The reviews for Jing Fong on the Upper West Side (UWS) present a mixed picture of customer experience and establishment reputation. The restaurant is frequently praised for its food quality, with particular accolades directed towards the excellent salt-fried pork chop, soup dumplings, shumai, and pan-fried noodles. The less crowded environment compared to their Chinatown location appears to be another positive factor, making the UWS spot a good choice for those seeking a more relaxed dim sum experience. However, concerns have been raised about limited gluten-free options and a narrower menu selection. A consistent trend of fluctuating customer service quality, combined with occasional criticisms of undercooked or bland dishes and perceived overpricing, suggests the UWS location is struggling with consistency in both food preparation and customer care.
Reviewers consistently highlight that Jing Fong UWS excels with certain dishes, including salt-fried pork chop, shumai, and soup dumplings. The food's temperature and flavorfulness received particular praise, with items such as the dumplings and chicken pan-fried noodles being singled out as satisfying cravings for good quality Chinese food. The restaurant's less crowded setting compared to its previous Chinatown establishment is also perceived as a positive aspect, offering a more tranquil dining experience. Additionally, friendly staff and the convenience of a pleasant outdoor dining area during good weather add to the positive feedback, promoting the location as a recommended spot for dim sum enthusiasts.
Notwithstanding the positive feedback, Jing Fong on the UWS has notable areas of criticism, primarily regarding its menu and service. Customers have expressed disappointment with the limited gluten-free options and an overall lack of variety in the menu. Certain dishes were described as poorly cooked, with specific complaints about greasy, undercooked, or bland food. Furthermore, some reviewers found the service to be less than satisfactory, mentioning slow service and inefficient air conditioning. The negative feedback occasionally extends to the cleanliness of the restaurant, with a customer labeling it unsanitary, and the staff attitudes, which were described as rude in one instance. These issues could potentially detract from the overall customer experience, emphasizing a need for improvements in both culinary execution and hospitality.
The selection of gluten-free options at Jing Fong UWS is limited. Patrons with dietary restrictions may need to choose from a smaller range of dishes such as steamed beef and broccoli with white rice.
Jing Fong UWS is noted for being less crowded and offers a quieter atmosphere compared to the Chinatown location. However, it offers a more limited variety of dishes and does not feature the traditional cart service typical of some dim sum restaurants.
Guests highly recommend making reservations, especially for weekend dining, as the restaurant can get busy. Reservations should be made by phone as email reservations are not assured.
This enormous Cantonese restaurant draws crowds on weekends for dim sum rolled out on carts.
