Splash Cafe

We were lucky to get into Splash Cafe in downtown Pismo Beach without a long wait. There’s usually a line out the door. Just off the beach, this take-out counter offers an array of seafood favorites, sandwiches, and sides. Tourists and locals stop by to grab a meal for the beach or take a seat at an indoor table or at the counter.

We were overwhelmed by by the delicious look of our seafood feast. A Fully Loaded Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, Fish & Chips, a specialty Crab Melt, Ahi tuna tacos, and a Spicy Chicken sandwich with onion rings gave us a taste of nearly everything Splash has to offer.

The award winning Clam Chowder was a highlight: thick and tasty and poured into a deeply hollowed out sourdough bread bowl. We got it “fully loaded” with more crab, clams, bacon, green onions and cheese: insanely good down to the last piece of chowder-soaked bread.

The Fish & Chips came as expected, flakey golden fried white fish atop a pile of lightly seasoned curly fries. A side of tartar sauce adds a flavor boost to the meal, but the fish doesn’t need it. Delicious on its own, it will melt in your mouth.

We were lucky enough to stumble upon this Pismo Beach gem on a day when the special was a Crab Melt. We hope they add it to the menu permanently. Pepperjack and provolone cheese, mayo, avocado, tomato, and lumps of crab meat combine for a wonderful sandwich. Cheese and crab both pour out the sides of the toasted bread. We guarantee you’ll never find a crab masterpiece as good as this.

Ahi Tuna Tacos completed our seafood bonanza, and they were as perfectly crafted and delectable as everything else we enjoyed. These are a proclaimed favorite on the menu and the reasons for were obvious. Seared tuna strips are placed on a bed of crisp lettuce, tomato, cheese, and onions curled between soft tortillas and topped with a remarkable avocado crema. It was a smaller and lighter meal than our creamy seafood counterparts, but satisfying all the same.

The Spicy Chicken Sandwich gave us a taste of non-ocean based items and we continued to be impressed. A good portion of fried chicken with veggies and a chipotle concoction are stacked between a soft poppyseed bun, making a sandwich almost to big to bite. We chased it with beautifully humongous onion rings.

It would be a shame to drive the central Californian coast and miss out on this prime pit stop. If you love seafood of any kind, or just appreciate good food in general, head over to Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach and you will be glad you did.