THE family of dim sim king Jimmy Wong has promised to keep the doors open in honour of the popular restaurant owner who died yesterday.

Mr Wong, the man behind Jim Wong Restaurant in Barkly St, Footscray, passed away, aged 75, as a result of head injuries sustained in a fall two days earlier.

He tripped on the stairs at his restaurant on his way to making that day’s dim sims.

RELATED: Footscray’s Jim Wong restaurant legendary with people from all over Melbourne

His wife of 50 years, Maryanne Wong, said his death had shocked family and friends given he had been in good health.

But Ms Wong said she and their three children would keep the restaurant going.

“Jimmy loved the restaurant and he wouldn’t want me to sell it so I will keep it open for him,” she said.

Ms Wong said it was her husband who kept people coming through the doors over the past 57 years not just his famed fare.

“He was an amazing person and a Footscray man through and through,” she said.

“He was very kind and would help anyone who asked for help.

“He was never going to retire, he said he would work until the day he died and that he did.”

News of his passing saw an outpouring of grief on online where hundreds paid tribute to a man who made “the best Sims ever.”

media_camera Jim Wong out the front of his original restaurant in Barkly St in 1960.

Mayor Cameron McDonald said Footscray, and the wider western community has lost an icon and he would be greatly missed.

“Jim was incredibly well-liked, respected and loved by all who knew him,” he said.

“He was truly a local institution.”

The Maribyrnong Leader featured Mr Wong and his famous dim sims in October for its Top Eats series.

His menu stuck to the food he was brought up on, including beef with black bean sauce, sweet and sour pork and lemon chicken.

Mr Wong was born in Canton, China, but moved to Melbourne at aged 13 where his uncle, who owned a cafe, taught him to cook.

Jim Wong had become a favourite among sport and soapie stars, commercial radio hosts and comedians.

Mr Wong was known for giving John So his start — he was a waiter at the restaurant — well before he became the Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Players from the Western Bulldogs’ VFL side were even known to discuss their strategies before a game around one of his tables.

Mr Wong previously told the Leader he couldn’t retire given he could play a small part in the Bulldogs winning another premiership.