rev:text
| - Jim Chai Kee features blazing fast service in an environment that's the complete opposite of fancy.
The menu is tiny and simple: beef, shrimp wonton or fish ball or two or all three of those in soup, in soup with choice of noodles, or on choice of noodles. Side of vegetables, pop, extra sauce. That's it.
And because the menu is so incredibly simple, the order arrives within mere seconds of placing it. You read that right.
My dining buddy went to visit the washroom (which he said was adequate) right after placing the order, and I was well into my bowl before he returned.
The soup does have the ability to grow on you- it may taste watery at first, but the subtle flavour does manage to come through. The wontons and fish balls are massive and frankly not bad, meeting the expectations one can have given how gourmet the place appears. This is definitely the authentic experience.
The walls of the place are lined with large copies of the menu, printed signs indicating that tea and water are available self-serve at the back, and articles reviewing the restaurant, including one that suggested that a bowl of soup for lunch isn't exactly filling, and with how inexpensive the meal is (we paid $13 for the two of us, including tax and tip) that one could venture to any of the other restaurants in the area to fill up on other food. I'd say just have another bowl if you're desperate.
Another (or was it the same?) review suggested that if a diner indicated they're in a rush, they could be in and out in under 5 minutes- which seemed entirely possible. I think we were in and out in about 20 minutes, and we took our good time.
Nice, inexpensive place to visit for a quick lunch.
|