The first of April saw the closing of China Gate, one of the oldest traditional Chinese restaurants on the east side. Although the menu had evolved modestly over the years, the decor was gloriously unchanged since the restaurant opened in 1958.
China Gate was one of the few businesses remaining from the original Cedar Center shopping strip, lining both sides of the east-west thoroughfare of Cedar Road, which forms the border between University Hts. and South Euclid. The University Hts. side of the shopping center underwent renovation over the last few years, but the South Euclid side deteriorated as small businesses went under or relocated. After years of contention, the city of South Euclid finally reached an agreement with a developer to raze the old strip and build a mixed-use center, including that most quixotic of concepts, "luxury condos."
Many of the old businesses in the South Euclid strip were understandably upset about their displacement. None will be missed more, however, than China Gate, whose demise recalls the closing, decades ago, of the original Corky and Lenny's deli, also at Cedar Center. Corky's now concentrates its efforts on its Village Square shopping center location in Orange Village, near Pepper Pike, a one-mommy-per-SUV suburb.
Above taken while enjoying oriental corn and chicken soup for two.
Much has been made of the disappearance of the flamboyant tiki lounges and restaurants, but the post-war Chinese restaurant is vanishing fast too, and its loss is equally sad.
Sad update:
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