Regards,
E. Robert Kee
How to collect antique postcards and why. historicviewpostcards.com
Saturday, December 01, 2012
Cathay Tea Garden Restaurant in Philadelphia
Happy to have won this postcard of the Cathay Tea Garden Restaurant in Philadelphia. This restaurant was founded by my great grandfather shortly after WWI and closed in around 1975. It was a Center City Philadelphia landmark for many years and even hosted a live radio show during the 1920's to mid-1950's.
Regards,
E. Robert Kee
Regards,
E. Robert Kee
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11 comments:
MY father played trumpet in the Tommy Talge Cathay Tea Garden Orchestra bak when.
Fred Pfisterer
My whole family ate at and enjoyed the Cathay Tea Garden. It was a beautiful restaurant and I often tell my friends about it. I remember the paintings on the walls and the mosaic steps going up to the dining room.
We were all very sad when it closed.
There was a host named Donald.
Dottie Scherer
I just found out that my grandfather, Hom Thik Gee, owned this resto, as well as two others in NYC. When did the resto in Phila close? I'd love memories, if anyone is willing to share. Erika.l.lim(at) gmail.com
My grandfather and great-uncle (Moy brothers) worked at Cathay Tea Garden. I believe one was maître d'. They came to know a shoe retailer on the same street. The shoe salesman got his sister a job at the restaurant. The sister married the younger brother. That is how my Chinese grandfather met my Irish (Coleman) grandmother. They moved to NYC.
I was here many times for lunch upstairs as a child with my mother during the 1950s and 1960s and came a few times with friends in my early 20s in the very early 1970s. I remember it verywell and very fondly.
My parents often went here, and my mom saved one of their menus which I now have.
One story I remember vividly was that once when they were there, the chef came running out
of the kitchen with a meat cleaver, chasing someone!!
As a child, it was always a treat when my mother took me shopping "downtown" and then to lunch at the Cathay Tea Garden. I remember so well the music playing. It made me feel like I had walked into a fairy land. They do not have restaurants of this type for the average person to enjoy. It is a lost era that I wish could be resurrected.
Dolly
The Cathay Tea Garden was a regular visit on Friday nights. As a child (about 6 years old) I was fascinated by the oriental styling, listening to Chinese being spoken, and the colors and decoration of the building. The Chinese man who always greeted us at the top of the stairs was named Warren and he took special effort to tell me things about China. As a child I did not like Chinese food, my parents did, but to this day when I think of egg-drop soup, I get into my car and go to our local Chinese restaurant and have some (did it last week). Many fond memories of this place. My experiences there steered me into the study of many things oriental and helped tremendously when I was stationed in Korea and Vietnam during my Army career. I also found the Adelphia Hotel next door which ahs figured into my studies where the Montford Point Marine Association formed. I thought the doorman there was someone very special in his gray and maroon uniform.
My Great Aunt Mary and Great Uncle Joe. use to sing there. Last name Bryan. This was in the 1940's
Check this link! Still listed as active business in PA and all former owners names are here!
https://pennsylvaniadb.com/company/2117945/cathay-tea-garden
My wife and I enjoyed the great food here. I never had better. Bruce Parker
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