Best Brunch
The Sea Cliffs
2757 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach

When looking for a class-act buffet, locals know there’s only one place to get it: The Sea Cliffs in Shell Beach every Sunday morning. The food varies, but it’s always delicious and you’re served a glass of good quality J rosé bubbly that, happily, never seems to end. If you’re looking to impress the bourgeois, the wine list offers Dom Perignon and Roederer Cristal. But few restaurants offer so much good taste combined with patio seating and awesome views of the azure Pacific. Don’t care for the sun? No worries, there’s plenty of room inside with equally awesome views––and you’re closer to all that food.

Hungry for an omelet? Fill up a bowl with your favorite fillings and a chef
will envelop it with fluffy eggs right before your eyes. Belgian waffle sound enticing? They’re made-to-order and served crisp and golden with whipped butter and warmed maple syrup.
Manager Wyatt Mello says they offer nine hot dishes, from eggs Benedict to spicy sausages; eight to 12 salads; and a seafood section with anything the chef can get his hands on, from oysters, shrimp, and salmon to cracked crab. And save room for dessert; the table is laden with anywhere from eight to 12 decadent choices that feature everything from cheesecake and chocolate to fresh fruits. Surely no one wonders why they’ve stayed No. 1.

—Kathy Marcks Hardesty

2nd: Sea Venture
3rd: Hobee’s

 

Best Frozen Yogurt / Ice Cream Shop
Cold Stone Creamery
San Luis Obispo • Arroyo Grande • Atascadero

Don’t even think about walking into this place with calories on your mind. There are just too many irresistible treats: cookie batter ice cream with brownies; Reeses peanut butter cups; crispy nuts; chocolate sprinkles; and much, much more. Think you can hold off because you don’t like ice cream? Well, they’ve got creamy sorbet, nonfat frozen yogurt, ice cream without sugar, and smoothies to tempt you.

You know how those old-fashioned ice cream parlors used to brag that they hand-packed the ice cream? Big deal. This gourmet wonderland offers ice creams that are hand-mixed, duh! You pick the base and the fresh candies, nuts, and cookies are cut into that creamy goodness on a cold marble slab. The brownies are baked fresh daily; the Arroyo Grande site goes through three pans a day. The candies and cookies are made by the brand names Americans love: Reeses, Mars, Oreo, and Smucker’s. And it all tastes fresh and wonderful because it hasn’t been sitting in some freezer where it turned into frozen rock.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Bali’s Self Serve
3rd: Country Culture Yogurt

Best Local Wine
Wild Horse
Winery & Vineyards

1437 Wildhorse Winery Ct., Templeton

If this renowned winery ever loses its grip on first place, that will be the biggest surprise of all. It’s certainly no surprise they’ve consistently been voted the best wine for 12 years straight.

“We’re happy to be recognized again as the favorite local wine,” says Ken Volk, the down-to-earth man who founded Wild Horse Winery in 1982. “I think we owe that to the fact that we have so many friends in our backyard that enjoy our wines.”

What’s their secret? Volk attributes it to their broad and diverse portfolio of ultra-premium wines made in price ranges that fit everyone. That includes his other brands, moderately priced at $10 and under: Aqua Pumpkin and Rain Forest Red, the latter wine created to raise funds and educate the public about ecological awareness.

It’s a sure thing that Wild Horse will consistently remain a high-quality winery. But they often find people think of them as a source of the varietal they like best. Chardonnay lovers don’t realize they also make delicious Pinot Noir and Merlot. Merlot drinkers are surprised to discover Wild Horse makes white wines.

“I like white wines as much as I do reds,” says Volk, who’s known by his peers for experimenting with heirloom varietals outside the mainstream. “But some people only drink red wines or only drink white wines; we have something for everyone.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Tobin James Cellars
3rd: Edna Valley Vineyard

Best Wine Tasting Room
Edna Valley Vineyard
2585 Biddle Ranch Road, San Luis Obispo

A good wine tasting room is measured by the attitude of its staff. Just ask Jan Owens, one of the personable pourers at Edna Valley Vineyards, who says she and her brethren love what they do: helping people better appreciate fine wine. She admits that when people first walk in, the view of Edna Valley captures their attention, but it’s reined back in by the wines. There’s no snobby attitude in this winery, says Owens: “People often tell us they felt awkward at first, but we helped them become comfortable.”

The tasting room will see some favorable changes coming soon with the arrival of the new hospitality manager, Shay Stewart. Although Stewart credits winemaker Harry Hansen first for their exceptional wines, Stewart also heaped praises on the tasting room staff, describing them as the face of Edna Valley Vineyard because of their dedication, which he says “permeates throughout the winery.” And they know their wine club members by name.

But you don’t have to be a member; they seem to like everyone. Picnic tables await guests who want to stop and taste their wines with cheese from the deli case. Should they run out of picnic tables, guests can spread their picnic blankets on the lawn and enjoy their lunch with wine. According to Stewart, “People typically drop in for the good-quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs they expect, but Harry gives us a selection of great wines (including lesser-known varietals like Pinot Gris) that people try for the first time and really like.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Tobin James Cellars
3rd: Meridian Vineyard

Best Salad Bar
Fresh Choice
876 Marsh St., San Luis Obispo

Tell a foodie that a chain restaurant is good and they’re sure to snivel it’s not good enough for them. But if that’s their answer for Fresh Choice, they just don’t realize this is no formula eatery like most big chains. According to manager Dave Culver, Fresh Choice is about healthy foods made from fresh ingredients. They don’t get their foods pre-made in a commissary warehouse; they mix the salads, soups, and most pastries in their own kitchen daily. The produce is delivered each morning, and they clean it, peel it, and slice it for the salad bar.

What most newcomers don’t get is the fact that you pay a reasonable price for the plate, then you can pile it with all you can eat: crisp green salads, pasta salads, something from the baked-potato bar with a myriad of toppings. Not full? You’ve still got five soups to choose from, and you know you’ll want to save room for desserts like strawberry shortcake. It’s all-you-can-eat, no limits, but this is no “Hometown Buffet,” Culver explained. “We don’t serve meat dishes; it’s all based on healthful foods like salads, soups, and dessert.” Of course they serve a few decadent sweets besides fruits and nuts; it is the dessert bar, after all.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Sizzler
3rd: New Frontiers

Best Coffee House
Starbucks
Arroyo Grande • Atascadero • Pismo Beach • San Luis Obispo

If you’ve ever walked into an unfamiliar coffee house and wound up with a simple cup of coffee that was so bitter and caustic it took the enamel off your teeth, you know why Starbucks is so successful: consistency. This is one super-chain where that formula is exactly what you want. Whether you’re in Pismo, Paso, SLO, or Baghdad, you know when you walk into that familiar green storefront you’re going to get exactly the same cup of java you know so well. And that’s a beautiful thing.

At Starbucks on Higuera Street in SLO, Manager Suzanna Conner says it’s their “legendary service” that earned them first place.

“And we won it fair and square,” Conner laughed. “I never got a chance to fill out the ballot in time. Customers want consistency; you always know what you’re going to get when you come in.” Since they’re open nearly 18 hours a day, year round, they’re always ready to wait on you. They get lots of regulars, and it’s more fun for the staff when they do get to know them, says Conner: “We get their order going as soon as we see them walk through the door.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Rudolph’s Coffee & Tea
3rd: Linnaea’s Café

Best Seafood
Great American Fish Co.
1185 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

Visit Morro Bay and you can get panoramic views from nearly every business in town. But if you want a good fish dinner, don’t eat in any dive where you can smell it before you see it. You want a restaurant where you can be sure that if it were any fresher, it would still be swimming. That’s what you’ll get at the Great American Fish Company (GAFC), says manager Jim Leage: “We do enough volume that nothing sits around here very long.”

Leage, who’s been buying fish for 20 years at GAFC, says he gets good products and buys from local fisherman first. When he can’t get it locally, he has other reliable sources. Explaining he has “good buying power,” he typically offers 20 varieties of fish on the menu, plus a few exotic filets when they happen to be in season.

Yet some loyal customers come in strictly for the filet mignon. Leage repeated his buying power explanation, which gives him the luxury to age his steaks before he sells them. Still, it’s the tasty fish that earned GAFC first place for the best seafood 11 out of 13 years, partly because prices are reasonable, service is fast, and those fresh fish filets are cooked over an aromatic mesquite grill. The smells emanating from this restaurant’s kitchen will surely lure you inside and you’ll be hooked, just like the other regular customers.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Steamers of Pismo
3rd: Olde Port Inn

Best Mexican Food
Pepe Delgado’s
1601 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo

If you haven’t experienced the “beached whale,” you’ve never experienced the joy of piggin’ out. And there’s only one place where you can indulge in this piggy nirvana: Pepe Delgado’s. Manager Barbara Fleckenstein says they’ve been serving up the same good authentic Mexican food for 25 years. She ought to know, she’s been there dishing it out. Everything from special orders to combination plates comes out in generous portions, yet their menu remains reasonably priced.

“Anyone who hasn’t eaten here is missing a gastronomical treat,” Fleckenstein laughed. She explained it’s the only Mexican restaurant of its kind in the area because it’s been owned by Yvonne Poulsen for 33 years. They still serve free chips and salsa. Most regulars dine here three or more times a week, ordering Tacos Mexicana, super tostadas, and, of course, that whale of a burrito filled with chicken, beef, pork, chile verde, beans, rice, mole, onions, jalapenos, guacamole, and sour cream. When you go to Pepe’s, go hungry.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Tio Alberto’s
3rd: Chilie Peppers

Best Chinese Food
Golden China Restaurant
SLO • Atascadero • Morro Bay

Ever since opening in 1983, Golden China has been pleasing hungry diners in San Luis Obispo. Loyal patrons returned the favor by voting it best for its array of exotic Chinese foods every single year since New Times began publishing our reader’s votes for the Best of SLO in 1986. There’s no better testimonial for a satisfying meal than that.

According to manager Sandra Yu, there are so many popular dishes that bring diners back, she couldn’t begin to name them all. But there is one thing they offer that attracts crowds: the buffet. Open all day every day of the week, it’s all-you-can-eat with 60 tasty foods to choose from, including tea. You want beer or wine, it’s yours, priced separately, of course.

Yu says the partners who own Golden China and the entire staff are most appreciative of the honor for the 17th year in a row. Service is huge at Golden China, and they deliver big orders for offices or small orders for families; it doesn’t matter. They prepare food ready to pick up when you call ahead. Diabetic? No problem. On a special diet? No problem. Yu says they can prepare “any dish to suit your needs.” And she means it in the most sincere way: “If you have special requests, we’re very happy to accommodate you, we don’t mind at all.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Mandarin Gourmet
3rd: Golden Gong

Best Japanese Food
Tsurugi Japanese Restaurant
570 Higuera. St., San Luis Obispo

When regulars walk through the front door of this restaurant, the fervent sushi chefs don’t just know their name—they scream it out in hearty greetings. Here, everyone will know your name, like it or not. But their fans love it and always come back for more, especially when it comes to the food. Tsurugi serves all of the traditional Japanese dishes most Americans love, and who would have imagined so many cowboys and truck drivers would order raw fish appetizers. But on any given day, you’ll see satisfied diners of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds lavishly putting down albacore tataki with the chefs’ house-made vinegar sauce and glistening smelt roe.

Yuki Kiyama, who manages this wildly popular sushi house, says: “We’re really a small, family-run restaurant and we treat our customers like family, too.” It’s typically crowded, but the friendly atmosphere keeps things fun. Owner Takeshi Yamada has been slicing up these raw delicacies for more than 40 years.

Kiyama says most people have sushi for appetizers, then order hot noodle dishes, tempura, or teriyaki as a main course. No matter how you order it or mix things up, it’s all good.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Sakura Rikyu
3rd: Yamato

Best Thai Food
Thai-rrific
Atascadero • San Luis Obispo

When you walk through the front door of Thai-rrific, the partners/owners want to you to feel right at home, so they decorated the dining room exactly as it would be in a traditional Thai home. The music; their friendly, courteous service; and the intriguing and delicious, spicy, crunchy foods based on the traditional cuisine are all part of its charm. And ever since Thai food was given a vote of its own in Best Of, Thai-rrific has, deservedly, owned first place.

At lunch you’ll find yourself surrounded by hungry, happy locals who know they’d better get there early unless they want to wait for a table. Fortunately, turnover is fast since most diners have to get back to work. Dining-room manager and partner Liz Kochprapha says come for dinner and you’ll find a quieter, more relaxing atmosphere, at least until the weekend rolls around. When there’s food as delectable as this and low-priced too, you can expect plenty of competition for a table in San Luis Obispo. The word is out, however, and though they’re off the main drag, they’re gaining in popularity with tourists who always return.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Thai Palace
3rd: Thai Classic

Best Italian Food
Giuseppe’s
891 Price St., Pismo Beach

There’s heavy competition among the prizefighters in this category, which tells you plenty about the quality of SLO County’s Italian restaurants. The best of them are always maneuvering around each other for the championship title, but this year’s Rocky Graziano is Giuseppe’s Cucina Italiana. Founded by Giuseppe “Joe” and Janelle DiFronzo, Cal Poly graduates, it’s always been a family-operated restaurant and a comfortable, albeit busy, place.

For the past two years the kitchen has been in the capable hands of Chef John Pastore. Yes, the same chef who started the popular Pastore’s Italian Ristorante in Los Osos. At Giuseppe’s, Pastore focuses on the delicious traditional cuisine that his and DiFronzo’s ancestors cooked in Southern Italy. And, rain or shine, there’s always a line because they don’t take reservations. No matter how early you arrive, the queue is forming, and for one good reason: the food.

Pastore explained that Southern Italian cuisine was never “cosmopolitan,” as were restaurants in Rome and Florence. The southern section of the country is very thin, surrounded by water, so they don’t have truffles or butter and cream from grazing cattle as in Northern Italy. The cuisine is based on the sea, mostly seafood, with wild game and hearty tomato-based sauces, which explains this restaurant’s popularity. Americans are more familiar with this style of cooking, since most restaurants have been run by Italian immigrants who came from the south.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Buona Tavola
3rd: Café Roma

Best Steak
Jocko’s Steak House
125 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo

Ask 10 people which steakhouse grills up the most juicy, tender, thick-cut steaks in SLO County and you might get 10 answers. After all, you’re in big-beef country. The Central Coast has always been popular with tourists and locals for its steakhouses and barbecues. And there are good choices in every town in the county. But our readers didn’t surprise us with this year’s winner: Jocko’s.

“One thing about Jocko’s is consistency,” Chef Eddie Plemmons says with pride. “If you had something special here 10 years ago, you can expect it to be just as good now.”

“It’s the quality of the meat and the red-oak flavors that make the steaks so popular.” Steaks are seasoned lightly, says Plemmons, to complement—not overpower—the steak. Nothing is really small in this steak house, but that leftover steak will taste just as delicious wrapped in a bun tomorrow.

—K.M.H.

2nd: F. McLintock’s Saloon & Dining House
3rd: AJ Spurs Saloon & Dining House

Best Burger
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., SLO

“Cheeseburger in paradise.” Surely Jimmy Buffet had just visited San Luis Obispo when he wrote the lyrics to that song. A good burger is pure satisfaction, and that’s what you get at Firestone Grill. In fact, it’s one of the best ones we’ve tried in a long time.

Firestone Grill attracts people of all ages. Orders are taken at the bar, or you can sit in the bar, watch the game on TV, and be pampered. Manager Darnell Harris explained a good hamburger is only created when you buy the finest ingredients, and that starts with a 1/3-pound lean patty: “We buy the best available, even the produce. If it doesn’t look good, we send it back.”

There are five kinds of burgers to choose from—from the giant-sized “monster” with two patties to the “kiddy” burger that’s half the size of a regular burger. A local fave is the ABC Burger, with avocado, bacon, and cheese, but you can order burgers any way you want them; add a pickle, hold the lettuce, even vegetarian. Harris added, “The hamburgers are so good because they’re never pre-cooked; they’re cooked to order.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Cool Cat Café
3rd: Sylvester’s

Best Greasy Spoon
Louisa’s Place
964 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

Chicken-fried steak, bacon omelets, and sizzling hamburgers might have earned Louisa’s first place for the Best Greasy Spoon award, but Manager Scott Sweeny is afraid the word “greasy” might taint their reputation. It won’t. Not when you serve food you’re proud to carry out of the kitchen, and Sweeny clearly is. The bacon is thick-cut, the sausages come from Cattaneo Bros., and they buy tender local breads and pastries. It could have earned first place as Best Greasy Spoon because it’s so friendly and comfortable.

Louisa’s Place, like that great bar in Cheers, appeals to regulars who are greeted by name. One woman eats there twice a day, every day. Here, no one rushes you out to make way for more customers. They’re more than willing to accommodate special orders, like egg-white omelets, or giving you fruit instead of home fries. Here’s the irony—there’s no deep-fat fryer, so you can’t get french fries with that burger. So forget about greasy fries and order what the regulars keep coming back for: homemade dishes like potato salad, meatloaf, and soup. Sweeny added: “We have really good portions; people don’t go away hungry.”

—K.M.H

2nd: Margie’s Dinner
3rd: Fat Cats

Best Ribs
Mo’s Smokehouse BBQ
Pismo Beach • San Luis Obispo

“Pig fat rules!” Emeril thunders, and the crowd goes wild. Thank you, Emeril, for once again sharing one of the secrets to the universe. I hate tellin’ ya this, brother, but here in SLO we knew it
all along. Few barbecue joints make
pork ribs mo’ betta’ than Mo’s. And their sauces, well, they “kick it up a
few notches.”

And they’ve been winning so many awards and ribbons, you know it’s got to be true. In fact, Mo’s just won second place at a national rib cookoff in Florida. But in SLO, we say Mo’s is No. 1. Owner Larry Kowalski started Mo’s nine years ago after visiting 80 barbecue joints across the nation to discover what indeed makes pork fat taste so damn good. He found the secret all right, and he’ll tell part of what makes Mo’s ribs so good: smokin’. The ribs are smoked all night over hickory chips, which makes them so tender and flavorful the meat just wants to slide right off the bone, with a little nudge from your sharp teeth. All three styles of Mo’s sweet, smoky barbecue sauce have won awards too, says Kowalski. It keeps you craving another bite.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Old Country Deli
3rd: Jocko’s Steak House

Best Tri-Tip
Firestone Grill
1001 Higuera St., SLO

The ubiquitous tri-tip—who doesn’t sell it? It can be found in restaurants, supermarkets, diners, delis, and parking lots, and it’s not always good. A tough one is akin to chewing Roy Rogers’ saddle. But when you find one that’s meltingly tender and seasoned just right, it’s irresistible. You’ll become a fan for life, and readers say it can be found at Firestone Grill.

Ask restaurant manager Darnell Harris how they get it so tender and he’ll say he’s not telling. He only admits it starts with good-quality Angus Beef, cooked slow; you can’t rush it. That’s the trick; you don’t eat this stuff rare. It has to cook it till it’s well done and practically melting apart into threads, then you can chew it. Firestone makes the tri-tip sandwich taste good by dipping the roll in melted garlic butter and topping it with meat and sauce. That’s it. Of course, if you want veggies or condiments on it too, they’ll gladly accommodate you, but purists wouldn’t change a thing about this sandwich.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Mo’s Smokehouse BBQ
3rd: Old Country Deli

 

Best Deli Sandwich
Gus’ Grocery
1638 Osos St., San Luis Obispo

If you’re looking for toilet paper or dog food, Gus’ Grocery isn’t your store. But if you’re looking for the biggest, tastiest sandwich filled with so many good things it would make Dagwood drool, get on over to Gus’. They’ve taken the first place in the Best Of for 17 years straight, no contest. Manager Mike Stanton, who’s been running the place for 14 years, boasts: “We have 100 types of turkey. We only buy the best meats and slice them in front of you when we make your sandwich. You can choose from nine breads, 10 cheeses, and 20 condiments, all top-quality ingredients.”

Stanton describes Gus’ as a mom-and-pop store that serves a local clientele of every age, “from junior high to senior citizens,” and most are regulars. They love to sit on the patio where they can enjoy those satisfying sandwiches with anything from milk to icy-cold draft beer. There’s also a happy hour that fills the patio every day. The sandwiches are big, or you can have burritos, wraps, or salads. The potato chips, potato wedges, even the brownies, are freshly made everyday. But it takes more than great food to keep locals coming back again and again; it takes a good crew, and Stanton says he’s got one: “We’ll do anything we can to accommodate our customers’ needs.” And they deliver.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Muzio’s Grocery
3rd: High Street Deli/Kona’s Deli

 

Best Pizza
Woodstock’s
1000 Higuera St., SLO

With pizza parlors on nearly every block, opening the phone book to choose the best one doesn’t make it easier. In fact, when you’re hungry, it’s downright frustrating. So forget the yellow pages and follow the crowd to Woodstock’s. They should know, locals have voted Woodstock’s pizza the finest in 15 out of 17 issues of the Best of SLO, says manager Jeff Lafranchi. He says they win because they’ve been serving delicious pizzas from scratch consistently for 22 years.

Lafranchi says there’s no secret to being the best, just don’t get chintzy on the toppings. And that’s the difference, he says, between their pizza and a chain’s pie. Chain shops offer a certain weight for toppings: order several toppings and you don’t get more stuff; they just adjust the percentage of all the toppings and then charge more.

At Woodstock’s they offer all of the usual toppings, 25 to 30 of them, and you can choose between white or wheat crust, traditional red sauce or white cheese sauce. And the new “classic combos” have people coming back frequently for another slice. Especially the “Mediterranean Masterpiece,” thickly topped with sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, pepperoncini, red onions, and feta cheese.

For you finicky eaters who want the same thing every time, you can count on a delicious plain ol’ pepperoni pizza. But why not give your tongue a new taste treat; order “the bomb” or the “carnivore’s delight.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Round Table Pizza
3rd: Nucci’s

Best SLO Restaurant
Big Sky Café
1121 Broad St., San Luis Obispo

It’s a bright and shiny new day in San Luis Obispo for those of us who love good food, and it’s downright exciting. New restaurants are springing up like golden poppies on both sides of the Cuesta Grade and on every site with panoramic views of our little part of the gorgeous Pacific Ocean. They come in every style—from upscale dining rooms with crisp white linens and contemporary bistros to casual cafés where you’re served an excellent meal at college-budget prices. Even with more types of cuisine to choose from than ever before, locals haven’t forsaken the pioneers who have been serving us great food for the last decade or more, like Big Sky Café.

When Owner-Chef Charles Myers opened his landmark restaurant, he created a menu that would offer something for everyone. A former vegetarian, Myers introduced Big Sky as one of the first local restaurants to focus heavily on healthy goods made without meat in a world where most people thought that concept meant boring, tasteless food. Big Sky proved that vegetarian foods were not only delicious and good for you; they could actually make you forget about meat occasionally, which accounts for also being No. 1-choice as Best Vegetarian Food. Of course, Myers and his talented chefs have always designed the menu to provide high-quality dishes, whether they were vegetarian, meat, or fish.

Chef Timothy Koch is passionate about vegetarian cuisine, and he says it’s easy to come up with interesting and provocative dishes by looking at the foods eaten in other countries.

“More of the world’s cuisines are mostly vegetarian, unlike America, where meat is the focus of the meal,” says Koch. And when asked how a vegetarian can keep the carnivores from growling, he gladly explained: “I’m the only vegetarian in the kitchen. My sous-chef and cooks bring a wealth of experience, and they all eat meat.” Only a few exceptional restaurants can offer vegan and vegetarian dishes

alongside rib-eye steak sandwiches and Gulf Coast seafood tacos. And Big Sky has much in common with its laid-back local clientele who bring their friends, families, and, magnanimously, let tourists in on their favorite dining spot. Big Sky has always been and will always be SLO’s own. —K.M.H.

2nd: Buona Tavola
3rd: Café Roma

Best North County Restaurant
Ian McPhee’s Grill
416 S. Main St., Templeton

Chef Ian McPhee appreciates the fact that he was voted the best North County Restaurant again this year, but he wasn’t surprised. After celebrating his ninth anniversary in Templeton last week, McPhee knows what makes his hungry customers happy: “A lot of restaurants claim they only use the best-quality foods, but the proof is in the pudding. We put our money into the quality of the food, and people can tell when they dine here.”

There’s no certain style to which this creative chef attributes the cuisine, the menu is always varied and creative. McPhee laughed, explaining that he calls his cuisine “mood food”—he changes it when the mood inspires him. Like all talented chefs who really cook, he can be seen behind the stoves experimenting with ingredients to come up with all kinds of new dishes, but each with his unique signature.

But McPhee admits there are some dishes he makes that his regulars won’t let him take off the menu. One, a textural treat of crunch, spice, and tender fish, is the macadamia-crusted halibut with ginger-sesame vinaigrette. His steaks are worth noting, grilled over an oak barbecue. All of the meats are prime-grade cuts only available to restaurants.

“Our mission statement is simple: ‘dedicated to great food and great service,’” says McPhee. “That’s what it’s all about. If you don’t do it that way, how can you expect people to come back?”

—K.M.H.

2nd: AJ Spurs Restaurant & Dining House
3rd: Villa Creek Café

Best North Coast Restaurant
Robin’s
4095 Burton Drive, Cambria

Robin’s won the No. 1 vote as the best North Coast restaurant for the first time. Surprising, considering this local favorite is celebrating its 18th anniversary in Cambria, where they’ve been making thousands of tourists and locals happy since its inception. Diners have always been fed healthy, tasty dishes that provided crunch and texture and a shotgun blast of spices and flavors.

“My No. 1 goal for all my places is excellent food and excellent service,” says owner Robin Covey. “You can always add ambiance.” It has plenty of the latter, but people go there for the food. Even though Robin’s changes a few pasta dishes each fall and spring to reflect the season, loyal patrons won’t let them take away the fragrant Thai green curry prawns with chutney and basmati brown rice, or the creamy salmon bisque.

“People tend to think of us as a natural foods restaurant,” Covey admitted, “but I quickly try to dispel that notion.” He believes when a restaurant is labeled, people tend to put it into that catergory, never really looking at the variety of quality foods on the menu. He credits Robin’s crew for making it a success, explaining they feel a part of the place. But there’s another reason Robin’s has been successful so long—appreciation for the clientele by providing good-quality foods at affordable prices. Covey sincerely expressed thanks that New Times readers voted both of his restaurants–– Robin’s as Best North Coast Restaurant and Novo as the Best New Restaurant–– No. 1.

—K.M.H.

2nd: Windows on the Water
3rd: Black Cat

Best South County Restaurant
Jocko’s Steak House
125 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo

Undoubtedly, most popular small-town restaurants are family-run and operated, but what makes it really special is when it’s been in the family’s hands through four generations. Jocko’s in Nipomo has been run by the Knotts family since Jocko’s father Emery first opened for business as a saloon in 1886. Of course, Prohibition closed it, but Jocko reopened it as a garage and a gas station, where it was whispered he sold white lightening out of the trunk of his car. Jocko ran the bar until he passed away in 1953. By 1956, Jocko’s sons, George and Fred, formed a partnership, turning Jocko’s into a restaurant where the family has been serving up sizzling-hot steaks ever since.

Today, the restaurant is run by Fred’s widow, Sandy (Fred passed away in 1993), and their son Mike. He’s the butcher, and that’s no small deed. The big grill on Jocko’s patio handles nearly 6,000 pounds of meat a week for their satisfied customers. The chef, whom Sandy calls her “adopted son,” Eddie Plemmons, has been cooking at Jocko’s for 17 years. He makes sure the beans and the salsa always taste exactly the same and the potatoes are freshly peeled for crunchy fries. Jocko’s is a friendly place where they know all the regulars by name. Most of all, says owner Sandy Knotts, Jocko’s is popular and people come back because “they know they’ll get good quality and quantity. Our customers expect that.”

—K.M.H.

2nd: Giuseppe’s
3rd: Rosa’s

 

Best Romantic Restaurant
Café Roma
1020 Railroad Ave., SLO

Café Roma is a slice of Italy. The food is fantastic, the atmosphere is authentic, and the staff is truly professional. That’s why it’s no surprise that Café Roma finds itself atop a couple of this year’s categories.

For a romantic dining experience, Café Roma is the place.

“People tell me that our restaurant transports them to another country and another time,” explained co-owner Marco Rizzo. Upon entering, you are immediately greeted with the Tuscan hospitality of the Rizzo family, often Marco himself.

Café Roma really knows how to treat their guests. The make you feel important, which is always good fuel for romance. Roma’s staff placed in the top three for Best Restaurant Service this year, too. That’s no fluke.

Since 1980, the Rizzos have been bringing their family recipes to San Luis Obispo. The restaurant is located in historic Railroad Square, near the train station, and offers banquet facilities, patio dining, fantastic lunches, and romantic dinners. If you haven’t been, go get yourself a slice of Tuscany.

—B. Wiede

2nd: Buona Tavola
3rd: Windows on the Water

 

Best Restaurant Service
Big Sky Café
1121 Broad St., SLO

I get so embarrassed when I go out to eat with my old man. He’s that type of guy that absolutely has to give everyone a hard time when he’s at a restaurant. Take this time we went to Big Sky Café and my dad decides to grab the first busboy he sees and shout, “What’s it take to get a drink around here?!”

He wasn’t even seated yet. The poor kid was scared half to death, but when he caught his breath he simply smiled and said, “Yes sir! What can I get for you?” We caught the attention of everyone in the restaurant.

It took me a couple days to forgive Pops for that one, but Big Sky Café’s friendly staff played right along with my dad’s little inside joke. They waited on him hand and foot. They killed him with kindness. That is why, at Big Sky, they are the best in service.

Big Sky Café was also good enough to take home the gold for this year’s Best SLO Restaurant and Best Vegetarian Food. They even placed in the top three for Best Meal for Your Money.

—B.W.

2nd: F.McLintock’s Saloon & Dining House
3rd: Café Roma

Best Outdoor Dining
Mission Grill
1023 Chorro St., SLO

Around here, one of our best community attributes has to be the weather. Any restaurant or café that wants to be tops in SLO Town has to have outdoor dining, and this year our readers picked the Mission Grill to top that category.

Ah yes, the patio at Mission Grill! Talk about a historic location. What could be better than the creek running below, the mission in plain view, and the summer concert series serenading in the background. On a beautiful day in San Luis Obispo, the Grill makes it hard to go back to the office.

—B.W.

2nd: Buona Tavola
3rd: Cisco’s

Best Meal for Your Money
Margie’s Diner
San Luis Obispo • Morro Bay • Paso Robles • Atascadero

Whether you go to Margie’s Diner
for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can skip the next two meals. If you actually eat the whole plate in one sitting, that should do you for at least a day. If you like leftovers, fuhggetaboutit! You need a Great Dane-sized doggie bag for this place.

Margie’s Diner is a classic diner experience. Will it be hot coffee with breakfast, or a smooth and creamy milkshake with your burger and fries? Take your pick, and feel free to sample from your friends’ plates.

Margie’s has done pretty well throughout the readers’ poll this year, placing in the top three for Best Breakfast and also Best Greasy Spoon. Locals love Margie’s Diner because they like to feel that their money is well-spent.

—B.W.

2nd: Firestone Grill
3rd: Big Sky Café/AJ Spurs Saloon & Dining House

Best Restaurant to go to When Someone Else Pays
Café Roma
1020 Railroad Ave., SLO

“Franklin, you’ve had a great week!”

“Thank you, sir.”

“In fact, it’s time we talk about that raise your wife was asking about at the Christmas party.”

“Really, sir?”

“Indeed. What do you say we go to lunch? I’m buying.”

“Great! I mean, thank you, sir.”

“Well, what’ll it be?”

“How does Café Roma sound, sir?”

“Sounds like you could make partner real soon, kid.”

Most of us believe that you get what you pay for. Well, if someone else is paying, don’t you want the best? This category could also be called The Best Choice, Period. With a top finish for Best Romantic Restaurant and top three for Best Italian, Best SLO Restaurant, and Best Restaurant Service, Café Roma has earned its ink this year.

New Times readers are not the only ones who think Café Roma is great. They’ve received some tasty reviews by several critics, including Zagat. Surveys and Gourmet magazine. Café Roma has also received a good number of honors, including Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Speaking of wine, that’s a great reason to visit Café Roma. Believe me, a 1989 Cabernet Sauvignon is worth every penny. Roma’s wine list is balanced among Italian, Napa, and Central Coast offerings, and there are occasional special winemaker dinners for the enthusiast.

Café Roma is a great place to request when someone else offers to pay. It shows that you can make an important decision with style, and that you have the courage to ask for what you really want.

—B.W.

2nd: Madonna Inn
3rd: Windows on the Water

 

Best Desserts
Madonna Inn
100 Madonna Road, SLO

Year after year our readers claim that the desserts are the biggest draw to the Madonna Inn. Everything is made fresh every day, as it should be. Choose from around nine or 10 different fruit pies (depending on the season), a handful of cream pies, “Madonna’s World Famous Cakes” (including a former New Times cover cake, “Pink Champagne”), and a good selection of French pastries. Yes, it is a tough choice.

The pink palace found itself among the top three choices of the best place to go when someone else pays and the best bakery. Pass the pink, please.

—B.W.

2nd: Linn’s
3rd: Novo

Best Bakery
Utopia Bakery
2900 Broad St., SLO

Grounded in Dutch tradition, Utopia Bakery was voted this year’s best. Utopia owner Kees (pronounced case) Docter, a native of the Netherlands, has baking in his blood.

“I come from a family of bakers,” says Kees. “My great-grandfather, grandfather, my dad and brother, all of them—bakers.”

Docter believes his heritage is one key to his bakery’s success. In fact, he recruited talent direct from his homeland to aid in his pursuit of Best Bakery honors. Fellow Dutchmen Henk Balk and Ron Weerts each have their specialty at Utopia. Balk spends his days focused on making the best bread in the county, from sourdough to whole wheat, with no fat. Weert earns his keep specializing in pastries of all kinds.

They also have outdoor seating and a full lunch menu, with soups made from scratch, fresh salads, and sandwiches, along with a few standard Dutch dishes. You can also get wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and cookies, plus tons of other delectable delights. Visit utopiabakery.com for more information.

—Brent Wiede

2nd: Carlock’s Bakery
3rd: Madonna Inn

Best Bagel
Boston Bagel
1127 Broad St., SLO

My favorite bagel is the “everything” bagel. Maybe I just like the sound of it. Or maybe one topping is just not enough. Either way, you can get your favorite bagel, fresh every day, at Boston Bagel. This relatively small shop takes top honors in this year’s Best Bagel category.

One reason for their continued success could be Boston Bagel’s friendly service. Have you ever been to a bagel shop where some college freshman woke up on the wrong side of the floor, and not only has trouble understanding English, but serves up a side of attitude to boot? Of course you haven’t, because you voted for Boston Bagel.

Located on Broad Street in downtown SLO, Boston Bagel can also take care of your coffee fix or serve up some soup. By the way, what is your favorite bagel?

—B.W.

2nd: Bagel Café
3rd: Broadway Bagel

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
McDonald’s
Arroyo Grande • Atascadero • Grover Beach • Morro Bay • Nipomo • Paso Robles • San Luis Obispo

Remember your first Happy Meal? It could have been the Hamburglar, or Grimace ... no, wait ... I think it was a little plastic figure of Ronald himself that got me hooked. McDonald’s, with the help of location and price, is No. 1 for kid fun.

This year’s best kid-friendly restaurant has a history of more than 20 billion served, and counting. Kids love it because the food comes with a toy and the playground doesn’t allow adults without kid supervision. Adults love McDonald’s because it’s cheap; there are two in every neighborhood; and most importantly, kids love it.

If you want all that whining and crying to become squeals of delight, just whisper under your breath that you’re thinking about Mickey D’s for dinner.

—B.W.

2nd: Hudson’s Grill
3rd: F. McLintock’s Saloon & Dining House

Best Cocktails
GiGi’s Mediterranean Café
969 Monterey St., SLO

GiGi’s Mediterranean Café is much more than great cocktails. This little bistro in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo also has great Mediterranean-style food and a reputation for local jazz preservation.

GiGi’s is best known for their special martinis and a happy hour where you can get them for half price. The days of choosing vodka or gin; neat or dirty; and olive, onion, or twist have been replaced by a decision of whether to go chocolate or vanilla, single or double, and here or to go. Okay, maybe not that last choice, but you get the drift. Try the tiramisu martini.

The management at GiGi’s should also be commended for their dedication to jazz music. Every week you can check out the local players of funk, Latin, and contemporary jazz, Wednesday through Sunday.

So whether you want dinner, appetizers, jazz, cocktails, or all of the above, GiGi’s comes recommended by our readers. And what a sophisticated bunch they are.

—B.W.

2nd: Blue
3rd: McCarthy’s Irish Pub

Best Place to Have a Beer
SLO Brewing Co.
1119 Garden St., SLO

Ben Franklin once said, “Beer is living proof God loves us and wants to see us happy.” Today it’s a whole new scene for beer at SLO Brew.

You don’t have to just take our readers’ word for it, because SLO Brew’s beer has taken home a slew of awards over the past three years. The IPA alone has received six of these medals, four of them gold.

SLO Brew was also voted into the top three for the best bar in San Luis Obispo this year, and there’s more than just beer to thank. SLO Brew now serves liquor, has good food and DJ dancing upstairs, and is still one of SLO town’s best places to see a live band. And so, I’ll leave you with one last quote:

“If you ever reach total enlightenment while drinking beer, I bet it makes beer shoot out your nose.” —Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy.

—B.W.

2nd: Frog & Peach
3rd: Firestone Grill

Best Margarita
Izzy Ortega’s
1850 Monterey St., SLO

The popular hangout known as Izzy Ortega’s takes home the gold for this year’s best margarita. They have several flavors, including strawberry, raspberry, peach, mango, and melon. Of course, the standard lime margarita is consistent, too.

Izzy’s key ingredient is a healthy portion of Sauza Gold, a better-than-average tequila not usually associated with well drinks.

Izzy Ortega’s is part of the McLintock’s family, so you can be assured the grub is good and this place knows how to party.

—B.W.

2nd: Old Juan’s Cantina
3rd: Pepe Delgado’s

 

Best Restaurant with a View
Windows on the Water
699 Embarcadero, Morro Bay

With a name like Windows on the Water, you’d hope that there’s a good view. Located right on the water in Morro Bay, this restaurant was designed to showcase the beautiful view of the bay from every table.

Windows on the Water features a menu that changes with the seasons, benefiting from local suppliers for fresh fish, vegetables, fruit, and herbs. The wine list features many local wines and current California selections, as well as renowned French vintages.

Called the “new favorite of California” by the New York Times and given the finest rating for delicious food, fine wine, and impeccable service by the Zagat Survey, Windows on the Water is also rated three diamonds by AAA.

In addition, our readers picked Windows in the top three for Best North Coast Restaur--ant, Best Romantic Restaurant, and Best Restaurant to go to When Someone Else Pays.

—B.W.

2nd: Steamers of Pismo
3rd: Sea Venture

Best Breakfast
Louisa’s Place
964 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

When you need a comforting plate of hot food to start the day, don’t you want something just like your momma used to make? Then go to Louisa’s Place for the best breakfast in SLO County. Manager Scott Sweeny says: “We’re an old-fashioned diner serving what we like to call home-style food.”

The diner’s curved counter and stools have seated locals since it opened in the early 1950s. Sweeny says there’s no other place quite like Louisa’s, and the counter’s great for singles because you never feel alone. It’s owned by his parents, Christy and Ed, who moved to SLO in 1976. Louisa’s Place became one of their favorite eateries. When it went up for sale in 1990, they didn’t want to see it close so they bought it and kept the name.

And they still serve a good old-fashioned cup of Joe. Sweeny says their customers love it, and it’s only $1.35 for a never-ending cup of coffee. But it’s the food that really brings all the locals in, as well as a lot of kids from Cuesta and Cal Poly.

The Sweenys bring in the best local products available, from Boston Bagels and Wild West Cinnamon Buns to Cattaneo Bros. sausages. Louisa’s serves breakfast all day, but Sweeny says you won’t want to miss out on their good burgers and sandwiches. Most popular are the array of “extraordinary omelets,” like the “Italian” with sausage, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese, and the bay shrimp with jack cheese and spinach. Of course, the menu is filled with other temptations like Texas-sized slices of French toast, and there’s one treat that everyone wants when they see it come out of the kitchen: the golden, crisp Belgian waffle crowned with strawberries and whipped cream.

—Kathy Marcks Hardesty

2nd: Margie’s Diner
3rd: Del Monte Café

 

Best Vegetarian Food
Big Sky Café
1121 Broad St., SLO

Do you know how to find good vegetarian food in a restaurant that isn’t strictly vegetarian? Go to one that has a vegetarian chef, like Big Sky Café’s Chef Tim Koch. He’s been cooking exotic vegetarian dishes, plus daily specials, besides the usual meat dishes that keep carnivorous customers happy. In fact, when Owner-Chef Charles Myers created and opened this popular restaurant nine years ago in April, he was a vegetarian, too. He admits it was difficult to run a restaurant without tasting meat dishes, so he adapted. Koch, who started eight years ago, is now chef on a daily basis. He and Myers collaborate on the seasonal menus to come up with exciting new dishes.

“We’re always adding new things,” says Myers, who still cooks for catered events. “On the menu we offer a mahogany chicken with glass noodles and edamame beans. One of the servers requested the dish substituting tofu for the chicken and loved it. Now the staff recommends it to everyone.”

That’s how some new dishes come along, but with nearly 40 percent of the menu vegetarian, including a few vegan dishes, there have always been plenty of tasty options. Koch does taste dishes they’ve created with meat, a good chef has to, but prefers vegetarian meals.

Myers says they get many people who come in to eat and order vegetarian just because it sounds so good. First-timers usually discover Big Sky by coming with a vegetarian, and then become regulars. And with Americans more interested in eating healthier foods, meat eaters are venturing outside the cage and trying adventurous foods on the menu like eggplant zhug and North African tagine. Or there’s the popular “Big Sky Noodle Bowl” filled with buckwheat soba noodles and semolina pasta in vegetable broth with oriental vegetables, with or without meat or fish. This works at breakfast, too: order the Mediterranean frittata with fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and Parmesan. It’s so good you won’t even miss the meat.

—Kathy Marks Hardesty

2nd: New Frontiers
3rd: Fresh Choice

Best New Restaurant
Novo
726 Higuera St., San Luis Obispo

This is always a great category for the readers. Every year there’s a new winner, and those of us who don’t get out much can take advice from those who had something to say about the newest culinary delights.

This year’s winner is barely four months old, and the owner, Robin Covey, has kept it simple for you. The name Novo is Portuguese for “new.” Covey says that there was at least one other possible name bouncing around in his head, but the location, the timing, and the general feel of this place led him to call it Novo.

Novo serves International cuisine by combining Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin flavors to bring to an eclectic, ethnic dining experience.

“We serve high-quality food done simply and in a tapas [the Iberian equivalent of French hors d’oeuvres] style. Our most popular dish is our Asian vegetable spring rolls,” Covey said. Lunch specialties include sandwiches on fresh-baked breads like focaccia, ciabatta, and olive bread. Novo also takes great pride in their dessert. In fact, Novo also made the top three in this year’s voting for the best desserts.

Novo offers plenty of seating, including a couple different creek-side patios. The artwork was actually made for the restaurant, and adds the perfect touch of fun. Covey also owns a restaurant and bakery in Cambria, hence the marvelous desserts and fresh-baked bread every day.

“It’s actually been a dream of mine to open a tapas-style restaurant in San Luis Obispo for some time,” said Covey. Well, the people have spoken, and I think they’re ready. Take the readers’ word for it. You need to try something new.

—B. Weide

2nd: Seven Hands on Higuera
3rd: Black Cat

Best Fish Taco
Cabo San Luis
981 Foothill Blvd., SLO

Fish tacos are a personal favorite. Oddly enough, I’d enjoyed the second and third place winners in this category, but had yet to try the best. I set out to test our readers’ opinion with my own scrutinizing taste.

Cabo San Luis owner Dan Harper grew up around here but was unsure whether San Luis Obispo would be ready for his Baja-style fish tacos. Three years and 275,000 fish tacos later, I think he can safely say we’re ready.

Harper breaks down the success of his tacos into four areas of focus: authentic and creative recipes, high-quality ingredients, cooking and preparation methods, and variety. You can get five different types of fish tacos (if you count shrimp) made fresh to order from ingredients completely under Harper’s control.

“We’ve had the same fish vendor for three years now,” he says. He knows his vendors well and loves their consistency.

As you enter Cabo San Luis you’d never guess it used to be a Burger King. The décor is relaxing and the staff is friendly. A fresh-salsa bar graces the wall to the right, and a huge fish tank stands in the middle of the dining room for added atmosphere.

True to my mission, I promptly devoured two regular fish tacos. You are absolutely right, SLO County! These are the best. I made room to try a grilled mahimahi taco because I hated the sight of an empty plate. I was satiated, and for me it’s rare to do that for under 10 bucks.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said. I’m hooked.

—B.W.

2nd: Taco Temple
3rd: Pete’s Southside Café