Olive pit was 9900/45/4 but it was mostly about how to propagate olives from an olive pit soooooooo

Located at the northern end of California’s Central Valley is Corning, once known as “the Olive Capital of the World”. Here you will find the Olive Pit, which for 58 years has sold locally grown olives, olive oil, wine and more in their family-owned diner – offering locals and travelers a taste of Tehama County. 

Olive Pit: Building a future on Corning’s olive legacy

In agriculture and business, staying ahead of the game is one of the keys to success – and something that Pete and Ann Craig had in mind when, back in 1967, they bought a small piece of land in what might have seemed like the middle of nowhere. Then, Corning was known for one thing – olives. But the Craigs were betting that the soon-to-be-completed Interstate 5 would bring plenty of traffic to the quiet agricultural area. Initially, the Olive Pit served burgers and shakes to hungry travelers. On a whim, the Craigs decided to stock a shelf with a few small jars of olives grown at their family’s nearby orchard. When their olives flew off the shelf, they realized they had an opportunity to share the region’s bounty with travelers driving up and down the interstate.

Today, the Olive Pit incorporates olives and other local produce into their menu and has expanded their retail offerings to include olives, olive oil, wine, nuts, and more. And not only has the Olive Pit become a beloved Tehama County restaurant – but the Craig family is Corning’s largest retailer of olives and olive oil.

California Grown goodness to order – and buy – at Olive Pit

Obviously, you’re going to fill your basket with all things olive, but here are some of the can’t-miss classics you need to try at Olive Pit. 

Muffuletta Sandwich 

James Boeldt, who part of the Craig family and the Olive Pit team, shares that the Muffuletta Sandwich is the most popular menu item. They’ve given the New Orleans classic a California spin – using local olives, olive oil and vegetables in the sandwich’s signature olive salad.

Bacon Jam Burger

If you’re craving a burger, you’ll find plenty of options on Olive Pit’s menu. We suggest the Bacon Jam Burger – the sweet, salty and spicy jam is made in-house!

Lemon Olive Oil Milkshake

It’s always a good idea to wash down your main dish with a milkshake. Olive Pit’s Lemon Olive Oil Milkshake is hard to beat. Olive oil and sharp citrus mingle to create a silky, not-too-sweet shake that’s utterly irresistible.

Duet Olive Oil

If you’ve made the trek to Olive Pit, you’ll want to stock up on Corning’s famous olives and olive oil! Duet Olive Oil, made with a mix of Arbequina and Arbosana olives, boasts a unique flavor profile with notes of tropical fruit, nuts – and even fresh artichokes. Duet Olive Oil is an excellent choice for salads and grilled meats.  

Almond Stuffed Olives

California leads the nation in both almond AND olive production, and Olive Pit’s Almond Stuffed Olives offer an authentic taste of the Golden State. Warning: the nutty crunch and briny brilliance are a craveworthy combo. You probably ought to buy more than one jar. 

Hot Pepper Bacon Jam

Made with roasted red peppers, jalapenos and bacon, Olive Pit’s Hot Pepper Bacon Jam is a salty, spicy and subtly sweet sonata. If you ordered the Bacon Jam Burger, buying this beauty is a total no-brainer. You’ll definitely want to recreate that masterpiece at home! 

California Wines

The Olive Pit offers a carefully curated selection of California wines – ranging from well-known brands like Rombauer to smaller Anderson Valley producers like Husch. It’s never a bad idea to grab a bottle of California wine to enjoy once you reach your destination!

Choose California Grown olives and olive oil

Choosing California Grown produce and products not only helps to support small farmers and the local economy – but it’s also a delicious choice. James encourages consumers to seek out California olives and olive oil. He invites you to “shop” in to Olive Pit to stock up on California-grown goodness, noting, “Corning is the Olive Capital of the USA and the Olive Pit has all the local oils you could want.”

Visit Olive Pit

2156 Solano Street, Corning, CA 96021

(800) 654-8374 

Open daily from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Visiting Tehama County? Don’t miss these nearby farms and wineries!

The Central Valley is known for agricultural abundance, and Tehama County is no exception. If you’re visiting the area, add agritourism to your itinerary and check out a few of our favorite farms, farm stands and wineries!

Article by Hilary Rance. Photography by James Collier.