After more than a century of serving steaming bowls of noodles infused with cherished memories, the oldest Chinese restaurant in the United States has permanently closed its doors.
The iconic Pekin Noodle Parlor, a favorite haunt of celebrities such as actress Helen Mirren, has ended its 115-year run.
Last week, a simple sign reading “closed” appeared on the door, signaling the closure of the beloved establishment that first welcomed guests in Butte, Montana, back in 1911.
Owner Jerry Tam, whose great-great-grandfather founded the restaurant, attributed the closure to evolving dining preferences, noting that more Americans now favor takeout over traditional dining experiences.
“While it is a sorrowful moment for us, we find solace in the memories created within these walls and the enduring legacy that will remain in this community,” Tam expressed.
Although takeout had always been a component of the business, Tam explained that the shift in dining habits made it increasingly difficult to keep the operation viable.
Tam said he regretted closing, but he had come to realize that customers no longer wanted ‘to dine out and enjoy each other’s company over hot tea and a warm bowl of noodles.’
The sad news comes amid US restaurant chains announcing plans to shut hundreds of locations due to rising labor costs, higher inflation and changing habits.
The Pekin Noodle Parlor was the oldest family-owned Chinese restaurant in the US
Helen Mirren, pictured with owner Jerry Tam, visited the restaurant while filming in Butte
Long-time fans have taken to social media to mourn the passing of the Pekin.
Gail Hyer composed a tribute on Facebook, writing ‘when I was a kid in the 50s and 60s, we’d go there for special occasions. You’ll stay in many of our memories.’
Ryan Enyaw shared another memory of the restaurant, sharing that ‘one of the last great moments of my mom’s life was watching her enjoy a meal at Pekin in 2021.’
‘In the few times we’ve been back since her passing, I could almost see her in one of the empty chairs enjoying it all over again – a reminder of when she was healthier and a whole lot happier,’ wrote Enyaw.
Joy Storrud shared poignant memories, writing that her husband took her to the Peking on their first date in 1972.
‘Being from Hamilton I couldn’t believe the atmosphere and wonderful food. I have been married since 1973 and will so miss this restaurant,’ she wrote.
Over the generations, the restaurant gained national significance.
In 2011, former senator Max Baucus read Pekin into the Congressional Record, calling it a centerpiece of Butte’s Chinatown and the broader community.
The restaurant’s iconic orange booths were a favorite of long-time patrons
Over the decades, miners, families and curious visitors flocked to the restaurant, with classic dishes like chop suey and Yatcamein noodles becoming staples.
Run by generations of the Tam family, the Pekin’s roots stretch back to Chinese immigrants who arrived in the American west in the 1800s.
It remained in the family for decades, most recently under the stewardship of Jerry Tam’s father, Danny Wong, who ran it for more than 60 years before his death in 2020.
In 2023, the parlor received an America’s Classics award from the James Beard Foundation, a fitting tribute to a restaurant that had already secured its place in history.
The foundation says it gives the award to ‘locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community.’
But behind the legacy was a tough reality. Tam said his father understood just how demanding the restaurant business could be, and ultimately left the difficult decision to close in his son’s hands.
Now, after 115 years, one of America’s most storied dining rooms has gone quiet, another sign of how quickly the restaurant landscape is changing.
