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Great Sea Chinese Restaurant in Chicago
Personal story by
Waltski-Rocks
created on
Nov 17, 08
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Anyone can make fried chicken but there are those who truly create a masterpiece that stands with creativity and passion. Keeping it alive for 20 years and counting.... I give it up to Great Sea Chinese Restaurant.
On my arrival from the Chicago O'Hare airport, my buddy Trixie strongly recommended that I abandon my search for Chicago style pizza. She brought us to Great Sea and totally convinced me to indulge on this local favorite. She had no idea that I was writing for Yelp, so I agreed to her offer and was prepared to write about this restaurant. This was a hit! I was amazed that this " hole in the wall " establishment had a strong audience. "How Many Chicken Wings Can You Eat?" I was shocked as I saw a huge display of visitor photos that have taken on this chicken wing challenge. The reigning champ: 86 wings!!! Oh My God! In one sitting? No! Well, according to Karen of Great Sea, there's no trophy or cash prizes for each champion. The current champ spent about four hours devouring all 86 pieces. The chicken challenge is for "bragging rights' and "way of saying thank you to its big eaters". This is an awesome way of making your mark on the local community and Chicago visitors. On this visit, there was no way I was going to take this challenge. I was here to try the chicken and Yelp about it.
So how's the Korean Chinese Fried Chicken, Walt? SUPREME! I rarely give a restaurant with my phrase, supreme. Our chicken arrived with a pleasant warm aroma and glistened in its unique sweet sauce (see picture). It met all my pertinent requirements for fried chicken:
- Crunchy on outside without the oily mess.
- Moist with the natural chicken oil intact - not the cooking oil.
- Sauce was spicy but not over powering for me to struggle with its taste and herbs.
- Bonus feature: They removed the unwanted parts like the tips and fatty skins leaving behind the actual meat cuts. This exposed the bone making it easier to hold and eat the possible lean meat of the chicken. I don't find this style of cooking anywhere except in expensive five star restaurants.
The atmosphere of Great Sea presents the mom and dad home style restaurant with its glass mirrors, bamboo plants, and antique dining furniture. This is another example why some restaurants don't need to invest into flashy dcor or high end furniture or dining ware in order to impress the world.
Unfortunately, I can't remember the other dishes we ordered for lunch. I'm still hypnotized by the chicken. One thing I forgot to pick up. They sell bottles their famous hot and saucy sauce for $4.00. My food comatose kicked so bad that I forgot. I would have picked up a case.
In the spring of 2008, I'll be returning to Great Sea with friends from California. With that being said.... this has made the "Must Dine Here in Chicago" list.
Tips to make your visit enjoyable:
- Street parking only. Try to find parking before lunch time. The meters won't be waiting for you.
- Arrive hungry. Don't waste your time and money by visiting this place when you're half full. You're really going to enjoy the chicken.
- Perfect for lunch or dinner. In this case, we had lunch here and were lucky because all we had to do was errands. But if you have to go back to work after your lunch hour here at Great Sea, be ready for food comatose.
- Romantic? Not really... but I'd rather say its perfect for get-togethers (family and friends). Dining alone isn't bad either.
Thank you to Karen for great service and hospitality. Trixie and I enjoyed this visit.
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