This review is long overdue -- it was the hot & sour soup that pushed me over the edge. I typically…read morejudge Chinese restaurants based on the quality of their eggrolls; if they pass the first test, I might venture so far as to test their hot & sour soup, and I can't believe I waited this long to do so.
The broth was rich and thick (but not gummy or gelatinous), and layered with flavor -- that alone is enough to keep me coming back. But then they went on to add all the requisite ingredients that make it so delicious -- tofu, pork, wood ear, mushrooms, bamboo shoots. Truly, one of the best renditions I've ever had, and I've even made it myself.
Here's what else they can do:
1. The BEST lo mein in the area -- no joke. Flat, linguine-style noodles, veggies, and your choice of meat (the roast pork is excellent, but I usually go for the house special, which has chicken, pork, beef, and a generous amount of shrimp). I could seriously eat this every day. I'm skeptical of this dish at other establishments, having been let down on multiple occasions by limp, greasy noodles and not much else. The Wok Express lo mein is a meal in and of itself.
2. The eggs rolls are darned good. Tightly rolled, golden brown -- a little greasy, but isn't that why we're here? You can order a single egg roll, but why do that to yourself?
3. Moo shu. I had it tonight for the first time, and it did not disappoint. The wrappers were a little thinner than I'm used to, but they held their own. They pack the moo shu (and lo mein) so tightly into the container that you can eat half, come back the next day, and it's filled to the top again.
4. Shrimp with garlic sauce. I typically don't venture into seafood at Chinese restaurants until they have proven themselves in other ways. I order the shrimp with garlic sauce about a year ago for the first time, and now it's a favorite. The shrimp are very large, plump, and perfectly cooked, served in a savory sauce with a little bit of a kick and lots of fresh veggies.
5. Dinner combinations. I'm not going to lie; I used to patronize another local restaurant for takeout, but whenever I was alone and craving Chinese, I'd either have to have it for lunch or get a single dish and some rice. This place has lunch specials, but they also have dinner combinations, which means you can get a few different things regardless of the time of day. It also make sharing easy -- for four people, you can easily get away with three combos, and have a virtual smorgasbord of choices. Not bad for under $30.
I could go on, but you really should try it for yourself. If you live in Boston or New York or San Francisco, you might not agree with me, but on a snowy winter night, I can get there and back in 12 minutes, perfectly content to spend a night in.