Following several extensions, North County San Diego's over 50-year-old Captain Keno's bar & restaurant will officially close at the end of this month.
Cap'n Keno's has received several reprieves to allow RAF Pacifica Group to finalize the purchase of its property and the neighboring Portofino Beach Inn. Initially, the sale was expected to close on June 24, with Cap'n Keno's planning to vacate by the end of June. That closure was extended to the end of August, and now it has been confirmed that Cap'n Keno's last day of business will be Monday, September 30. It is expected Captain Keno's will soon announce some sort of festivity to commemorate its closure.
Cap'n Keno's is considered Encinitas' oldest surviving restaurant still owned by its founder. The building was originally constructed as the Shamrock Café, a popular drive-in eatery for commuters traveling between San Diego and Los Angeles. It later became the El Rancho Steak House in 1966 before sitting vacant for several years. In 1970, Gerry Sova purchased the Leucadia property for $110,000 and opened Captain Keno's. Sova, now in his mid-80s, used winnings from playing Keno in Las Vegas to fund the purchase, which inspired the name of the restaurant.
RAF Pacifica Group, led by owner Adam Robinson, has acquired Cap'n Keno's and its neighboring properties—including Portofino Beach Inn, Encinitas Autobody Repair, and a cellphone repair kiosk—from Gerry Sova for $10.5 million, a sale that took three years to complete. The project, currently called the Moonlight Mixed-Use Project, involves a partnership with architecture firm SmithGroup to redevelop the area into a plaza with "micro" residential units, office spaces, and a new restaurant and bar. RAF Pacifica Group has already invested $5 million into design work and approvals for the project.
RAF Pacifica Group, led by owner Adam Robinson, has acquired Cap'n Keno's and its neighboring properties—including Portofino Beach Inn, Encinitas Autobody Repair, and a cellphone repair kiosk—from Gerry Sova for $10.5 million, a sale that took three years to complete. The project, currently called the Moonlight Mixed-Use Project, involves a partnership with architecture firm SmithGroup to redevelop the area into a plaza with "micro" residential units, office spaces, and a new restaurant and bar. RAF Pacifica Group has already invested $5 million into design work and approvals for the project.
The development plan includes three two-story buildings with subterranean parking. These modern structures will feature 45 condominiums, including four designated for very low-income families, along with 14 commercial spaces: one reserved for a restaurant, seven for retail shops, and six for office spaces.
Robinson has announced that the new restaurant and bar, expected to open in the Captain Keno's space as early as 2025, will pay tribute to the beloved local spot. RAF Pacifica Group has also purchased Cap'n Keno's liquor license and the rights to the name.
Cap'n Keno's is currently open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to midnight at 158 North Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas. For more information, visit captainkenos.com.
Robinson has announced that the new restaurant and bar, expected to open in the Captain Keno's space as early as 2025, will pay tribute to the beloved local spot. RAF Pacifica Group has also purchased Cap'n Keno's liquor license and the rights to the name.
Cap'n Keno's is currently open Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to midnight at 158 North Coast Highway 101 in Encinitas. For more information, visit captainkenos.com.
