Wool Growers changes ownership, but nothing else

After hearing Wool Growers Restaurant in Los Banos changed ownership, there was talk that the popular Basque-style restaurant would change its menu or picnic-table seating.

But Michel and Jeanine Iturbide, who have owned the restaurant for 41 years, said not to worry: “Everything will be the same.”

The new owner, Rene Reynoso, is keeping the same menu and the same staff – including the Iturbide family. Reynoso also owns Peluso Cheese in Los Banos. Michel Iturbide said once the paperwork is complete, the sale will be finalized.

The Iturbides moved from the Bay Area in 1974 to own and operate the restaurant. Michel was a cook and wanted to own his own place. Since his family has run the business, they’ve kept it mostly the same, too.

The tough business climate made the family decide to sell, Michel Iturbide said. “When we first started, there was only a couple of papers,” Iturbide said. “Now, there’s piles of papers. It’s not fun anymore. Before, it was fun to run a business. Now, it’s not.”

Iturbide, who is 77, said he’s not old enough to retire but he plans to relax. He and Jeanine still plan to work everyday at the bar and restaurant, as will their son, Christian.

The restaurant, at 609 H St., has a long history in Los Banos. A plaque above the silver, saloon-style doors says it was built in the 1890s. Wool Growers began as a “way station” for immigrants and travelers, accompanied by a restaurant and boarding rooms upstairs.

“Wool Growers is without a doubt one of California’s treasures,” reads the plaque, a dedication by the Native Sons of the Golden West in 2001.

Iturbide said he doesn’t know why the restaurant is so popular, but a few of his patrons who crowded the bar had a couple of ideas.

“Where else can you sit at picnic tables and eat good food?” one asked. Another chimed in: “The camaraderie, that’s why I’m here.”

Known for its simple menu, Wool Growers serves three kinds of meat: beef, chicken and lamb. An uncorked bottle of wine also comes with each meal. And when guests begin to get their food, they may wonder when it will stop coming. An endless array of beans, salads and stews are included in the meal.

Its Basque roots also adds to its popularity. When Amador Zabalbeascoa came to Los Banos in 1970, Wool Growers was a Basque meeting place. It’s where he met his wife, Mary, and it’s where they hosted their wedding reception some 390 years ago, he said. He corrected himself, chuckling: “We’ve been married 39 years.”

Zabalbeascoa’s first boss, Victor Arretche, owned the restaurant then, along with the sheep ranch Zabalbeascoa now owns. He was 21 when he arrived from the Basque country in northern Spain.

Iturbide and Zabalbeascoa converse in Basque, teasing each other about who were better, the Spanish Basque or the French Basque. Iturbide’s lineage is on the French side.

Zabalbeascoa, 66, said he has many good memories at Wool Growers. He can be found there five days a week, he jokes. “I socialize with people here,” he said. “There are many farmers here. They’ll say, ‘You in town?’ Many people know I’m here.”

Zabalbeascoa says he remembers singing “Happy Birthday” to John Madden at Wool Growers. Madden, among other celebrities, is known to stop by the restaurant. “He sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to everybody who comes here,” Iturbide says about Zabalbeascoa.

Iturbide clearly enjoys his customers. “Oh! They’re beautiful,” he said, with a loud laugh. “I don’t let them in here if they’re not.”

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 5:49 PM with the headline "Wool Growers changes ownership, but nothing else."