PEKING HOUSE
2411 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, FL
863-688-9022.
Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
CUISINE AND ATMOSPHERE: Peking House opened in 1983, so workers there are well-schooled in the art of serving good Chinese food. The place is decorated with soft red carpet, mostly green walls and small Chinese decorations. The nicest touch: burgundy tablecloths made of real linen. The red carpet gets a workout from a steady trail of people who pick up takeout orders.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: People have made this place one of the most popular destinations for Chinese food in Polk County for a main reason — the food. Egg rolls were fried just right for nibbling. We ordered hot and sour and egg drop soups — you'd have a hard time picking which one was better.
For one meal, we ate sweet and sour chicken that came fried in a semi-crispy seasoned breading and covered with a perfect sauce. The sauce, mixed with rice only at the end of the meal, was plenty good. One meal was green onions beef, and the meat was tasty and cooked just right, not soggy, with the outside just a bit crispy and the inside softer. This Nibbles reviewer later foolishly played the lucky numbers inside a tasty fortune cookie.
PRICES: Fifteen lunch specials all for $7.50, including rice, egg roll and cookie. Dinners from $7.95 to $20.95, mostly in the $9.50 neighborhood.
Source: theledger.com