Collegiate Times

Blacksburg is lacking something. Many may argue, but I believe there is a sure shortage of restaurants in our town. In my three years of living here, I think that I have hit all the hotspots at least twice.
It’s true that Chipotle is finally coming. But even so, the town still needs a few more digs to kick it up a notch in the eating department.
I am not talking about fine dining, cloth napkins on your lap, and clinky-clanky wine glasses. What I am talking about a reliable dive.
I mean a place that is not that exciting on the outside, but has phenomenal food on the inside.
I have spent the last six months living in France. Don’t get me wrong, the French food is amazing. However, I made an unexpected discovery in the French town of Montpellier, and this ambrosia needs to be shared.
Picture this common situation. It’s late, you just got home from class and you are hungry. There are the standard options: Buffalo Wild Wings is good, ordering a pizza is somewhat expensive. You eye the dry pasta in your empty food cabinet and the half-opened sauce container in your fridge.
You could get up and go to Panera, which is also not a terrible option. The list goes on and on; there is nothing that pulls you too much.
Enter Le Wok.
Le Wok, in Montpellier, France, sits between a fancy Italian restaurant called Arezzo and a shutdown, graffitied drug store. There is no seating, save a few tables that sit in front of the window where you order.
Le Wok is French Chinese food at its best.
During my time in Montpellier, I had passed Le Wok many times, but only stopped after a friend from Iceland told me that I needed to go. To me, this suggestion alone would make up for the volcano delays of April.
Ordering at Le Wok is simple, even if you’re French is not fantastic. You choose a pasta or rice, you choose some vegetables and you choose a sauce. It is super easy, super fast, and delicious.
Best part about Le Wok is that they don’t skimp you. If you order beef, you are ordering beef and lots of it. Mounds of meat and vegetables are stuffed into a white Chinese takeout box. They pack the box to the rim, and then add some more. Nobody leaves Le Wok hungry.
Your box is then passed down the row to the Wok Master. Here your vegetables and meat are seared on a foot high flame, protected only by the thin rounded sheet of metal known as a wok.
After a few minutes, it’s back into the box and immediately in your hands.
All that’s left to decide is chopsticks or fork.
Now I, just like any other American, have had my share of Chinese takeout. However but I truly believe this is the best takeout that I have ever had.
It’s a solid choice, one that Blacksburg needs.
So, if you are ever in Montpellier, I recommend the rice, with beef, broccoli, peas, egg, crispy onions and Hong Kong sauce. Don’t forget to ask for a carafe d’eau on the side.

A version of this article appeared in the Jul 1 issue of the Collegiate Times.