Guesthouse Grill

Offering hometown hospitality and great food since 2008 Guest House Grill see you at | Guest House Grill

If you know Atascadero, you know Guest House Grill. As a local favorite, diners have been enjoying the vast menu offerings and hometown ambiance of this restaurant since 2008.

“We really do have something for everyone,” Owner Eric Peterson said. “Guest House Grill is that neighborhood restaurant with great food – it’s that comforting, local dinner house.” As one of the longest running restaurants in Atascadero, and a favorite gathering spot, chances are you’ll see a neighbor or coworker dining at a table nearby.

“Everybody seems to know each other when they visit – the teachers, the principals, the police chief, the firefighters, cashiers – you are almost guaranteed to see someone you know when you come to Guest House,” Peterson said.

SENIOR PROJECT BECOMES FAMILY BUSINESS Guest House Grill came to fruition when Peterson partnered with his close friend and former roommate, Trevor LaSalle. The two had worked together at AJ Spur’s as bussers. Peterson later became a server and manager, and continued working and gaining experience as he put himself through Cal Poly SLO to earn a degree in business finance. As graduation day loomed near, he started thinking about his senior project.

“The instructors always said, ‘Do what you know’ and, at that time, I had been in the restaurant industry for about five years,” Peterson said. “I approached Trevor and said, ‘Hey, let’s try opening a restaurant’ and he helped me put it all together. So far, it’s worked out pretty well.”

Their partnership also resulted in an Oregon restaurant in 2016, the purchase of Country Touch Café in 2017, Street Side Atascadero in 2016, and Street Side Paso in 2018. Although they are no longer partners in Guest House or Country Touch, and they sold the Oregon restaurant, they maintain a partnership in the two Street Side establishments.

“Everyone thinks we are brothers, but Trevor and I are just great friends and business partners,” Peterson said. “It’s been busy, but it’s a lot of fun!” Peterson has also partnered with Colin Weyrick to purchase the former By Meagan Friberg Nino’s in Templeton, now called Jack’s, and a new restaurant at the River Oaks Golf Club named Comfort, now open. In addition, he has purchased Touch of Paso from his grandmother to add to his portfolio of restaurants.

“My first jobs were dishwashing at Touch of Paso and Country Touch Café with grandma,” he said. “So, it’s kind of cool for me to be able to take them over and keep them in the family; it’s like a dream come true.” A dedication to hard work, quality, service to others, and family is apparent. Corporate Chef Jose Estrada helps run all of the kitchens, Michael Romero is the corporate manager, and Kias Porter is the Guest House Grill manager. Peterson’s sister, Lacie, manages the books; his dad, Michael, is the head of maintenance; his mom, Debbie, hostesses at Touch of Paso, and his wife, Amy, is a waitress at Guest House.

“It’s a true family business,” Peterson said before jokingly adding, “and when my four-year-old is big enough we’ll have him washing dishes!”

SERVING UP HOME COOKING Known for its steak dinners, Guest House offers daily specials such as the All You Can Eat Spaghetti Buffet on Mondays and Steak and Lobster on Sundays. The plentiful lunch and dinner offerings include the unique and top-selling Coriander Crusted Chicken with raspberry cream sauce…yum!

“We know we are not the most high-range restaurant in the area, but we offer comfortable, hearty options of home cooked style food and that hometown feel,” Peterson said.

And the staff? Peterson takes pride in celebrating the fact that most have been there for many years offering, with three staff members onboard since day one.

“They have gotten to know our guests, and our customers love coming in to see a familiar face,” Peterson said. “Our staff is friendly, welcoming, and non-pretentious. We always have a full team, with lots of hands on deck – bussers, bartender, hostess, multiple servers, manager, cooks – to ensure our customers are getting the attention they deserve.”

Looking to the future, Peterson has plans to revamp the restaurant with new paint and artwork as well as extend the bar, and redo the booths, chairs, and tables.

“We’re going to give it a modern edge but we aren’t going to change it so much that it seems like a different restaurant,” he said. “It will still feel like Guesthouse Grill, only better.” Call Guest House Grill today, for takeout, and make reservations for your next meal out. Call ahead for reservations or take-out orders at 805-460-0193. See guesthousegrill. com for hours and menu.

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