City Wok, the Palm Desert mainstay for Chinese fare with upscale flair that celebrated 30 years in the desertlast year, appears to have closed.
There hasn't been any formal announcement by ownership about the closure of the restaurant, which had been operating out of the 4,500-square-foot exterior-facing restaurant space within The Shops at Palm Desert mall it relocated to in 2021. The Desert Sun did not immediately hear back when it attempted to reach longtime City Wok owner, Stuart Davis, to confirm the closure.
There are several indications the restaurant is shuttered, including the eatery's phone number being disconnected, and the error message that appears when you click the link to order takeout on its website.
restaurants include Asian and breakfast spots
Meanwhile, several people have posted on social media reporting they went to the restaurant during business hours in recent days to find it closed, with one writing that it appeared the restaurant was being packed up when they peered inside. Desert realtor/content creator James Suer also published a video reporting the closure on his Instagram page, and Google and Yelp were both listing the location as closed as of Saturday, Sept. 26.
The closure, if permanent, would end an over 31-year-long run for the desert location of City Work, which was known for its stir fry City Wok Chicken dish as well as for frequently being lauded on local “Best Of" lists.
Davis opened the original desert location of City Wok in Palm Desert’s Desert Springs Marketplace on Country Club Drive in 1995, about five years after he opened his first City Work restaurant in Los Angeles' Studio City neighborhood.
The restaurant developed a loyal local following during its 26 years on Country Club Drive before it relocated in 2021 to the significantly larger space at Palm Desert’s mall. Davis said at the time that he was thrilled with the then-new location’s much bigger patio and full bar.
There has been no activity on the Palm Desert City Wok’s social media pages since early August, when multiple posts were made announcing the restaurant’s reopening after a summer closure.
However, those seeking a City Wok Chicken fix can still head to the Studio City location at 1049 Ventura Blvd., which remains open. There are also simplified counter service versions of City Work currently operating in the B Terminal of Denver International Airport and at the Oasis Travel Center in Colby, Kansas, a popular stop for those traveling on Interstate 70 through the western part of that state.
Paul Albani-Burgio covers growth, development, business and, sometimes, music festivals in the Coachella Valley. Email him at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Beloved Palm Desert Chinese restaurant appears closed after 31 years
