Quynh Ņgo
Quynh is the owner and chef of Diamond Billiard Hall in New Orleans East, where she creates a welcoming community space. She moved from Vietnam to Arizona in the 1993, before settling down in New Orleans. She has over 20 years of cooking experience and is committed to her community, as she frequently helps those in need.
“Can you tell us about the story about Diamond Billiard Hall, how it started, how long it's been open?”
“I started the business three years ago. It's for fun for the people, to play pool, watch shows, and football games during the season and we have all kinds of parties like birthdays and anniversaries. Everybody parties here.”
~ Quynh Ņgo
“If people are good to me, I give to them. I'm always helping the homeless people here. In the cold season if they need a jacket, gloves, or blanket, I give it to them. Even customers give me old clothes and I put them in a bag and I give it to the homeless around here. It makes me happy. When I see the homeless people outside, if I don't feed them I feel so bad. If they're good, I feel happy.”
— Quynh Ņgo
Timeline
1972
Quynh was born in Vietnam.
1992
Quynh moved to Arizona from Vietnam. Quynh explained how when she first came to the U.S it was easy for her because in Vietnam she learned English in school already.
1993
Quynh visited Vietnam for the first and only time with her children.
1995
Quynh moved from Arizona to New Orleans where her husband worked in fishing and she worked on shrimp boats.
2005
After Hurricane Katrina, Quynh and her family moved back to Arizona to stay with friends for a year.
2006
Quynh and her family moved back to New Orleans, a year after Hurricane Katrina.
1986
The Mary Queen of Vietnam Church’s formal church building opened. The church hosts many community events such as Sunday mass and the annual Vietnamese New Year celebration the Tet Festival. Quynh explained how the church gave her family a trailer to live in for one year to look for a house after Hurricane Katrina.
2014
Around ten years ago a magazine came to view Quynh’s garden where she plants a large amount of herbs and flowers.
2021
Quynh opened the Diamond Billiard Hall in New Orleans East. She is the owner and chef of the Vietnamese billiards hall + karaoke bar + restaurant.