By Ian Thompson
Waitress Laura Lockshaw delivers iced tea during a busy lunch at the Joy of Eating restaurant in Suisun City Thursday. (Zachary Kaufman/Daily Republic)
SUISUN CITY - Enjoying your meal is what the Joy of Eating, Suisun City waterfront's newest restaurant, is all about, according to co-owner Sun Kim.
"It is all to make the customer happy," Kim said. "The customer is always first."
This is the second Joy of Eating to open up in Solano County. The first Joy of Eating is at 1828 Springs Rd. in Vallejo.
The original restaurant was opened in 1978 by train lover Robert Eash whose train-related names for his food such as Fireman Sandwiches and Dining Car Omelets are still on the menu.
"We kept the names in honor of the original owner," Kim said.
Eash sold his restaurant to waitress and cook Carol-Ann Guldenbrien in 1992. She sold the Joy of Eating to Won and Sun Kim five years later.
The Kims have been in the restaurant business for 15 years, starting in Walnut Creek. They also own the Sushi King restaurant on Business Center Drive in Green Valley, which has been open for a year.
The Kims decided to move to Suisun City's waterfront when they discovered that the furniture store on Solano Street closed and figured the site was a good location for a second Joy of Eating.
Old Town residents spent the last few months watching as the Kims remodeled the building at the corner of Solano and Kellogg streets, turning it into a prim, clean cafe that has a nice view of Harbor Square and harbor.
"Things have changed in the decor and the menu, but it is the same good, wholesome food," Kim said. "Everything is made from scratch and cooked to order."
Joy of Eating's breakfast menu offers a full spread all day that runs the gamut from ranch breakfasts to pancakes and French toast.
The lunch menu has 13 different hot sandwiches such as the Sunrise Sandwich and the veggie Garden Burger along with seven cold sandwiches. Teriyaki dishes and salads are also offered.
Kim is especially proud of the homemade bread that the restaurant offers, which is made from a secret recipe. The bread is offered as part of the meals and is also available by the loaf for customers to purchase.
Some of Joy of Eating's customers from Vallejo have been up to sample the new restaurant's fare and said they like the new location, Kim said.
Kim doesn't feel she is competition for neighboring restaurants such as Athenian Grill and Bab's Delta Diner. She says the increased number of restaurants will bring more people to the waterfront.
Kim plans to offer take-out and catering services. She plans to set up a fax machine so business customers can fax in orders. Part of the building is still unfinished. They plan to turn that into a meeting area for local groups and parties.
The Joy of Eating has enjoyed good patronage since it opened, according to Kim.
"The word of mouth is getting around," Kim said, adding that customers are asking her to open up for dinner.
"A lot of customers have come back already."
Reach Ian Thompson at 427-6976 or at ithompson@dailyrepublic.net.
Joy of Eating
Owner: Won and Sun Kim
Date opened: May 13
Address: 535 Solano St., Suisun City
Phone: 426-1147
Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
