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NewsTimes of San DiegoOctober 29, 2026San Diego County

Jacquelyn Kelly and Jason Bess revive historic Peking Restaurant space as Chop Suey Lounge in North Park

Photo: Times of San Diego

Local business owners Jacquelyn Kelly and Jason Bess secured a lease to revive the former Peking Restaurant space at 2877 University Ave. under the name Chop Suey Lounge, with plans to open in 2027 pending liquor and cabaret license approvals. The project involves refurbishing the historic facade, replacing metal doors with wooden ones, and renovating the interior to include a main dining room, a live jazz stage, and an intimate eight-seat chef's table area named Ginger Roots.

Small BusinessHistoric PreservationFood and Drink
Read the full story at Times of San Diego

Why It Matters

A long-vacant commercial property in North Park that operated as a family-run restaurant since 1931 is undergoing a multi-year restoration, altering the local dining and entertainment options for residents and preserving a designated historic facade.

Key Facts

  • The former Peking Restaurant at 2877 University Ave. in North Park closed in 2019 after operating since 1931.
  • Business partners Jacquelyn Kelly and Jason Bess leased the 3,500-square-foot space from the family of late original owner Leo Fong.
  • The revived business will be called Chop Suey Lounge and is projected to open around 2027.
  • The historically designated facade features cherry-red columns and aged neon signage displaying 'Peking Cafe' and 'Chop Suey'.
  • Project architect Chris Bord plans to refurbish the historic facade, replace signage and trim with real neon, and swap metal entrance doors for historical wooden doors.
  • Interior renovations by Crave Design include a main dining room serving American-Chinese dishes, salvaged lanterns, new service carts, and a stage for live jazz music with booth seating.
  • A smaller, eight-seat communal dining area named Ginger Roots will be positioned near the kitchen to offer an Asian-fusion chef's table experience.
  • The project's current hold-ups involve awaiting approvals for cabaret and full-liquor licenses.

Who's Mentioned

PersonJason Bess“Business partner from the construction industry.”OrganizationRoom & Bord Architecture“Architecture firm based in City Heights.”OrganizationChop Suey“Past name displayed on the neon signage.”PersonLeo Fong“Late original owner of the restaurant.”OrganizationIronside Fish & Oyster“Former workplace of Jacquelyn Kelly.”OrganizationCH Projects“Locally based hospitality group.”locationUniversity Ave.“Street address 2877 where the restaurant is located.”locationCity Heights“Location of Room & Bord Architecture.”locationPoint Loma“Location of Crave Design.”OrganizationCrave Design“Design firm in Point Loma collaborating on the interior.”OrganizationPeking Cafe“Past name displayed on the neon signage.”OrganizationGinger Roots“Smaller dining area behind the bar.”PersonJacquelyn Kelly“North Park resident, business partner, and hospitality professional securing the”OrganizationPeking Restaurant“Former family-run restaurant that operated from 1931 until closing in 2019.”PersonChris Bord“Project architect from Room & Bord Architecture.”OrganizationChop Suey Lounge“New name for the revived restaurant space.”locationSan Diego“City where the restaurant is located.”