We promise you’ll eat everything!
The owner of Little Italy, who prefers to be known simply as
Chang, said he's learned not to underestimate the people of
Bakersfield.
"They know good food," said Chang, a Brimhall Estates
resident who can be found seven days a week at his 85-seat,
full bar, white -tablecloth restaurant, tucked away in the Town and
Country Shopping Center on Stockdale Highway and Coffee
Road.
"Most of our customers come at least twice a month, and many
three times a
week," said Chang, who prepares every dish himself.
Chang, seated on a dark wood chair in the tiny dining room,
which features two large murals, with music from "Phantom of
the Opera" playing in the background, said we can thank his
wife, Nu, for his ending up here.
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Born in Thailand
–– where his mother owned a restaurant –– he moved with
his family to Washington, D.C., in the 1970s, and stayed
there to complete his education, make his way up in the
restaurant business and raise a family of his own, which
now includes three children and two grandchildren. He
moved back to Thailand briefly in 1980 to open a Western
steakhouse, but the market at that time wasn't
accommodating.
Chang visited Bakersfield over the years with Nu to see
her dearest friend from Chicago, a nurse at Kern Medical
Center.
"Then she convinced me to come to the West Coast to try
and make a living," said Chang. He was hoping for the
"coast" coast, but agreed to try it out here first.
Chang chose the location for Little Italy because he
found the shopping center pleasant and relatively quiet.
He chose Italian because he finds it easy to cook.
The dignified Ben, who worked with Chang for years in
D.C., came to Bakersfield to man the "front of the
house." "We're like brothers," said Chang.
If you plan on going to Little Italy, it's wise to make
a reservation. Chang said there's always a crowd at 6:30
p.m. He wishes locals would dine a little later, and
said he's mulling over possibly opening a late-night
restaurant/nightspot here one day.
http://www.bakersfieldvoice.com/node/9776