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
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Pope apologizes after using 'homophobic terms'
Pope Francis apologized Tuesday after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
Spy watchdog's foreign interference review finds 'unacceptable gaps' in accountability
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Public Safety Canada lacked a system for tracking who received and read specific intelligence on foreign interference, creating 'unacceptable gaps in accountability,' the national spy watchdog has found.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Man convicted in attack on Pelosi's husband back in court after judge's error
A man who assaulted U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in 2022 will have another day in court on Tuesday after the federal judge overseeing the case failed to allow him to speak during his sentencing hearing earlier this month.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.