Salinas’ Main Street area looks forward to several new spots coming soon.

As a Salinas resident, I am accustomed to the hunger pangs at the mention of Oldtown Salinas.

Sure, there are great (and girthy) breakfasts at First Awakenings and Dudley’s, and underrated Asian at joints like Taste of Thai and Eagle Chinese.

But it’s my experience that too many of us feel we have to head to the Peninsula or Santa Cruz for any good cuisine that isn’t Mexican. (On that one, we have a lock. We’re spoiled by it and we know it.) Fortunately there’s a real chance of this changing in the fall.

Frank Savino, former president of the Oldtown Salinas Association and owner of Aqua Blue spa, may be overstating it when he says, “Oldtown is about to become a gastro extravaganza.” But then again, there are no no fewer than four new restaurants opening, plus another that went through a recent name change and revitalization. Best of all, the businesses are along walkable Main Street:

Dubber’s Justin Saunders, of the locally known Saunders family, is putting together a sports bar and eatery that takes its name from his grandfather, a former boxer, in the 172 Main St. space that housed the Salinas Fish House. Set to open in November, Saunders says it will include at least seven, 60-inch HDTVs and will also have a 120-inch projection screen. The cocktail list is on its way, with the help of Saunders’ wife, a former bartender in New York City, as is an extensive tequila list and gourmet versions of stadium staples like garlic fries, bratwursts and cheese steaks. With a conditional-use permit that will allow Saunders’ establishment to stay open until 2am – making it the bar that stays open the latest in Salinas – Dubber’s is tentatively planning a Halloween party that will also serve as its grand opening.

Patria Owner Paulo Kautz – who helped start the landmark Cafe Rustica in Carmel Valley – refused to answer any questions about his upcoming restaurant Patria, located in the 228 Main St. space that used to house the late and beloved Hullaballoo. (Kautz wouldn’t even tell us his last name, which is kind of goofy considering the power of online search and the liquor license application notice that’s been posted in the joint’s window for months.) He’s been renovating the interior space for more than a year, and the city recently took down the atrium next door. Earlier reports say Patria will focus on Italian – and French-inspired cuisine, possibly in the same vein as Cafe Rustica, or lean more Mediterranean. There’s no set date to the opening of the restaurant, but the chatter around Oldtown is at a near-fever pitch: Apparently among the dishes Kautz has planned is a tomahawk ribeye, already anticipated by Aqua Blue’s Savino as a go-to lunch in Oldtown.

Salinas Sports TavernFormerly known as the Penny Farthing, Salinas Sports Tavern at 9 E. San Luis St. was dramatically modified over just one weekend in August. The biggest differences: 15 shiny new flat screen TVs, an extended bar that tossed out the old copper facing in favor of rich wood, additional seating and a lounge room complete with a projector. The menu is also completely new; among the recent updates are the half-pound “Salinas Doozie” burger topped with a generous portion of onion strings and bacon ($9.95), a Cajun prime rib steak sandwich ($9.95), and asparagus fries ($6.95). They also have a new section on the menu dedicated entirely to Mexican fusion food, which they call “Mexicue.” For those still nostalgic about the British delicacies that put Penny Farthing on the map, the signature fish and chips is still on the menu, but with an added twist of jalapeño coleslaw on the side. And the bar features 18 draft beers and $6 martinis.

Untitled Mexican Restaurant (Formerly Vintners Cellars) There hasn’t been any confirmation on the restaurant’s name, but it is certain 238 Main St. – across from the Fox Theater – will serve Mexican. The spot is the never-was Vintners Cellars, a great idea for a local wine bar that folded after the interior was complete but before it could open.

201/Giorgio’s Giorgio’s will most likely be the name of the restaurant, but as for now, “201” (as in 201 Main St.) will suffice. Located in the former Wells Fargo Bank building, which dates back to the 19th century, the mini open-air market-style space will also have additional room next door with an outdoor patio. The Italian restaurant is set to open first and anchor the complex, which reportedly will also have a cafe, banquet room, nightclub and wine bar, with the latter pieces opening according to a staggered schedule. Owned by the Kehoe family, 201 is also scheduled to host the VIP section of the Salinas Valley Food and Wine Festival in Oldtown Salinas on Oct. 19.

So there exists real hope Salinas’ hungers will be better satiated, even as a stroll down Main Street still shows empty buildings continue to plague Oldtown. But spots like Cherry Bean, Sang’s and Shogun have become Oldtown staples who aren’t going anywhere. Here’s hoping some of these new bars and restaurants will become staples too.