Review: Sizzling Wok
Author: WIBIA | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Indianapolis, IN
Sizzling Wok
7280 Michigan Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
Sound familiar? I review a Sizzling Wok a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I am not sure if this one is any relation, but the menus are very similar. But then again, most Chinese places in the area can say that. I ate at this location about three years ago and had the Schezuan Beef (my litmus test) and it was horrible. However, the place is kind of a hole in the wall and usually has a lot of customers, so I figured they had to be doing something right.
What I Got: I love Potstickers so this was an easy choice for about $3.00.
To me, the art in a pot sticker is the dough. I liked a little crispness to it and they nailed it here. Standard pork filling, but that char on the outside had me at hello. Above average and a good start to the meal.
Based on a recommendation from a reader (Hi Sarah), I ordered the Rice Noodle Combination ($6 or so).
Tender pieces of beef on a bed on vermicelli noodles, carrots, peanuts and a fried spring roll on top. The “dressing” on the side wasn’t as spicy as it looked and to be honest, it didn’t have a lot of flavor to it. However, while the dish was pretty bland at first, I dumped the dressing on it, tossed the noodles and it was then quite tasty. In fact, really good. I could have eaten double the amount of beef that was on it.
Would I Buy It Again? Yes, easily. Sizzling Wok is at the intersection of Super Cheap and Super Good. Want to start eating local, but short on cash? This is a good place to start. I really enjoy the Thai/Vietnamese part of the menu. I think their Pho (my wife ordered it) is as good as any other in the city and this was a tasty dish that I will order again. However, the Chinese part of the menu continues to be pretty tragic…it’s actually pretty bad.
Be careful out there,
-wibia
Tags: chinese, dumplings, Food, pho, pot sticker, rice noodle, sizzling wok
Whew! I’m glad you approved! It’s a hole in the wall, but as long as you order the right things it’s all good – like the rice noodle combination. Eight former employees of batteries.com, all lovers of this dish, can’t be wrong!
Got to give it a try.. more importantly, I just really enjoyed the comment… “Be careful out there.” It just fits in with the way I like to pick restaurants… “Ooo! theres a hole in the wall joint that I’ve never herd of before, LETS GO!”
Thanks Sarah, I thought that it was really tasty and a solid recommendation. I think that every restaurant has some good and bad dishes…this was a good one.
Thanks Lance. You have to pick and choose well, that is for sure.
I just tried the “other” Sizzling Wok at Georgetown and Lafayette Rd, and liked it, too… but, the rice nood dish (bun) looks fantastic in this picture, and seems to have way more meat…. my fave bun dish is over at Saigon, cause their grilled pork is just killer…..
The dressing on the beef dish looks to be fish sauce, which is used in many Vietnamese dishes. It is a little bland, but adds the right salty kick to rice or noodles.
Thanx for the tip on this place.
The Hound
I have been going to Sizzling Wok for 5 years and they have been in business for over 20 years. I think that says a lot these days about a local that can compete with the chains over the long term. After going to both locations, I have had far better experiences and service at the Georgetown and Lafayette Rd location. This is the perfect time of the year to stop in and have a soup off their menu.