A beloved Richmond Hill institution, Ho Wan Restaurant, has closed its doors after more than four decades of serving the community. Residents from South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill took to Facebook to mourn the loss of the Cantonese and Szechuan-style eatery, which had been a neighborhood staple since the 1970s.
The restaurant, located at 111-5 Liberty Ave., has 4-star reviews on Google and high praises on Yelp, which testify to its popularity. Popular menu items included sweet and sour pork, chow mein, shrimp with broccoli, BBQ spare ribs and many other local favorites.
News of the restaurant’s closure first surfaced on July 31, when the South Ozone Park Facebook page shared an updated Google listing indicating Ho Wan Restaurant had permanently closed.
Since then, community members have flooded local Facebook groups with messages mourning the loss of the beloved eatery.
South Ozone Park local Mateo Gonzalez told QNS he had been eating at Ho Wan for the past 20 years. He said the closing was shocking, as the restaurant was under new ownership and seemed to be doing well. “It was remodeled, and then all of a sudden, it closed down. [The owner] re-did the sign outside the kitchen and some interior re-design,” he said. Gonzalez added that he will miss eating the beef fried rice.
Some commenters went on to say that they have stayed loyal to Ho Wan no matter how far they moved.
“So sad, we have been eating there for 40 years, moved out of the neighborhood, but still came back,” wrote Joan Maietta. “They had the best ribs, fried rice and their fat noodles on Sundays!”
Many residents shared fond memories of the decades they spent dining at the restaurant, reminiscing about the good times and special moments they enjoyed there.
“Ho-Wan was the only place my grandfather would eat Chinese food, so I grew up only eating there as well,” said Scott Cunniffe. “When my grandfather died in May of 1992, his funeral was on my birthday. So, after the funeral, to celebrate my birthday and say farewell to Grandpa, we all went to Ho Wan and had a huge luncheon in his honor.”
Vanessa Cabrejos told QNS that she loved the restaurant’s signature pork-fried rice and chicken with broccoli. Cabrejos recalled fond memories at Ho Wan centered around family meals and celebrations.
“I have many great memories there. I would enjoy the backstage mom/crew dinner for Rising Stars, the dance school my daughters attended when they were little girls. I was sad to see them close since they were such a big part of our community and family,” she said.
“I grew up going to Ho Wan with my family on many Sunday evenings. Many family gatherings were held there in the back room,” said Queens resident Emilee Wyner. “It was always hard not to fill up on the delicious fried noodles dipped in duck sauce that sat on the table until the food arrived. We continued to go up until it closed, even bringing my own children.”
The closing of Ho Wan signifies an end to an era for many in the community.
“They served the neighborhood for a long time. Remember the good times and events you may have had there, and just wish them a happy retirement,” wrote Sandy Anthony.
