Cape Girardeau's China Palace under new ownership, dine-in service returns

China Palace, 2123 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, has new owners but the venerable restaurant is remaining in the same extended family.

Kyle and Chaonan Wise of Goreville, Illinois, took over the eatery Wednesday from longtime proprietor Zhixiang "John" Cai, who is also Chaonan's uncle.

The food establishment, which Cai has operated for decades, had been open for drive-through customers and delivery only for the past 18 months since the arrival of COVID-19.

On Dec. 1, Wise reopened the outlet to sit-down customers but said Friday there is still no buffet service.

"We have kept the same employees and same cooks," said Wise, adding China Palace is open six days a week, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Fridays.

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