Owned by Ben and Helen Jew for more than a half century, Golden Restaurant in Fresno's Tower District is under new ownership. Photo by Edward Smith

A landmark Chinese restaurant in Fresno’s Tower District is in transition as a new owner takes the reins.

Golden Restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017, making it 55 years that Fresno residents have feasted on popular dishes including chow mein, tomato beef curry and egg foo young, which come in generous portions.

Chinese immigrant Ben Jew began working there when it was his great aunt’s restaurant, eventually taking over as owner with his wife Helen. He told ABC 30 in some cases the restaurant has served five generations of families.

Now a new owner is coming onboard for the restaurant near Fulton Street and Olive Avenue.

The news was first reported Friday by Facebook user Craig Reppe to the group “You know you grew up in Fresno when…” Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control signage posted on the building Oct. 7 indicates a change of ownership to Sherry Liu.

 

Reppe — a Golden Restaurant customer for 40 years — said in his post that the new owner is a younger relative of the Jews. He added that Helen has been working there seven days a week for 43 years and Ben more than 60 years.

“Congratulations and best wishes to them for a well-earned retirement,” Reppe posted.

Members of the Facebook group echoed his sentiment, with many expressing a personal connection to Golden Restaurant.  One user said it was a go-to spot for soothing pregnancy cravings, while another said her dad took the family to eat there the day she was born.

Several said they had been customers for decades.

It was a tough run for Golden Restaurant in the early months of the pandemic. In addition to having to close and transition to takeout only, a fire broke out from the sign above the restaurant’s entrance during a December 2020 lunch service, reported the Fresno Bee.

No one was injured and the flames were extinguished quickly.