Photo via Tripadvisor by Gordon M.
A little over two months after it first announced its closure, Far East Cafe opened its doors for the first time in 2021 earlier this week, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The 100-year-old restaurant plans to operate at 25 percent capacity for its indoor dining alongside outdoor dining and takeout services.
Following news of the restaurant’s announcement at the end of 2020, many Chinatown residents and community members rallied around the business through actions such as offering donations. The closure was postponed until January 7, according to the Chronicle, in late December due to a partnership with the “Feed + Fuel Chinatown” program headed by nonprofit S.F. New Deal and the Chinatown Community Development Center (CCDC).
This program organized a network of Chinatown restaurants that worked together to provide food for vulnerable Chinatown residents, including those living in single room occupancies (SRO) while at the same time providing economic relief to Chinatown businesses.
Far East Cafe’s ability to stay open was also aided by a bill passed unanimously by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in January, which directed $1.9 million towards supporting Chinatown restaurants and businesses. Furthermore, the historic restaurant’s landlord halved the rent for the banquet hall as well as offered six months free of rent last year.
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