Won Kow

Culled from: Drury, John. Dining in Chicago, New York: The John Day Company, 1931, pp. 168-169.

Note: The Newberry Library holds the personal papers of author John Drury.

WON KOW, 2235 Wentworth Avenue

Not just another chop suey parlor, but truly Chinese, and situated in the middle of Chicago's 22nd Street Chinatown, a mile or so south of the downtown district. It is as Chinese as your laundry slip — in cuisine, appointments, and clientele. But Americans come here too — judges, city officials, newspaper people, and theatrical folk. All of these visitors know Frank Moy, the venerable "Mayor of Chinatown," who, with his chief aid, Tom Toy Lee, is part owner of the Won Kow Restaurant. Order chicken bird's nest soup, fried shrimps, chicken chow mein subgum, and kumquats if you want a typical Cantonese dinner. The waiters here are very courteous and will show you how to use chop sticks in case you don't know how to handle them. Observing discreetly the manner in which the Chinese diners eat is an interesting diversion — and might be of help to you in using the sticks. After you have finished your meal, visit the Chinese "city hall" across the street, a large temple occupied by the On Leong Chinese Merchants Association, of which Mr. Lee is president and Mr. Moy secretary. They welcome visitors and the beautiful rooms are worth seeing. The Won Kow is open until 2 A.M.

Maitre d'hotel: Mr. Lee (not Tom Toy)