Curtis Chin is a writer, filmmaker, activist, and author of the acclaimed memoir Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. His work reflects on growing up gay and Chinese American in 1980s Detroit while working in his family’s landmark restaurant.
Chung’s Cantonese Cuisine, founded by Curtis’s great-grandfather, was a legendary Detroit institution for 65 years. Known for its handmade egg rolls and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant became a cultural hub and safe haven for people from every walk of life.
Curtis has taken his family’s story global through more than 300 talks across seven countries. His memoir has received widespread recognition from outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CBS. He continues to tell stories through writing and film, while exploring ways to reconnect with his restaurant roots.
Growing up in the dining room taught him about people, service, and the value of making someone’s day better.
His father taught him to “talk to strangers,” a lesson in curiosity, openness, and seizing opportunities.
Chung’s exposed him to every side of Detroit — from white-collar professionals and politicians to pimps, drag queens, and movie stars.
He values service as much as food, lamenting the loss of human interaction in today’s QR code and robot-driven dining experiences.
The restaurant sold more than 10 million handmade egg rolls and became a Detroit institution remembered decades after closing.
Food anchored his cultural identity and offered a tangible link to his heritage when other ties to China were distant.
He believes family restaurants are the “glue” of communities and often serve as civic spaces as important as political offices.
Chinese restaurants shaped American dining trends — from takeout and delivery to open kitchens — and remain a vital, unifying presence across the country.
QUOTES
“I grew up in the restaurant, but I was one of those kids that didn’t know how to cook, so I was banished to the dining room. That’s where I actually did most of my learning.” (Curtis)
“I like to say that even though I don’t work in a Chinese restaurant anymore, I’m still that Chinese waiter.” (Curtis)
“My dad always gave us that advice — talk to strangers — because he knew the dining room was full of people who had opportunities outside the four walls of that Chinese restaurant.” (Curtis)
“For me, going out to eat is really not just about great food, but also about great service.” (Curtis)
“I realized, if I’m gonna look up to somebody, it’s gonna be my dad and not this Hollywood star.” (Curtis)
“Meeting all these people gave me a different perspective, a different way to see the world.” (Curtis)
“Detroit in the ’80s was really rough. I knew five people murdered by the time I was 18 years old.” (Curtis)
“The one connection I did keep to my culture was food — that was the easiest way to hold on to where we came from.” (Curtis)
“Chinese restaurants are actually one of the few places where you can go in and see someone from a different race or class and maybe start a conversation.” (Curtis)
“Small family restaurants are the glue to a lot of communities.” (Curtis)
“Chinese restaurants are going to save America.” (Curtis)
