Kowloon Restaurant facts for kids
The Kowloon Restaurant is a very popular American restaurant. You can find it on a busy road called "Restaurant Row" along Route 1 in Saugus, Massachusetts. For many families in New England, visiting Kowloon is a special tradition. They go there for birthdays and anniversaries. It is also a top spot for fans of "tiki culture," which is a fun style inspired by Polynesian art and design.
The same family has owned Kowloon Restaurant for three generations. It has grown a lot over the years. Today, it serves many kinds of Asian food. You can find Cantonese, Szechuan, Japanese, Polynesian, and Thai dishes. The restaurant has several dining rooms, each with its own cool theme. In 2004, a Boston TV station, WHDH, even called Kowloon one of the best Chinese restaurants in New England.
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History of Kowloon Restaurant
How Kowloon Began
The restaurant first opened on August 22, 1950. Back then, it was called "The Mandarin House." It was in a building that used to be an ice cream shop. The menu had only a few Chinese and American dishes. The dining room was small, holding about 40 to 50 customers.
The Wong Family Takes Over
In 1958, Madeline and William "Bill" Wong bought the restaurant. This was the start of the second generation of family ownership. They changed the name to "Kowloon Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge." The Wongs began to make the business much bigger.
Growing into a Huge Restaurant
Over the next 50 years, the Wong family added five new parts to the original building. The restaurant grew a lot! It could now serve up to 1,200 customers at once. Diners can pick from many themed rooms. These include the Volcano Bay Room, the Tiki Lagoon, the Mandarin Room, the Thai Grille, and the Hong Kong Lounge. There is also a Luau Room used for private parties and a comedy club.
An Evolving Menu
The menu at Kowloon has also grown over time. The family kept adding new dishes to match what Americans wanted to eat. First, they added Polynesian dishes. Then, more Chinese food became popular, especially after famous chef Joyce Chen and the Nixon visit to China. Later, Szechuan dishes became a hit. After that, Thai and Japanese food, including sushi, were added. Today, guests can choose from almost 300 different items on the menu!
Awards and Recognition
In 2001, the Wong family was honored by the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. They were put into the Hospitality Hall of Fame. The Saugus Historical Commission has also suggested that the restaurant be added to the list of important cultural and historical places. Bill Wong, one of the owners who helped the restaurant grow so much, passed away in 2011 at 88 years old.
Kowloon Today
Today, the third generation of the Wong family continues to run the business. The restaurant is very successful. It is reported to make over $8 million each year. This makes it the top-grossing Chinese restaurant in the United States. The current owner is Donald Wong, who is also a State Representative. A State Representative is a person elected to make laws for their state.
