Great China

Welcome to Great China, a Chinese Restaurant located at 619 N Sherman Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. As a local establishment offering Chinese cuisine, Great China presents itself as a unique option for those seeking authentic flavors in the Madison area. According to one enthusiastic reviewer, the 35-year-old owner of Great China is deeply invested in the quality of the food, purportedly putting his "heart and soul" into every meal prepared by hand. This personal dedication is suggested as the key reason behind the restaurant's special appeal. Furthermore, this reviewer claims that Great China is the only place in Madison capable of cooking white rice correctly, a seemingly specific and highly valued skill in their opinion. They also noted a positive and energetic atmosphere within the restaurant, contrasting it with other establishments in the Dane area that they humorously suggest might be negatively influenced.

This particular reviewer's experience extended to observing the owner engaged in the seemingly mundane task of removing fibers from pea pods with "great cheer and joy," which they interpreted as evidence of the positive energy present within Great China. While this observation is subjective, it contributes to a narrative of a restaurant where the owner takes pride in even the smallest details of food preparation.

However, it is crucial to present a balanced perspective, as another recent customer had a significantly different experience at Great China. This reviewer, who was passing through Madison and chose Great China based on its rating being over four stars, described their meal as a "massive disappointment." Their order consisted of Beef & Broccoli, steamed Chicken & Broccoli, Chicken Rice Soup, and Pork Fried Rice. The primary complaint was regarding the texture of the food, which they described as "bad" and "very mushy," even stating "straight mush." The chicken was deemed unappetizing and visually unappealing. The reviewer took a single bite of the pork fried rice and found it to be mushy and lacking in flavor, noting the absence of discernible pork bits or vegetables, which are typically expected in this dish. Ultimately, this customer reported throwing the entire order away due to the poor quality of the food.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative assessment of the food, this second reviewer did note two positive aspects of their experience. They mentioned that their order was ready within the estimated time of 15 minutes, indicating efficiency in the kitchen's operations. Additionally, they found the bathroom to be clean, suggesting attention to hygiene within the premises.

Considering these contrasting reviews, it is challenging to form a definitive picture of the overall experience at Great China. One reviewer portrays a restaurant with a highly dedicated owner who infuses care into the food, supposedly resulting in exceptional taste and perfectly cooked rice, all within a positive atmosphere. The other describes a starkly different reality of mushy, unappetizing food lacking in flavor, despite efficient service and a clean restroom.

Given the significant disparity in these recent experiences, local users considering Great China may find it prudent to weigh these perspectives carefully. The passionate endorsement from one customer, highlighting the owner's personal involvement and the quality of the white rice, contrasts sharply with the complete dissatisfaction expressed by another regarding the texture and flavor of multiple dishes.

As a Chinese Restaurant located at 619 N Sherman Ave in Madison, Great China can be contacted at (608) 244-9988 or +1 608-244-9988 for inquiries or to place orders for takeout or potential dine-in service (though dine-in is not explicitly mentioned in the reviews, it is a common offering for Chinese restaurants). The menu appears to include standard Chinese-American fare such as Beef & Broccoli, Chicken & Broccoli, Chicken Rice Soup, and Pork Fried Rice, among other possibilities not detailed in the provided information.

It is important to note that the provided information does not offer any details about the restaurant's environment or ambiance. The focus of the reviews is primarily on the food quality and, to a lesser extent, the service and cleanliness. Therefore, potential customers will need to rely on other sources or their own experience to assess these aspects of Great China.

In conclusion, Great China presents a somewhat enigmatic profile based on the limited and contradictory recent reviews. The enthusiastic praise for the owner's dedication and the quality of the white rice stands in stark opposition to the strong criticism of the food's texture and flavor. Local users in Madison may want to consider these differing opinions when deciding whether to try Great China. It might be advisable to inquire about specific dishes or perhaps try a smaller order initially to gauge the quality and consistency based on their own preferences. The mention of efficient order preparation and a clean restroom by a dissatisfied customer provides some potentially reassuring points regarding operational aspects, but the core issue of food quality appears to be a significant concern based on one of the reviews.