Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks [661] 324-9441: Our History

Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks was founded by Bill Lee in 1938 and has been proudly serving Bakersfield and Kern County ever since. Although our menu and restaurant has changed throughout the years, our commitment to bringing fresh, quality authentic Cantonese cuisine to our customers remains the same today as it was over sixty years ago.

Three generations of the Lee family have made Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks what it is and today. Sherman, Brandon and Brian Lee continue the vision that began sixty years ago by Bill Lee himself.

The History of Bill Lee's Restaurant begins back in 1922, when William C. Lee's father Sing Lee, just back from World War I, sent to China for his family to join him in Bakersfield, having emigrated to the U.S. in 1916. His Uncle Charlie had already settled in Bakersfield in 1905, and the three of them ran a produce cart, doing business up and down the valley, buying and selling produce.

Later, Bill became an apprentice butcher and went on to own two stores, including a butcher shop called the Nile Street Service Market. Bill Lee, with the help of his wife Marian Yuen, wanted to pursue his dream of opening a small, friendly restaurant that featured authentic Chinese food and courteous service, all in a comfortable family setting. He found that Bakersfield, a small town back then, echoed the type of personal friendliness that Bill Lee wanted his restaurant to have.

Starting with a small building with only 2 cooks and 2 waitresses, Bill Lee's Bamboo Chopsticks opened its doors on September 16, 1938. Bill Lee wanted to bring Bakersfield a taste of the far east with a unique American flavor. Specializing in dishes such as broiled lobsters, fried oysters and shrimp dinners, Bill Lee's quickly became a local favorite where diners could find unique dishes that had never been experienced by Bakersfield residents before.

Bill soon found that his regulars craved additional dishes from his "homeland." Quickly expanding his menu to include additional Cantonese dishes, "Family-Style dinners," and traditional Chinese appetizers, Bamboo Chopsticks soon had something for everybody. Delicious food, a good value, and quality service was what Bill Lee always thought a restaurant should be. A place that is just as suitable for a family get-together as it is for a cozy, intimate evening.

Times were tough in the beginning, and the onset of World War II didn't help things. Having a very young family to take care of at the time, Bill was told he could wait a couple of years before he had to go fight. So Bill concentrated on serving the people of Bakersfield, opening from 10 am to 2:30 in the morning during the War years. Just as he got called up, the War was over. He then concentrated on building his still new business and it grew much during this time of prosperity following the war.

Bill soon found himself overwhelmed by the duties of both head chef and owner, having to oversee both the kitchen and the waitresses. With two of his sons pursuing other ventures, Bill Lee called upon Sherman, who was spending much of his time going to culinary school up in the San Francisco Bay Area between his hot rodding endeavors. Called in the middle of the night during one of his late night shifts at the Four Seas, a San Francisco China Town restaurant, Sherman was told that he was needed at the restaurant the very next day to help. Leaving in the middle of the night with nothing but gas money and a dream, Sherman knew that he would one day have to run Bamboo Chopsticks.

In 1955, Bill Lee's began its home delivery service, the first restaurant to do so. "Flying Chopsticks Express," as the delivery department was called, devoted itself to bringing the same quality food and service to the customers of Bill Lee's, all in the comfort of their own home. Beginning with a single Volkswagon van, Bill Lee's delivery service began a long tradition of take-out Chinese food that is just as popular today.

Brandon and Brian, two of Sherman's sons began working at Bill Lee's to help in the family operation. They have since taken over many of the day to day operations that make your dining experience a pleasant one each and every time you visit us.

The popularity of Bill Lee's cuisine soon led to an expansion. An upstairs banquet room and Cocktail lounge were built in 1965 and to this date, Bill Lee's has been renovated and undergone major expansion three times. Times have changed since 1938. But

the friendliness and one-to-one service that was the trademark of Bill Lee's back then has not. Our restaurant today occupies the same location where the original, 20 seat Bamboo Chopsticks served its customers back then. Today you'll find the same attentive service, an ever-expanding menu, and dishes that still can only be found here at Bill Lee's.

Whether you are seeking an intimate and cozy setting for a special night out or want to find a place for your next party, Bill Lee's can accommodate you. We feature several fine Banquet Rooms which feature antique carvings and original artifacts from the orient that can accommodate up to 80 people. Our catering service will bring the Bill Lee's experience to you.

Although times have changed quite a bit since 1938, we would like to thank our customers for staying with us. Rest assured that we are constantly trying to improve all aspects of our restaurant to better serve our loyal customers in Bakersfield and Kern County. We are continually updating and adding to our menu and have expanded delivery service to better serve you. We have developed our Take-Out division over the years to include a full service Department entirely devoted to such orders.

If you would like to comment on anything pertaining to Bill Lee's or if you have a question, please e-mail eat@billlees.com or fill out this form.