Artichoke Joe's Casino

Artichoke Joe's has been a family founded and family owned business since 1916. The one-room Joe's Pool Parlor switched names to Artichoke Joe's in 1921, becoming a permanent fixture in San Bruno sporting life. Joseph Sammut opened his pool parlor and phone exchange in Al LoReaux's former plumbing shop. Most calls concerned horse races. Joe accepted any wager, no matter how large. Asked how he would pay off if he lost a big bet, he replied, "In artichoke leaves," hence the name. Still owned by the Sammut family, Artichoke Joe's is one of the city's oldest businesses. George Martinelli, left, circa 1930 in Osborne's gasoline station, northwest corner of Kains and San Mateo avenues. Text and photos courtesy of "The History of San Bruno, The Crossroads Community" by Don Shoecraft.