Butte's Pekin Noodle Parlor closing after 115 years

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Butte's Pekin Noodle Parlor closing after 115 years
by NBC Montana Staff

Thu, April 23, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Updated Thu, April 23, 2026 at 4:36 PM


After 115 years in business in Butte, the Pekin Noodle Parlor is closing. The restaurant has been referred to as “the oldest continually operating family owned Chinese restaurant in America.” Photo: NBC Montana

BUTTE, Mont. — After 115 years in business in Butte, the Pekin Noodle Parlor is closing. ... The restaurant has been referred to as “the oldest continually operating family owned Chinese restaurant in America.”

“My father gave me the Pekin to make a decision he could not make for himself or have his beloved daughters do . . . someday having to close the restaurant. He knew how difficult this line of work was and how people truly behaved. He never wanted this life for his family including me and passed knowing he left a better life for his children and I would make the right decision. The legacy was continued, the prestigious awards were won, the reviews were top tier, and the food/service was excellent. The Pekin was a family restaurant and without family this just would not work. Family/people just stop coming and more and more online orders flowed in. Chinese takeout was part of our equation but online food delivery was not the answer. The negative attitudes of dining out overwhelmed our staff and the countless dine dash never ended. There still a future for the Pekin but it’s not expecting customers to dine out and enjoy each others company over hot tea and a warm bowl of noodles, tipping your server, and supporting mom/pop restaurants that made up this great nation,” said Jerry Tam/Pekin

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