Magic Wok

New owners have had to raise the prices to a level that just doesn’t seem sustainable. The food is decent but the prices are way off. This place is no PF Changs but dinner prices are in that price range. The owners are nice enough but Chinese food needs to be cheap, tasty and plentiful!

Very nice new owners. The Chinese chicken salad was excellent as were the dumplings and all. We’ve used them for catering (they delivered) and just take out and never disappointed. Going back again tonight!
We’ve been here ½ dozen or more times and had catering three times– still never disappointed.

Finally there is a good Chinese Restaurant in the area. This place should advertise more as new management or change name so they can do a better business. They deserve to be recognized as more authentic Chinese food! We are going back again tonight! Fried Garlic sole was our favorite!

I ordered delivery for dinner on eat24hours — -salt and pepper pork chops and orange chicken. We were not able to eat either. The pork chop breading was not properly fried it was gummy and greasy. The breading on the orange chicken was the same. The chicken also tasted freezer burnt. It may have been an off day or just a rush to close out the orders for the day but it was the worst Chinese food delivery I have ever had. We ended up having to go out to dinner after all.

Very disappointing, good portions, price is average, although ordering Kung Pao Chicken and Broccoli beef wasn’t of my best interest. Both the dishes consisted of poor quality meat which was extremely hard to even enjoy. I really wouldn’t say I wouldn’t go here again but may possibly give them the benefit of the doubt and try some other things out. I am picky with my meat and the meat was not something I was fond of. Practically not edible.

I’ll be honest I probably wouldn’t have noticed this spot if I wasn’t using a Groupon. It’s fairly hidden in a strip mall with a bland exterior. With a business name called Magic Wok, I’ll easily write them off. Just based on the cheese factor.
After reviewing their online menu, noticing they served shredded chicken with tofu/​dry bean curd. Gave this joint a shot, since that particularly Shanghai dish I would have to order in Alhambra. I made sure I avoided the Americanized Chinese dishes (e.g. General Tso chicken, orange chicken, mu shu, hot-​n-​sour soup, beef & broccoli, etc.) since my taste bud has been educated with Chinese cuisine.
We ordered the shredded chicken with tofu/​dry bean curd, pan fried dumplings and their chicken basil/​garlic casserole dish. Came with complimentary tea. The former dish had too many bell peppers which I found to be cheap veggie filler. Ask to replace it with jalapeños to add some kick to your dish. Cus some heat doesn’t hurt, unlike you’re the type of gringo or «fake» Mexican who considers pico de gallo as everyday salsa. Besides the excessive bell peppers with both chicken dishes. They were quite tasty, as genuine as the Alhambra/​Monterey Park restaurant scene. Also they served brown rice to substitute white rice. Fyi, they charge for rice a small bowl is enough for two.
If I’m eating for one I tend to order their lunch special. But the staff tends to up sell you whenever you substitute from white rice to brown. I find it somewhat annoying the little nickel and dime charges. A dollar to substitute from pork to chicken?!?
As far as service, there was a young lady who was quite courteous and friendly. The middle age lady is hit and miss depending on her mood. She can be brash on her off day this can be off putting. While the middle guy is serviceable.
The décor is nothing exciting to write home about — very generic and low light setting. With zero atmosphere.
Nonetheless, this has become my go to Chinese joint in Glendale. Dinner for two, I always fetch a Groupon since their price point is somewhat spendy off the menu. Bear in mind, you can’t apply the Groupon for lunch specials. They «advertise» no MSG and the food is fairly authentic. Just try to avoid the Panda Express-​like menu items. That’s where you’ll notice Unilocal reviewers with the one star scores.

I ordered the mabo tofu and hot and sour soup for delivery.
The tofu was pretty good. Nothing to complain about.
The soup was. Oh my god. How?.. What? I don’t understand how the soup could be so awful.
It looked like they just tossed in the bell peppers and bamboo shoots into the soup right before they serve it. The soup is incredibly bland and the only semblance of flavor is the overpowering flavor of bell peppers and bamboo. I like bell peppers, but not when my damn hot n sour soup only tastes like it. Hot and sour soup is one of my favorite soups. I was so excited to try out this joint’s only to be disappointed.
I asked for napkins and a spoon to eat my soup with. They gave neither.
If you’re planning on ordering for delivery it’s free, but there is a minimum $ 20 order requirement.

I miss the old management. Came to try the new managements food, The staff is very pleasant, however, the sweet and sour chicken (mystery chicken pieces, not white meat), hot and sour soup had chewy beef pieces that after chewing you have to swallow whole, and Kung pow shrimp lacked flavor.
Been a weekly visitor since 1990, but I’m sad to say, the quality is gone.
Gonna go to new moon instead

Love the Crab Rangoon, sizzling rice soup, cashew chicken & Mongolian beef… deeelish l… We’ve been looking for a good Chinese delivery place in the area and this place didn’t disappoint

Just ordered lunch today from here through a delivery service. It’s my first Magic Wok experience. The food is just not that good. I have no comments regarding service as it was a delivery I can only say that for Chinese food, it’s just meh.

Just spoke to them to add an item to the order. First time ordering from them via Unilocal.They found the order quickly, but after 10 minutes with two different individuals they were still not able to understand «I would like to add a Kung Pao Chicken».
This was not hard. I remained very respectful but the inability of simply listening and understanding basic English was quite frustrating. I tried to speak slowly and clearly. But they kept making stuff up and guessing. «You don’t want rice?» «Yes I do want my rice. I just want to add Kung Pao Chicken.» «You want to change Kung Pao Shrimp to Chicken?» «No, I want to keep my Kung Pao Shrimp. I want to add Kung Pao Chicken.» And so it went for 10 minutes… In the end I simply gave up. «No changes.»
I will update when /​if my family get their food. However, the frustration of dealing with them is simply not worth it.
Update: food was ok and delivered in reasonable time. Raised to two stars…

If there is a zero, i will rate them zero. We ordered chinese pancake and they don’r have it. orfered live oyster, they don’t have it. ordered minced chicken and no hoi sen and need to ask for it.
food no taste and horible service. Worsed siao long pao.

We went here to this small restaurant in the Montrose section of Glendale on a Saturday afternoon at about 3pm. Of course, at that time we were the only ones in the restaurant. It is in a small strip mall, and the sign says «under new management»; however, the sign looks like it has been there for a few years.
We were promptly seated and the lady who was our server, as well as the phone order taker was very pleasant and kind. The dining room is large and sufficient.
We shared two entrees, one was the Sesame Chicken and the other was the Aromatic Shrimp. We actually believed that both entrees were very good and we loved the taste of both of them. At this time of day, we ordered off the Dinner menu; however, because it was our late lunch, we did take some of it home.
We thought that overall it was a yummy place. The prices seem to be a bit high for that type of restaurant; however, overall I would go back.

Under new management. New management is very rude. My brother only said I have a missing dog and their response was «no, no, no.» That’s a horrible way to treat customers especially those who have a missing family member. That’s fine if you don’t want to post the flyer, but please less rudeness and maybe a little more compassion.
Also, my brother decided to order their lunch special. When he tried to order and asked where the lunch specials were, the woman rudely said «on the board.»
For new management, they are off to a bad start. I understand that maybe that’s the way they speak. However, I refuse to support a business that doesn’t bother to support the community especially when they want your business. Very sad… The previous owners were so kind.

Hubby and I had dinner here tonight and it was interesting. It’s a family owned restaurant that had a nice music and tables set up. They also had a TV playing some random TV show.
Immediately upon sitting down, we were given iced tea and fried wontons with sweet sauce. That was nice since I was starving!
The lady who took our order was funny. When she came to our table, she actually sat down on one of the chairs when she was taking our order. I thought this was kind of funny and kind of cute.
I’m vegetarian so appreciated that they were able to make all of the dishes that we ordered without chicken broth or oyster sauce.
— We started with hot and sour soup. In my opinion, 1 cup is enough for two people even though the waitress didn’t think so. The soup was a little too vinegary for me. Not the best I’ve had.
— For the main dishes, we ordered vegetarian chow mein and ma po tofu. Both were good although the chow mein came out first and tofu came out about 10 minutes later. That was a little weird.
Overall, it’s a nice spot to grab dinner with great service.

I normally like this place, but this last visit was much to be desired. We only wanted dessert and I think this bothered them. It took FOREVER to pay. They ignored us once we got the dessert!

This is a find! I’ve been despairing to find a good Chinese restaurant in the Foothill (La Canada, La Crescenta, Montrose) area. New Moon is okay, but the menu is somewhat limited and pedestrian.
Magic Wok is far improved from the previous owners/​chef. Very friendly, welcoming service. They were out of lamb, so I had the Lamb with Garlic & Scallions, only with beef. It was even better than that served at the Islamic Chinese restaurant in San Gabriel. Lots of other interesting looking dishes I want to try!

Our family eats here time to time since the new owners took over. They are very friendly and the food’s great!
The place is great, is straight forward. Kind of like those spots you loved growing up as a kid.
A lot of good vegetable dishes. Next time I want to try the minced greens and bamboo soup.
Our fam also went there for Father’s Day. The beef spare ribs were delicious. We all liked the moo goo gai pan.

Awesome place for family. We’ve come here multiple times. Really cleanly cooked.
A personal favorite is the Moo Goo Gai Pan (not on all menus). It’s thin chicken w mushrooms, water chestnuts sliced, snow peas, a nice white sauce w garlic. Ribs, soups, shrimp w lobster sauce, scallops, alllll goodddddd.
Another thing! The new owners are friendly and hard working. I’m rooting for them. Will be back to eat at the restaurant, and for delivery too!!!

(Dined 12÷31÷14 W @ 4:00pm): Finally, a Chinese version, but alas there’s nothing magic about this wok!
I’d given my sister a Living Social coupon to Magic Wok for Christmas which she and my nieces used the day before. We needed a lunch break from moving, so they suggested this place since I haven’t been and it was close by. A sit-​down restaurant with a hint of fast food, here was how my first visit went:
Fried Wonton Strips With Sweet Dipping Sauce (Complimentary) — I loved these non-​oily crunchy little critters and the sauce they came with (FYI…we each got our own dipping sauce!). I seriously would eat a whole bag of these nutrition be damned!
Mixed Vegetable With Brown Sauce ($ 9.90) — A large beautiful assortment of baby carrots, broccoli, carrots, mushroom, onion, snap peas and water chestnuts based in a light brown sauce. All was fresh, hot and not very soggy from the sauce. Now, I wish we ordered a side of rice!
House Special Lo Mein ($ 10.90) — A healthy serving of soft noodles with mixed vegetables and minimal strips of beef, this was our lone starchy dish. Lame as it may sound, this was my favorite of all that we ordered except it truly needed more beef. (sorry, no picture)
Diced Chicken In Jalepeno Chili ($ 12.90) — A steaming heap of browned crispy-​on-​the-​outside-​moist-​on-​the-​inside bites of chicken doused in a more sweet rather than spicy sauce. I felt the sparse amount of green jalepenos was more of a garnish than actually part of the dish. This «spicy» item was anything but, so we grabbed the chili sauce and sriracha from a nearby table in an attempt to give it it’s proper kick.
Hot Braised Shrimp ($ 14.90) –Medium-​size shrimp with sweet red and green peppers, onion in a spicy tomato sauce all on a bed of some white crunchy Styrafoam-​type noodles (what the heck were these things called!?). The portion size was good but the shrimp seemed to be «limp» and lacked flavor. Again, the noted «spiciness» was lacking, so on came the chili sauce and sriracha.
Almond Cookies And Fortune Cookies (Complimentary) — Score! You usually got one or the other at other Chinese restaurants but not both; and, they were fresh!
Service — The place was mostly empty, so we were seated immediately. A very friendly woman greeted and showed us to a table. A solemn gentleman delivered menus and glasses of water while we decided what to eat. The woman was eager to take our order and seemed annoyed that we took so long (not like there was anyone else to help!). We finally ordered, enjoyed our complimentary green tea and about seven minutes later all the food came out. We barely saw the two again unless we flagged them down for more water or tea. They eventually came by and cleared away the emply plates, boxed up one dish, dropped off the desserts and check. It wouldn’t have hurt to check on us from time to time and made sure all was fine.
Parking (Free) — Located in a small strip mall, they shared parking with about seven other businesses, so it might be tight. Otherwise, free parking was available on all surrounding streets that included the main drag of Verdugo Rd.
Atmosphere, décor, ambience — Don’t let the strip mall exterior fool you. Once you entered it was a huge banquet-​style dining room with plenty of tables and chairs and more than enough space for more
. It’s motif reminded me like any dim sum place in Chinatown or the San Gabriel Valley. Although there were plenty of large windows, they were mostly covered-​up so hardly any natural lighting and more low-​wattage electric lighting. There was one TV but no background music
.
Attire — Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-​shirt, boardshorts, and flip-​flops.
Overall, Magic Wok underwhelmed me and felt like a glorified Panda Express with higher prices. Hopefully, the «Under New Management» sign that covered the front windows
was a recent development. The food was fairly good but the service was very hit-​and-​miss. Also, I’m not a fan when the staff ate their meal in the main dining room. I found good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (total paid experience was around $ 53.00 before tip). Although I didn’t pay (thank you, sis!), they accepted my credit card of choice… AMEX! 3.0 STARS