The facility has fine views of the ocean and hills.
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Pleadwell
By Althea Engman
Jeffrey Pleadwell
Located in Ipan, Talofofo, Jeff’s Pirates Cove is an attraction popular with tourists and residents, and known for being one of the best BBQ eateries you will find anywhere, with a killer view.
The Jeff’s Pirates Cove site has always been an ancient fishing village, coconut tree plantation. Post Word War II it was called Camp Ethridge, a Navy Fleet Reserve Rehab Center for qualified aircraft carrier personnel and pilots. In 1948 Super typhoon Alyn destroyed most of the deserted camp. What was left of the place was named The Seaside Restaurant in 1948, The Steak House in 1949, Pirates Cove in 1953 and Jeff’s Pirates Cove in 1979.
The property is currently owned by the Shimizu family and is leased to Owner Jeff Pleadwell for 100 years.
At the seaside restaurant, customers can indulge in fresh fish/seafood, barbecue, Greek salads, homemade burgers, wings, cocktails, and more.
Food items range from $8 to $38, excluding platters and the kid’s menu.
Jeff’s Pirates Cove also offers a breakfast menu and Jose’s taco Tuesday.
GBM: What was the inspiration for Jeff Pirates Cove?
Pleadwell: Pirates Cove was here, and I came here when I was a teenager, surfing at Talofofo Bay. We were always refused service here because we were too young. I did attend parties here and my dad visited here occasionally. I moved from Japan in 1975 and Pirates Cove became my neighborhood watering hole.
The leasehold owner then was a very likeable guy named Jimmy Cruz. His wife Margie helped him operate an old shanty bar and restaurant. I also met the property owner, Ambros Shimizu, here at the bar and really enjoyed his company and learning the history of this landmark 20-acre property.
When Jimmy left us in 1979, I formed a corporation and purchased the building and the remaining two-year lease on the property. I did not really want to go into the restaurant business, but I felt the site could be enhanced and eventually profitable.
What I did not know was it would take 36 years to become profitable. I was inspired by the blue ocean view of many colors and of the vast size of seaside property, the channel to launch my boat, sandy beaches, cool seaside breezes, no need for air conditioning, ancient history, and excellent property owners to work with.
GBM: How would you describe Jeff Pirates Cove to someone who hasn’t been or is familiar with the restaurant?
Pleadwell: A large seaside bar and restaurant located on the rough windy southeast coast. Open air atmosphere, well maintained and clean with a seating capacity of 440. Large menu with homemade recipes created by me, my family, and staff. Mexican Taco’s, Greek Lamb Gyros, whole parrot fish, steaks, seafood, ice cold draught beers, full assortment of craft beers, full-service bar, milk shakes, smoothies, exotic tropical frozen cocktails, chicken wings, great breakfast menu items, weekend BBQ and local specials. JPC logo t-shirts, glass ware, coffee cups, kids’ attire in treasure island gift shop, filtered water and ice available. Open 365 days a year, a great party venue for any party, celebration for all occasions. A friendly place, dangerous ocean conditions, great fishing, and an historic seaside museum, as well as a Davis weather station on site.
Jeff’s Pirates Cove boasts a well-stocked bar.
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Pleadwell
GBM: What are some challenges you have faced throughout your time as a restaurant on the island?
Pleadwell: Living with nature right on the coast presents constant challenges with the constant change in weather presenting, typhoons, and tropical storms. The corrosion and rust prevention with the salt breeze is never ending. Ocean trash clean up and algae bloom cleanup is never ending, cleaning along the roadside is a daily occurrence. The power always has up and down current flux and load shedding is hurting appliances, electronics, and equipment.
The GWA water is full of rust and costs over $2,333 a month plus $350 for filters and maintenance of the $35,000 Culligan purifying system. The 5% government tax is hurting all businesses; it is too much. Finding and keeping employees is tough; many do not last because of their high expectations and their poor work ethic.
GBM: What are the most popular dishes customers order at the restaurant?
Pleadwell: The most popular items include our homemade half pound cheddar cheeseburger, tacos, fried chicken wings, New York steaks, Greek omelet, Mexican omelet, milk shakes, BBQ on weekends, seafood platter, kelaguen salads, and sashimi.
GBM: What was the impact of the pandemic on your business and what strategy did you adopt to meet the challenges of the pandemic?
Pleadwell: COVID restrictions caused a huge inconvenience and interruption of business. Even though we are open air, it took the the government seven months to figure that out and let us operate like normal.
Our employees were waiting at roadblocks to and from work. I kept all my employees and applied and received funding from PPP, LEAP, and government loans and grants. These combined saved my business from going under. The cost of everything went up because of COVID.
Now GovGuam is looking at their grants to businesses as taxable income; to me this is not acceptable. The money came to them from the Feds and now to tax the funds given out at around 20% to most business taxpayers is unacceptable.
GBM: Are there any upcoming plans for the restaurant or new things customers can expect?
Pleadwell: Since pre-COVID 19, I had plans and completed initial studies for a six story 204-room pirate themed Jeff’s Pirates Cove resort hotel with three to five restaurants. All rooms face the Pacific Ocean, and the sunrises. Rooms may be air conditioned or open air with a loft which could accommodate larger families. Unfortunately, COVID-19 stopped my cash flow and adequate revenue to continue for over four years now. I still do not have the profits to spend on anything but day-to-day operations.
The restaurant is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit jeffspiratescove.com for further information and weather updates.
Pleadwell also has a live podcast titled Hafa Hour every Sunday at 10 a.m., available for viewing on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
