Grand China

This IS a carryout in a kind of dingy area. So don’t expect great things in that respect. And they sell singles in brown paper bags. I guess it’s the ‘hood business model as far as fake-​Chinese-​food-​mumbo-​sauce-​serving carryouts in NE DC and environs. BUT. This is the best Chinese food I’ve found in the immediate area, especially those that deliver. They actually cook shrimp really well. They do wings well (but either plain or with mumbo sauce, they are greasy fried and not buffalo but, well, you’re eating from a carryout, so…). Even the fries which are your basic frozen krinkle fries, they do them well with the seasoning of salt and pepper. The egg drop soup is pretty good. The won ton I’m not so enamored with, hard doughy won tons and the broth itself kind of meh. But the egg drop is really rich and great! They also have good chicken — they use breast meat so chicken dishes especially garlic sauce, curry, and sweet and sour are all really good. The vegetables are fresh. Currently I’m on a shrimp chow mein kick, and they always remind me that it’s vegetables, I guess some people confuse chow and lo and don’t want veggies! The spring and egg rolls — often they will give you one — are pretty good but greasy. Again, it’s a carryout. They also do grinders and I’ve heard they’re pretty good. I haven’t gotten them but friends have.
I’ve often stood in the waiting area and imagined how it would be if you took away the bulletproof glass, the locked doors and faded photos, and if you actually made it into a sit down restaurant. I think it could have potential. The Chinese food in this area is terrible — and I have the Chinese food palate of a New Yorker — but this is the best I’ve had in the near area, without driving 45 mins to an hour away.
Delivery is fast and efficient. There is a bit of a language barrier on the phone, but they understand, it’s just how they respond that can be confusing. They take credit cards. And if you go and pick up, sure, it might remind you of Mos Eisley, but the people hanging around are actually pretty nice!

Location is ok (as in convenient) however management needs to do a little upgrades to the interior and exterior. There seems to be a problem with questionable looking people hanging around and public drinking (this could be because the location sells beer and wine). If you can get pass that the food isn’t bad and the staff, from my personal experience, is over friendly. I usually stick with the chicken wings or shrimp egg foo yung. If you don’t mind the lack of curb appeal give it a try to form your own opinion.

I Tried to order over the the phone and the person was rude. She didn’t know what I was talking about and when I tried to explain it to her… she said dada dada and hung up. I called back to cancel my order. I will never order from there again!