Doris Yep

From Palo Alto Wiki

Doris Yep was born, raised, married, worked and lives in Palo Alto. She is 90.

[edit] Memories

Yep's various memories were printed during the Palo Alto Centennial in 1994.

"In 1949, my mother, Rose Jew, who was a famous liaison to the Chinese community, myself and my husband opened the first Chinese takeout at the corner of Waverly and Hamilton, (where Wells Fargo Bank is today). It was the first one and many followed. We had delivery. Fried prawns in batter and sweet-and-sour spare ribs were our specialties. It was called "The Bamboo" and we lasted 16 years, when our lease ran out.

"I remember the butcher shops, they always gave children a treat, (usually) a hot dog. They were just regular hard-working, personal butchers. They didn't just sell you a package of meat. They'd cut it and trim it any way you'd want. And the employees at the department stores and Palo Alto Hardware, they'd come up and serve you. You didn't have to go look at things at all.

"I attended Addison School and Channing School. Then I went to Palo Alto High School. We had to wear pleated skirts, on Thursday, I think, and a middy (blouse) because we had to go to the auditorium.

"My brother Paul (one of four) was a senior when I was a freshman. He was quite popular because he was a good athlete. They called him 'Whoopee Jew' because he was good at basketball. He got a scholarship to St. Mary's. But when he finished high school in 1932 he wanted to become an entertainer. He danced all over the world. He was known as the Chinese Fred Astaire. He danced for President Roosevelt and the King and Queen of England. He lives in San Francisco now."