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City Wok
Master Critic Review
City Wok
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Strip-mall Chinese restaurant with an open kitchen concept and decades of neighborhood loyalty. City Wok Chicken—dark meat wok-roasted and served over rice with vegetables—anchors a menu of American-Chinese staples executed with fresh ingredients. The half portions easily feed two people, making this one of the best values near Universal Studios.
Must-Try Dishes:
City Wok Chicken, Sesame Chicken, BBQ Chicken Skewers
Scores:
Value: 9.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Open kitchen showing fresh wok cooking with exceptional portion sizes
Who should go: Universal Studios visitors and budget-conscious locals
When to visit: Lunch for fast service, avoid peak dinner rush
What to order: City Wok Chicken, chow mein, wonton soup
Insider tip: Half portions feed two people—order accordingly to avoid waste
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free strip-mall lot with 20+ spaces, rarely full except weekday lunch rush
Dress code: Casual - gym clothes and flip-flops are fine
Noise level: Moderate - open kitchen adds wok clatter but conversation flows easily
Weekend wait: 5-10 min for takeout, dine-in seating usually immediate
Weekday lunch: Peak 12-1pm can mean 10-15 min wait, otherwise walk right in
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 8+ options including vegetable chow mein, tofu dishes, and egg rolls
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable dishes can be made without egg/oyster sauce upon request
Gluten-free options: Limited - rice dishes work but most sauces contain soy sauce
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Skip it for first dates - strip-mall setting and fluorescent lighting don't set a romantic tone. Save this for casual hangouts or after you're already comfortable together.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - they don't take reservations. It's counter-service style where you order at the register and find your own seat. Rarely crowded enough to worry about seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - casual vibe means kids fit right in, portions are massive so families can share easily, and service is fast enough to keep little ones from getting restless. High chairs available.
How does it compare to Panda Express? Fresh-wok cooking vs. steam-table food. City Wok makes everything to order in front of you, portions are double the size, and it costs roughly the same. Once you try it, Panda Express feels like settling.
Is the open kitchen just for show? No - it's functional transparency. You watch your food go from raw ingredients to finished plate in under 10 minutes. The chef isn't performing, they're just cooking efficiently in plain sight, which builds trust in quality.
Best For
Better for: Value-driven diners who want fresh Chinese food without the upcharge - City Wok gives you twice the food at half the price of sit-down Chinese restaurants, with the speed of fast-casual. Universal Studios tourists especially benefit since most nearby options are overpriced theme park fare.
Skip if: You want authentic regional Chinese cuisine (this is Americanized comfort food), need a date-night atmosphere (it's functional not romantic), or prefer sleek modern design over no-frills strip-mall aesthetics. Also skip if you're gluten-free strict since cross-contamination is unavoidable in a high-volume wok kitchen.