Historical Photo of The Golden Horseshoe

Herb Croft · Jul 31, 2012

I am looking for a photo of "The Golden Horseshoe Caterers & Restaurant" that was near the PNE on Hastings & Renfrew Streets.

milquetoast · Aug 1, 2012

I would contact the CoV Archives, they might have a photo in their collection. http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/archives/index.htm. The only mentions of the Golden Horseshoe online are from a former employee named Helen Brown. I found them neat to read so I'll share them even if they're not photos!

The Golden Horseshoe on Hastings at Renfrew. In the fifties I worked there as a teenage waitress every weekend and holidays It had a drive-in, home delivery, coffee shop, casual and formal dining, one banquet room on site and three more west on Hastings a block away. Live music every weekend with Jack Cullen broadcasting from there many times. . Gambling in a back room (this was the era of Mulligan) In those days most important events happened at the PNE area. Football, Hockey, Horseracing, ice and roller skating, wrestling, boxing, horse shows, British Empire Games, Pacific National Exhibition, Playland, . The food was very good and enjoyed by many . It was owned by Henry Wong who was a great boss and who worked 24/7 . He died much too young . He made sure we teenagers always had a ride home after late shifts . I learned some Cantonese from the chefs and dishwashers and we helped them with their English. I still know how to say “good morning” “how are you ?” and a few other phrases that remain helpful in connecting with my elderly chinese neighbours 60 years later!
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I worked at the Golden Horseshoe at Renfrew and Hastings from 1951 to 1955 while going to high school. The Horseshoe was always busy feeding people who had attended hockey games, wrestling, football, horse races, roller and ice skating, the PNE, Playland, horse, dog or cat shows, Empire Games, Shrine Circus and many other events. It had a drive-in, a coffee counter, formal and informal dining areas and an on-site banquet room with dance floor. The Chinese chefs were adept at Western dishes as well as Cantonese. Rotary pies were a big favourite. Those were the days of Police Chief Mulligan’s reign and it was not unusual for there to be a private poker game in one of the back rooms. We sometimes delivered large Chinese food orders to locations hosting floating crap games. Police officers were never asked to pay for their coffee or meals. The best time was after 3 a.m. closing on Saturday night when we could join the chefs in the kitchen and share the supper they prepared for themselves. Delicious and mysterious food! Jack Cullen did some of his radio broadcasts from the dining room on Friday nights. The Horseshoe was where I learned that most people are very forgiving and kind to a kid just learning. The whole experience moved me out of my shy, wary, self and gave me the confidence to take on many challenges
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CLougheed · Apr 27, 2019

My grandmother worked as a hostess there and she shared many wonderful stories about the Horseshoe and working with Henry. I would love to see any pictures if you come across any.

Gerald Soon · Jan 17, 2023

CLougheed said: ↑

My grandmother worked as a hostess there and she shared many wonderful stories about the Horseshoe and working with Henry. I would love to see any pictures if you come across any.
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I just saw this thread today, in 2023! As a young child and teen we often went to the Golden Horseshoe and I have very fond memories of how nice the hostess was. Her name was Elsie.

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Historical Photo of The Golden Horseshoe

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