Chicago Café — Restaurant in Woodland

If you were born before 1999 you remember what Chinese food was like. Chow mein came with a heaping pile of delicately flavored blanched bean sprouts, the egg rolls were huge (and not the small spring rolls with the mushy vegetables inside that everyone serves now), the fried shrimp was the puffy battered pupu platter kind, and the spareribs were actual full ribs...not riblets. This is the type of Chinese food Chicago Cafe serves.

Known as the oldest Chinese restaurant in the US, it opened in 1903. And the food reflects that. Do your research before you come because whatever you're expecting, if you are expecting something, it probably ain't gonna be it. If you don't think you're gonna like the chow mein, ask for double fried rice.

If you're coming with a large group, call ahead. There's only one server. I come in on weekday afternoons and always get immediately...

A quaint step back in time at an old fashioned, family run diner with a limited menu of traditional, atypical, yet delicious Chinese food and a pretty full menu of American fare.

The building has quite a bit of history. There is a wall of past and recent news aarticles leading to a U C. Davis professor's recent designation of this establishment as the oldest, longest running Chinese restaurant in CA and possibly in the U.S.

The Chicago Cafe is ccurrently owned and operated by the original owner's senior grandson and his wife. If traveling nearby, it is definitely a great place to stop by for a bite.

They apparently adjust their closing time with the time change, between 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. - depending on daylight savings, and are closed on Thursdays. It is safest to call ahead in case they occasionally...

I’m Chinese, and I’m perfectly satisfied by the food here. Food isn’t Michelin stars but the staff and history is 5 stars. Travel to sample a taste of history before it closes. Appreciate it’s still managed and food is home cooked by a husband and wife duo, in the set up of something that’s uniquely American where chop suey meets American diner meets minestrone meets saltine crackers with an abacus and Elvis Presley photos coexisting side by side.

I didn’t travel to Woodland to expect Michelin quality food. I therefore wasn’t disappointed.

Chances are if people are traveling now to Chicago cafe, it’s to get a bit of history before it closes and not in it...