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    Chicago Cafe

    3.5 (77 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese, American, Seafood

    Chicago Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    CHICAGO CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Chicago Cafe

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    Lunch counter
    Judy H.

    We heard in the news that this quaint restaurant was in the process of closing. We needed to come to the oldest Chinese restaurant before it was no more. We came in on a Tuesday around 5:00pm Such an old time cafe. There is a "standard"lunch counter that you would find at a soda fountain shop. Loved the ambiance. Our server (maybe the owner) was very nice and friendly. She told us that they didn't know when they would close and we were determined to try it before we couldn't. The restaurant is cash only so come prepared. We didn't so we ordered the pork chow mein Chinese style and pork fried rice. Our meal came with some soup (maybe chicken). It was a standard lunch counter type. Added pepper and it tastes good. The pork fried rice and chow mein were served fresh off the grill-piping hot!! We asked for hot mustard and it was hot too. But delicious!! The food took me back to when I was young and we went to our neighborhood Chinese restaurant in downtown Sacramento. Would like to come again and try some of their other items.

    Chicago Deluxe dinner

    As always the Best Chinese food in the county! Now that the news showed/shared again the oldest Chinese run Restaurant - you will be lucky to get a table- which is so unfortunate for all us old timers, use to getting in and out in less then 45 minutes (including soup, main course/dish, and fortune cookie! Owners have the business for sale-so we hope someone can keep the traditional Chinese food flowing

    Delicious dinner for one, double rice (in place of chow mein)
    Kassandra S.

    Literally, the best! Woodland's best kept "not so secret, secret?" If there is such a thing :P. Recently named the oldest Chinese food restaurant in California (https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaurants/article/oldest-chinese-restaurant-california-18643241.php) - it's my number one pick for pork fried rice & hot mustard! Sometimes (especially during lunch) it gets pretty busy and there's only one waitress - so you'll need to be patient, but she really does go out of her way to try to keep everyone satisfied. I don't think I've ever seen the woman sit down or rest lol. I would definitely go check it out if in the area. Can't go wrong with a deluxe dinner for one!

    Prices as of August 2024
    Jacquelin S.

    My friend, originally from Hong Kong, asked if I had ever been to Chicago Cafe. I hadn't and warned her that it would be old school American Chinese and that she probably woudn't like it. She wanted to try it anyway so I was game. We had low expectations. We went on a Friday for lunch. On entering the restaurant you feel the small town old style restaurant vibe with the lunch counter and the bench seating. Based on how the waitress interacted with the other customers, one could tell that many were regulars. We had a lot of questions about the menu items. I asked what the difference was between Mein and Yuk. Mein contains bean sprouts and Yuk has bok choy. I then asked if the Chinese Green Chow Yuk was vegetarian and was informed that it contained beef. I ordered the Mushroom Chow Yuk and my friend ordered the Almond Chicken Chow Mein. The entrees came with a bowl of clam chowder. Since I had been asking about vegetarian items, the waitress asked if I could eat the clam chowder. I confirmed that it would be OK. The soup was fair, it was mainly potatoes and celery with a small number of tiny clam pieces. Then on to the entrees. Way way too salty. We both agreed that we would not become regulars. She might return because her husband, originally from mainland China, wants to try it. We both predict that he will not like it, though he might enjoy the ambiance.

    Menu, Chicago Cafe
    Elizabeth S.

    I had read an article in the SF Chronicle describing this as one of the oldest Chinese restaurants in the US where traditional chow mein was served. Because the cafe will close permanently soon, my husband & I drove up from the East Bay (2 hours each way). There was nearby free street parking. Upon arrival we were greeted by a friendly female server who set us up in a booth with our 2 service dogs. Even mid-afternoon almost every table was occupied. We ordered 2 chow mein combo plates which included a cup of clam chowder. Although my husband was thrilled that the crispy noodles reminded him of his 1950s childhood outings with his mom & sister, I was less excited about my oily fried noodles. The portions were huge but the bean sprouts atop the chow mein were overcooked and bland and the pork slivers were modest in size & quantity. Our server was gracious & charming in spite of seeming to be the only one taking care of customers. From a nostalgic perspective, this was a unique slice of Americana and I wanted so much to give it high marks, yet I can't. The walls are covered with old newspaper clippings and curious artifacts are on display, yet the overall ambiance is worn & dated. The bill was amazingly low, but I'd only recommend for folks wanting to step back in time. I wish the staff well.

    Chicago Combination
    E M.

    Drove up from the Bay Area to try the "suburban" Chinese food at the oldest Chinese restaurant in the country. Overall, I was surprised and enjoyed the historic authenticity of the early Chinese American cuisine, which was on par with Panda Express. I ordered the Chicago Combination plate which comprised BBQ Pork Fried Rice, Chow Mein with lots bean sprouts, Egg Foo Young, and Fried Shrimp.

    Beef tomato Chow Yoke with steamed rice.

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    2 years ago

    Their food is delicious. Grew up eating this type of Chinese food. Yum !! Very clean and a very nice waitress.

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    2 years ago

    The only place I can get my pork noodles. The fried rice is the best and I love the family atmosphere.

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    2 years ago

    Great authentic Chinese our favorite restaurant for over 60 years. Best pork fu young. And truly authentic chow main

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    Chicago Cafe - chinese - Updated May 2026

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