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.
Legal Adversity Early On
Historically speaking, the Chinese restaurant industry took off in the early 20th century, at a time when U.S. immigration laws barred most Chinese from legally entering the country. If the Chinese were not legally allowed into the country, how were they opening so many restaurants?
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.
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The Chinese Restaurant Database is looking for volunteers to help with data entry.
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