Waiting with a smile: Waiter plans retirement after 27 years

Chung Shen Tsai cannot go out in public without being recognized.

After 27 years of waiting tables in Lynchburg, 57-year-old Tsai has more regular customers than he can keep track of.

“Some of the customers tell me, ‘You should run for Lynchburg mayor,’” Tsai says.

Most people know him as Richard, a name Tsai adopted 30 years ago after moving from his homeland in Taiwan to the United States.

“I knew at the time that I wanted to be rich and I wanted to work hard, so I put ‘rich’ and ‘hard’ together,” Tsai says.

“I worked very, very hard, but I’m not rich yet,” he says with a laugh.

For the past 15 years, Tsai has waited tables at King’s Island on Old Forest Road, working side-by-side with his wife, Way Lee Tsai. At the end of June, Tsai will retire to get some much needed rest and relaxation.

Since Tsai’s a veteran, he works regular hours: four days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday); two shifts a day.

Tsai glides through King’s Island like a man who knows exactly where he’s going. At 5’11’’, Tsai has a wiry frame and smiling eyes. Three years ago, he started wearing plastic safety goggles after a wine bottle de-corking accident at home left him blind in one eye.

“I always tell my co-workers, ‘Don’t walk on my left side,’” Tsai says.

When Tsai is in a good mood — which is most of the time — he exudes happiness, and it rubs off on his customers.

Patsy and Jim Wilkinson of Lynchburg have been regulars for 10 years. They come in almost every week, and will wait in line just to sit it Tsai’s section.

“He always greets you with a hug,” Patsy says.

“He’s good humored,” Jim says. “He’s got a quick wit to him.

“I hate to see him go, but I’m glad he’s going to have extra free time.”

Lynchburg residents Daryl and Rachel Whorley have been regulars for Tsai’s entire tenure at King’s Island. Of all the waiters they’ve had, they say Tsai is by far the best. Each time they come to King’s Island, they request Tsai without fail.

“He treats you like family when you come in here,” Daryl says. “He’s genuine. He’s not doing it to get a large tip, he’s doing it because it’s in his heart.”

Tsai moved from Taiwan to Casper, Wyo., when he was 28 to go to Casper College. He never finished his degree; Instead he moved to Lynchburg to work at the now-defunct Empire Garden, owned by a friend and classmate from Taiwan.

Twelve years and 12 days later, he joined his wife at King’s Island.

And finally he’s ready for a break. The father of three children in their 20s, Tsai says he has fulfilled his family obligations and looks forward to relaxing with his wife.

“The only thing I haven’t done is for myself and for my wife. She’s the one who has supported me the whole time,” he says.

In July, Tsai and his wife are going to travel to Taiwan for three weeks to reconnect with family. Tsai has not been there for more than 10 years, and says he misses the food, the people and the memories, but especially the food.

“When I was young, my family was poor, and even small things tasted so good. It may not be the same today, but my dream is to taste it all one more time, try it all one more time,” Tsai says.
Tsai also wants to volunteer and maybe get a part-time job.

“Hopefully, the next 10 years will be the best 10 years of my life.”

four questions for chung shen tsai
—You’ve been in the restaurant business so long, what has changed over the years?
Not much. Lynchburg’s a pretty small town. The customers’ personalities haven’t changed. They’re pretty friendly.
—What are you favorite dishes at King’s Island?
Neptune’s Salute, Dragon & Phoenix Soup, sushi
—What’s the longest stretch you’ve worked without a break?
About 10 years ago, a co-worker left to go back to Hong Kong. I worked for almost two weeks straight.
—What’s one of the best days you’ve had at your job?
A night when I had 30 tables that came in and all requested me. Table by table, all night long, they all asked for my tables. That night I went home and (told my) wife, ‘I’m so excited because they’re all coming for me.’