And contrary to popular belief, Sab's patron Hsai says sushi can also be inexpensive.

"It's pretty cheap and it's pretty good," says Hsia. "These sushis cost the same as cucumber rolls elsewhere," he says.

Personal service

Owners of the ethnic restaurants say they've been in the business awhile and are known for their specialties.

"My family has been in the restaurant business a long time," says Jaspal Pabla, one of three owners of the restaurant. Pabla's family also owns the Cafe of India down the street, Shalamar of India in Central Square and the Kashmir in Boston.

And Wong promises, "If I Put chili in (the food), you're going to fly out of here, not walk out."

Just across the way from Young and Yee is Cafe Fiorella, a "nouveau Italian" place.

Manager Maria Milo points to customers proudly running through their situation and backgrounds like a proud parent.

"I know everyone who comes in here--those people over there are tourists," she says, pointing to a group in the corner. "And she's a student," she says, indicating another customer.

"This area attracts a lot of different people for a lot a different reason."

Young and Yee, like its south of the border counterpart on Church Street, has been serving the Harvard community for a while, long before other ethnic places cropped up.

Perry Wong, self professed "owner and the dish washer," says he's been running the popular operation for 33 years, most of it spent greeting customers from his post in the front of the takeout/eat-in joint.

Young and Yee offers more than does the usual Chinese take-out, according to wrong and customers.

"The Kennedy's daughters sat in that seat right behind you," Wrong says, pointing to one of the green vinyl booths that accentuate the restaurant's easy-going atmosphere.

Wong says he's seen an established clientele and many famous Harvard graduates, come and go.