Dick's Wok Inn - Sandspit

Dick’s Wok-Inn is a classic example of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” From the outside, this establishment looks a little tired and a little worn down, but the outside appearance is far from being a visual representation of the interior or of the food quality. Now, I’m not going to fib and say this place is home to some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever had, because it isn’t; however, for Westernized Chinese cuisine it’s still pretty darn good. The various prawn dishes Dick offers on the menu are noteworthy, as are – surprisingly – the dry boneless spareribs (these are some of the best I’ve had, and I say that with complete honesty). And, along with the decent food, I love the atmosphere. The interior of the restaurant is very much a throwback to the very late 1970s-early 1980s, which is when Dick set up shop in Sandspit. In that regard, this place brings back a lot of memories.When I was younger, Dick’s Wok-Inn was very much a staple when visiting Sandspit. Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, Sandspit used to have 737 jet service at least twice a day: one mid-morning flight and one evening flight. We would typically utilize the evening service because it was more convenient (it departed at around 8PM, if I recall correctly). Taking the late departure allowed us to visit with relatives in Sandspit and, more to the point of this review, allowed us to enjoy a good meal at Dick’s prior to heading to the airport. Even as a kid I loved the interior: the fish tank with many a large and lively fish and, close to the check-out counter a wall full of real currency from around the world. I always used to marvel at this wall and thought that the “world” currency made our Canadian money look so stale.For a number of years, Dick’s Wok-Inn also featured a small grocery store; however, this has since closed due to the steep reduction in the population of Sandspit (minus just over 50% since the 80s). I mention this in passing because it was at this little convenience store that I discovered “Old Dutch Crunchys” (my favourite cheesie for many years) and “Big Chief Beef Jerky” (which I still maintain is some of the best jerky out there). So, Dick’s is important in that regard from a personal perspective, too.But, as I said above, the food is basically your average Western Chinese, so why the slightly higher rating? The customer service. Nowadays Dick’s is literally a 2-person operation. The restaurant is run by Dick and his wife, so if it gets busy in the restaurant you may have to wait a while for your food. Regardless of how busy it may be, Dick – as the cook – will still take the time to come out and ask how everything is: how are you? How’s your meal? Is everything okay? From a customer standpoint, this little “check in” is important because it shows that Dick, as the owner of the restaurant, cares about his customers and what he puts out.Do I have any complaints? Well, one; however, it’s not really the fault of the restaurant. I’m not sure how long these hours have been in effect, but the restaurant is only open from 5PM to 10PM. If you’re not a resident of Sandspit, this proves problematic because, unless you intend to spend the night in town, it means that – even if you wanted to – you cannot dine here. Why? In the last couple of years BC Ferries, as the money-grubbing corporation it is, eliminated all of the later ferry departures on the Alliford Bay-Skidegate route, with the last departure leaving Alliford Bay (Sandspit) at 5:35PM. During (especially) the summer season, I suspect this type of scheduling hurts the Sandspit economy, including preventing Dick’s Wok-Inn from potentially expanding clientele. Oh well, at least this place still gets good business from the locals, hence, “this is where the locals come to eat.”FOOD: 3/5SERVICE: 5/5VALUE: 3.5/5RECOMMENDATION: If you’re staying in Sandspit, Dick’s is a “must eat at” location. The atmosphere of the restaurant, concomitant with the exceptional customer service, justify the visit.

The place isn't much to look at from the outside. The sign on the door warns not to wear fragrance or it will cause a severe reaction with the owner/cook Thought that strange, but, inside, it's nice enough and a friendly atmosphere. The food was good, and proportions were big. Based on the clientele, its a favorite with the locals. I'd go back

It s all about the person. Dick is a wonderful man, who likes to talk to people visiting his establishment. He has been a part of this small community for over 30 years. A local institution. Good hearty portions of good chinese-canadian food.

We went here with Low expectations but found it was delicious Chinese food. Portions were good service was quick and friendly and the selection of the menu was good as well. I would definitely recommend it if you are staying in Sandspit.

As always, very friendly. Delicious wonton soup. Good portion sizes. Very nice Chinese green tea. Glad our guest house recommended it.