About Us

In 1998, Charlie Hong Kong was opened on a bustling street corner in Santa Cruz, CA. The vision: to create a neighborhood eatery with a menu that offers healthy, abundant, tasty food, at great value, focused on quick-service, high quality food, to eat at the restaurant or take-away.

Located in what was formerly a 1950′s ice cream stand with the colorful addition of a bright green awning, providing a fun family style outdoor patio.

The menu reflects the casual meals eaten at street stands in Southeast Asia. Charlie Hong Kong is a fusion of Southeast Asian flavors with a “California fresh” sensibility—rich savory flavors of Southeast Asia combined with an abundance of locally grown organic produce, while offering a vegetarian based menu.

Protein toppings are also offered for those who enjoy fish, chicken & meat. Food prepared fresh and fast for active busy people who care about what they eat. The idea of healthy street food—a perfect fit.

Charlie Hong Kong reflects the passion and vision of Carolyn and Rudy.  The foundation of their commitment is to the organic farms of the Central Coast and to provide nourishing affordable food for their community.  From the time Rudy was given the responsibility in his early 20’s, to create and run a large food service operation in Lake Tahoe, his goal was to own and operate his own business.  After years of adventures in the corporate world, Rudy decided it was time to realize his vision.  The founding principles would be based on kindness and respect.  Since childhood, Carolyn loved to cook and feed people.  In the ‘70’s Carolyn discovered the amazement of eating “real” organic foods, which lead to her passion for sustainability.  She considers organic farmers her heroes. Her joy, to feed people. Both have traveled extensively, particularly in the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, before and after they married.  Theirs is a shared love for eating local food prepared on the streets wherever they find themselves.