Hundreds line up for return of Golden Palace half-price egg roll event
Ottawa's oldest Chinese restaurant is serving up its famous egg rolls for half-price again.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
In celebration of its 64th anniversary, Golden Palace restaurant is serving up 6,400 egg rolls for the hundreds of people who lined up down Carling Avenue to have a taste, an annual tradition going back 14 years.
A little rain and wind on Saturday morning didn't stop people from waiting starting at 6 a.m. for Golden Palace to open its doors at 11 a.m.
In addition, the first 64 customers who braved the rain were given a $25 gift card.
The event was supposed to take place earlier this month, but inclement weather pushed the date of the annual event to April 20.
It's become a tradition for Ann Hughes and her family, who made the drive from Kanata bright and early to purchase a dozen egg rolls.
"Get up at five o'clock to be here for 5:30 or 6 a.m. to be sure you’re first or second in line," Hughes said.
Hughes and her sister Cathy Harper have been patrons of the restaurant since they were children.
"Dad would come home on the weekend and have Chinese food and the staple was the egg rolls – everyone wanted the egg rolls," Hughes said.
"I think it’s the continuity of being handed down from generation to generation so the recipes pretty much stay the same. They don’t get changed a lot."
The fried rolls have been a secret family recipe since the restaurant opened at the same Carling Avenue location in 1960. Everything is prepared fresh and never frozen.
"This is the only really good Chinese restaurant that’s left," said Evan Richins, who was also waiting to get a dozen egg rolls.
"There aren’t many left and half off – I’ve loved egg rolls my whole life. I can eat them forever."
In the 64 years since the restaurant has been open, staff say they’ve seen generations of families come through the doors and grow with the restaurant, loyalty they say, they're grateful for.
"It gives us goosebumps, we’ve been dealing with five generations," said Sam Wong, the restaurant manager for Golden Palace.
"Imagine that, five generations of families. When you come to work every day it’s like family. You see, babies, parents and grandparents."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
'More aggressive': Tocchet shifts lineups as Canucks get ready to take on Oilers in Vancouver
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Oilers for Game 5, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet is making changes to the team's lineup.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.