Dino's Could Reopen Wednesday After Kitchen Fire Tuesday

Updated 1:30 pm

A fry vat caught fire at Dino's Restaurant Tuesday morning but the blaze was so minor that normal service could resume in time for lunch on Wednesday, according to floor manager Wanda Larsen.

The incident at the Castro Valley Boulevard landmark occurred before 11 am Tuesday when a cook came back to find the deep fryer on fire.

Larsen said there was some hesitation about using the fire extinguisher because it was a grease fire and so firefighters were called.

But she said kitchen staff ended up using the extinguisher to douse the flames even before firefighters arrived.

Larsen said firefighters checked the roof to make sure there were no hotspots. 

Before Dino's can reopen the flue above the fry vat must be cleaned and inspected by county health and fire officials.

Larsen said a crew will clean the flue today. The restaurant has appointments with the inspectors for Wednesday morning.

If that schedule hold, Dino's would be open in time for lunch.

To be sure, call ahead at 510-537-1454.

Meanwhile, the bar remains open.

Please leave your recollections and stories about Dino's below.