Business Spotlight:
By Ann Ereline
Danny Wong takes a break from his many jobs at East Garden.
Danny Wong does a bit of everything, from taking deliveries to doing meetings and the books, for the East Garden restaurant. A bit of everything, except the cooking.
That most essential job is left to his father who, Danny says beaming with pride, “is an excellent cook” of dishes you’d find in Guangzhou (formerly Canton), where the Wong’s immigrated from to join family in Portland in 1989. And for about a year, they have been the sole owners of East Garden at 12424 SE Division St.
East Garden’s food leans toward “a little more original Chinese,” according to Danny, and you can try it out yourself at the Festival of Nations on Sept. 17. For a second year, East Garden will feature restaurant favorites, such as lo meins, fried rice and other popular items. Like last year, the East Garden is a festival sponsor, sponsoring at the Silver Level.
“It’s fun,” lists Danny as the first reason East Garden participates in the festival. Also, the restaurant’s participation helps the community and is good advertising for the business, which is blocks and blocks away from the Southeast 82nd juggernaut of Chinese eateries.
East Garden’s shrimp fried rice and egg rolls make a perfect lunch (for several days).
Still, East Garden’s delivery business is brisk and profitable. But “it’s hard to get people in” for a sit-down meal, Danny says. Once diners do experience the joys of eating in at the East Garden, he adds, there’s “a lot of repeating” to the comfy dine-in area of the restaurant.
East Garden invites you to try them out at 12424 SE Division St. For reservations or take-out, call 503-761-2200, and for more information and to see menus, the website is www.eastgardenportland.com. The website includes a link for home delivery.
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