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The Oriental – Charlotte

 

The Oriental Restaurant was opened in 1923 in Charlotte, NC. A news article in the Charlotte Observer discusses the history of this location as it was raided in September 1960 on account of gambling.

The following menu images from the 1977 Charlotte location serve as an insight to the concept of some of the earliest known Chinese food in North Carolina and further provide a narrative for some of the foundational dishes during this era:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These menu images point to a past trend in Chinese restaurants to include a selection of American food offerings. It will be interesting to follow this trend throughout the decades and discover the point at which this additional selection weans from demand.

 

 

Street Views

Original Location at 129 Trade Street

                 

                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/retro-charlotte/article16295594.html

 

 

The images above depict The Oriental Restaurant in Charlotte, NC from 1960 to 1968.  Opening in 1923, this Chinese eatery was an extremely popular institution amid Anti-Communist strife.

Second Location at Independence Boulevard

                               

(Moved locations as a result of a fire)

All Images Courtesy of http://charlotteeats.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-oriental-restaurant-hall-of-fame.html

The Oriental relocated after suffering a restaurant fire. The image above illustrates the front of the new restaurant in  The Oriental was shut down in the 1980s for good due to unknown circumstances.