Chicago Cafe

This restuarant has been around for ever and serves excellent food. I recommend crispy noodle chow mein.

This place brings back memories. I love this place. Foods always good, and the restaurant is always so clean

It is always a pleasure to eat at this restaurant. Paul is a wonderful owner, and Dianna is always on task serving and cleaning the tables. Food is top-notch as always.

They have the best Chinese food and have been at this location for over 100yrs! I recommend the combination plate with egg foo young, pork chow mein, pork fried rice, pan fried noodles and fried prawns for under $10 with tax! They only take cash, no cards. Closed on Thursday.

We had a delicious dinner, with excellent service!! Their menu is extensive from Chinese to all American burgers, something for everyone! And at fantastic prices, very affordable for a family night out. Enjoy!

Look it's cash only. If you order a beer, you get a 12 oz can. They serve classic American diner meals along with a variety of noodles. I have no idea how to explain this place but I loved it.

My mom took me to the chicago cafe as a baby I went on my first date as a teen with my wife here, that was 21 years ago and I've never been disappointed. Paul is a good guy and the food is always on point.

My great grandma use to take me here ALL THE TIME growing up, then my mom would. Moved out of woodland at age 8, but every chance I get, I'm a 30 min. Drive and my favorite thing in the whole world, is the pork chow mein with crunchy noodles. THE BEST. The woman who used to work there for forever, knew us by name and was always amazed when she would me, she watched me grow. I miss her. Her name was Jeanny I think.

Very good food and excellent service My parents would us as young kids there.

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 sat. CASH ONLY.

Friendly, relaxed, quiet atmosphere. Great service. Very fresh tasting food with a wonderful balance of textures! Here the foods natural flavors are enhanced subtly, not drowning in sauce and salt like every other place. Pretty good pricing and great portions. A historic and delicious place every should try.

I really enjoyed my meal here today. All was delicious, especially the pork fried rice. The server was very overworked as the sole person dealing with many tables of demanding people (somehow, the restaurant was full of people at like 2 pm) but was kind and attentive. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for nicely cooked Chinese American food

Friendly service, welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, cash only, It seems that time stopped in this place which gives a sense of nostalgia, definitely I loved this place.

illyanna Maisonet

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 sat. CASH ONLY.

Oscar

Friendly, relaxed, quiet atmosphere. Great service. Very fresh tasting food with a wonderful balance of textures! Here the foods natural flavors are enhanced subtly, not drowning in sauce and salt like every other place. Pretty good pricing and great portions. A historic and delicious place every should try.

Seppo Ilmarinen

I really enjoyed my meal here today. All was delicious, especially the pork fried rice. The server was very overworked as the sole person dealing with many tables of demanding people (somehow, the restaurant was full of people at like 2 pm) but was kind and attentive. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for nicely cooked Chinese American food

Blanca Gomez

Friendly service, welcoming atmosphere, delicious food, cash only, It seems that time stopped in this place which gives a sense of nostalgia, definitely I loved this place.

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 for the food.

Amazing food! Couldn't get enough! The waitress is very nice and efficient! Took a bit for the food to come out, but the taste and price more than make up for it! If I could give it more than five stars, I would! 11/10, would recommend!

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 close earlier.

Paul has one of my favorite cafes to visit. I eat there every time I'm in Woodland. Dinner Deluxe, for one, is my absolute favorite. It comes with teriyaki steak, prawns, pork fried rice and noodles 🍜 delicious.

A blast from the past. A real dinner with a counter like one would see in the 1940s. Excellent old school American type Chinese..eg. Chow main

This is a historic place. Family owned a long time, like 119 yrs or wot? I had eggs, ham, hash browns n toast. Solid spot, and a step back in time. Lunch counter & American & Chinese food. Go and tip that friendly waitress.

My family has been going here for yeeeeeaaarsss they have great food. i love the paper wrap chicken hands down the best I've had but I know they have phenomenal chicken fried steak in was my parents favorite dish

I used to take my kids here for breakfast when they were little, and after they finished, Paul would give them toostie roll pop. Thank you, Paul. For many years, they talked about the man who gave them candy after breakfast. 👍👍👍👍👍

A K

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 for the food.

Ron Vinsant

A blast from the past. A real dinner with a counter like one would see in the 1940s. Excellent old school American type Chinese..eg. Chow main

Allen Miller

Amazing food! Couldn't get enough! The waitress is very nice and efficient! Took a bit for the food to come out, but the taste and price more than make up for it! If I could give it more than five stars, I would! 11/10, would recommend!

Tina

I used to take my kids here for breakfast when they were little, and after they finished, Paul would give them toostie roll pop. Thank you, Paul. For many years, they talked about the man who gave them candy after breakfast. 👍👍👍👍👍

Melissa Belis

Paul has one of my favorite cafes to visit. I eat there every time I'm in Woodland. Dinner Deluxe, for one, is my absolute favorite. It comes with teriyaki steak, prawns, pork fried rice and noodles 🍜 delicious.

Bernice Yee

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 close earlier.

Andrew Dumars

My family has been going here for yeeeeeaaarsss they have great food. i love the paper wrap chicken hands down the best I've had but I know they have phenomenal chicken fried steak in was my parents favorite dish

Shirley Fenile

This is a historic place. Family owned a long time, like 119 yrs or wot? I had eggs, ham, hash browns n toast. Solid spot, and a step back in time. Lunch counter & American & Chinese food. Go and tip that friendly waitress.

This place has a lot of personality--all kinds of interesting things hanging on the walls that customers have brought in. I'm vegetarian and my favorite thing to order is the egg foo yung and vegetable fried rice.

One of those hole in the wall places where the food is excellent. Ambiance not needed here. You want good food, it's here. Try the Chicago special.

I have been going to Chicago Cafe since I was a young boy with my Dad. I usually get the same thing every time and often just because I love how the food taste. The restaurant is a Chinese American restaurant but done in such a way that the food is amazing and unique. On top of being a good restaurant, it has been open since 1903 and has acquired many things across history which has been placed along the wall. Paul the owner, along with his wife are great chefs and people and I personally will continue to come here as long the business is open.

For someone to grow up in Woodland knows The Chicago Café. I would say this is a landmark for a lot of locals . Thinking back when I was 18, Johnny brought me here for lunch in which during that time he and I had been talking alot about my future. Crazy, I miss that man. The neighborhood call him the Mayor of the block . Okuda, thank you and miss you , your neighbor and friend. Just so you know Cash Only!

Been here many, many times. Food is excelent, breakfast AND dinner. The breakfast is very good and the price is great as well. My wife and I recently had the dinner there. You want to talk authentic? Chicagos has it. Chicken chow maein with BEAN SPROUTS! Excelent! And the price was aslo great. The service is ok if you come in AFTER 11am. If the guy is there, just ignore hm

I was in the area and decided to stop by after seeing on UCTV that this is one of the oldest Chinese American restaurants in the US. The atmosphere and decor definitely felt historic, and I enjoyed the vibe of the place. However, the food was just okay. Maybe I’m being critical because I’m Malaysian Chinese, but my meal didn't have a lot of meat. The service, on the other hand, was exceptional. The staff were all very friendly and polite, making me feel welcome. Bonus: A picture of the restaurant’s exterior, with Woodland’s downtown looking empty in preparation for the Christmas festival.

Justin Leong

I was in the area and decided to stop by after seeing on UCTV that this is one of the oldest Chinese American restaurants in the US. The atmosphere and decor definitely felt historic, and I enjoyed the vibe of the place. However, the food was just okay. Maybe I’m being critical because I’m Malaysian Chinese, but my meal didn't have a lot of meat. The service, on the other hand, was exceptional. The staff were all very friendly and polite, making me feel welcome. Bonus: A picture of the restaurant’s exterior, with Woodland’s downtown looking empty in preparation for the Christmas festival.

The young man working was very polite But, the food was very disappointing. Fried rice was bland. Egg foo young had a taste of something extremely unpalatable Teriyaki beef just chunks in some form of brown gravy that was bland as the rest of the meal I don't recommend this place for eating dinner. Maybe breakfast is better? Even the prawns were tasteless and chow mein, lol. Little bit of bacon greese and cabbage or green onions sure would be a big help. Overall. 4 out of 10..

Friendly place. Great fried rice. Didn't care for the prawns. They were very small shrimp. Didn't care for the egg foo young. Charged me $1.33 for sweet and sour sauce for shrimp because they didn't have a dipping sauce for them. Wouldn't recommend.

Good owner. Family owned restaurant. Soup was good, and I usually don't like Chinese soups. Main course (pan fried noodles) wasn't that great. I'd like to think I just ordered the not-so-good option off the menu. Might stop by again to try a different dish. Prices are on the lower end. My meal cost around $7.

HELL WITH IT!! B. L. A.

The young man working was very polite But, the food was very disappointing. Fried rice was bland. Egg foo young had a taste of something extremely unpalatable Teriyaki beef just chunks in some form of brown gravy that was bland as the rest of the meal I don't recommend this place for eating dinner. Maybe breakfast is better? Even the prawns were tasteless and chow mein, lol. Little bit of bacon greese and cabbage or green onions sure would be a big help. Overall. 4 out of 10..

Darcey Derry

Friendly place. Great fried rice. Didn't care for the prawns. They were very small shrimp. Didn't care for the egg foo young. Charged me $1.33 for sweet and sour sauce for shrimp because they didn't have a dipping sauce for them. Wouldn't recommend.

Pavel Rudometkin

Good owner. Family owned restaurant. Soup was good, and I usually don't like Chinese soups. Main course (pan fried noodles) wasn't that great. I'd like to think I just ordered the not-so-good option off the menu. Might stop by again to try a different dish. Prices are on the lower end. My meal cost around $7.

Owner was very nice and friendly but the food was horrible! The rice was crunchy and tasted old. Both my fiance and I got sick shortly after leaving. We definitely will not be returning!

Old and no flavor. It's too bad knowing this is probably the oldest in the country.

Wanted to try someplace different for breakfast and ordered an omelette with hash browns, toast and coffee. Sad to say it was kinda skimpy and I was actually still hungry after I was done. I don't know, maybe a place that specializes in Chinese food may not be the best place for traditional breakfast. Also they do not accept plastic of any kind. Bring cash. Sad to say, this place looks like it's dying a slow death.

The Chinese styles of food, the outlook, quality, and taste of food are poor. It is hard to be accepted by Chinese. The service is good, but the waitress is always busy. It is because many customers will come for lunch. Hot tea be changed to ice tea will be charged as normal price of beverage.

SIN WAI LAU

The Chinese styles of food, the outlook, quality, and taste of food are poor. It is hard to be accepted by Chinese. The service is good, but the waitress is always busy. It is because many customers will come for lunch. Hot tea be changed to ice tea will be charged as normal price of beverage.

I'm honestly not sure how this place is still open and very confused by all of the high ratings. The silverware was dirty, the service was horrible, and the food was mediocre at best.

This was absolutely the saddest attempt at food I have ever seen. The only edible part were the saltine crackers and they were stale. I… I am at a total loss for words.

I don't understand how this place is open. I ordered chicken chow mien and sweet and sour pork. What I got was sweet and sour rotting meat and "panfryed" chow mien that wasn't even mixed together. Like the noddle's were hard and completely separate from the chicken and assorted rotting veggie's.

The Chinese food tasted and looked like it came from a food service company. It took forever to get served, but once our order was taken the food came out in minutes like it was taken out of food service containers and reheated. If you are looking for real Chinese food this is not the place which is sad because it's supposed to be the oldest Chinese restaurant on the West Coast.

Let's just start off with me and my husband both got food poisoning from here. We decided to try out a new restaurant in town, and were extremely disappointed. The food had absolutely no flavor. I am not even sure if what I was served as chicken was chicken. Although the waitress was nice, she walked out and came back in smelling like cigarettes so bad. I understand some people need a smoke break but maybe switch out with someone else. Food was way over priced for the quality we were served.

The food was not edible. Almost half sprouts with bland flavor. The service was good. Locals are punishing the rest of us with these reviews.

John Montgomery

The Chinese food tasted and looked like it came from a food service company. It took forever to get served, but once our order was taken the food came out in minutes like it was taken out of food service containers and reheated. If you are looking for real Chinese food this is not the place which is sad because it's supposed to be the oldest Chinese restaurant on the West Coast.

Amanda Sanchez

The food was not edible. Almost half sprouts with bland flavor. The service was good. Locals are punishing the rest of us with these reviews.

Maria Sierra

Let's just start off with me and my husband both got food poisoning from here. We decided to try out a new restaurant in town, and were extremely disappointed. The food had absolutely no flavor. I am not even sure if what I was served as chicken was chicken. Although the waitress was nice, she walked out and came back in smelling like cigarettes so bad. I understand some people need a smoke break but maybe switch out with someone else. Food was way over priced for the quality we were served.