1936 1
Pirates Cave Grotto was a seafood restaurant at 2116 Broadway (2216 after renumbering because of West Grand Avenue street changes) across the street from the Breuner Building. It opened in 1934 then closed for a time c.1946, then reopened in 1954. It was run by John Dimas and James Alaphas. 1
In 1936 a few years after opening, they remodeled and expanded. 2 A short time later, the Pirates Den Lounge was opened next door by Adrien Chanquet.
1934 1
1936 2
1939 3
The restaurant had the menus printed by Fontes Printing.
A 1939 photo says both Pirates Cave Grotto and Pirates Den were being managed by Adrien Chanquet, but that has not yet been verified. 3
A classified ad in 1946 lists the Pirates Cave Grotto for sale. The "Memos of a Midnighter Around the Bay" column in 1947 mentions an upcoming reopening, and lists Gus Katsores and Jim Demitropulos as the original owners, and says Adrien Chanquet will be involved, too. There is an ad aweek later, then no newspaper references, so it's not clear if it even happened, who was involved, and how long it lasted.
Then in 1954, "Jimmie" announced that the restaurant was reopening. That lasted until 1956, when it was listed for sale, "must sell at once; illness forces retirement".
Links and References
- Page for Pirates Cave Oakland Tribune February 2, 1934
- Pirates Cave Remodeled, Enlarged Oakland Post Enquirer April 3, 1936
- photo Oakland Tribune August 11, 1939
