Who's The Oswego Egg Roll Pro?
Three Asian restaurants compete for the best tasting Asian appetizer.
Egg rolls have always intimidated me, but I am not a picky eater. So I knew the day would come when I would face the staple of Asian appetizers.
I placed my preconceived feelings aside and put my best foot forward to judge who in Oswego makes the best egg rolls.
China Wok, 4542 State Route 71
My first stop was China Wok. When I entered the establishment, a draft of cold air blew my way. The interior of the eatery was chilly so I decided to take my order to go.
Seven minutes after placing my order, I received a freshly fried roast pork egg roll. I figured it would be warmer if I ate inside my car. To add to the inconvenience, I was disappointed to see that opportune fortune-telling cookie was not provided with my order.
I laid out a few napkins in preparation to dig in, with high hopes this roll would hit the greasy spot. I split the appetizer in two and took my first bite. The mixture of vegetables was not the freshest or the best. The cabbage overwhelmed the roll and I could hardly taste any other ingredient, especially the pork.
After a few more bites of the chunky egg-based roll, I still felt hungry, dissatisfied, and guilty for consuming 113 calories of unappetizing food.
THE GOOD: Nothing.
THE BAD: The roast pork egg roll was overwhelmed with cabbage.
Mason Wok, 2735 Us Highway 34
The next spot I stopped at was Mason Wok. I placed my order for a shrimp roll and paid about the same as the previous eating establishment, an inexpensive $1.45. And I was glad to see a fortune cookie with my Asian appetizer.
After preparing for the small eats with plenty napkins, I broke the roll in two and dug in. This egg roll had a bit of a crunch on contact, giving it a more distinctive flaky taste. The vegetable blend of cabbage and celery was just right. The stuffing blended well with the shrimp and tasted delectable. The combination was not bland or over seasoned.
THE GOOD: The combination of vegetables and seafood filling, paired with the crunchy yellow crust made for a delicious egg roll.
THE BAD: Nothing.
Panda Express, 2630 Us Highway 34
My third and final stop was Panda Express, where I ordered the chicken egg roll. This roll looked thin and lanky in comparison to the others I ordered at the more authentic Asian eateries.
Once I broke the roll in two, I could see a blend of cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, green onions and marinated chicken. This egg roll actually tasted the way it sounded, like a chicken egg roll. It was good, but not authentic tasting and was over seasoned.
THE GOOD: The egg roll was mediocre tasting.
THE BAD: The egg roll was not authentic tasting.
THE WINNER: Mason Wok makes egg rolls authentic and fresh and keeps their service customer friendly. The chopped vegetables, flaky dough exterior and seafood combination makes them the egg roll winner in Oswego.
So, who do you think has the best egg rolls in town?
Tell us in the comments.
In This article
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China Wok
4542 State Route 71, Oswego, IL -
Mason Wok
2735 Us Highway 34, Oswego, IL -
Panda Express
2630 Us Highway 34, Oswego, IL
Michele Cronsell
7:38 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
I love Mason Wok. It is by far the best Chinese in the area. I never order from anywhere else. Their number is on my speed dial and I pick up chicken fried rice for a quick meal. Always great food and quick.
Lisa stark
7:55 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
You need to try china hut on Orchard.. I prefer it over Mason Wok and it's in Oswego! Bonus.... they deliver fresh to your door!!
Pat Feeley
10:16 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Pat Fee
I agree with Lisa you have to try China Hut on Orchard; I've tried them all and like them the best.
oswegoannie
8:09 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
I love Mason Wok, too - food is always fresh, delicious and well-priced for the amount you get. I will take Lisa's suggestion and try the China Hut on Orchard....did not know of this Chinese eatery.
Laura, I would love to see a review of the new Tuscany restaurant on 34 near OHS. I've not been there yet but several people told me they serve delicious authentic Italian dishes. I have seen a full parking lot too, so hopefully it means they can make a go of it.
Don Ryba
9:40 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
How about Chinese Wok on Douglas? I guess it's technically Montgomery but they have the best food IMHO.
Karin McCarthy-lange
9:40 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Chan's Gourmet on Eola (North of Wolf Crossing next to Cho's) is an undiscovered gem just on the other side of Route 30. I have tried all the restaurants listed in this review and it is by far the BEST chinese food in the area and the do deliver to my neighborhood (Churchill) in Oswego. Even better, it is an actual sit-down restaurant that has an awesome lunch special for under $6.
I recently traveled to China to adopt and the first place we brought our daughter when we came home was Chan's. The owners are nice, the food is great and the atmosphere is much better than any of the take-out type places around. I have introduced so many people to this restaurant because it's not everyday you find a friendly owner and great food just minutes from your home.
One of my favorite dishes on the menu is Salt-Pepper Shrimp - something you will not find on any other menu around. Plus their sweet and sour dishes do not have the overly-tart red sauce you get elsewhere but instead have a wonderfully mild sauce with a fantastic flavor. The children's menu is very affordable and the crab ragoon is to die for!
Unfortunately, it is considered Aurora not Oswego but it is better than any of the Chinese restaurants in the area. Definitely add this to your list of local favorites!
Steven Jack
9:55 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
Thanks Karin for the tip. We will have to try that. My wife is always on the hunt for the ultimate crab rangoon. Seems like she's always disappointed. Anyway, our next Chinese meal will be at Chans!
Karin McCarthy-lange
12:27 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Steve - we always fight over the crab ragoon because everyone likes it! When we go with friends, we always order two! Hope you guys like it as much as we do.
Oswego Gladys
10:07 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
I LOVE Mason Wak! I always have my Christmas dinner from them!
Paul Lark
10:20 am on Friday, April 1, 2011
I usually hit up Mason Wok, but Karin, you've caused me to text the wife and say we're trying this place tonight.
Karin McCarthy-lange
3:53 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Paul - I hope you and your wife enjoy it as much as we do!
Michele Cronsell
12:39 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
...now thinks I need Chinese for dinner....
Dianna Hunter
4:01 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
THE GOOD: You rated chinese restaurants in Oswego. After all this is the Oswego Patch and regardless of the feedback, you shouldn't have been listing every chinese restaurant in a 5, 10 or 15 mile radius.
THE BAD: You only rated 3 of the 4 chinese restaurants. A simple Google search, a call to the Chamber, or a little research would have made for a more complete article.
Thank you for the article. I am now craving an eggroll :)
@oswegoannie - I tried Tuscany and was very disappointed :(
Steven Jack
4:05 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Dianna, Thanks for your comment. The idea behind Chowdown Showdown is to pit three restaurants against one another. Usually, a chain restaurant like Panda Express is thrown in to highlight the difference between "authentic" cuisine and what the chains serve. Also, very sorry to hear about your Tuscany experience. Yours is the first bad report I've heard.
Karin McCarthy-lange
4:27 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Dianna - IMHO, I have tried every chinese restaurant in Oswego and Chan's is still my favorite. I have also tried many (not all) Chinese restaurants and take out in the area - 5, 10, 15 mile radius and still come back there every time. Chan's also delivers to my subdivision in Oswego because they are right on the East border of Aurora and Oswego - in Oswego school district. They are closer to us then driving over to Orchard Road.
Being an adoptive family of a child from China and having traveled to China in the last 6 months, we are always on the look out for great Chinese food locally. I just couldn't let this article get by without a word about Chan's because they are absolutely delicious and really nice people. I sincerely hope you stop by and try their food and have a better experience than you did at Tuscany.
Dianna Hunter
5:10 pm on Friday, April 1, 2011
Hey, thanks for the all comments folks. It was my first Patch posting. I will be sure to try Chan's. As a newbie, I didn't realize these Chowdown Showdowns were supposed to only include 3 restaurants at a time ... I just thought an Orchard road business was forgotten about.
Perhaps my experience with Tuscany is because it was lunchtime. Although the minestrone was not terribly authentic and my side salad had a slice of orange/yellow that did not resemble a tomato in any way, shape or form, I must admit that my portabella sandwich ranked pretty high. I would love to see a family restaurant make it in that location.
Rebecca Kalule
9:27 am on Sunday, May 22, 2011
If you leave on the east side of Oswego (close to Aurora), the best takeout in my opinion is East Asia Palace off of Farnsworth and Route 34. I have been ordering there for years, and they also do delivery. The food is always fresh especially the meat and the vegetables. Often I find that takeout restaurants use products that taste like they have been re-heated. I have to say that I am not a big fan of Mason Wok, but I know a lot of people are.
Michele Cronsell
11:22 am on Sunday, May 22, 2011
No. 1 China on Douglas next to Kmart is decent. The place next to Dairy Queen is disgusting, however.