The smile. It’s the first thing you notice. The true, welcoming smile of a beautiful Asian lady named Betty, given the minute you walk into the tiny Oak Ridge restaurant, The Magic Wok.
Located at 202 Tyler Road, the Magic Wok is a well-known treasure to locals. Open only for lunch and serving one dish per day (actually two, as the dish of the day is prepared plain or spicy), one might wonder how it has managed to stay open for over 40 years.
As corny as it may sound, the “secret ingredient “is love.
The love Ms. Betty has for cooking delicious food, for her adopted country, and for mankind has all come together into an American success story.
The Dining Duo was lucky enough to find Cashew Chicken as the meal of the day. Fluffy rice with vegetables, absolutely covered with cashews. It was marvelous. Both of us added two fried wontons and barely managed to finish our lunch!
The Magic Wok has a few counter spaces for eating in or picnic tables if the weather allows. It is a cash-only establishment.
Don’t let its little, unique building fool you. The old saying about good things coming in small packages was probably written about this wonderful restaurant.
The Magic Wok is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.; Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Dining Duo is looking for the “hidden gem eateries “where the locals fill the breakfast and lunch hour; those local haunts tucked into the out-of-the-way or right on the way places missed in the hustle and bustle of the day. Please email us your recommendations at knoxtndiningduo@gmail.com.
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