Fried Rice and French Fires
The target: Hot Wok Chinese Takeout
3006 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32609
The mission: one order of chicken fried rice
The verdict: 2.0 out of 10
The analysis:
I've been excited to try Hot Wok for no reason other than my friend Shaun took a picture in front of it after his graduation. It must be great, I reasoned, b/c Shaun is awesome and his graduation was a big event. I've also been eager to expand on my search. So, today found me in mid-north Gainesville at lunchtime, and as the fates would have it, at Hot Wok Chinese Take Out.
After looking at the menu and the featured items in large backlit pictures above the counter, I started to wonder if all take out chinese restaurants in Gainesville were owned by the same people. They all look so damn similar. However, my mission, to find the best fried rice in town, has seen through the guise and revealed each to be its own sovereign entity.
The rice was the yellowest of them all so far. The extra bits were just peas and carrots, no onions, no egg, and the chicken was in small cubes, similar to China 88, but with much more "mystery meat" flair. Some pieces were discolored and others were tougher to eat. I'd say this was more of a box of Arroz con Pollo and much less Chinese Fried Rice. Nothing about it made it taste chinese. There was little-no seasoning, and it was so yellow that it resembled a Chinese take on a favorite Cuban dish.
The shop still had Valentine's decorations up (most likely from a previous year, as they were a bit faded), and had a few American specials, such as French Fires. I was wondering what French Fires would taste like and if they were at all dangerous. Since my shirt was flammable, I decided to stay away this go around.
Overall, it was very disappointing. I immediately got a headache after eating there, so the MSG potential was high.
At least I now know that there will be some scores below average.
3006 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32609
The mission: one order of chicken fried rice
The verdict: 2.0 out of 10
The analysis:
I've been excited to try Hot Wok for no reason other than my friend Shaun took a picture in front of it after his graduation. It must be great, I reasoned, b/c Shaun is awesome and his graduation was a big event. I've also been eager to expand on my search. So, today found me in mid-north Gainesville at lunchtime, and as the fates would have it, at Hot Wok Chinese Take Out.
After looking at the menu and the featured items in large backlit pictures above the counter, I started to wonder if all take out chinese restaurants in Gainesville were owned by the same people. They all look so damn similar. However, my mission, to find the best fried rice in town, has seen through the guise and revealed each to be its own sovereign entity.
The rice was the yellowest of them all so far. The extra bits were just peas and carrots, no onions, no egg, and the chicken was in small cubes, similar to China 88, but with much more "mystery meat" flair. Some pieces were discolored and others were tougher to eat. I'd say this was more of a box of Arroz con Pollo and much less Chinese Fried Rice. Nothing about it made it taste chinese. There was little-no seasoning, and it was so yellow that it resembled a Chinese take on a favorite Cuban dish.
The shop still had Valentine's decorations up (most likely from a previous year, as they were a bit faded), and had a few American specials, such as French Fires. I was wondering what French Fires would taste like and if they were at all dangerous. Since my shirt was flammable, I decided to stay away this go around.
Overall, it was very disappointing. I immediately got a headache after eating there, so the MSG potential was high.
At least I now know that there will be some scores below average.