pros: Lots of food, free delivery and usually quick service cons: food is good but not great
(4)
Pepper T.
Last night I called my regular take out place for dinner. They were closed and at first I was sad. Then I hopped on Yelp! and found Pete's. It's a further drive from our home but luckily the husband was coming back home via Red Mile, so not too far out of his way. I called and spoke w/ Pete. He was friendly, answered all my questions and I ordered the following: -General Tso -Kung Po Chicken -Pho -Pad Thai -Fried Dumplings -Crab Rangoon Total order came to around $38 and my husband walked in with two bags of food! So. Much. Food. Everything we had was fresh, hot and fantastic. When I asked for extra spicy Pete listened and it was perfect. The Pho was fantastic and I horded it from everyone. I totally played the, I just had dental work this is all mine on them. Even though they're out of our way, we will continue to make the drive for Pete's food.
(5)
David B.
Solid Chinese spot in Lexington and they deliver! which was a huge plus for us. We were trying to get some healthy food around 10pm on a Thursday and apparently every good restaurant closes in this town at 9pm. Kinda strange. But luckily we found Pete's Wok and they came through for us. I got the veggie delight which wasn't exceptional but good and definitely spicy as Pete had promised. My friend had the Vietnamese shrimp curry and really liked that. The vegi spring rolls could be skipped. Another plus of Pete's is the prices, which are totally reasonable. For 5 of us, it was around $50 and we got alot of food. While not incredible, Pete's is a solid option with pretty good food at very good price.
(3)
Tammy C.
this was our First time ordering from here, we weren't exactly Happy. I ordered something unfamiliar to me, that probably had a lot to do with how I felt but my husband got the same thing he always gets when ordering Asian cuisine. Maybe if we decide to try again, it will be a better experience.
(2)
Zach S.
We got the Pad Thai and the Bo Bhut, and it was excellent. Pete came out and talked with us, and he was very friendly. I only wish I lived closer so I could eat here more often.
(5)
Lucy W.
An amazing Asian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. I order from there all the time!
(4)
april w.
We came here for pho but it wasn't very good. And it's a shabby place. Service is good - they were nice. And have fruit smoothies.
(2)
Julie N.
Excellent food! Love their food! I ordered the chicken wings, pad thai and vegetable stir fry. Great service too! Love this family restaurant!!
(5)
Randy H.
Crummy, no real crummy. Chicken wasn't real good, noodles were under cooked, no one fills pad Thai up with onions.
(2)
Wit W.
Great place to eat if you are in a hurry. Open late than other restaurants, and never opens on weekends, especially when other restaurants open on Sundays, petes never disappoints me when I want some Asian food.
(5)
Alysia G.
My first experience with Pete's Wok will not be my last. The Vietnamese spring rolls were delicious and beautiful. My husband loves the Pad Thai and I think the Singapore noodles are gonna be causing me cravings until I can get my next fix.
(5)
Adam M.
The food is pretty good. I asked for a suggestion and tried out some Thai food also. It was great all around.
(4)
Sarah W.
Location is super shady lookin inside, but we were comforted by the constant stream of people coming in to order. Was hard for chef to keep up, so food took longer to make than I would expect. However the wait was well worth it. Fresh ingredients lots of flavors and great prices. Can't wait to try more dishes. Definitely try the Vietnamese spring rolls! Yumm
(4)
Bob B.
It's wonderful that Pete is back in business. He was a campus fixture for several years a couple of decades ago and now he's been back for almost a year. As others have written, yes it's a "hole-in-the-wall" type of restaurant. If you have eaten in restaurants in your life and/or traveled a bit you will likely have learned that the best places put their attentions into their menu rather than their sign or decor. Pete's Wok is in a great location. It is not easy to get in or out of the parking lot, especially during rush hour, but it is well located for campus, downtown, hotels, St. Joe's Hospital, etc. Pete is Vietnamese and those dishes are where the cooking really shines. It is a family-owned and operated establishment, Pete does it all and his heart is huge and he loves talking to customers (but won't pester you if you want a quiet meal). He cooks (when his wife isn't cooking), he delivers (when his delivery drivers are out on other runs), he answers any and all questions. You will find your usual Chinese menu here but do yourself a favor and order from the Vietnamese portion of the menu. There's also Thai dishes if you're inclined. I hear the Pad Thai is excellent but I always opt for the Vietnamese dishes. The prices and portions are EXCELLENT. To the person who wrote the bad review because their order didn't make it through from some on-line service for pick-up... When you're hungry for a restaurant meal from a local establishment I suggest going to the restaurant itself and ordering in person, learning about the menu and the people. Online gimmickry is fine for chain restaurants but do yourself a favor and interface directly with the folks making your food. Lastly, they are proud to post their health inspection ratings - Pete takes this business very seriously and I hope you will take his business seriously too.
(5)
Elizabeth E.
We tried the Singapore noodles & hu tieu xao. Both were incredible! The food is fresh, prepared well & the staff is so friendly. The owner came out and spoke with us to be sure we were satisfied with our choices. Pete was a wonderful guy we enjoyed both dining and speaking with. We will definitely be back!!!
(4)
Anna L.
I agree it is not located in the best location. But the food can totally make up for it. I was excited to try a new pho place in Lexington. ( So tired of pho bc!) Once I saw the restaurant, I lowered my expectation since it just looks like a typical Chinese take out place. But when the pho and pad thai came out, I was surprised. They were so good and the price was very fair for the amount of food you get. onwer is very friendly, open to suggestions, and thats a big plus. Totally gonna come back or order delivery again!
Ever since I discovered this place, I don't order Chinese takeout from anywhere else. I've noticed a lot of Chinese places have chicken wings with a cinnamon-y taste that I'm not a fan of at all. Pete's Wok has THE BEST chicken wings I've ever had at a Chinese restaurant. Seriously, I'd go here just for the wings. I love their fried rice. I've had the chicken and pork fried rice and they're both delicious. Also worth noting...their beef pho is so good! Other pho I've had here in Lexington has been greasy tasting. This pho was not at all. Nothing but good things to say about Pete's Wok! Highly recommended!
(5)
Sandy Z.
Small businesses out there need to take notes from Pete, he knows how to do business! We ordered two classic entrees, the bi bung and pho. Both were freakin de-Li-cious. The roast pork in the bi bung was so tender and flavorful and brought back memories of a dish my father made around Chinese New Year. Very generous portion sizes were given. For $15 we had enough food for two meals for two people. Fantastic value! Pete was a very welcoming owner and even gave us a 10% first timers discount. Through conversation he got to know us and we got to know him, which certainly doesn't happen in any Asian restaurants I know of. The food came out quick and the other lady who worked the front was very polite. This place is certainly a hole in the wall kinda setting, but everything else in our experience made us forget about the shabby front end setup.
(5)
Jonathan G.
This is my first Yelp review. We found Pete's Wok through Yelp, so I figured that I owed a review in return. If you're looking for fancy, go someplace else. Pete's is a hole in the wall kind of place, but that was a plus for me. It reminded me of my favorite Chinese dive off of campus when I was in college, so the nostalgia factor had me both happy and hungry when I sat down. Pete's offers Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese food. We ordered Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, leaving Thai for our next trip (my wife was excited by Pete's description of his Pad Thai). We started with an order of Crab Rangoon (6), which were the same cream cheese and crab mixture filled fried pouches I've had in many other Chinese restaurants. I've always liked them; nothing fancy, but certainly tasty. Pete's were served right out of the fryer and held the standard. My daughter ordered Pineapple Chicken, but subbed tofu for the chicken in service of her random decision to be an 11 year old vegetarian. It was good, but I think the sweet sauce and pineapples needed the fried chicken to balance them. The tofu was fairly bland here. My wife and I both went for Vietnamese dishes. I had the Pho, which was excellent, and my wife won the day with her order of Bo Bung. The best way I can describe it is a beef stir fry on top of a cucumber noodle salad. Give it a try if you're feeling adventurous. We'll be back. There are many more dishes we want to try, and Pete was friendly and welcoming. The portions were generous, especially for the price. We filled up without spending much. The Chinese food we had seemed like fairly typical take-out fare, good but unspectacular. Do yourself a favor; go for the Vietnamese dishes. They were the easy winners today.
(4)
Hannah S.
Pete is a sweet heart. Or whoever is the owner is. We loved the Chinese Yu hong chicken - Spicy! And then the cold Vietnamese bo hung with beef. Also delicious won ton soup. And also he let us sample the hot and sour soup- it's also sweet! You're never gonna have hot and sour soup like this anywhere else!
(4)
Jason B.
Great place to get a quick bite to eat. I am so impressed with this place. I couldn't have asked for a better Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant. The amount of food they give you for the price is shocking. For $6.95 I got a plate of food that could feed two people. The ingredients in my chicken and noodles were just right and I can't explain how happy I was I was told about this place. The owner is also so nice and helpful. He explained the reason behind his place and I understand why he is doing well. I plan on making this my new local spot.
(5)
Henry A.
Very authentic Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. One of the only down sides is its very small but it does deliver so it makes up for it and it's cheap. Good dishes and appetizers - Vietnamese egg roles - Beef Broccoli - Beef chow mein - Sweet and sour Shrimp - Mongolian Beef - Kung pao chicken - Pho - Singapore noodles I recommend to order a side of rice with these dishes
(5)
Jieqiong T.
I love this place. Best beef Li main I have ever eaten. I also love beef and green beans, egg rolls and pho soup. I don't like Singapore noodles and chicken wings. That's what I have had until now. If possible I would love to eat there every day. They also provide delivery. The owner Pete is a nice guy. I've seen him replace meal for free to an unsatisfied client.
(5)
Tiffany T.
This place is absolutely incredible. I ate here for the first time about a month ago and I had never eaten Thai food before so I didn't know what to get. Pete took my order and told me that he didn't believe in making someone pay for something they don't want, so if I ordered it then realized I didn't like it he would make me something else. I got the chicken pad Thai the first time and it was superb. I drove 45 minutes from home to eat there for lunch again today because I had been craving it ever since last time. Today I got the Singapore noodle which was also excellent. The prices are very reasonable in comparison to the competition and they offer half portions which are still good sized. Everything is fresh, staff is friendly, food is exceptional. We've got a winner!!
(5)
Josh E.
Pete's Wok from the outside looks like a no-frills, run-of-the-mill, Asian take-out place. Even on the inside the plastic table cloths don't do much to elevate expectations. However, once you place your order and start to smell the fresh chopped onions wafting from the kitchen, expectations are transformed into anticipation. This BiBung is a refreshing vermicelli with sliced pork and a delicious mound of fresh vegetables topped with a light spicy, sweet, and tangy (maybe even pungent but in a great way) sauce. My roommate had the KungPao Chicken and it was far less syrupy than anything around and was full of vegetables; it was a welcome change. Pete's Wok has definitely joined my regular restaurant rotation. You should try their Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine sooner rather than later. #sharethelex #vietnamese
(5)
Shyanie K.
Stopped here for some Vietnamese food! Beef pho was very flavorful. Good size portions. Really enjoyed the spring rolls! Peanut sauce was very good. Definitely will be back again!
(4)
Glenda B.
Amazing food! The beef and green beans are the best I've ever tasted!!! Great service and the owner Pete personally greets you and makes sure your food is great!
(5)
Tammy R.
I visited Pete's on my first night in Lexington...so glad I did! My personal rule with new-to-me restaurants is to order my favorite dish (in this case, Kung Pao Chicken) and if I like it, the restaurant gets my thumbs up and repeat business. Pete's Kung Pao did not disappoint...tons of fresh veggies and the chicken was tender, not dried out. But, the highlight of my dinner was the Pork Egg Roll. It was FANTASTIC. Oh, and of course the portions were huge...I felt bad that I couldn't finish my dinner but I was stuffed. The service is also to be praised...very friendly, both the counter person and Pete struck up a conversation with me that was genuine & made me want to stay longer. The atmosphere at Pete's is very laid-back and not fussy. For me, great food & great service far outweigh the perceived lack of presentation that others have mentioned. Tables & floor were clean & I noticed that Pete had hung their most recent health inspection report in the window...they scored 96/100. Good enough for me!
(5)
Sarah F.
Love this place. Very chill and cozy, great service and the pho is above average and cheap! Definitely going back.
(5)
Amber S.
Pete's Wok is the best take out I've ever had! My boyfriend and I have made it a tradition to eat Pete's Wok at least once when we come to Lex. The best part is they deliver until 2am. It's great for when you have the late night munchies. The sesame chicken and fried rice is our favorite. Their Singapore noodles are also yummy. They are also fast in delivery. Their half portions are big enough for two if you get full quick. Thanks Pete!!!
(5)
Jesica L.
I would give this place 2 1/2 stars if I could. They say everything is relative so this review is based on what I think good Chinese food should taste like. We had Pete's Wok delivered based on our craving for Chinese food and the many stars from our fellow Yelpers. The food was delivered quickly and was inexpensive. We ordered hot and sour soup as well as the cashew chicken with fried rice and kung pao shrimp with lo mein noodles added. The hot and sour soup was not very good even though I was starving and would have eaten anything. The rest of the food was bland and simply put, mediocre. I like my Chinese food like I like my men- hot, fast and yummy, LOL. I got lukewarm, fast, and not so yummy. Sadly, I didn't even get any fortune cookies with my delivery order.
(2)
Heather P.
If you're super picky about the restaurant presentation, skip this place...it has a hole in the wall/college campus restaurant feel to it. If you're looking for an awesome meal, this is a Lexington must. The gentleman who took our order was very informative and personable. The portions were huge and the low prices are reasonable. After we paid for the meals, the owner who apparently cooked our meals, started talking to us...very personable. Overall I'd give a 4.5, not to mess their five star score up. I will be back!
(5)
David S.
Pete is great and does typical food well... Also during school (UK) they are open LATE!!! Pete says new menu in August...
(4)
Kirby W.
Love Pete's Wok! Recently moved from Chicago and was looking for good Asian food - look no further - Pete's is the "Bomb"! Food is very good; hot, tasty, cooked to order and he will tailor it to your preference - hotter or milder to your liking. Nice family run business - it's a little run down inside and kind of a dive decor wise, but Pete's cooking is worth looking past the run down inside. Best Crab Rangoon in town! I think if Pete moved into a nicer place his business would at least double!
(5)
Shawn R.
I stopped today for lunch and had the Bo Bung - absolutely fresh ingredients and very delicious. Pete came out to ensure I was satisfied - he obviously takes pride in food quality and cares about customer satisfaction. The place is small but authentic - I plan to stop every time I'm in Lexington.
(5)
Steve S.
Pete is a nice guy. The food was awesome. Nice mix of different types. I had the phad thai which was very tasty
(5)
Megan F.
It's been a while but Pete's has inspired me to give a review celebrating their greatness. Really awesome hole in the wall type spot. I'll admit I was a bit wary of Vietnamese and Thai food served up at a place called Pete's but I had heard such great things and the yelp reviews only confirmed it, so giving it a try seemed like the only logical thing to do - and I'm so glad I did. I've only tried the Bo Bung because it's so incredible I can't break away from it as my regular order. That's the dish where it's a combo of hot and cold noodles, meat/tofu, lettuce, cucumbers, bean sprouts, onions and it's doused in a refreshing vinaigrette. I've opted for the tofu and have been pleasantly surprised with how it's prepared, very crispy and flavorful. Even if you're a meat eater, you won't regret getting this dish served up vegetarian style. It's that good. Portion size deserves a mention too. It's definitely a hefty plate of food. The hands down best part about Pete's is that they deliver to the north side! I think they might be the only place that delivers to my neighborhood, well the only place that delivers that's not super greasy. So, basically the only place that's worth getting delivery in my book!
(5)
Nick B.
One of my favorites when I'm looking for something cheap, easy, and tasty too. Having Vietnamese and Thai choices at the same place is nice. I usually go for the Thai dishes but I've had several Vietnamese dishes and they have all been good. Not sure what the correct menu name is but they have a Vietnamese beef salad that is very good.
(5)
Alan B.
In our house, we cook a lot of Asian cuisine, and have traveled all over China and Asia. Finding decent Chinese food is a great joy to us. With that in mind, we gave Pete's Wok four tries. The first time, Pete substituted a different dish from what was ordered. We thought that was because of what he had in fresh. Come to find out, probably not. Probably just a sloppy mistake. Because sloppy, "ghetto" Chinese is what he cooks. The menu might as well have one item: mixed vegetables in brown sauce. Carrots, onions, bean sprouts and canned water chestnuts. Choose your meat. Everything is gloppy and tired. And you have to ASK for white rice instead of the 'refried' soy sauce-soaked rice he includes as a standard with a meal. A d it is not made with a good soy sauce, and this has a foul under taste. Come on, who messes up RICE?! On our last visit this week, which will be our last visit, one dish the 'Khan's Beef' had an enormous amount of garlic in it. So much that we could not eat any of it. Clearly he had used that peeled and crushed garlic from a jar, and he put a whopping dollop in. A whole clove of fresh garlic would've been heavy garlic for a portion that size, and our serving we had the equivalent of maybe fifteen cloves of garlic. We've been to Sichuan. Love spice. We are not garlic phobes. This was sloppy cooking. Careless. Inedible. Interesting how in other reviews people from out of town pan Pete's Wok, and locals glow. Sorry Lexington, your taste in Chinese food is horrible. HORRIBLE. The Chinese people should bring a class action suit against Pete for defamation of cuisine.
(1)
Josh R.
We didn't want to cook Thursday night, so we ordered after seeing all the great reviews. It was underwhelming. My wife ordered the Pad Thai and I had the Chicken Curry. The chicken curry was nice, flavorful and spicy, but my wife's Pad Thai may have been the worse Pad Thai either of us have ever had. Bland is an understatement. It tasted like wet noodles and had no kick at all. No hint of peanut flavoring that both of us are used to. Will probably not order from here again. Sorry guys.
(2)
TJ h.
I ordered online. Two dishes and a couple egg rolls. When I read the descriptions, the sweet and sour was supposed to come with other fruits and veggies. I asked for onion to be added too. The dish did not come with onion, as requested. The chicken came in a bag with no fruits and veggies at all. The noodles dish I ordered had chicken that looked old and gray. You would think that since two were eating we would have gotten two fortune cookies... but alas only one. Pass.
(1)
Horton L.
This place is definitely a hidden gem in Lexington! The Pho is absolutely delicious and Pete is very generous. The best thing is Pete thrives to continue to improve the taste of his pho. He would always ask for suggestions and everytime we go the taste gets better and better! It is definitely cheaper and better than Pho BC and the Chinese food (Singapore meifun is the BOMB!) I heard they are introducing sushi soon Cant wait! We will continue to come back! The best thing is they deliver! Just remember to tip the driver!
(5)
Ellen R.
We had the shrimp and green papaya which was excellent. The Singapore noodles made with chicken and a curry sauce was wonderful. The portion was huge (full portion). The owner came out and told us his background and sent out a sample of rice noodles with pork which was also excellent. He said he learned to cook Vietnamese form his mother and Thai and Chinese from cooks from these countries.I would give this establishment 4stars for eating in as it is not all that comfortable. It is a 5 star takeout. I will be back!
(4)
Lucas M.
I had Pete's Wok a couple weeks ago and thought it was pretty good. The price was very reasonable and the food was decent. The Pho was very good, relying on simple fresh ingredients (as opposed to some other Pho that puts in "the kitchen sink"). I had the Kung Pao Chicken, which was good, but not great. I felt it was missing some flavor and spice. Overall, it is a great value with some good food. The owner is very personable. I would gladly go there again, but would likely try another entree.
(4)
Matt C.
Go for the pho! Hole in the wall, open 2am Fri. Check Web, new location from old spot.
(4)
Rob B.
Excellent wings! My favorite. Everything is very tasty. Very friendly folks. Choose from Vietnamese, Chinese, or Thai, you can't go wrong.
(4)
Tiffany M.
So far I've had the Pho and the Shrimp Papaya, and my bf's had the Singapore Noodle and the Bo Bung. I was excited to try Pho to go. Everything has been tasty and fresh. Super nice people. Delivery has taken 30-45 minutes, but hopefully that's because they're make everything to order!
(5)
Eric H.
Awesome Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai cuisine. Large portions and the chef will work with you if you have any special requirements. They deliver and they're open till 2am on Friday and Saturday so you can get your Vietnamese fix almost any time.
(5)
Ro C.
I was driving by thing "man I want some soup" I saw 2 cops walking in for lunch and flipped a u turn. Glad I did the Pho was awesome!
(5)
Emily B.
Pete himself is very nice and obviously takes great pride in his restaurant, which I appreciated. We tried selections from the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai sections and most were good, but not exceptional. I had the Pad Thai which tasted good, but definitely not like Pad Thai. Their menu is HUGE and while the selection is nice, I think it would actually be better if they focused on doing a fewer number of things really well. We used a Groupon, so the price was great for us, but at regular price, it's pretty typical of take-out Chinese food.
(4)
Kerri D.
I suppose it's true that you can't please everyone because I just don't understand the negative reviews. Pete's Wok is INCREDIBLE. Everything that we've ordered has always been great. It does take a little longer than a normal Chinese place to get food, but that's because they make everything fresh to order and it is always hot. If you ever get "lukewarm" food, you either like food that has been cooked in the fires of hell or you've waited too long to get the take out. I love hot food and this food sometimes is even a little too temp hot for me, but rather super hot than cold! :) Also, I am a person that doesn't really like to try new things. With Pete's Wok I always do because they never disappoint. Try it, you won't regret it. I love their Lo Main and their Vietnamese dishes are great.
(5)
Amy S.
Why is it that when you order take-out and don't need utensils you receive more sets than you could ever need, but when you do actually need utensils none arrive? I ordered takeout and it arrived in a reasonable length of time. After procuring tools for consuming my food I actually laughed upon seeing the eggroll. It was of the size you will see as an appetizer at an event or in your frozen food aisle, i.e., small. The rice. Oh my goodness, after reading another Yelp review later I came to understand it was some rice with soy sauce abomination to go with the Chinese entrees. The Pad Thai had nearly zero flavor. Peanuts? Lime? Kick? Hellooooo, is any flavor around? I feel pity for the poor people of Lexington.
(1)
Jack E.
Pete is awesome and so is the food. Tell him Jack sent you, he may give you a deal. I've been here several times and have never been disappointed. Quality, fresh food and easy-going atmosphere. The hot and sour soup is how I judge the quality of a Chinese restaurant. Theirs is unique to this place and different than other Chinese places I've been. Can't beat the Lunch Combo, General Tso, Fried Rice, Egg Roll, and a drink for $5.99. I got the special with steamed chicken instead of the usual fried chicken, DELICIOUS!
(5)
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Address :Behind Ken Towery,537 Waller Ave
Lexington, KY, 40504
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Late Night Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Shan S.
pros: Lots of food, free delivery and usually quick service cons: food is good but not great
(4)Pepper T.
Last night I called my regular take out place for dinner. They were closed and at first I was sad. Then I hopped on Yelp! and found Pete's. It's a further drive from our home but luckily the husband was coming back home via Red Mile, so not too far out of his way. I called and spoke w/ Pete. He was friendly, answered all my questions and I ordered the following: -General Tso -Kung Po Chicken -Pho -Pad Thai -Fried Dumplings -Crab Rangoon Total order came to around $38 and my husband walked in with two bags of food! So. Much. Food. Everything we had was fresh, hot and fantastic. When I asked for extra spicy Pete listened and it was perfect. The Pho was fantastic and I horded it from everyone. I totally played the, I just had dental work this is all mine on them. Even though they're out of our way, we will continue to make the drive for Pete's food.
(5)David B.
Solid Chinese spot in Lexington and they deliver! which was a huge plus for us. We were trying to get some healthy food around 10pm on a Thursday and apparently every good restaurant closes in this town at 9pm. Kinda strange. But luckily we found Pete's Wok and they came through for us. I got the veggie delight which wasn't exceptional but good and definitely spicy as Pete had promised. My friend had the Vietnamese shrimp curry and really liked that. The vegi spring rolls could be skipped. Another plus of Pete's is the prices, which are totally reasonable. For 5 of us, it was around $50 and we got alot of food. While not incredible, Pete's is a solid option with pretty good food at very good price.
(3)Tammy C.
this was our First time ordering from here, we weren't exactly Happy. I ordered something unfamiliar to me, that probably had a lot to do with how I felt but my husband got the same thing he always gets when ordering Asian cuisine. Maybe if we decide to try again, it will be a better experience.
(2)Zach S.
We got the Pad Thai and the Bo Bhut, and it was excellent. Pete came out and talked with us, and he was very friendly. I only wish I lived closer so I could eat here more often.
(5)Lucy W.
An amazing Asian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. I order from there all the time!
(4)april w.
We came here for pho but it wasn't very good. And it's a shabby place. Service is good - they were nice. And have fruit smoothies.
(2)Julie N.
Excellent food! Love their food! I ordered the chicken wings, pad thai and vegetable stir fry. Great service too! Love this family restaurant!!
(5)Randy H.
Crummy, no real crummy. Chicken wasn't real good, noodles were under cooked, no one fills pad Thai up with onions.
(2)Wit W.
Great place to eat if you are in a hurry. Open late than other restaurants, and never opens on weekends, especially when other restaurants open on Sundays, petes never disappoints me when I want some Asian food.
(5)Alysia G.
My first experience with Pete's Wok will not be my last. The Vietnamese spring rolls were delicious and beautiful. My husband loves the Pad Thai and I think the Singapore noodles are gonna be causing me cravings until I can get my next fix.
(5)Adam M.
The food is pretty good. I asked for a suggestion and tried out some Thai food also. It was great all around.
(4)Sarah W.
Location is super shady lookin inside, but we were comforted by the constant stream of people coming in to order. Was hard for chef to keep up, so food took longer to make than I would expect. However the wait was well worth it. Fresh ingredients lots of flavors and great prices. Can't wait to try more dishes. Definitely try the Vietnamese spring rolls! Yumm
(4)Bob B.
It's wonderful that Pete is back in business. He was a campus fixture for several years a couple of decades ago and now he's been back for almost a year. As others have written, yes it's a "hole-in-the-wall" type of restaurant. If you have eaten in restaurants in your life and/or traveled a bit you will likely have learned that the best places put their attentions into their menu rather than their sign or decor. Pete's Wok is in a great location. It is not easy to get in or out of the parking lot, especially during rush hour, but it is well located for campus, downtown, hotels, St. Joe's Hospital, etc. Pete is Vietnamese and those dishes are where the cooking really shines. It is a family-owned and operated establishment, Pete does it all and his heart is huge and he loves talking to customers (but won't pester you if you want a quiet meal). He cooks (when his wife isn't cooking), he delivers (when his delivery drivers are out on other runs), he answers any and all questions. You will find your usual Chinese menu here but do yourself a favor and order from the Vietnamese portion of the menu. There's also Thai dishes if you're inclined. I hear the Pad Thai is excellent but I always opt for the Vietnamese dishes. The prices and portions are EXCELLENT. To the person who wrote the bad review because their order didn't make it through from some on-line service for pick-up... When you're hungry for a restaurant meal from a local establishment I suggest going to the restaurant itself and ordering in person, learning about the menu and the people. Online gimmickry is fine for chain restaurants but do yourself a favor and interface directly with the folks making your food. Lastly, they are proud to post their health inspection ratings - Pete takes this business very seriously and I hope you will take his business seriously too.
(5)Elizabeth E.
We tried the Singapore noodles & hu tieu xao. Both were incredible! The food is fresh, prepared well & the staff is so friendly. The owner came out and spoke with us to be sure we were satisfied with our choices. Pete was a wonderful guy we enjoyed both dining and speaking with. We will definitely be back!!!
(4)Anna L.
I agree it is not located in the best location. But the food can totally make up for it. I was excited to try a new pho place in Lexington. ( So tired of pho bc!) Once I saw the restaurant, I lowered my expectation since it just looks like a typical Chinese take out place. But when the pho and pad thai came out, I was surprised. They were so good and the price was very fair for the amount of food you get. onwer is very friendly, open to suggestions, and thats a big plus. Totally gonna come back or order delivery again!
(5)Anna S.
Yelpers did not mislead me! I'm sorry I doubted y'all! I stopped by, almost shaky with hunger, and was a little hesitant at first because PW's is quite the hole-in-the-wall (it's Waller Ave., which is familiar to all local college students), and I typically do not like places that have multiple ethnic offerings (eg., Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese). However, the Yelp reviews on it were promising, and I have never been one to turn away from a potential hole-in-the-wall gem. Warning, this place is not going to win any beauty prizes or blow you away with its decor. In fact, the place seems quite dingy, but please, for heaven sake, do not let that put you off. If you want a quick, hot, HUGE portion of food for cheap, served by one of the friendliest people ever, you have definitely got to eat here. I ordered the regular size beef phó ($7.95), and was promptly served a massive bowl of steaming, clear, nearly greaseless broth, mounded with a big nest of those irresistible rice noodles, bean sprouts, and plenty of sliced beef. I really enjoyed the broth, it wasn't oily or overly salty, which I absolutely hate about some phó and saté I have had. I squeezed lime, tore basil leaves, drizzled Hoisin and Sriracha, and got stuck in. Absolutely delicious. I could not stop chomping, slurping, and greedily clacking my chopsticks into that steamy bowl o' love. And, I had a great little chat with Pete and his daughter (his wife was cooking in the back). He had owned/operated a restaurant about 15 years ago in Lexington, and had just opened this location a year ago. He pointed out to me all of their hard efforts put into brightening this place up, and his future plans for other improvements he would like to have done. The thing that struck me with Pete, was you knew how much he wanted you to enjoy his food, and the man did not stop cleaning the entire time I was seated. I also ordered a takeout half portion of the Singapore noodles with shrimp, for my daughter to eat after her volleyball practice. It smelled delicious, and he brought me the container that was overflowing with a huge portion, for $5.50. Really, $5.50 - less than some yucky fast food value meal (trust me, I'll totally be sampling this later when I microwave it for my kiddo). Pete's Wok represents everything that I love about small businesses: Friendly, personalized service; quality product made with care and passion; affordable; ADDICTING. I will definitely be back, this time with a friend or the kiddo along!
(5)Greta W.
Ever since I discovered this place, I don't order Chinese takeout from anywhere else. I've noticed a lot of Chinese places have chicken wings with a cinnamon-y taste that I'm not a fan of at all. Pete's Wok has THE BEST chicken wings I've ever had at a Chinese restaurant. Seriously, I'd go here just for the wings. I love their fried rice. I've had the chicken and pork fried rice and they're both delicious. Also worth noting...their beef pho is so good! Other pho I've had here in Lexington has been greasy tasting. This pho was not at all. Nothing but good things to say about Pete's Wok! Highly recommended!
(5)Sandy Z.
Small businesses out there need to take notes from Pete, he knows how to do business! We ordered two classic entrees, the bi bung and pho. Both were freakin de-Li-cious. The roast pork in the bi bung was so tender and flavorful and brought back memories of a dish my father made around Chinese New Year. Very generous portion sizes were given. For $15 we had enough food for two meals for two people. Fantastic value! Pete was a very welcoming owner and even gave us a 10% first timers discount. Through conversation he got to know us and we got to know him, which certainly doesn't happen in any Asian restaurants I know of. The food came out quick and the other lady who worked the front was very polite. This place is certainly a hole in the wall kinda setting, but everything else in our experience made us forget about the shabby front end setup.
(5)Jonathan G.
This is my first Yelp review. We found Pete's Wok through Yelp, so I figured that I owed a review in return. If you're looking for fancy, go someplace else. Pete's is a hole in the wall kind of place, but that was a plus for me. It reminded me of my favorite Chinese dive off of campus when I was in college, so the nostalgia factor had me both happy and hungry when I sat down. Pete's offers Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese food. We ordered Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, leaving Thai for our next trip (my wife was excited by Pete's description of his Pad Thai). We started with an order of Crab Rangoon (6), which were the same cream cheese and crab mixture filled fried pouches I've had in many other Chinese restaurants. I've always liked them; nothing fancy, but certainly tasty. Pete's were served right out of the fryer and held the standard. My daughter ordered Pineapple Chicken, but subbed tofu for the chicken in service of her random decision to be an 11 year old vegetarian. It was good, but I think the sweet sauce and pineapples needed the fried chicken to balance them. The tofu was fairly bland here. My wife and I both went for Vietnamese dishes. I had the Pho, which was excellent, and my wife won the day with her order of Bo Bung. The best way I can describe it is a beef stir fry on top of a cucumber noodle salad. Give it a try if you're feeling adventurous. We'll be back. There are many more dishes we want to try, and Pete was friendly and welcoming. The portions were generous, especially for the price. We filled up without spending much. The Chinese food we had seemed like fairly typical take-out fare, good but unspectacular. Do yourself a favor; go for the Vietnamese dishes. They were the easy winners today.
(4)Hannah S.
Pete is a sweet heart. Or whoever is the owner is. We loved the Chinese Yu hong chicken - Spicy! And then the cold Vietnamese bo hung with beef. Also delicious won ton soup. And also he let us sample the hot and sour soup- it's also sweet! You're never gonna have hot and sour soup like this anywhere else!
(4)Jason B.
Great place to get a quick bite to eat. I am so impressed with this place. I couldn't have asked for a better Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant. The amount of food they give you for the price is shocking. For $6.95 I got a plate of food that could feed two people. The ingredients in my chicken and noodles were just right and I can't explain how happy I was I was told about this place. The owner is also so nice and helpful. He explained the reason behind his place and I understand why he is doing well. I plan on making this my new local spot.
(5)Henry A.
Very authentic Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. One of the only down sides is its very small but it does deliver so it makes up for it and it's cheap. Good dishes and appetizers - Vietnamese egg roles - Beef Broccoli - Beef chow mein - Sweet and sour Shrimp - Mongolian Beef - Kung pao chicken - Pho - Singapore noodles I recommend to order a side of rice with these dishes
(5)Jieqiong T.
I love this place. Best beef Li main I have ever eaten. I also love beef and green beans, egg rolls and pho soup. I don't like Singapore noodles and chicken wings. That's what I have had until now. If possible I would love to eat there every day. They also provide delivery. The owner Pete is a nice guy. I've seen him replace meal for free to an unsatisfied client.
(5)Tiffany T.
This place is absolutely incredible. I ate here for the first time about a month ago and I had never eaten Thai food before so I didn't know what to get. Pete took my order and told me that he didn't believe in making someone pay for something they don't want, so if I ordered it then realized I didn't like it he would make me something else. I got the chicken pad Thai the first time and it was superb. I drove 45 minutes from home to eat there for lunch again today because I had been craving it ever since last time. Today I got the Singapore noodle which was also excellent. The prices are very reasonable in comparison to the competition and they offer half portions which are still good sized. Everything is fresh, staff is friendly, food is exceptional. We've got a winner!!
(5)Josh E.
Pete's Wok from the outside looks like a no-frills, run-of-the-mill, Asian take-out place. Even on the inside the plastic table cloths don't do much to elevate expectations. However, once you place your order and start to smell the fresh chopped onions wafting from the kitchen, expectations are transformed into anticipation. This BiBung is a refreshing vermicelli with sliced pork and a delicious mound of fresh vegetables topped with a light spicy, sweet, and tangy (maybe even pungent but in a great way) sauce. My roommate had the KungPao Chicken and it was far less syrupy than anything around and was full of vegetables; it was a welcome change. Pete's Wok has definitely joined my regular restaurant rotation. You should try their Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine sooner rather than later. #sharethelex #vietnamese
(5)Shyanie K.
Stopped here for some Vietnamese food! Beef pho was very flavorful. Good size portions. Really enjoyed the spring rolls! Peanut sauce was very good. Definitely will be back again!
(4)Glenda B.
Amazing food! The beef and green beans are the best I've ever tasted!!! Great service and the owner Pete personally greets you and makes sure your food is great!
(5)Tammy R.
I visited Pete's on my first night in Lexington...so glad I did! My personal rule with new-to-me restaurants is to order my favorite dish (in this case, Kung Pao Chicken) and if I like it, the restaurant gets my thumbs up and repeat business. Pete's Kung Pao did not disappoint...tons of fresh veggies and the chicken was tender, not dried out. But, the highlight of my dinner was the Pork Egg Roll. It was FANTASTIC. Oh, and of course the portions were huge...I felt bad that I couldn't finish my dinner but I was stuffed. The service is also to be praised...very friendly, both the counter person and Pete struck up a conversation with me that was genuine & made me want to stay longer. The atmosphere at Pete's is very laid-back and not fussy. For me, great food & great service far outweigh the perceived lack of presentation that others have mentioned. Tables & floor were clean & I noticed that Pete had hung their most recent health inspection report in the window...they scored 96/100. Good enough for me!
(5)Sarah F.
Love this place. Very chill and cozy, great service and the pho is above average and cheap! Definitely going back.
(5)Amber S.
Pete's Wok is the best take out I've ever had! My boyfriend and I have made it a tradition to eat Pete's Wok at least once when we come to Lex. The best part is they deliver until 2am. It's great for when you have the late night munchies. The sesame chicken and fried rice is our favorite. Their Singapore noodles are also yummy. They are also fast in delivery. Their half portions are big enough for two if you get full quick. Thanks Pete!!!
(5)Jesica L.
I would give this place 2 1/2 stars if I could. They say everything is relative so this review is based on what I think good Chinese food should taste like. We had Pete's Wok delivered based on our craving for Chinese food and the many stars from our fellow Yelpers. The food was delivered quickly and was inexpensive. We ordered hot and sour soup as well as the cashew chicken with fried rice and kung pao shrimp with lo mein noodles added. The hot and sour soup was not very good even though I was starving and would have eaten anything. The rest of the food was bland and simply put, mediocre. I like my Chinese food like I like my men- hot, fast and yummy, LOL. I got lukewarm, fast, and not so yummy. Sadly, I didn't even get any fortune cookies with my delivery order.
(2)Heather P.
If you're super picky about the restaurant presentation, skip this place...it has a hole in the wall/college campus restaurant feel to it. If you're looking for an awesome meal, this is a Lexington must. The gentleman who took our order was very informative and personable. The portions were huge and the low prices are reasonable. After we paid for the meals, the owner who apparently cooked our meals, started talking to us...very personable. Overall I'd give a 4.5, not to mess their five star score up. I will be back!
(5)David S.
Pete is great and does typical food well... Also during school (UK) they are open LATE!!! Pete says new menu in August...
(4)Kirby W.
Love Pete's Wok! Recently moved from Chicago and was looking for good Asian food - look no further - Pete's is the "Bomb"! Food is very good; hot, tasty, cooked to order and he will tailor it to your preference - hotter or milder to your liking. Nice family run business - it's a little run down inside and kind of a dive decor wise, but Pete's cooking is worth looking past the run down inside. Best Crab Rangoon in town! I think if Pete moved into a nicer place his business would at least double!
(5)Shawn R.
I stopped today for lunch and had the Bo Bung - absolutely fresh ingredients and very delicious. Pete came out to ensure I was satisfied - he obviously takes pride in food quality and cares about customer satisfaction. The place is small but authentic - I plan to stop every time I'm in Lexington.
(5)Steve S.
Pete is a nice guy. The food was awesome. Nice mix of different types. I had the phad thai which was very tasty
(5)Megan F.
It's been a while but Pete's has inspired me to give a review celebrating their greatness. Really awesome hole in the wall type spot. I'll admit I was a bit wary of Vietnamese and Thai food served up at a place called Pete's but I had heard such great things and the yelp reviews only confirmed it, so giving it a try seemed like the only logical thing to do - and I'm so glad I did. I've only tried the Bo Bung because it's so incredible I can't break away from it as my regular order. That's the dish where it's a combo of hot and cold noodles, meat/tofu, lettuce, cucumbers, bean sprouts, onions and it's doused in a refreshing vinaigrette. I've opted for the tofu and have been pleasantly surprised with how it's prepared, very crispy and flavorful. Even if you're a meat eater, you won't regret getting this dish served up vegetarian style. It's that good. Portion size deserves a mention too. It's definitely a hefty plate of food. The hands down best part about Pete's is that they deliver to the north side! I think they might be the only place that delivers to my neighborhood, well the only place that delivers that's not super greasy. So, basically the only place that's worth getting delivery in my book!
(5)Nick B.
One of my favorites when I'm looking for something cheap, easy, and tasty too. Having Vietnamese and Thai choices at the same place is nice. I usually go for the Thai dishes but I've had several Vietnamese dishes and they have all been good. Not sure what the correct menu name is but they have a Vietnamese beef salad that is very good.
(5)Alan B.
In our house, we cook a lot of Asian cuisine, and have traveled all over China and Asia. Finding decent Chinese food is a great joy to us. With that in mind, we gave Pete's Wok four tries. The first time, Pete substituted a different dish from what was ordered. We thought that was because of what he had in fresh. Come to find out, probably not. Probably just a sloppy mistake. Because sloppy, "ghetto" Chinese is what he cooks. The menu might as well have one item: mixed vegetables in brown sauce. Carrots, onions, bean sprouts and canned water chestnuts. Choose your meat. Everything is gloppy and tired. And you have to ASK for white rice instead of the 'refried' soy sauce-soaked rice he includes as a standard with a meal. A d it is not made with a good soy sauce, and this has a foul under taste. Come on, who messes up RICE?! On our last visit this week, which will be our last visit, one dish the 'Khan's Beef' had an enormous amount of garlic in it. So much that we could not eat any of it. Clearly he had used that peeled and crushed garlic from a jar, and he put a whopping dollop in. A whole clove of fresh garlic would've been heavy garlic for a portion that size, and our serving we had the equivalent of maybe fifteen cloves of garlic. We've been to Sichuan. Love spice. We are not garlic phobes. This was sloppy cooking. Careless. Inedible. Interesting how in other reviews people from out of town pan Pete's Wok, and locals glow. Sorry Lexington, your taste in Chinese food is horrible. HORRIBLE. The Chinese people should bring a class action suit against Pete for defamation of cuisine.
(1)Josh R.
We didn't want to cook Thursday night, so we ordered after seeing all the great reviews. It was underwhelming. My wife ordered the Pad Thai and I had the Chicken Curry. The chicken curry was nice, flavorful and spicy, but my wife's Pad Thai may have been the worse Pad Thai either of us have ever had. Bland is an understatement. It tasted like wet noodles and had no kick at all. No hint of peanut flavoring that both of us are used to. Will probably not order from here again. Sorry guys.
(2)TJ h.
I ordered online. Two dishes and a couple egg rolls. When I read the descriptions, the sweet and sour was supposed to come with other fruits and veggies. I asked for onion to be added too. The dish did not come with onion, as requested. The chicken came in a bag with no fruits and veggies at all. The noodles dish I ordered had chicken that looked old and gray. You would think that since two were eating we would have gotten two fortune cookies... but alas only one. Pass.
(1)Horton L.
This place is definitely a hidden gem in Lexington! The Pho is absolutely delicious and Pete is very generous. The best thing is Pete thrives to continue to improve the taste of his pho. He would always ask for suggestions and everytime we go the taste gets better and better! It is definitely cheaper and better than Pho BC and the Chinese food (Singapore meifun is the BOMB!) I heard they are introducing sushi soon Cant wait! We will continue to come back! The best thing is they deliver! Just remember to tip the driver!
(5)Ellen R.
We had the shrimp and green papaya which was excellent. The Singapore noodles made with chicken and a curry sauce was wonderful. The portion was huge (full portion). The owner came out and told us his background and sent out a sample of rice noodles with pork which was also excellent. He said he learned to cook Vietnamese form his mother and Thai and Chinese from cooks from these countries.I would give this establishment 4stars for eating in as it is not all that comfortable. It is a 5 star takeout. I will be back!
(4)Lucas M.
I had Pete's Wok a couple weeks ago and thought it was pretty good. The price was very reasonable and the food was decent. The Pho was very good, relying on simple fresh ingredients (as opposed to some other Pho that puts in "the kitchen sink"). I had the Kung Pao Chicken, which was good, but not great. I felt it was missing some flavor and spice. Overall, it is a great value with some good food. The owner is very personable. I would gladly go there again, but would likely try another entree.
(4)Matt C.
Go for the pho! Hole in the wall, open 2am Fri. Check Web, new location from old spot.
(4)Rob B.
Excellent wings! My favorite. Everything is very tasty. Very friendly folks. Choose from Vietnamese, Chinese, or Thai, you can't go wrong.
(4)Tiffany M.
So far I've had the Pho and the Shrimp Papaya, and my bf's had the Singapore Noodle and the Bo Bung. I was excited to try Pho to go. Everything has been tasty and fresh. Super nice people. Delivery has taken 30-45 minutes, but hopefully that's because they're make everything to order!
(5)Eric H.
Awesome Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai cuisine. Large portions and the chef will work with you if you have any special requirements. They deliver and they're open till 2am on Friday and Saturday so you can get your Vietnamese fix almost any time.
(5)Ro C.
I was driving by thing "man I want some soup" I saw 2 cops walking in for lunch and flipped a u turn. Glad I did the Pho was awesome!
(5)Emily B.
Pete himself is very nice and obviously takes great pride in his restaurant, which I appreciated. We tried selections from the Vietnamese, Chinese, and Thai sections and most were good, but not exceptional. I had the Pad Thai which tasted good, but definitely not like Pad Thai. Their menu is HUGE and while the selection is nice, I think it would actually be better if they focused on doing a fewer number of things really well. We used a Groupon, so the price was great for us, but at regular price, it's pretty typical of take-out Chinese food.
(4)Kerri D.
I suppose it's true that you can't please everyone because I just don't understand the negative reviews. Pete's Wok is INCREDIBLE. Everything that we've ordered has always been great. It does take a little longer than a normal Chinese place to get food, but that's because they make everything fresh to order and it is always hot. If you ever get "lukewarm" food, you either like food that has been cooked in the fires of hell or you've waited too long to get the take out. I love hot food and this food sometimes is even a little too temp hot for me, but rather super hot than cold! :) Also, I am a person that doesn't really like to try new things. With Pete's Wok I always do because they never disappoint. Try it, you won't regret it. I love their Lo Main and their Vietnamese dishes are great.
(5)Amy S.
Why is it that when you order take-out and don't need utensils you receive more sets than you could ever need, but when you do actually need utensils none arrive? I ordered takeout and it arrived in a reasonable length of time. After procuring tools for consuming my food I actually laughed upon seeing the eggroll. It was of the size you will see as an appetizer at an event or in your frozen food aisle, i.e., small. The rice. Oh my goodness, after reading another Yelp review later I came to understand it was some rice with soy sauce abomination to go with the Chinese entrees. The Pad Thai had nearly zero flavor. Peanuts? Lime? Kick? Hellooooo, is any flavor around? I feel pity for the poor people of Lexington.
(1)Jack E.
Pete is awesome and so is the food. Tell him Jack sent you, he may give you a deal. I've been here several times and have never been disappointed. Quality, fresh food and easy-going atmosphere. The hot and sour soup is how I judge the quality of a Chinese restaurant. Theirs is unique to this place and different than other Chinese places I've been. Can't beat the Lunch Combo, General Tso, Fried Rice, Egg Roll, and a drink for $5.99. I got the special with steamed chicken instead of the usual fried chicken, DELICIOUS!
(5)