A view from the restaurant’s second story. Photography by Skye Pratt.
Restaurant and bar offers gourmet yet approachable American fare
–The original idea behind Eureka! was, “approachable gourmet.” Since their original location in Redlands Calif., Eureka! has stayed true to their promise of consistently providing fresh, epicurean creations whilst allowing each of the 17 individual locations to adapt and evolve.
Some things are just meant to be
“The story behind our San Luis Obispo location is a funny one,” said Co-CEO and Co-Owner Paul Frederick. Frederick said that he stopped by San Luis Obispo on a trip through the state, and parked right outside a beautiful, spacious restaurant space available located in a prime location of downtown San Luis Obispo. “I’ve always loved San Luis Obispo,” said Frederick, who is originally from the nearby Central Valley. At that time, San Luis Obispo was not a planned location, but some things are simply meant to be. “The owner said that the listing had only been up five days in the last 80 years,” said Frederick.
The Fresno Fig Burger is one of their most popular burgers, paired here with sweet potato fries.
San Luis Obispo turned out to be a perfect fit for the unique bar and eatery; it’s a favorite of tourists and locals alike. Frederick says that San Luis Obispo is what’s known as a, “discovery market,” which typically describes a town or city, often near a university, sometimes with a blossoming tech scene, where new, fresh ideas are tried out. “It’s kinda fitting with our name being, ‘Eureka!’” said Frederick.
Diners and drinkers will find quite the bang for their buck at Eureka!. Unlike many upscale establishments, it serves up handcrafted, adventurous, gourmet offerings at approachable prices, all without any stuck-up attitude. The restaurant has an upbeat yet casual atmosphere with handpicked music, televised sports, and fun weekly events.
Eureka first began in the depths of the recession in 2009, so the experience that they crafted had to be value-driven from the get-go. They describe the Eureka experience as “eatertainment.”
Fine food and unique spirits
Eureka has a rotating menu, but some favorites are likely never budging. One of their most popular burgers is their Fresno Fig Burger, topped with fig marmalade, melted goat cheese, bacon, tomato, red onion, fresh arugula and finished with a spicy porter mustard. “It’s our most popular burger,” says General Manager Jeremy Stemen. Try the Truffle Cheese Fries, which come topped with truffle salt, cheese, green onion, and a white truffle cheese sauce so divine you’ll dream about it later. “It’s our most requested sauce,” said Stemen.
Bartender Cameron Alarco pours a beer from one of the many taps.
A trip behind the scenes with Stemen revealed a stash of small-production liquors. The kinda places that Eureka! sources from produce sometimes as little as 20,000 bottles per year – compare that with super producers such as Jack Daniels, who is pumping out 50,000 bottles per day. They are liquors you are not likely to find anywhere else, some are even specially made for Eureka!. The beer and wine list also showcases small-batch breweries and wineries, and at the San Luis Obispo location, much of the wine and beer available is made right here in SLO County.
Discover Eureka! for yourself at 1141 Chorro St, in downtown San Luis Obispo. They are open Sunday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information call (805) 903-1141 or visit www.eurekarestaurantgroup.com.
–Skye Pratt
