Sneak Peak Taste Test for Chop Suey Cafe and Lounge, Little Tokyo
Wednesday, February 1, 2006 16:49
The Far East Chop Suey Cafe is scheduled to open its historic doors in the coming months, under the new name Chop Suey Cafe and Lounge. The Grand Opening Date has been pushed to the first of March due to some unforeseen setbacks for the owners. Personally, I’m not sure what exactly needs to happen for a place to be refitted after a major earthquake. And after the Northridge quake back in 1994, the little Chinese Chop Suey restaurant needed a major uplift.
Like so many who remember this restaurant, my grandparents recall nostalgic memories and histories that they associate with the Far East Chop Suey Cafe. Celebrations of weddings and get togethers to say goodbye to loved ones who passed on, they remember with smiles and tears. For me - a fourth generation Japanese American, I’m interested to see how the proprietors with their partnership with the Little Tokyo Service Center blend the old with the new. With its close proximity to both JANM and MOCA’s Geffen - it will be a great place to meet for lunch, dinner or drinks!
So far, I’ve been fortunate to have a few sneak peaks of what’s to come…
First, was my taste test at the Tofu Festival. I had small plates of their smoked tofu salad and tofu chili, both unique and delicious samples.
Then, with USC Football season and my season tickets to home games, I went to pretty much all but one tailgate parties. The Chop Suey Cafe and Lounge tailgates always had some fresh and deliciously made Asian infused eats - a great way to start your morning, afternoon, and evening before cheering the Trojans to victory. (I will leave the Rose Bowl game out of this post.)
Also, I was lucky enough to attend (actually, I worked) the LTSC Fundraiser held at the restaurant back in November of last year. In full regala, it was great to see so many community members and supporters on a Tuesday evening. Tables on both floors and in between the old varnished wood dividers were covered in rich tablecloths. Trays were full of delectable dishes of old and new that night. Chop suey noodles, maze gohan, flavored meats, ahi tuna, and so much more! I forgot the actual names, but remembered being fat, full, and happy at the end of the night.
And then, just the other night, I was asked to drive by and stop at the downtown kitchen to sample some sandwiches they’re making for their lunch menu. Since I never pass up an offer for free food, I was there right after I got off of work.
There were a total of about 16 different sandwiches - from veggie, salad, chicken, pork, and beef. Who knew that after eating some portions of each one would make a girl full! My favorites of the night were a wasabi flavored chicken one, the tofu with pickled veggies one, and the cha shu with veggies. Mmm…I even gave them a couple of my favorite and more unique dishes - one involving a chicken katsu curry and another with shoyu spaghetti. YUM! We’ll see what makes the cut!
More to come…
Chop Suey Cafe & Lounge
street: 347 East 1st Street in Little Tokyo
By Kristy (see more of her posts). A native of the city, kristy loves to discover new sites, new eateries, new things to do in her online journal of finding the best of la.
terila says:
February 1st, 2006 at 5:03 pm
What a shame that the new establishment is trying to misrepresent the “re-opening” as being a continuation of the old restaurant. But clearly, even just from your review, the new cafe will be far from “authentic historical” Far East Cafe fare.
Far East Cafe RIP.
Kristy says:
February 1st, 2006 at 6:38 pm
The one thing that’s constant in life is change - that’s for sure.
And in light of all the changes that the Downtown area has seen over the last few years, it’s great to know that there are organizations like the Little Tokyo Service Center and community partners who are doing what they can to preserve our cultural and historic landmarks like the Far East Building. And the opening of this restaurant will be a great blending of the old and the new, which really is like a blending of my grandparents’ generation and my own.
Jonah says:
February 1st, 2006 at 8:15 pm
Thanks for sharing the memories and the oultlook on what is to come, very interesting!
terila says:
February 2nd, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Well architecture is one thing. Food is entirely another.
We can appeciate both. But they are different.
Michael says:
December 5th, 2006 at 2:20 am
WOW! Chop Suey is in an excellent restraunt. I enjoyed the atmosphere and how everyone was so friendly there. The food was fantastic especially the “Thai Beef Salad”, “Tomatoe Beef”, and the “House Special Chow Mein”. I loved the fact that they kept the restraunt the same. My family and I used to go there many years ago and it was nice to bring back the good memories. The patio was a very nice touch to what is already a beautiful and historic place. The bar was great and had many different selections of beer and “specialty drinks”. They kept the upstairs the same and the host said they still have parties there like the old JA’s did. He said you can reserve it anytime. He also said they have DJs come every tuesday night from 9-2am where everyone has a great time. I would definetly recommend this restaraunt. Anyone who enjoys a GREAT atmosphere and friendly people with GOOD food… THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE..
Michael Watanabe
j says:
April 6th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
This was the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. My friend and I seated ourselves, got our own water and menu, and ordered our food at the bar. Meanwhile, tables with 3 or more people got seated and served right away. It got so bad that people at the other table informed the waitress that we were there first. But this did not help the situation. We were waiting for so long that we were about to leave. Mind you, we paid for our food when we ordered. But the food finally came. After a taste of the saltiest Chop Suey and three other dishes, my friend and I went to the restaurant few doors down and had a real meal.
Kristy says:
April 6th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
So sorry to hear that you had a really bad experience. Believe me, the owners of this restaurant would WANT to know about this type of bad service and saltiness in their food.
I haven’t been back for a while but have always been treated very well here. I’ll try the chop suey next time and will post an update soon. :)
GEORGE says:
June 21st, 2007 at 12:08 am
[deleted because the author is using multiple names to post derogatory comments from the same location]
RON FONG says:
August 6th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
[deleted because the author is using multiple names to post derogatory comments from the same location]
Charles says:
August 6th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
I ate at Chop Suey soon after they opened and the Pan-Asian food was great but I went the other night and the menu has completely changed. It is now an exclusively Chinese menu. Pretty standard stuff although I thought the food was good. Unfortunately the oil they are using has a very commercial/fast food flavor. Service was erratic. They seemed confused, though friendly.
NORMAN says:
August 11th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
[deleted because the author is using multiple names to post derogatory comments from the same location]
Thomas "TK" Nagano says:
August 16th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
As the real “TK Nagano,” I want to say that the establishment (Chop Suey) went out of their way to do a pre-opening dinner for my dad’s 88th in June 2006. And we like it so much, the kick off Family Nagano Reunion during Nisei Week, will be tomorrow night, Friday, August 18th, up stairs in the traditional banquet room for Birthdays, Receptions, Wedding and Funerals. “Try it, you might like it” [and you can't be the per plate price.] 2K7 OK TK
Phil Motoike says:
December 12th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I remmber going there for dinner and family get togethers.My mother had said, after the old man ( man at the counter) had passed away it was never the same. My mother had said she remmbers the place as a little girl. Lots of memories, I have not been there since it reopened. I hope is the same as I remmbered as a kid.
Sheila says:
January 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Dear Resturant owner,
Have you open/..If so what are your time of operation?
How has the New Year started for your business.
Looking forward to dine with you.
Thanks
Sheila says:
January 7th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Dear Resturant owner,
Have you open?..If so what are your hours of operation?
How has the New Year started for your business.
Looking forward to dine with you.
Thanks
Thomas Nagano says:
April 28th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Sheila they are barley open ,don’t waste your time and money at chop suey.