Wan Wang chosen Best Chinese Restaurant in Central Mass.
After four rounds and more than 70,000 total votes, Wan Wang Restaurant on Park Avenue in Worcester has the good fortune of carrying the label of Best Chinese Restaurant in Central Massachusetts.
“We celebrated last night with all my customers,” owner Kenny Huang said Monday. “We are definitely 100% very happy for them. We're so excited to see more business coming.”
In a Telegram & Gazette reader poll, shaped in the spirit of March Madness, Wan Wang upended Jasmine Asian Restaurant in the final round. Wan Wang collected 55% of the 5,548 votes that were cast in the weeklong final round, which ended Sunday.
The battle for the label of Best Chinese Restaurant began with 16 restaurants, based on reader nominations. Much like the March Madness basketball tournament, restaurants went head-to-head in a bracket format, with the field pared to eight, then four, then two, and now one, winner Wan Wang.
The restaurant at 401 Park Ave. in Worcester saw a bit of an uptick in customers as the monthlong contest unfolded. Still, Huang said he's pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
“We're a family restaurant here,” Huang said. “All our family works together. We support each other and respect each other.”
Jasmine, 711 Southbridge St., Auburn, made a spirited bid for top honors, decorating its doors and windows with word of the contest.
“The competition is good for all the businesses too,” Huang said. “It's good for us. It's good for Jasmine. It's good for all 16 restaurants. More people know all those restaurants right now.”