Nankin Cafe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nankin Cafe |
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|---|---|
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1919 |
| Current owner(s) | Closed |
| Food type | Chinese |
| Street address | 15 S. 7th St. (1919-1958) 20 S. 7th St. (1958-1980) 7th St. @ Hennepin Av. (City Center) (1981-1999) |
| City | Minneapolis |
| County | Hennepin |
| State | Minnesota |
| Postal/ZIP code | 55402 (all three locations) |
| Country | United States |
The Nankin Cafe was a famous Chinese restaurant located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. For 80 years, it was known as a special place in downtown Minneapolis.
Contents
History of Nankin Cafe
How Nankin Cafe Started
The Nankin Cafe first opened its doors in 1919. It was started by a person named Walter James. The very first location was at 15 S. 7th Street. Today, that spot is a parking ramp near the Dayton-Radisson hotel.
New Owners and New Locations
In 1949, the restaurant was sold to the Golden and Chalfen families. They continued to run the Nankin Cafe. In 1958, the restaurant moved to a new spot. It went across 7th Street to 20 S. 7th Street.
Moving to City Center
Later, in 1980, the entire block where the restaurant was located was taken down. This was to make room for a new shopping center called City Center. The owners of Nankin Cafe made a deal. They agreed to move their restaurant into the new City Center. So, in 1981, when the new complex was finished, Nankin Cafe opened there.
Popular Dishes at Nankin Cafe
The Nankin Cafe was well-known for some of its tasty dishes. People especially loved its chow mein and egg foo yung. These dishes often came in a "subgum" style. This meant they had a mix of different meats and vegetables.
The Final Years of Nankin Cafe
For its last 10 years, the Nankin Cafe was owned by the Wu family. The restaurant eventually closed down in 1999.
Why Nankin Cafe Closed
Several things might have led to the restaurant closing. One reason was that traditional Chinese-American food became less popular over time. Also, the restaurant had to close for five months in late 1988. This happened because workers stopped working to ask for better conditions. The Wu family also faced some financial difficulties. These challenges likely contributed to the restaurant's closing.
