I always thought being a food journalist or blogger would be the most amazing job. While I ultimately decided to go a different direction career wise, I am still a total “foodie” and always have been, and most of my trips, gatherings, parties, and outings are pretty much centered around food. It’s not just about the actual food either; it’s about everything - from the atmosphere, to the service, to the flavors and smells, to the music playing in the background. I am fascinated by all that goes into turning mere sustenance into an all-out experience.
When I met Garrett, I’m sure he thought I was a little off my rocker for all of this. My near obsession with pasta, my “ooh” and “aah” sound effects while enjoying my meals, and my enthusiasm for trying new foods and restaurants was probably a lot to take in, but somewhere along the way, he started to look at food and the food experience more like I did. Over the years, we have made so many fun and happy memories adventuring together through food and life - from making our own creations in the kitchen, to traveling and seeking out great eateries, to finding the best hole-in-the-wall gems. There are few things in life better than indulging in an amazing meal with someone you love.
(at Cupcake Royale in Seattle, on our trip in 2015)
So knowing this background about us, it won’t surprise you to find out that we are *always* on the hunt for new and exciting food experiences, ESPECIALLY in our local area. When Jeff and Kathleen Wiesinger happened upon our booth at the California Mid State Fair a few weeks ago and shared with us that they had recently opened up a restaurant in downtown Paso Robles, we knew we had a new place to try as soon as we had a free evening.
We were instantly drawn to Jeff and Kathleen’s gregarious and enthusiastic demeanors, and we enjoyed chatting, sharing small business stories, and coming up with collaboration opportunities for the future.
We finally had the chance to dine at Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ last weekend, and it absolutely surpassed all of our hopes and expectations! We enjoyed seeing both Jeff and Kathleen again, and felt welcomed and at home by their friendly staff and service.
The location of the restaurant is slightly deceiving at first and requires a bit of faith, but upon arriving, you’ll never think twice! There is a new and renovated courtyard area in the alley between 12th and 13th streets in downtown Paso, and it is in this almost hidden area that you can find this BBQ heaven.
You have the option to sit inside at a table or the bar, or you can make yourself comfortable at a table in the courtyard. We sat inside this time, as we happened to be out on one of the 100 degree days and had already had enough of the heat, but we’re already excited to head back on a cooler evening and maybe even enjoy the beautiful fire pit in the center.
We were pleasantly surprised to catch a glimpse of two of our Twisselman Trading signs hanging out by the bar, adding a hint of local pride and a bit of rustic charm to the overall aesthetic.
The menu offered many mouth-watering options, but we eventually settled on three items to share and enjoy: the Wine Country Pulled Pork Sandwich, the Wine Country Grilled Cheese, and the Paso Mac & CheeseSteak. Their beer and wine selection featured local and recognizable options and we indulged in a few of these as well.
Everything was reasonably priced, portions were generous and incredibly filling, and the flavors were phenomenal! Each bite left us pausing to savor the rich and complex flavors and even the two year old couldn’t get enough!
It seriously warms our hearts to see other small, local businesses thrive, especially when they are run by such genuine and talented people. It is obvious from the constantly-full tables, delicious food, and welcoming atmosphere at Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ that this is definitely a local business worth supporting, and you can bet we’ll be back soon and often!
Have you eaten here yet? If so, what has been your favorite item on the menu? It’s going to be hard to stray from the delicious options we already tried, but we will surely need to try other things so please share your favorites! If you haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, then get over there soon! You won’t regret it.
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