Photos: Jocko’s in Nipomo, Calif.

Daniel Knotts, the owner’s grandson, works the grill at Jocko’s restaurant.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Customers wait for a table outside Jocko’s.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Spencer steak and baked potato, served at Jocko’s.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A photograph of Ralph “Jocko” and Mollie Knotts at the entrance of Jocko’s restaurant. Jocko was the original owner of Jocko’s Cage, a watering hole, which became a restaurant under two of his sons. The walls of the restaurant are branded with local cattle brands.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Roast turkey and trimmings, the Wednesday’s special at Jocko’s.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Phil Melody, left, and Bill Saladin, both from Nipomo, sit at the bar at Jocko’s.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Pat Metcalf, from West Covina, enjoys the beef ribs at Jocko’s. She and her husband drove four hours to dine at the restaurant.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Pork chops with baked potato and french fries, as served at Jocko’s  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Jocko’s owner Sandy Knotts, left, talks to customers Bill and Linda Engstrom, from Huntington Beach On an earlier two-week visit to the area, the couple came in 10 times, they said, and on this trip they’ve been in six times in one week.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)