Expanded its menu to include a wider variety of dishes based on customer feedback.
- Introduced family combo meals to cater to larger groups and families.
- Gained recognition in local food reviews for its quality and service.
- Adapted to changing tastes by incorporating seasonal specials and new items.

### Cultural and local influence
Dragon Gem has played a significant role in the local dining scene by introducing residents to authentic Chinese-American flavors. Its presence has encouraged a greater appreciation for diverse culinary traditions in Pickering. The restaurant often engages with the community through local events and promotions, further solidifying its status as a beloved neighborhood eatery.

### Continuing the tradition
As Dragon Gem continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to its founding principles of quality and community engagement. The restaurant frequently updates its menu based on seasonal ingredients and customer preferences, ensuring that it stays relevant in the competitive dining landscape. Its commitment to maintaining high standards of food preparation and customer service reflects its desire to honor the culinary traditions it represents.

## Community
### Community involvement
Dragon Gem actively participates in community events and supports local initiatives, fostering a sense of belonging among its patrons. The restaurant often collaborates with nearby businesses and organizations to promote local culture and cuisine. This involvement not only enhances its reputation but also strengthens community ties.

### Community notion about the place
The local community views Dragon Gem as a reliable source for Chinese-American cuisine. Many residents appreciate the restaurant's consistent quality and generous portion sizes. It has become a favored destination for families and friends looking to enjoy a meal together, further embedding it into the fabric of the community.

### Events and gatherings
Dragon Gem hosts various events throughout the year, including special promotions during holidays and community gatherings. These events provide opportunities for locals to come together and celebrate while enjoying delicious food. The restaurant's welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal venue for casual meet-ups and family celebrations.

## Offerings
### What Dragon Gem offers
Dragon Gem offers a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of tastes. From classic dishes like General Tso's Chicken to unique offerings such as Moo Shu Pork, the restaurant provides something for everyone. The focus on quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods ensures that each dish is flavorful and satisfying.

### Dining and food experience
The dining experience at Dragon Gem is characterized by its casual and friendly atmosphere. Customers can enjoy their meals in a comfortable setting, whether dining in or opting for take-out. The restaurant is known for its quick service, making it a convenient choice for those looking for a satisfying meal without a long wait.

### Events and packages
Dragon Gem offers various dining packages, including family combos that are perfect for larger gatherings. These packages provide a selection of popular dishes at a value price, making it easier for families to enjoy a variety of flavors. The restaurant also runs special promotions during holidays, encouraging customers to celebrate with their favorite dishes.

### Facilities and features
- Spacious dining area for comfortable seating
- Take-out and delivery options available
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Menu featuring a wide range of Chinese-American dishes
- Regular updates to the menu based on customer feedback

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of Dragon Gem highlight a mix of experiences, with many customers praising the quality of food and portion sizes. However, some reviews indicate variability in dish preparation, leading to differing opinions on certain menu items.

### Compliments and strengths
Customers frequently compliment Dragon Gem for its generous portions and flavorful dishes. The restaurant's ability to deliver satisfying meals quickly is also noted as a significant advantage, making it a popular choice for take-out. Many patrons appreciate the variety offered on the menu, which caters to different tastes and preferences.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
While many dishes receive high praise, some customers have pointed out inconsistencies in flavor and preparation. Specific items, such as the Singapore noodles and Moo Shu Pork, have received mixed reviews regarding their taste and authenticity. Additionally, some patrons have mentioned that prices can add up quickly, especially when ordering multiple dishes.

### Summary evaluation
Overall, Dragon Gem is regarded as a solid choice for Chinese-American cuisine in Pickering. Its strengths lie in generous portion sizes and a diverse menu, while occasional inconsistencies in dish preparation may affect some customers' experiences. Despite these contrasts, the restaurant remains a popular destination for locals seeking satisfying meals.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Dragon Gem is conveniently located at 19 - 1822 Whites Road, Pickering, Ontario, within the Metro Plaza. This area is easily accessible and is surrounded by various shops and services, making it a convenient stop for both locals and visitors. The restaurant's proximity to other businesses adds to its appeal, as customers can enjoy a meal after shopping or running errands. The vibrant neighborhood contributes to the overall dining experience, with a mix of cultural influences reflected in the local community.

## FAQs
**What type of cuisine does Dragon Gem serve** Dragon Gem specializes in Chinese-American cuisine.
**Is take-out available at Dragon Gem** Yes, take-out and delivery options are available.
**Are there vegetarian options on the menu** Yes, Dragon Gem offers a variety of vegetarian dishes.
**Does Dragon Gem offer family meal packages** Yes, they have family combos suitable for larger groups.
**What are the restaurant hours** Dragon Gem operates daily; check their website for specific hours.

## Visit Dragon Gem Today
Dragon Gem invites you to experience its authentic Chinese-American cuisine in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. With a diverse menu that caters to all tastes, the restaurant has become a beloved spot in the Pickering community. Whether you're looking for a quick take-out meal or a leisurely dining experience, Dragon Gem is ready to satisfy your cravings. Join the many satisfied customers who have made this restaurant a local favorite!

d61c6c44-d590-43c3-84ad-8bd6e5420084

First stop in town for lunch while visiting the area. It wasn't busy so I ordered the lunch special general tso chicken that came with chicken fried rice and an egg roll. Food didn't take long to eat. Now it does taste slightly different from the American version , it isn't as saucy or super tender but other than that it did the job to satisfy my hunger.

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All these people leaving 3 stars and then reviews saying how good of an experience they had dragon gem is the best chinese restaurant hands down deserves 5 stars. chicken balls general tso chow mein wontons can't find any of those better anywhere else.

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General Tao Chicken Fried Won Tons Fried Rice Legendary Chinese Place for years!!! Pickering's West kept secret.

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The wife asked that I try out a friend's suggestion for Chinese food. I ordered the standard meal and the price was a bit more $6.00 before taxes. I had the spring rolls. Very tasty and a decent size The BBQ spareribs. The bones were meaty but I am not a fan of the sauce on them. I prefer my ribs dry. I had the bbq pork fried rice. Was tasty and a hit with the wife too We had the beef with broccoli. I could have had more beef in my portion and if you like but not love garlic then give this dish a pass The General Tao chicken. Simply amazing. The menu item I did get but was told to always get are their chicken balls. My wife said they were crispy with not too much batter. Next time. The wait for the meal was fine even for a busy Friday night. All in all a decent but pricy dinner for two.

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This place is reliable and satisfying. In terms of Chinese food... I have definitely eaten better and more authentic but when push comes to shove, this place is walking distance and fast (for pickup and delivery)!

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We ordered take-out from Dragon Gem for the first time, and we were fairly satisfied with the experience. To begin, Dragon Gem offers Chinese-American style cuisine, rather than the Chinese cuisine that you might get in China. For the latter, I have found nothing in the Pickering area, and usually head to Markham or Scarborough. However, my husband actually prefers American-Chinese food, and we have been looking to find a local place. Our go-to take-out restaurant had been, for years, Chef Yan. Sadly, it closed a year or two ago. So, how did Dragon Gem fare as a possible replacement for Chef Yan? Well, it succeeded in some points, but not others. Here's what we ordered and some of our conclusions. 1. Spring Rolls. These were very tasty and a reasonable size, but did not compare to the giant and luxurious ones that Chef Yan served. However, I'd happily order them again. 2. JarDoo Chicken Wings. I did not try them, but my daughter said that they were satisfyingly crispy, but the chicken was a bit dry. 3. Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls. These were excellent! Very crispy, and the batter complimented, rather than overwhelmed the chicken. The sauce was uniquely smooth, not as thick and gloppy as I've had everywhere else. 4. Lemon Chicken. This was also great. Similar to the chicken balls, the breading was crisp and the ratio to meat was good. The chicken breast itself was quite juicy and flavourful. Clearly, fried food is the way to go here. Even their Sweet and Sour Wantons exceeded my expectations. 5. Steamed rice. This was just as expected. 6. MooShu Pork. I ordered this with great enthusiasm, as it isn't something that Chinese American restaurants routinely offer, and I was excited at the prospect of getting it locally. It certainly looked authentic enough, with thin crepes, lily buds in the filling and a generous side of hoisin sauce. However, I was disappointed to find it very, very bland. I am not even sure just what was missing from the flavour, but it just did not satisfy my Moo Shu craving. I would not order it here again. 7. Sesame Chicken. Again, I had very high hopes for this based on several enthusiastic yelp reviews. Like the other fried offerings, the fried chicken component was very well done. However, I found the sauce excessively vinegary, and somehow lacking in body and flavour. 8. Singapore noodle. This was the biggest disappointment of all. To my taste, it lacked any sort of spiciness or even a good curry flavour. My husband, who does not like overly spiced food, also found this rather insipid and uninspired. We have a bunch left over, and I think that I'm going to have to re-fry it and make a few tweaks to improve the flavour. Definitely, I won't be ordering this from Dragon Gem again. Finally, Dragon Gem turns out to be rather pricey, for what you get. We paid substantially more than we used to pay at Chef Yan. The cost kind of piled up: each dish was just slightly more than we are used to paying, but by the end, the difference was considerable. Have we found our new Chef Yan? Sadly, not yet. Dragon Gem will do, and what they do well is great, but we will continue the search to find good Chinese American food in the Pickering area.

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Dragon Gem Chinese is located in the Metro Plaza at Whites and Strouds lane, on the opposite end as the actual Metro in the corner. I've eaten here a number of times but that was many years ago, so it seemed like a good place to retry for dinner. The menu here is fairly large and includes a couple of larger family combos and about 10-12 individual combos for one person. I opted to go for Combo #6 (picture uploaded), which included an eggroll, sweet and sour pork, sesame chicken (a dish they're known for) and chicken fried rice. For about $9 including tax I got a large round takeout container filled with the pork, chicken and rice and a bag with the eggroll in it. They included the appropriate condiments and supplied cutlery as well. First off, the portion sizing is VERY large. For a meal for one person, this easily could have been split and fed two people. I only made a dent in the portion that they gave me. The sesame chicken is pretty damned good here, crispy but saucy and well flavored. The sweet and sour pork was good but wasn't what I was expecting. Battered deep fried pork with an okay sauce on it - not exactly what i was expecting but good enough. The rice was pretty good, I've never been a huge rice person but I ate quite a bit of it. The egg roll was good, not the best I've ever had but I always find that egg rolls are never as good unless they come from my favourite place. Oh, and my fortune cookie was yummy too :) Secondly, the service was good; this location is generally a pick-up location. I don't think I"ve ever seen someone eat in and its not a full service restaurant. It would be more of a place that I'd stop off for quick to eat and then leave. The staff were quite busy for a Sunday night but friendly enough. Not much else to say there. Overall, this is a decent stop for affordable chinese food with great portion sizes. I would definitely try something not deep fried next time, as the combo I had contained a lot of deep fried everything, but it definitely satiated my chinese food craving. My favourite in Pickering is still Paul Wong's, and I find everything there to be a cut above, so I can't help but compare this place to PW. I'll definitely give them another shot since they're conveniently located and the price was right!

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Best Chinese, but can get pricy fast. Love the crab Rangoon. Sometimes you have to wait when you walk in so I recommend ordering a head of time for pick up.

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I ordered a Cantonese chow mein and deep fried wings to go. I asked the young lady at the cash to put the sauce separate from the crispy noodles ( otherwise by the time I get it home if they are both mixed the noodles will no longer be crispy ) . She told me it's $0.50 extra to put the noodles separate from the toppings. Most other Chinese restaurants do this as it makes perfect sense. I felt this is just it an additional try of grabbing more money. Pretty sad to do this to your customers

6bd4b08e-322f-4cc2-88c6-4e08338eda59

Pickering area take out of America style Chinese. Quality foods with a good selection of menu items. Good sized portions at moderate prices. No surprises, you get what you expect with reasonable portions of meat & veggies in your combo plates. Returning here for years.

Discover Dragon Gem in Pickering, Toronto's premier restaurant offering authentic flavors and a unique dining experience. Reserve your table today!

Dragon Gem Restaurant in Pickering, Toronto - Authentic Flavors

Pickering

Dragon Gem

Ontario

Explore the full menu at Dragon Gem in Toronto. Discover signature dishes, drinks & must-try items. Visit us at 19 - 1822 Whites Road, Pickering.

Dragon Gem Menu – Food & Drinks in Toronto

Learn about Dragon Gem, a premier restaurant in Toronto located at 19 - 1822 Whites Road, Pickering. Experience authentic cuisine and exceptional service.

About Dragon Gem, Toronto

Opening hours for Dragon Gem, Toronto. Find opening hours for Dragon Gem, Toronto on 19 - 1822 Whites Road, Pickering.

Dragon Gem Menu Overview

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