Cast Iron Trading Co.

Cast Iron Trading Co. is an industrial-chic New American gastropub, craft beer hall, and live music venue at 114 North San Joaquin Street in Downtown Stockton, California. Founded by local culinary team Eric Grijalva and Josh Brown after outgrowing their original food truck and pop-up roots, the restaurant occupies a restored historic brick storefront just north of Weber Avenue. Travelers and San Joaquin Valley locals come here for scratch-made grass-fed burgers, inventive vegan and gluten-free comfort dishes, a curated rotating tap list of California craft beers, and intimate live performances held on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

What to Expect at Cast Iron Trading Co.

Stepping inside Cast Iron Trading Co. reveals an expansive, high-ceilinged dining room framed by original exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood accents, warm Edison-style lighting, and a long communal bar. The kitchen focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from San Joaquin County farms, preparing nearly every sauce, pickle, and patty in-house. Unlike traditional burger joints where plant-based diners are an afterthought, the menu dedicates equal creative weight to meat eaters and vegans alike. Carnivores gravitate toward the signature Cast Iron Burger layered with house-made bacon jam, caramelized onions, and sharp cheddar on a toasted brioche bun, while plant-based guests order crispy cauliflower street tacos, house-made black bean burgers, and dairy-free mac and cheese.

Beyond lunch and dinner service, the venue functions as a cultural gathering spot for Downtown Stockton. The beverage program features a constantly changing board of Northern California IPAs, sours, stouts, and ciders, alongside regional Lodi and Sierra Foothills wines and specialty espresso drinks. On Thursday and Saturday evenings, the front stage hosts local and touring indie, folk, jazz, and rock musicians, transforming the casual daytime eatery into an energetic neighborhood beer hall and listening room.

• Signature Grass-Fed Burgers: Hand-formed beef patties seared in cast iron and topped with house-cured bacon jam, garlic aioli, and melted cheeses on locally baked buns, served with herb-tossed fries or side greens.
• Dedicated Vegan & Gluten-Free Menu: Extensive plant-based and celiac-friendly selections, including roasted cauliflower and jackfruit tacos, vegan burgers, and gluten-free buns and tortillas prepared with strict kitchen care.
• Rotating California Craft Beer Taps: A carefully curated tap list highlighting independent breweries from the Sacramento Valley, Bay Area, and Central Valley, available in full pours or tasting flights.
• Live Music Thursdays & Saturdays: Regular evening performances featuring regional acoustic singer-songwriters, jazz trios, and indie bands in an up-close, brick-walled setting with no separate concert ticket required for diners.
• Historic Downtown Space: A converted early-20th-century commercial building with high rafters, vintage ironwork, communal wood tables, and counter seating suited for solo lunches or group celebrations.

Cast Iron Trading Co. at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

For a relaxed weekday lunch with minimal wait, arrive just before noon on Monday through Friday, when downtown courthouse and office workers begin filling the tables. If you plan to visit on a Thursday or Saturday evening for live music, or before a show at the nearby Bob Hope Theatre, securing a table in advance via OpenTable or arriving by 5:30 PM is strongly recommended. Getting there by public transit is straightforward: the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) Downtown Transit Center sits two blocks east at Weber Avenue and Sutter Street, and the Stockton Cabral Station (serving Amtrak San Joaquins and ACE commuter trains) is a five-minute rideshare or 15-minute walk east. Drivers will find metered street parking along North San Joaquin Street and Weber Avenue, as well as covered public parking one block south at the Market Street Garage.

The single-level ground-floor entrance on North San Joaquin Street is step-free, and the wide aisles between the industrial wood tables easily accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, with accessible restrooms located toward the rear of the dining room. Because of its central downtown location, Cast Iron Trading Co. pairs naturally with an afternoon or evening itinerary along the Stockton Channel. Within a five-to-ten-minute walk west, you can stroll through Janet Leigh Plaza, catch a classic film or touring concert at the historic 1930 Bob Hope Theatre, walk the waterfront promenade at Weber Point Events Center, or watch a Stockton Ports minor league baseball game at Banner Island Ballpark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hours at Cast Iron Trading Co. and when is live music held?

Cast Iron Trading Co. is open for lunch Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, for lunch and dinner Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Friday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and for dinner on Saturday from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM; it is closed on Sundays. Live music performances take place on Thursday and Saturday evenings.

How much does a meal cost and are reservations needed?

The restaurant falls into the moderate $$ price tier, with specialty burgers, sandwiches, and taco plates averaging $14 to $22 and craft draft beers priced between $7 and $10. Walk-ins are welcome during weekday lunch hours, but table reservations are advised on Friday nights, Saturday evenings, and nights when events are scheduled at the nearby Bob Hope Theatre or Stockton Arena.

Does Cast Iron Trading Co. accommodate vegan and gluten-free diets?

Yes, the kitchen is widely recognized across San Joaquin County for its dedicated vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free cooking. Guests can order plant-based tacos, house-made veggie patties, vegan sauces, and gluten-free buns without sacrificing flavor or portion size.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible and suitable for families?

The restaurant features a flat, step-free street entrance, spacious pathways between tables, and ADA-compliant restrooms on the main floor. Families with children are welcome during both lunch and dinner service, and the casual layout comfortably handles groups of varying sizes.

When planning your Stockton travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and american restaurant in Stockton, pair this stop with standout local spots including Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple, Best Western Plus Heritage Inn, Mezzo Ristorante, and Filipino American National Historical Society Museum (nearby).