Ho Lucky Restaurant - STEWIACKE

So I only have a small sample size -- just one takeout order. They were quick enough -- and the place looked clean (though I didn't go in the bathroom). But the food was a cut below (nothing special) receding down toward awful, though surely at least slightly better than inedible.I was driving from Moncton, NB to Halifax, NS on a poker playing journey. I was very hungry, having missed lunch somehow. It was about 3PM. I decided that I just wanted something I could eat while I drove. And though it might seem incogruous, an order of pork strips and hot and sour soup fit the bill perfectly (I have mastered the art of drinking soup like a cup of coffee. And with handy napkins, pork strips make the ideal "driving snack" -- as long as they're not too hot).After placing my order, I waited in my car, listening on satellite radio to some 1950s drama. I went in to check on things after about 15 minutes -- and my food was just about done. I left 5 minutes later, eager to enjoy Canadian-Chinese food. Would it be the same as American-Chinese? Would there be a slight difference? A profound one? My tastebuds wondered.I had my answer immediately. As soon as I took the lid off the soup and started sipping I knew that this was not my grandmother's Chinese soup. The broth was thick, almost stand-up-on-its-own thick with corn starch. Yech. The small shards of vegetable and meat were completely overpowered by the thickness of the soup -- that tasted vaguely like the **** they pour over fries up this way -- poutine or something like that I think. The wonderful clashing of white pepper, vinegar, and tomato that makes for the hotness and the sour? Barely a note. I did something I have done only 3 or 4 times since I started buying meals for myself at the tender age of 12. I tossed out more than half of something that wasn't rotten -- just not to my liking.The pork strips were not as bad. But they were only distant cousins to the moist and juicy ones I normally find in American-Chinese take-out joints. These were dried, 1/4 inch pieces of pork, literally buried in a thick syrupy goo -- I guess they consider this to be the "honey-sauce" or "orange sauce" or whatever their name for the heavy-on-the corn syrup sauce is. I confess to dutifully finishing the container of them. but I felt sick and guilty about it afterwards.This wasn't the worst Chinese food I've ever had (half frozen egg rolls accompanied by a rancid hot and sour soup takes that prize). But "methinks not" sums it up fairly well.

Good service and we received our meals within 15 minutes. The dining area is small, but sufficient. Good location, just a few minutes from the highway. There is also plenty of parking at the rear of the restaurant.

Great food, friendly people. Fresh and delicious. I live in Toronto and have a hard time finding good Chinese food. This was better then any other place I've tried.

We found ourselves in the area and struggling to find somewhere to eat that wasn't fast food. Ho Lucky came on the radar and we weren't sure, but thought it was worth a try. I'm so glad we did! The food was very good, portion sizes were excellent, and the owners were so nice. There were six of us, so we tried quite a few different menu options, and all were good. The Szechuan beef was especially good - vegetables were fresh and crisp, and flavors were great. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area.

This is literally a mom and pop Canadian chinese food place. A sweet older couple seems to run it although I have no formal knowledge of the owners. The food here is good and you get lots of it. My favorite dish, which I have purchased at least half a dozen times is the beef and thick noodles, I would say they give you enough for two full meals. The kicker is price, you may about $15 bucks to get a that single noodle dish I mentioned before. It is HUGE, and the service is good, but if it was just a little cheaper I could move my rating to very good. Sadly I have not sampled much more of the menu, but if the noodles are any indication I would say you get quantity over quality but served with a small business touch that makes it all worth while. Lastly they offer chop sticks if you like them and you get a free fortune cookie with your order ;)