Good news, F. McLintocks fans! Former employee plans to open new restaurant in closed spot

A new restaurant is opening up in place of the closed F. McLintocks in Arroyo Grande.

The owner? A former employee of the beloved local chain.

Victor Albarran worked for 29 years at F. McLintocks in Shell Beach before being let go when the Shell Beach location closed this fall, he told The Tribune on Wednesday.

“I started washing dishes and I worked at every single position,” Albarran said. “The kitchen, kitchen manager, the bread room, butcher. So I know everything back of the house.”

After the Shell Beach and San Luis Obispo locations closed in October, Albarran decided to take his institutional knowledge and apply to take over the lease for the chain’s other former location at 133 Bridge Street in Arroyo Grande.

The Arroyo Grande restaurant closed in March.

Its landlord of 40 years, Coker Ellsworth, said he chose Albarran to take over the space due to his “hard work” and the “family-run business” aspect.

“I had a couple other applicants, but I‘d seen him work through the years, and really, I just wanted to give him the opportunity because that’s his dream to own his own restaurant,” Ellsworth said. “You know, somebody that’s started out washing dishes with McLintocks and now has an opportunity for he and his family to own his own business is pretty neat.”

What’s on the menu at new Arroyo Grande restaurant?

The new restaurant will be called Vix Creek Saloon, and will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Albarran said.

The menu will include a traditional “American breakfast” while lunch and dinner will have mostly the same dishes as its predecessor — tri tip, salads and garlic bread.

As of Wednesday, the space was undergoing renovations to transform it into the new restaurant, Albarran said.

Luckily all of the furniture and equipment left inside of the restaurant after F. Mclintock’s closed earlier this year was given to Albarran by the former management, he said.

Ultimately, he was aiming for a January opening, he added.

When that happens, it will be the culmination of a lifelong dream.

“That’s my dream,” Albarran said. “For many, many years, I wanted to open my restaurant. So this time having a good opportunity, the owners from McLintocks gave me a lot of support ... I’m really excited.”

This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 3:40 PM.