Lam and May — Restaurant in West Wyalong

Small tip - I must mention that there is a surcharge of $2 for eftpos payments under $50. (The menu says that only cash is ok under $50, but card is OK - just note the surcharge). FYI.

Food is fresh and fine, not a long wait, there's a take away option... a longer review below for fellow foodies.

Ah yes. Australian Chinese cuisine... It's a very different taste to anything you'll find in China but it's become a bit of its own tradition in Oz, especially in country towns. I grew up with sweet n sour pork, beef black bean etc. So passing through West Wyalong, I decided Lam and May would be my preference over the pub. Now I confirm that you will not be disappointed, if you are after a true blue Aussie Chinese meal. This is a step back in time to the 1950s albeit in a typical country venue. If you're lucky, as you enter, you'll be treated to the local greeting. Not 'may I help you?' or 'dine in or takeaway?' as you'd typically expect - Instead you'll be greeted with the local welcome... 'are ya right?'. The restaurant is visited by locals and travellers alike and although it's got no traditional chinese fiery chilli on the menu, or chopsticks to be found on the tables (but, do ask), it has the charm of a country Aussie Chinese restaurant with the reliable vegetable thickeners in your soup, glazing on vegetables, iceberg lettuce crunchy and fresh, and prawns mostly defrosted. Spring rolls, dim Sims, fried rice and all the usual suspects on the menu, served sizzling and fresh. Though, sorry no... Sorry nothing really vegetarian on the menu, except mixed veg. I tried "West Lake Beef Soup" which I'll give 3 stars - tasty but a little tough; and San Choy Bow for four stars - lots of mince, a little too oily; only four lettuce leaves for a whole bowl of mince, not the right ratio but no worries! Lovely wine, not bad service. Quaint venue, a few little chinese touches. Overall I loved my night though because it was down to earth and unpretentious, and fresh. I've been in many a country chinese restaurant but this was the first with Baijao liquor bottles on the top shelf. Sadly just for show, but I was with you in spirit, Lam and Lay (pardon the pun). West Wyalong, Lam and Lay. It's just so truly Country...

Sadly when front of house is not Asian in an Asian restaurant.....the experience is 9 times out of 10 disappointing. Same here today.

Small things add up..... no prices on the printed take away menu. But it is on a table....bend down and hurt your back while you search the small wording.

The prices were fair, except the 2 soup containers were only 3/4 full, 1st time I have seen a short fill.

The chook n corn and crab soups..... microwaved from a cheap supermarket perhaps? Where was the chicken and corn, the crab and texture? Reminded me of $1 Coles chicken noodle packet mix. Tasted the same too which was ok.

Btw, that cheap no brand seafood mix from the frozen dept is not crab.....never was, never will be.

Combination rice was ok, just way to short on combination and too much undercooked rice.

Given my take away was ready in under 10 minutes and after 40 years enjoying Asian food, I know when I do not hear the genuine clanging of woks and pans, the experience will be questionable.

Not one clang was...

Oh Dear! Arrived to this large restaurant with only 4 other seated diners and Reception tried to place us on the only table by the open entrance to the kitchen. When we declined, they rather ungraciously laid another table near the windows.

Claims on their website and menu to be "Vegetarian friendly", but the otherwise extensive menu only had vegetarian fried rice or vegetarian fried noodles as their offering.

Our order was taken by a waiter dressed in a black puffer jacket! Perhaps that reflected the cool atmosphere of the empty restaurant on a Friday night. The waiter was unable to explain what vegetables were in either of the only two vegetarian dishes. (We always check as we have been caught out before, finding ham pieces in...