By Jessica Nguyen
The Downtowner is located in—you guessed it!—our very own Downtown Stockton! Not only does its name fit perfectly into its location at 40 N. Sutter Street, but so does its friendly atmosphere and incredibly delicious food items! The Downtowner specializes in “Good Mood Food,” which owner Kevin Gilman describes as “comfort food, with a healthy kick.” Sounds too good to be true? Come try it for yourself!
A firm believer in the idea that restaurants should be able to feed all who come, Kevin faces dietary restrictions head on by also offering vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, and keto dishes at The Downtowner. This has resulted in a diverse and creative menu, including nachos that use a vegan cashew-based queso!
About The Owner
Kevin Gilman, one of the creative minds behind The Downtowner, grew up in Ashland, Oregon and worked at several restaurants throughout college. It was these experiences that sparked his passion in food and beverage, leading him to pursue a career in the food industry. He soon found himself managing the Food and Beverage Department at the Tetherow Golf Resort in Bend, Oregon, while simultaneously opening three restaurants of his own and working as a sommelier!
Why Downtown Stockton?
With a name like “The Downtowner” that could fit into any Downtown area and an owner from the state of Oregon, how did The Downtowner find its home here, in Downtown Stockton? Well, Stockton is the hometown of Kevin’s wife, Barbie. Once his position at the Tetherow Resort expired, they decided to make the move and start a life here. Coincidentally, Kevin fell in love with Downtown Stockton and its possibilities, noting that he particularly liked the beautiful historic architecture that’s found here. As fate would have it, a spot downtown became available for lease and he reached out to Doug, his business partner. A short while later, The Downtowner was open and running! They chose the name, “The Downtowner” because, “not too many business names tell you where they are located in the title!”
How can we support The Downtowner during this time?
The Downtowner has remained open for curbside pick up, delivery, and takeout, so your favorite items, such as the Cobb Salad or Big 10 Burger (which has been deemed by some as the best burger they’ve ever had!) are readily available! The Downtowner’s recently revamped menu also features new items, such as the new Southwestern Grilled Cheese (made with Genova Bakery Sourdough, and melted pepper jack cheese), Avocado Smash, and their house made pork carnitas. If you’ve got a big family and need a break from cooking, they also offer family-style meals for pick up! At the start of this month, the dining room was reopened with some restrictions—visitors can only eat with the group they came in with and are sat six feet away from other tables.
A Message From Kevin
“Thank you for those who continue to support small businesses during this time. We are humbled and grateful to still be operating and hope to be able to continue serving you for a long time to come.”
To stay updated on daily specials and news from The Downtowner, be sure to follow them on their social media accounts!
Facebook: @thedowntownerstockton
Instagram: @the_downtowner_stockton
Twitter: @Downtowner_Stkn