Description
A photo of the Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant. The front of the restaurant is decorated with a tower facade. A sign on the left hand is decorated with Chinese writing and the following words:
"Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant
Sunday buffet
lunches dinners
open 11 AM 1 AM"
On the bottom is another sign with a picture of potted plants and the following words:
"Chinese & American Food
Party Rooms
Hung Far Lounge"
The Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant was owned and operated by the Wong family. Located on Highway 6, the business was known for Cantonese cuisine and ornate decorations. The restaurant remained in business until February 13, 1983, when it was destroyed by a fire caused by a natural gas leak (Iowa City Press-Citizen articles, 1983; Coralville Courier, 1983).
The photograph was taken by Karin Becker for the book The Strip: An American Place, by Richard Horwitz.