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By Elena Kadvany

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About this blog: I am a perpetually hungry twenty-something journalist, born and raised in Menlo Park and currently working at the Palo Alto Weekly as education and youth staff writer. I graduated from USC with a major in Spanish and a minor in jo...  (More)

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Hunan Home's shutters after 25 years in Los Altos

Uploaded: Sep 15, 2015
Hunan Home's Restaurant in Los Altos closed Sept. 13 after a quarter century of business, owner Jenny Yuan confirmed on Tuesday.

Yuan, whose family opened the Chinese restaurant at 4880 El Camino Real in 1990, said she and her husband Carson were ready to retire after 25 years. They recently sold the property, she said.

"We can't fully express our deep gratitude for your business and support," a message announcing the closure on the restaurant's website reads. "Having had the opportunity to serve you has been nothing but an absolutely pleasure."

The Yuan family, who is originally from Taiwan, opened the first Hunan Home's in San Francisco's Chinatown in 1983. Yuan said that restaurant is still in operation.


Carson Yuan, owner of Hunan Home's Restaurant in Los Altos, prepares a meal inside the kitchen in 2006. Palo Alto Weekly file photo.

Last year, a younger member of the family, Jarvis Yuan, took over another local Chinese restaurant: Hunan Garden in Palo Alto, previously owned by his father, Simon Yuan. He reopened the longtime restaurant as Mandarin Roots in May 2014.





Comments

 +  Like this comment
Posted by Won Ton, a resident of another community,
on Sep 16, 2015 at 11:10 am

That's a shame about Hunan Homes closing. They were as good as Chef Chus down the street but never as crowded. I wonder what will happen to the property? Hopefully it will be a new restaurant and not condos.

On another note, I am hoping that Elena (or someone at the Voice) is planning a column related to the closure of Chevy's. Am very curious to learn what happened there.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by sean, a resident of Cuesta Park,
on Sep 16, 2015 at 12:46 pm

Hunan homes was the best mountain view has as far quality price and consistency, if you like good authentic food you may now want to try xiu on Castro and el camino - it's hole in the wall not good for dine in but the food is amazing!


 +  Like this comment
Posted by Mike Keenly, a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park,
on Sep 16, 2015 at 1:25 pm

RIP Chevy's. I never understood why the one in Redwood City closed. Their food is high quality and very consistent, and they were always full.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by NW Resident, a resident of North Whisman,
on Sep 16, 2015 at 2:24 pm

I used to frequent Hunan Homes for takeout over 20 years ago when I lived nearby and always enjoyed their quality and variety. I also enjoyed many good years at Cafe Yulong in downtown Mountain View before their owners retired, after which I've had a tough time finding good Chinese food in MV.

I will have to try sean's recommendation of Xiu for takeout.

On the Chevy's topic, I agree with Mike that Chevy's always had a good crowd with nice family gatherings. Our kids always enjoyed watching the tortilla machine in action.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by Al Terhase, a resident of another community,
on Sep 22, 2015 at 11:42 pm

Hunan Homes has been our favorite Chinese restaurant in the Mountain View/Los Altos area for many years. We are sad to see it close and will miss it. Our best wishes to the Yuans in retirement.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by Scott Trappe, a resident of Los Altos,
on Sep 24, 2015 at 4:11 pm

I'm in shock. I first enjoyed the great food at Hunan Homes in 1992, right after moving to the Bay Area. A coworker introduced me to their Orange Peel Chicken, my absolute favorite dish and I've never had as good anywhere else. They were always a great choice for lunch, with a comprehensive, reasonably priced menu with appetizer, soup, entree and dessert.

The staff was always friendly and accommodating. Like other posters said, it was rarely overcrowded.

When our kids were little Jenny would take them for a tour of the restaurant so my wife and I could have a few minutes to eat in peace. Our kids literally grew up eating there; the owners new our kids names and always asked about them.

I wish the Yuan family all the best; thank you for serving our community so well for a quarter century!


 +  Like this comment
Posted by Jim L, a resident of another community,
on Oct 4, 2015 at 9:49 pm

I've been driving over from Cupertino for the last 20 years since being introduced to Hunan Home's by co-workers. I'll miss the Orange Peel chicken, vegy eggrolls and potstickers. :(


 +  Like this comment
Posted by KL, a resident of another community,
on Dec 30, 2015 at 1:19 pm

I started frequenting this restaurant in the late 1980. Over the years, I have watched the food quality continuously going down while they tried to maintain the price. This is the pattern of a losing business, and I am not surprised at its closure.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by Nicole F., a resident of Los Altos,
on Jun 7, 2016 at 5:16 pm

I am coming to this posting late, but want to express my best wishes to the Yuan family. I started going to Hunan Home's when I lived and worked in Mountain View. Co-workers at Adobe and I enjoyed the Orange Chicken and other dishes for lunch excursions before the company moved to SJ. Our kids also grew up eating here and I was sad to break the news to them that the tradition had ended. I wish the Yuans a happy and healthy retirement.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by L, a resident of Midtown,
on Jun 25, 2016 at 1:54 am

Hunan home's express, 530 showers Dr, #8, Mt. View
917-0808


 +  Like this comment
Posted by umam, a resident of Charleston Gardens,
on Sep 23, 2016 at 9:48 pm

Dijaman sekarang ini telah banyak berbagai macam jenis prdoduksi besi. Karena dijaman ini besi menjadi kebutuhan sandang manusia. Hal ini untuk keperluan sehari-hari. Nah sekarang kita bahas Web Link Web Link


 +  Like this comment
Posted by umam, a resident of Barron Park,
on Sep 23, 2016 at 9:52 pm

tentang jenis-jenis besi yang dibutuhkan untuk kebutuhan kita sehari-hari seperti kebutuhan peralatan dapur, pagar halaman, bahan bangunan atau bahan untuk penopang bangunan dan lain-lainnya yang
Web Link
Web Link


Sorry, but further commenting on this topic has been closed.
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