Stories by The Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

San Luis Obispo County is seeing a surge of new restaurants and retail businesses in 2025. Paso Robles now has a new Sylvester’s Burgers, which also keeps popular vegan options from Ziggy’s on its menu. SLO Ranch Farms is transforming with six local businesses, including Plant Ivy, a vegetarian eatery, and Baby Bear Biscuits serving southern comfort food.

Coffee is also in the spotlight, with Joebella Coffee Roasters opening in a converted gas station near downtown SLO and Dutch Bros Coffee launching its third county location in Atascadero. These openings add fresh energy and diverse menus to neighborhoods across the county.

Joebella Coffee Roasters is open on Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo, at the former Ascendo location, seen here Dec. 31, 2024.

NO. 1: NEW COFFEE SHOP TAKES OVER CONVERTED GAS STATION NEAR DOWNTOWN SLO. WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

Barista Haley Duffy, pours a mocha at Twenty South, a new cafe in the San Luis Obispo Public Market. By Hannah Poukish

NO. 2: SLO PUBLIC MARKET JUST ADDED NEW CAFE WITH ‘AMAZING COFFEE.’ COCKTAILS ARE NEXT, OWNER SAYS

The smoked tri-tip sandwich as Savory Smoke is cooked low and slow in a smoke box and then thinly sliced deli-style onto sandwich buns.

NO. 3: NEW SLO COUNTY BARBECUE JOINT OFFERS A TASTE OF MEMPHIS. HERE’S WHAT’S ON THE MENU

The restaurant goes light on sauce and big on flavor, one owner said. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Poukish

Three Cambria Cafe chicken enchiladas are draped with a dark, rich, housemade mole sauce that’s both slightly sweet and spicy. By Kathe Tanner

NO. 4: LOCAL FAMILY BRINGS NEW MENU, ENERGY TO LONGTIME SLO COUNTY CAFE. HERE’S A LOOK

The new offerings range from Mexican favorites like chilaquiles and quesabirria to burgers and sandwiches. | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kathe Tanner

G.E. Hendricks Bar & Lounge is in the process of opening next door to Bill’s Place in the Arroyo Grande Village, pictured here Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. Bill’s Place owner said the new lounge is named for his grandfather, who opened Bill’s Place in 1933. By Joan Lynch

NO. 5: NEW PROHIBITION-INSPIRED COCKTAIL LOUNGE TO OPEN IN SLO COUNTY. HERE’S A LOOK

The cocktail lounge will feature hidden passages, sit-down reservations and a new menu. | Published February 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joan Lynch

SLO Ranch Farms has six new businesses opening soon. Paso Mesa Pizza and Vintage Cheese Co. have signage, but are under construction. By Laura Dickinson

NO. 6: WHAT’S COMING TO SLO RANCH FARMS? SEE INSIDE 6 NEW RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES SET TO OPEN

The development is fast adding new businesses to its lineup, from a well-known local pizza chain to a specialty cheese spot. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Leila Touati

Dutch Bros Coffee opened in Atascadero in the Food 4 Less shopping center on March 10, 2025. By David Middlecamp

NO. 7: DUTCH BROS COFFEE JUST OPENED NEW SLO COUNTY LOCATION. GET A LOOK INSIDE

The new store is the chain’s third location in San Luis Obispo County. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chloe Shrager

Sylvester’s Burgers, a longtime local burger joint, opened a fourth SLO County restaurant on April 1, 2025, located at 1227 Pine St. in Paso Robles.

NO. 8: SYLVESTER’S BURGERS JUST OPENED A NEW SLO COUNTY RESTAURANT — WITH A TWIST

The new spot marks the fourth location for the iconic San Luis Obispo County brand. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sadie Dittenber

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

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