Another historical marker in downtown Memphis, this one is on Beale Street and points out the history of a business that has since gone but an entire industry and the history of a group of immigrants who came to America for a new start.
The front of the marker reads, "Chop Suey Café. Chop Suey is actually an American dish created by early Chinese immigrants in the 1800s for gold miners in California. It is a stir-fried mixture of vegetables and meat in a starchy soy sauce served over rice. An instant success, chop suey became the standard Chinese food found in restaurants known as "chop suey houses." The Chop Suey Café at 342 Beale Street was open for 47 years and is believed to be the longest operating Chinese restaurant in Memphis. Two Restaurateurs, Chu C. Lau and Chu Lain, opened it as the "Oriental Café" in 1920, and in 1922 a new owner, Ming Moy, renamed it "Moy Ming." It became the "Chop Šuey Café" in 1923, managed by Ming Moy until 1930. There was a succession of owners from 1930 to 1953, the last being a man named Jew Sing. The restaurant closed in 1967."
On the reverse, "Chinese Merchants of Beale Street. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 banned Chinese laborers from entering the United States but allowed merchants, students, scholars, and diplomats. These exceptions allowed Chinese to continue to immigrate and establish businesses throughout the U.S. The earliest known Chinese business in Memphis, a laundry, opened in 1873. Fourteen other laundries operated on Beale at various addresses from 1887 to 1915. Subsequently, from 1930 to 1963 up to five Chinese grocery stores opened on Beale. Sam Lee & Co. was in business for 20 years and Joe T. Chew for 10 years. When these businesses were at their peak, this surrounding area of Beale Street was called "Chinatown." During the era of segregation, Chinese grocers played an important role in trading with African-American customers throughout Memphis and the Mid-South."
This marker does not have a number. It was erected 2019 by The Chinese Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South and the Shelby County Historical Society. And now I want some chop suey.
[Review 2094 of 2024 - 548 in Tennessee - 23113 overall] read more