Cheap Eats: The Great Wall

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The demise of my favorite eatery in Desert Hot Springs, a staple in that city, got me nostalgic for long-standing restaurants I had discovered in my first days and months in the desert. Granted, I've lived here for only seven years, but that's a good track record for any restaurant.

So that's how I rediscovered The Great Wall in downtown Palm Springs, where it has been serving up Chinese specialties for 15 years.

Once inside, the restaurant felt like an old pal, with its intimately dim lighting and requisite fish tank and Chinese lanterns, plus all the red accents on the walls and tabletops.

And there's something inviting about that little bowl of complimentary crispy noodles to nibble while perusing the menu. I especially like looking at the family menu, which for a set price lets you add additional entrees the more guests you have. I want to bring a whole posse with me one day.

Meanwhile, since it was just me, I zeroed in on the lunch specials, and chose an old favorite, Moo Goo Gai Pan ($7.75) which featured pure white chicken breast pieces, pounded thin, flanked by sliced carrots, celery and snow peas in a lush, clear sauce. Delicious, and served piping hot with rice and egg roll.

Lunch specials are offered from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. weekdays. Most chicken options (Kung Pao, Almond, Sweet and Sour among them) go for $7.75; beef and pork dishes are priced at $8.50, and seafood, including shrimp with lobster sauce, are slightly higher at $8.95. An order of vegetable fried rice or lo mein (soft noodles) is $6.95.

Entrees for dinner start at $8.95.

Bring the whole gang — besides the main dining room, there's a separate room just off the entrance (with its own bar) for private parties. Be sure to get your hands on that family menu.

Have a suggestion for Cheap Eats? Contact Barbara Lowell at (760) 778-4544 or barbara.lowell@ thedesertsun.com.