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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Brock Cowgill
Best Chinese food in the city of
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Keriq Brye
This was one of the worst meals I've ever had the displeasure of buying I ordered a pint of shrimp fried rice and a shrimp egg roll and the egg roll was half cooked and the shrimp in my rice was also half cooked absolutely the worst meal I've ever had. I will definitely not be returning to this establishment
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Indy s
Great lunch spot, will be back. In a world of increasing prices they are still reasonable too!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elizabeth Deahl
Good food with quick service. Best crab ragou!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: 47 Plain Lo Mein, 112 Beef with Broccoli, 48 Vegetable Lo Mein
Jay Cee
My first time into the sidewalk cafe was an incredible experience. It was in the summer of 2000 I just moved into my home at 49th and primrose. I went into the broad ripple village to scout out a few restaurants. To see what was available to eat. I saw the gentleman that was opening a restaurant called the sidewalk cafe. I got a kick out of the name and I shared that. With him we became fast friends. I was amazed that the gentleman made everything by hand all of the dumplings. They finally cut carrots. They exquisitely cooked pork was so soft and tender and as well. He made his own egg rolls everything by hand I have it been back to the sidewalk cafe in quite some time. I live in Colorado in Denver, actually an evergreen now and there's nowhere anywhere in denver evergreen Colorado Springs. Or Pueblo I have ever had an experience like I had at the sidewalk cafe. Where you're greeted like family. You're talked to like a neighbor and that's true. The man lives in the neighborhood has raised his family in that neighborhood. He would go out of his way to ensure that everything was completely correct with my meals and my orders every time I went to the door. He was a good man and I've missed being able to have conversations with him. But there's no food anywhere like I've ever experienced like. I had at the sidewalk cafe.If you think taste is everything, then you're lost. Family is everything and that's how he treats everyone that comes through...like family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tameika Outlaw-Gee
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).
Food: 1
Bianca Benitez
Great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Teddy Price
Wonderful food! Great family that runs the place. This is my new favorite restaurant!
Always good food ran by a very nice family. Some of the best take out food in the Broad Ripple area. Been going here for over 10 years.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
louise brown
Beef is fatty. Pork was dry and not much in pork fried rice
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
Steve Nelson
I’ve gotten carry out at Side Wok for many years. The meals are consistently good . You get what you expect over and over again. The value is excellent. The couple operating the Side Wok are good people.
David Pinkerton
Ordered the broccoli chicken and an egg roll. Sauce for chicken was tasty without being overpowering and egg roll was crispy. Solid, cheap Chinese food. Was delicious after a day of moving. Cashier was very polite! I will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David Metz
I’ve given this place a lot of chances, ordered a lot of different items and it’s all pretty bad. Fried food is often burnt, and food that should’ve been cooked in a wok always tastes like it was steamed in a microwave. The rice they use smells like feet, too. Would be two stars but the woman who takes your money is a first class j**** She is a very rude person (probably the owner) and has no place in the hospitality/restaurant industry. I’m never going back. Next time I feel like Chinese food I’ll just change my mind.
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.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Best Chinese food in the city of
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This was one of the worst meals I've ever had the displeasure of buying I ordered a pint of shrimp fried rice and a shrimp egg roll and the egg roll was half cooked and the shrimp in my rice was also half cooked absolutely the worst meal I've ever had. I will definitely not be returning to this establishment
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 4
Great lunch spot, will be back. In a world of increasing prices they are still reasonable too!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good food with quick service. Best crab ragou!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: 47 Plain Lo Mein, 112 Beef with Broccoli, 48 Vegetable Lo Mein
My first time into the sidewalk cafe was an incredible experience. It was in the summer of 2000 I just moved into my home at 49th and primrose. I went into the broad ripple village to scout out a few restaurants. To see what was available to eat. I saw the gentleman that was opening a restaurant called the sidewalk cafe. I got a kick out of the name and I shared that. With him we became fast friends. I was amazed that the gentleman made everything by hand all of the dumplings. They finally cut carrots. They exquisitely cooked pork was so soft and tender and as well. He made his own egg rolls everything by hand I have it been back to the sidewalk cafe in quite some time. I live in Colorado in Denver, actually an evergreen now and there's nowhere anywhere in denver evergreen Colorado Springs. Or Pueblo I have ever had an experience like I had at the sidewalk cafe. Where you're greeted like family. You're talked to like a neighbor and that's true. The man lives in the neighborhood has raised his family in that neighborhood. He would go out of his way to ensure that everything was completely correct with my meals and my orders every time I went to the door. He was a good man and I've missed being able to have conversations with him. But there's no food anywhere like I've ever experienced like. I had at the sidewalk cafe.If you think taste is everything, then you're lost. Family is everything and that's how he treats everyone that comes through...like family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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).
Food: 1
Great food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wonderful food! Great family that runs the place. This is my new favorite restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Reliable chinese american
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Always good food ran by a very nice family. Some of the best take out food in the Broad Ripple area. Been going here for over 10 years.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beef is fatty. Pork was dry and not much in pork fried rice
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
I’ve gotten carry out at Side Wok for many years. The meals are consistently good . You get what you expect over and over again. The value is excellent.
The couple operating the Side Wok are good people.
Ordered the broccoli chicken and an egg roll. Sauce for chicken was tasty without being overpowering and egg roll was crispy. Solid, cheap Chinese food. Was delicious after a day of moving. Cashier was very polite! I will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve given this place a lot of chances, ordered a lot of different items and it’s all pretty bad. Fried food is often burnt, and food that should’ve been cooked in a wok always tastes like it was steamed in a microwave. The rice they use smells like feet, too. Would be two stars but the woman who takes your money is a first class j**** She is a very rude person (probably the owner) and has no place in the hospitality/restaurant industry. I’m never going back. Next time I feel like Chinese food I’ll just change my mind.
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