After four decades of serving the Denver community, Peter Chan, the heart and soul behind Peter’s Chinese Cafe in Congress Park, is retiring. This beloved eatery, located at 2609 E. 12th Ave, has become a neighborhood staple, and now Chan is entrusting its future to his dedicated employees.
Chan, who is 70 years old, first established Peter’s Chinese Cafe in 1985, a decade after he moved from Hong Kong to the United States. His decision to retire marks the end of an era, but also the beginning of a new chapter for the restaurant as he plans to travel throughout southeast Asia. This month, Chan officially transferred the majority ownership of Peter’s Chinese Cafe to seven members of his long-standing team, including full-time staff and delivery drivers. Many of these individuals have been committed to Peter’s for over ten years, with some chefs having spent nearly 30 years cooking in the kitchen, showcasing their dedication and expertise. Chan expressed his gratitude towards his team, stating, “They worked too hard for me, and I always feel I owe them a lot,” highlighting his deep appreciation for their hard work at Peter’s Chinese Cafe.
Loyal customers of Peter’s Chinese Cafe will be relieved to hear that the restaurant’s name will remain unchanged. Moreover, according to manager Luis Angeles, the menu, famous for its popular dishes like scallion pancakes and sesame chicken, will also largely stay the same. This ensures that the flavors and dishes that patrons have come to love at Peter’s Chinese Cafe will continue to be served. Angeles, who has a 30-year relationship with Chan, having first met him as a child, is among the employees who have taken on ownership. For Angeles and the other employees, the decision to take over Peter’s Chinese Cafe was an easy one, motivated by a desire to give Chan “his freedom back” after years of hard work.
Throughout the years, Chan has not only run a successful restaurant but has also mentored his employees. Angeles and others have benefited from Chan’s valuable lessons on saving money and managing a business, even amidst Chan’s admittedly passionate management style. While Chan is looking forward to stepping back from the daily grind of the kitchen at Peter’s Chinese Cafe, he intends to remain connected to the restaurant, planning to visit regularly and offer his help as needed. His concern for the continued success of Peter’s Chinese Cafe is evident as he shared, “I still worry about this business because I want them to succeed.” This transition marks not just a retirement, but a continuation of the Peter’s Chinese Cafe legacy, now in the hands of those who have helped build it.
