Kowloon - Saugus, Massachusetts
Saugus, Massachusetts, United States
Kowloon opened on August 22nd, 1950 as The Mandarin House. In 1958 the Wong family purchased it and changed the name to Kowloon. Over the years they have expanded the restaurant into a broad complex of rooms, and it now has room for 1,200 dining patrons. Several of the rooms have Polynesian theming, including the Tiki Lagoon Room and Luau Room.
Fun Fact: The exterior Ku tiki below the A-frame is made of foam.
The restaurant has been a landmark in the north Boston area for decades, and photos of many celebrities visiting the restaurant are proudly displayed. They have a comedy club within the complex called "Kowloon Komedy".
The food is traditional Chinese American fare, and includes a flaming pu pu platter. Tropical drinks are served in tiki mugs.
As of 2024, the owners have announced that the restaurant is going to close. However, it sounds as though they have construction plans and that the end goal is to open a smaller venue on part of the same site. See 2024 Breezeway interview episode with Spike (Matt Marble).
Details
- Type
- Bar & Restaurant
- Phone
- +1 781-233-0077
- Address
- Saugus, Massachusetts, United States
- Closed?
- No
- Links
Gallery
28 Tiki Mugs
12 Visits
The Tiki Barber – 22 Aug 2022
Tim "Temple Climber" Kincaid – Date: Unknown
A well-seasoned, lauded, and beloved but very dated tiki venue just 30 minutes north of Boston. Is known as a genuine, local Saugus institution. Paintings of Hawaiian landscapes bedeck the walls, a large fountain pool with dining seating surrounding it, framed photographs of famous comedian and musician guests, and a healthy share of East Asian aesthetics, thanks to the heritage of its founders.
While the inheritors/owners go through a soul-searching process about the future and direction of their tiki past, they have plans to knock down the main restaurant and move to a smaller, more modern, custom-built structure on the same property. I can only hope they decide that a tiki palace is not only worth the continued financial investment, but that they know it will be a huge draw for people seeking relaxation and escape in an already-loved environment. Here's to hoping they revamp and renew, not knock and level!
DRock – Date: Unknown
During covid, limited seating so ordered out but got to walk through restaurant which seemed awesome.
Big Kahuna – 12 June 2010
Kinipela – Date: Unknown
Chuck P – 29 Apr 2022
TikiTrevor – Date: Unknown
Sukielau – Date: Unknown
Commodore Matt – Date: Unknown
War Canoe – Date: Unknown
Tikihellcat – Date: Unknown