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Over 2 decades since its closure, Fall River’s China Royal still leaves people wanting more
It has been gone for over 2 decades, yet people in the Fall River area still call for its reopening.
China Royal was an institution in Fall River until its closing in early 2001 after over 50 years in business.
What is now a plaza featuring CVS and the former Boston Market, used to be a large sturdy structure steeped in culture both outside and inside whether it was the dragons, the tiles, or the famous Buddha.
Some of the best acts in the area performed there including Frankie James and Alika and the Happy Samoans, the latter even recording a chow mein song in 1974.
While the entertainment was top notch, what most remember is the food. Whether you went for the buffet or a pu pu platter, you always left there full and satisfied despite the adage that Chinese food makes you hungry. Maybe hungry for more China Royal.
While the building at 534 Pleasant Street was and is iconic, that isn’t where China Royal got its start. From 1949 to 1973 the eatery operated on North Main Street on the side of the Durfee Theatre for those of us who weren’t around to remember.
We all have our favorite memories of China Royal, some of which I may not have mentioned here. What are your treasured recollections?
Fed Up
August 18, 2024 at 6:57 pm
Remember going there every Christmas and New Years for chow mein sandwhiches it was always packed too
Lori Almeida
August 18, 2024 at 7:00 pm
I work there when I was 28 years old like 5 months before I closed I left for a job in the nursing field but I had fun working there and it was awesome food I wish it was still around it would be something for my grandchildren to experience it had such a great atmosphere and the people who work there were awesome
Tammy Li
August 19, 2024 at 1:35 am
hi lori i think i remember you i’m ming and elsa’s oldest daughter tammy
Dave Underhill
August 18, 2024 at 7:27 pm
Food was great, so were the Mai Tai’s !! Lunch time to after a late night, it was there to end the day/ night on a good note !
Joan
August 18, 2024 at 8:59 pm
It was a family business. Is the family still around? It would be wonderful if they decided to bring it back. I am sure it would be highly successful from day one. 9
Tammy Li
August 19, 2024 at 1:34 am
i have worked there my whole life its too bad the family doesn’t want it
Dorothy Commeau
August 20, 2024 at 7:18 am
Sometime we should just be satisfied with the wonderful memories and leave it at that. I loved it there and the food was awesome. Thanks for the memories.
Bothrops
August 18, 2024 at 11:27 pm
Grandfather was friends with owners spent many a day hanging out eating and eating. Food was great. Nothing compares anymore.
Debbie
August 19, 2024 at 8:11 am
I remember going to the North main St location after school at BMC Durfee High
When they moved to Pleasant St my family went there also.
We loved the food and atmosphere.
Jazzbo
August 19, 2024 at 8:44 am
Used to go there every Christmas Eve. Before that, we went to the Nite Owl. Bring that back!
Ron Noto-Moniz
August 19, 2024 at 8:53 am
My wife busts my chops over going to a Chinese Restaurant for Fish and Chips. Can’t describe to her how fantastic it was.
Johnson’s Johnson
August 19, 2024 at 9:16 am
If it were open today I’d assume it’d be extremely expensive to dine there with today’s inflation issues. “Bidenomics” is wreaking havoc on the middle class
Kdog
August 19, 2024 at 7:44 pm
Take the politics elsewhere MAGAt this thread is for memories.
Rockcity
August 20, 2024 at 5:58 am
Leave it to a leftie loser and wimpy keyboard warrior to attempt to enforce some kind of cowmment section rules. Thanks TBag. You’re the hero of the internet comment section, saving us all from comments you don’t like.
John Bernardo
August 20, 2024 at 3:25 pm
You sound like an asshole. He didn’t refer to you in any manner. Typical fall river scum
Sharon
August 19, 2024 at 10:06 am
I remember going with my parents when I was very young but old enough to read. When asked what I wanted to drink, I replied, “suffering bastard”, as I pointed to the pic in the menu. My mom started cursing in Portuguese to my dad, and they both told me not to say that. Of course, being a bratty 7 year old, I had to push their buttons. I kept repeating it. No, I didn’t catch a smack, but all I got was a Shirley Temple. The delicious food rid our thoughts of the incident. As an adult, my fave dish was their fried half chicken with brown gravy, mashed with peas, and some fried rice. I was never much of a drinker, so I never did have a Suffering Bastard. I did share a Scorpion Bowl once. I’d love to eat that chicken again and wash it down with a SB today!!!
Mr T
August 19, 2024 at 10:44 am
My mom and dad used to take me every Friday to the North Main Street location in the 60’s. They had the best fish and chips I ever ate.
Barbara.
August 19, 2024 at 11:03 am
Miss the China Royal.still in high School every Sat chow Mein Sandwich and a Coke. Then off to the movies with My. school friend
Rags
August 19, 2024 at 11:05 am
This was a place for a special occasion/meal for us and it brings a smile to my face to retrace the memories.
Frank Souza
August 19, 2024 at 11:32 am
I remember going there with my Farther and he would talk to the owner in his language and I was amazed the food there was the best there will never be another.
Cindy
August 19, 2024 at 11:33 am
Always rubbed the budda belly leaving for luck .I miss it
Mike
August 19, 2024 at 12:49 pm
Went there a bunch of times in the wee hours of the morning after gigs with my band “Dreams” back in the early 90s. Went to many places after those late night gigs but the China Royal was one of the most memorable. Couldn’t beat those scorpion bowls and pu pu platters!
KAY
August 19, 2024 at 1:11 pm
bring back the AUTHENTIC VHINESE FOOD BOSTON MARKET IS AVAILABLE NOW
CP
August 19, 2024 at 4:21 pm
I would always get giddy with that scorpion bowl all to the chagrin of my wife and all to amuse my kids. I would always point out her Chineses Birthday animal with was slang name for the Rooster on the Menu. Good Times! Great Atmosphere
Kay
August 19, 2024 at 6:01 pm
I remember going there with friends back in the 70’s. We were students at BCC and had a long lunch break every Friday. Ate great food, talked, laughed and carried our Pineapple Passion pineapples with the little umbrellas back to school with us.
Good times!
Rick Albernaz
August 19, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Scottie’s Pub serves to original recipe Chow Mein. It’s just like I remember.
Neil
August 19, 2024 at 8:41 pm
My Nana used to take us there all the time. I’ll never forget their Chinese sandwich. Nothing else compares! The upstairs was off limits to us kids. I only made it about 7 steps up from the velvet black rope and Buddha before getting caught and scolded.
Dolly
August 19, 2024 at 11:26 pm
I miss the good old Chinese food not the stuff they sell today it’s awful no matter where you go you can’t get a veal cutlet meal anywhere and they had the best if egg rolls french fries and gravy chow mein fried rice you name it no one could beat them Mark you restaurant was also an excellent one too for the good veal cutlet and french fries with gravy miss them all so big time and they had slam and chow mein can’t get those old Chinese dishes anymore not the way they tasted everything is made so different today it’s sad
David
August 20, 2024 at 1:29 am
Wait, I’m sorry, are you calling veal, fries and gravy Chinese food? Are you ok?
Kathy Freund
August 20, 2024 at 2:30 am
PU PU platter!
Charles
August 20, 2024 at 5:41 am
This is all true but it’s out with the old and in with the new. China Sails is nice and Dim Sum has good fried rice. Dont go to Denny’s unless you like mice. 😂
Nancy Young
August 20, 2024 at 9:28 am
Expecting my first child I worked at FR national bank in 1968 I would go right across the street every day for the best chow mein sandwich lunch.It was the Best.
Joanne Sbardella
August 20, 2024 at 12:36 pm
Loved the food, especially the egg rolls and French fries with brown gravy. We used to go for drinks every Sunday night, the bartender was Su, he was amazing. He could whip up some delicious cocktails! Great memories! Still looking for a halfway decent egg roll. Any suggestions?
Lynne servant
August 21, 2024 at 4:00 am
I still remember being extremely young going there with Marianne to pre game B4 going to 2 Providence most likely the living room .. 1 suffering bastard a piece was a perfect way 2 start the night. I always loved the lions in the front too. Great food and atmosphere .
Bring china royal bacj
Magdalene Lague
August 20, 2024 at 7:42 pm
The Duck was to die for and their moo gu and Hon su guy pan was fabulous. Heck, everything I ever had there was great!
Janice Bronhard
August 21, 2024 at 10:16 am
going with my husband to CR and ordering the dinner for two. It was delicious. Also got the Poo Poo platter. Loved that Also. It was aweso