Blast From the Past: Chopsticks Is Making a Comeback and El Pasoans are Hyped

A once-popular restaurant that many still have fond memories about is getting a new life.

If you're feeling nostalgic about Chopsticks, I have good news.

A Cielo Vista Mall staple from 1982 to 2013 and a favorite lunch and dinner time stop for many mall rats, Chopsticks is making a comeback with a planned location in Eastlake. And El Pasoans are super-excited.

So Much Love for Chopsticks

Social media comments about Chopsticks being one of the future tenants in the Eastlake Commons shopping center at Eastlake and Rojas mostly fall under two categories:

“Chopsticks” followed by various number of exclamation points, and “Chopsticks” followed by various emoji’s, the most popular being the grinning face with smiling eyes, smiling face with hearts or heart eyes, and the face savoring food emoji.

It’s quite apparent El Pasoans' palates still have fond memories of Chopsticks’ sweet and sour chicken.

Is it Chopsticks As In The One That Used To Be In Cielo Vista?

Is it going to be the Chopsticks you remember fondly?

Former owner Francisco "Paco" Wong Jr., who owns the upscale Paco Wong's on the west side, a venture he started in 2006, told me it absolutely will be.

The future Eastlake location will be a cafeteria-style restaurant just like it used to be when it was in the mall, and he assured me the variety of food choices will be the ones you know, love, and remember.

When Is It Expected to Open?

The Eastlake Commons shopping center is still in various stages of development, and the building Chopsticks will be in doesn’t exist yet. With all there still is to design and build, Mr. Wong doesn’t see it opening until possibly late 2023.

Fingers crossed.

Until then, if you need a Chopsticks Chinese fusion fix you can always visit Paco Wong's on N. Mesa. Its extensive menu includes many of the beloved restaurant’s most popular dishes from back in the day like the fried rice, wings, and, of course, the sweet and sour chicken.