Joy Cafe — Restaurant in Philadelphia

It’s disappointing to have to write this, especially as someone who has supported this establishment since its Soy Café days. I’ve placed my trust in this business for years, having ordered here close to 20 times or more. Unfortunately, my recent experiences have made it clear that there are serious operational inefficiencies that seem to be getting worse, not better.

I typically extend grace to small businesses, especially those I truly enjoy. But this is not an isolated incident—it’s been several visits now where the wait times have been unreasonably long, even for small orders. Today was the final straw. I ordered ahead at 12:56 PM and arrived around 1:17 PM expecting my food to be ready (I’m aware that sometimes orders can take up to 30mins so I was fine waiting the 5mins they told me when I arrive there, which was still not true) I was on a tight schedule. Not only was it not prepared, I was told it would take an additional 15 minutes due to one of the items being made to order. (the Time “Fries” When I’m Wit-cha) My food wasn’t ready until 1:36 PM—40 minutes after placing my order for just two items: a Ham-n-Cheezy and the Time “Fries” When I’m Wit-cha.

Additionally, there was an issue with my refund. I had to decline the fries due to the wait, and while I accepted an alternative, I was charged $12.96 and only refunded $9.92. I’m still owed money, and more importantly, it reflects a concerning lack of attention to detail and discrepancies this business has with its patrons. (I’ve seen others write similar reviews about the discrepancies this business has with its patrons)

What’s troubling is that this interaction was with the owner, Alice. If this is how business is being managed at the top, it’s no surprise these kinds of issues persist. Operational inefficiencies, poor communication, and long delays are not sustainable—no matter how good your concept is. I genuinely liked the health-forward menu, but the food quality/taste does not justify the poor service or the disorganization I’ve repeatedly witnessed.

It’s unfortunate, but I will no longer be returning and will be recommending my fellow vegetarian/vegan friends to not return here as well. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for the team to reassess how this business is being run. Because right now, it feels like a recipe for disaster and a near future “out of business” sign...

SOY CAFE SURPRISED ME!!!

Every time I think of “vegan diet”, I kind of holding back ( base on my definition: vegan= fruits, vegetables, cold, dry, and tasteless food) but SOY CAFE surprised me!

I gained a lot of weight since pandemic, my doctor ask me to change my diet and more exercise. I did some research on a healthy diet, I challenge myself for a 30 days Vegan Diet.

SOY CAFE is the closest vegan restaurant with the highest review near my area.

As soon as I walk in, the worker gave me a friendly greeting. This place is really nice and cozy. Their menu surprised me the most! Instead of a boring and cold salad, they have ramen, pho, omelette and wraps too.

As a meat lover, I ordered the veggie cheesesteak wrap for myself, a bbq miso ramen for my wife, and a cup of Name-Your-Own juice.

The cheesesteak wrap is big and delicious: the grilled soy beef have chewy texture like meat, the cheese is tasty with a nutty flavor, the sauce taste like honey mustard, and the wrap fill with fresh green vegetable and onion.

Bbq miso ramen is different than the traditional ramen: they are less oily and less creamy but rich and delicious. It’s definitely the best miso soup I ever had. the soy meat tasted like spam meat with bbq flavor. They put a lot of carrots and kale which give you a crunchy texture with the noodles.

Name- your- own juice: I choose beet, kale and orange. Beet and kale is a well known superfood. I added OJ to help balance the leafy greens taste from kale and add sweetness to the beet juice. The juice turn out surprisingly good.

As a meat lover, I never expected vegan diet can be as tasty and flavorful as the real cheesesteak wrap and miso ramen.

Strongly recommended!!! I will definitely go back to this place again.

Hint: place your order first by phone or online. I waited 10-15 minutes, since everything is...

I say this was disappointment and want to preface I love the food here and always look forward to visiting, but the last 4 times I’ve visited I’ve had issues every time.

The last time I’ve visited, again a lot of things they didn’t have, but the thing I did order (the waffles) I never actually got. I waited over 30 minutes and was given no update. The person I was with got their food within 15 minutes. I was looked at now and then (avoided weirdly enough) as I waited but no one told me anything. I go up and ask if there is any rough idea when my food would be ready when I’m told the oven for the waffles wasn’t working. Again, had I been told from the beginning this wouldn’t have been as big of an issue. So I ended up just canceling the order because I didn’t want to wait another 30 minutes for my food.

The results of my past visits have me not wanting to visit for a while, unsure if or when I’d go back. :(

The first time they didn’t have the oat milk ice cream and other ingredients (multiple). No big deal, I just wish there was some note or posting somewhere to let me know ahead of time.

Every time over the last 4 visits they didn’t have any gluten free bread or gluten free bagels. Now as someone who is allergic to gluten, my options for food were cut to a very small selection. Again, please post it somewhere so I know to wait to come back until I can actually order the foods I have...