CHINESE RESTAURANT DATABASE

The history of Chinese restaurant community in the US

1880-1943

CHINESE RESTAURANT DATABASE

The history of Chinese restaurant community in the US

1880-1943

There are more Chinese restaurants in the United States than the number of Burger King, KFC, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s chains.

1882

An Immigration Loophole

It turns out that the Chinese established restaurant to enter the United States through a legal loophole. The Chinese Exclusion Acts, which were in effect between 1882 and 1943, prevented Chinese laborers from immigrating. It permitted, however, the legal entry of Chinese businessmen.

1915

Special Immigration Privileges Granted

In 1915, a New York federal appeals court ruled that Chinese restaurant owners were businessmen and entitled to special immigration privileges. Thereafter, the Chinese formed a flurry of restaurants that qualified its primary investors for this status. This a migration-oriented business model facilitate movement between China and the United States.

2011

Chinese Restaurant Database

The Chinese Restaurant Database was created from immigration files of Chinese immigrants. It’s original version contains granular data on the formation and operation of Chinese restaurants, in combination with the immigration patterns of people involved. It helps us understand responses of immigrants to legal adversity.

Professor Heather R. Lee launched this historical data-gathering project in 2011 to provide a publicly accessible data source on immigrant business formation.

Get Involved

The Chinese Restaurant Database is looking for volunteers to help with data entry.