Friar Tucks has been part of Nevada City since 1973. From a small wine bar to a beloved landmark, here is the full history of this restaurant.
Every great restaurant has a story. But the story of Friar Tucks is bigger than most. It spans over 50 years, two families, a devastating fire, and a community that refused to let it disappear.
Here is how a small wine bar on a corner in Nevada City became one of the oldest family owned restaurants in California.
Greg Cook founded Friar Tucks in the winter of 1973. The original space was simple. Star shaped chandeliers made from stained lumber. Tables made from burnt plywood. Burlap ceilings. It was humble. But it had heart.
From the start, two things defined Friar Tucks. Wine and music. It was one of the first wine bars in Northern California. And live music played every single night. Those two pillars have never changed.
The restaurant quickly became a gathering place for the Nevada City community. People came for the food and the music. They stayed because of the feeling.
In the early 1980s, the restaurant expanded. A full liquor license was added. Steak and seafood joined the menu. The dining experience grew more refined without losing its warmth.
The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence came 19 years in a row. That put Friar Tucks on the map for wine lovers far beyond Nevada City. The wine cellars grew to hold hundreds of selections.
Greg married Rona in 1982 and they ran the restaurant together for decades. In 2015, their daughter Carissa joined as Director of Operations. Friar Tucks was a family affair.
On March 20, 2002, a fire gutted the entire building. The blaze started at 4:20 AM. It took 100 firefighters from 25 agencies 17 hours to put it out. The fire nearly drained the city reservoir.
Everything was destroyed. The building. The restaurant. The neighboring businesses. All that remained were a few teetering brick walls. It was a devastating loss for the community.
But the rebuilding started almost immediately. In just 14 months, Friar Tucks was back. The new space honored the old. Original 1860s brick was preserved. A custom mahogany bar was handcrafted. A fiber optic tree was installed. The restaurant was reborn.
Greg Cook passed away in December 2016. Rona and Carissa continued to operate the restaurant. But in 2019, the Cook family found the right people to carry the torch forward.
The Paige family became the new owners on April 11, 2019. Ken and Donna Paige are the proprietors. Their son Chad serves as general manager. The family is committed to preserving the traditions that made Friar Tucks an institution.
The Paige family brought new energy while honoring the legacy. The live music continues every night. The seasonal menu still features local ingredients. The community connection remains strong.
Friar Tucks is more than a restaurant. It is a piece of Nevada City. It has survived fire, loss, and change. And it is still standing. Still serving. Still playing music every night.
That kind of staying power says something about the people behind it and the community that supports it.
You cannot read about history this rich. You have to feel it. Visit Friar Tucks and see the original brick, the mahogany bar, and the Sherwood Forest Room for yourself. Reserve your table and become part of the story.
Read more about the full history on the Friar Tucks About Us page.
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