Route 66: Peoria

By Blake Palmer

Chan’s Restaurant:

Chan’s Restaurant in Peoria, Illinois was not far off F.S. Louie’s Route 66 path that passed through Chicago. Louie’s route simultaneously maps the extent of the Chinese American community and the American obsession with chop suey restaurants in the 20th century.

Although archival information is limited in dating Chan’s establishment and closure, a collection of photos from the Peoria Public Library depict a snow dusted restaurant from March, 1965.

A Facebook user shares that the owner, Howard Chan, “was the greatest host!”

Information provided through Facebook mentions that Chan’s later became Hale Memorial Methodist Parsonage. However, the most recent map search shows the building that was once Chan’s with a “private property” sign in the window. Nonetheless, the building still holds memories for those who enjoyed dining at Chan’s Chinese Restaurant