When I went home for lunch my wife had Lipton noodle soup waiting for me. Have you tried it with siracha sauce? Soooo good. While eating she asks “What do you want for supper? “ It’s a loaded question. After 20 years I’ve learned what she’s saying is really “I just cooked lunch and I’m willing to cook again but actually I’d like Wok Express at the mall.” Its her favorite Chinese food place. Looks like we’re having Chinese…
I stop at the Cornwall Square a little after 4pm and make my way to the Food Hall. The first half of the seats are filled with kids while the back half is all seniors, people enjoying themselves. The kids are behaving and the seniors all seem quite content with the conversations. I head to Wok Express and get in line.
Once its my turn and get close to the glass, I can see someone has been here before me. Most trays are empty and the cook is moving like lightning to keep up. The small Asian lady says hello to me and I make my order. “I’ll take 3 things twice please.” I explain in one container I’d like chicken balls, rice and spare ribs and in the second container I’ll have sesame chicken, noodles and mushrooms. She turns around and heads to the small window where the chef is and in her language she starts to tell him to hurry up, people are waiting. Metal bowls of food start sliding out the window and she fills up my containers. 30 bucks and some change. The mushrooms are the best in town and I love how she’s on the cook like a medieval slave driver sans whip…
Once I get my food I walk over to Tim Hortons and order our coffees. Large dark roast for me and a French vanilla for my lady. As I’m waiting for the coffee, one of the workers cleaning their kitchen in the back starts to sing. She has a lovely voice but I come to realize she’s singing a Backstreet Boys song and I ask the pretty young lady serving me “Is that Backstreet Boys I’m hearing?” She smiles and says “yes”. 1st time I’ve ever been serenaded at Tim Hortons.
I get home and we greedily dig in. The lady behind the counter forces you to wait for fresh food which I love because everything is amazing. We make a small buffet out of the six things ordered and barely a word is said while we ate. If you’ve never had their mushrooms, you are missing out. The noodles are fantastic and the chicken balls have the most chicken in them compared to any other Chinese place in town. Worth the wait.
After gorging ourselves, completely stuffed, we open up our coffees and sip the velvety goodness. This coffee seems to taste a little better than most I’ve had recently. Could the singing have anything to do with this? Maybe. Could she have picked a better song? Maybe. I’m just glad it wasn’t Nickleback.