In the early 1900s a number of Susanville’s restaurants were operated by Chinese, though serving American cuisine. The Grand Cafe was just such an establishment. It was established in 1909 by Kwan Wong in the rear of the Pioneer saloon.
In 1912, O.M. Doyle built a two-story stone building next to the Pioneer, which the latter had used the vacant lot as a beer garden. Doyle named the building the Wee-Wee, a nickname given to his daughter, Marie. On May 3, 1912, Kwan Wong opened the Grand Cafe in that building, where it has been ever since, though the original building was accidentally demolished in 1934.
Wong operated the Grand off and on for several more years. On trips back to China, he would lease it, and other times just close it until his return. On January 15, 1915, the Lassen Weekly Mail reported: The Grand Cafe closes its doors. The Grand Cafe is without an angel. Kwan Wong, its late proprietor, has quit for good, as he could not do enough business to make expenses.”
It would not be until 1921, that the Grand Cafe found stability in its ownership with Sam Vucanovich and Steve Sargent. That is another story, for another time.