F. McLintocks Saloon and Dining House — the landmark restaurant in Pismo Beach known for its giant steaks, ocean views and waiters who poured water into glasses from pitchers high above diners’ heads — has closed after 51 years.
The steakhouse, which once ranked as the nation’s 30th most-profitable restaurant in its heyday in 1993, closed permanently Sunday after five decades in Shell Beach, according to a sign posted in the restaurant’s window.
“It is with great sadness that after 51 great years we announce F. Mclintocks has closed its doors,” the sign read. “Thank you for your many years of support.”
On Tuesday, employees came and went from the restaurant, picking up final checks. But none wanted to comment on the closure.
Famed Pismo Beach Steakhouse Opened in 1973
Widely known for its cowboy statue and red neon signage near Pismo Beach City Hall on the east side of Highway 101, McLintocks opened in 1973 and quickly became a local favorite that drew in high-profile guests.
McLintocks’ was launched by co-founders Bruce Breault and Tunny Ortali, who purchased Matties, a 100-year-old farmhouse restaurant on Highway 101 in Shell Beach, and renovated it, turning it into a saloon-themed dining space.
A second San Luis Obispo location would follow in 1975, along with a line of retail food products.
McLintocks then expanded into Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande, reaching a total of four locations across San Luis Obispo County.
However, recent years have seen the San Luis Obispo County brand’s footprint shrink, with the Paso Robles location closing in 2020 after a 23-year run and the Arroyo Grande location closing earlier this year after 40 years.
The downtown San Luis Obispo location appeared closed Tuesday, though no sign was posted on the window regarding why.
That spot is perhaps best known for its boisterous barbecue during the Farmers Market on Thursday nights. It has been a staple of the market since its beginning in the 1980s.
During what should have been regular business hours on Tuesday, however, the front door to the Higuera Street business was locked.
Lights were on inside the space, but there did not appear to be any workers present, and the business’s phone line was disconnected as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Tribune reached out to the owners of McLintocks for comment but did not receive a reply as of Tuesday afternoon.
SLO Chamber of Commerce CEO Jim Dantona told The Tribune he had not heard anything about a potential closure of the downtown McLintocks location.
”I hope that it’s not,” he said.