Review: Hot Wok Chinese Take-Out and Delivery in Jacksonville, Florida

My dinner time visit today has brought me to the door of the: "Hot Wok" located in the Historic Five Points area of Jacksonville Florida inside the Five Points Shopping Center- 1014 Margaret Street #8 Jax, Fl. 32204. You can order via phone: (904-339-0888) or fax: (904-339-0889).

I am always "Mrs. Last Minute" and both a horrible planner and a procrastinator. I usually only decide at the last minute what to order, so I am usually giving my order in person.

I don't consider myself to be a "High Maintenance" kind of girl, but I will admit that I demand a little "gift" every once in a while. I have learned that if you do not give yourself a little treat or allow yourself to experience some enjoyment time, you are actually guilty of harming yourself. If you do not have a pleasure from time to time, you may forget why you endure the hassle of work and your day-to-day grind.

Every two weeks, we pack our over-worked clothes into the van, the one that could also double as 1000-degree oven. We perspire our way to the local laundry mat and vie for the clear washers, the one that, hopefully, will not eat our quarters. I have been working HARD and I am due for my much needed and dare I say, much deserved "treat". Chinese take out! The OH, JOY, I do not have to cook tonight "treat".

The restaurant is open 7 days a week- it opens for lunch time and stays open until a reasonable time, 10pm Monday through Thursday, 11pm Friday and Saturday, 10pm on Sunday. These hours work GREAT for me, as I can get that hankering for Chinese food at virtually ANYTIME.

The menu states that they serve Hunan, Szechwan and Cantonese style Chinese food. Since I am illiterate about the different types of Chinese food, I tend to pick from the picture board. I am pretty much "always" conflicted because my split personality (one side always wants to "be" and "experience" everything new and different and my second side- the one that is hopelessly chained to the same old, same old)

Today I am stuck on my standard order.

#v1- Daily Value Meal- Fried Chicken Wings- they give you 4 whole pieces for only $3.55....they are always both hot and crispy.

#2- Appetizer- Shrimp Egg Rolls at $1.30 each. I like to smother mine with the contents of their "duck sauce" packets.

#13- Egg Drop Soup- When it is fresh, it is VERY fresh...otherwise it gets a bit of a congealed or jelly texture to it. A little addition of hot water usually reconstitutes it pretty well and without loss of much of the flavor. I like to top my soup with fresh milled black pepper; it adds a little extra kick to the soup without a lot of extra heat. Left thickened, it can be used as gravy for steamed white rice. This soup also comes with a little pack of "Crunchy Noodles"- they are almost NEVER crunchy when I get them (warm them in your oven to take care of the crispiness issue).

#26 - Fried Rice- House Special - comes complete with vegetable, roast pork, chicken and shrimp. Small containers are $4.25, Large containers are $7.25...I buy this if I have a few extra dollars in my pocket or if I don't feel like cooking, otherwise I buy the less expensive Fried Rice- #21 - vegetable fried rice, small container for $3.50, large for $5.75 and I cook and add my own shrimp when I get back home.

The front ordering area of this restaurant is always uncluttered of items and of people. I have never seen it not be clean here and that makes me feel a lot better about take-out. Another plus is that the staff never forgets to remind me to take "Sauces and Condiments" with me.

Their business card states that they use no MSG and that is a heart healthy takeout alternative. I also love the food there because it does not taste as "greasy" as some other local area Chinese restaurants.

Entertaining Guests?

I understand the casual nostalgia of eating Chinese food out of those cute little to-go boxes but I try to never do so. Don't serve yourself or your guests from the box. Always do what "great chefs" do, remember that the look of the food matters too! You must take care to present your diners with both a good taste and visual experience. "Plate" or serve up you dinner using nice dinnerware, it does not have to be the good family china but your meal can still be presented nicely. I actually plate "everything' even my TV dinners and I always try to add a small side salad to all of my dinner meals.

Delivery is available with a small $10 minimum delivery total...The meals have always arrived before the expected arrival time and arrive packed well and with extra sauces...

Eat happy!