Pekin' Cafe (Closed)
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
Here's a daytime look at the Pekin Cafe in San Diego. No, not “Peking” on this old marquee. With CHOP SUEY taking up so much of the sign, the smaller restaurant name almost seems like an afterthought. Hungry motorists probably got the general idea.
The Fong family opened the cafe in 1931, with its distinctive Chinese-inspired exterior added in 1935. Red columns, yellow siding, and curved green rooflines gave the building plenty of character beneath the towering neon. There was something to look at here even before the lights came on.
Later known as Peking Restaurant, the business remained a longtime University Avenue fixture until the family operation closed in 2019. The old building and its large sign stayed behind, waiting for another chapter.
UPDATE: Restoration plans call for the property to reopen with the Chop Suey Lounge and Ginger Roots dining concepts. The project includes preservation and restoration of the landmark exterior and neon sign, with an opening targeted for late 2026. 10-26
Gen Lai Sen Restaurant (Demolished)
San Diego, CA Photo courtesy Ken Lux
Check out the old marquee at Gen Lai Sen Restaurant in San Diego. The circular framework at the top gives this sign a little mystery. Whether it once held more lights or some other decoration isn't clear, but it certainly adds something to the roadside view. 06-07
Across from San Diego City College, the restaurant served customers for 28 years. Its Hakka dishes, including sizzling stuffed tofu, earned a following beyond those who happened to notice the sign while passing by.
The owners retired and closed the restaurant in early summer 2014. For regular customers, that meant the end of a familiar meal stop. For sign hunters, the unusual marquee was another piece of the neighborhood worth remembering.
UPDATE: The former restaurant building and its roadside sign were demolished. The property was cleared for residential redevelopment. 10-26
Jimmy Wong's Golden Dragon (Now Asian Bistro)
University Ave., San Diego Photo courtesy M.C. Morrissey
Hungry for a meal along University Avenue? Jimmy Wong's Golden Dragon
Restaurant in San Diego had a rather impressive way of getting attention. The large neon dragon above the entrance gave customers something to admire before they ever made it to a table.
Jimmy and Annie Wong opened the restaurant in 1955, establishing a longtime dining spot in Hillcrest. Jimmy designed the dragon marquee himself, giving the restaurant a signature that reached well beyond the lettering of its name.
The Wong family sold the business in 2006, and the restaurant later became The Asian Bistro. The menu and interior moved into another era, while the familiar dragon kept its place above the entrance. Some things are worth keeping around.
UPDATE: The property operates as The Asian Bistro, serving Thai and Asian dishes. Jimmy Wong's historic neon dragon survives and continues to light the entrance. 10-26
Gen Lai Sen Restaurant (Demolished)
