Artichoke Joe's Casino — Attraction in San Bruno

The Story of Artichoke Joe’s

Beginnings

Artichoke Joe’s recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The business dates back to 1916, when a young Maltese immigrant named Giuseppe Sammut bought an old stable on Huntington Avenue in San Bruno and converted it to “Joe’s Pool Parlor.” (“Giuseppe” means “Joseph” in English.) The place featured a couple of pool tables, a poker table or two, and a bar. Today, our bar and restaurant are still located in this historic building, whose decor retains the flavor of the Old West.

Betting

Joe’s Pool Parlor operated here until the early 1950s. Most of the business had to do with the horse races—not just at the local Tanforan Racetrack in San Bruno, but also throughout California and the United States. The pool hall’s convenient location near the San Bruno stops for both the trolley line and the Southern Pacific Railroad made it easy for customers to journey from San Francisco down to San Bruno.





Origin of the Name

The name of Artichoke Joe’s dates back to a wisecrack made by the founder in the 1920s, when San Bruno was still largely rural and was ringed by fields of artichokes and other crops. Joe was known to accept almost any wager, no matter how large. One day he was taking lots of bets on a particular horse. When someone asked him how he would pay off if he lost, Joe looked out the window at the farm fields and said, “In artichoke leaves.” He instantly became “Artichoke Joe” and was so known for the rest of his career in the Bay Area. In 1950 he retired and returned to Malta.

Family Business

After the Second World War, Joe’s son, Joseph Sammut, Jr.—inevitably nicknamed “Artichoke Joe II”—took over the business, which evolved into a gaming establishment featuring draw and low-ball poker (legal games in California then and now) and offering bar, nightclub, and restaurant facilities in a Western-themed environment. In the 1950s the place became a legal California cardroom, which it remains to this day, and was renamed as Artichoke Joe’s. Third Generation: The business has remained in the family’s hands and has been run since 1975 by Dennis Sammut, son of “Joe II” and grandson of the original Giuseppe Sammut.

Artichoke Joe’s Today

Modern Facilities: Major expansion and remodeling in the 1980s and 1990s expanded the one-time stable into a spacious, thoroughly modern, and very comfortable building. Massive aquarium tanks featuring colorful exotic saltwater fish are a principal attraction of the high-ceilinged main cardroom. The combination bar-restaurant, which has acquired local fame as a great place to have a tasty bite at a reasonable price, is still located on the site of the old stable. Our wait staff provides prompt, efficient food and drink service at all the gaming tables. Staff: We are one of the largest employers in San Bruno. Artichoke Joe’s employs more than 430 full-time workers, many of whom live in and around San Bruno. Our staff members range in age from early 20s to 70s. Our staff is carefully trained, and retrained annually, for the specific jobs they fill as well as for how to deal with medical and other emergencies. To ensure the safest possible gaming environment, our professional dealers, floor staff, cashiers, and managers receive specialized training in applicable federal, state, and local regulations.



Giving Back to the Community

The Sammuts have been prominent contributors to San Bruno’s civic life and especially to its youth sports programs for decades. In 1990 they set up the Sammut Family Foundation, which focuses its giving on youth programs such as 4-H Clubs and the Scouts, local public elementary and middle schools, anti-drug and anti-alcohol programs at the high school, reading support programs at the city library, and children with special needs. Many local youngsters have had the opportunity to play organized baseball, soccer, and other sports thanks to Artichoke Joe’s, which sponsors 25 baseball teams ranging from “T-ball”...

Artichoke Joe's Card Club, located at 659 Huntington Avenue in San Bruno, California, is a historic cardroom and casino that has been serving patrons since 1916. Despite its age, the establishment has maintained its charm and continues to attract a loyal clientele.

The casino exudes a classic, old-school vibe with its Western saloon-style bar, complete with stained-glass lamps and a central fireplace. This nostalgic setting offers a unique departure from the typical glitzy casino environment, providing a cozy and inviting space for both gaming and dining.

Artichoke Joe's features a 24-hour restaurant that specializes in a fusion of Asian and American cuisines. Menu highlights include dishes like Kung Pao chicken, fried rice, steaks, omelets, pancakes, and duck fried rice. The food is reasonably priced, with daily specials often under $10. While the restaurant's ambiance is modest, with some meals served on Styrofoam plates with plastic cutlery, the quality and taste of the food have received positive remarks from patrons.

The bar at Artichoke Joe's is known for its friendly staff and affordable drinks. Patrons can enjoy a variety of beverages, including margaritas, martinis, and beers from around the world. The bar's relaxed atmosphere makes it a great spot to unwind, whether you're watching a game or taking a break from the gaming tables.

The casino offers a diverse range of gaming options across its 38 tables. Players can engage in various poker games, including limit and no-limit Texas Hold'em, as well as other games like pai gow tiles, three-card poker, baccarat, and California blackjack. Regular tournaments and special events add to the excitement, making it a popular destination for both casual and serious gamers.

Artichoke Joe's Card Club stands out as a unique blend of history, gaming, and dining. Its enduring appeal lies in its authentic atmosphere, diverse gaming options, and hearty food offerings. Whether you're a seasoned gambler or someone looking for a distinctive dining experience, Artichoke Joe's offers a welcoming environment that captures the essence of...

Read entire review for update!!Good food at a very good price. People at the food counter are always nice. Clean establishment. We always return just to eat...Try the New York steak dinner. My wife and I always get this whenever visiting. $15.00 gets you a juicy cooked to order NY steak, roll, baked potato and a huge salad. Great breakfast too! I never had a bad meal here. The place shuts down early in the morning daily for a deep cleaning and it shows! UPDATE: We just went here on 3/5/19 and it looks like ALL the prices on the entire menu increased BIG TIME!! I'm talking more than a 25% hike!!! That $15.00 steak? It will now cost you $19.00. The food is still good but with their new price hike, it's no longer a deal. For $19.00 I can get a good meal anywhere on this restaurant lined block..... It's very obvious that management has chosen the path to gouge the many gamblers who don't leave the playing tables and eat in place. ..Many customers would rather eat and gamble then get up and go eat in one of the many restaurants in the area... And, who could blame them? If I gamnled I'd surly do the same! Why not? It's very convienent... The disgusting part is, Artichoke realized this and took full advantage of it and their customers! Management KNOWS a customer would never leave to eat so,,,,why not take full advantage of them and raise the food prices by more than 25%?? The high prices have made it very uninviting for the many people like us who didn't gamble but often enjoyed coming here for a good meal and maybe a drink from the bar.. We came here for many many years and sorry to say, we will no longer be coming back ...It's just too expensive and just doesn't seem worth...