China Wok — Restaurant in Monroe

I did NOT visit China Wok in Monroe yesterday, though, I did possibly drive by it - not sure why this popped up as a place that I stopped.

But, China Wok in Monroe is sorely, sadly missed. A friend and I were lamenting about it no longer being open just a week or so ago. It was the standby place of choice for fresh wok made dishes that were prepared while we waited. People from all over the county would drop in and grab a lunch or dinner on a weekly basis because the ingredients were fresh, delicious, wholesome, too.

This restaurant was owned and ran by a husband/wife team of Asian descent - and, when I moved home after working/living in DC, my mother and I would eat here weekly, or sometimes even 2X/week, depending on what mom was hankering for - and when we would order, the Mrs. knew mom by name, and all was whipped up to order, perfect, steaming, fresh and just the right amount for such a reasonable cost, to boot!

I did hear, however, that Mr. and Mrs., the owners of this local restaurant which was part of a previous groundbreaking chain that first joined basic favorite American Chinese dishes to the drive through generation back in the 1980's, did retire, move to another region of the country and are enjoying their grandchildren.

We (my friend and I) both noted how sad we are that the restaurant and recipes were not passed on to another person, so the loss to Monroe is somewhat substantial.

I do know of another major, pricey Chinese chain way down the road, but, it doesn't compare in quality, price or that friendliness that we were so very spoiled by because of the local China Wok experience.

I did pay nearly double the price for ABC (almond boneless chicken) from this other local 'Chinese' restaurant that is not part of a national or regional chain, but their version of ABC consisted of a thick (not pounded, thinned), half boneless chicken breast deep fried in a heavy batter (possible sliced in that vertical tradition after it was deep friend), tossed atop steamed white rice and this thick brown gravy slathered atop w/o a hint of almond in sight or even in taste - and nearly $11, too! UGH...

Mr. and Mrs. China Wok, you spoiled us in Monroe and we miss you! Please enjoy your retirement and your grandchildren... but know that you are sorely missed by your...

The food here is, I'm my opinion, mediocre at best. I have been disappointed with the customer service several times. Before the new owners took over I had never had an issue in my 31 years of eating here. Now however, theres a problem every time. When I call about it I have been talked to condescendingly and not treated well. The meals no longer come with soup although that is what is advertised. No biggie, I'll buy one. I always get general tsos chicken and get it with extra sauce. I have serious life limiting illnesses and if it's dry I cannot swallow. This has never been a problem,getting extra sauce until tonight. Tonight I ordered extra sauce on mine and when I got home, an almost 20 minute drive, it was almost no sauce. When I called she told him the issue and I could hear him loudly yelling that extra sauce would make it messy in the container. I do understand what they are saying although I can't speak the language. I won't repeat everything they said. I've also heard them talking bad about customers in the past. . So now, if I don't want my food bone dry and inedible I have to pay more to get sauce on the side. I don't want anything for free but make it how it's ordered. Also, the egg roll that comes with my $15 dinner is now less than HALF the size. I guess they want more money for a normal egg roll. I will be calling the better business bureau and lodging a complaint. Don't leave a bad review kids or they won't serve you. Next time you're there take a peek at the ceiling in the...

Current post :Today they gladly fixed my order and I can appreciate that. The Crabragoon was fresly replaced and in my previous post it was not shrimp fried rice but chicken fried rice...still very tiny pieces of chicken. Overall the gentleman was pleasant. I may go back in the future since he did accomadate me. Previous post: agree that the quality is so poor now. Extremely large amounts of rice but small on the actual entrees. My Crab Ragoon was almost empty inside and dry. The pastry was fried full of cheap oil and no egg roll was with my food as usual. They do not have duck sauce and thats not shrimp fried rice either...maybe some kind of brown rice. Im very very disappointed and they charge me $1 for brown gravy instead of almond gravy. Never...