Food -> Eats MON, JUL 25 11:07AM by Anna Purdy

Canton City closes

As of August 1, Canton City Inn will close its doors.

Canton City has been open in Lafayette since the late 1970s, making it one of the first truly ethnic (non-Cajun) restaurants in the Hub City or in Acadiana. At a time when it seemed that truly exotic fare for this area was putting tomatoes in gumbo, Canton City opened and for the first time locals could try dishes like mandarin duck, chop suey and hunan-style dishes. It was originally located in the old La Promenade Mall at Johnston and Roselawn; the mall burned to the ground several years ago.

Open since 1977, Canton City has been a classic local place, a go-to for diehard fans of Chinese dishes. It is located at 3901 Johnston Street and will be open its regular hours, for both lunch and dinner, seven days a week until the final wontons are hoisted from the deep fryer.

A phone call to Canton City revealed that the owners were set to retire and this seemed like the best time.

Comments (12)

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written by Northern Cynic , July 25, 2011 - 05:06 pm

Sorry to see they're closing, as it used to be my favorite Chinese place in town. Great Lomain. But no updates had been made to the restaurant since they're move to that buiding and it was way past dingy. And that was in the dining room, what was the kitchen like? Too many nice places in town to go anywhere that doesn't maintain their upkeep.

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written by soup singer , July 25, 2011 - 05:14 pm

Man.... I wonder if they'll share their recipe for Singing Rice Soup. Y'all.... if you haven't had it, go and get it before it's gone! So fresh and delicious. It's one of my favorite meals in town.

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written by CajungirlLA , July 25, 2011 - 05:22 pm

OH NO!!! Where will I get my eggrolls from now? This is horrible news. They have the best eggrolls anywhere!! I wish them well in their retirement but I will be happy to take the recipe off of their hands!

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written by queenbee , July 25, 2011 - 05:30 pm

when is five guys and a burger opening?

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written by Strumming , July 25, 2011 - 09:19 pm

Wow! This is horrible news! Ive been eating there with my dad for YEARS!!! really gonna miss them!! And Queenbee, no need to worry about 5 Guys Burgers - the best burgers in town are right next door at Pete's.
Congrats on retiring! I wish you would stay open though!

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written by Weston Guillory , July 26, 2011 - 12:37 am

Just got back from eatin' at Canton City for the last time. Sad sad thing. It was the 1st Chinese food I ever ate in Lafayette, way back when it was in the LaPromanade mall. We'll miss that awesome Shrimp & Lobster Sauce.

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written by Knowledge is Power , July 26, 2011 - 11:49 am

I am going to miss Canton City Inn so much! Yes, they have let the appearance of the restaurant go down and that is ashamed. However, while their buffet was not the biggest in town the food was always fresh and appeared to have been actually homemade by a person and has wonderful flavor. Pretty much all of the other chinese buffets in town value quantity over quality and their offerings tastes it was just dropped out of a bag of frozen food, bland, dry and tasteless. I will miss Canton's hot and sour soup which was always perfect; their pork lo mein which is absolutely the BEST in town; their egg rolls which are fantastic, their Hunan Beef and their roasted pork. I will miss their generous portions, fair prices and the kind people who work there. Enjoy your well deserved retirement!

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written by From someone who knows what's up , July 26, 2011 - 05:21 pm

Just so everyone knows, the original owners sold the business and retired in January 2004! I've been eating there since the early 80's when they were still in the La Promenade Mall. I noticed the place really took a down turn when Tony and Daisy(the original owners) left. Sad to see Canton go :(

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written by queenbee , July 27, 2011 - 04:03 pm

@Strumming--I typically like to eat my burgers..well, at burger joints, not at bars or pubs with drunks...thanks for the tip, tho...

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written by RODEOCLOWN , July 28, 2011 - 12:34 am

I first ate at CANTON less than 2 weeks after TONY first opened in '76. Every meal since then has been excellent. In fact, I consider CANTON's Chinese food to be some of the best I've ever eaten and I've eaten Chinese food across the country, i.e, the US. It's a shame they're closing, but, unfortunately, all good things--even food--must come to an end. I've tried eating at some of the other Chinese restaurants in Lafayette but just don't receive the same quality of food nor service CANTON has offered. Well, alas, adieu good friends. Ya'll will be surely missed.

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written by yadumonde , August 01, 2011 - 03:34 pm

Walked into the place a while back, took a look around, and walked right out... Nasty place.
(But, really liked it when it was located at La Promenade Mall.)

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written by Sad Panda , August 01, 2011 - 09:53 pm

My husband and I live in Scott and try to avoid most of Lafayette's traffic, but we were willing to brave the traffic for Canton. Their House Special Lo Mein was to die for. No other Chinese restaurant in the area could come close to it. Also loved the pineapple delight. I do agree that they had really let the building get run down, which is why we only ever got to-go.

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