CALIFORNIA - After nearly a century of serving the Bay Area, Cook's Seafood has abruptly closed both of its locations. The Silicon Valley institution, which operated a cherished restaurant and adjoining fish market in Menlo Park for 98 years, announced the shocking closure with a sign posted outside its original location. The closure, effective October 28, 2026, also included their second, much newer location in Pleasanton.
The notice on the door expressed gratitude to the community while pointing to recent industry struggles: "As you know, this year has been very difficult for restaurants. Our Team thanks you for all your years of visiting us, and we'll miss you."
A Legacy Starting in 1928
The original Menlo Park location at 751 El Camino Real has been a local fixture since 1928. Bill Cook, a local police officer, founded it after being stationed in England during World War I and was inspired to bring fish and chips back to the States. Cook claimed at the time that they were "one of the first places in California to serve fish and chips."
Over the decades, the business changed hands but retained its classic charm. Robert Rahe acquired the business in the 1940s, and in 1963, Roy Crumrine—who originally started at Cook's as a dishwasher—took over as owner. The restaurant was famous for its no-frills approach to high-quality seafood, serving up massive portions of clam chowder, fried oysters, and classic fish and chips.
It was also renowned for its incredible staff retention; counter clerk Dan Dowler was celebrated earlier this year for having worked at the market since 1971.
A Short-Lived Expansion
The sudden closure also marks the abrupt end of the restaurant's Pleasanton expansion. The second location, situated in the Koll Center Plaza, was famously delayed for years. Permits were initially filed in 2017, but the restaurant didn't officially open its doors until May 2025. It operated for just over a year before permanently closing, along with the flagship Menlo Park location.