Wong's Café in London, Ontario

Wong's Café in London, Ontario, Canada was the place to be if you were looking to impress that special someone.

Considered to be the most elegant restaurant in London, Wong's was known for its excellent food, service, music and dancing.

The corner of Dundas and Richmond Streets in London, Ontario in 1914 - the year that Lem Wong opened his restaurant. Wong's Café isn't visible on this postcard. It would have been a little further to the left of the building on the left side of the image at 434 Richmond Street.

Wong's was a popular venue for special events, New Year's Eve parties, and wedding receptions.

99 years ago today, William Walter "Bill" Hodgins (1898-1964) married Lila Ann Sanders on 15 October 1921 in Exeter, Ontario. Bill and Lila held their wedding reception at Wong's Café. For more information about Bill Hodgins, the great-grandson of John Culbert & Mary Ward, click here.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hodgins left for London where a dainty wedding dinner awaited them at Wong's." Source: Exeter Times, 20 Oct 1921, page 1.

 

Famous Canadian bandleader, Guy Lombardo got his start at Wong's Café, entertaining customers on the weekends in exchange for practice space. Radio station CJGC (later known as CFPL) broadcast from the café on Friday nights.

Grainy image showing Wong's Café at 434 Richmond Street, just north of Dundas Street on the east side.

This is the only close-up photo I could find of Wong's but it doesn't do it justice. Architectural drawings of the restaurant are available here.

434 Richmond Street (formerly Wong's Café) as it looked in 2019. You have to use your imagination to picture it in its glory days from 1914-1941. The dining room was on the second floor where you see the big window.

Dinner plate from Wong's Café, found on eBay.

Lem Wong (born 1881 near Canton) opened the restaurant in 1914. Wong's Café remained open for 27 years until he sold it in 1941. Lem worked 15 hours a day to ensure that Wong's Café flourished. Aside from struggling like everyone else during the Great Depression, Lem Wong's business was a success.

Young Lem Wong.

Lem Wong and his wife, Toye Chin are regarded as the first Chinese immigrants to raise a family in London, Ontario. 

Lem Wong, his wife Toye Chin and their eight children.

Aside from chop suey, a dish which was accepted by North Americans, the menu at Wong's was European. At that time, if a Chinese restauranteur wanted to stay in business, he had to serve European or Canadian food. White linen tablecloths and silver cutlery graced the tables at Wong's Café and the waiters were trained in New York City. Upon arriving at the restaurant, Lem would personally greet each guest at the top of the stairs and escort them to their tables. He remembered his customers' names and faces.

If you had ancestors or relatives in London or the surrounding area, they probably spent a memorable night dining and dancing at Wong's Café.

Lem Wong and his family contributed greatly to the community in London, Ontario. For more information about Lem Wong, click here to read Lem Wong: A Story of Perseverance; and click here to read Gift of Opportunity: Gretta Grant BA'43, celebrates legacy of her trailblazing parents. Click here to watch the video, The Road Chosen: The Story of Lem Wong.