Spirit of Paso Robles at the golf course, for fresh food and old-fashioned hospitality

A favorite of so many regulars for a reason

—The Spirit of Paso Robles at River Oaks Golf Course has only been open since 2024, but it’s already a favorite for locals. Good food, good views of the golf course, and good prices. What’s not to like? Co-owner Mike Stanton attributes the restaurant’s popularity to his and wife Ellen’s philosophy of “simple food, done well.”

For nearly four decades, the Stantons have been fixtures in the Central Coast restaurant scene. Mike Stanton began in 1986 at F. McLintock’s in downtown San Luis Obispo. Ellen opened a popular deli in 1989, just before meeting Mike. They ran it together for 28 years and also opened another restaurant. On top of that, in 2009, Mike started managing the San Luis Obispo Country Club. They thought they might slow down or retire, but the allure of owning the Spirit of San Luis at the airport forced them to press pause on that dream and start a new one. They bought the Spirit of San Luis in 2017, and thanks to a fresh menu and interior, it’s been a favorite for locals ever since.

Last year, they opened Spirit of Paso Robles at the golf course. Managed by Mike, locals love it because of the fresh food and the old-fashioned sense of hospitality. Mike explains, “We’re proud of the fact that we take good care of people. We have so many regulars for a reason. We see them coming in, and they like the same table every time. So, we get them that table. Whatever it is, we take care of it for people.”

‘Simple food done well’

So, what’s the most popular thing on the menu? Mike replied, “Probably the Cowboy Cuban Sandwich. It’s our take on the Cubano—Cuban sandwich. A true Cubano has ham, roasted pork, and Swiss cheese. Ours is smoked brisket, smoked pulled pork, Swiss cheese, and mustard. We call it the Paso Cowboy version of a Cubano. Also, our smash burger is spot-on.”

The same hospitality extends to large groups. “We’re comfortable with putting tables together and serving groups of 8,10, 12 people. We never charge for a large group.” The restaurant regularly hosts book clubs, bridge clubs, and car clubs—and provides separate checks when asked. Stanton insists that they don’t mind because it’s part of that old-fashioned sense of hospitality.

The Stantons emphasize keeping the prices reasonable, but also keeping the quality high. He says, “We refer to it as simple food done well. It’s not fancy food. It’s not gourmet, but it’s honest food, and it’s excellent.”

“What sets our restaurants apart is that they’re local places,” Mike explains. “Even our location at the San Luis airport is for locals. We’ve created spaces where people can come, enjoy excellent food, and feel at home.” Ellen manages Spirit of San Luis.

Both restaurants feature free convenient parking, a relaxed atmosphere, and menus that highlight scratch-made dishes crafted from top-tier ingredients. Certified Angus beef, in-house smoked meats (an 18-hour process), fresh dressings, and homemade barbecue sauces are just a few examples of the care that goes into every meal.

Spirit of Paso Robles is located at 700 Clubhouse Dr., Paso Robles. For hours, reservations, or more information, visit spiritofpasorobles.com or call (805) 257-8003. For more information about Spirit of San Luis Obispo, visit thespiritofslo.com.

—Karen Lycan