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Ontario Café, Cherry Cokes, Graveyards and Qua Lee (5 photos)

A fixture on King Street since Joe Lan started it in 1916, the Café closed for good after Qua Lee’s death in 1965
René Hackstetter

The Ontario Café on King Street, north of Hugel on the west side, was a popular hangout for kids in the forties and into early sixties.

Qua Lee ruled the roost and “Scotty” ran cash and served the morning shift.

A fixture on King Street since Joe Lan started it in 1916, the Café closed for good after Qua Lee’s death in 1965.

During its heyday from the thirties to the sixties, it was a breakfast spot for the CKMP announcers, a luncheon counter for local merchants, after school hangout and dinner place at night.

Neil Craig still asks if anyone remembers the ‘Brown Cow’.....a doughnut with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup on top.

Paul Howard, misses the ‘Graveyards’ Qua would create… the recipe is secret to this day and Paul is still searching for the perfect after school hangout near enough to Parkers on King.

Pat Cowden recalls: “Oh my….Ontario Café and Qua Lee Memories. A shortbread cookie and a Cherry Coke seemed to be the one our ‘crowd’ seemed to like so well in the early 50s.

“My mom, dad, sister and myself had many family dinners here as well, probably late 40s after they finished work.”

The Burke family went three times a week to the Café, says Norm.

If it had not been for Qua Lee’s great-granddaughter Elaine Li seeking answers to her search for photos and anecdotes about her great-grandfather and uncle, we might never have known any details.

These men, and many others, emigrated to Canada for freedom and opportunities not available at home.

Their contribution to the Red Cross drive must be considered in the light of events in China. They too, like their occidental counterparts, felt threatened by fascism.

Qua emigrated to Canada after marriage. He died in 1965, never seeing his bride or child.

Elaine Li’s moving words: “Unfortunately,  before they could reunite again, grandpa passed away in 1965. Amidst the sorrow, my great-grandfather sold the café and moved back to  Hong Kong.”

Qua Lee is to be added to that list of Midland citizens who, with his  compatriots, sacrificed a large part of their lives to make these imperishable memories of The Ontario Café.René Hackstetter, June 3, 2021.