F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House - Shell Beach

Residing on the north side of US 101, McLintocks is very popular with tourists and locals alike. They have been voted the county's best steak for over 10 years straight. It is one of the top ten independent restaurants in California, and one of the top 100 in the U.S.

    Originally the home, ranch and saloon of O.T. Buck, "King of the Pismo Beach Bootleggers," it was purchased by Mattie Smyer in 1935. Mattie had come to California from Texas (on a motorcycle) in 1917 and arrived in Pismo Beach in 1924. Well liked by everyone and a head for business, she operated a small restaurant on Cypress Street in downtown Pismo, but was looking to expand. When Mattie's opened, it and Plessas Tavern (which operated into the 1980s, now Guiseppe's Italian Restaurant) were the only restaurants in Pismo. Mattie's was very popular and very successful, while, rumors have it, continuing bootlegging (rum running was very popular in Pismo and nearby Pirates Cove. Local rumor is that there was, at one time, tunnels running under Shell Beach from Mattie's to the cliffs near Ocean Park to bring the rum in) and also as a madame, one of many in the history of Pismo Beach. Being a ranch, Mattie's was set well back from then US 101 (now Shell Beach Road), and in 1964, when 101 was upgraded to a freeway, it passed through Mattie's property and was given it's own road and exit signs on the freeway. McLintocks resides at 750 Mattie Road.
    In 1973,  Bruce Breault and Tunny Ortali purchased the restaurant from Mattie Smyer. The doors opened on October 1, and 89 dinners were served the first night. Now, that number can be as high as 1800.
    This ad is from the 1959 Pacific Telephone phone book. If you look closely, you can notice that the four windows behind the cowboy in the current photo are the same as in the illustration, including the steps leading up to the building. The "Mattie's Fine Food" sign is still at McLintocks. The "Mattie's" is underneath the Hungry Horse Flats deck in the rear, and the "Fine Food" is hanging above the kid's play area.

O.T. Bucks, before there were houses in Shell Beach.

Mattie's in the 1930's. The road in front is US 101.

The sign, very visible from US 101, includes the words "Immediate Seating". They don't get lit very often.

All dinners come with onion rings and salsa, salad, pan-fried potatoes, McLintock's own beans, garlic bread and an after dinner liquer or ice cream. All steaks are prepared in McLintocks kitchen. If you go away hungry, it's your own fault.
McLintocks is also known for pouring ice water from three feet above (even blindfolded if asked), busboys who break a table in less than a minute, waitresses in denim miniskirts, and for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries with singing, strawberry shortcake, and a Polaroid picture of the victim. Many end up on walls, along with numerous business cards.

There is also a gift shop and butcher shop at the restaurant.

The waiting room. Friday and Saturday are waiting only - no reservations. Expect at least a 45 minute delay, and probably a five minute walk along Mattie Road to get from your car. Pick up a deck of cards and grab a drink from the saloon.

Hungry Horse Flats banquet area. The old "Mattie's" sign is under this deck.

Collection of license plates along the back wall of Hungry Horse Flats.

The view of US 101, Shell Beach and the Pacific Ocean from McLintocks.

Go to McLintocks Page 2.