Joy City — Restaurant in Elk Grove

I have been a loyal customer for decades. Even this new ownership around COVID, I would come this restaurant to support a local business for the last 3 years or so since they took over. I or my wife would order takeout at least once a week, sometimes up to three times a week and even ordering their Chinese family meals on special occasions.

On Sunday, I have never had such an unwelcomed/rude service eating Dim Sum there. I am a Cantonese speaker and I communicated in Cantonese. She is around 5'3, Bob cut hair, in her 50s with a square face. I was calm the whole time meeting with an old friend.

Initially when half of my order was out, around 10:45, the restaurant wasn't fully packed, she was bringing out the Dim Sum, she set the dinner tray on the edge of my table. So in my mind I should clear some of the items to aside it so the tray won't spill. She gave out a huge sigh, reached out before me and turned the Dim sum order paper towards her direction to write on it. I didn't think much of it.

She was really busy and I wanted to place a take out order as well. She was moving about without giving my table much attention. When she brought out another dish. I asked her to place two more Dim Sum dishes for take out. She said just write it on the margin of the Dim Sum order paper, I'll get back to you later.

I waited another 10 mins. She was still busy. So I talked to another waitress that was taller, she was maybe around 5'6, in her 20s, clear skinned, long hair with a v shaped face. I asked her to place my takeout Dim Sum order and a chow fun. She said what kind of chow fun? Then I told her beef chow fun. She said oh just tell your waitress.

Maybe another 10 mins past, my waitress comes back to my area, I asked her again to place my take out order. 2 mins later, this time I see the two waitress chat with the (front) manager near the register, she is 5'2, in her 40s, clear skinned, v shaped face.

The manager comes over, did you want two orders of the take out Dim Sum or just one, you asked two waitresses? I just said, just one order. They were busy and it was loud, so I didn't want to explain to her that I tried over 15 - 20 mins. When I asked the younger, taller waitress, she told me to talk to my waitress?

When I was almost done with my food, only a 3 items left, seeing how busy my waitress was and not knowing when she will have time for me, I asked her for my bill and a box. She brings my recipe back and I still give her a 15% tip in a $70 order, making my bill $80.

My waitress then drops off a Chinese broccoli dish with hoisin, which I never ordered. Then she left but, I waved her back letting her know that it wasn't my order. I could of kept the dish and another customer could get mad at her but, I didn't.

We're casually eating, so we can finish the last few items. Not even 5 mins later, my waitress this time cleaning the table next to mine said to me in a passive aggressive/sassy tone, if you don't want the empty styrofoam box, we could have "han faun" it translates to be frugal/save, I didn't say anything but, I thought myself, I spent like $80 just now with a $10 tip for her, why would she say something over a 20 cent styrofoam box? She made ordering my take out drama while she only dropped off items and leaved.

After that comment not even 2 seconds later, she adds, if you wanted to still eat here, you shouldn't have asked for the bill in her sassy condescending tone. Eh...so it's not because she was extremely busy? It wasn't even worth arguing over, since my friend was with his 3 yo daughter eating with us.

I've been an assistant manager at Panda Express, we get lines wrapped to the outside of the building for the lunch and dinner rush that lasted 2 hours each, on the weekdays serving workers.

If you can't handle a Dim Sum morning rush on the weekends, don't be in this line of business. This line of business requires, good food, good service, and cleanliness. Lacking any one, you lose customers, especially in this economy. I am taking my Dim Sum cravings to ABC Bakery and Lucky Jade in...

Joy City in Elk Grove has recently changed ownership. They have dim sum now and the kitchen items are much better than before.

I was here twice for dinner in the last week. I haven't tried their dim sum yet. So this review is mainly for their kitchen dishes and services.

I received a nice greeting on both visits and was seated right away without waiting. The dining room is pretty much the same as before. They didn't have a major remodel after the new management.

The food is much better than before. I loved the Braised Sliced Pork Belly with Preserved Mustard Vegetables the best on my first visit and a few more dishes. The Pork Stomach with Black Pepper, Gingko, Bean Curd Skim Soup is almost remarkable. I ordered on my 2nd visit too!

I like their food. I'm glad we have one more excellent Chinese restaurant in my hometown. Most choices are better.

The parking lot is safe and easy to get a parking space near the restaurant. I'm sure I will come...

I was staying in the area and happened across this Chinese resto. Walked over from the hotel. I was surprised at some of the real authentic Chinese menu items offered and specials. Different kinds of crab and things like pork belly and the porridge even on the menu. There was of course all the normal American faves, like sweet and sour stuff and egg rolls. As I sat there I saw most of the to go orders were for the American style foods and the people sitting in the restaurant were getting the more authentic stuff. I got the Chicken fried rice with salty fish which was recommended to me by an Asian friend and pork belly braised, cause anything pork belly I love. The food here is fantastic, but I can see getting food to go you'll lose some of the experience of the food ... just like to go pizza is never as good as dine in pizza all...