Historic Chop Suey Space In San Diego’s North Park Set For Revival As Dual-Concept Lounge & Dining Experience Following $2 Million Renovation

A nearly century-old restaurant space in San Diego’s North Park is preparing for a highly anticipated return, as the historic home of the former Chop Suey Peking Café is undergoing a $2 million renovation to reopen as a new dual-concept venue blending dining, cocktails, and late-night culture.

After closing in 2019 following nearly 90 years in operation, the iconic University Avenue property that once housed Pekin Cafe Chop Suey is undergoing a major transformation. A newly released press announcement confirms the site is being redeveloped into Chop Suey Lounge & Ginger Roots, a modern hospitality concept aiming to honor the building’s legacy while introducing a contemporary, experience-driven format.

Originally opened in 1931 by Chinese immigrant Leo Fong, the Chop Suey restaurant became one of San Diego’s longest-running eateries and a cornerstone of North Park’s dining history. Over the decades, it evolved into more than just a restaurant, serving as a gathering place for generations of locals, musicians, and late-night regulars.

The new project represents a significant investment in preserving that legacy. According to project materials, the property is undergoing an approximately $2 million restoration, with efforts focused on maintaining the historically designated exterior while completely redesigning the interior into a modern, multi-use hospitality space.

The upcoming venue will feature two distinct but interconnected concepts. Chop Suey Lounge is positioned as a cocktail-forward, social environment inspired by mid-century lounge culture, offering craft cocktails, premium spirits, and a menu of elevated Chinese-American bar fare. The space is designed to function as a lively neighborhood hub, complete with live jazz, DJs, and rotating entertainment throughout the week.

Behind the lounge, Ginger Roots will operate as a more intimate, reservation-only experience centered around an eight-seat chef’s table and private dining room. The concept is expected to lean into Asian-fusion cuisine with a more curated, high-end tasting format aimed at delivering a refined, immersive dining experience.

The project is led by partners Jacquelyn Kelly and Jason Bess. Kelly brings extensive hospitality experience, including nearly a decade in leadership roles with San Diego's Consortium Holdings/CH Projects hospitality group, while Bess contributes infrastructure and development expertise. Together, the team has emphasized a vision of balancing neighborhood authenticity with long-term sustainability for the historic property.

Beyond the physical transformation, the concept reflects a broader industry trend of reexamining Chinese-American cuisine and its cultural significance. The team behind Chop Suey Lounge & Ginger Roots positions the project as part of a growing movement to elevate and reinterpret dishes that have long been staples of American dining culture but often underappreciated in fine dining contexts.

The venue also aims to fill a specific niche within North Park’s evolving food and nightlife scene. Unlike traditional sit-down Chinese restaurants or fast-casual takeout operations, the concept is designed as a hybrid “third space”, bridging dinner, drinks, and late-night social energy in a single destination, with an emphasis on atmosphere and experience.

Chop Suey Lounge & Ginger Roots is currently targeting an opening in late 2026 at 2877 University Avenue in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood. For more information, follow @chopsuey_lounge on Instagram.

Originally published on April 1, 2026.