A hole in the wall eatery serving “Chinese & Western Cuisine” (as the old signs often advertised) is a small town staple. Usually housed in some heritage building they offer unpretentious fare, nothing remotely gourmet, but yummy all the same. Think kitschy decor, budget prices and generous portions. Think bottomless cups of coffee and an all-you-can-eat feed bag come Friday night. It’s old school defined and places like this a real slice of Canadiana. Presenting the Hong Kong Restaurant in Linden Alberta, sadly closed a couple years now.
This business also had an attached motel and while no Hilton, it’s not without its charms.
Research shows a restaurant of some sort has operated out of this building since about 1970. We did find data suggesting it housed another even before that (Maple Leaf Coffee Shop maybe) but it can’t be fully corroborated. Our information comes from old phone books, one of the more solid sources when it comes to business names and dates.
Hong Kong Restaurant & Motel: now closed. A buffet of fun with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
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This we know for sure…
From about to 1970-1973 it was the Country Inn. Then it became Village Inn and with the addition of the motel “wing” a year or so later (three rooms worth!) Village Inn & Motel. The latter was made from an Atco type trailer commonly seen in construction or oil rig camps and while the digs were simple, they were probably adequate for the time. A similar utility trailer across the alley and seen in the photos, we believe is connected to the local fire hall and not part of the motel.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
The Hong Kong Restaurant & Motel first makes mention in 1981 and kept that name until closing about 2019-ish after close to forty years in business. There’s other eateries in Linden, but none in the traditional sense like here, but they were the only accommodations.
Sadly businesses like this are dying off and while the reasons are many, there’s often a pattern of usual suspects. It might be because the owners are getting on in years, or the building similarly so. Maybe it’s that tastes are changing or due to a shift in population or demographic. No matter, it’s a tough biz to be in and that the Hong Kong folks kept the lights on as long as they did is commendable. We know not the exact reasons for their demise, but suspect at least one of the factors mentioned could be in play. Ongoing Covid lock downs might kill and may yet kill many restaurants, but here they were gone before that storm hit.
The colour of the building! Need directions to the Hong Kong? Look for the blue! We didn’t find any real estate listing for the business so it appears they’re not looking for new owners. Not that it’d be an easy sell anyway. Update May 13th, 2021: Since the publishing of this piece, we’ve gotten word recently that someone has been working to reopen the restaurant end of the business in some form (not sure about the motel). We wish them success and if in the area will drop by.
It’s not clear when the Hong Kong Restaurant building was constructed but that it’s made of concrete (cinder) blocks offers some hints. These were quite popular in the post-World War Two era building boom, so from around that time is as good a guess as any. The old TV antenna is a nice retro element – three whole channels! Cool Coke sign too!
Look way up and see Linden’s water tower. The tallest thing around, it’s a curious structure looking almost like an overgrown Sputnik satellite. We asked around and it looks like it was put in around the time the community upgraded from hamlet to village status in the 1960s. Further, it’s suggested it was bought used but nothing more is said from where it came. It does look quite old so that it came second hand seems to fit. We’ll continue to search out a story and will update this post should new information come to light (as it often does). Any locals that we haven’t already spoke with care to chime in? On either subject? We love it when readers “add to the story”.
Linden can be traced back to the early 1900s, although it seems things did not take off until after the railway arrived around 1930. That track, incidentally, did not pass through town proper but was a couple kilometres west (and pulled up in the 1990s). Linden has a population approaching nine hundred and is one of the few small prairie towns that’s growing, albeit not at a furious place.
Till next we meet.
They’re saying…
”Their photography is wonderful and I love to read the background stories to the images” Peg Strankman.
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here don’t hesitate to contact us!
Date of Adventure: May, 2020. Location(s): Linden, AB. Article references and thanks: old AGT phone books @ Medicine Hat & District Genealogical Society and Calgary Public Library and the Village of Linden.
…it is re-opening soon. But it is no longer blue – they painted it terracotta and removed/changed the front entrance. GRAND OPENING Hong Kong Restaurant on June 5, 2021 Hours: 11:00 am – 8:30 pm, 7 days a week. The menu will be posted on Hong Kong Restaurant’s page this week!
The blue!!! It amazes me how popular Chinese restaurants are in this province. Every small town seems to have at least one and they’re always busy. Our local one has people coming from other towns to patron. Thanks for the write up on this one.
It’s a can’t miss colour. And now it’s pink-ish, so a bit more toned down, and due to reopen in a few days. We patronize places like this when we can and always seem to have a good meal.
My mom and dad bought the restaurant from Harders back in the early 70’s. It was known then as the Village Inn. Mom was an incredible cook, and Margaret Toews made the best donuts. I still have great memories of working there after school and on Saturdays. This is where I learned to cook. I remember so many who worked there with mom – Grace, Donna, Val, Roseanne, Karen, Margaret, Frances….I’m sure I’m missing more. THe restaurant holds a lot of memories for some after hours fun as well to lots of people who lived in Linden back then.
Many small towns had a Chinese cafe. These were popular and many of us enjoyed the unique menu items which we liked. Buffets were especially a highlight!
I can go back even further to the 60’s when the Harder’s owned it and it was a coffee shop and perhaps a bit of store? I remember getting a toy telephone and some pencils and for sure some candy and chocolate bars! and later on they served some awesome doughnuts! Margaret Toews worked there for a long time!
My grandparents owned this restaurant in the 70’s. My mom and her siblings grew up in the basement, and helped with cooking, serving, and cleaning the motel rooms.
I grew up across the street from this place! It was always a go to for our family growing up. Was sad when the old owners sold, May and Chung, I remember playing with their kids in the back…they had the BEST ginger beef/chicken. Havent been able to find anything close to it since!
Loved the Chinese restaurants and still do. Check out Chop Suey Nation a book about Chinese restaurants across Canada. Thank goodness Mings will rebuild here in Williams Lake.
Looking at the place from certain angles might have you thinking you’re back in time. Love that vibe. We’re always looking up at water towers (just another obsession) and we’ve not seen one of this form before in person.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
…it is re-opening soon. But it is no longer blue – they painted it terracotta and removed/changed the front entrance. GRAND OPENING
Hong Kong Restaurant on June 5, 2021
Hours: 11:00 am – 8:30 pm, 7 days a week.
The menu will be posted on Hong Kong Restaurant’s page this week!
We’ve had a few messages like yours. That’s awesome to hear and thanks for passing it along. We’ll have check it out sometime.
And it is painted pink now!
We see that. So long blue…
The blue!!!
It amazes me how popular Chinese restaurants are in this province. Every small town seems to have at least one and they’re always busy. Our local one has people coming from other towns to patron.
Thanks for the write up on this one.
It’s a can’t miss colour. And now it’s pink-ish, so a bit more toned down, and due to reopen in a few days. We patronize places like this when we can and always seem to have a good meal.
My mom and dad bought the restaurant from Harders back in the early 70’s. It was known then as the Village Inn. Mom was an incredible cook, and Margaret Toews made the best donuts. I still have great memories of working there after school and on Saturdays. This is where I learned to cook. I remember so many who worked there with mom – Grace, Donna, Val, Roseanne, Karen, Margaret, Frances….I’m sure I’m missing more. THe restaurant holds a lot of memories for some after hours fun as well to lots of people who lived in Linden back then.
Comment of the day! Thanks for sharing these amazing memories and it’s like we’re there with you.
Many small towns had a Chinese cafe. These were popular and many of us enjoyed the unique menu items which we liked. Buffets were especially a highlight!
Yes, almost every town had one like this. The buffet was God-send to a hungry teenager.
It is going to be great. So looking forward to it opening again
We’ll have to head down at some point too.
My brother tells me this place is going to reopen…..might already have happened. That was a couple of weeks ago.
The Linden FB page says on the 5th, so a few days away now. Good news.
Damn, they had good Chinese food.
We’ve heard that more than a few times in the comments.
It’s too bad that these places are dying. Nice write up … and beautiful sign.
Yes, it’s a tough business but good news, it’s reopening so we’re up one again.
It’s so blue!
And now it’s pink or orange depending on which comment you refer to. I’d say pink-ish best describes is based on the photos I’ve seen.
Many years ago I worked here before it was a Chinese restaurant!! So many memories!!
Cool!
I can go back even further to the 60’s when the Harder’s owned it and it was a coffee shop and perhaps a bit of store? I remember getting a toy telephone and some pencils and for sure some candy and chocolate bars! and later on they served some awesome doughnuts! Margaret Toews worked there for a long time!
Thanks for sharing these memories. We can picture it as it was and it’s like we’re there.
Just saw it last week.. all painted and fixed as a new Chinese restaurant is moving in..
It’s so good to hear a positive small town story.
It is now painted orange. I think it’s been bought and maybe something else is about to start there.
Yes, a new eatery (same name) is moving in.
So excited it’s been bought and is being renovated. They will once again serve Chinese here! Owners are ambitious and very friendly!!!
That’s so awesome to hear and we wish them the best.
Re opening again!!
Yes, we heard that and we’ll likely head down sooner than later to check it out.
Ate many a meal here. Even lived at the motel for like half a year
Extended stay? So you must have got to know the town well.
Going to harders was a highlight in dons and my life. Sure miss him and the good old days
Those Harders make mention in a lot of comments.
Mom would take Deb and I out once in a while to Harders for hamburger deluxe. Man that was a treat. Lots of Memories in that place.
And thanks for sharing them!
Delivered food in the back door and it was old and dusty 30 years ago… Good way to build up the immune system .
Haha!
We would go in there and listen to the juke box..lol
You’re dating yourself here…haha.
Worked there for 10 years under Mai & Troung (pronounced Chung). Miss them and the food! By far the best ginger beef!
Some of the best Ginger Beef we’ve ever had was in a small town eatery like this.
My Dad took our family here for supper every Saturday night. Chung & May became family friends. Our favorite was the almond soo guy. Miss this place!
New owners have taken it over and should be up and running in a few days we’re told.
The only restaurant in many prairie towns
And all served “Chinese & Western Cuisine”.
Such a pity. The Ma and Pa diners usually have the best food and friendliest staff
We agree. Good news, unknown to us when we posted this, but the place has new owners and will reopen soon.
Great photos!
Thank you sir.
My grandparents owned this restaurant in the 70’s. My mom and her siblings grew up in the basement, and helped with cooking, serving, and cleaning the motel rooms.
Wow, that’s so cool!
I grew up across the street from this place! It was always a go to for our family growing up. Was sad when the old owners sold, May and Chung, I remember playing with their kids in the back…they had the BEST ginger beef/chicken. Havent been able to find anything close to it since!
There’s many claiming title to the best Ginger Beef. There’s a place by us…never mind. I bet it was good and made all the better due to fond memories.
Harder’s used to have the best French fries … great stop after doing newspaper route.
That’s going way back in time and thanks for sharing these memories!
Best place ever they were like family there
Thanks for commenting!
Many of these small establishments had the best food
Agreed! It’s amazing how many good meals we’ve had at little hole-in-the-wall places like this.
Nice pictures!
Thank you so much!
Loved the Chinese restaurants and still do. Check out Chop Suey Nation a book about Chinese restaurants across Canada. Thank goodness Mings will rebuild here in Williams Lake.
We’ll look for that book!
That’s one old looking water tower. It looks like a place that time forgot.
Looking at the place from certain angles might have you thinking you’re back in time. Love that vibe. We’re always looking up at water towers (just another obsession) and we’ve not seen one of this form before in person.