Jaya Grocer :: Amazing Cafeteria Food :: Armand's Birthday

Birthday boy with Auntie and bro

An overdue post is coming your way right now. On a supermarket that has a most rocking restaurant--Jaya Grocers--located inside Gateway Bangi. It is the first building you see on your right as you slowly smartTag your way through Tol Bangi (because the car in front had low batteries or no credit, as always). 

First visit to Jaya Grocers cafe. Circa early 2014.

I had noticed the sizzling roast lamb and beef staring at me a while back, and one sunny afternoon after the plane ride from Langkawi, we came here for a late lunch. And it was awesome. So for Armand's 13th birthday (yep, my son is now 13 years old and even taller than his pretty mama), I made arrangements with Chef Zul --that's the head chef at Jaya's Grocer--for dinner with my party of 7. Armand's own request. In other words, Secret Recipe just lost one of its long-lasting customers this birthday. Must be the frightful 16% tax they charge there that always leaves you gaping in confused wonder at the cashier.

The cafeteria at Jaya's is just like a smaller version of my old university cafeteria or IKEA's cafeteria, if you like. All the food is on display under a glass hood not facing your way and when ordering, you pinpoint the dish you want and they'll slap it on the tray for ya. After that first day of slapping though, they were always out of lamb when we came along (usually around 9pm for our weekly groceries). So of course, I had to make a contingency plan for the upcoming birthday celebration to avoid disappointment. And Chef Zul was kind enough to make a reservation of lamb for me without me putting down a single cent. Thank You Allah for the fact that we are still a trustful and trustworthy nation. Though I cannot say the same for my maid.

roast lamb with mash and slaw.
A!!

roast lamb with mash and veggies.
And gravy!

roast chicken with mash and grilled veggies.
Awesome!

Armand's birthday cake. Creme brulee..
Very nice!

You get 150 gms of beef/lamb and 2 whopping side dishes per plate. And each plateful costs around RM20+. May I just say, the meat was tender and juicy and absolutely unsuitable for people with hypertension. In which case there is always chicken, pie or pasta alternatives. But we each went for a plateful of red meat and sides instead, with an enormous helping of the most grooviest of gravies. My favourite side dishes: macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Just give it a try; your tongue is in tongue-heaven the few seconds before you swallow. And repeat.

I recommend you share one gigantic dish for two because there is a lot to go around and membazir itu sahabat syaitan. Unless everyone in your family are well-built and strong like mine and have to do laundry every day, which requires lots and lots of energy.

So try it out for dinner tonight, especially if you're slightly lethargic (i.e., tired lately) and need a good dollop of iron. And then afterwards you can release more stress by looking at all the imported chocolates and biscuits on the supermarket shelves just next to your table.

For my 13 year old-- may you grow up wise and strong like your mother. And good-natured like your father. In his younger days.

Jaya Grocers

that awesome supermarket at Gateway Bangi that is slightly more expensive than the average supermarket but has a rocking cafe and superwide aisles!!

Cleanliness: A
Food: A
Price: B+ (slightly expensive for eating arrangements)
Satisfactory level: A
Service: A. Thanks Chef Zul and team for arrangements!!