This is your annual reminder that Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas not because “it’s the only thing that’s open,” but as a beautiful century-long display of inter-immigrant group solidarity.
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In many part of NE Illinois, people have been upset this year that most of the Asian restaurants are not open on Christmas Day and closed early on Christmas Eve because the owners and staff are now Christian and want to celebrate with their families.
We aren't Jewish (or any religion, really). We usually go out to a (shockingly good) Chinese buffet on either Thanksgiving or Christmas, depending on which holiday the kids can come into town. This year we ordered in because my sweetie is feeling very under the weather. Christmas is Saturday for us.
My family got together for a big potluck for some years but it seemed weird to have a big food holiday so soon after Thanksgiving. We've been doing Chinese now for maybe 15 years.
The original Panda Inn was our go-to but shockingly they are CLOSED on Christmas this year!
Had a relative who was too busy to cook on Christmas one year, even though they loved doing it. They also weren’t able to go out of town to see their Jewish godsons like they normally did. They called up and asked if we wanted to go out for Chinese. We did, & it was an absolutely wonderful evening.
The wonton soup was amazing. It was more just like Jewish penicillin with some wontons and it was so so so good. Currently heating up the Gen Tso’s and spring rolls.
Tablet drives me a little nuts because they’ll have really solid food/historical writing (like this piece) and then the very next article is about how supporting RFK Jr. is a Jewish value.
My mother is a (Orthodox!) convert but we still went to her mother’s house for Christmas when they weren’t fighting. I was a spoiled kid in that regard.
Also nice that the ending of A Christmas Story was at a Chinese restaurant. I know the family wasn’t Jewish but it’s nice that going to a Chinese restaurant was a plot point in a much loved Christmas classic.
Looking in from the outside, I love this tradition! As a Christmas drop-out, I've always wondered which Chinese place around here is popular with Jews on Christmas and what time of day. Because it sounds like great fun.
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The original Panda Inn was our go-to but shockingly they are CLOSED on Christmas this year!
PF Chang’s is…fine.