The couple met in Brazil, and Jose moved to the United States in 1985. He is a chef by practice, having never attended culinary school.
“All my life I’ve worked in restaurants,” Jose said. “It’s something I like to do.”
Jose had worked in restaurants in Brazil. However, when he came to the United States, he began working in Chinese restaurants as a dishwasher and learned about the cuisine. Iara moved to the United States in 1991. She attended culinary school at the University of Houston and holds a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts.
As co-owner of a previous Chinese restaurant, Panda Garden, Jose left the restaurant when a spot on Williams Trace Boulevard became available. Before the Rabelos opened Café Goo Goo Yen there, the space had also been a Chinese restaurant that had not received much business, Jose said. However, after three years of making changes, business picked up.
“It’s not easy,” Jose said.
He credits improving the quality of the food they sold with the turnaround. He also switched the restaurant’s focus from Chinese food catering toward Chinese customers to Chinese food that appealed more to Americans.
The restaurant sells traditional Chinese dishes, such as orange chicken, lo mein and fried rice. It also sells wine, which Iara said is popular with customers around dinner time. The couple said they believe the restaurant’s reasonable prices and quality food set it apart.
“Every day, we prepare food for that day,” Jose said. “It’s all fresh.”
Business has not always been easy in Sugar Land, and the couple has seen businesses come and go. But as the area developed and more businesses came to the area, it became more stable.
“Sugar Land is a good place,” Iara said. “I feel safe.”
Since opening, the Rabelos have developed many returning customers, including three generations of families coming through their doors.
“We want to do the best, you know?” Iara said.
Café Goo Goo Yen
1730 Williams Trace Blvd., Ste. L,
Sugar Land281-277-8383
www.cafegoogooyen.com
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m
