Page 69 - SLO Visitors Guide - Spring 2026

slovisitorsguide.com SPRING 2026 69
Templeton
Special Special
Occasion? Occasion?
We Cater! We Cater!
390 Main St., 390 Main St.,
Templeton, CA Templeton, CA
( (805 805) ) 434-2345 434-2345
Santa Maria Santa Maria
Style BBQ Style BBQ
Homemade Sides Homemade Sides
& Salads & Salads
Local legacy, McPhee’s Grill,
is a Central Coast classic
McPhee’s Grill chef-owner
Ian McPhee and his wife,
June, have been serving custom-
ers in their downtown Templeton
restaurant since 1994. McPhee
attributes his success in reaching
this milestone to the growth of the
surrounding wine country, tourism,
and the loyalty of his local custom-
ers. McPhee recalls that when the
couple first opened their restaurant,
there were about 20 wineries in the
surrounding area; today, more than
250 fill the countryside.
Start with a basket of bread and
a pickled vegetable plate, and add
extra starters such as warm goat
cheese and roasted garlic on olive
oil toast, crispy tempura shrimp, or
kung fu pork baby back ribs with
secret Asian BBQ sauce.
The menu offers soups, salads,
and delicious entrees, including
USDA Prime top sirloin, filet mi-
gnon with wild mushroom sauce,
macadamia nut- and panko-crusted
halibut, burgers, chicken, and more.
There is a choice of desserts to top
off each perfect meal. Check out
the menu on the restaurant website
www.mcpheesgrill.com.
Over four decades of family,
community, and fine dining
After operating Ian’s Restau-
rant in Cambria for 10 years,
the McPhees and their partners
purchased the current build-
ing in Templeton, spent four
months remodeling the build-
ing, and opened McPhee’s Grill.
Family-owned and operated, the
restaurant has employed all four
of the couple’s children, with two
still working there today.
“We have customers from the
first week we opened our restaurant
in Cambria in 1983 who still come to
our restaurant in Templeton regularly
to this day, “ McPhee said. “It’s an
amazing thing. We love being sup-
ported by the community. It’s truly
the most rewarding part of my job.”
Over the years, McPhee’s menu
has maintained house favorites while
seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients
inspire a revolving selection of new
menu items. “This is not a job to
me – it’s part of my life and lifestyle,”
McPhee said. “I am so happy to be
here, and I love what I do.”
“The dining experience here, at
McPhee’s Grill, is due to the talented
and caring staff,” said McPhee. “The
creativity and hard work from kitchen
to table, and welcoming patrons, is
what keeps people coming back!”
McPhee’s Grill is located at 416
Main Street in Templeton. Dinner is
served Wednesday-Sunday beginning
at 5 p.m. Reservations recommended.
For more information, call (805)
434-3204 or visit mcpheesgrill.com.
A Templeton
tradition for great
food and service
‘I’m happy to be here, and love what I do,’ Chef Ian McPhee.