El Cerrito in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Violet's

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 21, 2016

1. Violet's Marker

Inscription.
After running kitchens in early hotspots such as the "IT" Club and Six Bells, Violet Wong went on to become a culinary pioneer in El Cerrito by introducing Chinese American food. In 1945, Violet and her husband, Albert Wong, opened Violet's Dining Room just south of here. They offered everything from chop suey and Chinese fire pot cooking to an American favorite, apple pie.

Erected by City of El Cerrito.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Food & Drink • Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the California - El Cerrito - San Pablo Avenue Historical-Cultural Pavers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 37° 54.246′ N, 122° 18.245′ W. Marker is in El Cerrito, California, in Contra Costa County. It is on San Pablo Avenue near El Dorado Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10192 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito CA 94530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco

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Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Master Craftsmen (within shouting distance of this marker); The Six Bells & Cerro Square (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); The 'IT' Club (about 700 feet away); El Cerrito's Music Scene (about 700 feet away); Farms and Dairies (about 700 feet away); Cerrito Theater (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of Pioneer American Settler William Rust's Blacksmith Shop (approx. ¼ mile away); El Cerrito's First Mayor (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in El Cerrito.

More about this marker. This marker is across San Pablo Avenue from intersection of the San Pablo Avenue and El Dorado Street.
This marker is one of The City of El Cerrito's Historical-Cultural Pavers.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 21, 2016

2. Violet's Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 669 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on September 24, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.