Publication: News Herald

Section: Out and About          

Page Number: 19

HOT SPOT: CHINA WOK                                   

China Wok thrives on delivery

By David Vest Newsfeatures Editor 747-5073 / dvest@pcnh.com


    The China Wok on 23rd Street does a fair amount of dine-in business. At the intersection with Beck Avenue/State 390, it catches the eye of drivers headed north toward Lynn Haven, south toward St. Andrews, east toward Callaway or west toward the beaches.

    But the restaurant also has its own drivers, delivering food to all those compass points. The delivery business has greatly expanded the China Wok’s clientele, says owner Francis Kwong.

    He’s a native of Hong Kong who has been in the business for 35 years, and he also has worked at chain restaurants such as Taco Bell and Po’ Folks. Delivery is a concept he developed in Panama City to set his business apart.

    On one wall of the China Wok’s dining room, a map of Bay County overlooks a computerized setup that tracks calls and charges. “When I was in school I was lazy,” Kwong says with a laugh, “so I got my degree in computer science.” That means “I can keep track of all this.”

    Strategic placement of menus at the beach draws delivery calls from spring breakers. Word of mouth brings in calls from Panama City businesses, hospitals and government offices.

    On a busy night, Kwong says, the China Wok has as many as seven drivers. The computerized point of sale system allows use of credit and debit cards. The take-out menu notes that checks can’t be accepted and that drivers carry less than $20 in cash.

    Catering is an outgrowth of the delivery business, Kwong says. Business and school conferences, parties and other events enhance the word-of-mouth effect.

    For groups of three to five people, there’s a take-out special menu with eight combinations of entrees, egg rolls, soup, lo mein, fried rice and fortune cookies. Prices are $18.99 to $23.99.

    Two of the China Wok’s specialties, Kwong says, are spring rolls with beef, pork or vegetables; and spicy curry and Szechwan dishes. Vegetarian entrees complement dishes with chicken, beef, pork, shrimp and scallops. Entrée prices are $4.95 to $5.95 for lunch and $5.95 to $11.95 for dinner.

    Occasionally, Kwong enjoys taking time for a formal meal in the dining room. “It takes two or three days to prepare a proper meal like Peking duck,” he said.

    Among the repeat customers for such meals is a military group from Singapore that stops in every time duty calls them to Tyndall Air Force Base. This week, the restaurant is doing its part for Christmas charity: a meal for the Panama City Rescue Mission.

    The China Wok has consistently ranked high in the Best of Bay Reader’s Choice competition sponsored by The News Herald. For 2005 ,2006 and 2007, it ranks No. 1 and also in 2008 it ranked as one of the best Chinese.

 

    Delivered fresh to your doorstep. 784-1011 or www.chinawok.us