| Date: 09/18/2002 |
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| A Great Find in "The Great Wall" Restaurant |
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| by Patrick McDonough |
| patrick@beetcafe.com |
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"Hello dear. How are you?" This is the welcoming phrase you'll hear upon entering "The Great Wall." A phrase that helps relieve the pressures of the world beyond the beautiful carved dragons, authentic lighting and bright red doors of the restaurant that has become more than a profession for owners Suzy and Gene Wang. It has become a way of life.
A life that brought them from working in the restaurant business in Korea to the United States in 1974. They made the move with their three children, including five-year-old Ai Chun (better known as George by some of her teachers), three-year-old Joe and one year old Jimmy. For the next 9 years Gene worked as part owner in different restaurants in Washington D.C. and Bloomington, IL. In 1983 he came to Rockford along with a classmate to take over ownership of what was already "The Great Wall" restaurant at its present location at 4228 East State Street.
Besides the hospitality patrons receive from the owners at "The Great Wall," there are a number of other reasons that bring people back time and time again.
One obvious reason is the authentic Mandarin and Szechwan Hunan lunch and dinner entrees that are prepared daily by Chef and Owner Gene Wang. Each dish begins with a savory combination of ginger, garlic and onion. The meats and vegetables used in the dishes are fresh from local suppliers. Some of the chef's more popular specialties include Bird Nest Shrimp, Black Bean Chicken, Szechwan Lobster and Palace Beef to name a few.
The appetizers are enough for some to make "The Great Wall" a weekly stop. More than one patron has commented, "They have the best crab rangoons in town." Still another believes that, "a meal here isn't complete without an order of shrimp toast and hot and sour soup."
The variety of exotic drinks prepared in their full service bar promises a relief after a long day at work. These specialty drinks range from the Mai Tai to the lesser known Singapore Sling. A classic mixture of gin, fruit brandy and lemon juices. The bar also serves American as well as Chinese beers such as Tsingtao (pronounced Ching-Dow).
The dedication of both the owners and the staff is one more reason why patrons continue to consider "The Great Wall" as, "their favorite restaurant in Rockford." Gene says that, "Our restaurant is one of the very few places in the Midwest where you can appreciate authentic Chinese culinary art mastered by a team of first class cooks, invited here from China." Most of their cooks and wait staff have been there for close to ten years. One employee said that, "It was hard to get a job here because everyone loves it so much they don't want to leave." She also stated that, "I would never work anywhere else because I don't think I could find the same kind of bosses again."
In a sense, Suzy sees what they do as a way to give back to the community for the support that they have received for the last 19 years. She said, "Thank you Rockford for taking care of us. Gene and I appreciate all of you."
Specials Events
Sunday brunch buffet: Every Sunday from 11 am to 2:30 pm. All you can eat crab legs, Chef's specialty entrees, desserts, fresh fruit and much more. $7.75
Chinese New Years Celebration: Every second week in February. 10 course dinner and drinks starting at 6:30pm until 9pm. There is a magic show. Each table's photo is taken to go on the wall in a frame. Reservations are a must. $25 |
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| Contact Information |
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| Gene and Suzy Wang |
| The Great Wall |
| 4228 East State Street (next to Peak Fitness) |
| Rockford, IL 61107
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| 815.226.0982 |
Cost
Entrée Price Range: (dinner: $7.25-$17.00) (Lunch: $4.75-$8.50)
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