Page 75 - SLO Visitors Guide Summer 2023

Templeton
Pig Iron redefines Templeton Main Street with California comfort food
Restaurant’s
modern, hip vibe opened a new chapter in Templeton Main Street history
When Taylor Odenwald was working his first job as a teenager at AJ Spurs in Templeton, he joked that one day he was going to own the place. Life has a way of working out and, in this case it cer- tainly did in a big way. In late 2020, Odenwald convinced four friends to purchase the historic building
at 508 Main Street that formerly housed AJ Spurs. The five owners set about bringing a fresh, modern concept to Templeton’s Main Street while restoring the historical value of the building.
The first step in this project, Pig Iron, serves up California comfort food, local beer and wine, and handcrafted cocktails by award- winning bartender Jose Sanchez, formerly of Sidecar in San Luis Obispo. The head chef, Marleigh Dunlap, hails from Southern California where she worked at ac- claimed restaurants such as Bestia in downtown Los Angeles, and brings a fresh and fun approach to a seasonal menu that focuses on
all things pork, but offers delicious options for everyone.
Pig Iron boasts a full coffee/ espresso bar to complement their all-weekend long brunch, and a menu that includes fan favorites such as their melt in your mouth oak smoked tri-tip sandwich with house made barbecue sauce on lo- cally baked bread, and an unfor- gettable slow braised pork shank with apple bacon jam over Rancho Gordo vaquero beans served with a jalapeno cheddar cornbread muffin and honey butter (their spin on Pork and Beans). Seasonal offerings like the stone fruit Caprese nods to the classic with heirloom tomatoes, burrata cheese, and pistachio pesto,
and features rotating stone fruits throughout the spring and summer
depending on what’s being locally harvested. The menu highlights ingredients from local artisans and growers including Mighty Cap mushrooms, Templeton Valley Farm produce, Etto pasta, Spear- head coffee beans, and Backporch Bakery bread. A curated selection of local goods are also sold in the darling mercantile.
The future of history
The ownership team includes local contractors Odenwald and Wyatt Ayers and is rounded out by Seth Roberts, a professional artist, Jeremy Limpic, a marketing technology professional, and Joe Daniels, a journeyman machinist. From the start, the team’s vision was to bring the Templeton Mer- cantile back to life.
“One of the biggest motivations
Demeter Family Cellars is a family-owned Micro winery & tasting room. Located 5 miles east of Hwy 101 off Hwy 41 in the beautiful countryside above Atascadero. Stop by and visit James and Diane in the mid-century modern tasting room & try some of the award-winning wines, & choose some music from over 500 vinyl records.
6990 Kingsbury Rd. Templeton, CA. 93465 • 805-712-0002 • demeterfamilycellars.com
OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11:00 to 5:00 or by appointment
Santa Maria Style BBQ
Special Occasion?
We Cater!
Homemade Sides & Salads
390 Main St., Templeton, CA
(805) 434-2345
slovisitorsguide.com
SUMMER 2023 75
Summer wine sale!
Up to 40% off!