Sonoma County Fair favorite Spaghetti Palace closes after nearly 50 years

Sonoma County Fair goers may have noticed a longtime favorite food booth missing this year near the entrance to the Hall of Flowers.

Spaghetti Palace had served what affectionately became known as “fair spaghetti,” a plate of spaghetti with pesto, marinara or half of each with a piece of garlic bread. It drew generations of pasta-lovers to the fair in Santa Rosa each year.

It was never a different noodle or a different sauce; it was the same every year since the 1970s — and pasta aficionados ate it up.

The beloved fair booth started out as a United Lodges, Sons of Italy project before Art Ibleto, who became known far and wide as “The Pasta King,” and his family acquired it. He founded Ibleto Meats in Cotati and ultimately a catering company that bore his nickname.

But following his death in 2020, and the death of his wife, Victoria, in 2019, the couple’s children Mark and Annette Ibleto decided it was time for at least Spaghetti Palace to close for good.

“We’re (Pasta King) still doing everything as normal, but the only thing we’re not doing is the booth at the fair,” Ibleto told The Press Democrat.

Matt Daly, chief operating officer of the Sonoma County Fair, said Spaghetti Palace had quite a legacy and it will be missed.

“It was just a business decision (the owners) made that they couldn’t keep it going,” he said.

“We do feel its loss and there’s a loss in our community for the people that loved it, and we’ll never replace it.”

Spaghetti Palace’s booth was demolished this spring as it had deteriorated amid years of sitting idle during the pandemic and after Ibleto’s death. Temporary concession stands now sit in its place.

Every year, the family and staff working Spaghetti Palace would hear how “fair spaghetti” was many people’s sole reason for attending the fair. Generations of families would bring their kids and delight in the famed dish.

“It flew out as quick as we could make it,” Annette Ibleto said. “We would cook it and serve it, cook it and serve it.”

But while Spaghetti Palace has closed once and for all, pasta lovers can still get “fair spaghetti” anytime upon request from Pasta King as a party tray order.

Annette Ibleto said they will also serve “fair spaghetti” at farmers markets in the area during the two-week county fair, as well as occasionally at other local events and festivals throughout the year.

The next chance to get a taste of Spaghetti Palace’s legacy will be this week’s Wednesday Night Market in downtown Santa Rosa and Thursday at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market.

You can reach Staff Writer Sara Edwards at 707-521-5487 or sara.edwards@pressdemocrat. com. On Twitter @sedwards380.