Chinatown Celebrates 37th Anniversary

Austin has seen its share of long lived restaurants over the years. Most have been family restaurants handed down over generations. But this is the story of one owner, Ronald Cheng, who 37 years ago launched Chinatown restaurant on Bee Caves Road and has since continued to expand the veritable taste explosions he initiated.

Austin had seen nothing quite like Chinatown when it opened its doors in 1983. Cheng brought regional flavors far beyond the usual Cantonese with explosive Szechuan and Hunan innovations. He opened locations on North Mopac and down on West 5th Street but still holds court at the Westlake location he opened in 1983 with his ex wife Linda.

So happy birthday to Cheng and the dynamic change in Chinese food he ushered into Austin!