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About this blog: I am a perpetually hungry twenty-something journalist, born and raised in Menlo Park and currently working at the Palo Alto Weekly as education and youth staff writer. I graduated from USC with a major in Spanish and a minor in jo...  (More)

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After 22 years in Palo Alto, China Delight to close

Uploaded: Jul 30, 2018
A longtime local favorite, China Delight's last day of business at 461 Emerson St. in downtown Palo Alto will be Tuesday, July 31.

Owner Jin Huang said Monday that she plans to retire after running the restaurant for 22 years. She has been notifying customers since at least last week; several having lunch on Monday were visibly saddened by the news. The restaurant has a reputation for serving unassuming, affordable Chinese food.


China Delight will close on July 31 after two decades of business. Photo by Elena Kadvany.

Teresa Sierra, from moved to the Bay Area from Taiwan in 2010, started as a customer and has become friends with Huang, who is also from Taiwan. Sierra now helps out at the restaurant when she's available.

Translating for the owner, Sierra said Huang feels "so sorry" to close the restaurant but also a sense of relief.

"She can take a break now," Sierra said.

Huang was busily taking orders and bringing checks to customers' tables during the lunch rush while her husband cooked in the kitchen.

China Delight will be open normal hours on its final day: for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5-9:30 p.m.


China Delight owner Jin Huang and her husband in the kitchen the day before they plan to close their longtime restaurant. Photo courtesy Steve Pang.

Comments

 +   2 people like this
Posted by Elizabeth , a resident of another community,
on Jul 30, 2018 at 2:01 pm

Palo Altan here. This is the only restaurant within walking distance of me that's open on Christmas. How do I put potstickers by the tree now?!


 +   10 people like this
Posted by Good luck, a resident of Another Mountain View Neighborhood,
on Jul 30, 2018 at 7:36 pm

They are hardworking people. I have been going here for 18 years. Best wishes and they deserve to take a break and enjoy retirement. Elizabeth will likely survive without potstickers under her Christmas tree so these folks can enjoy Christmas at home for the first time in 22 years. #firstworldproblems


 +   4 people like this
Posted by Mary Artibee, a resident of Mountain View,
on Jul 31, 2018 at 9:39 am

I'm heartbroken for myself and my husband as we've been regular customers of China Delight for decades, following it through three different locations. I'm also very happy for Jin and her husband and wish them the very best of retirements. Also a bit sad that we cannot be there to give them our thanks for their many years of wonderful meals in person.


 +   1 person likes this
Posted by Dagwood, a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park,
on Jul 31, 2018 at 1:12 pm

For years I would drive from Menlo Park to China Delight for takeout - always worth it !


 +   3 people like this
Posted by Michael Osborne , a resident of Old Palo Alto,
on Jul 31, 2018 at 2:58 pm

Sad for us, happy for Jin and her husband, the hardest working couple in town. My wife's office is just a couple of blocks away, and she has been eating lunch there occasionally for all 22 years, and about 10 years for me. Goodbye China Delight! (And my fav Mongolian Beef).


 +   4 people like this
Posted by Martin, a resident of Downtown North,
on Jul 31, 2018 at 3:38 pm

Not surprised!! For 15 years, I frequented the restaurant. During the last year, the food became less-fresh, even to the point of sickening my entire family. Knowing the owner for years, I tried to explain the situation, and she just screamed "its you, its you, you sick, you sick ...".

Well, you can only help them so far. We stopped going to the restaurant, and watched the tables become more and more empty.

Thanks for the years of good food, but I will be happy to see a new restaurant in its place.

Martin


 +   6 people like this
Posted by Brocky, a resident of Downtown North,
on Jul 31, 2018 at 7:24 pm

Hey Martin,

It totally was you dude.

Ps. Best wishes to Jin and her husband on retirement, well deserved!


 +  Like this comment
Posted by CrescentParkAnon., a resident of Crescent Park,
on Aug 6, 2018 at 1:37 am

What a shame. When we go see a movie at the Aquarius we always go get Chinese food first, a toss-up between China Delight or Jing-Jing, then off to Gelato Classico! The perfect date night. Very sorry to see this place close. Good luck in the future, thanks for all the great food.


 +  Like this comment
Posted by CrescentParkAnon., a resident of Crescent Park,
on Aug 6, 2018 at 1:41 am

Oh ... has it only been 22 years ... I seem to always remember a Chinese restaurant in that location. What was before China Delight? I hope the next place is as good.


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