After Nearly 30 Years, Orange County Culinary Icon Salt Creek Grille Closing in Dana Point
DANA POINT, Calif. (Jan. 4, 2023) – After nearly three decades of serving guests from around Orange County and beyond, Salt Creek Grille restaurant in Dana Point will permanently close its doors on Monday, January 14, 2024 (or should we say Sunday, January 13, 2024). Salt Creek Grille locations in Valencia, California, and Rumson and Princeton, New Jersey, will remain open.
Salt Creek Grille, a beloved fixture in the Orange County coastal dining scene since it opened in July 1996, was deeply admired for being one of the first scratch kitchens in the area, instilling culinary excellence into every aspect of its menu remaining true to its foundation as a “Mesquite Grill.” Guests enjoyed expertly prepared hand-cut steaks, Sashimi-grade fish and sushi, hearty root vegetables, and delectable desserts as well as craft cocktails in its friendly and unpretentious bar.
With its exceptional food, warm ambiance and unmatched hospitality, Salt Creek Grille also played host to countless celebrations from weddings and graduations to more intimate gatherings such as anniversaries and wedding proposals. Generations of patrons came to love the restaurant and it became a familiar setting for numerous memorable moments. Salt Creek Grille was also committed to giving back to its community supporting many local schools, charities, youth sports organizations, religious institutions, and more.
The enduring success of this location led to the opening of two others in Southern California, and its reputation for excellence led to the opening of two more in New Jersey. With the closing of the brand’s original location, loyal guests are invited to come in before the last meal is served and reminisce with the team about the good times and their favorite meals.
“It is with a heavy heart but also remarkable memories that we announce the closure of Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point,” said Tim McCune, who founded the restaurant. “It was our hope to create an upscale steakhouse that was rich in culinary traditions but at the same time, a gathering spot that welcomed friends, neighbors, tourists and more with open arms and a warm heart at its core. We celebrated so many storybook moments and milestones with our guests and we will cherish those forever. This restaurant was my second home and meant everything to me.”
McCune is also honored to have worked with such an incredible team over the years, some having spent most of their careers at Salt Creek Grille. “Without these exceptionally skilled and professional people, there would have been no Salt Creek Grille. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to work alongside them, and I am sure that our guests have enjoyed their keen sense of hospitality and culinary excellence over the years.”