Memories of St Michael's Canteen

During our days at St Joe in the 1970's, St Michael's Canteen was a favourite haunt for many of us. In fact many generations of students have been enjoying the food (kolo mee, laksa, fried tau hu, hay pia, etc) and desserts (ang tau peng, special) at St Mike's. Here's an old photo of the place back then (courtesy of John).

St Mike's Canteen was so much a part of our student lives. However I bet many have forgotten that it was actually the canteen serving the St Michael's Club next door. I remember the Club from my early primary school days - my late grandfather was a member and used to enjoy playing mahjong with his friends there. I also remember a billiards room and a tennis court. Also during the St Joseph's annual fun fairs, many games activities (e.g. Lotto) were carried out in the Club building itself.

For years after St Michael's Club was closed down, the Canteen continued operation. Then at one point, they decided to rename it Nyait Yang Cafe, I believe after the owner.  Eventually they had to move out of the premises because of some authority ruling (something about government land, if I remember correctly).

St Mike's first relocated to Satok Road, before later moving to their current premises in a shoplot on 3rd Mile, near to Timberland Medical Centre. The business is now run by John, whom most of us are familiar with. It has renamed to St Michael Cafe, and here's a recent picture.

Here are some of your memories of St Mike's Canteen ...

"The COIN PHONE at the side near the exit to the toilet is one of the most memorable / popular communication tools at that time for a lot of people, including myself. During those days house phone was like a premium ... same goes if your dad had a car you were somebody.... A lot of the boys queued for their turn to use the pink colour phone to call the lucky and popular STS girls who had phone at their homes those days.With 10 cents you could talk for hours if nobody was waiting for the phone and each time that happen St. Mike's John's late father would shout at you and say the phone was getting "hot" and melting and hang up the phone.....enough is enough!!!!!! (During those) times with 10cents per call and technology was not able to cut off after 3 mins so you could talk for as long as the 'Old Man' was not around or you have to stretch the cord and position yourself outside near to the toilet to hide from him.......very desparate but....Some lucky ones had phones at home but I am sure alot of the boys had queued and use the Pink phone....Unlike today even the primary school boys have handphone and facebook".  --- BW

"I recall that we sometimes made our own drinks and pay of course at St Mike's and (we) also enjoyed the prawn or tow hu fritters and then went on to the museum grounds on our way home - "monkeying" around on the swings or the metal frames" --- JL

"We used to go to St Mike's for half an hour on most weekeday evenings, when we took a break from studying at the library" --- Anon

"... When I was in Form 2 or 3, after spending all my bus fare (at St Mike's) on a few occasions, I had to walk all the way back to Kenyalang Park - quite a trudge but obviously it laid the foundation for my ability to walk long distances, even these days." --- PT


I'll add more memories & recollections as they are sent in. Or you can just add them yourself as comments.

Indeed, St Michael's was a big part of our schooldays and teenage years. To relive the tradition, we shall be visiting the new St Mike's for brunch on 23 Dec.