Best of Boston

Don’t let the illusion of space from the many mirrors fool you—Chinatown’s Grand Chau Chow, at least from the perspective of room to move, is not much grander than the original Chau Chow, its lower-rent sister across the street. The staff is not afraid to foster the idea that GCC is a family restaurant—chances are you’ll be cozy enough with the next table to share dishes. There’s one good reason for the popularity—the food, as the predominantly Chinese crowd will attest. The salted shrimp dish (fried, shell on, with spicy chilis) remains the one in town to beat.