Dragon Seed Restaurant (Chinese), Rt. 1 Kittery Maine

My father was one of the owners of the restaurant and worked there until it was closed. I grew up with many memories of that restaurant. The building no longer exist. It is replaced with a collection of businesses like the Bose Factory Outlet, the Yankee Candle, and Starbucks.

My dad use to play cards with Lee King back in the 1960â™s.

My grandfather was King Lee and my grandmother was Mary Lee. Like Berline Lee Chao, I have many fond memories of the restaurant and the back porch overlooking the water.

what yrs was it open

It opened in April 1960 and closed in the mid-1980s after the premature death of my grandfather King Lee (Lee King).

Thx for the info. I always thought it was the China dragon. At least I had the dragon right. One summe, I think 87 or 68 we spent most of the summer at York Beach at Burnettes trailer oahk n went to the restaurant a few times. It was the only one on route 1 in Kittery correct

Yes, you got the Dragon right! It was the only Chinese restaurant in Kittery, that's for sure. But I don't know whether Bob's or another place was also nearby. I didn't live in Kittery and we only visited the restaurant a few times because my grandparents were always working. It's really cool you remember it. If you can share, I would love to hear any memories of the people, the food, the atmosphere.

Thx again. Like I said it was 67 or 68. That we spent a chunk of the summer at York beach. My Dad & his painting crew stayed a couple summers at Burnettes, while working at Portsmouth Naval base. I know they went there too. I was searching for The China Dragon & came across this. So glad I did cause now I know it's the Dragon seed. Both my folks are gone. Siblings might remember this. I remember it being set back on route 1 but somewhat visible. Thx for posting this picture & for writing back. I also remember Vallee's in Kittery Me, That place was awesome too. So huge

My mom Helen waitressed here for many years. Great owners and family. I loved Mary and King Lee, Jim, Sammy, Gladys, Arlene, Betty, and others. Many fond memories.

Nick, I appreciate your comment and knowing that you have good memories of my grandparents (King and Mary), as well as so many others involved in the restaurant. On Chinese New Year it's especially meaningful to remember the legacy of hard work, delicious food and generous hospitality that our families, your mom included, provided to so many travelers and locals. Happy New Year!

Victoria I can’t overstate how nice your grandparents were to our family. They even came to our house in Dover a couple times.

Wow was I surprised to see this memory on here. I was born in 1958, lived in Kittery Point until the ripe old age of 2 when my parents moved to South Berwick, Maine. I am an antiques dealer and recently found an old ashtray which brought back to the memories of my parents bringing me to the Dragon Seed. Even as a child I loved going there.

I lived in Kittery 1963 63, I remember neon sign ? Ivy, and the radio ad, "enjoy the oriental flavor of the dragon sea"

I went to the University of New Hampshire in the summers of 1960-61- and 62. Ihad many great meals there. One thing i remember was that they spilled the left over tea on the tables to clean them, I had never seen this done at any restaurant,

Was this restaurant ever known as Borderline? We are working on the missing person case of Reeves Johnson and just discovered that he worked at "Borderline" as a dishwasher.

Byron-
Perhaps the Borderline was what was once known as The Line House on the Kittery / York line? Just a thought....

After some further research it looks like it did become Borderline Restaurant around 1980. It may have also briefly went by the name The Captain's Table. The property was auctioned off a short time later. We are looking for anyone that worked there at that time or the names of any employees, managers, or owners.

It was not the Borderline. It was sold and reopened for a brief time as Leonardo’s Italian Restaurant, then the owners reopened it as The Captain’s Table, a seafood restaurant. The restaurant had a mediocre business, but flourished for awhile with live music. It was sold in the mid 80’s but was never auctioned off to my knowledge. My parents were part owners and had bought the business and building with the land from the Dragon Seed.

Nick-
Thanks for the feedback. I found an auction notice in the Biddeford Journal Tribune on June 3, 1982, and posted it here (https://imgur.com/gallery/1cRSsua). In the notice, it says that the restaurant's name was "Border Line Restaurant & Lounge" OR "The Captain's Table & Lounge" and was being sold by T.M.D. Enterprise, Inc. This same notice also appeared in a number of other newspapers simultaneously (Boston Globe, Portsmouth Herald, Portland Press Herald, etc.) Another notice said that the bank (Seabrook Bank and Trust Company) took it over, suggesting a foreclosure. On April 8th, 1981, there was a reference in the Biddeford Journal Tribune to a "seedling sale in the parking lot of Borderline Restaurant". I'd be interested to get in touch with you and your family to see if they had any employment records from that timeframe. There was a man named Reeves Johnson that worked at the restaurant in 1981. Please shoot me a note at (byron AT lindyhop.rocks)

We lived in Kittery for 1 year when I was 4 and went to the Dragon Seed Restaurant frequently. After we moved, from 1963 or so until 1980, we stopped there every time we travelled from CT or NY to Bangor Maine to visit relatives. There is where I learned my love for Chinese cuisine (as much as is able in America). The Sweet and Sour Lobster and Lobster Fried Rice were my favorites. They used authentic Chinese vegetables and spices in the food. The owner used to stop by the tables to welcome the guests and ask if they were enjoying their dinner. He was a remarkable man, very friendly - knew repeat customers' by name. He complimented my parents for the number of children they had (6). My family and I were SO sad when it closed..! It was the BEST Chinese food I've ever had.

I have some dishes from the restaurant