Don’t Expect Grandma’s Cooking at Grandma’s Kitchen

Grandma’s Kitchen is definitely one of Beijing’s old timers. Back in the hay day, Grandma’s was the place to go when we got sick of oily, cheap Chinese and craved some hearty American staples from breakfast omelets to pancakes, salads, sandwiches, burgers and a good milkshake. And there’s no denying Grandma’s presence in Beijing with locations all over the city from Jianwai SOHO to Tian An Men and my favorite location at Beixinqiao with its own bed and breakfast guesthouse and an outdoor courtyard in its backyard.

Since as long as I’ve been around, Grandma’s has continued to stay consistent – decent food with decent prices and mediocre service. Four years ago, Grandma’s was considered to be pretty decent for China standards. To me and my gang, Grandma’s was an American restaurant from a Chinese perspective – trying to be, but not quite there.

But clearly today, four years later, Beijing’s dining scene has grown exponentially into a very internationally diverse scene. And now there’s more than just Grandma’s Kitchen and Paul’s Steak & Eggs if you’re craving authentic American grub.  The choices for American food in Beijing is more than you could want -  Blue Frog, Element Fresh, All-Star Sports Bar & Grill, Chef Too, Vineyard Cafe, Union Bar & Grill, Nola, Apothecary, the list continues.

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Grandma’s, so it was nice to check out my favorite location at Beixinqiao and enjoy a relaxing lunch in their outside seating.  The menu is just how I remember and although their milkshakes are the highlight of the menu, I chose to order Fresh Squeezed Orange juice (RMB 25) and a Pastrami Sandwich on Rye Bread (RMB 40).

The toast was not the rye bread I was expecting, it was served cold, rye bread was not toasted, there was too much mayo and not enough pastrami -  overall unsatisfying and disappointing.

Pastrami on Rye Sandwich

While I was quite looking forward to my return to Grandma’s, at the end of the meal I remembered why it’s been over three years since my last there – it’s really not that great.

Review of Grandma’s Kitchen: 28 Shique Hutong, Beixinqiao, 石雀胡同28号 , Tel: 8403-9452

Best Part:

• Beixinqiao location’s airy, quaint atmosphere with outdoor seating area and guest house bed & breakfast out back.  Everything about this location is sweet, welcoming and understated.
• It’s consistent and you get what you pay for. You can get a decent American meal under RMB 100, but then again, there are better choices and bargains to be found in Beijing.

Comments:

• Anything you crave on Grandma’s menu, you can find better in Beijing. Everything on the menu is mediocre, there’s nothing particularly unique or extraordinary about any of the food items.  At least Paul’s Steak & Eggs is still the place to go for Poutine (fries covered in mozzarella cheese and gravy – a popular Canadian dish).

Rating: (on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)

• Food: 4
• Atmosphere: 7
• Service: 5
• Overall Experience: 5