On a subsequent visit the Hot Vegetable Delight had the correct tasting Hunan sauce, and it was much better than the previous version. Along with the first rate vegetables and the tofu which had been added, it would be hard to ask for a better dish.

Half order of twice cooked pork

The specialty of the chef is Hunan and Szechuan style cooking, so on one visit Ryan suggested that I try Twice Cooked Pork. This was a spicy dish with a somewhat sweet sauce, combining the elements typical in spicy Chinese cooking. I thought the meat was good, and as I had found with the tofu dishes the main elements (meat and vegetables) were really more notable than the sauce.

Half order of Szechuan vegetable delight with tofu added

The above photo shows the latest version of a half order (or lunch portion) of Szechuan Vegetable Delight with tofu added. Note that in 2009, when this was served, the tofu had changed from the previous versions, and although I was very happy with the tofu served before, this one was probably better and more healthy. The most important change to this dish, though, was in the sauce. The owner suggested a more authentic Chinese version of the Szechuan sauce made with ginger and garlic, and not made sweet (to the normal American taste) like the regular Szechuan sauce. This turned out to be the best vegetable dish of all the ones I had tried, and I was happy to find out that the sauce could be as enjoyable as the rest of the dish.

I do not know if most customers would really enjoy the more authentic Chinese style sauces as I did, but it is good to know Great Wall can prepare them if requested. To me this makes Great Wall one of New Mexico's better Chinese restaurants, and certainly better than anything with which I am familiar in Las Cruces at the present time.

The Hot and Sour Soup was not very memorable, although I believe it was made fresh since you are able to request it without MSG (meaning that it is probably not pre-made).

A sushi bar is open Wednesday through Saturday, although I did not try it.

Great Wall has a large wine and beer list, nice decor, and courteous but sometimes slow service. There is no buffet, but I believe lunch specials are available.

One of the good features of Great Wall is that they try to work with customers to provide special requests. Half orders are available any time and do not require a special request, making it possible to make a meal consisting of small plates that can be shared as in many "Chinatown" restaurants. Tofu can be added to vegetable dishes, and in fact I think most substitutions within reason can be accommodated. Meat dishes can be supplemented with steamed vegetables or other types of dishes that are more typically Chinese than many of the selections on the menu. The important thing is to tell the staff what you want, and they will do their best to prepare it.