Eddie Papa's, Popular Pleasanton Restaurant, To Close

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasantonians will soon need to find a new joint to hang out. “Eddie Papa’s” American Hangout, an award-winning family restaurant known for its cotton candy and convivial atmosphere, announced that it will close in late June.

“It is with a mix of emotions that we announce the sale of Eddie Papa's American Hangout, our beloved award-winning family restaurant that has been a vibrant part of this community for the past 15 years,” owners Eddie and Anette Westmoreland wrote in a lengthy Facebook post. “We write this letter with sincere gratitude reflecting on the memories we have shared and the incredible support you have shown us throughout our journey.”

Westmoreland, a restaurateur who oversaw eight P.F. Chang’s locations, wanted to open up a restaurant serving “straight-up, mainstream American food,” according to a profile in Hacienda Online.

The seasonal menu, which describes itself as “genuine uncommon nostalgic delicious,” is actually all over the map, offering everything from fried pickles to poke to a Maine lobster roll, a Santa Barbara Chicken Club, or a Pleasanton Burger. It also offers a number of local wines, original cocktails like the Pleasanton Black Smash “blackberries, rosemary, Leopold blackberry liqueur, Buffalo Trace bourbon, Sazerac rye, rosemary lemon syrup, barrel aged bitters), and perhaps most famously, cotton candy for dessert.

Beyond the food, the restaurant aimed to pay homage to the “old-world hospitality” of its namesake, Ed’s Armenian grandfather, Edward Aslanian.

“From the very beginning, our mission was to create a genuine and welcoming space where families and friends could gather, share in moments of fun, and savor delicious food by honoring the legacy of Edward Aslanian, aka Eddie Papa,” the Westmorelands said in their post. “We are immensely proud to say that we accomplished that and more. Eddie Papa's American Hangout became synonymous with a warm and inviting atmosphere, where laughter filled the air and where everyone at the table was family.”

Many commenters agreed emphatically, remembering the restaurant as a place where they celebrated milestones in their lives. The restaurant commented on many of the posts.

“You have been a beautiful part of our lives - Eddie Papa’s was our family place,” one commenter wrote. “From my now departed mother in law at age 96 trying to talk our server into bringing her another Bloody Mary without me knowing and we all laughing about it, to letting my newly adopted wide eyed little sister pick whatever she wanted from your menu. The cotton candy is still a core memory for her (she is 17 now). You have made a difference and it is appreciated.”

“We had great memories celebrating milestone celebrations, plus just popping in for a delicious lunch or dinner,” wrote another. “This was my Dad’s place to go! When my Dad passed away we would remember him by going to Eddie Papa’s and having the lobster bisque.. and sliders my Dad’s favorite. Plus my dad would always get a sundae! You will be truly missed. Thank you for the 15 years of joy you provided to this community.”

“We want to express our deepest appreciation to each one of you for your unwavering support, genuine friendships, and the delicious memories we have created together,” the Westmorelands concluded. “We just ask that whenever you see a beautiful sunset filled with fluffy pink clouds you think of us and reminisce about the joyous times we had together at Eddie Papa’s! May your future be as sweet as the cotton candy we had the pleasure of serving you for the past 15 years.”