NOT FOUND: restaurant review2.jpgOf all the hole in wall restaurants in all the strip malls in the world, I had to walk into Palace One.

Typically, when someone says “lets go get Chinese” there is a gauge we use to determine what kind of meal we will have. East of Chinatown, it’s either P.F. Chang’s, Panda Express or the local hole in the wall. I, myself, favor the more authentic tastes. So, a friend and I dined out at Palace One on the spur of the moment, which had me thinking - there are three main reasons for doing Chinese tonight:

1. Its affordable: This is a meal that many can only eat half of, and then enjoy leftovers the next day - all for about $10-$15. That’s two meals in one. Plus, who doesn’t get full on rice and noodles.

2. It’s easier to order than to DIY: There is also the factor of not being able to perfect the cuisine at home. I can make Mexican. I can cook up Italian. I own a wok, but would have to watch many episodes of Martin Yan to be able to even touch kung pao with a ten foot spatula.

3. It supports local business. I don’t want to see any more shuttered businesses.

Many enjoy meals at some of the bigger, more well known Chinese places. Granted, nothing beats finding a treasured “mom and pop.”

NOT FOUND: restaurant review1.jpgTHE REVIEW: Palace One

Décor: Check

Tucked away in the business complex behind Carl’s Jr, on Elkhorn Blvd, it is nestled between Sol Tequila Mexican and an Indian grocery store. The pleasant, almost elegant décor took you from fast food imaginings to the feeling of something nicer.

This place has been here for years under different owners and different names. You can’t even find a current review or photo online (that is until now on northsacnews. com), so it is decidedly a “diamond in the rough.”

The first thing you notice upon walking in is a very exotic looking fish in a medium-sized aquarium. Crystal chandeliers are mounted to the ceiling. The booths and dining tables and chairs look well maintained, and the carpeted floor was clean. (So were the dishes.)

Tasty Food : Check

At 6 p.m., the dinner crowd was just drifting in. The waitress, young and accommodating, immediately brought tumblers of ice water and was willing to let us make changes to the “Dinner Combination” special for just a couple dollars more. I ordered coconut shrimp, (yum) fried with a sweet sauce and flakes of real coconut and tender broccoli beef. My friend, Lissette, ordered cashew chicken and shrimp with broccoli.

The first course is a bowl of wonton soup. Lissette was hesitant, having never eaten a wonton. I told her if she didn’t want it, I’d eat it for her, as I appreciate Chinese soups. The broth I typically taste at other restaurants is chicken, but Palace One uses a pork broth with pork-stuffed wontons and tender We will be serving Corned Beef & Cabbage, Pints of Beer and Mint Chip Milk Shakes the week of March 17th. cabbage. Lissette asked me what was in the soup. Having eaten many a soup (and after hanging around Asian kitchens), this typically is a broth with chopped cabbage or bok choy, and a wonton wrapper (thin pastry used to make egg rolls), stuffed with meat. Usually, a special ground pork sausage (don’t think Italian).

Generous Portions: Double Check

We both received an egg roll, cream cheese-stuffed wonton and a piece of foil-wrapped chicken. Dinner combos come with a choice of pork fried rice or chicken chow mein, instead of a serving of both on the side. The fried rice was cooked thoroughly, steaming hot (just how I like it), flavorful and tender, without being too saucy. Rice, as well as noodles, boil down to a matter of texture and sauce. The chow mein didn’t disappoint with noodles cooked just right with a balance of meat and veggies. Service was very fast and the servings were generous.

At the end of the meal, it was time for a fortune cookie. This one included a note that was amusing and accurate:

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started”.

So go ahead and get started on a plate of Palace One Chinese at 5239 Elkhorn Boulevard, or call (916) 332-1786 for pick up orders. If you have time though, dine in. It is a rare find. Tell them the North Sacramento News sent you!