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2w ago

Giant Artichoke Restaurant in Castroville Closes

Operator retirement has closed a local landmark that is now listed for about $1.9 million as a vacant property, opening the site to possible redevelopment.

FILE: The Giant Artichoke Restaurant, at 11261 Merritt St. in Castroville, is set to close on Sept. 30, 2026. The decades-old restaurant has an extensive menu of artichoke dishes, including fried artichokes. 
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Overview

  • The Giant Artichoke Restaurant announced on Facebook that it closed on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, ending 25 years under its current operators.
  • The 3,726-square-foot building and 18,231-square-foot lot are listed on LoopNet for roughly $1.8–$1.9 million and are described as being delivered vacant at closing.
  • The restaurant’s operators said they are willing to sell their recipes but had not found a buyer by the time of closing.
  • The fate of the roadside giant artichoke sculpture is unresolved and the neighboring Giant Artichoke Cafe said it will remain open after the restaurant’s closure.
  • The shutdown follows wider local strain on artichoke traditions, including the cancellation of Castroville’s long‑running Artichoke Festival, and it raises questions about preserving the town’s culinary identity that depended on roughly 3,500 pounds of artichokes a week and about 35 artichoke dishes.