The Giant Artichoke Restaurant in Castroville to Close After 25 Years

The Giant Artichoke restaurant in Castroville, California, will close after 25 years under its current ownership. The restaurant announced on Facebook that its last day of operation will be Wednesday, September 30. The post stated, "We’ve had the Restaurant for 25 years and it’s been an honor serving our community and faithful customers, but it’s time to move on." The building owners are selling the property, which is listed for $1.8 million, and the restaurant operators are open to selling their recipes. The restaurant is known for its 20-foot-tall artichoke statue and an artichoke-themed menu that includes items such as fried artichoke hearts and artichoke pasta. The closure comes after the cancellation of Castroville’s annual artichoke festival, which has been held since 1959. Castroville is recognized as the “Artichoke Center of the World,” producing nearly two-thirds of the artichokes consumed in the United States.