The two of them met in 1968, when they were both living and working in Chicago. Suzie had worked in the restaurant business with her family since first coming to the USA in 1958. Before moving to Chicago she worked up in Milwaukee at various Asian places, including a Polynesian restaurant called Pacific Paradise. Suzie's grandmother on her mom's side was part Hawaiian and that is why the love of the Polynesian style is in her blood. When she moved here, she worked at a place out in Elgin, and various other places in Chicago's China Town. Paul had previously worked as a cook in various Asian restaurants around town, including, (as legend has it) the once famous, now closed, Shangri-La in Chicago, hence the name Chef Shangri-La.

After they purchased the restaurant in March of 1976, Paul and Suzy, along with a couple area locals, gutted the entire restaurant except for the bar itself, which supposedly came from one of Al Capone's speakeasy's in Cicero. They then spent about five months putting up all the thatch, bamboo, numerous tikis, swag lights, and huts, mostly purchased thru Johnson Products Co., located in Chicago. Back in the day, JPC was one of the premier outfitters for tropical/tiki themed décor, from such greats as Oceanic Arts, Witco, and Orchids of Hawaii.

Their menu has featured such greats, as Volcano Beef which is lit on fire when served, Hawaiian ribs, Hong Kong style Filet Mignon, General Chu's Chicken, Polynesian Delight, Pearls of the Seven Seas, along with traditional dishes like Cashew Chicken, Mongolian Beef, Szechwan Pork, and of course Chop Suey. They also feature a variety of fabulous tropical libations, such as the Mai Tai, Zombie, Blue Hawaiian, Fog Cutter, the Flaming Virgin, and their signature drink, the Dr. Fong.

Each year they have both a New Year's Eve  Party  and a Chinese New Year Celebration. Local area musicians like the Cocktail Preachers, the Astronauts, the Reluctant Aquanauts, the Windy City Islanders, and  the Bikini Beachcombers  have performed.
They also have an annual anniversary bash held in late July, and in recent years we've had the likes of the Haole Kats who came all the way from Florida to perform for the 30th anniversary, along with a whole lot of great local bands as mentioned previously.