A significant chapter is closing for a beloved Bay Area establishment. Lutticken’s Deli and After 5 restaurant, which has been a fixture in Menlo Park for 45 years, will officially shut its doors on September 30, as confirmed by general manager Judy Congdon. It’s hard to believe it’s coming to an end.
Congdon expressed her sadness, stating, “Everything’s going to be shut down September 30. It’s very sad.” The deli’s other locations at Stanford University and on Sand Hill Road will also be closing. This spot has long served the community as a coffee shop, sandwich place, and Mexican restaurant, and offered beer and wine along with weekly karaoke nights and live music at its After 5 segment.
Known for its classic deli sandwiches, like the Hawaiian with ham, Swiss, and pineapple salsa, Lutticken’s had a range that many found affordable, at around $13. It was more than just a deli; it was also a hub for entertainment with after-hours fun.
However, the deli, which had even garnered accolades such as the California Senate District 13’s Small Business of the Year award in 2024, struggled to regain its footing after the pandemic. Congdon, who has been part of the establishment since its inception in 1981, shared that, “We’re just not making the money we used to make. If it was sustainable, we would stay open. But it’s not.”
The deli’s closure contributes to a troubling trend, as several other small businesses in the Bay Area have also shut down recently. This includes the soul food venue Home of Chicken and Waffles in Oakland, which closed in late August, and Hank & Frank Bicycles, a long-standing shop in Oakland that likewise closed last month after operating for over a century.
