China Coast

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Company typeWholly owned subsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
Founded1990; 35 years ago (1990)
China Coast
Company typeWholly owned subsidiary
IndustryRestaurants
GenreCasual dining
Founded1990; 35 years ago (1990)
Defunct1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Headquarters,
Number of locations
51
Area served
United States Of America
ProductsAmerican Chinese cuisine
ParentDarden Restaurants Inc.

China Coast was a casual dining American restaurant chain owned by Darden Restaurants Inc., specializing in American Chinese cuisine.

Founded in 1990 in Orlando, Florida,[1] China Coast was intended to join Olive Garden and Red Lobster as Darden's signature properties.[2] It had been expected by executives to become the top Chinese-style restaurant chain in the U.S. by the latter half of the 1990s, but abruptly closed in 1995 due to poor reception and mounting financial losses.[2]

The menu featured Americanized dishes at low prices, with Western cutlery, Chinese chopsticks, and introductory chopsticks for children available.[3] The signature menu item was "China Coast Bread," which was fried and served with an almond spread.[4] Entrees were inspired by Sichuan, Cantonese, and Beijing cuisine, and also included Taiwanese dishes like Mongolian beef.[5] In addition to traditional Chinese dishes like hot and sour soup, zhajiangmian, and wonton soup, the menu included American items that were given Chinese-inspired names, like a dish of barbecue ribs and French fries that was listed on the menu as "dragon bones."[6][5] The dessert menu exclusively featured American items, including "Double Happiness Cheesecake" and chocolate brownies.[7][5]

Built at an average cost of US$2 million each, China Coast restaurants were designed to resemble pagodas and included open-air kitchens, bamboo and silk design elements, and decorations imported from China.[2][8][9] By using open-air kitchens and table-side cooking, kitchen staff could cater the intensity of spices to each diner's preferences.[10] Waitstaff were dressed in Americanized Chinese clothing, including satin tunics.[7]

Decline

See also

References

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