1st Wok
7125 Georgetown Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
If you read the blog, you know that I consistently stay away from coupons-on-the-menu Chinese places. However, I was working until 8:45 and wanted quick, cheap Chinese and 1st Wok fit that bill. My standard order is Schezuan Beef, but tonight, a simple fried rice was calling my name. I tend to eat warm comfort food when it gets to be eight degrees outside.
What I Got: Combo fried rice, hot and sour soup; around $9.00 total.
The hot and sour was some of the worst that I have ever had. The broth lacked flavor and the crunchy vegetables were a bad combination. The consistency was thin (my preference) but it was just flat out bad. Totally discouraged, I moved onto the fried rice.
The fried rice was pretty damn good. I was trying to figure out if it was because I was starving and cold, or if it was actually good. There was enough there for three small meals, and it was tasty the next day for lunch. Now, it is a far cry from some of the super legit places that I have been to in San Francisco, but for strip mall Chinese, it was very serviceable. However, if I ordered this again, I would order it without shrimp because they didn’t do anything for me.
Would I Buy It Again? Ehh…Places like 1st Wok reside in every strip mall, in every city. I surely can’t judge a place on fried rice, but I have had a lot of bad fried rice, so maybe I can? I am not going to run across town to go to 1st Wok, but I have had a lot better, and a lot worse. For about $9.00, I got three meals, so there is plenty of value here.
What is your favorite cheap Chinese takeout?
-wibia
Tags: 1st Wok, chinese, Food, fried rice, hot and sour soup
The h/s soup at Yen Ching on Washington St on the east side is the best I’ve had in Indianapolis, although the seafood h/s soup at On Time (next to Saraga) is a close contender.
I struggle with Chinese takeout – I love it but have a hard time finding something good. I discovered Hong Kong in Carmel (yay delivery) out of the 5 I’ve tried – so far, that is best. But I am taking suggestions for someone who delivers near the Carmel Arts District…
I think I’ve already let my favorite place be known… King Dragon on Broad Ripple Ave. Cheap, delicious, and friendly. However, if anyone has suggestions for the Westfield area, I am soon going to be in dire need of a new Chinese joint up there! I’m open to any and all suggestions… Except for those in Carmel. I’ve already had most of those and I’m looking for something actually in Westfield.
Other than On Time Seafood (which is my go-to for dim sum and more authentic Cantonese cuisine), Wonder Wu on 56th and Georgetown is the only cheap takeout place in town I’ve been impressed with for Americanized Chinese fare. It’s the depth and balance of the spices and flavor and the freshness of the ingredients. My Asian friends from Chicago have also only been impressed with Cantonese and Americanized Chinese food from these places locally.
Since I moved to the Irvington area, my favorite Chinese take-out place has been Foon Ying at 38th and Shadeland. Everything there, even the deep-fried stuff, tastes made from scratch, fresh and unique. And, every time I go in there, there’s a line of people waiting to pick up their food. I get in a conversation each time with someone about how good the food is there and how long they’ve been a customer. That’s an excellent sign to me. A lot of Irvingtonians are big fans of Cheer King on Washington Street, but their food hasn’t impressed me yet.
I used to be all about Foon Ying, but I recently tried Rice King on Pendleton Pike across from Esquire Plaza. They say they have the best fried rice in town- and I believe them. I couldn’t have eaten any more rice the last time we went there. Also, the cabbage in their egg rolls is so good I could eat it plain. Yum!