11. MORE COOKS & SERVERS

With the beginning 1940s came a surge of Chinese into food services in Niagara Falls. Such an influx was surprising as World War II efforts had slowed tourism in Niagara Falls and industry focused on a wartime economy but people continued to dine out.

Hotels continued to hire Chinese cooks and others found work in Chinese-operated restaurants.


The following list compiled from city directories is not exhaustive. The organization of the directories made it difficult, if not impossible, to follow individuals or track businesses over the years.

Names and/or years may have been overlooked as I just ran out of time during my June 2017 stay in Niagara Falls.

 The record for King George Cafe (1927 to 1944) operated by Hong Chung is addressed in a separate post as is New World Lunch (1941 to 1950) operated by my father and his different business partners. In addition, "chop suey" restaurants are discussed in another post.
1940

592 Park Street:  HUGH SETO, boarder, cook at Caverly Hotel, 816 Bridge St.
                         MIR LING, boarder, chef

254 Park Street: LLOYD CHANG, boarder, cook at Arcadian Inn, 1709 River Rd.

186 Bridge Street: Sunrise Café – CHIN SETO, business & residence
                                                  SETO WING, cook
                                                  TONG WING, cook

1717 Victoria Ave. Frisco Café – JIM CHONG, residence at 1054 Centre St.

1725 Victoria Ave. Centre Café – HARRY LEE, business & residence

1719 Victoria Ave. Tearney Restaurant – CHARLES TOM, manager & residence

Thorold Stone Rd.  Charles Damato Café – JOHN SETO, cook
   (& Stanley Ave.)



1943-1944


427 Queen St. Victory Café – BUCK QUON, proprietor

                                                   JACK CHONG, waiter, roomed at 232 Park St.
                                             YEW K. CHONG, waiter (1943 only),
                                                                                roomed at Old Market Square

1946


 559 Erie Avenue New Globe Restaurant – YUEN CHONG, roomed at 326 Ellis
1955

427 Queen Street - Lichee Restaurant
1294 Ferry Street - The Nanking




There were Chinese whose addresses were listed in the directories but no indication given of where they worked. Perhaps they, too, were cooks or wait staff somewhere.

 According to Loy Chong, FRANK LEW was head chef at the Cyanamid cafeteria during World War II and oversaw the work of 17 Chinese immigrants. Some of those workers may be included in the following list:


1940: 396 Bridge St. YET QUE FUNG

1941: 257 Park (r) JAMES CHING (remains at same address until 1946)
        403 Park St. JIMMY CHONG

1942: 232 Park St. QUAN YONG
         297 Ellis             JACK CHUNG

1944: 578 Erie Ave. CHINESE

1945: 578 to 580 Erie CHINESE
         227 Park St. E. WING

1948: 236 Bridge St. HONG SUEY

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