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The Alpine Inn, a much-loved burger joint and beer garden at 3915 Alpine Road in Portola Valley, is for sale. The business has been listed for about a week with a San Jose broker, according to Vicki Alexander, daughter-in-law of the late owner of the inn, Molly Alexander.
There are several groups of local people expressing interest in buying the business, “including a couple of consortiums,” Alexander said. “If people are interested, they should get their offers in.”
Lucy Neely, a Portola Valley resident and an Alpine Inn enthusiast, told The Almanac recently that she is seeking investors with the aim of raising enough money to buy the inn.
To that end, she has registered “Portola Valley Community Roadhouse, LLC” as a California corporation. A search of records at the Secretary of State’s office confirms registration of the corporation on April 9.
“Our intention is to create an inclusive, welcoming restaurant that maintains the beloved character of a 156-year-old drinking establishment,” she said in a statement. “We plan to serve delicious food and drink and offer a comfortable and inspirational space that functions as a vibrant community gathering place.”
Neely said she would be announcing her plans on PV Forum, the online gathering place for residents of Portola Valley and nearby unincorporated communities.
She has arranged three informational meetings to be held in the meeting room in the town’s public library at 765 Portola Road. They are set for:
• Tuesday, May 22, at 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, May 22, at 6 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 23, at 6 p.m.
Asked for an estimate on her fundraising target, Neely said she needs to first determine how much money might be raised. The target “is definitely in the millions,” she said.
Shares will start at $10,000 each, she said. The owners will elect a board to run the restaurant in collaboration with professional management.
For more information, write to her at pvroadhouse@gmail.com or call 650-206-3038.
‘Hue and cry’
Significantly, the Alpine Inn is registered as both a state and a federal landmark. In Portola Valley’s general plan, in the chapter on historic resources, the inn is labeled as a structure to be preserved.
A bronze tablet embedded in a boulder outside the inn notes that the building dates from the 1850s, that it was built by one Felix Buelna, and that it served “as a gambling retreat and meeting place for Mexican-Californios.”
“It was strategically located on the earliest trail used both by rancheros and American settlers crossing the peninsula to the coast,” the tablet continues. “Acquired by an American in 1868, it has continued to serve under various names as a roadhouse and saloon.”
Any proposals for altering or remodeling the building would have to take into consideration its history, Town Historian Nancy Lund said. The Town Council might even have to weigh in, she added.
Neely said she’s spent months talking with people and looking into who the potential buyers might be and concluded that she “didn’t have confidence in any of them.”
Lund did not dismiss the possibility of someone with huge resources buying it, proposing changes that are unacceptable to the town, and taking the town to court.
“How much would the people be willing to pay?” Lund asked. “I hear about deep-pocket people taking things. … I hope a consortium decides to buy it and keep it as it is” along with seismic improvements, she said.
“I think there would be a hue and cry if it became something other than a restaurant,” she said. “My guess is that people wouldn’t mind if they had a slightly altered menu.”
Alexander said the family is “assuming it would go back to the way it used to be,” referring to the menu. Rectangular hamburgers might make a comeback, she said, along with sourdough buns and regular hot dogs. “The fries were absolutely fantastic,” she said. “Now they’re just ordinary fries. … Now it’s just any old place.”
“It’s such a wonderful social resource,” Neely said. The goal would be “just taking what’s great about it and bringing that to the fore and improving it,” creating “a community-driven restaurant for Portola Valley and the surrounding community,” she said.
Neely is the daughter of Portola Valley residents Dr. Kirk Neely and Holly Myers. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bates College and is a manager for the family’s wine business.
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It seems to me it would be historically fitting if a new menu was created that included Mexican food, along with the ubiquitous American hamburger. The place needs a grill, not a griddle, so fat draws away from any meat products, and a more varied menu. Salads! Enchiladas! Music, too. This is such a treasure for PV. I hope to be an investor (a small one).
I want in!!!!
I don’t see how you maintain the ambiance by putting in a grill and taking out the griddle. Grills are for health-food savants and not fit for community dives like this place.
That’s the risk here. Touching what’s made this place memorable and screwing it up.
Going back to the old menu? Yes. But making it more congenial to people who would not normally eat there and who would find fault with the food as it is (or used to be)? No. No way that they should get anything approaching an upper hand in whatever its future is.
I hope the day never comes when I have to tell myself that I have to go there one last time to enjoy a polish sausage cooked flat on the griddle with the bun laid out there as well. That is heaven.
Rosati’s is a town/county/state treasure. I hope it stays that way, it’d be a real shame if someone turned it into a heartless, new age, $25/pitcher of beer joint. This local consortium idea is an excellent avenue for ensuring that any change reflects the community’s best interests. Way to go, Lucy Neely
Leave the ambiance. Clean it up. Enough that the Oasis is gone. Let’s not loose another heartbeat of the Peninsula.
Please no mexican food. yuck
Kudos to the efforts by the community members to retain this historic and special place.
I would love to hold onto the “down to earth” Portola Valley feel but please, please, let’s upgrade the menu. The greasy buns, greasy burgers and zero greens available is outdated. Bring on some decent grilled burgers, and salads, I will come by often!
Thank you!
Hose it off, keep the griddle, bring back the old rectangle burgers. Keep the bar and tables, don’t paint anything and don’t pave the parking lot. Give the yuppies a kale salad or fruit cup or something…
Say “goodbye” to one of the most iconic places in the hood. It’s never been about pasta or fancy grills. It’s a beer joint that serves some food. I believe it’s about to be history. Too bad.
I agree with cleaning it up and preserving the traditions that have been in place there over the last 100 years. Nothing more. The draw is the traditions
and memories people have of the place. If it’s not broken don’t fix it, just clean it.
Wish a similar effort would be made for the Oasis. We need both!
I first went to Rosati’s (Alpine Inn) in the early 70s with my dad when my parents were newly divorced. My dad discovered this place and took his kids there for a burger (rectangular with a sourdough bun). He didn’t use his real name but something like “big bear” that was called out over the loudspeaker when the burgers were ready. I was so embarrassed. Back then it was more of a motorcycle hangout than a bicycle hangout. I loved sitting outside on the picnic table in the warm sunshine with a delicious greasy burger in my hand. Ah, the good old days!
Please don’t try and give the place a makeover. A decent grilled rectangular burger, good fries, and maybe a little cleanup is all that is needed. Don’t remove the “patina,” lol. It doesn’t need to be a family friendly community center. The beauty of the place is that it attracts people of all ages and walks of life – – at least it used to when I was a kid.
Where will it all end?
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that in 1966, Al Bundy scored four touchdowns in a single game while playing for the Polk High School Panthers in the 1966 city championship game versus Andrew Johnson High School, including the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds against his old nemesis, “Spare Tire” Dixon.
Here is the word. A European group is looking at investing in the building, but dramatically changing the use. Their idea- Beer garden is going to be converted to a mini-wheat grass farm. The harveste wheat grass will then be concentrated and served on tap inside. Farm to table! Yes! Where the pinball machine /old arcade area is to become a retail store for a Euro brand of spandex bicycle bibs! Another plus. Outside, there will be a charging station for Tesla owners. I can get behind this!!
And bring back 42nd Street while we’re talking about it!
I grew up in Menlo Park in the 40’s and the Alpine Inn or Rossati’s was a mandatory stop on many bike rides around the Alpine Rd./Sandhill Rd. loop.
This grand establishment must be preserved – with the cooking griddle. I would be willing to invest !
Chad, are you kidding or serious?
I think the PV folks will have a reaction to this news. The town’s ordinance states that any biz must primarily serve the town’s residents, I believe.
What The Hell Is Wrong With All You People!!!!! Zotts Has Been A Part Of EVERYONES life Since The 50’s ^60’S!!!!!!!!!!! To Change I t Would Be Disasterous!!!! Has Menlo Park / Portola Vallry. Palo Alto Lost Their Minds????? Look At What’s Happening To Menlo – Where El Camino Will Become A “Strolling Zone”!! I Had Lived There Since 2953 – Moved To Arizona in 2007
-You ALL Should Be Ashamed!! A Damn Pity!!!
I agree with Mo- Man. Life without a Zott Burger is unthinkable.
I did not appreciate the above commenter lumping Portola Valley with mp. We are a separate town and very different, please take note accordingly.
I think the beautification and renovation of Alpine Inn is an excellent idea, but agree that the food should be kept the same as it is (minor improvements to quality here and there) but otherwise the same. I would like to see a more modern interior and less dirty, improved patio, and better parking lot. Also an above commenters idea of electric charging stations isn’t a bad idea. I will be in attendance at the meeting, looking forward to sharing all my ideas and hearing more!
I want to love Alpine inn, but it’s truly unsanitary. Everytime I’ve tried, I just can’t ignore the lack of simple food procedures.
Clean up the eating areas…raw meat hands to register…to buns….really, not ok!
Keep the saloon with the beer (but keep those bits clean!!)
Keep the menu unbelievably simple!
It’s great to be simple, it’s fine to be dusty, just be sanitary.
I insist that Alpine Inn remain exactly the way I want it with a few changes that I know are right and true. Also, I’m not going to risk my own money to buy the place but expect those who do to follow my infallible instincts. And prices better not be in the fancy range. In closing, I have nothing but incredulous and entitled contempt for those who disagree. I have a caps lock key reserved for you and if Judge Judy weren’t on right now, I just might use it. Good day!
Please please please, make the food better! I don’t know food so I can’t advise how, but….. whether it’s a griddle or grill or better ingredients or something….. there must be a way to improve it.
Sanitary would be nice. I’m always in favor of a good health inspection. Beyond that, I’m just grateful that people are trying to keep it out of the hands of Khosla. That is, or was, a very real threat.
Thank you very much to whomever started the LLC to try to save our Zots.
Landmark or not, it’s a dump! The food is terrible and the place is filthy. Tear it down and build something decent. I know all the ” old-timers ” will probably have a heart attack but the place is gross!
This is a great opportunity to do something special for the future of Portola Valley, all while remembering Zott’s nostalgic past.
Searsville Lake
Peanut Farm
Nuts to Zotts Race
Oasis
Sunset Magazine
Menlo Theater
All great things that have disappeared/closed as times change…..
I appreciate the effort being made to keep the traditions alive.
We did it with Keplers – Hope it can be done with Zotts
Good luck to the group!
Richard V. you left out the,
Hitchin Rack, just north of the Peanut Farm on Cañada Rd.
Negotiate with the Beltramo’s and the Tougas family (long-time operators) to take over and improve the Oasis and throw it into the corporation with Rosati’s (Alpine Inn). . . .this is not only local history but they are legendary spots. Irreplaceable historical landmarks. The public wants these businesses and will support them!
Reply to Bob’s comment (5/21/18). The Town has never really liked the current use of Zott’s. If they did, why did it make the closing hour 8PM (over 30 years ago). No beer or food after 8PM? That said, I think bike tights, wheat grass, and Tesla charging stations would all serve the town residents and well. A CUP might make that “Ordinance” go away. If this is not what some citizens of the Town want, go to any and all town meetings on subject.
Haven’t heard much about where everyone is at with regards to saving Zotts, but thought I’d share one story from my mom. Back in the 40s when she was going to Stanford undergrad and med school, she said that Zotts was the place to go for a beer because It was just outside of Stanford’s property, which was a “dry” campus, and “unescorted” women would be served. Lots of great memories for all who’ve enjoyed the rectangular “bricks”.
What Rossatti’s was is something that doesn’t exist anymore and really would/could be a viable treasure today. That rectangle burger was sublime. And I cut my beer-teeth on Oly by the quart, drunk out of pint paper cups.
I do agree with decent health and sanitation standards at the grill, but there is a place for a great burger and great fries and simple beer. Today they’s probably have to serve a selection of craft beers, but I am reminded of what my kindergarten son said about a gaudy plastic bird feeder we were given. “NO, NO, we don’t WANT that kind of bird!”