After more than three decades in Tustin, The Crab Cooker is slated to close its doors.
The longtime seafood restaurant at the Enderle Center is scheduled to shutter on Sunday, May 31, marking the end of a 33-year run. The closure, according to the restaurant owner, is tied to the expiration of its lease and a pending transformation of the property.
Opening in 1992 under original founder “Flounder” Bob Roubian, the Tustin outpost was the second location of its original Newport Beach space. It quickly turned into a fixture for generations of local diners, building a loyal following over the years with its mesquite-broiled seafood and frills-free, family-friendly vibe.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we share this news with our staff,” said owner Jim Wasko, in a written statement. “Many of our employees have been with us since we opened 33 yeas ago, and some have been a part of The Crab Cooker family for over 40 years.”
He added, “If a situation is not in my control, and it’s in God’s perfect timing, then how can it be a bad thing?”
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Wasko noted that the closure is especially difficult given the eatery’s deep ties to the community, where it has served as a gathering space for families marking milestones.
Regulars at the Tustin spot chimed in following the announcement. “For many years our extended family frequented this location because it was a midway point for several of us to gather,” recalled Lisa Lamm Manfredi., in the post announcing The Crab Cooker’s impending closure. “[S]o many fond memories here with loved ones including some that are no longer here,” added Jessica Christy.
The closure comes amid broader changes at the Enderle Center, a roughly 50-year-old Tustin retail and dining hub.
Plans for the site project, christened Campo on 17th, call for a significant overhaul with new residential units, updated commercial space and a new layout aimed at modernizing the decades-old center. The shift mirrors similar redevelopment efforts across Orange County, like the Dana Point Harbor’s $600 million renovation or the South Coast Plaza Village redevelopment in Santa Ana, where rising land values and shifting consumer habits continue to reshape food and retail corridors.
As the Tustin location prepares to close, the original Crab Cooker in Newport Beach will remain open. Located on Newport Boulevard, the flagship spot has been in operation since 1951, making it one of Orange County’s oldest restaurants. It will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.
Guests are encouraged to visit the Tustin restaurant ahead of the May 31 closure.