After a long day at cheer choreography practice I felt famished. My friend suggested Jimy Wen’s, a sit-down eatery that she promised was casual and quick.

The restaurant, located on the Northwest corner of Herndon and Cedar, is a small Asian-themed restaurant with a menu full of generic Chinese food. Though the chain often lacks customers, Jimy Wen’s will cater to those looking for an alternative to Panda Express.

When my party and I arrived, the owner led us to a small maroon booth with a simply-furnished table. Folded napkins and wrapped chopsticks lay on each table, while modern light fixtures hung overhead. With walls of a rusty peach hue, a lining of cherry wood and a darker atmosphere, Jimy Wen’s felt more inviting to the young adult crowd.

It took awhile for my party and I to relax and feel welcome. The hostess was friendly yet the atmoshere was cold and uninviting. The restaurant was empty when we arrived and stayed empty throughout our dining experience.

As my party waited for our order, we scanned the large menu. I found myself torn between many options. The menu ranged from the basic chow mein ($6.95) and fried rice ($7.95) to kung pao veggie tofu ($7.50). In the end we decided on a few dishes that we could all share.

Our first appetizer, an egg flour soup for $6.25, came promptly. Made with celery, carrots, yoke and pepper, the soup consisted of a dense broth. It tasted thick and peppery, yet wasn?t to my liking. The flavor was too full of unfamiliar flavors that did not mix well for me.

After the soup, the pot stickers arrived, priced low at $5.95. Six pot stickers came covered with a brown garlic sauce. The texture of this dish was chewy and slimy, a tasty combination despite disturbing imagery. They were made out of diced potatoes, cooked and battered in dough. The filling is a mix of chopped up chicken, onions and celery.

Next came the my main dish: five lettuce wraps stacked on a plate. The meat is cut up in small pieces and served on a separate dish and totaled $10.95.

Our last tasty dish, the orange chicken, was served next. Small, fried pieces of orange chicken came out on a beige dish smothered in tangy orange sauce. These classic chicken bits melted in my mouth and finished the meal nicely. The $8.95 price agreed with my wallet as well.

Despite a few unpleasant and unsurprising dishes and the impersonal atmosphere, Jimy Wen’s offers quick and quality food outside of any typical Asian restaurant.

Jimy Wen’s is always ready to cook a new dish. Not only is the food of good quality, prices are also fairly reasonable. My total came out to be $20.41 for four people.

Be sure to visit Jimy Wen?s Asian Restaurant, open from Monday-Friday 11-8:30 and 4:30-8:30 on weekends. Contact the owner at (559) 297-0384.

For more restaurant reviews, visit the May 22 article, Bread Mill manufactures healthful carbs.