Beloved downtown Edmonton restaurant Chicken For Lunch to close its doors

Thursday is the last chance to visit an iconic Edmonton food court destination.

Much to the dismay of many of its loyal customers, Chicken For Lunch is saying a final goodbye after catering to the downtown office crowd for 32 years.

"It's an icon. It's part of the downtown core. I wish [Chicken For Lunch] would stay open," said long-time customer Gerald Makohoniuk. "It's one of the best in the city."

Amy Quon, the venerated owner of the restaurant, told CBC's Radio Active that she feels that a combination of factors makes it the right time to close Chicken For Lunch.

She said that a planned renovation of the food court at Rice Howard Place that would force her restaurant to shut down temporarily provided her with an opportunity to cease operations.

Since Amy announced in early February that the restaurant would be closing, customers have been flocking to Chicken For Lunch.

Miles Quon, Amy's son, said that the support from the restaurant's customers has been "absolutely amazing."

"It's a great way for my mom's legacy to live through her customers, and it's a beautiful send-off because she's retiring," said Miles.

Miles said that a big reason customers have been coming out in droves in the past month is not just because of the food, but because of Amy's dedication to her customers.

"I've never felt so appreciated by any other restaurant ever. It's like it's family, and that's understating it," said Derrick Anderson, a customer who has been visiting Chicken For Lunch for two decades.

"I put all my customers in my heart and in my head, too," said Amy, referring to her unique ability to remember the names, faces, and specific orders of her repeat customers.

WATCH | Much-loved downtown restaurant Chicken For Lunch to close its doors:

Chicken For Lunch set to serve up its last meal

8 months ago

Duration 2:14

An Edmonton institution is getting ready to say goodbye.Chicken for Lunch will close after 34 years of feeding the downtown core.

Mike Meyer, a long-time patron, said that Amy's attention to detail keeps customers waiting in the notoriously long lines for her food.

"I don't even have to say anything. She knows what I want, and she's accurate every single time. It's impressive. Her memory is phenomenal," Meyer said.

"The reason why my mom remembers everybody is because she loves every one of [her] customers. You would never remember people that you don't love," said Miles.

"Every time I remember them, they are so nice, they light up," said Amy. "The only thing I remember is my customers."

While Amy is retiring from Chicken For Lunch, she is not fully retiring from the restaurant business.

She will continue to help at her family's restaurant, The Lingnan, which is more than 75 years old.

This idea that Amy and some of her popular chicken dishes will still be around at The Lingnan is a silver lining for Derrick Anderson.

"It's going to be sad to see them go. I'm really not liking it, but I'm going to visit them at The Lingnan," said Anderson.