By Maria Vasallo
How does an Asian restaurant amass hundreds of people in a makeshift block party?
For people at Kowloon’s 75th anniversary celebration, the answer is simple: There’s nothing like the food, drink and entertainment you can expect at a summer bash in the backyard of the Route 1 North staple.
Nearly every guest at Thursday’s bash had a Kowloon story, and they described the longtime establishment as iconic and a tradition that goes back decades. Those gathered agreed that besides the delicious food, the family-owned restaurant is celebrating its 75th birthday because it treats every customer like family.
Founded in 1950 in a converted ice cream parlor, Kowloon transformed into what is considered the largest Asian restaurant in the United States – a 1,200-seat complex featuring multiple themed dining rooms, entertainment venues, and a comedy club. The restaurant has evolved its menu over the decades, expanding from traditional Chinese dishes to include Polynesian cuisine, then adding Thai and Japanese offerings including sushi, now boasting nearly 300 menu items.
Attendees paid between $75 and $150 and got their money’s worth with world famous – and nostalgic – bands Tavares and Starship. Kowloon’s signature dishes like pork fried rice, lo mein, boneless spare ribs, crab Rangoon, and of course, their famous Saugus wings were served buffet style.
The celebration opened with a performance by a Chinese band, complete with red dragons, followed by the main entertainment, who performed their signature songs like «Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel,» «A Penny for Your Thoughts,» «Don’t Take Away the Music» (Tavares), and of course Starship’s «Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.»
And once that music started, patrons clustered around the stage, transforming the dinner party into a lively outdoor block party with people dancing and singing. Glow sticks lit up the area and people of all ages were on their feet.
Not bad for an event that had to be rescheduled at the last minute due to weather the night before. Congratulations and happy 75th anniversary to Kowloon and the Wong family.
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