They’ve gone fishing.
After practically a century in business, Bay Area seafood restaurant Cook’s Seafood abruptly closed both of their areas last week.
The Silicon Valley establishment announced the surprising closure with a signal posted outside of their authentic Menlo Park location, which first began promoting shellfish in 1928.
Bay Area establishment Cook’s Seafood has abruptly closed after 98 years in business. Instagram/@cooksseafoodpleasantonca
“As you know, this year has been very difficult for restaurants,” the signal learn. “Our Team thanks you for all your years of visiting us, and we’ll miss you.”
Known for their signature fish and chips dish, catfish, sand dabs, salmon, and more, Cook’s opened its second location in Pleasanton just last 12 months after practically a decade of planning. Both areas housed fish markets in addition to eating places.
Cook’s was dubbed a “landmark” in a 2001 article by Almanac News, which detailed its origin story.
The restaurant first opened in Menlo Park in 1928, and just opened its second location last 12 months. Instagram/@cooksseafoodpleasantonca
The business was first opened by Bill Cook, a former policeman, who later offered it to Robert Rahe. After Rahe’s death, it was offered to Roy Crumrine in 1963, who began working at the restaurant as a dishwasher in 1955. After Crumrine’s death, the business was taken over by his son of the same identify.
A 1989 report in the Peninsula Times Tribune said founder Bill Cook was impressed to serve fish and chips after attempting the dish while stationed in England during World War I. “We may be one of the first places in California to serve fish and chips,” he said at the time.
The seafood spot was beloved among prospects for fish and chips, served for many years. Instagram/@cooksseafoodpleasantonca
The closure is the newest blow to the Bay Area’s food and drink industry, which has seen staple business shutter in latest months due to financial strain, as an AI-driven financial growth raises the stakes for survival.
In September, Lutticken’s Deli and After 5 restaurant, also in Menlo Park, closed after 45 years in business. The iconic business housed a espresso store, a sandwich store and Mexican food restaurant. General supervisor Judy Congdon said the business closed because it was “just not making the money” it used to make.
The closure is half of a sample of older companies struggling to survive amid the Bay Area’s AI-fueled growth. Instagram/@cooksseafoodpleasantonca
Just last week, Red’s Place, which boasts the moniker of “the oldest bar in the neighborhood” announced that it would be closing by the finish of the 12 months after 60 years in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Owner Jerry Chan said the closure was due to rising operational prices — and an estimated $500k in essential repairs to the building.
Download The California Post App, observe us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home supply: Sign up here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!