It all began with Charlie Zhang, a Chinese immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in 1982. One day, Charlie had an idea: maybe he could open a restaurant that satisfied the American taste for flavorful Chinese food that was fast and wok'd to order with fresh ingredients. Thus, the first Pick Up Stix restaurant was opened in 1989 in Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Did Charlie`s idea work? You could say so. Today, Pick Up Stix is a leader in the quick-casual dining segment with more than 50 locations in California.
A big part of Charlie's success was developing recipes and sauces using the best traditional Asian food and adapting it to the American palate by reducing the oils and adding wine, vinegar, and soy sauce. The result was the distinctive flavors that have become our trademark. Pick Up Stix still carries on this tradition and continues to prepare food in an open-style kitchen, allowing you to watch as your meal is cooked before your eyes.