Show 145, November 7, 2015: Wing Lam, Co-Founder, Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish TacosWing Lam is well-known to Southern Californians as the personable co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. He’s affectionately known by others as “Mr. Cool.” You’ve probably seen him in his long-running Ford Transit Connect truck commercial.

He’s 3rd generation in his Family in the restaurant business. His Father emigrated from Brazil to the United States and opened his first Chinese restaurant on Balboa Island in 1970. Wing worked there initially as a busboy with very little capacity for understanding English. He grew up in Brazil speaking Portuguese.

The restaurant, New Shanghai Pine Garden, remains in operation and the property is still owned by Wing’s father, Mr. Lee. He lives nearby so he pops in regularly.

Shanghai Pine Garden serves Mandarin and Cantonese-style dishes at surprisingly affordable prices. It’s a throwback to another era but lucky for the residents of Balboa Island.

It’s a real bargain. Family Dinner includes choice of soup, appetizer, rice and one Entrée for $15.99. And this is on Balboa Island…

Mr. Lee’s Hot Sauce (a tribute to Wing’s Dad) is on the menu at Wahoo’s.

We’ll hear about this fun slice of local restaurant history from Wing Lam himself.

 

Show 39, August 31, 2013: Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Wing Lam of Wahoo's Fish TacosThe coolest dude in Orange County (because others identify him that way) has to be the incomparable Wing Lam, co-founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco. It just comes to him naturally…It’s their 25th anniversary this year from a modest start.

Wing is also active in many local charitable activities as well as enjoys teaching marketing. He’s a seasoned master at guerrilla marketing.

Wing joined us in-person to reveal how he keeps Wahoo’s fresh after 25 years of increasing success…He also talked about how the unexpected Mr. Lee’s Hot Sauce became part of Wahoo’s menu.

On Sunday, Sept. 1st Wing was the star of an episode of ABC’s “Secret Millionaire.” He was in Mobile, Alabama for a week working with a homeless shelter and a local food bank. Very inspirational episode…