Back in February of this year, I had post about the Mai-Mai. The owners of the Mai-Mai it was discovered were also the owners of the east side’s Chinee Villa. A few weeks ago, I was out for lunch, and pull into the plaza next to the old Chinee Villa. The building is still standing with it’s lettering on the facade, but it’s been closed for a while. This question goes out to the east-sider’s on here, when did the Chinee Villa close?
I noticed that two businesses in the neigbouring plaza, like vultures, have scavenged the Chinee Villa sign for their own purposes.
Anyone with any memories of the place? On the Mai-Mai post, Scott Hughes asked a good question, what is this City’s oldest Chinese Restaurant?
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I ate at the Chinee Villa once--around the time I moved out to the eastside--I think 2002 or 2003...can't say I was impressed--but it's an interesting old building with a 1970s vibe and no windows (much like the Tai-Yin further east in Tecumseh). I don't think the place was open much longer after I visited--if I had to ballpark a closure date I'd say maybe 2004...2005 at the latest. It's been in it's current condition ever since--with a little tagging.
I think it's been closed for at least 5 years or so. A couple of co-workers and I went there for lunch once (about 2004/5?), and then tried again a month or so later and it was shuttered. All I really remember is that it was pretty cold in there. Food must have been ok for us to agree to return.
the oldest chinese restaurant i think may be the rickshaw
Rickshaw is now closed as well.
I remember teh food at Chinee Villa to be rather good when I was kid. But I can't say how it was later on.
I like the Serenity Plus. It looks like it too has fallen on hard times.
Not sure on this one, but the "House of Lee" downtown as been around forever...and it hasn't changed a bit.
The House of Lee would be a very good guess. My parents took us there back in the early 1960s for our first taste of Chinese food. I'm not sure when it first opened.
In the mid 1970s a bunch of us from St.Clair College would go to the Chinee Villa. It was quite good...yes very much like the Tai-Yin today in decor with no windows.
I seem to remember it opening in the early 1970's. There was very little out there. I think the McDonalds opened about the same time.
I'm thinking Lee's Imperial House but anybody know how long Harvey Lo's been on Wyandotte East or if it is still operating
A friend of mine is 3rd generation Chinese-Canadian and she told me that her great-grandfather came over to BC to work on the railways and wanted to stay. At that time, if you were Chinese you were only allowed to do two things: work in a laundromat or a Chinese restaurant. He opted for the laundromat but many others went the restaurant route. According to her, this is why even the smallest of cities in Canada have Chinese restaurants.
According to the 1919 Vernor's City Directory (http://www.archive.org/details/vernonswindsor00vernuoft), there was a Chinese Restaurant (no name is given) on 25 Sandwich Street West, and a Dominion Chinese Cafe on 59 Sandwich East.
The Lone Fone on Walker road has been around for a while, I think the mid 60's.