How We Did It: Immigrant couple making it work
| Monday, Nov 09 2009 04:02 PM
Last Updated Monday, Nov 09 2009 04:02 PM
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Jenn Ireland / The Californian Peter and Helen Wang stand in China Palace before they reopen for dinner Monday afternoon. The Wangs have owned the buffet restaurant on California Ave. for 25 years and have recently redone the decor, booths and counters.
Jenn Ireland / The Californian Fresh pans of food are put out just before China Palace reopens for dinner Monday afternoon. Peter and Helen Wang have owned the buffet restaurant on California Ave. for 25 years and have recently redone the decor, booths and counters.
Talk about a great example of the American Dream.
Peter and Helen Wang, both immigrants from Taiwan and both restaurant workers, met and fell in love in Los Angeles. After getting married, they decided to open their own restaurant. So in 1984 they packed everything up and moved to Bakersfield to open China Palace at 4142 California Ave.
Now, after 25 years, China Palace is still open and bringing in business. Not only that, but Peter is still the head cook and Helen occasionally works as a hostess.
We sat down with Peter Wang to talk about what changes his restaurant has had to go through over the years, as well as what advice he would give to others looking to make their restaurant as successful as his. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Q. Why did you and your wife decide to come to Bakersfield in 1984?
We were looking for a location for our restaurant, and we just decided to open here. I like Bakersfield. The people are friendly, and it’s a nice town. The only problem I have is it’s too hot.
Q. What changes have you made to the restaurant over the last 25 years?
We changed from a full service ‘table cloth’ restaurant to a buffet style. That’s more popular and customers were asking for a buffet. We’ve also changed menu items and changed the sauce we use.
Q. Why do you think you’ve been able to stay in business for so long?
We keep the food quality high, that’s the main reason. Customers have been coming here a long time, and now those customers are bringing in their second generation. We just keep the food fresh, and if food isn’t popular we get rid of it.
We also keep good service. We tell the waiters to keep a smile at all times. When they come to the restaurant for work, they need to forget all their outside problems.
Q. What advice would you give to others looking to open a restaurant?
Keep customer service good and make the price right. And keep good food quality.
