Joe Capote – Certified Investment Agent Specialist Expert in Real Estate Investments and Properties

Artichoke Joe’s

In the early 1920′s Joe’s Pool Hall was opened at 676 San Mateo Avenue. Joe Sammut I, who also had a gambling interest in Geneva Avenue in San Francisco, took over the building and turned it into a San Bruno landmark.

In the 1940′s, a lunchroom was built to the north of the original pool hall building. In the 1960′s, the family acquired the former A. Hyde Green real estate building to the south of it and razed the building in 1964.

Inside the new addition at 670 San Mateo Avenue, the unique structure was home to card playing tables. The original bars from the first jail on Hensley were purchased and put around the tables. Patrons had to be admitted by a “jail keeper” in order to play cards, and even pass through a steel-barred door! If you lost and couldn’t pay up, well, it sounds like you weren’t going anywhere until a few dishes were washed…

Today, Artichoke Joes is a San Bruno landmark and community Icon. The facility is located at 659 Huntington Avenue in San Bruno. According the Artichoke Joe’s website, the family owned facility has grown into a 20,000 square foot gaming establishment. There are 38 table games, 24 hour dining, a full sports bar and an arcade.

The Sammut foundation has also been an incredibly generous benefactor to the community at large. The foundation makes gracious donations to many local charities and contributes to all schools in the San Bruno Park School District.