I chose this because it offers a lot of surface area, especially its 25 inches of depth versus the 18 or 21 that many other carts/islands have. The photos don't convey how large this table really is (stated dimensions are accurate). Although the exposed shelving forces you to be neat with any stored items, the open space makes the table less visually intrusive in your space than a paneled cabinet.

The top has a faux-wood laminate finish. It is not a butcher block or suitable for knife work -  you aren't going to get a commercial-style prep table at this price.

Quality is pretty good though I had to bend one of the legs to line up the screw holes. Assembly took me 90 minutes from unboxing to completion. It is possible for one person to assemble this but another pair of hands will make screwing in the bottom shelf a lot easier.

Pros: Generous size, good quality/appearance for the price
Cons: Still need to use cutting boards