- Chinese Food
- Chinese Restaurant
- Indiana
- Marion County
- Indianapolis
- Broad Ripple
- Chinese Restaurant in Broad Ripple Avenue
- Side Wok Cafe
Side Wok Cafe Photos



Hours
Monday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMTuesday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
About Side Wok Cafe
Side Wok Cafe is a Chinese restaurant located at 1087 Broad Ripple Ave in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a local Chinese restaurant, Side Wok Cafe offers a range of Chinese cuisine to the community, likely providing options for takeout, delivery, and potentially dine-in service. Reviews from recent customers present a mixed picture of their experiences, particularly concerning the food quality, while service aspects appear to be more consistently positive.
One customer shared a notably negative experience, emphasizing their reluctance to write a poor review but feeling it necessary to guide other potential diners. This customer's experience led them to conclude that they would not return to Side Wok Cafe. Their primary complaint centered around the greasiness of the food. They specifically mentioned having to squeeze their egg roll with napkins to remove excess grease before being able to eat it. Furthermore, they ordered the BBQ boneless ribs (Char Siu) combo dinner, which included the entree, fried rice, and an egg roll. While they noted that the BBQ ribs had a significant spicy kick, they pointed out that traditional Char Siu is typically not served spicy in other Chinese restaurants. This unexpected spiciness made the dish largely inedible for them. They ended up primarily eating the fried rice and the greasy egg roll. Additionally, they ordered Chinese biscuits to go, which they also found to be greasy and overcooked. Based on this experience, the customer strongly recommended considering other Chinese restaurants in the area.
In contrast, another customer shared a much more positive perspective, identifying themselves as a frequent visitor to Side Wok Cafe. This reviewer consistently orders the same items: General Tso's chicken with medium heat and an order of steamed pork dumplings. They stated that they have never encountered any issues with their orders, even when making special requests. This suggests that Side Wok Cafe may be accommodating to specific dietary needs or preferences. This frequent visitor also consistently found the service to be both quick and kind, highlighting positive aspects of the customer service provided at the restaurant.
The contrasting reviews indicate a potential inconsistency in the food preparation or the quality of certain dishes. While the General Tso's chicken and steamed pork dumplings seem to be reliably good for one frequent customer, other dishes like the BBQ boneless ribs, egg rolls, and Chinese biscuits have been reported as excessively greasy and, in the case of the ribs, unexpectedly spicy. The fried rice, part of the combo meal in the negative review, was consumed but not specifically praised or criticized for its quality.
Information regarding the environment or ambiance of Side Wok Cafe is not provided in these reviews. Therefore, it is not possible to describe the dine-in experience. Similarly, details about additional services such as delivery options or specific features of the restaurant (e.g., special dietary menus, unique dishes beyond those mentioned) are absent from the provided feedback.
No promotional information, such as discounts, special offers, or new menu items, is mentioned in the reviews. Local users interested in such details would need to contact Side Wok Cafe directly.
For local users in Indianapolis, particularly in the Broad Ripple area, Side Wok Cafe presents a somewhat uncertain option based on the available reviews. While one frequent customer reports consistently positive experiences with specific dishes and the service, another customer had a significantly negative experience with multiple menu items being excessively greasy and one dish being unexpectedly spicy. Potential new customers may want to consider these differing viewpoints when deciding whether to patronize Side Wok Cafe. Those with specific preferences regarding spiciness or oil content in their food may want to inquire about preparation methods before ordering.
To gather more information, including their full menu, delivery options, hours of operation, and any current promotions, local users can contact Side Wok Cafe at (317) 722-1090 or +1 317-722-1090. Visiting the location at 1087 Broad Ripple Ave might also provide insights into the restaurant's environment for those considering dining in, if that service is available.
In conclusion, Side Wok Cafe in Indianapolis offers Chinese cuisine with reported instances of both positive and negative food experiences. While one frequent customer praises the General Tso's chicken, steamed pork dumplings, and the quick, kind service, another customer found several dishes to be excessively greasy and one to be unexpectedly spicy. Potential customers should weigh these contrasting reviews and may want to seek further information from the restaurant before making a decision.
Side Wok Cafe Location
1087 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46220, USA
Customer Reviews
I hate to write a poor review but these reviews often guide my choices. As my grandpa would say "I've been to that restaurant two times: my first time and my last time." My food was greasy. I had to legit wrap napkins around my egg roll and squeeze before I could eat it. I ordered the BBQ boneless ribs (Char Siu) combo dinner which includes entree, fried rice, and egg roll. The BBQ had a real kick to it but Char Sui is never served spicy in other Chinese restaurants. I couldn't eat much of it so I ate the fried rice and the aforementioned greasy egg roll instead. My hunger for Chinese biscuits to go overcame my good judgment (greasy egg roll example) and not surprisingly they were greasy and overcooked. There are other amazing Chinese restaurants, I would consider those. Won't be back to this place ever.
We are frequent Side Wok visitors. Typically, I get the same thing every time - general tso's (medium heat), and an order of steamed pork dumplings. I have never had a problem with my order when I've made special requests. I find that the service is always quick and kind.
I feel bad giving a bad review to this place because it's locally owned. Someone has to say it though; they need a total revamp if they're going to stay in business. The windows look like they were cleaned with dirty water and everything inside is either falling apart, broken, or looks like it hasn't been cleaned in a year. I ordered some crab Rangoon and an egg roll which I had to throw away. They tasted heavily of burnt oil which no amount of sauce can cover. Their frying oil DESPERATELY needs to be changed because it smoked up the entire restaurant. I was only in there for about 8 mins total and I smelled like the oil for the rest of the day. 🤢 I don't know if they don't have proper ventilation or if they just aren't cleaning the vents properly, but that's disgusting and dangerous. The man working was neutral. He wasn't rude but also not welcoming despite me being the only customer.
This place is really a hidden gem up here in Broad Ripple. It's a shame that the most recent Local Guide review is so negative -- that couldn't be further from my experience. If you don't read the rest of my diatribe -- do yourself a favor and go here if you crave some classic Chinese dishes done immaculately. In general, you can't ask much more from a chinese joint in Indiana. While the food did take a bit to prepare (pretty sure only two people were in the kitchen the day I came in), it was worth it with perfectly cooked chicken (in both non-fried form in the Bourbon Chicken and in the General Tso), tender but still slightly crispy vegetables in the Black Pepper Chicken and Vegetable Chow Mein and (in this gwailou's opinion) immaculately cooked rice. All the flavors were exactly where I'd want them to be, not too salty and, even for the notoriously sweet Bourbon Chicken and General Tso, not cloying. Not to mention, the crab rangoon here are downright textbook. If, you prefer a more sweet crab rangoon to the more savory version you sometimes find with chive or scallion inside (oh, and I do), you can't get much better than here. Also, if, like myself, you find yourself strangely at home in Chinese-American restaurants, this is an encyclopedic representation of one, complete with CRT television, Shen Yun posters, and other paraphernalia that even the most seasoned NASCAR afficionado could recognize as "probably chinese". Seriously, it was worth going just for the nostalgia alone. In fact, "old school" is generally how I'd describe this place--which is probably what endears me so much about it. Amazing quality food of good portions at reasonable prices from a place with nostalgic decor -- what else could you possibly ask for? I know what I could ask for -- more patronage to this place! Seriously, don't miss out.
I have never ever in my entire 47 years of life, had bland Chinese food. But this establishment managed to accomplish just that. I don’t typically purchase food from broad ripple because I have a theory that the establishments in that area, specifically cater to certain taste buds. And Side Wok, has solidified that theory. I gave them a shot because Chinese food from any restaurant has ALWAYS been consistent. So I thought it would be safe to try this one. WRONG WRONG WRONG. Someone of non-Asian descent or someone who wasn’t in the kitchen w/granny growing up, had to be back there cooking. And I do mean my entire $50 order was bland. Wings, beef and broccoli, and dumplings (my husband got bourbon chicken that just tasted like sugar).
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