Started in 2004 in Edmonton, Wok Box has reached Saskatoon as the “fresh Asian kitchen.” Located in the new Stonebridge Shopping Centre, this physically small restaurant adds a good mix to the rotation of places to eat.
The restaurant was small, but clean and welcoming. It was quite busy for lunch and according to other people that have visited Wok Box, the place is often busy during the lunch hour.
The menu offers a variety even though quite expected for an Asian menu. I decided to go with the one dish that I can compare with all other Asian places, the ginger beef. The presentation was nothing special, just the ginger beef with a scoop of sticky white rice. The ginger beef did have a few chives sprinkled on, but I always pick the chives off anyway.
Even though the presentation was quite average, the taste of the ginger beef was surprisingly good. The sticky white rice tasted like I would expect sticky white rice to taste like, which is nothing. The other dishes around the table such as the Black Bean Stir Fry and the Veggie Shanghai Noodles looked much more presentable.
The price for the semi-fast food was quite reasonable. Although the price is more than a meal at McDonald’s, the value for the quality of food is reasonable.
I did not expect much from the service aspect as it is almost serve yourself. You simply order, sit down and wait for them to call your number. Although we waited 10 minutes for our order, considering it was prepared fresh, I did not mind the short wait.
TAPS -14
Taste – 3.5
Atmosphere – 3.5
Price – 3.5
Service – 3.5
I have been on a bit of a Badass Jacks kick lately.
My go to meal has become the Pineapple Curry Chicken Ethnic Box. For a quick lunch solution it is worth trying. You have the choice between rice or noodles and the box comes with an assortment of vegetables. Or at least 2 of the 3 times there were vegetables. Anyways, if you are on the run and want to go with something healthier than fast food, I would say try it out.
TAPS – 14
T – 3.5
A – 3
P – 3.5
S – 4
Locations: Willowgrove, Stonebridge, and on Idlywyld
There are 2 sit down restaurants within walking distance of my house. Both of which opened around the same time. I have eaten at Boston Pizza around 50 times and Asian House 2.
After trying the Asian House for the second time this last weekend I remembered why I have gone out of my way to avoid it. I would have to say the whole experience was below average.
The server spoke to me twice. Once when she took my order and again when I paid my bill. The satay beef was very mediocre. The only vegetables mixed in were massive hunks of onion, green peppers, and tomatoes. All in all, not a great experience. The atmosphere was very average. A small location with as many tables as possible.
On a good note, the spring rolls were not bad.
TAPS – 9
T – 2
A – 3
P – 2
S – 2
7 – 527 Nelson Rd
Saskatoon
Red Pepper has a reputation. I have been told many times that this is the best Asian place in town. Everyone claims to know the best Asian place in town, but my belief is that every place seems to have one amazing dish. Red Pepper is no exception. We decided to order several platters to sample and share, but one dish was the hands down winner this night.
Coconut Curry Beef and Vegetables. This dish alone will make me a repeat customer of the Red Pepper. Several other dishes were nothing out of the ordinary and the ginger beef was slightly disappointing, but did not take away from the Coconut Curry. It had amazing flavors and was almost too rich for some.
The atmosphere is exactly what I expected, almost unclean and completely outdated.
The price was fairly in-line with other Asian restaurants in the down town area and the service again was quite predictable.
I am sad that I did not have time to try the Vietnamese iced coffee, but next time I will order it first with a dish of coconut curry for myself.
TAPS – 13
T – 4
A – 3
P – 3
S – 3
145 3rd Ave S
Saskatoon, SK S7K
(306) 477-1977
