WALNUT CREEK, CA — A fire tore through the roof of Lettuce, the downtown Walnut Creek lunch spot, early Wednesday. Nobody was hurt.
The restaurant is closed for now, and it’s going to stay that way for a while.
The fire broke out a little after 8 a.m. at the corner of Civic Drive and Locust Street — dead in the middle of the downtown core, a block from the Lesher Center. Employees heard popping sounds, smelled smoke, and got themselves out before the flames really took hold. By the time Contra Costa Fire crews rolled up, fire was already through the roof.
ConFire threw eight engines and more than thirty firefighters at it — a one-alarm fire, but a serious one for a downtown block. Crews spent hours working the blaze before calling it under control, and the smoke hung over the block well into the afternoon.
The owner, Dave Bowie, watched it happen and didn’t try to spin it.
“The property is insured. We’ll rebuild as soon as we can.”
— Dave Bowie, owner of Lettuce
Here’s the thing about Lettuce. It’s the kind of place that never makes headlines — until it does. A sandwich-and-salad counter that’s fed downtown workers for years, the sort of spot where the regulars order without even glancing at the board.
There’s a reason the name works. It’s short. It’s local. And it’s been around long enough that “meet you at Lettuce” has never needed directions.
Firefighters were back at the scene around 3:15 that afternoon after somebody reported smoke, and ConFire kept eyes on the hot spots while investigators sorted out what started it. The cause is still under investigation.
⭐ What We Know
- What: Roof fire at Lettuce restaurant; no injuries
- Where: Civic Drive and Locust Street, downtown Walnut Creek
- When: Wednesday, Aug. 19, shortly after 8 a.m.
- Response: Eight engines and 30-plus Contra Costa Fire firefighters
- Status: Closed; cause under investigation; owner plans to rebuild
For now, there’s no timeline for reopening. But Bowie made one thing clear: he’s insured, and he’s coming back — which, in downtown real estate terms, is about as close to a happy ending as you get out of a roof fire. If your lunch routine runs through Civic and Locust, plan around it for a while.
In the meantime, there’s still plenty to eat downtown. Here’s the full dining rundown, and if you’re missing that midday sandwich, the best sandwiches list still holds up.
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