The Original Hi Hat

Our Story 

It was 1927 when Henry Louie left his home village in Canton, China to follow the dream of a better life in America.  He was 16 years old when he embarked upon the 21-day jouney by boat from China to Seattle where he started as a bus boy at a restaurant. 

Eventually settling in Portland, Louie, along with fellow Chinese immigrants, pooled their money together and opened more than six restaurants around the Portland area.

The original Hi Hat Restaurant opened its doors in 1955 on Barbur Blvd in Portland, introducing the American palate to what was considered "new and exotic" Chinese flavors and cuisine.  It quickly became a neighborhood favorite. 

On October 1st, 1968, a devastating fire destroyed the restaurant.  Determined to rebuild, Louie moved his restaurant down the street to its current location on Pacific Hwy.  Hi Hat reopened its doors in 1970 to much anticipation and it resumed its popular and lively atmosphere.   

From the beginning, customers were greeted by Henry himself and his infectious grin.  Today, you’ll find his

children and grandchildren working at the restaurant,

carrying on a legacy spanning three generations. 

What's with the name?

This can best be described as lost in translation.  The Chinese name of the restaurant, pronounced “Go Moh” ,

actually refers to a top hat, the quintessential icon of a period when gentlemen carried canes and pocket watches. 

Think Mr. Peanut!  The literal translation from the Chinese phrase “Go Moh”  to English is “Tall Hat”,

which was misunderstood to be “High Hat”, which phonetically became “Hi Hat”.