Jim Thurman2011 in the San Gabriel Valley restaurant scene witnessed the usual spate of openings and closings, some notable and some not so notable. With some 300+ Chinese restaurants alone, trying to compile a list of the year's openings and closings in the 626 area code was quite a task, but we managed it — with some help from the kind folks at Chowhound and Tony Chen's updates at Eater LA.
Looking back on the area trends of 2011, an early surge of restaurants featuring Dongbei style cuisine was followed by the opening of more and more Sichuan style restaurants. Indeed, one restaurant opened Dongbei before switching to Sichuan in mere weeks. It was a year Xi'an cuisine debuted, a new duck specialist emerged, shaved snow spread rapidly westward and popular Taiwanese bakery and coffee chain, 85°C Bakery-Café, came to the area.
Dumpling 10053 closed only to re-open in a different location with a new name, Fortune Dumpling. Bamboodles closed to the dismay of its fans and the owner of Chuen Hing shuttered over the impending ban on their specialty, shark fin soup. It was a year when a place featuring Tianjin style breakfasts came and went so quickly as to become part of lore, a SGV Brigadoon. Turn the page for the list, and If we missed something, let us know in the comments or by e-mail.
Opened in 2011:
85°C Bakery-Café: 17170 Colima Rd., Hacienda Heights; (626) 839-7889
A B Shabu Shabu: 18217 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry; (626) 839-7733
A Ri Rang Tofu House: 529 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 128, San Gabriel; (626) 288-6069
A&J Hot Point: 8508 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 102, Rosemead; (626) 381-8816
Ah-Lien Hot Pot: 1722 Desire Ave. Suite 101, Rowland Heights; (626) 581-4372
Awesome Eatery: 501 W. Garvey Ave. Suite 101, Monterey Park; (626) 281-3218
Banh Mi Che Cali: 745 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
BeBe Restaurant: 525 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 289-8966
BeBe Restaurant: 7637 Garvey Ave., Rosemead; (626) 280-3128
Beijing Duck House: 6420 Rosemead Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 286-5508
Best House Noodle: 1015 S. Nogales Ave., Rowland Heights; (626) 964-6018
Best Noodle House: 3944 N. Peck Rd. Suite 7, El Monte; (626) 442-1610
Boat House: 1390 Fullerton Rd. Suite 102, Rowland Heights; (626) 581-3555
Bobee 5: 1756 S. Nogales St., Rowland Heights; (626) 810-6999
Boiling Point: 206 S. 1st Ave., Arcadia; (626) 461-6688
Boteco: 28 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 281-1777
Bun Bun Tea House: 651 W. Duarte Rd. Suite C, Arcadia; (626) 446-4168
Café 18: 18224 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry; (626) 348-6520
Cajun Symphony: 250 W. Valley Blvd. #J, San Gabriel; (626) 293-8338
Canoodles: 46 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 300-0010
Cha & Café: 10308 Lower Azusa Rd., El Monte; (626) 575-1861
Chi Hua Lou: 920 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 288-2218
Ching Chang Wing Wang: 400 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 486-9285
Chopsticks Kitchen: 10053 Valley Blvd. Suite 2, El Monte; (626) 350-0188
Classy Café Express: 18457 E. Colima Rd. Suite F, Rowland Heights; (626) 964-9900
Crazy Crab: 523 S. San Gabriel Blvd.: San Gabriel; (626) 292-1369
D'Ange Bakery: 800 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel; (626) 282-0808
Daikokuya: 1220 S. Golden West Ave., Arcadia; (626) 254-0127
Denmark Gefion Steakhouse: 120 N. San Gabriel Blvd., #C, San Gabriel; (626) 286-8512
Dorados: 440 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 282-8784
Dragon Mark (English sign: P.P. Pop): 127 N. Garfield Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 307-7351
Easy Earthen: 18303 Colima Rd. Suite A, Rowland Heights; (626) 964-2800
Eat Cake Café: 19705 E. Colima Rd. Suite 6, Rowland Heights; (909) 468-2253
Factory Tea Bar: 323 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel; (626) 872-2969
Flaming Spice Restaurant: 18518 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry; (626) 964-6569
Flavor Garden: 1269 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 284-3549
Fluff Ice: 500 N. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 872-2123
Fortune Dumpling: 500 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite #149, Monterey Park; (626) 293-8181
Fortune No 1: 138 E. Garvey Ave. #A, Monterey Park; (626) 569-9592
Fujin Ramen: 1017 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina; (626) 814-2020
Golden Spoon: 18347 Colima Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 581-8951
Grandpa's Tea House: 1147 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia; (626) 574-1818
H&H Restaurant: 429 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 569-0919
Hinotori: 713 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia; (626) 348-8425
Honeyboba: 1 W. Duarte Rd. Suite A, Arcadia; (626) 446-9788
Honey Badger Café: 11 W. Main St., Alhambra; (213) 394-6639
Hot Pot Restaurant: 9510 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead; (626) 350-0433
Hot Space Restaurant: 9961 Valley Blvd. Suite B, El Monte; (626) 579-9788
Ice Monster: 1220 S. Golden West Ave., Arcadia
Ish Kitchen: 5612 Rosemead Blvd., Temple City; (626) 309-1338
Jade House: 18207 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry; (626) 581-8695
Jasmin Garden: 987 S. Glendora Ave. Suite K, West Covina
Jazz Cat: 18588 Gale Ave, City of Industry; (626) 581-8588
Jin Yuan: 18228 Gale Ave, City of Industry; (626) 810-1200
JJ Bakery & Café: 18558 Gale Ave. Suite 168, City of Industry; (626) 965-1388
JJ Tea House: 417 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 286-2863
Krung Thep: 500 N. Atlantic Blvd. #127, Monterey Park; (626) 872-0230
Kula Sushi: 1370 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 723-7837
Kun Ming Garden: 965 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina; (626) 337-1888
Lao Bian Dumpling: 800 W. Las Tunas Dr., San Gabriel; (626) 282-2620
Le Abré Tea House: 8508 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 101, Rosemead; (626) 307-8818
Liu Xiang Yuan: 704 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 5, San Gabriel; (626) 293-8839
Love Sandwiches: 10053 Valley Blvd., El Monte; (626) 455-0930
Lu's Garden: 921 S. Baldwin Ave. Suites #G & H, Arcadia; (626) 445-7662
Man's Tea House: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 102, San Gabriel; (626) 872-6886
Manuel's Original El Tepeyac Café: 13131 Crossroads Pkwy. S., City of Industry; (562) 695-2277
Max's Mexican Cuisine: 1101 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia; (626) 303-3330
Medium Rare Plus: 39 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 282-0600
Michelle's Pancake House: 18558 E. Gale Ave. Suite 270-272; City of Industry; (626) 965-5555
Monja: 18558 E. Gale Ave. Suite108, Rowland Heights; (626) 607-1088
Monterey Palace BBQ: 114 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 571-0888
Nice Time Café: 500 N. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park; (626) 872-1658
O Taipei: 2430 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 810-5558
Oh My Pan Bakery & Tea: 801 E. Valley Blvd. Suite 105-106, San Gabriel; (626) 307-7719
Onionhead: 18508 E. Gale Ave. Suite A, City of Industry; (626) 839-8811
Oto-Oto Restaurant: 929 W. Huntington Dr., Monrovia; (626) 359-3000
Pasta Joe's: 18222A E. Gale Ave., City of Industry; (626) 965-5566
Pho Valley: 8632 E. Valley Blvd. Suite J, Rosemead; (626) 573-9998
Ray Ray Restaurant: 127 E. Garvey Ave., El Monte; (626) 888-9729
Saka Seafood Buffet: 1655 S. Azusa Ave., Hacienda Heights; (626) 581-9893
Salju Dessert: 358 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 289-3578
Sao Lang: 737 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
Saporous Grill: 639 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 576-9088
Sena Bar/Eatery: 409 S. Myrtle Ave., Monrovia; (626) 359-9463
Shaanxi Gourmet: 8518 Valley Blvd. Suite 102, Rosemead; (626) 288-9886
Sham Tseng BBQ Shop: 634 W. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park; (626) 289-4858
Shanghai No. 1 Seafood Village: 250 W. Valley Blvd. #M, San Gabriel; (626) 288-1777
Shanghai Village: 1281 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; (626) 282-8878
Supreme Vegetarian Cuisine: 558 W. Las Tunas Dr., Arcadia; (626) 445-8882
Sweet Veggie: 18207 E. Gale Ave., City of Industry; (626) 581-8695
Taste of Chong Qing: 172 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 288-1357
Taste of Shanghai: 1390 Fullerton Rd. Suite 101, Rowland Heights; (626) 810-8866
Tasty Station: 19035 Colima Rd., Rowland Heights; (626) 810-3600
Tasty Village: 140 W. Valley Blvd., Suite 209, San Gabriel; (626) 571-1178
Tay Do Quan Hy: 9805-9807 E. Garvey Ave.; El Monte; (626) 454-4889
Tea Time: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 101, San Gabriel; (626) 282-5200
The Sakura: 8150 Garvey Ave., Suite 105, Rosemead; (626) 288-0770
Thousands Tasty: 535 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 281-0788
Tofu King: 713 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia; (626) 254-0223
Vino at Trios: 10 N. 1st St., Alhambra; (626) 284-4674
Wang Xing Ji: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 211, San Gabriel; (626) 307-1188
Whatever Tea Lounge: 800 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 100, San Gabriel; (626) 289-1689
Why Thirsty: 7248 N. Rosemead Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 292-5858
Wishing Tree: 141 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 110, Monterey Park; CA (626) 872-0302
Wistaria Restaurant & Bar: 44 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre; (626) 355-3155
Yi's Kitchen: 818 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel; (626) 307-5128
YOUnique Café: 220 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park; (626) 288-8383
Yum Cha Café: 987 S. Glendora Ave. Unit D, West Covina; (626) 338-8868
Yummy Restaurant: 2541 Rosemead Blvd., S. El Monte; (626) 401-0800
Yummy Yummy Seafood Buffet: 10632 Lower Azusa Rd., El Monte; (626) 575-1989
Closed in 2011:
1+1 Dumpling House: 1017 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina
15 Cats Café: 640A W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
Ace Kitchen: 122 W. Garvey Ave. Suite B, Monterey Park
A&E Restaurant: 1269 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
Bamboodles: 535 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
BeBe Restaurant: 525 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra (Rosemead location open)
Beer Station: 1390 Fullerton Rd. Suite 102, Rowland Heights
Beijing Cuisine Garden: 965 S. Glendora Ave., West Covina
Bin Bin Konjac: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 102, San Gabriel
Bun Rieu Quan: 7637 Garvey Ave., Rosemead
Cafe Nhac: 737 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
Café Xpress: 500 N. Atlantic Blvd. Suite 109, Monterey Park
Captain Crab: 250 W. Valley Blvd. #J, San Gabriel
Chans Paris N: 713 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia
Chuan Yu Noodles Town: 525 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
Chuen Hing Restaurant: 8450 Garvey Ave., Rosemead
Citi Café: 745 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
Delicious Café: 10053 Valley Blvd., El Monte
Dumpling 10053: 10053 Valley Blvd. Suite 2, El Monte (relocated to Monterey Pk. as Fortune Dumpling)
Dumpling House Restaurant: 5612 Rosemead Blvd., Temple City
Food Cabin: 9510 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead
Genki Living: 651 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia
Go Go Chicken: 921 S. Baldwin Ave. #G and H, Arcadia
Good One Restaurant: 1281 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
Gourmet Island: 203 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
Happy Eating Restaurants: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 211, San Gabriel.
Happy Tea: 800 W. Las Tunas Dr. Suite 100, San Gabriel
Hua Mei Szechuan Palace: 172 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel.
Little Java: 2099 S. Atlantic Blvd. Suite J, Monterey Park
Lu's Chinese Kitchen: 987 S. Glendora Ave. Suite K, West Covina
Memory Tea House: 301 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 102, San Gabriel
My Friends Oyster Bar & Brill: 523 S. San Gabriel Blvd., San Gabriel
Naga Naga Ramen: 46 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
P.P. Pop: 127 N. Garfield Ave., Monterey Park
Pho Xe Lua: 1015 S. Nogales St., Rowland Heights
Phong Dinh Restaurant: 501 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
Quan Mien Trung: 8632 E. Valley Blvd. Suite J, Rosemead
Rainbow Noodle: 1281 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra
Sam Woo Barbecue Shop: 634 W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
Shanghai Kitchen: 9679 Las Tunas Dr., Temple City
Spring Wave: 140 W. Valley Blvd. Suite 209, San Gabriel
Suit Ur Buds: 1390 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights
Tea Spots: 400 E. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel
Vegetarian Wok: 529 E. Valley Blvd., Suite 128, San Gabriel
Veggie World: 321A W. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
West Coast Seafood Buffet: 1655 S. Azusa Ave., Hacienda Heights
Yu Pin: 535 W. Valley Blvd, San Gabriel
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