Weekend in SLO and Lompoc

[monkey]

My husband and I are having a weekend getaway (from the kids). We will be staying one night in SLO and one night in Lompoc. We already have dinner reservations for Lido and The Hitching Post. I'm looking for breakfast and lunch recommendations. We love all kinds of food, but will skip Asian since we live in the San Gabriel valley.

TIA!

[peasoup]

I can't help you in SLO, but in Lompoc for a gut busting, local style breakfast, I would hit either Tom's on College and G street, American Host, on I Street just off Ocean, or the Cajun Kitchen, right on H Street in the Albertson's Center.

For lunch - a nicer, wine country lunch can be had at Sissy's Uptown Cafe, on I Street - great local wine list here. Jalama Beach Cafe is also nice.
Local secret - there's a McConnell's Ice Cream store in the Albertson's Center that also makes great sandwiches, if you need some for the road.

[pantani]

Second Big Sky. Ive been there many times.

[sgbslo]

Big Sky Cafe in SLO is a good choice for breakfast or lunch. They offer some fairly innovative options. It's located on Broad St in downtown.
Novo is good for lunch especially if it's a nice day and you can sit on the creekside patio. It's on Higuera St in downtown SLO.
You mention the Lido which is in Pismo Beach so if you're staying out there Splash Cafe is good for a casual lunch. Their specialty is clam chowder.
If you venture to Morro Bay 2 good choices are Bayside Cafe at the marina in the state park and Taco Temple on the north side of town.

[mlgb]

Seconding Sissy's in Lompoc, Big Sky in SLO.

There's a breakfast place in the Lucky's shopping Center in Lompoc and I wish I could remember the name!!!

[peasoup]

It's not Lucky's - it's Albertson's and the name you're trying to remember is the Cajun Kitchen.

[mlgb]

That's it! Guess I should have read the rest of your message more carefully.

(I suppose long ago it was Lucky's.)

[toodie jane]

There's also the little town of Orcutt- just 2 miles off 101 at the south end of the Santa Maria city boundary. Both Chef Rick's and Wine Cottage Bistro serve very nice lunches and dinners (sort of like Sissy's). Lunches are dinner menu items at lower prices.

In Santa Maria proper, there are many taco trucks for snacks in the late afternoon and evenings, just few minutes off 101, along North Broadway and also on West Main St. "El Chino" rates highly for lengua, carnitas and tripas tacos. From 11 am to about 4:30 it parks at the junction of 166 and 101on the West Frontage Rd , just north of the Santa Maria River bridge. After 5 it is open at 1000 W Main St, Santa Maria next to La Chiquita market.

If you're heading north into SLO at lunchtime, near the intersection of west frontage (Hutton Rd) and 166/101 junction, there's a nice little deli that serves some very good barbeque, Rancho Nipomo. So far, we've had both the pulled pork sandwich and the brisket sandwich. Meats smoked 12 hours in their own cooker. Very nice moist, smokey meats topped with just enough sauce and a vinegary coleslaw. They also serve Mexican entrees and tacos and tortas, and a superior mocha Tres Leches cake. Open at 11 a.m. till mid evening--7 or 8--not open for late dining. Closed Monday.

There is a great rustic cafe that serves great breakfasts in downtown Santa Ynez, I can't recall the name, a locals hangout. Good eggs, potatoes, sausage ( I seem to remember linguisa) and coffee. Nice laid-back vibe. On Madera St downtown next to the Saloon.

In Avila Beach, just south of SLO, there is a very good fish & chips place on the far pier, Harford Pier. Pete's Pierside. Good beer selection, seafood tacos, F&C. Great red potato fries. Outdoor dining at plastic tables. So good. Great views of Avila and the Pismo Dunes down to Pt Sal on a clear day.

If you're in downtown SLO for lunch, try Bon Temps Creole Cafe on Olive St. for po'boys. Their breakfasts are very good too; featuring grits, and a spicey creamed spinach/artichoke hearts Eggs Benedict. Good strong coffee. 8-10 hot sauces on the table to chose from.

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Chef Rick's
4869 S Bradley Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93455

Rancho Nipomo Deli & BBQ
108 Cuyama Ln, Nipomo, CA 93444

Super Carniceria La Chiquita
1000 W Main St, Santa Maria, CA 93458

[peasoup]

The Longhorn.

[toodie jane]

ah, yes. knew it had a cowboy connotation!

[RWCFoodie]

toodie jane: I want to thank you for mentioning the Bon Temps Creole Cafe in SLO. We were traveling down 101 from the SF Bay Area to Santa Barbara and San Diego the Wednesday before Labor Day weekend. I had read this thread and when I got to your post about BTCC and saw the word "po'boys" I knew we had to stop there. Got out our trusty GPS gizmo and found that it's right off the freeway: a plus for my DH who never wants to stop especially if it involves a detour... sigh.

This is a great little place: wish we'd been there earlier in the day because the breakfasts sound wonderful: as you mentioned grits (which I love) Pain Perdu, Louisiana-style omelets, but what really caught my eye were the "Old New Orleans Specialties": I'd love to try the "Faidodo" = Creole red beans topped with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce served with grits and grilled Andouille sausage and biscuit $8.50 (the diet plate, right? Not!)

We really only wanted a lunch as it was about 1:30 already and we were having dinner in Goleta with my Brother-in-law and his wife and we knew if we had too much lunch it wouldn't work....

So, back to the po'boys: Only disappointment was that they don't do an oyster one so I settled for catfish - DH had a half Muffaletta. Here's where it gets interesting: Your choice of sides with the sandwiches include house made sweet potato chips that have been sprinkled with Creole seasoning, fries or a salad - but our waiter said that we could actually have red beans and fried green tomatoes if we wanted them! DH had the red beans and I absolutely had to have the sweet potato chips. This was a terrific lunch! The catfish was cut into fingers, seasoned, battered and deep fried (the way any good po'boy filling should be) it was a delish sandwich even if the roll wasn't quite up to real Louisiana po'boy standards.... The sweet potato chips were all they should be: crispy, spicy, I'd stop just to eat them! Oh, I almost forgot, our waiter told me that they all their own dressings, mayo and almost everything they serve is house-made. If I have my way we will always stop here if and when we're cruising down 101 thru SLO!

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and have live music some nights at dinner (forgot to write down the details...) This is a funky, great place and the food is good!

Vital statistics: Bon Temps Creole Cafe, 1000 Olive St., San Luis Obispo 93405, 805-544-2100
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. daily
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. weekdays, Noon to 2:00 p.m. weekends

Southbound off 101 take exit 203A-Santa Rosa offramp

Say hi to Phil (the owner) for me!

[sunnyca624]

If you're looking for an experience with breakfast, Solvang is a quick drive from Lompoc. There are a lot of great danish places or sit-down restaurants. The shops are also way fun. You can also hit a winery or two if you're interested.