This Small-Town Pennsylvania Chinese Spot Serves Sesame Chicken Locals Swear Beats The Big Names
I rolled into Kane with a rumble in my stomach and a whispered rumor that the best sesame chicken in the region hides inside a snug little storefront on North Fraley.
One bite at Peking Wok and that rumor didn’t just prove itself—it practically pulled up a chair, shook my hand, and insisted on becoming part of my travel gospel.
The place hums with small-town warmth and big-hearted flavor, the kind that turns a quick detour into a story you keep retelling. If you think only the big names can deliver the ultimate crunch and glow, this tiny kitchen is ready to change your mind with a knowing grin.
Sesame Spark That Starts The Show
First, the door chimes and the aroma waves hello like an old friend who remembers your favorite song. The sesame chicken arrives glistening like a well polished story, with a crisp coat that snaps before giving way to tender bite.
Each piece is lacquered in a sauce that balances sweet and savory with a quiet squeeze of citrus and a whisper of toasted sesame. I watched steam curl up like punctuation, while locals swapped quick nods with the staff. The plate lands hot, generous, and confident, as if to say this is why you came.
The crunch stays even after a few minutes, no soggy detours, just steady satisfaction. I felt my shoulders drop and my pace slow, the way they do when you know you picked the right place. Big city promises suddenly felt far away, and I did not miss them.
Location With A Friendly Compass
Look for the steady heartbeat of Kane on North Fraley and you will spot the cozy storefront that anchors Peking Wok at Ste A. It sits among brick facades and easy parking, the kind of place where you can step in from cool Pennsylvania air and be promised warmth.
Inside, the counter crew greets you with the kind of genuine hello that says they recognize faces even under winter hats. Orders glide from kitchen to bag with nimble rhythm. The menu board is clear, prices friendly, and the vibe says take a breath, you are fed now.
I loved how the space feels both tidy and lived in, like a kitchen that gets things done. Reviews echo my first impression, praising quick service and consistent quality. If you need bearings, follow your nose and the steady traffic of locals who know where dinner happiness lives.
Batter That Balances Crunch And Comfort
Here is the secret handshake of Peking Wok’s sesame chicken: a batter so light it feels like applause around each bite. The crust shatters just enough, never greedy, letting the chicken stay juicy and proud. Sauce clings with a glossy sheen then slides across the palate, sweet first, savory second, and a sesame finish that lingers like a good chorus.
I noticed the pieces were neatly cut, not hulking boulders, which keeps the ratio right. A quick toss with fresh broccoli adds crisp green punctuation and a little happy crunch.
The presentation is simple, which lets the texture do the talking, and the texture talks like a local radio host with perfect timing. Reviewers rave about consistent crispness and I nod in agreement between bites. It tastes like care, not shortcuts. If comfort could crackle, it would sound like this plate.
Sauce With A Story And Zero Drama
The sauce at Peking Wok is that easy going friend who always understands the assignment. It arrives bright but not flashy, sweet with purpose, and carries a savory bass line that keeps things grounded. There is a gentle tang that perks up the taste buds without stealing the spotlight.
I found myself chasing the last glossy puddles around the container, coaxing every seed and drop onto my fork. It never turns cloying or heavy, the culinary equivalent of a clean finish to a good conversation. Reviews often mention great flavor without overload, and I can see why.
Paired with fresh steamed rice, the sauce soaks in like a compliment you keep replaying. By the last bite I felt content, not weighed down. If sauce could have manners, this one says please and thank you and tips its hat on the way out.
Speed, Smiles, And Small Town Rhythm
Service here moves like a well rehearsed dance that still feels spontaneous. I ordered, blinked, and a careful handoff placed hot sesame chicken in my orbit with a friendly smile. The team checks names, confirms sauces, and offers small clarifications that save you from guesswork.
It felt like neighbors helping neighbors, which matches what reviewers praise most. Waiting never felt like waiting because the staff kept it light and quick. When I asked about spice options, they gave honest tips on how to nudge heat without losing balance.
The bag was neatly packed, rice secure, and fortune cookies tucked like tiny high fives. I left feeling looked after, not rushed, which is the sweet spot for any meal. Efficiency plus kindness is the kind of math that keeps people coming back. Peking Wok solves that equation daily.
Beyond Sesame: Menu Moves That Impress
Curiosity nudged me to wander the menu and it rewarded my nosy taste buds. The lo mein arrives springy and well seasoned, with vegetables that still crunch and chicken that stays tender. Wonton soup comes clear and comforting, the kind of broth that fixes the day’s frayed edges.
Egg rolls are golden and tidy, their cabbage and pork balance earning a quiet nod. General Tso’s has a bolder kick with a hint of chili glow, perfect when you want fireworks.
Beef with broccoli tastes bright and honest, sauce clinging to florets like friendly confetti. Reviewers call out portion sizes and value, and my fridge happily held a second round. Still, sesame chicken remains the headliner, the song you came to hear. The rest of the setlist proves the band has range and heart.
Value That Feels Like A High Five
Price meets portion at Peking Wok like two friends who know how to share. The sesame chicken fills the container like it paid for the extra seat, and the rice is fluffy and generous. I left with leftovers and the happy knowledge that lunch tomorrow was already solved.
Reviews often mention fair prices and dependable portions, and my experience matched line for line. The value does not cut corners on flavor or freshness, which makes the deal feel even better.
Everything tastes made to order rather than mass produced. That kind of care shows up in both the crunch and the balance. When a small town spot respects your budget and your appetite, you remember. I sure did, and I plan to thank them by returning with an even bigger appetite. Consider this a wallet friendly standing ovation.
The Afterglow And Why I Will Be Back
Walking out onto North Fraley, I felt that warm afterglow reserved for meals that land just right. The sesame chicken still whispered sesame and citrus in the best possible way. I looked back at the doorway and caught a wave from the counter, the kind of simple courtesy that leaves a mark.
Reviews describe the place as welcoming and consistent, and I can sign my name to that sentiment with a happy pen. This is food that honors the town it serves, and it made me feel like part of the neighborhood.
If you crave honest crunch, balanced sauce, and kind people, this kitchen will fit you like a favorite sweater. Big chains may have billboards, but Peking Wok has heart and craft. That is the reason I will keep steering toward 79 N Fraley St, Ste A, again and again.