China Wok

I was trying to not cook tonight and this place it is a nightmare, I’ve found hairs in my food as well raw egg shells when this dish gets no eggs involved. Totally frustrated and disgusting with this kitchen. Their doors should shut down

This place has all of the Americanized Chinese food that everyone craves at one point or another. From ribs to all of the orange and sweet and sour everything. BUT!!! This place also dabbles just enough in the dishes that I ate growing up. I always judge a Chinese place by their rice and their hot and sour soup because those are the basics to me and both were awesome here. In fact, the soup was probably the best hot and sour soup I’ve had in any take out restaurant period. I also ordered a small portion of minced pork with eggplant and a full order of salt and pepper porkchops. The huge portion of eggplant tasted great and I would definitely recommend it. The only thing that wasn’t as good as the other items was the salt and pepper pork which tasted like it was fried in old oil and did not have the signature salt and pepper seasoning that I was craving. I’m not sure if it was just left off or if my salt intake really needs to be reevaluated because I tasted very little of it. Super nice workers there. I can’t wait to try their mapo tofu, another Lily F. staple.

I have to say that China Wok is the best Chinese take out food in the area, and actually one of the best I’ve had in the 6 years I’ve lived in the Chicago area. My favorite is the Sesame Chicken and Crab Rangoons. Nothing can top their fresh fruit smoothies though! Compared to other mango smoothies I’ve had from Panera and Portillos, China Wok is my favorite! I absolutely recommend this amazing place!

Let me start out by saying that I’m not a huge fan of Chinese food, in fact I’m a very picky eater, not that you can tell by my size. My wife finally talked me into stopping here on a Friday night, when our usual haunt was closed for some kind of family emergency. I tried a small Beef Fried Rice and a small Chinese Chicken Noodle Soup, my wife had a small Shrimp Fried Rice, Mongolian Beef and the Egg Rolls… and… we were instantly hooked and if you know me you know how epic that moment really was… and yes my next order was upgraded to the large size… of everything… but only one of each, what? I’m on a diet.
Yes the price is a bit high, however the quantity and quality of the food is money well spent. The staff has always been very friendly and courteous, not sure if the cooks speak or understand any English, but they are always quick to smile and nod. I must admit that I love the receipts, as odd as that may sound… they are in Chinese with English sub-​titles… I know, I know the strangest things entertain me.
The China Wok was set up strictly with take-​out in mind and is very light on décor, but exceptionally clean. If memory serves… I do believe it used to be a computer repair shop and still has the vibe of a shop over a restaurant, but I’m not a superficial twit so that has no real baring on anything that matters. However, I do have an advantage growing up in Chicago… meaning that I know that most of these little hole in the wall mom and pop dives almost always have the best food in the City… and I’m very happy to find an epic Chicago quality dive right here in Northlake. Man I love me some China Wok!
The only downside is that the parking lot is really small and can be rather dicey at times depending on the traffic, but that is more on the designers of the mini-​strip-​mall then the owners of the China Wok.

I asked them to use extra MSG. I’m not sure why. I guess I just like to negate public opinion that MSG is bad. Yeah, that’s right. I’m making a statement.
Unfortunately, no amount of flavor enhancer is going to make me come back to China Wok anytime soon. I ordered the Mongolian Beef. There was WAY too much onion. Something I’ve never found myself complaining about in Chinese food before. The crab ragoon was rubbery and tough. The egg rolls were pretty decent though.
I’m not sure what the hell is going on with the inside of this place. But I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention this embarrassment. I think it would be a great idea if they made it feel like you’re walking into a place that sells food. But they oppose that idea by keeping the old, run down office look. They COULD even remodel it, and put a few real tables in there for dine-​in service. They got enough room. But I guess they may still be working on making the food better. in which case, I don’t much blame them.
There are better places that deliver to Northlake. I’ve no need for you, China Wok.

I’m working late, yet again, and thought, hhm, tonight is gonna be Chinese night. So I yell to my 2^nd shift coworker and said, what do you think? I pulled out a menu for a Chinese place on Grand and he says, No, you should order my Singapore Noodles from China Wok. OK, I’ll order from them. They’re pretty decent.
I asked for a large Chicken Kow along with the Singapore Noodles. $ 20.05 he says, 30 minutes. Cool. I call the front desk to inform them of the expected delivery. 20 minutes later, they’re paging me. I call the front desk, «your Chinese food is here» she says. «WHAT?» I say… That’s super fast!
I picked up the food and the feasting begins. We tried to share but there was so much food, we basically ate a little from each container and saved the rest for tomorrow’s lunch. It was totally decent. We asked for no MSG, easy salt and sauces and we got exactly what we asked for. Both dishes were tasty and fresh with lots of veggies and protein!