Gen Hoe is a take-out and delivery restaurant located in Chicago Ridge, Illinois. Situated on Ridgeland Avenue, this humble establishment has the backing of the local community due to an ambitious and amiable owner, Color Wong. In Cantonese, “Gen Hoe” means nice- a fitting title for a restaurant equipped with a friendly staff, tasty eats, and a personable owner.

Gen Hoe Chinese Restaurant  

• Owner: Color Wong


• Location: 10240 RIDGELAND AVE. CHICAGO RIDGE, IL 60415-1328


• Cuisine: Szechuan，Hunan


• Capacity: 75


• Offers: take-out, delivery


• Signature Dish: Hunan Style Fish Fillet, Mongolian Beef, Dumpling with Pork, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Walnut Honey Shrimp


• Year of establishment: 1998

Phone: 708-499-2828

The Scene

Like most take-out eateries, décor is not what the restaurant focuses on. The restaurant is simple in its decoration; there are only eight tables for waiting for orders, of course also for sit-in service. However, the restaurant is clean and cozy.

The Food

Gen Hoe serves Americanized Chinese cuisine. Since the restaurant opened, the dishes are updated from time to time. While chop suey is an enduring icon, many other new dishes grace the menu. When you think of Americanized Chinese food, General Tso’s Chicken will come to mind, but Gen Hoe’s menu extends far beyond such classic entrees.

Owner Color Wong believes traditional dishes such as Sweetbread, Mongolian Beef, Dumpling with Pork and Egg Roll are loved a lot by the middle aged and old people. Meanwhile, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Walnut Honey Shrimp, Dry Fried Rice Noodles with Beef and Chow Fun are preferred by young people. The owner doesn’t know exactly why her dishes are so popular, and thinks maybe that isn’t the question. The question is how best to cater to your customers’ needs, and that is something she excels at.  Color Wong regularly experiments with alluring taste of the dishes to create something customers desire. “I couldn’t say we make it uniquely or the taste is best,” said Wong, “[But] our dishes are tasty and they… meet the requirements of all kinds of customers, either old or young.”

Not only old or young, but health-focused or more conventional diners can be satisfied at Gen Hoe as well. Health-focused diners can enjoy steamed dishes upon request. Sometimes customers may request light flavored dishes, or items without sauce, and the chefs at Gen Hoe are happy to accommodate them. Patrons who have food allergies need not worry- they’ll cook to order special dishes on request.

The Service

The staff consists of experienced chefs and servers who are familiar with the customers and know their eating habits and preferences. The harmonious relationship between staff and customers couldn’t be found in other restaurants. The acknowledgeable staff always treat the customers with great sincerity and try to make the customers feel at home. If there are misunderstandings or complaints, the staff are trained to cope with it in an efficient manner.

The staff members are hard working, cooperative and efficient. Ms. Wong enjoys working with them. “We get on very well with each other. I really appreciate that they are [a] big help to keep the restaurant running. Without their joint effort, I couldn’t make it.”

In Focus

The friendly manner of the owner and staff helps build a large customer base. The owner, Color Wang, is an easy going person and exudes calmness and kindness to her customers. Through ten years of operation, the owner has developed an amiable relationship with the customers. Many would turn out if the restaurant was ever in need.

Color Wang shared some stories with us that illustrate how the customers love her restaurant. The restaurant usually uses carbon-based pieces that prevent the dish from overheating. But in order to accomplish this, the owner had to collect carbon samples and then slice them into small pieces. When some customers heard about this, they volunteered to collect the carbons for the restaurant- and even cut them into usable pieces for her! The customers have also been known to help Ms. Wang pack the orders and remove snow from the walkway outside the restaurant after a heavy snow. Some customers that have moved out of town sometimes return to the restaurant and visit when they are back in town- like family members, Ms. Wang is always happy to see them.

How does the owner relate to customers so well?  She treats them how they would want to be treated. Wang is generous with her time and treats the customers like family members. On some festivals, Wang sends loyal customers some gifts to reward their consistent support for Gen Hoe. Wang is also glad to help the customers out of trouble when needed. The restaurant serves as a platform to build the long lasting friendship between the customers and the owner. “We come from different countries, and get to know each other because of this small restaurant,” said Wang, “it is the magic power that pushes us together. What I’m most proud of is that I have many friends.”

Due to the popularity of the original restaurant, Gen Hoe II opened about twenty minutes drive away from the first restaurant. This new establishment brings great convenience to the surrounding customers. Delivery usually takes only about twenty minutes, and thanks to a cooler bag, the food is piping hot while in transit. Both restaurants deliver to within five miles of their location.

The original Gen Hoe opened in 1998. Both restaurants are managed by owner Color Wang.

Message from the owner:

“As a restaurant for more than ten years, there have been many customers coming to dine here. Most of our staff are experienced ones, who are quite familiar with the customers, and know well about their preferences. The harmonious relationship with the customers couldn’t be found in other restaurants.”