Belleville restaurant reopens after closing this year with new manager, menu items
The Belleville restaurant that said goodbye after 27 years in business is back.
Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant, 128 W. Main St. in downtown Belleville, reopened Monday, Aug. 1.
A notice posted in the restaurant’s front window earlier this year had announced its closure April 4.
The restaurant’s former owner, Truc Truong, said in late April that the decision to close the restaurant was due to having too much business and not enough employees to keep up.
Then a mutual friend connected Truong with Dung Ng Phan, who wanted to see the Golden Dragon continue.
From there, plans were made. Today, Truong still owns the property, but Phan now owns and manages the business.
The restaurant has a new staff to keep up with the customers.
Truong is at the restaurant a few days a week to help ease the transition by training new staff and getting the business back up and running, he said.
Truong said reopening was “very emotional” because he was missing the customers, who, by looking at comments on the restaurant’s unofficial Facebook page, missed him and the restaurant too.
Golden Dragon celebrated its return with a grand reopening event on Saturday, Aug. 6. Reopening is “very successful,” according to Truong. Many familiar faces have returned to Golden Dragon, including Belleville Mayor Patty Gregory.
The menu that customers already know and love is the same, with a few additions.
New specials/combos include orange chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, lemon chicken and sesame chicken.
Truong said in time, new items may be added.
“A lot of people supported [us] over the years. They all came back,” said Truong. “[It’s] very nice.”
Hours are 11 a.m to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
For carryout or delivery, call the restaurant at 618-233-7714.
