Cook’s Seafood appears to have permanently closed
We received a tip that Cook’s Seafood in Menlo Park has permanently closed with employees being notified overnight.
It was indeed shuttered during what would have been normal opening hours when we swung by this morning.
Opened in 1928, it is [was?] one of Menlo’s oldest establishments.
There was a previous closure scare in 2023 that turned out not to be true.
It was always great to check in with long time employee Dan Dowler (shown here in 2009 InMenlo post) when buying crab.
Will provide updates as new information becomes available.
Photo by Linda Hubbard (c) 2026
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Fritzi Lareau October 29, 2026 at 11:01 am
So sad. Excellent fish and chips, although last time was more like fish nuggets. Hope Draeger’s won’t be next.
Kay October 29, 2026 at 11:16 am
Too bad if true. However, the quality had been going downhill recently. Not sure why. Fish not as fresh and weird changes in the menu.
Josie Kamin October 29, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Not true. Fish was always excellent- better than any other place
Carolyne Zinko October 29, 2026 at 11:16 am
What???? Why???
Marisol October 29, 2026 at 11:45 am
This is unbelievable!!!!! I grew up enjoying the fish and chips and the amazing market.
The staff were always awesome!!
Especially those who have worked there for perhaps 30+ years.
There is so much history that will be lost Remember the former owner Roy Crumrine. Such an amazing man
Josie Kamin October 29, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Hard to believe. They had the best fish! Steve always picked out my order and we’re best of friends. The food in the restaurant was always good too. I especially enjoyed the Mt Lassen trout – salmon, and other items that Steve recommended! Very sad
Joe foster October 29, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Sad, sad—another milestone in the decline of Menlo Park
Erin October 29, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Rats! And no notice! I went there weekly for my fish. I loved all the guys there and they were so helpful. Always excellent salmon to take home.
Justin October 29, 2026 at 1:33 pm
I stopped there today planning to eat halibut and chips for lunch. Oh no! Why did they close? Say it ain’t so. Any chance of a rescue?
Mark Bell October 29, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Sympathetic to their challenges. Rent, labor and materials on the rise, folks dinning out on the steep decline. A bellwether for harder times ahead. Vote.
Lou Covey October 29, 2026 at 3:25 pm
Seafood is highly competitive in the Mid Peninsula. Clark’s, Pacific Catch, Ocean Oyster Bar, Supreme Crab, not to mention all the sushi and Mexican seafood places. The best fish and chips around is Freewheel Brewpub in Redwood City. It could be the owner just decided to retire and couldn’t find a buyer.
Alan Larson October 29, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Too bad. My wife and I both enjoyed going there in years past. Of course then the prices were lower and the servings seemed larger. I had been going there since the 1980s when there were tables outside.
Seafood had been getting terribly expensive, and Cooks was well up there, but they weren’t alone.