A Denver Classic Fades Away
For over four decades, Imperial Chinese stood as a towering presence in Denver—a culinary institution where generations of locals gathered to savor flavors from home. Yet in early 2025, without fanfare or farewell, the restaurant closed its doors, leaving behind a community in quiet disbelief. A terse note pinned to the entrance cited "rising costs" as the reason, but the abrupt shutdown raised more questions than it answered. Why did a place that had weathered economic storms, location changes, and shifting tastes for nearly forty years suddenly falter?
From Humble Beginnings to Denver Staple
The restaurant’s origin story traces back to 1985, when Johnny Hsu—a Hong Kong-born chef trained in the art of Cantonese, Szechuan, and even French cuisine—opened his first solo venture. Before Imperial Chinese, Hsu had already carved his name in Denver’s dining scene with Jade Garden, another beloved establishment. Imperial Chinese quickly became a cornerstone, relocating over the years but steadfastly preserving its authentic roots.
Fast forward to 2023: Hsu, now in his later years, made a decision that would alter the restaurant’s fate. He sold Imperial Chinese to Dan Dietrich, a serial entrepreneur whose résumé boasted ventures as diverse as donut shops and an AI firm. Dietrich’s grand vision? A fast-casual expansion under the banner Imperial Go, promising the same cherished flavors in a more accessible format.
Promises Unfulfilled
Yet despite the bold plans, the transformation never materialized. No Imperial Go locations ever materialized. Instead, Dietrich’s broader ambitions unfolded—a string of acquisitions, including former sushi restaurants repurposed for unknown endeavors. The original Imperial Chinese location, once a beacon of consistency, disappeared without a trace.
But Dietrich’s professional history cast a long shadow over his endeavors. His company, Jogan Companies, had already faced significant scrutiny. A 2022 investigation into one of his firms led to a costly defamation lawsuit—a legal battle he ultimately lost. Undeterred, Dietrich pressed forward with his vision, even as the clock ran out on Imperial Chinese.
A Neighborhood’s Unanswered Questions
Today, the empty space on Broadway serves as a stark reminder of impermanence. Nearby, the once-hopeful "coming soon" signs at Belleview Station still hang, their optimism now a cruel joke. The website they once linked to is dead—a digital ghost of what might have been.
Without closure, Denver’s diners are left to speculate. Was the closure truly the result of financial strain, or did deeper, unspoken challenges hasten Imperial Chinese’s demise? One thing is certain: the end came far too soon for a restaurant that had long been woven into the city’s culinary fabric.
