SLO Delicious! SLO Restaurant Month is Here All January!

January is here, and San Luis Obispo is kicking off the year with one of its most delicious traditions - SLO Restaurant Month. While the rest of the world may be settling into post-holiday routines, SLO is just heating up, offering locals and visitors alike a month-long celebration of food, flavors, and community. And the best part? There are still 10 days left to indulge.

Here’s the deal: some of the best restaurants across SLO are rolling out creative dishes, prix fixe menus, and special pairings that showcase what makes our local food scene so unique. It’s the perfect excuse to try somewhere new, support our incredible local spots, or just give your taste buds a well-deserved treat after all those holiday leftovers.

But I’ll be honest: as much as I love the food (and I do love the food), it’s the stories that grab me. The hearts behind the paths that led this dish to your plate - that’s what makes the meal that much richer and the experience that much sweeter. And trust me, the stories behind SLO Restaurant Month are incredible.

Take Sean Corpuel from Cool Cat Café. He’s not just serving up some of the best burgers in town; he’s also showing what resilience looks like. After the Lahaina fires destroyed his Maui location, Sean and his team became the first restaurant to reopen in the area, symbolizing hope for their community. Now, he’s juggling his SLO and Pismo locations while continuing to serve up incredible food and inspiring stories.

Or how about Ben Arrona from Benny’s Pizza Palace & Social Club? During COVID, Ben took his Detroit-style pizza concept underground, slinging pies before opening his own palace of flavor and fun. Now Benny’s is a local treasure, and his SLO Restaurant Month deal will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about pizza.

And then there’s Chef Ryan Fancher. With a resume that includes culinary heavyweights like The French Laundry and Per Se, Ryan has brought his world-class expertise to SLO, elevating the game with Hotel SLO’s culinary gems like Ox & Anchor and Piadina. His SLO Restaurant Month special - a 6 oz. filet mignon with crispy frites and a bordelaise made with Herman Story’s ‘Bolt Cutter’ wine - is redefining fine dining in the region.

Adding to the magic is Feben of Ebony, SLO’s only Ethiopian restaurant and a true culinary gem. Feben’s story is one of passion and determination. From running a commercial kitchen to opening her downtown location, she’s created a space where every meal is an experience. At Ebony, food is communal - dishes like injera bread, fermented for seven days and made fresh in-house, are shared from a large platter using your hands. And then there’s their Sunday Ethiopian brunch, featuring a coffee ceremony where green beans are roasted, ground, and brewed fresh in front of you. As Feben says, “It’s not just about the coffee; it’s about the connection.”

Behind every plate is a person with a story, and it’s those stories that make the flavors that much richer and the experience that much more unforgettable. These are just a few of the many touching and inspiring stories behind the restaurants participating in SLO Restaurant Month. Every visit is a chance to savor not just the food but the passion and creativity of the people who make it all happen.

A huge thank you to the City of San Luis Obispo for championing this incredible event and for helping our local food scene thrive. I’m so proud to partner with the city to tell these stories and highlight the magic behind the menus.

Throughout the month, I’ll be diving deep into these stories on Up+Adam. You’ll hear from the chefs behind the magic, the owners who keep these places alive, and maybe even get some insider tips on what to order. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the passion, creativity, and community that make SLO’s dining scene one of a kind.

So, whether you’re a self-proclaimed foodie or someone who just appreciates a damn good burger, SLO Restaurant Month has something for you. Check out the participating restaurants, plan your food tour, and make it a point to support local. And hey, while you’re at it, let me know what your favorites are - I’m always down to add to my list.

Cheers to the magic of SLO Restaurant Month, where every bite tells a story, and every visit makes a difference.

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