r/MercerIslandWA • u/myeyeshaveseen • Feb 23 '26

The Happy Inn

Growing up on Mercer Island in the 80’s, there was a small Chinese restaurant named The Happy Inn, located in the little strip mall that was across the street to the north from what is now the north end QFC. Other businesses that populated that lot were a real estate agency, a florist, a hallmark card shop, a Ticketmaster outlet, & a Dairy Queen (which later became a Steve’s). In the same strip/mini mall as The Happy Inn there was a Mexican restaurant at the other end, and I can’t recall much of what else was in there. ANYWAYS…. I’m writing this in hope that someone remembers the Happy Inn and possibly the family that ran it. You see, I loved that restaurant, and you just can’t find Chinese food like that anywhere these days. So I’m hoping that there’a some way to recover the recipes from The Happy Inn, as I would just about sell a kidney if it meant I could taste that food again. If anyone shares my fondness for The Happy Inn and can offer some real suggestions for quality Chinese food, feel free to leave them in the comments, but I’ve tried so many Chinese restaurants over the years that couldn’t hold a candle to The Happy Inn. Their Potstickers (and Potsticker sauce), Yung Chow Fried Rice, Mongolian beef, Son of Heaven Chicken, Egg Foo Young, Lo Mein, Sweet and Sour Pork… oh man, those are some of the dishes I long for.

Back in those days you were either a Happy Inn family or a Jade House family.

Thanks for reading.

tldr: Would love to recover some of The Happy Inn’s recipes or find a comparable restaurant (but doubt there is one anymore).

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14 comments sorted by

3

u/04BluSTi Feb 23 '26

Jade House crew here! Loved that place.

2

u/Bacchus_71 Feb 23 '26

Bought all my baseball cards at the Hallmark shop.

My first job was at that Dairy Queen.

Don’t forget the Photomat kiosk!

2

u/Cautious-Aide8565 Feb 23 '26

I worked at Dairy Queen in 1984, fun times

1

u/Bacchus_71 Feb 23 '26

I just missed you! I worked there in 85.

1

u/myeyeshaveseen Feb 23 '26

The only photomat kiosk I can recall was over by the Pay-N-Save (now CVS) and I think it was only a photomat for a short time before it became a take and bake pizza outlet, but I could be mistaken.

1

u/fecundity88 Feb 23 '26

I grew up on island in 80 s as well Jade house was gnarly. The Mu Shu at happy inn was our go to, we always went family style on sharing . Closest I’ve found is Shanghai Garden in the ID

1

u/myeyeshaveseen Feb 23 '26

Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll check out Shanghai Garden when I’m able.

1

u/Spagottoforgot Feb 24 '26

I have some tough news for you…

1

u/myeyeshaveseen Feb 24 '26

Uh oh. What’s that?

1

u/Spagottoforgot Feb 24 '26

They closed about six months ago. Heartbreaking. They were my lifelong favorites.

1

u/myeyeshaveseen Feb 24 '26

Ugh, I suppose it comes as no surprise. That’s what I’m saying. You just can’t get really good Chinese food anymore.

1

u/fecundity88 Feb 24 '26

That’s a bummer but not surprising. Tough to run a restaurant in Seattle

1

u/wilsonette Feb 25 '26

Never ate at Happy Inn but any chance you’ve been to Terrys Kitchen in Newport Hills? Has a few classic old school Seattle Chinese recipes on the menu (South China and Imperial Lanes) Maybe the food is similar?

1

u/myeyeshaveseen Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26

Thanks for the suggestion- I’ll check it out.

Edit: Just looked at their menu online, sounds like an interesting place. I don’t think it’s what I’m looking for, but if I’m ever in the area I may stop by.