Egg rolls over easy

Sometimes fast, cheap and consistently good are the only three qualities I look for in a restaurant. So when I’m in a hurry and I only have five bucks in my pocket, I know that I can go hit-up Egg Roll King for a delicious, fast and inexpensive meal.

Egg Roll King, not to be confused with Egg Roll King or Egg Roll King, both in Sparks, are always open when I need them and produce always zesty Chinese fare for, what I think is one of the greatest values in town.

The house special is one egg roll, chicken chow mein and pork fried rice in a large take-out box for just $2.99. Full, the box probably weighs at least a full pound.

Located in the Village Shopping Center on California Avenue and Booth Street, Egg Roll King is a great place to get Chinese takeout on a stormy, movie-watching night. The service is super-quick—I think the longest I’ve ever had to wait for my food was five minutes. I don’t know how they manage to pump-out noodles that fast—maybe I don’t even want to know—but it always tastes fresh, and I haven’t had any major complaints.

Despite the royal identity departed in its name, the Egg Roll kingdom is actually quite a tiny principality. It probably seats no more than 25 people or so, but most of their business is take-out. I don’t think it would be the greatest place to go sit down for a date or even a family dinner. The dining room feels actually more like a small lobby, or a waiting room, where people sit and read while they wait for their order. But don’t get too involved in that year-old issue of Road & Track, because before you know it, your food will be ready.

From the attentive, friendly counter service, where I’m always greeted with a smile by the counter guy as I walk in the front door, the experience is the same every time.

I have been eating at Egg Roll King for more than three years and these guys have never had an off day (nor probably a day off). The cooks in back are champions. They bust their butts to get your food to you fast and hot. It may not be the most gourmet meal you’ve had in your life, but it’s fast, consistent and delicious—and cheap.

On my most recent visit to Egg Roll King, I ordered the combination with a double-order of honey garlic chicken and chicken chow mein for $4.55. I think the honey garlic chicken is one of the best dishes they offer.