Local Business Profile: Chinese BBQ - Food is a family affair
More than just a popular restaurant, Chinese BBQ is a family legacy.
Quan Ly, owner of London's only Chinese BBQ, is the fifth generation to carry on the family's unique restaurant experience.
“It's very authentic Chinese food,” said Ly. “You come in, order, we serve it right there and then. It's like McDonald's…but instead of assembling a hamburger, it's a bowl of rice.”
Delicious barbequed duck and other meats, along with Chinese food favourites like chow mein and fried rice offer something for every customer. But it's the story behind the food that makes the place special.
Ly's father launched the first Chinese BBQ in Windsor in 1981. The success of that restaurant even reached across the water in Detroit, where the local newspaper picked up on the place's charm. Ly still has the article and proudly shows it to those who ask.
The next place for the restaurant to pop up was Toronto. The new location, started by Ly's aunt, was developed when Spadina Street was just growing into itself.
Ly had been employed at London Life when his father passed away last year. It was then when Ly decided to honour what his father had created and go into the family business.
“This is something my dad wanted me to do,” explained Ly. “Do I love it? Yes, I have a passion for it — the people and the food.”
Despite only being around since 2008, the business has found a lot of success in London and they've done it an old-fashioned way.
“We're proud and happy we didn't do any ads,” said Ly. They're not even in the phone book.
The restaurant owes much of its success to referrals and to its target audience, the students, he said. They've already booked parties for some student groups such as the Canadian Asian International Student Association.
Even with the growing success, Chinese BBQ is sticking to their tried-and-true system.
“Good service, good food, clean, fast — way fast. You sit down and get your meal right away,” said Ly. “The quantity and the price — really affordable.”
Anyone with a hankering for a lot of Chinese food at a easy-on-the-wallet price, visit Chinese BBQ at 994 Huron St. or call (519) 963-0375 for more information.
Quan Ly, owner of London's only Chinese BBQ, is the fifth generation to carry on the family's unique restaurant experience.
“It's very authentic Chinese food,” said Ly. “You come in, order, we serve it right there and then. It's like McDonald's…but instead of assembling a hamburger, it's a bowl of rice.”
Delicious barbequed duck and other meats, along with Chinese food favourites like chow mein and fried rice offer something for every customer. But it's the story behind the food that makes the place special.
Ly's father launched the first Chinese BBQ in Windsor in 1981. The success of that restaurant even reached across the water in Detroit, where the local newspaper picked up on the place's charm. Ly still has the article and proudly shows it to those who ask.
The next place for the restaurant to pop up was Toronto. The new location, started by Ly's aunt, was developed when Spadina Street was just growing into itself.
Ly had been employed at London Life when his father passed away last year. It was then when Ly decided to honour what his father had created and go into the family business.
“This is something my dad wanted me to do,” explained Ly. “Do I love it? Yes, I have a passion for it — the people and the food.”
Despite only being around since 2008, the business has found a lot of success in London and they've done it an old-fashioned way.
“We're proud and happy we didn't do any ads,” said Ly. They're not even in the phone book.
The restaurant owes much of its success to referrals and to its target audience, the students, he said. They've already booked parties for some student groups such as the Canadian Asian International Student Association.
Even with the growing success, Chinese BBQ is sticking to their tried-and-true system.
“Good service, good food, clean, fast — way fast. You sit down and get your meal right away,” said Ly. “The quantity and the price — really affordable.”
Anyone with a hankering for a lot of Chinese food at a easy-on-the-wallet price, visit Chinese BBQ at 994 Huron St. or call (519) 963-0375 for more information.
