The popular restaurant Ho Wan in Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park has ceased operations
Photo via Google Maps
A beloved Richmond Hill institution, Ho Wan Restaurant, has closed its doors after more than four decades of serving the community. Residents of South Ozone Park and Richmond Hill took to Facebook to mourn the loss of the Cantonese and Szechuan restaurant that had been a neighborhood staple since the 1970s.
The restaurant, located at 111-5 Liberty Ave., has 4-star reviews on Google and high praise on Yelp, testifying to its popularity. Some of the most popular dishes on the menu included sweet and sour pork, chow mein, shrimp with broccoli, BBQ spare ribs, and many other local specialties.
News of the restaurant’s closure first surfaced on July 31, when an updated Google post was posted on South Ozone Park’s Facebook page stating that Ho Wan Restaurant was permanently closed.
Since then, community members have flooded local Facebook groups with messages mourning the loss of the popular eatery.
Mateo Gonzalez of South Ozone Park told QNS he has been eating at Ho Wan’s for the past 20 years. He said the closure was a shock because the restaurant had a new owner and seemed to be doing well. “It was being remodeled and then all of a sudden it closed. (The owner) updated the sign in front of the kitchen and did some remodeling of the interior,” he said. Gonzalez added he will miss the beef fried rice.
Some commentators further said that they remained loyal to Ho Wan no matter how far away they moved.
“So sad, we ate 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 thick noodles on Sunday!”
Many residents shared fond memories of the decades they have dined at this restaurant and reminisced about the good times and special moments they spent there.
“Ho Wan was the only place my grandfather ate Chinese food, so that was the only place I ate as a child,” said Scott Cunniffe. “When my grandfather died in May 1992, his funeral was on my birthday. To celebrate my birthday and say goodbye to Grandpa, after the funeral we all went to Ho Wan and had a big lunch 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 of Ho Wan revolving around family meals and celebrations.
“I have a lot of great memories there. I enjoyed backstage dinner with mom and crew for Rising Stars, the dance school my daughters attended as little girls. It made me sad to see them close as 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 in the back room,” said Queens resident Emilee Wyner. “It was always difficult not to gorge on the delicious fried noodles with duck sauce that were on the table until the food arrived. We kept going until closing time and even brought my own children.”
The closure of Ho Wan marks the end of an era for many in the community.
“They have served the neighborhood for a long time. Remember the good times and events they experienced there and just wish them a happy retirement,” wrote Sandy Anthony.
