New barbecue restaurant opens in Morro Bay after months-long wait. Here’s what to expect

There’s a new barbecue joint in Morro Bay, but it’s been a long time coming.

For nearly a year, a sign in a window of the former Sabetta’s Pizza spot promised Los Morros BBQ would open there soon.

The restaurant finally opened its doors July 21 at 897 Main St. The 1,800-square-foot space is located in the same Old Circle Inn building as Legend’s Bar, Ugly Mug Ceramics and Gaia’s Garden & Apothecary.

Los Morros BBQ will hold its grand opening beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Business partners Miguel Fuentes and Arturo Guatemala say the celebration will include several dancers in comic robot costumes and 200 giveaway tickets, each good for a free meal.

Restaurant co-owner started Morro Bay deli

Born and raised in Mexico City, the 45-year-old Fuentes said he came to the United States at the age of 16 or 17.

Owning his own restaurants has always been his dream, he said.

For six years, he’s owned Morro Deli, 940 Morro Bay Blvd. in Morro Bay, adjacent to the Sinclair service station that fronts on the roundabout. His older brother Antonio Fuentes runs that eatery now.

Miguel Fuentes also owns a food truck that’s on pause for now until it can be properly staffed for use at fairs and special events, as it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, he said, the pandemic sank a sister Morro Deli location in San Luis Obispo.

Now Fuentes has opened another eatery, inspired by 22 years of barbecuing experience at a Paso Robles restaurant, he said.

What delayed opening of Morro Bay barbecue joint

In the long delay between agreeing to do Los Morros BBQ and opening it, Fuentes said he and his partner submitted the architect’s drawings to San Luis Obispo County, waited for permits to come through and had all-new equipment delivered, including a specialty hood-and-vent system.

They then laboriously revamped the former pizza parlor.

The total cost of remodeling, including the new equipment, was about $130,000, Fuentes estimated.

Following the soft opening for Los Morros BBQ, Fuentes, Guatemala and employee Paulina Salcedo have been fine-tuning the restaurant’s menu, getting ready to launch social media and preparing for the grand opening.

Mouth-watering aromas drift out daily from Los Morros BBQ, luring in hungry diners.

The barbecue magic happens within view of customers, who place their orders at a walk-up station counter in front of the open kitchen.

There, Fuentes and his team wield their new Buckwoods smoker unit, flattop Imperial grill, Volcano fryer and an industrial propane torch that sets the final barbecue glaze on the meats.

What’s on the menu?

Los Morros BBQ’s menu includes tri tip on nachos, in a sandwich and with “the works,” as well as chicken, pork and beef ribs, pulled pork, burgers and tacos.

Those are served with side dishes of fries, beans, cole slaw and garlic bread.

The men make their own dry rubs and barbecue, sweet and sour sauces and aioli from scratch, Guatemala said.

Prices range from $5 to $6 per taco to $31 for a shareable meal with three meats and two side dishes. Sandwiches range in cost from $11 for a cheeseburger to $16 to $19 for a tri-tip sandwich.

Los Morros BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, with occasional service longer to the Legend’s bar next door.

The restaurant plans to eventually offer catering, like Morro Deli.