MINNEAPOLIS — The menu offers plenty of options, but fans of the Red Dragon say they’ll miss how the restaurant really nourished their souls.
“It feels like family,” patron Kathleen Spitzer told WCCO. “Everybody — the servers and bartenders — are so nice. It feels like a home away from home.”
Red Dragon’s current owner, Phil Wong, said the restaurant and bar will shut down on Sunday after nearly 50 years in business; it first opened on Dec. 29, 1976.
“People love this place. They like to come here and drink and hang out,” Wong lamented. “I love them all. They show a lot of love to us and they enjoy our establishment.”
The Red Dragon restaurant on March 18, 1994.
Advertisement
Getty Images
According to Wong, 73, finances and his longevity were contributing factors. The former engineer took over the business from his brother in 2007.
“It costs a little bit more — the food, the meat, the vegetables,” he added. “Minneapolis, too, the minimum wage went up.”
Still, Wong said he leaves with no regrets.
“I feel good about it. I think it’s time to move on,” he said. “We’re ending on a good note.”
Advertisement
Red Dragon is the latest of several Twin Cities eateries to shutter in 2024, including the St. Paul staple Tavern on Grand. Even newer restaurants, like Kim’s from award-winning chef Ann Kim, also in Uptown, could not survive.
Jonah Kaplan
Jonah Kaplan is WCCO and CBS News Minnesota’s investigative reporter and has built a strong reputation for his balanced and in-depth coverage of high-impact issues including the economy, immigration, education, public safety, and the military, among others.
Teniki Steward, a 38-year-old Minneapolis resident, is currently facing serious charges for her alleged involvement in the deadly incident. Credit: Hennepin County Jail
A devastating high-speed collision in Minneapolis has led to the deaths of two women and injuries to two others, prompting serious charges against Teniki Steward, a 38-year-old Minneapolis resident. The incident, which unfolded at the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and 26th Avenue North, has left the community grappling with the tragic loss and a renewed focus on road safety.
Details of the Incident
According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Steward was behind the wheel of a Buick Enclave, allegedly traveling at excessive speeds and running multiple red lights before the fatal crash. Authorities report that she narrowly avoided a collision earlier at Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North. Tragically, moments later, her vehicle struck a Ford Explorer, killing both of its occupants:
Ester Jean Fulks, 53 years old
Rose Elaine Reece, 57 years old
Credit: STAR MPLS
The crash also injured a 17-year-old pedestrian waiting for a school bus and a passenger in Steward’s vehicle. Steward herself sustained injuries in the crash.
Background and Charges
Court documents reveal that Steward’s driver’s license had been revoked in November 2023 due to a failure to provide proof of insurance. At the time of the crash, she was operating a vehicle without a valid license, as confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty addressed the case, emphasizing the preventable nature of the tragedy. “This is another completely avoidable incident of a car being driven irresponsibly with disastrous consequences,” she stated.
Advertisement
Steward is now in custody and faces the following charges:
Two counts of criminal vehicular homicide
Two counts of criminal vehicular operation
If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison per count and fines of up to $20,000.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The crash has reignited discussions about reckless driving and public safety in Minneapolis. Local authorities and community leaders are urging drivers to prioritize safety and adhere to traffic laws to prevent similar tragedies.
The medical conditions of the injured victims have not been disclosed, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing.
A Call for Action
This heartbreaking incident underscores the devastating consequences of reckless driving. As the legal process unfolds, the Minneapolis community mourns the loss of two lives and hopes for justice and healing for all those affected.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Dozens of flights were delayed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Friday morning.
Dozens of flights delayed
By the numbers: According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 11:51 a.m., two departures were canceled and 36 were delayed. Meanwhile, 11 arrivals were canceled and 16 were delayed.
Advertisement
FlightAware says there have been more than 19,000 delays and 525 cancelations globally, while there have been more than 3,400 delays and 525 cancelations within, into or out of the United States as of 11:57 a.m. on Thursday.
The weather forecast: This comes as a dense fog advisory is in effect until noon on Friday across Minnesota, and rain is expected for much of Friday and Friday night. There are also storms on the east and west coasts that could cause some travel problems.
Advertisement
Several airports across the United States have ground delays due to weather, according to the FAA’s website.
Increased travel at MSP Airport
What they’re saying: The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) expected a 6% year-over-year increase in screened passengers between Dec. 20, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025. Thursday, Dec. 26, was expected to be the busiest day during the stretch, with nearly 50,000 people expected to pass through security at MSP.
This week’s Fab Five photo display includes highlights from Minneapolis South’s 88-84 boys basketball victory over Minneapolis North on Wednesday, December 11.
The photos include two South players who led them with 22 points each (DeAmontre Scott and Eugene Brown), the player who scored 22 points to lead North (JMarion Sanders), North’s point guard who scored 14 points (Allen Hill), and a former Marshall University High School and Augsburg University great officiating the game (Ronnie Henderson).
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader comments to mcdeezy05@gmail.com.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
