When it comes to food, few dishes encapsulate Fall River more than its signature chow mein sandwich — a Spindle City invention now famous far and wide.

A Fall River without Hoo-Mee Chow Mein — produced for decades in the city by the legendary Oriental Chow Mein Co. — is like the waterfront without the Big Mamie.

So a recent disruption in operations at Oriental’s 42 Eighth St. facility has caused a bit of a noodle panic at area restaurants who rely on the business for their chow mein noodle supply.

According to Nelson Wong, whose family has owned Oriental Chow Mein Co. for generations, one of their machines — specifically a roller that rolls out the noodle dough — is down and in the process of getting repaired.

See more at heraldnews.com.