Made in Asia offers a Delicious Variety of Food
Jude Bolick, staff writer
It can be dangerous to go grocery shopping while hungry. A growling stomach can lead to a full cart of groceries when a jug of milk was the only thing on the list. Luckily, there’s a restaurant at Zion Crossroads that is perfect to stop at before a shopping trip, or just to satisfy a craving for some good Asian food. Made in Asia is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. They serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
I stopped by on a Saturday with my sister and father before we went grocery shopping, arriving just as it was opening. As we pushed the double doors open, the faint smell of sweet and spicy sauce filled our noses. We got a booth immediately after entering, and a small plate of pickled cucumbers was provided shortly after.
My sister and I ordered water, which tasted like tap water, and my father ordered a Bud Light draft ($3.50). Other drinks offered are various sodas and a bar with mixed drinks made on the spot, including sake, which is a Japanese rice wine.
After the server brought back our drinks, we had already gone over the lunch menu and decided what we wanted to order. I got the Pad See Ew with Tofu, my sister got the Pad Thai with Tofu, and my father got the Thai Red Curry Chicken with rice, which he substituted with Tofu with no problems. Each dish cost $8.25 each and came with an egg roll or wonton or egg drop soup. Chopsticks are available upon request. My father also ordered Tom Yum Soup ($4.75). During dinner hours, the prices are higher and it tends to get more crowded, so I always try to come during lunch.
We did not have to wait long before food came, which was hot out of the kitchen. We all tried each other’s dishes, enjoying the variety. Mine was sweet and filling, my sister’s was a bit sour with a nutty taste to it and my father’s was hearty and somewhat spicy. While we ate, the radio played a wide variety of music, from late eighties to modern. I knew the words to all the ones that came on, making it difficult to resist the urge to sing along.
After we had finished, we got a box for the leftovers and the check, which came with a fortune cookie for each of us. The total price was $36.07 for the three of us before tip, and everyone was full and satisfied.
Having eaten a good meal that left us with a happy full stomach feeling, we paid and left to get our shopping done with renewed energy. I knew later that day I would enjoy having the leftovers we brought home, too. Everything always reheats really well, tasting just like it did when you first had it.
With such a wide variety of food, such as noodles, fried rice, and sweet and sour chicken with vegetables, Made in Asia is sure to have what you are looking for, and for a reasonable price. It is located at 39 Market St., Zion Crossroads.
