Former USC basketball coach buys popular Paso Robles pizza restaurant. What’s in store?

A former USC basketball coach plans to transform a popular Paso Robles pizza restaurant into a pizzeria with a sports bar twist.

Paso Robles native Bob Cantu, who spent a dozen seasons coaching the Trojans, became the sole owner of Marv’s Original Pizza on Aug. 2.

Cantu said the restaurant, which has been in the community for 31 years, will remain in the same location — 729 12th St. in Paso Robles — and serve the same menu. However, the name will change slightly to reflect the business’s new sports focus.

Marv’s Pizza and Sports Bar is also undergoing a “beautification” of sorts, Cantu said, adding that the establishment will remain open through the remodel.

“It’s going to be completely unique and different,” he said.

According to Cantu, the remodeled restaurant will feature sports memorabilia such as jerseys autographed by basketball stars Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry and Michael Jordan, plus several large TVs displaying a variety of different sports games.

“We’ll also try to showcase some of the local stuff from Paso Robles High School, where I went to school,” Cantu said.

In addition, the restaurant is adding a bar that can seat 10 to 12 people.

In addition to pizzas, chicken wings, pasta sandwiches and salads, Marv’s Pizza and Sports Bar serves up domestic beer, wine and soft drinks.

Cantu said the restaurant will hold a soft re-opening by Sept. 30.

Former USC head coach is SLO County native

Prior to moving to Southern California to coach basketball, Cantu was a three-year varsity player at Paso Robles High School, graduating in 1992.

He coached basketball at Mission Prep, Cuesta College, Cal Poly and Sacramento State before heading to USC.

Cantu spent 12 seasons with the Trojans, serving as an assistant coach, associate head coach and, finally, interim head coach for the final 15 games of the 2012-13 season.

After three seasons at the University of Texas at El Paso, Cantu spent three years as assistant basketball coach.

Locally, he’s best known as the man behind Bob Cantu’s Basketball Camps in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo, which have been attended by more than 10,000 campers since 1997.

“I’m a local person. I’m coming back to where I grew up,” Cantu said.

Cantu retired from coaching in 2020 and since then has been doing private scouting for the NBA.

Cantu purchased Marv’s Original Pizza from the Syracuse family, which owned the restaurant for 26 years.

“I want to thank the Syracuse family for the 26 years of business and what they’ve offered the community with the high quality of pizza,” Cantu said.

What’s in store for Paso Robles pizza restaurant?

Though Cantu has never owned a restaurant before, it is something he has dreamed of doing for a long time, he said.

“As a coach, you’re all about GID, or, get it done,” Cantu said. “You find ways to ask questions and put the best people around you. We hired a really good staff and I am excited to be able to do this in the town I grew up in.”

In addition to the new staffer Cantu hired, two of the cooks are staying on under his ownership.

While the restaurant transitions to new ownership, the Syracuse family is helping train the new staff while they “get on their feet,” Cantu said.

According to Cantu, there are no true sports bars in downtown Paso Robles, so Marv’s Pizza and Sports Bar will offer something new and different for the community.

“I am going to be hands on and be here at the restaurant,” Cantu said. “So many of the people I am close to live here. Its just home.”

More about Marv’s Pizza and Sports Bar

Marv’s Pizza and Sports Bar is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Call 805-238-1851 or visit marvspizza.com to place an order or for more information.