About the project
A Living Document
Envisioned as a living document, this digital archive is dedicated to preserving and sharing the narratives of these foundational restaurants. Designed with growth in mind, it will expand as opportunities arise to include other establishments throughout Portland that have played significant roles in their communities. Over time, the archive will evolve into a lasting testament to the ongoing legacy of Asian American contributions to our city.
Acknowledgments
Our research is dedicated to preserving the narratives behind these historic restaurants and the lives of the families and friends who sustained them. By conducting in-depth interviews, delving into historical records, and engaging closely with the community, we capture the origins of these establishments, the challenges they encountered, and the profound contributions they made to the fabric of the Jade District.
This research archive stands as a tribute to the rich heritage of Chinese Americans in Portland and reflects our commitment to safeguarding these stories for future generations. The initiative, led by APANO, aims to advance equity and cultural preservation in the Jade District. As part of the redevelopment of the Canton Grill site, plans include the creation of affordable housing, community spaces, and an art monument that honors the contributions of these pioneering families—ensuring their legacy continues to inspire and educate.
There were many more Chinese-owned restaurants established during each of these waves of development.
This map shows a sampling of establishments from downtown Portland to SE Portland.
This horizontal timeline chronologically places the six iconic restaurants based on the year of establishment.
The vertical branches represent the restaurants that were established at the same location.
Thousands of Chinese lived and worked in downtown Portland, forming a vibrant community. Huber’s Cafe remains the sole restaurant from 1879, with the Louie family stewarding its legacy through generations and garnering renown for its turkey dishes and refined cocktails. During that era, Chinese restaurants captivated American diners by offering dishes that diverged from typical American fare—exemplified by the Americanized stir-fried creation, Chop Suey.
Due to the increase of Asian residents and the growing popularity of Chinese cuisine—spurred in part by the era’s famous “Ping Pong Diplomacy” (a seminal exchange in which table tennis helped ease tensions between the United States and China)—more Chinese restaurants expanded to offer larger venues. These new spaces were designed to accommodate family-friendly dim sum gatherings as well as the festive banquets that celebrated birthdays and weddings, traditions deeply rooted in Asian cultures.
In Portland, property ownership was a significant challenge for Chinese residents. Enterprising individuals secured land outside the city’s traditional boundaries—west of 82nd Avenue—to establish their restaurant businesses. This restriction contributed to the emergence of several iconic restaurants on the east side of 82nd Avenue during the 1940s. The rise of the automobile in the 1950s ushered in the era of “cruising,” leading many Chinese American restaurants to open along major thoroughfares, with 82nd Avenue evolving into a favored auto route. Advertisements from that period notably featured parking as an attractive amenity.
Portland gradually earned a reputation as a city that celebrated independent culinary explorations. In this evolving landscape, Chinese restauranteurs recognized an opportunity to introduce haute cuisine distinct from the conventional, low-priced menus. As the Asian population continued to increase, these establishments began offering specialty regional dishes, crafted with authentic, premium ingredients that required refined preparation and artful presentation.
The Historical Map (1934-1963)
The Jade District, established in 2013, spans roughly from Division Street to Powell Boulevard (north to south) and from SE 75th Avenue to I-205 (east to west). Since the 1930s, this district has undergone significant transformations, shaped by a diverse array of businesses that have left an enduring mark on its character. Notable enterprises have included MayFair Greens, WayFairs Club House, the MayFair Bowling Alley, a local bazaar, a real estate office, a furniture store, and the iconic Canton Grill (1944-2020). Canton Grill, in particular, operated at the same location for 76 years, standing as a lasting testament to the Jade District’s evolving legacy and resilience through decades of change.
Many of the immigrants who came to Portland hailed from the same village in China, often sharing the same family name. For example, numerous families in the city bear the surname Louie—not necessarily because they are closely related by blood, but because they share common origins. These shared roots fostered a network of mutual support and business collaboration.
Early Chinese restaurant owners in Portland leaned on one another, creating tight-knit communities where family and friendship extended into the realm of business. Youngsters would frequently lend a hand at restaurants run by familiar “aunties” and “uncles” after school, while the adults established partnerships and provided job opportunities for fellow immigrants from their village.
This diagram illustrates the interwoven business and family ties surrounding two iconic restaurants, Canton Grill and New Cathay, during the mid to late 1900s, reflecting a legacy where childhood memories were often built behind the scenes of these cherished community institutions.
Circles of Families
If you have any photos or information about this project that you’d like to share, please contact us at press@APANO.org.