Jocko’s also makes a great breakfast——nothing like pork chops in the morning!
In Santa Barbara, try the Cajun Kitchen for breakfast or lunch. They have a location in Carpinteria as well as SB and they are not too far from the 101 freeway. Good gumbo and po’boys and everyone seems to like the omlettes a lot. For lunch, don’t miss the best Mexican food around at La Super Rica on Milpas St.—–you’ll see a line and the wait is well worth it. They make the tortillas fresh and any of the grilled meats with chilies and cheese are necessities to order.
In Ventura, a good side trip for breakfast is Duke’s Bitchin’ Grill just off the Seaward Ave. exit. The macadamia nut french toast is unbelieveable and way too much for just one. For lunch, they have some of the best burgers around. The place is walking distance from the beach and usually crowded with locals.
I echo the mayor——–stop in Morro Bay for dinner—-you can’t go wrong. Walk or drive along the Embarcadero and definitely have some fresh seafood. Rose’s landing and Windows on the Water are both especially good—–Rose’s has great fish and chips and Windows is more upscale.

In Cambria, I suggest:

Bistro Sole
1980 Main Street
Cambria, CA� 93428
(805) 927-0887

Be warned that ALL restaurants close by 9 PM in Cambria, the village 7 miles south of San Simeon/Hearst Castle. The evening tour Fridays & Saturdays at the Castle are the highlight, so have an early dinner before. In Pacific Grove, the Fishwife just south of Asilomar is still great. A couple of Fridays ago I had a great meal at Roy’s in the Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, but it was pricey. A local suggested the seared ahi, which was wonderful.

Pacific Grove is one of my favorite small towns, especially when the Monarchs return each year. One of my brothers lives there and I remember him taking me to a unique resturant named El Crocadillo (sp?) for dinner (very good). I don’t have the address but it wouldn’t be hard to find considering the size of the town.
Hey Mayor, Thanks for reminding me of Solvang. My mother’s side of the family came from Denmark, so during one of her visits I had to take there for the day for some traditional Danish food. As far a French Lick goes, it might be in the middle of nowhere, but the giant domed resort there is really something to see. Hopefully the casino money will allow them to complete the restoration of this architectural gem.

Hey Cakes,
Since SUNDAZE lists Trabuco as his/her home base, and it is in the hills of eastern Orange County CA…I took it for granted that it was the California version. But you make a good point.
BTW As an exploring Boy Scout a generation back Trabuco Canyon was one of the places we would go on weekend camping trips…noted for it’s active rattlesnake community. At the time (1950’s) collecting snake rattles was an approved step in the maturation process, so we looked forward to those weekends quite a bit. Today the same area is a sea of rooftops and toll-roads . The score being Developers 500,000—Snakes 0
BTW Orange Cty Indiana just voted to join Donald Trump in building a new Casino in Larry Bird Country (French Lick, Indiana). Now there is a necessity for rural Indiana !! To far from any urban center to draw a crowd…Maybe the Amish will evolve into great Blackjack players!![V]

Would that be Orange County, California or Orange County, New York or Orange County, Florida or Orange County, North Carolina or Orange County, Indiana or Orange County, Texas or Orange County, Virginia or Orange County, Vermont? Please excuse me if I missed any.

Welcome to all of you newer folks to the roadfood Site. Your question and the answers we see so far are exactly why this place is as friendly and popular as it has turned out to be.
If you are in the Monterey Area, Take a look at Castroville, just north of Ft Ord. We have enjoyed some pretty good BBQ at the Central Texas BBQ house on the main Street in about the center of town.
We have also enjoyed walking the Monterey Pier and sampling the chowder and other Seafood treats that several of the restaurants on the pier hand out to passers-by on weekend days.
Further South, A walk along the harborway at Morro Bay will turn up some great fresh seafood and chowder in ‘take-out’ fashion for eating in what our friends in the NorthEast refer to as " The Rough".
Down at the southern end of your journey, we used to go to the SUMO a Seafood Buffet right next to the 5 at the Culver Blvd. exit in Irvine. A step-up from the typical Chinese/Japanese buffet but in the same general style.
ALSO- Perhaps someone will report on the current status of food in Solvang…We haven’t been there for several years, but despite it’s touristy base, they had some great food in the past.[?]
Please report back any finds that will add to the list for future travelers in the area.
Thanks,
AL- The Mayor of Cajon- Bowen[8D]

I always enjoy a visit to a small, upscale cafe in Santa Maria:

Chef Rick’s
4869 S. Bradley Road
Santa Maria, CA 93455
(805) 937-2273
http://www.chefricks.com

The menu changes frequently. I have not yet been disappointed.
They also have a good selection of wines, although the wait staff
is not particularly knowledgeable (about wines).

Reservations are not required, but are recommend.

-doug

I concur, Jocko’s in Nipomo is outstanding. Spencer-cut steaks are superb; pork ribs use dry seasoning and are excellent; best value? BBQ Beef sandwich for ~$8 which is actually generous portions of tri-tip (or darn near tri-tip).

Also, Jack’s Restaurant in Old Town Orcutt (off 101, just South of Santa Maria) has great home-style cooking for B/L/D. Generous portions with super service.

Schoon

As you’re traveling north on 101 to Salinas…

‘Jocko’s Steak House’ in Nipomo, just north of Santa Maria has great steaks, chops, BBQ. A meat eaters paradise.

There’s a great little Mom & Pop burger joint in Gonzales (15mi S of Salinas). It’s called ‘Burger Queen’ – it’s right off the main (5th street) exit. Excellent burgers + other stuff. Everyone I’ve ever told about the place stops every chance they get.

If you like liver & onions (with bacon) there’s a place in downtown Salinas called ‘The Pub’. Best liver & onions I’ve ever had. They also have other ‘big’ meat entrees – steaks, etc. – which I’m told are very good. But, I always have the liver & onions.

Surprisingly, the Monterey Peninsula Airport restaurant (on Hwy 68 between Salinas & Pacific Grove) has good food which is relatively inexpensive – at least for this area. Noted for their Sand Dabs.

Dino