Anti-Super Bowl party attracts customers to Chinese restaurant

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A sign advertising the "Super Bowl Lunch" for non-Super Bowl fans hangs on the wall at the China House Restaurant in downtown Valparaiso on Sunday, February 5, 2012. | Michael Gard~For Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 7, 2012 9:49AM

VALPARAISO — For years, the owners of The China House on Lincolnway have talked about doing something during the Super Bowl.

“Every Super Bowl, we’re kind of slow,” co-owner Frances Lee said.

People usually don’t have Chinese food during the Super Bowl, so early this year, they announced a special event for those not interested in the sports event.

While most of the United States participated in office pools, Lee still hedged her bets for Sunday. Her event kicked off at noon and lasted until about 4:30 p.m., because for many, not watching the game seems unpatriotic, she said.

The event included punch, desserts and some Chinese delicacies for those who showed up, and middle tables were open for anyone who wanted to meet new people.

It wasn’t much different from other holiday events at the restaurant except for decorations and an informal poll showing that most people favored the New York Giants over the New England Patriots.

Many of those who came were regular customers — people who usually come in after church and like having the lunch menu on Sunday.

Although the crowd wasn’t big for the first-time event, “it’s bigger than what she usually has (for Super Bowl Sunday),” said Jan Pahs, the restaurant’s decorator and frequent customer.

“All these people came in. They had fun,” Pahs said.

Melissa Johnson was one of the anti-Super Bowl partiers who showed, along with her family and some friends who planned to go to a party later.

“I would rather relax here at China House than be at a Super Bowl party,” Johnson said.

She had brought along some trivia game cards in case it became a big event instead of just diners.

Her husband, Erik Johnson, said he was persuaded to go to The China House event but acknowledged he wouldn’t stay long at the Super Bowl party he’d attend later.

He had to get up for work early in the morning, and their children also would need to get to bed, he said.