Best of 2019: House of Eats

It’s been a busy year for SLO County’s favorite ice cream maker. While its parlors in SLO, Arroyo Grande, and Santa Maria continue to be locals’ go-to shops for scoops of Motor Oil, Birthday Cake, or Mint Fudge Oreo, the company recently announced plans to open 100 new parlors across the state, starting in the Sacramento area. But the expansion won’t diminish its presence locally, CEO Michael Boyer said. “We are committed to the idea of continuing to be based here in SLO,” Boyer said. “We definitely are committed to keeping the majority of our manufacturing and corporate team here.”

—Peter Johnson

doc@docburnsteins.com

docburnsteins.com

@docburnsteins

facebook.com/docburnsteins

Best Doughnut

SLODOCO

793 Foothill Blvd., SLO

M-Sun., 24/7

(805) 782-9766

6917 El Camino Real, Atascadero

M-Sun., 5 a.m.-10 p.m.

(805) 460-7045

brandon@slodoco.com

slodoco.com

@slodoco

facebook.com/slodoco

Best Dessert

Madonna Inn

100 Madonna Road, SLO

M-Sun., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

(805) 784-2433

madonnainn.com

@madonnainn1958

facebook.com/MadonnaInn

Best Bagel

House of Bagels

158 Higuera St., suite A, SLO

M-Sun., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

(805) 594-1818

houseofbagelscc.com

facebook.com/HoBagels

Best Sandwich

High Street Deli

350 High St., SLO

M-Sun., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

(805) 541-4738

highstdeli.com

@highstreetdeli

facebook.com/highstreetdeli

Best Deli

Lincoln Market & Deli

496 Broad St., SLO

M-Sat., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

(805) 543-3443

Lincoln Market and Deli is more than just a sandwich shop. It’s a place for sando slayers and register rock stars to become a family and create relationships with their customers. Owners and operators Mike and Becky Hicks have created a space for all to eat and have a good time. “We really have always tried to be that neighborhood hub, and, throughout the years, even more so a community hub for the entire city of San Luis Obispo,” Mike said. While there’s plenty to eat and drink, Becky said there are many market, wellness, and gift items from local merchants that customers can pick up on their visit.

—Karen Garcia

lincolnmarketanddeli@gmail.com

lincolnmarketanddeli.com

@lincolnmarketdeli

facebook.com/LincolnMarketandDeli

Best Bakery

House of Bread

299 Marsh St., SLO

M-F, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 7 a.m.-6 p.m.;Sun., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

(805) 542-0255

bread@houseofbread.com

houseofbread.com

@house_of_bread

facebook.com/HOBSLO

Best Outdoor Dining

Novo

726 Higuera St., SLO

M-Th., 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; F, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

(805) 543-3986

info@novorestaurant.com

novorestaurant.com

@novorestaurant

facebook.com/NovoRestaurant

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

SLO Brew Rock

855 Aerovista Lane, SLO

M-Th., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; F-Sat., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

(805) 543-1843

slobrew.com/the-rock

facebook.com/slobrewrock

Best Cheap Eats

The Habit Burger Grill

839 Higuera St., SLO

Sun.-Th., 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; F-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.

(805) 542-0105

habitburger.com

@habitburgergrill

facebook.com/habitburger

Best Meal to Treat Yourself

Ember Restaurant

1200 E Grand Ave., suite 101, Arroyo Grande

W-Th., Sun., 4-9 p.m.; F-Sat., 4-10 p.m.

(805) 474-7700

info@emberwoodfire.com

emberwoodfire.com

@emberrestaurant

facebook.com/emberrestaurant

Best Fish Market

Pier 46 Seafood Market

1131 Rossi Road, Templeton

M-Th., Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; F, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

(805) 434-1950

pier46seafood.com

@pier46seafood

facebook.com/pier46seafood

Best Butcher

Arroyo Grande Meat Company and Village Butcher Shop

120 E Branch St., Arroyo Grande

T-Sat., 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; M, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

(805) 489-2693

info@agmeatcompany.com

agmeatcompany.com

Best Food Truck

MORE CHEESE, PLEASE Grilled cheese master chef Mike McGourty puts his heart and soul into the gooey goodness he dishes out from The Grilled Cheese Incident food truck. And New Times’ readers like what he’s laying down. Credit: Photo By Jayson Mellom

The Grilled Cheese Incident

Los Osos

HOURS VARY

(805) 602-1380

facebook.com/The-Grilled-Cheese-Incident-670802139705734

Best Restaurant for a First Date

Ciopinot

1051 Nipomo St., SLO

Sun.-Th., 5-9 p.m.; F-Sat., 5-10 p.m.

(805) 547-1111

lacohen@charter.net

ciopinotrestaurant.com

@ciopinot

facebook.com/CiopinotSLO

Best Farm/Produce Stand

Rutiz Farms

1075 The Pike, Arroyo Grande

T-F, noon-5 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

info@rutizfarms.com

rutizfarms.com

facebook.com/Rutiz-Farms-906412942812804

Best Grocery Store

California Fresh Market

SLO, Pismo Beach

M-Sun., 6 a.m.-midnight (SLO); 6 a.m.-11 p.m. (Pismo Beach)

californiafreshmarket.com

facebook.com/CaliFreshSLO

Best Coffee Shop

Scout Coffee

SLO

M-Sun., 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Since Sara and Jon Peterson opened Scout Coffee on Garden Street in downtown SLO in 2014, this charming brick-walled cafe serving its own HoneyCo Coffee Roaster beans has been a resounding hit with locals, college students, and visitors. Its quick success allowed the Petersons to open another location on Foothill Boulevard—with a more open and spacious vibe—which helped Scout earn 2018 Business of the Year honors in the 35th California Assembly District. “We appreciate all of your support of our little dream,” the Petersons said on Scout’s website. “Our goal has always been to create inspiring spaces with great people and amazing products, in a way that truly adds value to the community around us.”

—Peter Johnson

hello@scoutcoffeeCO.com

scoutcoffeeCO.com

@scoutcoffee

facebook.com/scoutcoffee