Dan Henderson was called an aggressive fighting machine during his years in mixed martial arts. He’s got UFC championship belts that prove it hanging on the walls of his new restaurant, Hendo’s Barrel House in Temecula.
Also an Olympic wrestler, Henderson recently fulfilled a six-year dream by opening an eatery that serves short rib grilled cheese sandwiches, Basque cheesecake, and cocktails with a mixed martial arts vibe.
People eat and drink at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)A fighting spirit has proved useful in this endeavor.
“I grew up wrestling, and I was already pretty mentally tough from being a wrestler my whole life. Knowing how to work hard, dedication, all that relates to life. If you have that attitude in anything you want to do, then you’re probably going to succeed in it. I think if I didn’t have that attitude, I would not have made it to the finish line for sure.”
Hendo’s is an ambitious project that includes the restaurant, a brewery, distillery, juice bar, coffee bar and meat market window, not to mention a gift shop selling Hendo’s hats and shirts.
“It’s pretty unique. There’s nothing else like it,” Henderson said.
Not all the features are up and running yet, but the restaurant had a soft opening on the Friday before Memorial Day, followed by an opening celebration on May 31 and June 1.
Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s has opened a new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)The project came about because Henderson owns a 67,000-square-foot industrial-style building at 27901 Jefferson Ave. It is the home of Dan Henderson’s Athletic Fitness Center, which he opened in 2013. The 14,000-square-foot gym offers training in MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, kickboxing and yoga. “We make champions in the cage and in life,” reads the homepage of its website.
The building still had a lot of leftover space, which got Henderson to start thinking about opening a brewpub.
A second-floor dining room in Hendo’s, which Henderson is considering using for private events, looks down on an octagonal cage in the gym on one side.
On a recent weeknight, the parking lot on the 1½-acre property was full.
Henderson was roaming the dining room and patio, greeting customers and posing for selfies. Among the customers was Tony Figurski, whose party filled a large wooden table outdoors. Several of them ordered burgers with bowls of fries, but he had another recommendation.
“The Steakhouse Nachos, man,” he said. “The nachos are big here.”
“And the meatballs,” Henderson added.
Tony Figurski, smiles as he eats with friends at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Cazzie Kurby, gets ready to take a bite of a a fry as she eats with family at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Taylor Reynolds, takes a bite of his food as he eats with friends at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer)The menu ranges from bites and wings to burgers, sandwiches, salads and steaks. Items start at $10 for guac and chips and go up to $48 for rib-eye steak. And the menu lists some cuts of Wagyu at market price.
Drinks include The Take Down and Fight or Flight, both made with gin, as well as a Jungle Jab, made with coconut tequila.
The executive chef is Ethan Yang, owner of the Glass Box, a sushi restaurant in Del Mar.
The Short Rib Grilled Cheese is one of the many items on the menu at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) The Fox Burger is one of the many dishes offered at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) People sit at the bar at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Alison Diaz, smiles pours a beer at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Daniella Villa, takes dishes to guests as Adan Zavala puts French fries on plates in the kitchen at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) Show Caption1 of 5The Short Rib Grilled Cheese is one of the many items on the menu at Olympic wrestler and former MMA fighter Dan Henderson’s new brewpub in Temecula called Hendo’s Barrel House Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer) ExpandHendo’s has been in the works for years. The concept was presented to the Temecula planning commission in 2019.
“I started the project right before COVID. And then everything got put on hold. It’s been a struggle to get it to the finish line, but we’re here now.”
Originally from Downey, Henderson was raised in Apple Valley and wrestled for Victor Valley High School, class of 1988. He went on to compete in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
He made his MMA debut in 1997 and quickly joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His last fight was as a middleweight in 2016.
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“I was visiting my mom and dad and driving to San Diego. I said, ‘it would be cool to find some property and build a house here. I’ve been here ever since.’”
“I’m here most days, and I plan on being here quite a bit.”
Hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Information: hendosbarrelhouse.com
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