Scott's Seafood to celebrate 25 years of success with huge community party

If you're successful at something for 25 years, that's quite an accomplishment. If you're successful in the restaurant business for 25 years, that's nothing short of phenomenal. Scott's Seafood in Folsom has survived the recession, a pandemic, and other life-changing challenges and is still thriving, after 25 years. The woman driving the Scott's Seafood ship, Suzanne Cook, is well aware of this monumental accomplishment, and is throwing a huge 25-year anniversary party in the Folsom Historic District Plaza and Zittel Amphitheatre on Oct. 12. It's not just a party to celebrate the restaurant's success; it's a thank you to the community for its longtime support. "We're going to party like it's 1999," Cook said. Back in 1999, Suzanne and her husband, John, had a lot of reasons to party - years before, they moved to Sacramento from their hometown of Costa Mesa and successfully established their Scott's Seafood restaurant in Loehmann's Plaza. In 1999, the couple seized an opportunity to open another Scott's in Folsom on Greenback Lane. Little did they know, history was in the making. "We were a success from the start," Cook said. For many years, Scott's on Greenback was one of the few fine dining locations in the vicinity. During their two decades in that spot, the restaurant experienced highs and lows like any business does, and survived the tough economic recession of 2007-09. "Those of us in the restaurant business refer to it as the Depression," Cook said. One of John's gifts as a businessman was foresight; he realized the Historic District was more ideal for their longevity … and he had his eye on the Historic Roundhouse on Sutter Street. "Historically, socially and culturally, to quote my husband, this is ground zero in the city of Folsom. It has it all. There's pedestrians, there's lots of activity, the tree lighting, the ice rink, all the stuff that goes on here," Cook said. "It's just a better location and we knew we could last longer … as the population grew along highway 50, we wanted to draw in the El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park people." And then a serendipitous thing happened: Developer Jerry Bernau pursued plans to turn the Historic Folsom Roundhouse building into a restaurant. When pitching the idea to the City Council, Bernau was asked what sort of restaurant he visualized there and he is said to have replied, "Well, something like a Scott's." It took a few years before the plan became a reality, but by 2020, Scott's Seafood relocated and opened in the Historic Folsom Roundhouse Building … in the midst of the Covid pandemic. But the Folsom community kept Scott's afloat; they bought countless gift cards during the lockdown and eagerly showed up when outdoor seating was allowed. "Folsom didn't want to see us go under. They didn't want to lose their specialty restaurant," said Cook. With the pandemic eventually behind them, Scott's Seafood was ready to plow full steam ahead in their new location; and it was a hit. Suzanne also took on a more pivotal role, from being a greeter to working the books to managing the restaurant. Then, husband John, who had been the visionary of the business, became sick with lymphoma. "He wasn't doing well so I started picking up the balls that he wasn't going to be able to carry across the finish line and next thing you know I'm doing the whole thing," said Suzanne. John passed away in 2022; their general manager also passed away during that period. A challenging time for sure, but Suzanne stepped into the leadership role with grace and determination to keep the legacy going. One area where Suzanne continually scrutinizes and tries to evolve, in partnership with the chef, is Scott's menu. Yet there are some signature, classic dishes that would cause a literal uprising if they were removed from the menu, such as the petrale sole … or the macadamia nut crusted halibut. "It's done with panko and macadamia nuts and then topped with a browned butter. That's been on the menu and we've tried taking it off and changing to a different version and customers revolted," laughed Suzanne. There's Scott's version of Taco Tuesday, Wingin' it Wednesday, clam chowder, but there are new items on the menu you wouldn't see in 1999, such as poke bowls and vegan options. "The vegan ravioli will knock your socks off," said Suzanne. "As the population changes, you change with the population. I just think there's some good longevity here as long as we keep the standards up and the food forward thinking." The next exciting thing to come? Sushi! Suzanne's chef plans to receive formal training on how to properly make sushi; the hope is to introduce it sometime in the new year. "A lot of people in the area here in the district say, we need a sushi restaurant. Well, let's bring it on. Let's do it!" said Suzanne. This constant learning, growing and evolving is what Suzanne knows will keep the restaurant relevant, which was always John's vision. As for the future, Suzanne eschews suggestions to expand - after all she's been through and survived, focusing on the one restaurant is plenty. There are, of course, thoughts of the future … and legacy; one major concern is keeping the ship sailing strongly for the staff, which has become a bonded family. "You want them to stay together. Because they are a family. They've seen each other's kids be born and raised," said Suzanne. "We have our bookkeeper; she was hired at 17 as a host. … Her daughter is working here now. She started here at the same age as her mother was when she started!" Longtime customers are also like family, and she doesn't want to let them down. Suzanne likens the place to "Cheers," where everyone knows your name. Scott's has become more than a restaurant, but a beloved gathering place in the community. For the immediate future though, it's party time. The Oct. 12 event will feature a popular Tom Petty tribute band, The Petty Breakers, and a seafood boil, outside in the Plaza. Tickets are on sale but may sell out quickly. Proceeds from the event will go toward the Folsom Historic District's greenroom project, which would provide a greenroom for performers in the amphitheater; one of the many ways Suzanne is "giving back" to the community that has given so much to her the last 25 years. "It's a big celebration. We're blowing it up," exclaimed Suzanne. Purchase tickets to the extravaganza at https://www.scottsseafoodroundhouse.com/blog/scotts-seafood-folsom-celebrates-25-years/