China Wok has carved up its final Peking duck.
The old-school Chinese restaurant permanently closed its doors at Pike 7 Plaza in Tysons at the end of July, wrapping up a 34-year run.
According to a notice posted to the front door, the owners decided to retire and were looking forward to going sight-seeing, taking cruises, watching the waves come in on the beach, and visiting family and friends.
“We would like to say to our customers — Good bye!” the notice says. “Thank you very much for your patronage and support over the years! We wish you well — healthy & happy!”
Opened at 8395 Leesburg Pike in 1991, China Wok aimed to serve “authentic and delicious tasting Chinese cuisine” at affordable prices, according to its website. The menu featured a range of traditional Chinese American fare, such as moo shi pork, chow foon noodles, and General Tso’s chicken, but the longtime standout was the Peking duck, which could be purchased as a half or whole.
The restaurant closed for a period in 2014 after a grease fire resulted in an estimated $100,000 worth of property damage, though all employees and customers evacuated safely.
It’s not yet clear what will fill the approximately 1,800-square-foot space next to Dave’s Hot Chicken, but Fairfax County received building plans on July 19 for a new tenant named “Mian restaurant,” a name that suggests a new Chinese eatery might be in store.
The identity and contact information for the owner of the new business doesn’t appear to be available. There is a Mian Noodle House in Fredericksburg, but when FFXnow called, the person who picked up the phone said they have no plans to expand to Tysons — though a restaurant in D.C. is being considered.
Fairfax County staff are currently waiting for additional information before starting a review of the building plans, per the county’s permit database.
According to the submitted plans, the new owners are planning “minimum alteration of the existing restaurant layout,” aside from some equipment replacements, such as a water heater and a hand sink in the kitchen. An internal door at the front entrance will be demolished so the vestibule can better accommodate people with wheelchairs.
With China Wok’s closure, Pike 7 Plaza is void of Chinese restaurants, but other types of East Asian food are still available, including Japanese from Kusshi Ko and Sakura Japanese Cuisine, Vietnamese from Pho 7 Plus, and Korean barbecue at Ingle Korean Steakhouse.
A site plan for the shopping center show Sweetgreen moving into the large, currently empty suite adjacent to Cava Grill, but property owner Federal Realty declined to confirm the tenant when asked, suggesting a lease might not be finalized yet.
Federal Realty did officially announce last week that Sweetgreen will be coming to Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean, along with the beach-themed Tex Mex restaurant Surfside.
