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 North Park
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
€€
Price per Person 11 – 20 €
mentioned by 44 of the guests
#609 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#16 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
5.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
237
Reviews
56.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Good value
- Fast service
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene concerns
- Food quality
The restaurant Great Wall Express, a Chinese Restaurant in San Diego’s vibrant North Park neighborhood, offers a delightful experience. You can enjoy a variety of small plates and quick bites, perfect for a casual meal.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, this spot provides a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great choice for a convenient and tasty meal in the area.
Overview: Introducting Great Wall Express
Great Wall Express generally delivers on its promise of quick, satisfying Chinese fare. Many appreciate the tasty food and generous portions that make for a filling meal.
The service is often described as fast and friendly, contributing to a convenient dining experience. However, some experiences suggest areas for improvement.
While often positive, there are occasional remarks about service inconsistencies and concerns regarding the quality of the chicken. It’s a place that offers a straightforward meal, but individual visits can vary.
Average
5.9
out of 10
237
Reviews
56.1%
Satisfaction
91
negative
13
neutral
133
positive
Great Wall Express registers an overall Restaurant Score of 5.9, placing it squarely in the average category. This is mirrored by a Customer Satisfaction rate of 56.1%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
These figures are drawn from 237 customer opinions, with 133 positive remarks balancing against 91 negative ones. Looking closer at specific aspects, Food performs slightly above average with a score of (6.1), and Value also holds its own at (6).
However, Ambience (5.6) and Service (5.5) hover just around the average mark, suggesting these areas contribute to the overall mixed sentiment.
What people like
- Generous portions
- Good value
- Fast service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Hygiene concerns
- Food quality issues
For a quick and budget-friendly Chinese meal, Great Wall Express can be a reasonable option. You’ll likely find the portions satisfying and the prices agreeable, making it a practical choice for a casual bite.
However, be prepared for potential variations in service and food quality. With a Recommendation Score of 6.2, it suggests that while many find it acceptable, it’s not without its drawbacks.
If you prioritize speed and quantity over a consistently polished experience, it might suit your needs. Otherwise, you might consider other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Great Wall Express
Food (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
The food here presents a bit of a mixed experience, landing an average score of 6.1 with customer satisfaction at a mixed 59.3%. Based on 86 positive remarks out of 145 total, many diners praise the tasty orange chicken, fresh kebabs, and generous portions. You'll often find high-quality, authentic Chinese food with great flavor and good value, making for a filling meal.
However, 50 negative comments highlight some inconsistencies. Issues like small portion sizes, low quality ingredients, and dishes being overly salty or bland are noted. Concerns about pure flour orange chicken or uncleaned shrimp suggest that while some dishes shine, others might unfortunately miss the mark on taste and quality.
Food
145
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
50
negative
9
neutral
86
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Fresh, tasty food
- Good value
What people don't like
- Inconsistent quality
- Small portions
- Poor flavor
Often praised
- foodIt's a small place but very clean and the food is delicious, I recommend it to you.
- portionsMy experience at Great Wall Express was largely positive. The restaurant offers fast and friendly service, and the food is tasty with generous portions. While I highly recommend it, I did notice that the quality of the chicken could be improved; it was a bit fatty.
- orange chickenThe orange chicken Amazing
- Foodstill good inexpensive ready-to-eat Chinese Food
- fried ricefried rice and noodles are cooked perfect
- Chinese foodone of the best places for quick Chinese food
- Combo ARecommended dishes:Combo A
- Thai teaThe portion sizes were pretty decent for the price. I was pleasantly surprised by the really good Thai tea they offer here!
- chickenI also really enjoyed the vegetable egg rolls with their curry flavor. The chicken was good too. The service and atmosphere were also highly rated.
- chow meinChow mein is tasty, lots of veggies and the noodles have a nice chew to them.
Frequently criticized
- Chinese foodMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The Chinese food was bad and significantly over priced. I also noticed that they refill their sriracha bottles with another sauce, which raises concerns about authenticity and hygiene.
- foodfood was horrible, low quality
- food qualityfood was horrible, low quality
- orange chickencombo C beef broccoli, low mein spicy chicken orange chicken fried rice. all bad.
- portion sizenow they are ... under-served
- ricesaid no rice and they loaded rice on my to-go container
- teriyaki chickenteriyaki chicken was some sort of mysterious meat with nothing but fat and was salty
- House fried riceThe House fried rice had no vegetables
- Orange ChickenI truly felt like I was throwing my money away. The Orange Chicken was pure flour. I do not recommend it; the flavor is not good.
- beef & broccoliDon't even get me started with the beef & broccoli. NASTY
If you're after a quick, affordable meal with potentially generous portions and some tasty options like orange chicken, it could be worth a try. Just be prepared for a bit of inconsistency, as some dishes might be fantastic while others fall short.
Service (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
Looking at the service, theres definitely a sunny side! Many customers, in 24 positive comments, highlighted the friendly staff, quick service, and kind workers. Shout-outs often go to the owner and cashier lady for their welcoming approach, contributing to an overall 5.5 score, which lands squarely in the average range.
However, its not all smooth sailing. With 25 negative remarks out of 50 total opinions, issues like long wait times, rude staff, and a general bad attitude from some employees frequently surfaced. This mixed bag of experiences leads to a 48% customer satisfaction, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement.
Service
50
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
25
negative
1
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude employees
- Bad attitudes
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at Great Wall Express was largely positive. The restaurant offers fast and friendly service, and the food is tasty with generous portions. While I highly recommend it, I did notice that the quality of the chicken could be improved; it was a bit fatty.
- ServiceService:5
- staffKind staff and clean tables
- cashier ladycashier lady was very friendly n nice very sweet
- cooksShout out to the cooks who keep the food coming
- counter servicefast, friendly counter service
- improvementI can eat again later. Big improvement from the last time. Keep up the good work.
- old ladyThe cute little old lady is very nice and respectful.
- orderorder was spot on
- ownerThe owner is super friendly
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service left something to be desired
- stafftook my money and walked in the back and left me standing there
- attention from employeesNo attention from employees even when they notice I'm here
- bad attitudebad attitude from employees
- cleaning productwithout rinsing the towel or any type off cleaning product
- customersI would advise others to go to different Chinese restaurants instead of this spot. I strongly urge you not to spend your money with people who try to undermine and take advantage of their customers. It's disheartening to pay $12+ with tax for such a small container of food.
- distanceSucks I live 2 hours away
- drink ordermess up my drink order
- employeeemployee know. She went, and with the same towel
- hot sauceone Little package of hot sauce
So, whats the deal with the service? Its a bit of a mixed bag, reflecting its average score and mixed satisfaction. You might get lucky with friendly, speedy service, but be prepared for potential long waits or less-than-stellar attitudes from some employees.
Ambience (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
Looking at the vibe, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.6 putting it squarely in the average range and customer satisfaction at 50%, indicating a mixed reception. Out of 6 positive remarks, many appreciate the clean tables and the overall Atmosphere. Guests often find it a small but very clean place, and the parking situation is frequently highlighted as a definite plus, with plenty of free options available.
However, there are some clear areas for improvement, with 5 negative comments pointing to significant concerns. Some guests have reported issues with insects near the dining tables, and the cleaning method used was also a point of contention. While some found parking easy, others noted that parking can be difficult to find.
There were also observations of food on the ground, which certainly detracts from the overall cleanliness.
Ambience
12
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean dining area
- Ample parking options
What people don't like
- Insects present
- Poor cleaning
- Food on ground
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- parkingParking options:Free parking lot, Parking space:Plenty of parking
- placeIt's a small place but very clean and the food is delicious, I recommend it to you.
- tablesand clean tables 🌞
Frequently criticized
- dining tableswiped down the dining tables
- food on the grounda lot of food on the ground
- insectsMy experience at this restaurant was deeply concerning due to the presence of insects crawling on the walls near the dining tables. When I informed an employee, she used the same towel that was used to wipe down dining tables to remove the insects.
- parkingparking is an issue for everyone
- parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
So, if you're looking for a clean, small spot with good parking, it might be worth a try. However, be aware that some past guests have encountered cleanliness issues like insects and food on the ground, which could impact your experience.
Value (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
The value here seems to be a mixed bag, with a score of 6 indicating its pretty average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 56.7%. Still, based on 30 opinions, 17 folks found some real positives, often praising the "deal, " "price, " and "portions for the price. " Many felt it offered "inexpensive" options, especially for generous servings.
However, 11 other customers werent so thrilled, with complaints about being over priced and even overcharging. Some felt it was a waste of money, suggesting that while some items offer good value, others might leave you feeling shortchanged.
Value
30
Reviews
56%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Inexpensive options
- Good deals
What people don't like
- Overpriced items
- Overcharging issues
- Waste of money
Often praised
- priceIt's one of the best places for quick Chinese food in North Park. The portions are always generous for the price, and the service is quick. They also have a great variety of options.
- $6.60 a personit's 6.60$ a person that's cheaper than mcdonald's.
- Price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- PricesPrices are average, if not a little lower
- dealGreat deal
- flavor and portions for the priceflavor and portions for the price make it worth it
- inexpensive Chinese foodIt's been here for at least 25 years, and while the prices have increased from the $. 99 per item days, it still offers good inexpensive ready-to-eat Chinese food. I particularly recommend Combo A for dinner.
- large family specialIf you get the large family special it's 6.60$ a person
- price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- pricesThe prices are unbeatable
Frequently criticized
- pricestill charge the same price
- overchargingWhile the food was excellent, scoring a 5 out of 5, the service left something to be desired. I felt like they tried to pull a fast one on me by overcharging me $2. When I pointed it out, they got mad, which was quite an experience lol.
- 3 item comboOrder a 3 item combo(13 bucks) and they will ring you up 12 dollars and then add another 4 bucks for the 3rd item
- moneyThis was the worst Chinese food I have ever eaten. I truly felt like I was throwing my money away. The Orange Chicken was pure flour.
- over pricedway over priced
- refillcharge you 80 cents for a refill
- waste of moneywas a waste of my hard earned money
If youre looking for a quick, inexpensive meal with decent portions, you might find a good deal here. However, be mindful of potential overcharging or specific items that some customers felt were overpriced, as its a bit of a gamble.
How are the prices at Great Wall Express?
You’re looking at roughly 17 per person – reported by 44 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.
Most diners find themselves in this sweet spot, with a good number also enjoying options in the 1 – 10 € and 21 – 30 € ranges. So, while the average is solid, there’s a nice mix of choices to fit different budgets.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 44 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Considering it’s a Chinese Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, providing quality without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Great Wall Express
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
8
Decent Chinese with Great Thai Tea
My experience at this restaurant was that of a cheap typical hole in the wall Chinese food place. The portion sizes were pretty decent for the price. I was pleasantly surprised by the really good Thai tea they offer here!
- portion sizes7
- Thai tea9
- price7
Service Intent
- Delivery
Visit Type
- Delivery
3
Good flavor, but dry and low quality
I ordered through DoorDash and found that the food had good flavor but was dry and low quality, which I was expecting.
- food flavor7
- food quality3
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
6
Food Great, Service Questionable
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food was excellent, scoring a 5 out of 5, the service left something to be desired. I felt like they tried to pull a fast one on me by overcharging me $2.
When I pointed it out, they got mad, which was quite an experience lol.
- food10
- service2
- overcharging1
- mad when I called them out2
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
2
Terrible Experience, Dirty Ice
My experience at this restaurant was overall terrible. While I wasn't expecting fine dining at this price point, I did expect basic things like carbonation in beverages and more than one piece of ice. The ice used in their drinks is dirty, and it seems they get it from the back and pack it in a way that results in tiny pieces.
I would suggest going to Panda Express down the street instead. It's unfortunate to have to support a corporate chain over a small, local business, but this mom and pop shop clearly does not care about their customers.
- carbonation2
- ice1
- mom and pop shop1
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Tasty Orange Chicken and Tender Beef!
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found the orange chicken to be tasty, and the beef and broccoli was exceptionally tender. I've also enjoyed their jalapeño chicken wings and egg rolls.
Overall, everything here is good!
- orange chicken9
- beef and broccoli9
- jalapeño chicken wings8
What Great Wall Express offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you find at Great Wall Express in North Park?
At Great Wall Express, you’ll discover a casual atmosphere perfect for both lunch and dinner. You can enjoy a range of small plates and quick bites, making it ideal for a relaxed meal. It’s a welcoming spot in San Diego’s North Park for a convenient dining experience.
Does Great Wall Express offer convenient services and accessibility for all guests?
Yes, Great Wall Express provides flexible service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. You’ll also find excellent accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating. Plus, there’s usually plenty of free street parking and a free parking lot available for your convenience.
Q: How does Great Wall Express generally perform?
A: Great Wall Express holds a Restaurant Score of 5.9, indicating an average overall experience. Food (6.1) and Value (6) are slightly above average, while Ambience (5.6) and Service (5.5) are average.
Q: What do customers appreciate most about Great Wall Express?
A: Patrons frequently highlight the generous portions and good value for the price, often coupled with fast service for a quick meal.
Q: Are there any common concerns or drawbacks at Great Wall Express?
A: Some customers have reported inconsistent service, occasional food quality issues, and concerns related to cleanliness or hygiene in the dining area.