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Buck's of Woodside
Buck's Restaurant in Woodside, CA..jpg
Restaurant information
Established 1991
Current owner(s) Jamis MacNiven
Food type traditional American
Street address 3062 Woodside Rd.
City Woodside, California
Bar at Buck's, Hangout of Silicon Valley Venture Capital Dealmakers
The bar at Buck's, a popular spot for tech deals.
Silver trout carving by Bucks of Woodside
A unique salmon sculpture outside Buck's of Woodside.

Buck's of Woodside is a famous restaurant located in Woodside, California. It's well-known as a special meeting place for people who invest money in new technology companies (called venture capitalists) and those who start these companies (tech entrepreneurs). Because of its location near Sand Hill Road, Buck's has become an important part of the tech world in Silicon Valley.

What is Buck's of Woodside?

Buck's of Woodside is more than just a restaurant; it's a landmark in Silicon Valley. It's famous for being a place where big ideas and important deals in the tech world often begin. Many successful companies had their first meetings or discussions right here.

How Buck's Started

The restaurant was opened in 1991 by Jamis MacNiven. He used to work in construction but decided to create his own restaurant because he wasn't happy with the other places to eat nearby. He wanted to build a unique and welcoming spot.

By 1995, when the internet was becoming very popular, word spread quickly about Buck's. It became known as a hotspot for the most powerful people in Silicon Valley. This time was called the "dot-com boom," when many internet companies were starting up.

A Hub for Tech Innovators

Buck's is located very close to Sand Hill Road. This road is famous because many of Silicon Valley's venture capitalists have their offices there. It's also near Stanford University, a major center for technology and innovation.

Many well-known companies had their early meetings at Buck's. These include Netscape, which created one of the first popular web browsers, and PayPal, a company that changed how people send money online. Other famous companies like Hotmail and Tesla Motors also had important early discussions at Buck's.

The importance of Buck's in the tech world is even mentioned in books. For example, the introduction to a book called The Startup Game is titled "Breakfast at Buck's." This shows how central the restaurant has been to the world of venture capital and startups. In 2003, Forbes magazine even named Buck's one of its top business restaurants.

Inside Buck's: A Unique Look

The inside of Buck's is very colorful and full of interesting decorations. You might see cowboy boots, a talking buffalo head, or even a model of the Statue of Liberty wearing a sombrero! There's also a stuffed alligator. These unique items make the restaurant feel fun and different.

One interesting story involves Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple. Jamis MacNiven says that Steve Jobs never actually visited the restaurant. However, Buck's still has a rare photo of Steve Jobs on display, where he is wearing funny Groucho glasses.

New Chapter for Buck's

When the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, restaurants had to close down. At that time, Jamis MacNiven decided to retire. But Buck's didn't stay closed for long! In August 2020, Jamis's sons took over the restaurant and reopened it. They continue to run Buck's, keeping its unique spirit alive for a new generation.

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