It’s 9 p.m. on a Tuesday and hunger has set in. You want something delicious, not that fourthmeal cramp-inducing fast food. You need sustenance, satisfaction and…sesame chicken.

In a poll of UNA students, a majority of 23 percent said their favorite restaurant in Florence was the one and only Rice Box on N. Wood Avenue. The restaurant offers a sit-down spin to your typical Chinese take-out, and clearly the locals love it. Below I have laid out some of the best dishes Rice Box has to offer and whether or not they are worth your money.

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Appetizer

Cheese Wontons

The greatest appetizer of all is deep fried and stuffed with cheese, just the way southerners like it. When I first ordered the cream cheese wontons, I was imagining the average Panda Express wonton that would fit in the palm of my hand. I was incredibly wrong. These wontons are giant and, when fresh, will ooze cream cheese filling. So, be careful. For a measly $3.99, you get eight massive wontons with sweet and sour sauce.

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Entree

Pineapple Chicken

The one. The only. The Rice Box delicacy. Pretty much everyone I know who has never been to Rice Box before makes this his or her first choice, and with good reason. The pineapple chicken is fried like sweet and sour chicken, then basted in a sweet, pineapple sauce and served with pineapples, broccoli, an egg roll and your choice of white or fried rice. The ideal Rice Box meal with a plentiful portion for only $5.98. Sweet, but not too sweet. Fruity, but not too fruity. On a budget? Don’t fudge it. Okay, I’ll stop.

Sichuan with Shrimp

Sichuan-style cooking is available for all meats, however the shrimp is by far my favorite. The crunch of the shrimp pairs beautifully with the onions, mushrooms, broccoli and green peppers. It definitely has a kick, so be prepared. It is nothing mind-blowing, but for those who cannot handle much heat should keep a glass of water nearby.

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Sushi

Strawberry Roll

Shrimp, cream cheese, cucumber, strawberry, black tobiko (or fish roe) and a sweet strawberry sauce gives the ordinary sushi roll an extraordinary spin. I have found fruits compliment shrimp very well and this case is no different. The strawberry welcomes the shrimp to your taste buds then is completed by the cream cheese and strawberry topping. I will admit, this roll is too sweet for me to finish and I would highly recommend splitting it with friends or family rather than eating it yourself.