Stable Cafe

Horse racing has a long and storied history in the Bay Area from sea biscuit and citation to John Henry and lost in the fog. And if horse racing is the sport of kings, then the stable cafe is where they come to feast. Does that make you the queen? No. I have to put up with all those kings you bet. This is Esther Hall. She's owned the restaurant for the past 32 years and it's basically a one woman show. A lot of time when she's busy, if you want more coffee, you better get up and get it. The cafe itself is right next to the barns that used to be home to hundreds of race horses and an entire community of grooms, trainers and jockeys. I know everybody's order. She's hosted some of the greats He usually only came in and got his form. And the winningest jockey in horse racing history, Bay Area native Russell Bays. He only usually came in for coffee. And while their pictures graced the walls, that was never really Esther's focus. Definitely the people. Definitely the people. It's not fancy, but it's home. She just welcomes you here. They need coffee. Esther, you see all their signs up there. She tries to play She's a sweet. She'sweet. Over medi She treated everybody It's just always a warm feeling. You come here and your heart was full. Hot water, you're set for breakfast. Esther I don't know why I keep coming back. But she says I'm her oldest customer. I said no, no, no. I'm the longest, but not the oldest. But no matter how great the race, Sebastian flight down the outside. Eventually, it always comes to an end. I had to kind of weigh, do I miss my kids? More. Or I'm gonna miss his family more. So I kind of had to go back for it. But the kids won and my grandkids won. Esther is hanging up her apron and moving to Utah to be closer to her family. 1738. The same ones who've come to help during her last week in business. Very hard decision. Still haven't locked the door yet. For many, the cafe is a place time forgot. Are you going to have your usual? Much Once vibrant gathering places, now mostly memories. If these walls could talk, I don't know if we could put that on a TV. So if racing really is, as they say, the sport of kings. The final field to grace this hallowed ground, heads for home. Just ask her customers and they'll tell you. Esther is the queen of their hearts. This is gonna be really hard. We are so sad to see her go. Having fed their hunger and passion for racing at her table for years. It's just a testament of her heart. She worked so hard. I got a camera last time. I saw Esther is still serving up breakfast and lunch for the next couple of days. Their final day in business is Friday.