After eating at several Asian restaurants
around Athens, ODYSSEY staffers decided
which ones serve the best beef lo mein.
ATHENS WOK
Athens Wok, an Asian restaurant located at 493 E Clayton St., is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day and offers a variety of Asian cuisine, including an abundance of popular Chinese dishes.
“Athens Wok’s beef lo mein is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, and the pieces of beef add a salty component to the mix.”
— Adah Hamman,
Variety Editor
Despite the restaurant’s modest exterior, the interior, and more importantly, its food, offer a delightful experience that will soothe any initial doubts that a customer may have.
Their beef lo mein, which costs $13.50, includes stir-fried cabbage, carrots, scallions and is topped with a brown onion sauce. It’s a perfect blend of sweet and savory, and the pieces of beef add a salty component to the mix.
As for the dining experience, though the space is small, the decor gives the dining area a cozy feel and large windows flood it with light, making it a great place to enjoy a meal. Additionally, the staff is very patient and happy to answer any questions that customers might have.
However, the restaurant’s location across the street from The Classic Center in Downtown could be a potential downside. For high school students who don’t own a car, eating there might not be an option.
Despite this, Athens Wok is still a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal that’s both tasty and affordable.
NEW RED BOWL
When stepping into New Red Bowl, an Asian restaurant located at 935 S. Barnett Shoals Rd., customers are greeted with a modern environment: TV’s hang over a glossy bar and booths line the walls. A distinctly American setting that offers Asian food.
Luckily, that food is good.
The menu offers a wide variety of items both in and outside the Asian umbrella, from sushi to fried chicken. The beef lo mein costs $12.75, and has thinly sliced vegetables and flavorful beef mixed with a sweet umami sauce and tossed over chewy noodles. The portion sizes are generous, especially for the price, and quality is not sacrificed for quantity.
The restaurant also has options for those who are vegetarian or vegan, making it a good option for large groups with diverse preferences and dietary restrictions.
“The menu offers a wide variety of items both in and outside the Asian umbrella, from sushi to fried chicken. The beef lo mein costs $12.75, and has thinly sliced vegetables and flavorful beef mixed with a sweet umami sauce and tossed over chewy noodles.”
— Violet Cantarella,
Variety Staffer
The restaurant’s location, minutes from Cedar Shoals High School, might be a problem for students who live on the west side of Athens, but for those with cars, there is an abundance of available parking. Overall, the restaurant offers an enjoyable experience both from a culinary and aesthetic standpoint.
GOLDEN SUN
Golden Sun is located at 4375 Lexington Rd #B1, and while it is carry-out only, customers shouldn’t let that deter them from the restaurant. The food is prepared quickly, with expertise, and served at affordable prices.
One of their standout dishes is their beef Lo mein, which costs $13.99. It includes pieces of carrots, cabbage, and finely sliced strips of beef. Customers can also request to have either white or fried rice on the side for no additional cost.
“The dish takes upwards of fifteen minutes to prepare, and when it’s served, steam will be wafting off it. The noodles are chewy but not overly so, and the mixed vegetables are integrated well.”
— Adah Hamman,
Variety Editor
For $1.69, customers can also order a chicken egg roll, which pairs well with the Lo mein. They’re crunchy but soft on the inside, and the flavor will leave customers craving more.
As for the inside of the restaurant, it doesn’t have much to offer, but there is a small seating area for customers waiting for their food. However, if someone is looking for a place to sit and enjoy their food, they should probably consider other options since the restaurant is carry-out only.
That being said, Golden Sun is still a great place to order from, considering its wide array of delicious cuisine.
GOLDEN DRAGON
Golden Dragon, located at 126 Alps Rd, offers a wide variety of delightful Asian cuisine, but one item on their menu may stand out to customers: the beef lo mein.
Although the entrée is a bit pricey at $14.90, the portion size is generous and should satisfy customers. It contains a variety of vegetables, including slices of carrots and diced onions, and even though the noodles had minimal flavor, the salty strips of beef added a lot to the meal and more than made up for it.
Additionally, there is a large dining area for customers to sit and enjoy their food, including several comfortable booths. The restaurant is scattered with festive decorations, including a Lunar New Year dragon and a statue of Buddha in the lobby. However, customers may get an eerie vibe, as several of the lights in the building are often turned off.
Golden Dragon offers a multitude of Asian meals, and while their dining area does leave some to the imagination, it’s worth going for the tasty food.
“Although the entrée is a bit pricey at $14.90, the portion size is generous and should satisfy customers. It contains a variety of vegetables, including slices of carrots and diced onions, and even though the noodles had minimal flavor, the salty strips of beef added a lot to the meal and more than made up for it.”
— Adah Hamman,
Variety Editor
