Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Environment
Claire Wang in Woodland, California

Is America’s oldest Chinese restaurant in a tiny suburb of Sacramento? Historians investigate

Two people wearing blue aprons stand back-to-back in a kitchen washing dishes and handling kitchenware
Paul and Nancy Fong, owners of the Chicago Cafe, cook in the kitchen on 13 March 2024 in Woodland, California. Photograph: Andri Tambunan/The Guardian

On a warm morning in March, a group of researchers entered an unassuming chop suey parlor in the Sacramento suburbs for a rare field trip.

The six history enthusiasts affiliated with the University of California, Davis, had gathered at the Chicago Cafe in Woodland, California, with one goal in mind: to determine the exact age of what may be the oldest Chinese restaurant in the country.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.