Joy's Mongolian Grill — Restaurant in Ames

Favorite Chinese!! This is the Chinese hole-in-the-wall that you need to know about. It’s small and a little outdated, but clean and their food is sooooo good.

Start with crab Rangoon. These are not like I’ve had anywhere in Des Moines, Ames, or Chicago. The outside shell is crispy and light. The inside is not thick and chunky, but light and sweet. My favorite by far.

They have many dumpling options. I’ve had chicken dumplings and vegetable dumplings. Both super yummy. I would ask for the vinegar with the vegetable dumpling — a great sauce paired with the vegetable dumplings. I prefer my dumplings pan-fried, so I ate a few at the restaurant then took the rest home and pan fried them to my liking… wowza!

The fried rice! The star of the show, it had a fantastic assortment of different vegetables not just peas, corn, and carrots. They added bean sprouts, broccoli, and mushrooms. The fried rice had that great “fire” taste you can’t recreate at home.

Don’t wait … go today! If you are in Ames or central Iowa, it’s worth the trip!! Oh they have hot pot as well… I need to check it...

Their portions were HUGE! Flavor was on the salty and spicy side, but that was understandable assuming the chef came from Hunan region. Their pork belly and seafood all tasted better than expected. The only con was their pig blood which had a funny texture to it. Unlike the increasing number of Chinese restaurants that charged extra for a second bowl of rice, I wasn't here. Yes, you might be greeted with an empty front desk, but it was understandable since I only counted two working in this small restaurant. I usually just approached near the kitchen and shouted "hello", and the lady would run out in a hurry. Utensils, dishes, take-out boxes and checkout were all friendly and professional. Overall, it was a 5*. I...

Joys will forever be my favorite place to eat. I want them to cater my wedding and my funeral and all mine and my kids birthdays. I constantly recommend them to others. Me and my bf come here often, every chance we get I normally get dry braised potatoes with spicy pork belly. It's hands down my favorite, my second favorite is the seafood spicy hotpot. Never been more in love with a restaurant my kids are even obsessed. It will be the last place i eat before i die straight up. I wish I would've left a review...