Great China Restaurant
| Address: | 13501 100th Ave NE # 18, Kirkland, WA 98034, USA |
| Phone: | +1 425-821-1624 |
| Site: | greatchinawa.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11:15AM–9:30PM 11:15AM–9:30PM 11:15AM–9:30PM 11:15AM–9:30PM 11:15AM–10PM 11:15AM–10PM 12–9:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 12
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M. Brian Mills
I have really wanted to like this place, but they are working against my desires. We first ordered take-out from Great China in 2008 and it was mediocre at that time. Since then we have always ordered Chinese take-out from another local restaurant. However, we wanted to give Great China another chance since it has been a long time and we went to the restaurant to sit down and eat. We arrived just before 5 PM on a Sunday so the lunch business was long gone and there was only one table occupied with a couple when we arrived. The first thing I noticed was rice scattered all around the floor (no where near the current diners) as well as a couple fortunes strewn on the floor. We sat down at our table and noticed greasy finger/hand prints on the benches. I then went to wash my hands in the mens room and the door was sticky with old grease, the inside of the restroom had cobwebs with dust caught in them all around the ceiling, the floor was filthy and the restroom was unkempt. I recall reading many years ago that a great way to understand the cleanliness of a restaurant is by the restrooms because by comparison to the kitchen they are relatively simple to clean and keep clean; whereas kitchens require a lot of work. We received our food and the quality was poor. The Mongolian beef had dry *chunks* of noodles and was overly sweetened, wild basil chicken was OK, sea food lover had far too much sauce, spring rolls were absurdly greasy, and the rice had the consistency of having been out of the pan for hours (if not days). We really wanted to give Great China a fair chance, but they did everything to prove that they are simply not interested in cleanliness or food quality. The staff was pleasant, but thats not enough to make up for these other issues.
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A Private User
I called on the phone, inquiring if they could leave out the MSG. The lady on the phone assured me they could, just to let them know when I ordered. I went down there to order takeout (no menu online), and the same lady told me they soaked all of their meat beforehand in a solution containing MSG. When I told her we wouldnt order because we always get headaches from foods with MSG, she started arguing with me, telling me every other restaurant, Chinese or otherwise, uses it and also that food will taste terrible without it. Well, I say if their ingredients and technique are so poor that only a chemical flavor enhancing ingredient can salvage it, they shouldnt operate a restaurant.
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Karen ePage
Great China has been here in Kirkland for decades... Family owned - going on 3 generations... Its always lovely to visit and see everyone here. Fast & friendly service! They have a lot of vegetarian entrees...let them know your dietary needs and they will accommodate! The Chinese food is Americanized, but thats ok! The neighborhood embraces it. If authenticity is coveted... A trip to Bellevue or Seattle may be in order. This place gets really busy for dinner, especially Friday & Saturdays... Lots of take out orders as well! Parking sometimes may be a challenge. Overall, great local Chinese restaurant. Food 4 Service 5 Decor & Ambiance 3.5 Cleanliness 3.5
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patrick knie
the meal started with wonton soup. the broth was just warm. I bit into a noodle and it was ice cold. they replaced it. and the soup was still just warm. even put my finger in it for the waitress to prove the point. next the meal. we both ordered Kung pow chicken. the top was steaming hot. yet the bottom was again just warm and some spots cold. we didnt eat very much and then left. as we left she insisted that we pay. even though she said she would replace it for free. if they replaced one item with again cold Temps I can not trust another cold replacement. not going back.
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Nicholas Brown
After moving to the eastside from Seattle, I could not find any half decent Chinese in the area. It took some explore near my place to find anything even appealing, but man is great China solid. Its nothing overly impressive but it is Chinese I can always rely on. Very friendly staff as well. I must say the only thing I have disliked is the almond chicken but everything else really is good. Like I said it is my go to Chinese unless Im heading to the international district. I recomend the 5 spice squid, Mongolian beef, chow mien and pretty much any Chinese classic.
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Kyle Mizell
We have lived in the neighborhood for about a year and a half now, and we finally tried it out for the first time last night. We ordered take-out, so I cant comment on the experience inside the restaurant. The inside of the restaurant is what you would expect at any other Chinese food restaurant. It was moderately sized with ample seating, and was very clean. As for the food, the portions were nice and big, and it wasnt too greasy. The flavor was very good! My wife and I really enjoyed it, and well be back for sure when we get that craving for Chinese food.
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Jean Bracht
We have been to Great China Restaurant many times over the past 5 years and food has always been very good and servers prompt, courteous, and very friendly. My favorite is their signature dish. The Catfish. Absolutely delicious. Which is also what they cooked when they won TOP 100 Places for Chinese Food. Prices are very good especially considering the size of the serving. Spring Rolls , fried rice are great. We drive from Covington to eat at Great China Restaurant.
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Cameron Anderson
Food was mediocre at best. Only gets 2 stars because you get a lot of food. I never usually leave reviews but I felt compelled to do so. The quality of the cuts of meat was very poor. The best thing that I had was the hot egg drop soup. I ordered the Mongolian beef, the chow mein and the BBQ fried rice. Nothing was "good". I would much rather get better quality food and a smaller portion then a mountain of food that is essentially crap. I would not recommend.
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Adrienne
Im really surprised by the reviews... I found most dishes to be sickening sweet to the point they were un-edible. The mongolian beef had zero spice (no visible chili peppers anywhere) and tasted sweet. The brocoli in garlic sauce ( it was listed as spicey on the menu) got thrown out with out being touched -way too sweet. The hot and sour soup we had to add a bunch of saracha to get any level of spice. If you like overly sweet sauces you will love this place.
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Ian A
Its absolutely delicious, and decently priced. I got the Mongolian beef, pot stickers, and hot and spicy soup. The pot stickers are massive. Seriously double to triple a normal pot sticker/gyoza. The hot and spicy starter soup was impressive compared to every starter soup Ive had before. You will definitely have a full box of food to take home after your meal, and the food still tastes good as leftovers!
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Don Leland
Anyone who loves authentic Chinese food would be disappointed, as this is authentic "Americanized" Chinese food. Having said that its very filling at a reasonable price. Service has always been friendly and quick with the usual offerings. Very handy lunch specials make for fast service for the week-day lunch, and the family dinners at the back of the menu also simplify feeding a group.
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A Private User
There is more celery than everything else put together in their Kung-Pao and Cashew Chicken dishes. On that note the only differences I could tell between the two dishes was a few cashews and no chili flakes, other than that the dishes were exactly the same. The Mongolian Beef was marginal but was so sweet it tasted like spicy teriyaki. When I got delivery they forgot the rice.
