Stopping in San Luis Obisbo for Lunch- Need Suggestions

[fyoulady]

Need some suggestions for a lunch place on a Thursday afternoon... Not really into Asian or Mexican food... maybe somewhere with good seafood? Or Cali cuisine... Somewhere that also has good beer and maybe outdoor dining in a downtown area or near the college... Thank you so much!!

[LisaSD]

The Tacos de Mexico place that has been mentioned in previous posts is the closest thing to homemade...definitely! You can't go wrong with that place!

[jrmint]

Where have all of the posts gone?

[glbtrtr]

Recommend going to the bar at McLintocks, instead of the restaurant - their steak pieces sampler and cheesy potato skillet served at the bar with a nice draft is plenty for two and delicious. Cheaper and no waiting too.

[Bcakes]

I don't know why you would consider going anywhere besides Firestone's. They have an outdoor patio, beer, and great BBQ food. I have been away from SLO for 7 years and I still crave the tri-tip sandwich.

[jrmint]

They expanded their outdoor seating (it is now the entire front of the little shopping area - the flower shop building is completely gone - it moved). I agree, it sounds like what you are looking for and if I'm not mistaken they have calamari on their menu that is excellent.

[paso_gurl_100]

I don't recall ever seeing calamari on the menu at FG. They have tri-tip, pork, chicken and sausage sandwiches, burgers, salads, batter dipped rings and huge baskets of fries, but I don't think I've ever seen calamari. They FINALLY have 'adequate' seating, (unless it's raining, of course), and you can get table service in the bar now too.

[jrmint]

It must be that you can only get calamari in Cambria then - bummer :(

[climberdoc]

I remember visiting a friend who attended Cal Poly back in the 90s. He took me to this burrito place that had a line out the door and around the building. Food was fantastic. Does anyone know if that place is still there and still good? What is the name?

[mliew]

Think you're gonna have to be a little more specific than that. There are quite a few taco/burrito stands in SLO. Do you know what part of town it was in?

[climberdoc]

I don't remember a thing about it. All I know is that there was a line out the door and around the building. The folks I was with talked like it was the only burrito place to eat at and be seen. From your response, it's probably no longer there.

[paso_gurl_100]

Are you thinking of Tio Alberto's? They were red hot in the 90s, and IMO still have good food. That's some great hangover cure right there.

[toodie jane]

Perhaps The Burrito Wagon. At lunchtime, there were always lines out the door. Downtown on Broad Street, across from Tortilla Flats. Right on the creek. Odd, triangular shaped building. The Burrito Wagon is now just a commissary truck which hits all the industrial complexes at the noon hour. I find it very Americanized. (for tacos, they only have beef chicken or chile verde)

Both restaurants are gone now.

Best regional Mexican food now is on Santa Rosa street near the 101 overcrossing. Taco de Mexico. In an old A&W building. Very good, and reasonable. Mexican beers. Sit inside or on the patio.

[jrmint]

You have to be talking about TA's (was there a 7-11 and a parking lot out the door?). I used to race there from SLO high school for lunch and make it back just in time...

[toodie jane]

jrmint:

TA's was on Broad Street, next to 7-11, across from the Broad St parking lot (destined itself to become a 4-story highrise with condos for rich out-of-towners) I remember TA's serving great food in its day.

TW was west 1 block, on Nipomo St, sort of kitty-corner from Sandy's Liquor, between the parking lot and the creek. Across Nipomo St. from the parking lot for The Creamery (and Tortilla Flats restaurant/bar.) Never very notable imo. Their lunch truck now serves very dumbed-down tacos and tri tip sandwiches to the industrial park crowd now. I caught them one day at lunchtime when they were parked at XK's Unlimited near Broad and Tank Farm. Forgettable, sorry to day.

The best Mexican in town now is on Santa Rosa in the old A&W spot just near corner of SB & Olive St. Que sabrosa! Still has the carhop canopy, but no car service.

[jrmint]

Darn :( I hadn't realized it was even gone! Yes, the Tacos de is good! I can't keep up with all of the different places sometimes!

[mliew]

If you're looking for more casual fare Firestone grill in downtown does great burgers and tri-tip sandwiches. I also like the chef salads at Ciscos by the creek although the rest of their food is nothing special.

Second the recommendation for Country Creek Yogurt as well -- much better than Bali's which seems to be more popular. Wish I could find a place like that down here in SD, Golden Spoon is far inferior and while asian yogurt places seem to be springing up like weeds they don't do american yogurt as well.

[jrmint]

Country Culture Yogurt - try the Berry Berry!!!

[almondjoy1987]

A good frozen yogurt place in SD county is The Yogurt Mill on Broadway and Mollison in El Cajon. Their portions are huge and they have a ton of flavors that rotate throughout the week. There is usually a big line from 5 until close which is 10 or 11. It's been one of my favorites since I was in middle school.

[toodie jane]

Another vote for Novo. Food is very good, desserts devine, the shady creekside patio not to be missed.

Or have lunch there and walk up the creek prominade and get a yougurt at the Mission Mall and take it down to a bench along the creek. sigh. just another beauttful day in paradise. You won't want to get back on the road....

Nothing near Poly except mostly fast food aimed at students, to my knowledge.

[fyoulady]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions! We are trying to pick between lunch at Novo or maybe Vinoteca Wine Bar is Paso Robles.... I will be sure to write a report when I get back!! Thanks again!

[dockhl]

vinoteca is nice enuf but I never think of them as having much more to eat than o;lives, cheeses and pate. Have they changed their menu? Paso has a few other good places for lunch, tho.

[paso_gurl_100]

No, I don't think Vinoteca opens until 4 pm. They have pizzas and oysters and fondue and stuff, that's about it.

BTW, GBG, High Street is STILL the awesome sandwich, I like Gus's too, but HIgh Street is the fave for lunch. If you go in after 4:20 pm, sandwiches are $4.20...

[alanstotle]

I used to live/go to school in San Luis Obispo and one of the best lunches ever was to get a sandwich from the High Street Deli and whatever libation you prefer and find your own outdoor seating. There are lots of picnic spots by the creek that would work just fine. But of course, picnicking is not everyone's cup of tea.

Whoops! Posted under hubby's account, this is actually glazebrookgirl. Sorry for the confusion...

[dockhl]

Novo would be a good choice, outside by the creek. Good food (I like it far more than BS, which always sounds good on the menu but is grossly underseasoned).

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Novo Restaurant & Lounge
726 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

[pantani]

Big Sky Cafe. They don't have outdoor dining but I have had good seafood there and beer selection is ok.

[mlgb]

I love the Mediterranean salad plate at Big Sky. $10 for a big plate with cuke/yogurt, hummus, baba ganoush, tuna/white bean, some kalamatas, pine nuts, fresh field greens and a basket of warm pitas.

[Bruce in SLO]

My suggestion would be either Novo with dining on their patio.
See: http://www.novorestaurant.com/menus.fsp
The other choice would be F. McClintock's about a block south.
http://www.mclintocks.com/menus/saloo...