Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Great Wall Express – San Diego
Great Wall Express - San Diego
Photo from Great Wall Express
Great Wall Express at a glance
San Diego Banker’s Hill
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 53 of the guests
#627 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#18 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
5.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
326
Reviews
52.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Affordable pricing
- Quick service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent quality
- Questionable charges
- Poor ambiance
The Chinese restaurant Great Wall Express in San Diego’s vibrant Banker’s Hill neighborhood offers a casual spot for a quick bite. You’ll find it’s a convenient choice whether you’re looking for a satisfying lunch or a relaxed dinner.
With options for no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, takeout, and dine-in, you can enjoy their offerings however you prefer. It’s a great place to grab a coffee too, making it perfect for any time of day.
Overview: Introducting Great Wall Express
Great Wall Express offers a quick and often satisfying meal, particularly for those seeking good value. Many patrons appreciate the friendly staff and the speed of service, making it a convenient stop.
However, some experiences point to inconsistencies, particularly with the overall dining atmosphere and occasional issues with billing practices. While the food can be quite enjoyable, with many praising the generous portions, there are also reports of varying quality.
The establishment seems to excel in providing a fast, budget-conscious option, though aspects like the ambience and certain service interactions could use more attention to ensure a consistently positive visit.
Average
5.7
out of 10
326
Reviews
52.1%
Satisfaction
136
negative
20
neutral
170
positive
Great Wall Express registers an overall restaurant score of 5.7, placing it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction also reflects this middle ground, standing at 52.1%, indicating a mixed reception rather than a strong endorsement or significant disappointment.
This assessment is drawn from 326 customer comments, with 170 positive remarks and 136 negative ones. Delving into the specifics, Value scores highest at (6.2), suggesting many find the pricing fair, despite some concerns.
Food (5.9) also hovers just above average, while Ambience (5.2) and Service (5) both sit at the midpoint, highlighting areas where experiences are quite varied. This suggests that while some aspects are appreciated, others frequently fall short for a notable portion of visitors.
What people like
- Generous portions
- Affordable pricing
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Questionable charges
- Poor ambiance
Great Wall Express appears to be a practical choice if you’re prioritizing speed and affordability over a refined dining experience. With a recommendation score of 5.8, it’s a place that might serve its purpose well for a quick bite, especially if you’re looking for substantial portions without breaking the bank.
However, be prepared for a potentially inconsistent experience, particularly regarding food quality and service interactions. If a pleasant atmosphere and consistent culinary execution are high on your list, you might find it a bit of a gamble.
It’s best approached as a no-frills, functional eatery.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Great Wall Express
Food (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, many diners rave about the fresh food and generous portions. With 104 positive remarks out of 192 total comments, popular dishes like the orange chicken and beef and broccoli often receive praise for their delicious flavor and quality. The overall score for food sits at an average 5.9, suggesting a decent, if not outstanding, culinary experience.
However, the food experience isn't without its downsides, as reflected by a mixed 54.2% customer satisfaction. Some 76 negative comments point to issues like dry and tasteless dishes, particularly concerns about soggy fried rice and bland flavor. There are also mentions of food being greasy or not cooked through, indicating inconsistency in preparation.
Food
192
Reviews
54%
Satisfaction
76
negative
12
neutral
104
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Freshly cooked food
- Generous portions
- Delicious orange chicken
What people don't like
- Dry, tasteless food
- Inconsistent quality
- Greasy dishes
Often praised
- foodThe food and price along with the service are 5 stars.
- Orange ChickenThe Orange Chicken and Garlic Fish dishes are divine.
- orange chickenorange chicken with beef and broccoli and lo mein and it was all very good
- portionsAnd the portions were huge!
- Chinese foodThis is a fast-food, quick-bite place located on a street with many expensive pubs. If you're looking for good Chinese food that won't break the bank and you don't mind a casual fast-food atmosphere on a ritzy stretch of San Diego, you will love it.
- FoodFood:5
- chow meinFor $7. 79, I received two items, chow mein and a drink, which is a price that can't be beat. Additionally, the portions were huge!
- fried chickenThe fried chicken is really quite good
- generous portionsdelivers generous portions of delicious food
- Chicken WingsThey were still good, satisfying crispy.
Frequently criticized
- foodWhile the rice was flavorless, the orange chicken I ordered was fine and tasted like it does at any other place. The food wasn't fresh and hot, but even so, I enjoyed it for the most part. I'll be returning to try other items they have and see how they hold up.
- riceMy experience at the restaurant was decent. While the rice was flavorless, the orange chicken I ordered was fine and tasted like it does at any other place. The food wasn't fresh and hot, but even so, I enjoyed it for the most part.
- chickenMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. The food was awful; the chicken did not taste like chicken, and the rice was dry. The service was equally poor.
- orange chickenorange chicken feels like it doesn't have chicken
- teriyaki chickenThe beef tasted like it would definitely make me sick if I kept eating it. The teriyaki chicken was dry, bland, and had an odd color. We didn't finish the food and threw it away.
- Chinese foodMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. It wasn’t even Chinese food; it was like discount southern style cooking pretending to serve Chinese food. There was nothing great about this wall.
- fishtasted very bland, only tasted the batter
- fried riceegg rolls, fired rice, everything was soggy
- portionsthe portions are fine but pretty small
- Chinese takeoutworst Chinese takeout I’ve ever had
If you're looking for a quick, casual meal with potentially generous portions and popular Chinese-American staples like orange chicken, it might be worth a try. However, be prepared for a somewhat inconsistent experience, as some dishes can fall flat on flavor or freshness.
Service (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 55% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are definitely some bright spots! Many customers (25 positive out of 54 total comments) raved about the friendly staff and quick service, noting that their food was ready to go or delivered swiftly. Some even highlighted the owner being very kind and appreciated the no wait times, contributing to a generally pleasant experience.
However, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5 and customer satisfaction at 46.3%. A slightly higher number of comments (28 negative) pointed to issues like awful service, rude staff, and bad cashier attitude. Some experienced frustrating delivery problems and felt that employees simply dont care, suggesting a need for more consistent attention to customer interactions.
Service
54
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
28
negative
1
neutral
25
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Kind owner
What people don't like
- Awful service
- Rude staff
- Delivery issues
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was great! I arrived early and had to park down the block, but the great food and quick service made it worthwhile. They also mentioned that cash is cheaper, which is a good tip to know.
- ServiceService:5
- peoplepeople are friendly
- staffThe staff were super nice
- wait timeNo wait
- Friendly serviceFriendly service too
- Friendly staffFriendly staff
- deliveryit went out for delivery about five minutes after I placed the order
- food ready to goGreat food ready to go
- friendly staffand friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- servicethe two women working the day I went however were very rude
- customer servicepromotes below standard customer service
- ATM on locationOnly complaint I had was there was no ATM on location
- Customer Serviceshe started to yell “NO NO NO.”
- attendantsarrogant self entitled attendants
- bad attitudethey had a bad attitude with me
- careThese people do NOT care!
- cashierthe cashier was very nice and friendly at first, but after a few customers she easily got frustrated
- cashier attitudeI only went once, and that was enough. The cashier had an attitude, and the food was basic and not that good.
- condimentshad no utensils or condiments
So, whats the verdict on service? It seems like a roll of the dice. If you catch them on a good day, youll likely enjoy friendly, quick service.
But be prepared for the possibility of encountering some less-than-stellar attitudes or delivery hiccups.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
While the ambience here scores an average 5.2 with mixed 45% customer satisfaction, there are definite upsides. Many appreciate the clean, spacious interior, good seating, and excellent wheelchair accessibility. The quiet noise level makes for easy conversation, and the pleasant aroma of Chinese food adds to the experience.
Its easy-to-find location is also a plus. However, with an equal split of 18 positive and 18 negative opinions among 40 total, the negatives are significant. Many find the overall atmosphere a letdown, describing the place as not nice or even an absolute dump.
Concerns about a bad neighborhood, challenging parking, unpleasant smells, and the lack of a bathroom are frequently mentioned.
Ambience
40
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
18
negative
4
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Clean and spacious
- Quiet noise level
What people don't like
- Poor overall atmosphere
- Bad neighborhood
- Challenging parking
Often praised
- atmosphereThe chicken was the star of the show, and nothing was overdone. The food quality was excellent, and the overall atmosphere was very pleasant.
- locationThe location is easy to find
- Noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
- Wheelchair accessable seatingWheelchair accessable seating too
- aroma of Chinese foodsmell the great aroma of Chinese food
- cleanIt's clean and spacious
- good spotIt's in a good spot downtown San Diego
- looksthe place looks good
- near bus and trolleyNear bus and trolley
- placeplace clean
Frequently criticized
- parkingSomewhat difficult to find parking
- atmosphereAtmosphere was also a significant letdown
- neighborhoodThe neighborhood has gone homeless
- placethe place was an absolute dump
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- bathroomHowever, the Chinese food was really quite mediocre and not worth the price. The people were nice, but there was no bathroom available.
- homeless in the areathere is a lot of homeless in the area
- place smellPlace doesn’t smell great
- restaurantlooks like 3rd world country restaurant
- sit down experiencenot a nice sit down experience
If a clean, quiet, and accessible space is important to you, this spot has some merits. However, be aware that the overall atmosphere, neighborhood, and challenging parking could be significant drawbacks, so manage your expectations.
Value (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot has some real bright spots! Many guests appreciate the reasonable prices and often find the food to be quite inexpensive, calling it a best deal for the quality. With 23 positive remarks out of 40 total, its clear that many feel they get great bang for their buck and enjoy the overall affordability.
However, the value isnt universally praised, with a score of 6.2 (average) and customer satisfaction at 57.5% (mixed). Some diners have encountered issues like extra charges or felt the price vs quality wasn't up to par, leading to a feeling of a waste of money for 14 reviewers who felt they were being scammed.
Value
40
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
14
negative
3
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great deals
- Affordable food
What people don't like
- Unexpected charges
- Poor price-quality
- Feeling scammed
Often praised
- priceI found this place by accident and was pleasantly surprised. The food was delicious and well priced, and the staff were lovely. I highly recommend it.
- pricesplace has good prices
- $10 and some changewe each got a combo at the price of $10 and some change
- PricesPrices are pretty good
- affordabilityI've been coming here for about a year and a half and have consistently found the food to be delicious and affordable. The owner is incredibly kind and always provides generous portions.
- best dealthis is the best deal!
- cashCash is cheaper
- eight bucksI ordered the orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and lo mein, and I found that it was all very good. What made the experience even better was the price; eight bucks for everything with a drink is an incredible deal. You really can't go wrong with this combination of quality food and affordability.
- everything with a drinkI ordered the orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and lo mein, and I found that it was all very good. What made the experience even better was the price; eight bucks for everything with a drink is an incredible deal. You really can't go wrong with this combination of quality food and affordability.
- food and drinkpriced just right for the area
Frequently criticized
- priceThe fried chicken was really quite good and very cheap. However, the Chinese food was really quite mediocre and not worth the price. The people were nice, but there was no bathroom available.
- charge for everythingthey charge for everything
- chicken special4 pieces of chicken special for 4.99 turned out to cost me 14.99
- dinnerI wasted $40 kn dinner
- extra chargesWhen I pointed that out, they didn’t admit the mistake immediately. However, they took off the extra charges afterward. To me, it didn’t seem like a human mistake.
- parkingParking is hard to find and expensive.
- price vs qualityfor the price no es acorde a la calidad
- rice platesthey sell $10 dollar rice plates
- scammersThey are scammers
- unknown itemsadd unknown items on top of the main item
If youre looking for an affordable meal and catch the right deal, you might be pleasantly surprised by the value here. However, be mindful of potential hidden costs or inconsistencies in quality that could make it feel less worthwhile. Its a bit of a gamble, so go in with open eyes.
How are the prices at Great Wall Express?
You’re looking at roughly $16 per person – reported by 53 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others paid, most diners found themselves in the $11–$20 bracket, suggesting prices are pretty consistent around that average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 53 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant. It offers good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Great Wall Express
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Great Food, Bad Atmosphere
My experience started early, arriving at 8 am after a cruise. I used the Bounce app to store my luggage before taking a city bus to the Zoo for a few hours. Afterward, I returned for lunch and to pick up my bags, then headed to the airport for a 5 pm flight.
The orange chicken and sweet and sour dishes were fantastic! The noodles were also good, not dry and nicely flavored. The real star was the Thai green tea, which tasted like matcha, taro, and condensed milk – so good!
The meal cost around $13 total, and bag storage was about $30 for three bags. However, it's not a nice place; I'd definitely recommend take out. The neighborhood is also bad.
- orange chicken9
- sweet and sour9
- Noodles8
- place2
- neighborhood2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Chinese Food Experience
I regret this decision. My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. It wasn’t even Chinese food; it was like discount southern style cooking pretending to serve Chinese food.
There was nothing great about this wall.
- Chinese food2
- southern style cooking2
- wall1
2
Limited Options for Vegetarians
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing as a vegetarian. The menu is heavily focused on chicken, and there are virtually no other options available. It seems like all the chains are the same in this regard.
- chicken options2
- vegetarian options1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Greasy Food, Decent Noodles
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The lo mein was decent, but the orange chicken was not so much. The food looked a lot better than it tasted, and it was insanely greasy.
On the positive side, there was no wait time.
- lo mein6
- wait time9
- orange chicken3
- food3
- greasy2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Meal, Mostly Inedible
My experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. The Curry Chicken was largely inedible, lacking flavor and containing a high proportion of bone. The noodles were also not good.
The only redeeming part of the meal was the broccoli in the Broccoli Beef. I ended up throwing out most of what I was served.
- Broccoli Beef7
- Curry Chicken2
- noodles3
- Food2
What Great Wall Express offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Coffee
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Great Wall Express?
At Great Wall Express, you have several convenient service options including no-contact delivery, traditional delivery, takeout, and dine-in. You can enjoy a delicious meal for both lunch and dinner, with comfortable seating provided.
Is Great Wall Express accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Great Wall Express is designed with accessibility in mind, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating. It’s also a great spot for kids, offering high chairs to accommodate younger diners.
How does Great Wall Express generally perform?
Great Wall Express holds an overall restaurant score of 5.7, indicating an average experience. While Food (5.9) and Value (6.2) are slightly above average, Ambience (5.2) and Service (5) hover around the middle, suggesting a mixed bag for visitors.
What do customers appreciate most about Great Wall Express?
Many customers highlight the generous portions and affordable pricing, often finding the food to be a good deal for the quantity received. The staff are also frequently described as friendly and the service as quick.
Are there any common complaints about Great Wall Express?
Some patrons have noted inconsistent food quality, with dishes occasionally described as flavorless or not fresh. Concerns about questionable charges and a generally poor ambiance, including issues with cleanliness and the surrounding area, are also mentioned.