On Wednesday, Bobbino and G-mah invited us to Lennox Pub. When Chew Steel and I entered, it took me a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. When my vision focused, I admired the pub’s polished wood fixtures and finishes. Let’s listen “Hot N Cold” by Katie Perry to this post.

Since it was happy hour, we drank tall skinny sleeves of lager ($4.50) and ordered happy hour wings ($5.00). I added ranch dip, and Bobbino wanted carrots and celery. While we drank, Bobbino regaled me with a story about the great wor wonton he and G-Mah ate from Hot’ N Fast, a Chinese takeout-only spot near their home.

The wings are baked rather than fried, resulting in a less crispy wing. However, that didn’t detract from the juicy, tender meat. The tang from the hot wings was delicious, though the salt and pepper flavouring wasn’t noticeable. The vegetables were crisp and tasted fresh. I would order the hot wings again.

For a whole bunch of alcoholic drinks, two Diet Cokes, and three orders of wings and veggies, the bill was only $68! G-Mah only ate two wings, and I was still hungry, so I suggested I pick up a snack from Hot’ N Fast. Bobbino started to suggest items, and G-Mah scoffed at him, stating, “She knows what to get; she doesn’t need recommendations from you.” Of course, I already looked up all the reviews and knew what I wanted. I looked for Asian reviewers and based my decision on their comments and restaurant history. I also learned from Bobbino’s past stories what they ordered: chicken balls, lemon chicken, fried rice, beef and broccoli, and some vegetable dishes for Veggie Girl, my sister-in-law. I wanted to order something they never tried.

I called Hot’ N Fast before we left the pub, and when I got to the store, three customers were waiting for the food. The female owner was packing the orders while her husband cooked a storm in the back. One customer who couldn’t read the room said loudly to another person, “My wife saw our credit card bill and asked me what the hell I got that was hot and fast?” While he chuckled at his lewd joke, the other male customer looked uncomfortable, and the other customer and I looked away. Based on the female owner expressionless reaction, I gathered she didn’t care or just wanted those orders and customers out of her shop.

I ordered Salt and Pepper Squid ($15.95), Honey Garlic Ribs ($13.50), and Sliced Beef Ho Fun ($13.95). The dishes are inexpensive; you’re paying 2011 prices. Of the three, G-Mah and I loved the beef noodles. So freaking delicious. The noodles and beef had that mouth-watering smoky flavour you only get from a super hot wok. The beef was tender, and the noodles were glossy and toothsome. Even the bean sprouts tasted fresh. I would order this again, as it is as good as I can get in Vancouver.

Bobbino enjoyed the honey garlic ribs the most. I thought the ribs were tasty, but I would have liked more garlic and honey in the sauce. I found Hot and Fast’s version more soy-based, and the batter was a tad soft.

Chew Steel’s favourite dish was the salt and pepper squid. The squid itself was cooked perfectly, not rubbery at all. Hot’ N Fast’s version contained crisp green peppers, onions, and carrots. I liked the heat in the spicy seasoning, and I noticed none of the food was overly salty.

I would return for the beef rice noodles, and I hear the Singapore noodles are good. With the chef’s obvious wok hei skills, I would also order a fried rice dish. For inexpensive, Westernized Chinese takeout, I dig Hot’ N Fast. To be continued.

For more reviews like this, see my picks for cheap eats in Calgary under $15.