Ma Jong’s Asian Diner permanently closes after 16 years in downtown Sacramento

Ma Jong’s Asian Diner withstood the Great Recession and Furlough Fridays. It’s been felled by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Pan-Asian restaurant owned by MAC Hospitality Group has permanently closed after 16 years, according to posts on Ma Jong’s website, Facebook page and Yelp page.

Located across from Capitol Park at 1431 L St., Ma Jong’s lunchtime and happy hour crowds largely comprised of state workers have disappeared in recent months, as have the clubgoers that kept it open until 2:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Ma Jong’s Asian Diner is closed,” Ma Jong’s post read. “The pandemic and lack of business downtown has been difficult. Thank you for 16 years of great friendships and joyous memories.”

Founded by brothers Mason, Alan and Curtis Wong in 2004, Ma Jong mostly served Chinese specialties plus a few other east Asian dishes such as Vietnamese salad rolls or Thai chicken wings.

Ma Jong’s closure leaves Cafeteria 15L as the lone open business from MAC Hospitality Group’s mini-monopoly on the corner of 15th and L streets. Gogi Korean BBQ shut down at the beginning of the year and The Park Ultra Lounge has been closed throughout the pandemic, as has sister nightclub Mix Downtown a block away.

MAC Hospitality Group’s Public House Downtown and Iron Horse Tavern remain open elsewhere downtown and in the surrounding region.

This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 5:07 PM.