Yee Family Will Help With Transition

The popular Yee’s Oriental Inn in Downtown Kenosha has been given new life by Dino Katris, a well-known local restaurateur who formerly owned El Camino Kitchen, La Fogata Mexican Grill, and Waterfront Warehouse. He is teaming up with Ken Miller, who is affiliated with other local restaurants, to re-open Yee’s Oriental Inn as Mr. Yee’s Oriental Inn.

The restaurant at 5030 6th Avenue closed in January of this year. Willy Yee, the previous owner of Yee’s Oriental Inn, had reached out to Katris to see if he would consider purchasing the restaurant after Yee retired. “I love Kenosha,” Katris states. “I love the restaurant business; this is my passion. The place has had a strong following for 68 years. We are dedicated to continuing the Yee family legacy; to keep the recipes and traditions alive.”

The transition will take place in phases. The sale is now complete, with a major kitchen renovation being the top priority for new ownership. A re-opening is planned for September 2024, with the Yee Family staying involved to help train staff on recipes and welcome guests back to the restaurant they have loved for years. A temporary shutdown will follow at some point in 2025 to accommodate indoor and outdoor building updates, and to introduce additional menu items beyond the mainstay menu.

Items such as the Beef Chop Suey, Sesame Chicken, Happy Family, Shrimp Fried Rice, Beef Tomato Pepper Steak, Mongolian Beef, Egg Foo Young, Egg Rolls, and Crab Rangoon will remain on the menu.

Willy Yee’s father opened the restaurant in 1955. It was the first Chinese/Cantonese restaurant in Kenosha.

Watch for more details about the re-opening as the date approaches.

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Shown in photo (L-R): Dino Katris, Willy Yee, Ken Miller