Tickets now on sale for special outdoor dinner, concert to celebrate milestone
Reaching 25 years in operation is a milestone for any business. In the restaurant industry, that mile often feels much longer, especially in a field where profits can be slim and management can be challenging. Scott’s Seafood in Historic Folsom is one such restaurant that has found the perfect recipe for success. Now, as they celebrate their 25th anniversary, they plan to mark the occasion with the community next month.
Located in the Historic Folsom Roundhouse building, Scott’s Seafood will host a 25th-anniversary celebration on Oct. 12. The first-class event will be held at the Historic Folsom Station adjacent to the restaurant and at the Zittel Family Amphitheater, which will feature a benefit concert by the well-known Petty Breakers, a top Tom Petty tribute band in California.
“Folsom has been very good to us, and we want to celebrate with the community that has treated us so well,” said Suzanne Cook, president and CEO of Scott’s Seafood. “Folsom has had our back through thick and thin over the years. A recession, a pandemic—those are two things many restaurants did not survive. It wasn’t easy, but we did it.”
The restaurant faced significant challenges during the pandemic. After closing its Greenback Lane location on March 17, 2020, to move, the national emergency arrived, heavily restricting restaurants. Despite these difficulties, they successfully reopened on July 18, 2020. Folsom city officials allowed the restaurant to use its upper amphitheater for outdoor dining, providing additional space that mirrored the indoor seating capacity.
“It wasn’t how we had planned to open our new location at all, but it ended up providing a beautiful setting for our customers,” Cook said. She noted that customers supported the restaurant by purchasing many gift cards during the difficult time. “They wanted to see us survive,” she added. “So many of them bought gift cards for a future visit.”
Suzanne Cook is the present and general manager of Scott’s Seafood, which first came to the City of Folsom in 1999 when her late husband John expanded the company to a location on Greenback Lane. Four years ago the restaurant moved into the heart of the city to occupy the new Roundhouse building in Historic Folsom. Scott’s Seafood photo by Jacob Cantu
Scott’s Seafood, now located in the Historic Folsom Roundhouse in the heart of the city’s Historic District, officially reached its 25-year milestone on March 9. The restaurant has been at 824 Sutter St. since July 2020, after moving from its previous location on Greenback Lane.
The journey to relocate began in 2012, when Suzanne’s late husband, John Cook, heard Jerry Bernau’s plans to replicate the Historic Railyard on Sutter Street. John believed the Roundhouse would be the perfect spot to carry Scott’s Seafood into the future.
Unbeknownst to John at the time, Bernau had already pitched Scott’s Seafood to the Folsom City Council for the space. After a long and much-anticipated wait, John and Suzanne opened Scott’s Seafood Roundhouse in the summer of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. They brought along favorite artwork from local artists, honoring the past as they moved into the future in what John called “ground zero” in Folsom.
Since first opening in Folsom, and at its other past locations, Scott’s has always been known for offering the freshest seafood, delivered daily from regional fishermen and around the world. This tradition continues under Suzanne’s leadership, as she carries on the vision of her late husband, who passed away in 2022.
“John fell in love with Folsom and wanted to create a fine dining experience comparable to what patrons would expect in San Francisco,” Suzanne said. “He always praised the Folsom community, so it’s fitting we celebrate this milestone with them.”
Running the restaurant is a daunting task, but Cook believes in the importance of Folsom’s Historic District as the cultural heart of the city. She aspires for the restaurant to remain a key part of the community for years to come. “I hope to further weave Scott’s into the fabric of Folsom by being the go-to place for special occasions and through active community service and support,” she said.
On Oct. 12, the community will come together to celebrate Scott’s Seafood. Whether it’s for the seafood boil, the concert, or both, Cook hopes Folsom residents will join in. The seafood boil will be served outside in the plaza, followed by the concert in the amphitheater. Tickets are now on sale and expected to sell out quickly. Guests can purchase tickets that include both dinner and the concert or just the concert. Tickets for the full package, priced at $140, include Scott’s classic Caesar salad, a seafood boil served on the table, garlic bread, and a chef’s selection of mini desserts.
The Petty Breakers, founded in 2010, are now the No. 1 touring tribute to the late Tom Petty. Known for capturing the essence of a live Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers concert, they have performed at venues across 26 states. In 2014, they were selected as “The World’s Greatest Tribute to Tom Petty” by AXS-TV, performing live at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood to a capacity crowd.
Concert-only tickets are available for $40. Tickets can be purchased on the restaurant’s website HERE.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Historic Folsom District Association’s greenroom project, which aims to provide performers with a quality greenroom in the train depot attached to the stage. Currently, performers do not have a designated space to prepare, making it especially challenging during hot summer months.
“We aren’t putting this on to make a profit,” Cook said. “We want any proceeds to go toward the greenroom project and to help with the future. We just want to celebrate with our community and have a special night.”
Since arriving in Folsom in 1999, Suzanne Cook has seen the city grow, but she appreciates that it has kept its local charm. She explained that Scott’s Folsom location, originally connected to the Bay Area chain, now operates independently. Another location, Scott’s Seafood on the River in Sacramento, ended its partnership with the Folsom restaurant years ago, leaving Folsom as Cook’s sole focus.
“You have to be involved in the day-to-day operations to succeed in this business,” she said. “The city has grown immensely, and we strive to meet the community’s expectations every day.”
A milestone with Capitol Hill Recognition
Just last month, Scott’s Seafood was recognized on Capitol Hill for reaching its 25-year milestone. Congressman Kevin Kiley honored the restaurant’s success with a presentation before the U.S. House of Representatives.
“In 1976, Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar opened in San Francisco, but in 1999, John and Suzanne Cook brought Scott’s to the Folsom community,” Kiley said. “For the past 25 years, the bar and grill has served as a premier establishment, engaging and enriching Folsom and the broader region.”
Kiley highlighted the restaurant’s resilience through significant challenges, including the pandemic and John Cook’s passing. He praised Suzanne Cook’s leadership and her commitment to continuing her husband’s legacy.
Seating for the event on Oct. 12 will be limited for both the dinner and the concert. If tickets do not sell out online, there may be some available at the door, though they will be limited. Reserved seating will be available in the amphitheater, with assigned spots.
Tickets can be purchased on the restaurant’s website HERE
© Folsom Times, All Town Media LLC. Photos by Jacob Cantu
