Reviews for Joy Garden Restaurant

07/10/2014 - David VanDevelder
We went with friends recently, and it was like stepping into a time machine. The decor, the tiki-drinks (Suffering Bastard, Flaming Volcano, etc.), the paper Chinese Astrological place mats . . . It felt like the old New Canton restaurant in the Bradlee shopping center in Alexandria Virginia, circa 1979. Tasted like it, too. The food is fresh and hot and plentiful and delicious. I am a junky for good American Chinese food, and have lamented the decline of that style for years; American Chinese can be fresh, too . . it doesn't have to come from Sysco. After all, egg rolls should have eggs in them, and meat. And they should be big and wonderfully crispy. Mmmm . . . Just made plans to go back there tomorrow night. I'm strapping on the feedbag.

It's worth noting that this is a family restaurant, and already 40 years old. (The wife in the husband/wife managerial partnership guessed that my friend was pregnant before she herself knew.) It won't be there forever. If you share this sort of fond memory of those Christmas Story-style Chinese places, do yourself a flavor.