Hot Joy
Cocktail bar · North River District ·

Hot Joy

Cocktail bar · North River District ·

Creative Asian dishes & cocktails with eclectic, colorful decor

spam fried rice
twice fried wings
pork belly buns
tiki bar
cocktails
atmosphere
friendly staff
happy hour
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null
Hot Joy by null

Information

1101 Broadway suite 140, San Antonio, TX 78215 Get directions

$20–30

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Cozy
Trendy
Good for groups
Good for solo dining

Information

Static Map

1101 Broadway suite 140, San Antonio, TX 78215 Get directions

+1 210 940 4488
hotjoysa.com
@hotjoysa
𝕏
@HotJoySA

$20–30 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Cozy
•Trendy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Touristy
•Credit card accepted

Last updated

Jan 13, 2026

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New San Antonio Bar Jue Let Will Pay Homage to James Beard’s Chinese Father Figure | Eater Austin

"An Asian-fusion restaurant the chef helped open in 2013; cited as her starting point in the local restaurant scene and part of her trajectory that led to later projects." - Brittany Britto Garley

https://austin.eater.com/2025/2/3/24357840/austin-san-antonio-bar-jue-let-james-beard-cocktails-openings
Hot Joy
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The city’s playful pan‑Asian icon now runs a Sunday dim sum brunch with items like soup dumplings and Chinese‑style French toast. MySA and local TV covered the move to Broadway and the brunch addition; hours are posted by the restaurant.

https://www.hotjoysa.com/contact
Dim Sum in San Antonio (2025)
Hot Joy

Sicily H.

Google
We finally tried Hot Joy and had a great experience overall! Everything we ordered was delicious, and there are definitely a few standouts worth coming back for. The Hong Kong cornbread was amazing. Spam fried rice was good minus the pineapple. Both are easily must-try items here. We also tried the egg rolls, which were solid and tasty, with good seasoning and a nice crunch. The ginger noodles were another favorite with a great balance of ginger and savory sauce. Service was friendly and the vibe is relaxed, making it a fun place for a casual meal. If you’re in the mood for tasty, creative Asian-inspired dishes, Hot Joy is definitely worth a stop!

Ricardo F.

Google
Pretty cool place to go with friends or as a couple! Food was Asian Pacific Island Fusion style. I thought the food was really good but don't expect your normal Chinese American menu there. No this place is definitely a notch or two above average food. The decor is awesome, the service is great, the food is tasty and the atmosphere is fun! Try this place out on a night you want to enjoy every aspect of your evening! They do not have their own parking lot so be prepared to hunt for one out on the streets but other than that, Hot Joy is worth it!

Anastacio T.

Google
Everything here was sensational! From the environment established in the restaurant, The low lighting Ambience, And of course, the food!! Every dish that we tried was fantastic and had a unique spin as opposed to traditional. With gratuity the cost for all five entrées was $100. We had never been so we wanted to try everything, Everything is family style so you can easily have an appetizer and entrée for under $30. We will definitely come again!

Martha G.

Google
Very beautiful decorations. The food & the service was also amazing. Highly recommend the twice fried wings & the beef undo soup ( highly recommend if you like meat & ramen) food was absolutely delicious. Will definitely be going back.

Lisa C

Google
Dinner was delicious and our server, entertaining. As soon as we told him we were from out of town he proceeded to tell us everything about the area and why dining with them was one of our best choices. They are located in one of the most entertaining areas in San Antonio, River Walk. The entrance to the restaurant is off of the main road, down the alley. It’s well lit and inviting. Feels like you’re entering through a speak-easy entrance. The food is great and so are the drinks. Great place to go with company or by yourself for lunch. You have to try their wings, so, so good and satisfying. We sat near the kitchen so seeing the chef in action was amusing in and of itself.

M H

Google
This place is SO cool! It’s very uniquely decorated and has an awesome menu that’s share-style. Fun drinks too! This is the new location off of broadway street which I like because of the open atmosphere inside. Service was great. A cool place to take friends from out of town. Not too expensive. Highly recommend! We got the twice fried chicken wings, pork belly buns, and sausage and prawn noodles.

J.L C.

Google
My husband and I love to try new foods all the time. We’ve been to Hot Joy at the old location and twice to the Broadway location. Tonight Abby the waitress described the new dishes in total detail and recommended some of her faves: Firecracker Wings and booyyyy when I say these were fire! They’re spicy, perfectly crispy and are given with a side of tangy pop rocks to dip them in then explode in your mouth! A straight 10! She also recommended & told us the ingredients for what My husband had the pineapple chicken, which was amazing and he also had the crab rangoons w/a side of crab paste, which he truly enjoyed as well & I had the Brisket Broccoli and again wow, another 10 for me! Their new menu didn’t disappoint! Thank you Abby for your recommendations and thanks to Chef John for his creativity on the menu and his great culinary skills! We will return😋 If you enjoy different foods and an mouth explosion stop by and try these dishes, they won’t disappoint!

Alex B.

Google
My boyfriend and I decided to try out Hot Joy for a date night and had a wonderful experience. We enjoyed the Twice Baked Wings (deliciously crispy skin), the Pork Belly Buns (a great portion of pork belly cooked to perfection) and the Prawn + Sausage Rice Noodles (the prawn and the sausage such stars). For dessert we had the Thai Tea Tapioca which was a nice, light, finishing bite. The whole experience was really tied together by our AMAZING server, Abby, who provided a friendly face and fire recommendations. Abby was attentive and went above and beyond, truly elevating our dining experience.
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Lisa C.

Yelp
Dinner was delicious and our server, entertaining. As soon as we told him we were from out of town he proceeded to tell us everything about the area and why dining with them was one of our best choices. They are located in one of the most entertaining areas in San Antonio, River Walk. The entrance to the restaurant is off of the main road, down the alley. It's well lit and inviting. Feels like you're entering through a speak-easy entrance. The food is great and so are the drinks. Great place to go with company or by yourself for lunch. You have to try their wings, so, so good and satisfying. We sat near the kitchen so seeing the chef in action was amusing in and of itself.
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Adrian R.

Yelp
Hot Joy: A Culinary Adventure Worth Braving the Tiny Tables For Hot Joy, nestled at the intersection of Jones and Broadway, is an ambitious cocktail bar that dares to blend Asian fusion with the bold flavors of Texas. And while the tight squeeze at their tables might make you question your life choices, the culinary journey that unfolds is undeniably worth the minor discomfort. Let's talk food, because that's where Hot Joy truly shines. The Beef and Broccoli is a revelation. Forget your standard takeout version; this is elevated comfort food. The beef, imbued with a delightful smoky char, practically melts in your mouth, while the broccoli retains a satisfying crunch, each bite bursting with an "amazing flavor" that's hard to pinpoint but impossible to forget. This dish alone is a compelling reason to visit. If you're looking for something equally satisfying, the Pork Belly Tiki is a fantastic choice, though don't expect a traditional tiki cocktail. Instead, imagine a savory, comforting mound of pork belly fried rice. It's rich, deeply flavorful, and proved to be the perfect, hearty companion to the already impressive beef and broccoli. But the surprises don't stop there. The Firecracker Wings are an absolute must-try. These aren't just spicy; they're an experiential delight. The inclusion of pop rocks is a stroke of genius, creating a playful, tingling sensation that dances on your tongue, beautifully complementing the heat of the peppers. It's a unique and exhilarating experience that sets Hot Joy apart. For a moment of refreshing respite, the Cucumber Salad is a welcome addition. Its creamy, cooling nature provides a perfect counterpoint to the bolder flavors on the menu, ensuring you can keep going back for more. Even dessert is an adventure at Hot Joy. The Tres Leches offers a delightful twist, infused with subtle yet distinct notes of Thai tea. It's a sophisticated and delicious end to a meal packed with unexpected flavor profiles. Our server, Aria, deserves a special mention. Her amazing service, knowledgeable demeanor about the menu, and sweet personality were the perfect accompaniments to the vibrant food. She navigated the bustling atmosphere with grace and ensured our experience was as positive as possible. Now, for the elephant in the room - the tables. This is where Hot Joy stumbles. The tables are ridiculously small, and our experience was significantly hampered by this design flaw. We were seated at what felt like the smallest table in the establishment, which, given the sheer deliciousness and variety of the offerings, felt utterly impractical. The real low point, however, was the management's response to our predicament. Instead of finding a way to accommodate us, the manager repeatedly attempted to "condense" our dining experience by removing plates with food still on them, making us feel rushed to finish. This lack of hospitality detracted from what should have been a celebratory meal. Despite the frustrating table situation and the questionable management intervention, the sheer brilliance of the food and the exceptional service from Aria make Hot Joy a place we'd consider returning to. However, the hope is that management will address the table size issue. Because while the flavors are expansive and exciting, the physical space provided to enjoy them feels incredibly restrictive. Hot Joy, you're on the cusp of something truly special; just please, do something about those tables.
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Ace S.

Yelp
Lost stars because the food was too salty, unbalanced flavors, and drinks were just ok. The cucumbers were crunchy and yummy sauce but too spicy for some of us. The pork bun was missing some flavor, too salty, and bun felt not fresh. The wings had a perfect crunch on them! But the sauce was way too salty and sweet, almost unhinged in taste. With some small changes this could have been 4 stars but overall they trying too hard and need more balance and subtle flavors. Ambiance was beautiful and service was awesome.
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Vanessa A.

Yelp
So many dishes that I enjoy here. They need to bring back the brisket fried rice and keep it on the menu though!!! I loved it so much. Loved hot joy and their twice fried wings! Great flavor on those wings and super crunchy and juicy!!! I also really enjoy their decorations. It feels welcoming and very on brand. The service is nice and attentive.
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Kenneth V.

Yelp
It's a definitely a cool spot for a late night in San Antonio. I stopped by after a concert in October. Wings were a tier above what you'd normally fine. They're really great! The egg rolls were exactly what I was craving this late at night. Chill spot in a fun part of town. I hope to go back soon.
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Oliver B.

Yelp
After the move to the new location and the removal of their happy hour specials, I am back. Recently they brought back the happy hour menu all week long. That is the only reason I came back to this restaurant. I got the twice fried chicken wings,the pork belly bun and a side of white rice. The chicken wings were still good and crispy with a nice flavor to them. The pork belly bun was tasty with a nice crispy pork belly inside. The white rice was nothing special. The service was good and the happy hour was a good value. I can now recommend Hot Joy as a great place for dinner because they brought back the happy hour specials.
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Christine C.

Yelp
Everything here is amazing! Cocktails food and ambiance...have had several things on the menu and has been all delicious
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Grace G.

Yelp
Hot Joy is hands down my favorite restaurant! Every time I go, I have to get the spam fried rice--it's my absolute favorite dish and it never fails. The flavors are always on point, and it's the kind of comfort food I could eat over and over again. The vibe of the restaurant is super fun and unique, and the staff has always been great whenever I've visited. If you're in San Antonio and haven't tried Hot Joy yet, you're seriously missing out--especially the spam fried rice!
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Stephy B.

Yelp
Food was decent very salty The inside was cute besides the booth we were in the sun was going down and was in our faces for like an hour. Knives was a good waitress
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Jim B.

Yelp
My oldest son and his wife brought my grandson to San Antonio for his first overnight trip. We had a wonderful visit which included a meal at this amazing restaurant. First, let me address parking. We were worried at first, but soon found a paid parking lot on another street. It was not a long walk, and fortunately, it was an unusually cool morning. We noticed it was much muggier and hotter on the walk back to the lot, but we weren't too bothered. Hot Joy is appropriately named. If you don't immediately feel joy upon entering this amazingly decorated venue, just go back to the nursing home and eat off your tray. I only wish this place had been around when my sons were little. We always played I Spy while waiting for the meal, and this place would have been epic for that! They have a lot of beautiful bright red Asian lanterns hanging all over the ceiling. There is a beautiful mural of a tiger on one wall. There are private booths with red upholstery with asian inspired geometric designs. Bruce Lee was hanging on the wall of our booth. They have a server named Skyler who is no doubt one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to encounter. She was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I really liked her and feel strongly that she added to our wonderful experience. The food was outstanding. We ordered a lot more dishes than our party of four adults needed, but we wanted to try lots of things. The servings were huge- even for appetizers. We started with the Sticky Pork ribs. They were perfectly grilled and very tasty. We also had the Joy Pockets, and Sichuan Tofu buns. There was plenty of each to share (there were 5 ribs on the plate!) We liked all of them, but my favorite bite of the meal was the buns. So good! We also ordered some of the full meal plates to share. The menu on the website is a little different, and unfortunately, my photo is not very good. We ordered the Roasted Pork Belly and the Hot Fried Chicken. The portions were huge, as you can see in the photos. They both came with a side of rice. The pork belly also had a dipping sauce that was wonderful and a side of kimchee. The only thing we had left was the Hot Fried Chicken. Out of all of the dishes, that was the least favorite among some of us. I thought it was really good, but just a tad salty for my tastes. The kids thought the sauce made the chicken too soggy. The wife said it was too hot (spicy) for her. I ate a lot of it, but there was so much we brought home for my younger son. He loved it! For dessert, we all shared the Hot Fudge Gochugang Brownie with banana ice cream. The ice cream was the best banana ice cream I have ever had! The brownie was gooey and rich and had a wonderful exotic taste. The gochugang was not overly prominent in it. Okay... as if the service, decor, and food wasn't enough, this place has amazing drinks. Let's just say that our table had seven of them, including my virgin Singapore Sling. The others like all of them, except one that my son ordered. He said it tasted, "gross". I didn't try it, but he is pretty well-versed in cocktails and tiki fare, so I trust his opinion. I should mention that the baby snoozed happily through the entire meal. He didn't even wake up when a loud high-pitched alarm went off for at least a minute. I know I will be back. Y'all know that my youngest is my usual adventurous dining partner. He was really upset that he didn't go with us. I will definitely take him soon.
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Madeleine H.

Yelp
This place is SO cool! It's very uniquely decorated and has an awesome menu that's share-style. Fun drinks too! This is the new location off of broadway street which I like because of the open atmosphere inside. Service was great. A cool place to take friends from out of town. Not too expensive. Highly recommend! We got the twice fried chicken wings, pork belly buns, and sausage and prawn noodles.
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Gabby M.

Yelp
BEST WINGS IVE EVER HAD!!!! i crave these wings alllll the time. the pork buns were my next favorite. i love it here
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Sandra D.

Yelp
I love Hot Joy food! It's been one of my favorite for a few years now. I stopped going because it was really hard to get a table if you didn't have a reservation, but I went back and for my surprise they moved to a better and bigger location. I'd say that it can be tricky to find them but don't get discouraged the door is amazing. Service is good and food is outstanding, the decor is gorgeous! They don't have their our parking lot but there is plenty outside, if you go on the weekend may be a little harder but there are parking lots close by.
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Brooke D.

Yelp
Add this restaurant to your list! The ambiance articulates an upscale asian fusion vibe, the red lighting is everything. We had the Wok Fried Green Beans, All-American Sesame Chicken, and the Spam Fried Rice all were delicious and 10/10. It took about 10-15 minutes for someone to attend to us but once our server arrived she was very attentive. Food came out fast and hot. Highly recommend this place!
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Alma V.

Yelp
Recommend: Maybe Food: Ordered Beef Bulgogi, garlicky noodles, and chili oil noodles. All the dishes were made to order and very hot. The bulgogi was delicious, the meat was very tender and the taste was really good. The garlicky noodles were ok, they tasted very much of garlic which is to be expected but almost bitter in taste. I've had the garlicky noodles at Best Quality daughter and they are tastier. The chili noodle were very spicy (I liked but just warning for others). Had a Mai Tai (strong but good) and had a frozen mixed drink (hurricane with something else. Sorry I can't recall). Service: Service was good, got sat down quickly, and order was put in quickly. The food took a little bit but it is expected since it was made fresh. Ambiance: Ambiance was cute, family style seating in some areas.
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Omar V.

Yelp
Good day folks! Their Happy Hour Menu is gone! Their old location not there no more. But still great menu and bar recipes! Some of the best drinks I've ever had - even when they were $5 they did not hold back- Tikki masks and atmosphere signature still there- and they know they moved and changed - and they are adapting - but still giving their best to serve and please you with their best hospitality. We all go through changes ! Come have a late night drink and some grub! Let Love Lead!
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Taylor S.

Yelp
Hot joy was awesomeeee. We couldn't believe how good the food was here. The portions are HUGE yet so affordable, and the flavors are so good that you can't stop eating even after becoming full! They also have an excellent drink selection. We had a giant mojito in a dragon container that the server hilariously mentioned looked like Steve Harvey. We still can't unsee it. We sat outside and at night and it was stunning; felt very much like sitting in an alley in china. For sure coming back on our next trip to SA.
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Kenneth H.

Yelp
Ken with Offline - We OFTEN went to the South Town location and saddened when we heard about the move. The good news, we like the new location better! The huge ceiling space makes the entire facility feel so much bigger. Same vibe, and the food was STILL AMAZING. I challenge you to find better specialty wings. Take a cold shower good! Staff spot on. Price on average for the area... And other establishments. It has that new car smell!!! Great options for Cindi - 40 year vegetarian. Hers was dynamite... And I got a few bites.
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Hima V.

Yelp
Not sure what the mixed reviews are about. This place is bomb! And so are the flavors of the food! I went here for a weekend lunch with a friend. Service was prompt. I ordered a mocktail (not sure what the name was) and plates for the table. The Thai chili corn bread, garlicky noodles and tofu bun were great! Specially, the tofu bun! We really enjoyed our food and would be back for more!
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Kathy G.

Yelp
Absolutely incredible! We ordered the Twice Fried Chicken Wings and they were a masterwork as it was crispy, flavorful, and juicy. The Spam Fried Rice was good as well. Looking forward to going back and trying the Pork Belly!
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Emily C.

Yelp
Hot Joy has lost some of its charm. What once gave it character has shifted significantly since moving to the new location. The vibe feels a bit stuffy instead of the welcoming atmosphere it used to have, and the staff seems more distant. That said, one thing that hasn't changed is the flavor! The tofu buns are hands down my favorite item on the menu--I think about them constantly. I know change is tough, and I hope they find their essence again while keeping up the quality of the food!
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Natasha H.

Yelp
Pretty good dim sum selection that's different than your standard fare with some Mainstays. I love that there's tea service (at a cost). Love the decor, the service, and their take on dim sum.
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Michelle V.

Yelp
We love this place - we have been coming for years! We love the new location - it's beautiful inside! We miss the old spot but this new place is very nice! The drinks are still amazing - got a swirl of the zombie and painkiller - so delicious - I love sweet frozen drinks My husband got the Smokey mezcal pineapple cocktail and loved it We ALWAYS get the wings - the absolute BEST! We got the bok choy and the bulgogi with udon noodles - so freaking good!! Can't recommend enough! Nice clean restrooms and street parking out front. Service was great, food came out quick and hot!
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Monica G.

Yelp
I got together with a few girlfriends to enjoy happy hour. I love the decorations in the restaurant and outside the restaurant. We really enjoyed ourselves. We had a great experience w/ Erin as our waitress. We tried the pork belly buns, the cucumber salad, the wings, the spam fried rice., & the curry empanada. We tried several of the drinks. Everything was excellent. We really enjoyed ourselves. It was not too busy & was a perfect time to pop in. We parked in the parking lot behind the building but if you find parking on the side, you can park on the street as well. You definitely have to try their Happy hour!
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Candice L.

Yelp
The drink menu is excellent. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Gabriel our server was so helpful in directing us towards the food and drinks we'd most appreciate. The food is fresh and inventive and delicious every time. Wings, pork belly, and Susan fried rice are the best of their kind I've ever had. And every dish we've ever tried has been worthy of a return trip. The ambiance is next level. 50s Kitsch for days, yet also modern. It almost feels like a Quinton Tarantino movie set. The music is great and on theme. A bit loud for intimate conversation, but great for the casual party feel that the large community tables provide. (There are smaller tables and booths, as well)
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Robin S.

Yelp
Like the music and atmosphere and the happy hour prices are great ($3 Modelo) but the frozen drinks on happy hour are not consistent- had the Painkiller which was good, then ordered a night walker which was not- changed it out for another painkiller which was a bit more tart. Overall I'd come here again- new location is big and spacious and fun! Not for intimate evenings because of the open and (fun) noisy music!
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Maitina M.

Yelp
Our group had a fun evening dining at Hot Joy! We ordered an array of appetizers along with some of the entrees. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed the Joy Pockets, the Spam Fried Rice and the Smoked Fried Chicken. Our server was very patient with our group since we kept going back and forth on our selections. We ended up sharing all our meals and made it family style for our group. There were three entrees that got to our table quite late so they compensated all three meals without us having to request it. Nice touch. We ended up taking quite a few leftovers back home with us since we ordered way too much. The only drawback is the parking situation. Luckily, we were able to park along the street. The parking lot by the restaurant was full. Glad we got to experience Hot Joy. It was totally worth it!
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Jasmine C.

Yelp
Last night we went to check out Hot Joy since reopening at their new location. We did go on a busy Friday night, our wait time was 45 minutes. Our server was so sweet. She gave us insight on the new menu. The interior design is so beautiful & the vibes were perfect We ordered Joy Puffs, Spam fried rice and Sizzlin' beef bulgogi very flavorful and a decent sized portion. ‍ Drinks ordered Rattlesnake Church & painkiller Love the new spot! We can't wait to go back.
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Jessie B.

Yelp
Read the hype. Wanted to try it myself. Disappointed. The twice fried wings everyone raves about might as well been covered in honey, the sugar content was off the charts. The pork belly bun was the best of the food. Beef lettuce wraps came with lettuce too small to wrap anything in. Wife's cucumber salad came after our entrees. The chargrilled oysters were laughable. No oyster. Ground beef. Best part.. they say they don't take cash in fine print on the menu I couldn't read it was so small. They force you to use a credit card then charge you a fee! Likely illegal.
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Bryn E.

Yelp
Creative Asian fusion with some tasty dishes, but the flavors can be hit or miss. The vibe is trendy and fun, though it can get very loud. Service was okay but not exceptional. An interesting spot, but not a must-visit.
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Lauren G.

Yelp
Fist time at their new location.We were lucky and got free street parking.The entrance looked like the back of the building. We got the classics we've been craving . The twice fried wings and spam fried rice. Both were great! The frozen zombie was strong! I definitely felt it after one.The inside is just as intricate as the last if not more detailed.They are open late on the weekend till 2 am I believe. Great for dinner and strong drinks!
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Christen D.

Yelp
Roger was amazing service was top-tier. I loved all his recommendations. The atmosphere was super cute. Love the ambience great photo opportunities and the food was delicious. Also, very good drinks if you like cocktails.
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Alex H.

Yelp
Third time going. Food is on point! Amazing taste, quick ticket times, great presentation. Bar - drinks are ok by theory, but not measured correctly. Ticket times take so dang long. Last time we went we ordered 2 drinks at a time as it took 20min to get the drinks back from the bar. Just order beer so you don't have to wait so long in between cocktails. Service - absolutely horrible. SLOW. Each time we go thinking it was just that day, or that shift, but no. Service is consistently horrible. No hustle from the servers. When drinks are running long they shy away from touching the table, so you are left on an island trying to figure out what's going on. And on top of that our server said "I'll buy you a round of shots if you give me a 5/5 review" so you all must know your service is lacking. How many reviews are faked like this? Not worth the good food as the FOH has failed time and time again.
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Chelsea D.

Yelp
Everything was so good! The decor was so cool I was taking photos left and right. This area has gotten really cool lately. The service is good. Everything is good to share. I was hesitant because I thought it would be Asian food I wouldn't like but I loved everything . Glad I tried it
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Victoria N.

Yelp
Came here on a weekend during San Japan! The waiter was wearing a naruto headband! They had special menu for San Japan, with persimmon dumplings. Unfortunately, by the time I had arrived, they had already sold out of the dumplings. The food overall was 4/5. The fried rice, egg roll, and paratha dish with pork belly and meat on top were just mediocre. Nothing was special about it apart from the side chill sauce that I asked for. There is local street parking for free that is about a 5 minute walk from this location. I would come back for their unique menu during San Japan, lunch deals, and the vibe, but would otherwise choose a different restaurant to show people visiting town!
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Kimberly M.

Yelp
The restaurant is small. The food we felt was expensive. It costed us $75/couple for lunch. Some of our party hot drinks and said they were delicious. The wait staff was okay but not helpful when asked for suggestions. We did try the chicken feet to see what they were like. One of guests was feeling experimentive. They were rubbery and really had no taste. The bok choy was pretty tasteless. The best thing we got was the hot chicken. This place was a one and done for us but worth a try cause you might not agree with our tastes and like it. The atmosphere was colorful and enjoyable. Parking is a pain, we had to drive around quite a bit before we found a parking space.
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Renee J.

Yelp
I visited Hot Joy at their new location for the first time and I was so impressed! The restaurant is so beautifully decorated and open. I love the beautiful bar area and the open kitchen. Our server was wonderful with great recommendations. We settled on wings, ribs and the pork belly dish. The food was beautifully displayed and the flavor of the various sauces made each dish as delicious as it was beautiful.
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Sarah M.

Yelp
The atmosphere of Hot Joy is very unique! It was a great spot for a girls night dinner and hang out with friends. It's been on my list to try for a couple of years ever since a friend of mine recommended it. The spam fried rice and bao appetizers were delicious. The cocktails are fun but mostly sweet options. I wish they had some options that weren't so sweet. They also had a nice selection of mocktails so that was great. I would recommend it and will certainly return.
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Trish G.

Yelp
I had not been to Hot Joy since it was located in Southtown, but recently attended a Galentine's dinner at the new location. I liked the decor, bar area, and appreciated the more spacious location. The servers were nice and attentive and the cocktails were unique and tasty. I enjoyed my appetizer, the Sichuan Tofu buns. Hong Kong cornbread was ok. However, the fried rice, shiitake chow fun, and fried wings were overpowered by the taste of onions and garlic. My friends and I did not enjoy these dishes as they were too pungent and you could not really taste anything else in the dish. The cocktails and tofu buns were worth the price, but not the other dishes we tried. I will be back to try more cocktails though!
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Vanessa L.

Yelp
The ambiance and decoration of this place were cool, it felt like you were actually at a tiki bar! Our waiter was very attentive, she explained the food styling, all sort of shareable plates and food would come out when ready so that helped spread out our order. We started off with drinks, but got a frozen painkiller. They were strong and just what I needed! For food, we shared the twice fried wings, spam fried rice, and Dan Dan noodles. The wings were different than a typical wing, but flavoring was a bit off for me. The Dan Dan noodles were just okay, I've had many better options at other Asian restaurants. The spam fried rice was probably our favorite, it had a good mix of sweet and salty. Overall I would say fun location for drinks, but would probably skip on the food next time.
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Marisa P.

Yelp
The new location is gorgeous. Nestled between the old Rosella and Nola building downtown, Hot Joy gives off hidden alley vibes. A well edited menu has items like a shitake bok choy, golden fried chicken and fried tofu buns. Most items are best shared. The bar has a nice selection of craft beverages and frozen concoctions. The open kitchen concept and murals make for an inviting atmosphere. Overall just a fun place to hang out.
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Eli T.

Yelp
Food: I tried a couple of dishes from the menu and the best were the green beans and Lemmon curry wings. The miso ramen lacked flavor and the spam rice was very dry. The pork belly taco was mostly cilantro and the flatbread was way too charred that it overpowered the cilantro and pork. Service: I went with a group of 6 when they opened at noon and the service was slow. Note that they charge an automatic 20% gratuity fee for groups of 6 or more. Parking is also pretty limited. Overall this is more of a drinks/happy hour place because the aesthetic is pretty nice but the food is lacking.
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Melanie P.

Yelp
Pup friendly on the patio, server brought us out some water for him. Menu's do change from lunch, dinner & specific days of the week so be sure to check the menu if you're wanting something specific from here. Service is fast and friendly, atmosphere is inviting and fun! Everything we ordered was delicious! Sharable portions! Must try the frozen zombie!
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Mario G.

Yelp
To be honest, Lettuce wraps are kinda sad. Best thing about the place is the atmosphere.
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Danny L.

Yelp
The vibes are cute! i do feel it gives a more elegant vibe compared to older location mama. But trust it's still good, i would say it got a bit more expensive... but the Dinner menu is the best!!! the service was top tier even when super busy! this was my third time coming.... the late night menu doesn't seems worth it for the price....
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Matthew C.

Yelp
Tired the new place off Broadway and was pleasantly surprised! The food and drinks were great, the atmosphere was awesome and our waitress was incredible! Definitely will come back again! We paid about $130 for three people and I felt like we splurged.
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Nicole D.

Yelp
Hot Joy is back! We walked past their new location on the south end of Broadway, decided to give it a try, and sat on the patio. The interior of the restaurant is smaller than the original location, but much cleaner and has similar stylish decor. The menu has been revamped but kept some classic items. To be completely honest, in the past we never visited Hot Joy expecting exceptional food, but we always came back for the vibe and experience. I think that still holds true, although we did enjoy our meal and it was fun to snack on different things. The service was really great this visit, and overall I think this location is an improvement over the last. Definitely worth a visit, and we'll be back for some tiki drinks and twice fried wings!

Tiffany C.

Yelp
This place is a San Antonio staple. Food is unique. We always order the Spam Fried rice or the Lemon Pepper Curry wings. Also the pork buns! YUM. The ambiance is also unique. It's cute for a dinner date and loads of fun for day drinking with friends. Shout out to Kat! Humble server, friendly and understanding. She listened while we talked which is hard to come by now a days. TOTALLY RECOMMEND!
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Norma J.

Yelp
I've been a long time fan of Hot Joy and it's a literal staple of my 20's. Checked out the new location and loved every minute of it . There was a small crowd but our server was very attentive.The ambiance was lovely but not as quirky as the original location. There is a whole new menu but they kept the ol' faithfuls; spam fried rice and twice fried wings ( and those dishes alone are worth the trip.) If you are a first timer you cannot go wrong in choosing them . If you have a peanut allergy the wings are not for you; sorry friend . Try the sticky pork ribs, they are phenomenal. Have a mai tai while you're at it .