Meet Your New Neighbor: Wok’d brings asian cuisine downtown
Angela Terrafino, founder of Wok’d
Downtown Lemont has long been a destination for delicious food, one-of-a-kind shops, and a strong sense of community—and now, it’s home to something new and exciting: authentic, allergen-friendly Asian cuisine.
Wok’d has officially opened its doors, bringing comfort food classics with a healthy twist, a commitment to quality ingredients, and an emphasis on inclusivity for a wide range of dietary needs.
We sat down with founder Angela Terrafino to learn more about how Wok’d came to be, what makes their menu special, and why she chose to plant roots in Lemont Downtown.
TF: Welcome to Lemont Downtown! Can you tell us a little about Wok’d and what sets you apart?
AT: Thank you! We’re one of the only Asian restaurants in Lemont—and the only one in Downtown. Our menu features comfort classics you know and love, but we prepare them as healthy as possible and with a big focus on allergen-friendly options.
All of our sauces are vegetarian and gluten-free, and most are vegan. Nearly every dish—except for two or three—can be made gluten-free. For example, our orange chicken is breaded in rice flour, so even celiacs can enjoy it! We use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce for everything, and we’re very careful with cross-contamination, especially around potstickers and wontons, which are the only items that have to include gluten.
Beef with broccoli from Wok-d | Molly Hebda Photography
TF: That’s amazing, asian food can be really hard for people with gluten allergies/celiacs! What inspired you to open Wok’d? Do you have a background in the food industry?
AT: I’ve been in the food industry for over 25 years. When I moved to Lemont in 2020, I fell in love with the community. I worked for Wooden Paddle for a while and just loved everything about being here.
Honestly, Wok’d started because I wanted Pad Thai—and couldn’t find it close by. When I ordered it from elsewhere, it wasn’t what I wanted, so I started making it myself. From there, the idea grew: bring good-quality Asian food to Lemont. I’m passionate about ingredients and will never cut quality to save a few bucks.
TF: How would you describe your menu to someone who hasn’t visited yet? Any must-try dishes?
AT: We’ve got the classics: Kung Pao, Beef and Broccoli, crab rangoons, chicken dumplings, edamame. My personal favorite is the Beijing noodle dish. I’ve always loved “create-your-own” style bowls, and we’ll be bringing that concept—Wok’d It Your Way—back soon.
Our secret Beijing sauce is my own creation from years of experimenting with create-your-own spots.
Beijing Noodles from Wok’d | Molly Hebda Photography
TF: Do you take a traditional or more modern approach to your recipes?
AT: I’d call it a modern approach with respect for tradition. I’m a huge advocate for quality over quantity. If something isn’t right, we pull it from the menu until it is. For example, Pad Thai is coming back soon, but it has a very specific technique, and I want to make sure it’s perfect before it goes back on the menu.
TF: Can people get your food to-go, or is this more of a dine-in experience?
AT: We’re set up for both, but right now we’re focused on takeout. Delivery will be available soon—definitely before winter. Online ordering is available now as well!
TF: How have you connected with the Lemont community so far? Any collaborations in the works?
AT: The support here has been incredible. Other businesses have really welcomed us. We’re looking at future collaborations—like working with Pilates House or Folklore Coffee for Thai Iced Tea.
My realtor originally suggested opening outside of downtown, but I knew I wanted to be here, and I’m so glad I pushed for it!
TF: You mentioned a soft launch—when was that, and what’s next?
AT: We had our soft launch on August 11! Right now, we’re running a limited menu while we finalize some exhaust system upgrades, but we’re open and serving guests.
TF: Do you have any special promotions or events coming up?
AT: Yes! We have a gift card promo—buy $100 and get $22 free. The “22” is special to me; it was my grandfather’s stock car racing number, and I see it everywhere, so I like including it in our story.
We’re also planning to launch catering soon—we already did our first wedding afterparty! Down the line, we’d love to host events, and provide more fun things to do downtown.
Molly Hebda Photography
TF: What are your hours of operation?
AT: We’re currently on limited hours:
Closed Tuesdays
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 4–8 PM (soon to be 4–9 PM)
Friday & Saturday: 4–9 PM (soon to be 3–10 PM)
Sunday: 2–8 PM (soon to be 12–8 PM)
And lunch service is coming soon!
TF: And what’s the best way for people to stay updated?
AT: Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @getwokd and check out our website, wok-d.com. We’ll be adding online ordering and updates there as we grow.
TF: Any final thoughts for your new neighbors in Lemont?
AT: We’re so excited to be part of this community. It’s been amazing to feel the support already, and we can’t wait to share our food, our story, and our passion with everyone here in Downtown Lemont.
