F. McLintocks abruptly closes Arroyo Grande saloon. ‘That was our go-to place’

F. McLintocks Saloon in Arroyo Grande abruptly shut down this week — devastating longtime fans of the iconic restaurant.

“After over 40 years of service, we are sad to say we closed the doors to our Arroyo Grande McLintocks Saloon,” its parent company announced on Instagram on Wednesday night.

The restaurant — part of a family-owned Central Coast group — would have celebrated its 40th anniversary May 1.

“We appreciate and thank you all for your support and patronage over the years,” the post said. “We are sad to see this location go. However, we look forward to serving you at one of our other F. McLintocks locations and Thursday night farmers market.”

The restaurant chain’s other locations in Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo will remain open, according to the post.

News of the sudden closure saddened many who took to social media to share their memories of the establishment.

“So sad!! That was the place to go back in the 90’s!” one commenter said on Instagram. “Lines out the door.”

“That was our go-to place for so many years,” another said. “Stood in line to get in.”

A few mentioned that friends who worked there had apparently gotten no advance notice of the closure.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Arroyo Grande restaurant at 133 Bridge Street was closed up, with the doors locked and the business’ animal trophies moved from the walls down to the tables. No closure notice was posted on the door.

Why did iconic Arroyo Grande restaurant close?

Multiple attempts to get further comment from F. McLintocks representatives were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Calls made to the San Luis Obispo McLintocks during its normal open hours went unanswered, and the voicemail box was full. Nobody on duty at the Shell Beach saloon and restaurant Wednesday night was authorized to speak about the Arroyo Grande closure.

Owner Toney Breault and vice president Jay Britton did not respond to multiple Tribune requests for comment as of Thursday morning.

Britton did share some information on the “Up & Adam” podcast by Adam Monteil on Wednesday.

During a segment, Britton said sales impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic closures, escalating costs of operation and along nearby bridge construction project, which limited access to the restaurant’s parking lot, all played a minor role in the decision to close the restaurant.

Ultimately, however, the company wanted to strengthen the position of its other F. McLintocks restaurants and businesses, and to focus on the upcoming national release of a new McLintocks product: its well-known beans, he said.

First McLintocks opened in Shell Beach in 1973

Breault’s father, Bruce Breault and Tunny Ortali opened the first McLintocks Saloon & Dining Hall in Shell Beach in 1973. It specializes in steaks, barbecue and meals served family style.

The company opened restaurants in San Luis Obispo in 1975 and Arroyo Grande in 1984.

As it rose to popularity, the business has also faced its share of trials over the years.

After 23 years of serving barbecue and more in a Paso Robles location, McLintocks closed that location in 2020 saying the pandemic had doomed the business there.

In 2023, the downtown San Luis Obispo spot had to temporarily shutter for a month after the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control suspended its license due to “multiple violations, including operating a disorderly house.”

The company also owns Frank’s Famous Hot Dogs and Buffalo Pub & Grill in San Luis Obispo.