My Personal Favorite Chinese Restaurant: A Review of the Teriyaki Wok in Leesville, Louisiana

I have never written a restaurant review before and I am not normally in the habit of doing so. This review is sort of a mixture of a personal story and a review of a fabulous dining establishment, the Teriyaki Wok in Leesville, Louisiana.

My experience with the Teriyaki Wok began on New Year's Eve of 2009. I was facing another New Year's alone and not looking forward to the prospect with great delight. After getting off of work that afternoon, I considered my options. Not feeling much in the festive mood, I opted for Chinese takeout and my favorite bottle of wine to have my own sort of personal "New Year's celebration." I did not want the same old choices as before, so I decided to go out of my way and drive the additional twenty minutes to Leesville. As it turned out, it was an excellent choice!

As I drove up, I noticed the place was rather small. However, once inside I immediately noticed the quaint and homey atmosphere. You could hear oriental music softly playing in the background. The effect was calming and serene. The restaurant does a lot of take-out business but also serves customers who choose to dine in as well. I was greeting by the sweetest Asian lady I have ever met. She warmly greeted me and asked for my order.

I ordered what I normally get from Chinese restaurants, "shrimp-fried rice." It is my favorite. She asked if I would like spicy or mild. They have this choice with all their entrees. I chose the mild. While I waited for my order, I was seated at a table. I noticed that although small, the place was very clean. There were oriental paintings on the walls and in all the windows were vintage coke bottles with Chinese writing.

My order was ready and I paid for it and the lady wished me a "very pleasant New Year." I smiled and wished her the same in return. I went home with my wine and Chinese take-out. When I opened the take-out box, I was surprised at how very full it was! The portions are extremely generous. I also had an order of "homemade chips and sauce" which are complimentary with every order. Let me tell you, those homemade chips are to die for! And the food was simply the best Chinese I have ever eaten. Of course, I had a fortune cookie. Want to know what it said? "A true friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out." What an excellent sentiment to begin the New Year!

Since that day, my daughter and I have went back twice and dined in. It quickly became her personal favorite. She always has the sweet and sour chicken. I sampled hers and it is divine! We always fight over who get the first fortune cookie. We have this game, whoever gets the first one, get the best fortune!

The Teriyaki Wok is located in Leesville, Louisiana. If you are ever in the area of Southwest or Central Louisiana, it is worth a few extra miles to sample their wonderful cuisine. They are located on 1310 South 5^th Street and the hours of operation are Monday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. On Sundays, they are open from 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m. The Teriyaki Wok accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

All the meals are freshly cooked when you order them. You receive your food steaming hot with a smile. The waitress checks on you several times during your meal and always keeps your drinks refilled.

Lunch specials are only $4.95 and served with Rice and an egg roll Monday - Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Chef's Specials are served with rice and homemade chips and are priced from $6.95 to $7.95. Some of their specialties include: Sesame chicken, Chicken and Shrimp Hunan style, Kung Pao Chicken, Chicken with Orange(cooked in orange sauce), Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Happy Family(shrimp, beef, chicken and pork), Mongolian Beef or Chicken, Cajun Shrimp Hunan Style, and Wonderful Shrimp(lightly battered shrimp with broccoli, carrot, bell pepper, mushroom, sliced water chestnuts cooked in a sweet and red spicy sauce).

Some of the other menu items are appetizers: egg rolls, crab rangoon, fried biscuits, meat dumplings, B-B-Q Spareribs, chicken wings, and a "Pu Pu Platter"(Spare Rib, Chicken on a Stick, Crab Rangoon, Sweet Shrimp, and an Egg Roll.)

Soups served are Hot & Sour Soup, Egg Drop Soup, Wonton Soup, and Chicken Noodle Soup.

Healthy Dlite menu items include: Steamed mixed vegetables, Steamed chicken mixed vegetables, Steamed shrimp mixed vegetables, and steamed chicken and shrimp mixed vegetables.

Noodle and Fried Rice items: Lo Mein, Fried Rice, House Special Lo Mein, and House Special Fried Rice. Any combination of chicken, shrimp, beef or pork.

Several combination platters are available including chicken dishes, beef combos (including pepper steak), seafood combos (the spicy hot braised shrimp is called "Gan-Shao Shimp") and several vegetable platters including one called the "Buddhist Delight."

It is worth noting that not one item on the menu is over $8.20, and that is the "Pu Pu Platter." I want to extend a personal thanks to the Teriyaki Wok Chinese Restaurant in Leesville, Louisiana for giving what would have otherwise seemed a very dismal New Year's a "glimmer of light."

Sources:

Personal Experience

http://www.dexknows.com/business_profiles/teriyaki_wok-l805602127

http://local.yahoo.com/info-18323145-teriyaki-wok-leesville

http://www.placefacts.net/restaurants.php?id=264683

http://www.yellowpages.com/info-5241932/Teriyaki-Wok