I was trying to make some extra money at a second job before moving back to the United States. I worked for a straight 365 days at the Silver Dragon (without a day off) and that included Christmas. And As a delivery person, the drivers where allowed to eat anything they wanted, except steaks. That was around 1970 or late 60's. All the money we made was under the table. The food was great, and I can tell you that everything they made and sold was top quality at all times. The stories everyone has heard is a bunch of hogwash, that someone said and was repeated by someone else, who told someone else. It took them awhile to regain their reputation, but I can tell you that the business did not suffer as much as we would think. The bars would close, and the restaurant would fill up. It never stopped. Winston Allison
THANKS for stopping by, I do my best to acknowledge when someone leaves a comment,you do not have to be a member here & everyone is welcome. Ps: This site is monitored but not actively posting on a regular basis. Mostly these are stories & some photos saved from a defunct site known as Verdun Connections which was on MSN Groups initially then on a social network called Multiply.
69 comments:
Hi Winston, That is probably why we pay high taxes in Canada. Work under the table then flee to the USA. The Silver Dragon is now closed and my sister lives in the area. She claims there are more stray cats than ever before. Wonder why? Have a great day in Vancouver, Wash. Reggie Paine
Hi Reg and Winston: I lived not too far from the Silver Dragon and ate there quite often, sorry to hear it's closed, I guess, if it was a family run business, the owners would have been quite elderly and wanted to retire. I remember very generous portions at reasonable prices. The cat rumour, I believe was started when another Chinese restaurant opened in the area.I think that place was also on Church but closer to Verdun, not exactly sure, been gone too long!The food was very good at the Silver Dragon, today the Chinese food is not as good and very expensive, unless you go to a buffet. Is there another restaurant at that location, or is the building vacant?....Dianne
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I miss Adam's. Great Smoke Meat.
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The Silver Dragon isn't closed. It's still going strong. There's another thread about it that has some info on it.
I was trying to make some extra money at a second job before moving back to the United States. I worked for a straight 365 days at the Silver Dragon (without a day off) and that included Christmas. And As a delivery person, the drivers where allowed to eat anything they wanted, except steaks. That was around 1970 or late 60's. All the money we made was under the table. The food was great, and I can tell you that everything they made and sold was top quality at all times. The stories everyone has heard is a bunch of hogwash, that someone said and was repeated by someone else, who told someone else. It took them awhile to regain their reputation, but I can tell you that the business did not suffer as much as we would think. The bars would close, and the restaurant would fill up. It never stopped. Winston Allison Recognize this post Winston,......posted on May 5th,2005. I have been going through month by month to try & find old topics,..and where they are,.blah blah blah,......I came across this one,and Remembered someone asking about it recently,.....and then MPU posting a picture of the old Silver Dragon a few days ago..............I thought it was worth re-posting.......hope you don't mind. 365 days in a row,.........We'll have to call you Iron Man Winnie,......some would have trouble doing that in 2 years....... //////// *HF & RV* \\\\\\\\
No, the Silver Dragon is not closed. If anything it is having a renaissance as it is one of the very few restaurants in Montreal that still has the original neon sign dating back to the 50's or so. People who appreciate that sort of thing actually make the trip just to see the sign.
KM
Hi KenCM#,.............Remember the Chinese Laundry,....down the street from you,.....and do you Remember when they tore the buildings down beside the lane at Gordon & Wellington,...we used to explore that construction site,.....where they built the Pastor Johnson Church, ( or tore it down,....I don't Remembre which),.....and on your side of the street near Wellington,....there was that old Chestnut Tree,..that as kids we would split the green shell off,.and try to shake hands with our school friends,while holding half a shell, ( sort of like a cheap imitation of a handbuzzer from the joke shop)...............anyone else Remember that Joke Shop on Wellington,.....and one on Church Av I think,......all the crazy kid stuff,..stink bombs, itching powder, ........blah blah blah.........as for the Silver Dragon,....I think that 's a good idea to save those old neon signs and refurbish them,.......Remember StCatherine Street,......i think it lookslike a derelict street now,....when it used to have a real 'Downtown ' feel,......... .......... HF&RV--------
Okay Bob, I remember Tassie's...wasn't that on 5th and wellington? Or was that Prince of Wales? cookie
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Oh yes the chinese laundry and all that stuff.
Tell me one thing that has been driving me crazy lately, Les....What was the name of the furniture store on the corner of Gordon and Wellington?
Ken
Hi Ken,......the furniture store ran from mid block(my front door ,with the inside stairway,..also righ beside NormansPatatesFrites,....) almost ,but not quite to the corner of Gordon & Wellington,...it had a very long sign that travelled the length of the store frontage ,..as kids ,and you may have done this with me too,....climb over the gallery,.on to the sign and climb over all the letters,....all the way over to the'MacArthurs ' front gallery,.....unless caught and then told to stay off it........hahahah the name was Mount Royal Furniture Store,..( they became the 'Better Bargain Basement Store ' no sign just a big one in the window,....DannyB worked for them for a while,....... but the store that was right on the corner of Gordon & Wellington was an 'Oil Cloth , Linoleum, store.......then on the SW corner was a Church with a little wrought iron railing around a very small yard with grass,....across from the church was 'Cote's ' grocery store (which in the 60's got a 'soft ice cream' machine,....) that would be the NW corner & then across on the NE corner(your side of the block) Gordon & Wellington,...was originally the 'New Verdun Restaurant',,,,,,,with the corner of the building and entrance having just a post like support,..allowing a person to sort of step into the restaurant s entrance way from both Wellington & Gordon,.....( later they moved to the center of the block,directly across from Norman's and my place,....with a big fancy front on it Ken you must have a ton of pictures hidden around that house of yours,.....I seem to Remember your Aunt ,taking pictures,of something or other,.......one thought comes to mind of a few people standing on the stairway inside your place ,on each step progressively sort of a someone taking a picture,.........I also Remember when we ( I don't Remember if it was you or me,.) but we were playing baseball in your backyard,.....and I seem to think we Broke the window in the garage door ,more than once...........hahahahahaha and got sh^&t for it ........ anyway there you have it the "MountRoyal Furniture Store' ..this is Wellington btwn Gordon & Galt,....almost directly in front of where I lived,....you can barely make out the 'NewVerdun Rest, sign,,,,the old one on the far right corner,....and you can see the large sign,..for the oil cloth store on the far left,.....I can't make out the name of it ,...was it something like Campeau's ??? you can also see the front of that church I mentioned.... HF&RV
I drove by the Silver Dragon at about 7:15 this evening (Sunday) and the lights were not lit. There were only two couples in the restaurant, very uninviting in my opinion. mpu,......................................................... not what it was 30+ years ago........
I forgot to mention that Trevi Pizza on Church avenue does have a nice neon sign, and looks very inviting, hope to try it soon. mpu
Regarding " Silver Dragon Restaurant " Gee, Yikes , I see so many people mentioning " The Silver Dragon" and that brings very bad memories for me !!! I have had two terrible experiences from the Silver Dragon, in the early Eighties. I have been seriously ill from the Famous " Silver Dragon" two very bad cases of food poisoning , not only once but twice !!! I knew of others with the same stories. I had it so bad for one whole week the first time, and the second time for four days, and that is not even eating a portion of the meal , I needed medical attention. The Doctor told me it was food poisoning ! A couple of months later, I heard that there was a raid on the Restaurant, I do not know if it was the Health Department, but it was mentioned they found some , I hate to say it, but cats in the Freezer, and they closed them down twice for Sanitary Reasons . I can now tell you I have never ever returned to the Silver Dragon, the thought of that name to this day, makes me shutter ! I felt I had to share that bit of disturbing news, sorry ! Sweet_ N_ Gorgeous Anna
I think I have heard that "cat" story happening in about every chinese restaurant in Canada. I wonder....if they are all serving up "cat" then how come there are so many stray cats wandering about? hehehe
Those inspectors couldn't identify some things in the fridge so they called it Cat.There is prbably a way of cooking cat,that the oriental know.The Cambodian's(Laosians)eat Dog.These animals are bred for that purpose(special diet fed). Steve
Hi Mom'45,.... I agree ,I have heard ,.and I imagine we all have,the old 'cat' story,.....but I would have to think ,.'who cares if it actually is cat,......is that any different from having 'Bessie' from the farm,.hacked into pieces,and hanging in the Fridge........hahahah and 'if' they were using cats,.other than the initial thought,.....it seems a lot of people must like them ,.if it were true,...Getting sick at any Restaurant ,..could be simply hygeine alone,.....and it could happpen to anyone anytime,...at any restaurant,......with the amount of people handling food, from beggining ,to end,....it's really amazing more people don't get ill. A Restaurant in business for half a century,..must have done something right,......and Remember our own Mothers making lunch for 6 kids or so,.and using the same knife,.same cutting board,...etc etc ......... and wiping the counter & cutting board,..and the knife when switching from a ham &mustard sandwhich,...to one with mayo,....hahahahahaha ........Let's get a Class Action suit together and we'll sue all our parents..........hahahaha it's funny but if we drop our kids sandwhich on the floor ,we tell them 'not ' to eat that it's dirty....but if were out camping and they drop there hotdog or sandwhich on the ground we brush it off,and tell them 'not to worry' ....cause a 'little dirt' won't hurt you................hahahahahahah Meeeeeoooooooowwwww ,(think Teresa & Jill will miss 'nikki' ,I'm feeling a little peckish........ HF&RV
Would the choices on the menu then be: Fido....Minou.....Bessie? And Les_F, I would stick with Bessie. Less trouble in the family that way, hehe.
Hi Mom'45 that's only three words...........hahahahaha Minou ( I forgot about that one)..............hahahah 'Come 'ere pussycat,....I'm gonna pay you a fish & chip'...................................HF&RV
I used to live on Church Av & remember the Silver Dragon Chinese Restaurant,
I seldom ate their as it seemed so dingy for the girl's I used to hang
around with....They loved Dilallo's Hamburgers, for example, Chas Dilallo
would always serve us...We would spend time in Montreal then jump in our
Cars or Bikes & race down to Ville Emard on Monk Blvd. for one of those
famous but very wet & Greasy Hamburgers, I guess the washing it down with
Pepsi or Coke made it just perfect...Is dilallo's still on Monk Blvd......&
why is it called a Boulevard????
Norman
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For all you Chinese food lovers out there....here's something you'll really enjoy......CATSSONGS.WAV
For some strange reason I can't attach the file, so just type the above in your address bar and sit back and enjoy!!!! Hehehehe!!!!!!
Dianne
Hello HappyDi2,....I couldn't find the site you suggested,.but is it this tune? http://www.hahahumour.com/funny-songs/chinesefood.htm If it is that is funny,..........hahahaha mmmmmeeeeeeeooooowwww Gulp! HF&RV ........Guess we'll have to change from asking for a 'Doggy Bag'
OOPs.....here is the proper website
www.starterupsteve.com/swf/chowmein.html
Hope this works thios time...it really is funny...Di
Yes HappyDi2,.that's the same one,..but my posted link didn't work either,......your second one does work,,...............it is funny
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Hi Steve:
I love the multitask desk!
Speaking about multitasking....
Boy, times are so different...remember the line in the movie Norma Rae, played by Sally Field, to her husband Beau Bridges, about the broom? Need I say more....We gals are good at multitasking!.Hehehehe!...Dianne
I am not so sure about cats , but have not seen a Dragon around Church for a long time Jimmy
The "original" Dilallo Burger has moved a few blocks away on to Allard. I was in Montreal last year and had to stop by and have one. Tasted just as good as I remember it Connie
Regarding The Silver Dragon, does anyone know if Plum Sauce in Canada is the same thing as Duck Sauce in the States? I have not been to the Silver Dragon since 1964. I don't think I could deal with the Silver Dragon today. Lately I've been going to PF Changs http://www.pfchangs.com which is pretty good.
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Fresco, here are the ingredients for both. You be the judge. Oriental Plum Sauce 1-1/2 pounds ripe plums, halved, pitted and cut into wedges 1 T. water 3 T. honey 2 t. grated, pared, fresh ginger 1/8 t. crushed red pepper flakes 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 T. soy sauce Duck Sauce 1 lb Plums halved and pitted 1 lb Apricots halved and pitted 1 1/4 c Cider vinegar 3/4 c Water 1 c Cider vinegar 1 c Firmly packed brown sugar 1 c White sugar 1/2 c Lemon juice 1/4 c Chopped ginger 1 sm Onion sliced 1 (or more) serrano, seeded and chopped 2 sm Garlic cloves sliced 4 ts Salt 1 tb Mustard seed toasted 1 Cinnamon stick
Lucky for us ,.that every so often,.we have a good year here for Plums,.....and whenever we get some offered to us ,.we take them ,.& make our own plum sauce,....it's pretty good ,......(not just my opinion),.......and we always look forward to making & having more,.......my sister -in - law,....Rita ( of Lawlor descent),.....can make Fantastic Egg Rolls,.........& we pressure her every so often to get at it,........hahahah and that 's when our Plum Sauce comes into play,........Don't Ask me how to make it,...but your welcome to stand right in my kitchen while I do,.....although I'm not sure if it's cheaper to buy a generic brand,....and save the cost of the Beer,.for the cook,....( & helpers) hahahahahah
Speaking of the Panda http://www.pandaexpress.com/default.asp?nav=cater Steve
Want to try Chines? Steve
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Thanks MaggieMcK, It is very interesting to see that there is a difference between Duck & Plum Sauce. They both sort of taste similar. I think I'll go for Chinese food tomorrow. Thanks again-Walter
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Sandy,....egg rolls are a north american favourite no doubt,......Here's an article complete,.with recipe for Egg Rolls,... http://chinesefood.about.com/library/blpollr03.htm .and did you see my post earluer today,.for frotune cookies,? http://www.new-year.co.uk/chinese/cookie.cfm or for a different fortune http://www.badcookie.com/ Have Fun with your Won Ton ----------------------------HF&RV..........................
Hi Bob, I have no idea who owns PF Changs. The food is great but nowhere near as good as Ruby Foos was. PF Changs cannot be owned by Pepsi-Cola because they serve Coca-Cola. My favorite joints serve great food & Pepsi on tap. Fountain Pepsi - nothing better! I'm still depressed because the Swiss Chalet closed their bar-b-que restaurant in Ft Lauderdale. I think Buffalo, New York is now the nearest Swiss Chalet that's closest to Florida.
Hi Sandy, I agree that New York City Chinese food is great especially in Chinatown. I used to love the Dish Of Salt Chinese Restaurant on 47th Street which closed two years ago. Unless things have changed in Montreal, for me the best Chinese food was in Montreal during the fifties & sixties. I was only in Ruby Foos a couple of times but in my opinion no one has ever topped Ruby Foos Chinese food. Mee Foos on Decarie (closed when the Expressway came through), The House of Wong on Queen Mary Road, Montreal's Chinatown-Tops!!!
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All these names of different Chinese Restaurants,......We have decent Chinese Restaurants here as well,....but admittidly (spelling help),...... but I do Remember Montreal as having very good Chinese Food,...I always like the Egg Rolls,...but I havea few friends here who are Chinese,.and to eat at their house is fantastic,....and there's lots of it,...( whatever the names)......... but again all those Restaurant names ,.reminds me of the Young Chinese couple who had always wanted to have a child,..but had difficulties,.....but finally one day the wife got pregnant,.and the young couple would always ,plan for their future family,...and of course they had to select a name ,So the big day came along and the baby was born,....Although ,a big surprise to the Parents (and particularly ) the Father,....the baby was Black,.................a big schock indeed,.......so you know what they named him,......................................... Sum Thing Wong,
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Sandy, You'll get Duck Sauce & Coke-No Pepsi...unless you hide a can of Pepsi in your purse. There is one near you. It may be called 'The Westchester' instead of PF Changs. It is at 125 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601...telephone 914 997 6100. The PF Chang website is: http://pfchangs.com . Enjoy-Walter
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Hey Les. You can Chang it too. PF Changs, The Westlake Center, 400 Pine Street, Seattle, Washington, 98101...tel: 206 393 0070. A short ferry ride away. An hour after you've eaten Chinese food you'll feel like another ferry ride-Walter
Sandy, Do you think Hillary & Bill ever go to the Westchester PF Changs? Your Westchester DA Ms Jeanine Pirro? How would they all get along if they all ran into each other there. Probably fine & I think Bill would pick up the tab. I have read that Bill is a 100% tipper.
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Sandy, You only live life once. I hope Bill does meet Jeanine-Walter
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I had forgotten there was a store on the corner. Yep, that garage door window eventually got repaced with a piece of plywood.....
Isnt it amawzing the things you forget?
Now I can almost put that corner back together in my mind.
You have to remeber the Snows?
Did'nt one of the sons have a pigeon roost or something going on with birds?
KM
Hi Ken, The Snows indeed had a pigeon coop! I believe that it was on top of the old shed. Mike
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Sandy. Plum sauce is good, but duck sauce isn't all it's quack up to be. BOOOOOOOOOOO.......... I know, I know. But I just couldn't help myself. Winston Allison
Sandy. Plum sauce is good, but duck sauce isn'e all it's quack up to be. BOOOOOOOOOOO.......... I know, I know. But I just couldn't help myself. Winston Allison
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......and I thought I didn't like pumpkin! I am looking at a store bought jar of plum sauce and sure enough the ingredients in order (usually by quantities) are: Water, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, vinegar, plum puree, tomatoe sauce, cornstarch, sugar and all those other additives that we don't like to think about. There is some plum in it but not the main ingredient. Pass the pumpkin sauce please!
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Well POPDOG & MaggieMck,.......my plum sauce is made from Plums ,Cayenne,..Cinnamon,......and several other ingredients,....which differ slightly every time I make it,.......and I will make it from any colour plum,...but I prefer the yellow Plums,..........I make it and freeze a bunch ,since I use no preservatives,......blah blah blah..........
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