Mundelein’s Royal Cantonese shutters following death of co-owner

Following the unexpected death of a co-owner, a Mundelein dining institution has permanently shut down.

Royal Cantonese, 799 E. Route 45, had served Chinese food and cocktails since 1975.

Owners John and Doreen Lew publicly announced plans to retire earlier this month. But on Wednesday, a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page revealed John Lew died unexpectedly last week. Details were unavailable.

Doreen Lew subsequently closed the restaurant. Phone calls to the restaurant led to a recording message about the closure.

One Royal Cantonese fan on Facebook called the restaurant a landmark that will be missed. Another called Lew’s death heartbreaking.

Among the former Royal Cantonese patrons who were surprised by the news was former Mayor Steve Lentz, who held election watch parties at the restaurant in 2013, 2017 and 2021. The setting was suggested the first time by then-trustee and running mate Ray Semple, Lentz recalled. Both won that night.

“Being superstitious, I did it the next two times as well,” Lentz recalled. “The food was great (and) the drinks were good.”

An online crowdfunding campaign was launched to help Doreen Lew cover funeral expenses, payroll obligations and other costs. More than $19,000 had been donated as of Friday.

The fundraiser can be found at shorter.me/jdbeb.