Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Corpuel.
Hi Sean, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before there was Cool Cats, there was Yazoos. Created in the late 80’s, Yazoos paved the way for the first Cool Cat Cafe which would open in San Luis Obispo in 1992.
It’s 1998, Game Boy hits the shelves and Nirvana is topping the charts. Father and son founders, Steve and Sean Corpuel, are headed to the good ‘ol California Central Coast with nothing but a dream. A lifelong burger connoisseur, Steve sought to open a family-friendly restaurant specializing in real food and simpler times. Never able to make dinner for just one, he shared his home cooked leftovers with friends and neighbors. Known for his artistic fusion he quickly became coined “the sauce guy”.
Fueled by his passion for good food and good times, Steve took a risk and poured the last of his life savings into a hamburger stand called Yazoo’s. Off a handwritten menu, this ‘50’s style diner served up the best burger you’ve ever had.
Eventually outgrowing Yazoos, we evolved into the Cool Cat Cafe. Now with four locations serving-up that same 1989 hand-pattied burger. Everything we create ties back to the nostalgic “Good Times” era with genuine, homemade food and fresh ingredients.
In 1992, Sean and Steve found a vacant space in sunny San Luis Obispo and built a restaurant from the floor up. Steve began tailoring old family recipes to incorporate into our growing menu. Each morning, to this day, our patties are hand-pressed with fresh beef, locally baked buns are delivered, crisp produce is sliced, and sauces are mixed. Our sauces have always been made from scratch, including our famous “Moppin’ BBQ” inspired by Sean’s grandmothers recipe which has been in the family for over a hundred years.
Through the doors you’ll walk into the “Happy Days” with black and white checkered floors, a jukebox, pinball machines, and 50’s pop memorabilia. You’ll hear the hum of hand-spun milkshakes in silver tins as the smell of freshly grilled burgers fills the air. What really makes this location special though, are the customers. Our regulars have made eating at Cool Cats a family tradition. Over 30 years we’ve now seen the kids that grew up here bringing in their own kids for a Spanky Burger. We can’t forget to mention the “Table 5 Guys” who have come in almost every day since 1992 to chat and eat at table No. 5. This group includes our beloved Terry Boyer, whose picture is sketched onto our menus next to his special sandwiches (The Terry Tuna and Terry Turkey).
Cool Cat Cafe truly was built on love. Owner Steve Corpuel considers our SLO location the catalyst for the fulfilling family life he has today. It is after all where Sean fell in love with his wife, their kids spent their early childhood days playing the jukebox and sitting with the T5 guys. Now you can find Sean’s grandchildren and Steve’s great-grandchildren at the SLO Cool Cat Cafe playing pinball and chowing spanky burgers.
the early 2000s, we were ready for another Cool Cat adventure. With the allure of endless sunshine and warm Hawaiian breezes, Sean and Steve couldn’t pass up the opportunity to open up shop on the beautiful island of Maui. So they packed up and moved across the Ocean. The family hit the streets, inviting locals and tourists alike to come try the food. To Sean, it wasn’t just a business, he sought to learn what the town wanted and needed from us. Thus, the iconic Cool Cat Cafe Lahaina was born.
Inspired by his years as a Little League coach on the Central Coast, Sean immersed himself into the Maui community, cooking our burgers for kids’ sports teams, community fundraisers, and the local PTA.
Amidst the neon glow of this classic seaside town, sits Cool Cat Cafe Pismo Beach. Opened in 2013, our third restaurant is just a few miles south from our San Luis Obispo location. This may be our most unique menu, with a fusion of “Island”, “Diner” and “coastal cuisine”. We wanted to build on the SLO menu with items served in Lahaina and it only seemed right to add our very own handmade clam chowder while in the” Clam Capital of the World”.
A long time resident of Pismo Beach, owner Steve Corpuel had always dreamed of having a spot here. When the opportunity presented itself, “it was a no brainer”. The family packed their bags and headed to the central coast once again.
Over the years we have become integrated into the towns traditions. We participate in several annual events, including the Pismo Beach Clam Festival, the Pismo Beach Classic Car Show, the 4th of July Celebration, Still Frothy Surf Competition, and The Taste of Pismo. We proudly support and host many local fundraisers. It has been so special to evolve in this unique space and add to our ever-growing Ohana.
It is beyond our wildest dreams to see how far we have come, all that we have grown and created. As the years go by, we are proud to be more than just a restaurant, but a gathering space for families and friends. Our time spent in the two beautiful coastal communities of California and Maui has shown us that food can bring people together and unite Hawaiian values with Central Coast traditions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When asked to reflect on the Cool Cat journey, Sean holds the philosophy of being open to everyone and everything. He owes some success to the belief that you cannot be afraid to make mistakes or do something dumb. “With every endeavor we must accept the fact it may not work out and hope that it just might.”- Sean Corpuel
Sean was barely 20 years when him and his dad opened the SLO location. With no business experience- Sean lived and learned as is it came, adapting every step of the way. When the Maui location opened, everyone told them the building was cursed and no restaurant had ever survived there. They persevered through the struggles and kept pushing through many sacrifices until Cool Cats became a staple in that building and town.
In August 2023, the Maui wildfires ravished the town of Lahaina and leveled Cool Cat Cafe and sister restaurant Captain Jacks into ash along with the whole town. This is the most devastating struggle they have encountered thus far. There were about 120 displaced employees between the two restaurants-that lost their jobs, homes, vehicles, and family members. It has been an ongoing and long road to restoration. Again they preserved, for more than the business- for the community and Ohana who lost everything. They have since opened up another location on the other side of the island. Amidst the turmoil, the resilient spirit of the Cool Cat Café team became evident as they continuously supported and fed the community.
“The heart of our institution has always been our people and the community we serve. Though the fires disrupted our physical space, it never dampened our spirit,” said Sean Corpuel, founder of Cool Cat Café.
“ With the healing process now underway, the team at Cool Cat Café is filled with gratitude and enthusiasm. The community’s support has been instrumental in their journey back, and owners were eager to roll up their sleeves, cook up their favorite dishes, and continue serving the Maui community”.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Cool Cat Cafe is family-friendly 50’s theme restaurant- Owners Steve and Sean began tailoring old family recipes to incorporate into their growing menu. Each morning, to this day, our patties are hand-pressed with fresh beef, locally baked buns are delivered, crisp produce is sliced, and sauces are mixed. Our sauces have always been made from scratch, including our famous “Moppin’ BBQ” inspired by Sean’s grandmothers recipe which has been in the family for over a hundred years.
They are proud of their perseverance through struggles and having the opportunity to pass down their business to their two children, Devyn and Zack (continuing a truly family owned legacy).
Whether we’re on the Central Coast or Maui, we’re all about real people and real food. We want to be true to ourselves, our staff, and our customers. We believe in pono, a Hawaiian word that means ‘to do the right thing, for the right reason, the first time.’” -Owner Sean Corpuel
We sure are glad we took a risk on our dream.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Sean holds the philosophy of being open to everyone and everything. He owes some success to the belief that you cannot be afraid to make mistakes or do something dumb. The lesson is always: “With every endeavor we must accept the fact it may not work out and hope that it just might.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.coolcatcafe.com
- Instagram: @coolcatcafe_california @coolcatcafe_maui
