San Francisco is losing another of its oldest restaurants this month.
Far East Cafe, one of only two remaining Chinese banquet restaurants, will close later this month, as reported for the first time in the Wind Newspaper, with a focus on Chinatown.
“I love Far East Cafe. I do not want to give up. But I have no choice. We cannot keep the restaurant running without any revenue from the city’s businesses and resources, ”restaurant owner Bill Lee told Wind Newspaper.
Although Lee said that dining outdoors was useful for a while, it was not enough to sustain the business. He expected more help from the city, but he never came.
Opened in Chinatown in 1920, Lee is only the third owner in 100 years, after buying the restaurant in 1999.
The two-story restaurant was popular for large events like weddings, fundraising events and Lunar New Year celebrations, as the restaurant had a capacity for 800 customers.
The New Asia Restaurant on Pacific Avenue is now the only remaining banquet restaurant in Chinatown. The restaurant serves as a grocery store in the midst of the pandemic.
Far East Cafe will serve your last meals on December 31st.
Far East Cafe is located at 631 Grant Ave. in San Francisco.