Live Island Dancers and Fine Dining: Benny Chan’s Ming Restaurant in Granger

A New Era at 2055 West 3500 South – The Ming Restaurant (1969)

By 1969, the old Granger Hardware building at 2055 West 3500 South gave way to a brand-new venture that brought excitement and flavor to the growing community. Benny Chan, well known as the owner, host, and manager of the successful Polynesian Restaurant in Salt Lake chose Granger as the site for his newest project: The Ming Restaurant.

The grand opening was set for May 1, 1969, and the scale of the project showed Benny Chan’s confidence in the west side. The new restaurant cost more than $220,000 to build and could seat 325 diners. Inside, guests would find a main dining area, a lively coffee shop, and facilities designed to host both large banquets and smaller gatherings.

Like its sister location, the Granger Ming featured home delivery, a service that was still a novelty at the time. Entertainment was also part of the draw—live island dancers and entertainers gave the restaurant a festive, tropical atmosphere, making it much more than a place to eat; it was a destination. With great food, music, and performance, the Ming quickly became a community favorite and marked the beginning of a new era for the property at 2055 West 3500 South.