After 60 Years, Kowloon Café Closing For Good
May 11, 2019, 7:01 PM | Updated: May 12, 2019, 12:15 pm
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – There are many places in Utah with good Chinese food.
However, you won’t catch Kathy Tomlinson anywhere other than Kowloon Café in West Valley.
“This is the best Chinese food I’ve ever had in my life,” she said while waiting in line to get in. “Their egg drop soup is just the best ever.”
She wasn’t the only person waiting in line.
About 50 people were wrapped around the building off 35th south and 20th west before the restaurant even opened.
Its proof people love it.
“It’s freaking delicious,” said Ed Plummer with a laugh.
But the long line was also because, after today, there will never be another line again.
After more than 60 years, Kowloon Cafe is closing.
“I’m very sad. I’ve come here since I was just little,” said Tomlinson, who said she will soon turn 72 years old.
The owner of Kowloon Café, Raymond Wang, decided last month he was going to close for good.
Spending time with his grandkids is more appealing than making food from scratch every morning.
“I do need time for myself and to do whatever I want,” said Wang while he was folding cream cheese wontons to prepare for the day. “I don’t want to reach a day where I look back and I worked all my life. That’s not good. That’s not what life should be.”
He knew people would be sad when he announced his decision.
However, he said his loyal customers understood.
He just never expected lines out the door.
“That shows how much people really wanted us to stay,” said Wang. “We have a lot of customers that are loyal. For 40 years and 50 years. They keep coming.”
And when the door opened for the last time, customers sat down, ordered their favorites, and told stories of what they’re going to remember most about the place.
“It’s the atmosphere and the people,” said Plummer. “They did a great job here.”
For once, the memories and stories mattered more than the food.
And the conversations wishing Wang good luck were more inspirational than anything a fortune cookie could ever say.
Wang says he’ll miss it, but he’s also looking forward to something his business could never provide.
“You cannot buy time. Money is not that important,” he said. “Now, at least I have time. I can do nothing. Or I can do anything I want.”
60 years later and he’s just beginning.
