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Great Sea Sold: Albany Park's Longtime Chinese Wing Haven Changing Hands

Ownership has sold the cult-favorite Chinese-Korean restaurant

Great Sea
Great Sea
Yelp
Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

Earlier today, a note from Great Sea Chinese Restaurant's ownership circulated on social media, scaring long-time fans into thinking that the restaurant is closing. But no, Great Sea isn't closing. Instead the owners, who have run the Chinese-Korean restaurant since 1987 in Albany Park, are selling. The new owners take over on June 1.

The note, in part, said: "As our passion slowly fades, our parents, at ages of 72 and 69, have decided they are finally ready to retire." Fear not, as the family says they're teaching the new owners their recipes, including their famed sweet and tangy chicken wings.

Ownership is notoriously shy about attention. Daughter Karen Lim said they told staff on Saturday, but those employees will continue to work at the restaurant with the new owners. They've been overwhelmed by loyal customers who have kept them busy, and she's afraid they can't keep up with making chicken wings. She suggests stopping by and grabbing a few bottles of wing sauce.

"It spread like wildfire," Lim said. "Friends I haven't talked for in 10 years, they're calling, texting, messaging. It's getting pretty wild." Read the full note below.

Great Sea Note

[Note via Facebook]

Great Sea Lollipop Wings

3253 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 478-9129