Like part of Idaho ‘died’: Nampa ‘shocked’ as restaurant closes after 63 years
A restaurant fixture in downtown Nampa abruptly closed over the weekend, leaving customers flabbergasted, saddened and nostalgic.
“It’s like a part of our Treasure Valley died,” is all one online commenter could muster.
Hong Kong Restaurant, 117 12th Ave. South, is no more.
“After 63 wonderful years, today we close our doors,” the restaurant announced Sunday on Facebook — its first post since late 2024. “We are so grateful for the support, memories, and friendships made along the way. Thank you to our community for being part of our family and for allowing us to be part of yours. Our hours for today ... 11 a.m.-9 p.m.”
(Not exactly. More on that in a sec.)
“I am in complete denial,” a commenter replied, explaining that the Chinese restaurant had been a family mainstay for four generations.
“We just had dinner there last Thursday. Had NO CLUE!” wrote another.
“I have been going there since I was a baby,” one more added. “I remember as a tiny kid getting to order dinner. We always had the same thing. So many memories with family and friends there.”
Reminiscing about childhood meals, visits with grandparents, Christmas Eve dinners — even working at the restaurant — Idahoans and former residents struggled to accept reality. A familiar Chinese eatery, Hong Kong was a place where you could order egg rolls, kung pao chicken, Mongolian beef — or good ol’ finger steaks.
For a restaurant that rated a not-exactly-awesome 2.4 out of 5 stars on Yelp (and 3.8/5 on Google), its unexpected demise triggered genuine, stab-yourself-in-the-heart-with-chopsticks anguish.
“I’m actually crying ... This is my favorite restaurant,” one commenter shared.
“No no no,” was the totality of another.
Here’s some history: “The Hong Kong Restaurant is a family business which dates back to 1962 when the Pon family initially established it in the 1100 block of 1st Street South in Nampa, approximately where the Elks Club is located today,” according to its website. “In 1968, because of extensive damage resulting from a fire at that location, the Hong Kong was moved to the 100 block of 12th Avenue South where it took the place of the Harmony Restaurant.”
Hoping to enjoy one last meal, some Facebook commenters shared that they had tried to phone in orders Sunday. But by 4:47 p.m., Hong Kong Restaurant had made a second post cheerfully explaining that it sold out of food.
Thanking customers one last time, it closed for the day — early.
“I was just there,” one commenter shared. “The line for pickup is out the door and if you hadn’t ordered they would turn you away.”
Bummer.
This probably was not the ending many imagined for Hong Kong, but at least there are memories to be savored.
“Noooooo! This was my favorite restaurant in Nampa since I was a kid in the late ‘70s,” one commenter lamented. “Never thought I would see this day come.”
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 4:10 PM.