After almost four years in San Luis Obispo, I still find new and amazing places to eat all the time. If you are craving something delicious and find yourself frequenting the popular and amazing SLO staples like Firestone or Woodstock’s Pizza, try something new! There are dozens and dozens of unique restaurants in SLO county, each with their own one-of-a-kind vibe and incredible dishes. Here are a few places you must try before you graduate!
Depalo & Sons
A deli and market famous for their homemade mozzarella and delicious baked goods. Don’t leave without tasting one of their incredible sandwiches on the board behind the deli counter! The prices are unbeatable and the quality is too. Stop by this place before a beach day for a perfect picnic lunch or after a long day of surfing! This place is located right next to the Shell Station on Shell Beach Road in Pismo. One of my favorite date nights is stopping at Depalo & Sons and grabbing a great bottle of wine and one of their premade caprese salads made with their homemade mozzarella.
Honeymoon Café
For a nutritious and flavorful breakfast, hit up Honeymoon Cafe in Pismo Beach! The mellow, beachy vibe of this restaurant is the perfect place to start your relaxing weekend or escape your studies for a delicious meal. Try one of my many favorites here, the Happy Belly Bowl! A bowl filled with quinoa and fresh local cooked veggies topped with two perfectly cooked eggs. Need something meaty to fill you up? Check out their killer dishes with carnitas like the Pig Pen burrito or the Huevos Rancheros with added carnitas! Meals here cost between $7.50-$10.50 if you decide you want to try one of their awesome smoothies.
Del Monte’s
For a breakfast stop that locals can’t get enough of, check out Del Monte’s Café on Santa Barbara Ave over by the train tracks. If you are there for lunch, share an authentic American milkshake made with real ice cream! Got a sweet tooth at breakfast time? Who doesn’t! Del Monte’s has a killer breakfast special! They cover soft mouthwatering cream-cheese-stuffed French toast with fresh delicious strawberries and then sprinkle the whole thing with powdered sugar. Share this with someone and try one of Del Monte’s stacked three-egg omelets as well. Going back for round two? If you have a serious appetite, you must try their monstrous breakfast burrito (priced for one, but easily sharable). Or take some home—college students love leftovers! This place has been around since the early 1900s so you know they’ve mastered their skills!
Taste
Taste is a local eatery where you can mix and match a large variety of salads and sliders! We ordered their quinoa and spinach salads, the daily slider special and the BLT filled with chicken. For those over 21, they have a fantastic selection of wines and beers, both local and foreign. They change their menu seasonally to provide only the freshest of dishes. Make a reservation to be sure you get a table! You can do it easily on their website.
Ribline
BBQ anyone? The Central Coast seems to have an endless supply of it, but let me tell you, not all barbeque is created equal! Ribline really brings it home with their Southern Piggy sandwich. Check in on Yelp for a free sample of their killer chili and go to San Luis Obispo’s downtown farmers market for discounted food! They have locations in Grover Beach and in SLO right off of Los Osos Valley road, and guess what? They deliver! Get there between 11 am and 3 pm for a wallet-saving lunch special.
Bon Temps Creole Café
Rise and shine! Start your weekend off right with breakfast at Bon Temps Creole Café. Their Fat Tuesday Omelet is quite possibly one of my favorite breakfast dishes of all time! I did love the Fried Green Eggs Benedict though. Looking for something sweeter? Treat yourself this weekend with the Pain Perdu! This delicious spin-off of French toast is bound to make your mouth water by the sweet smell alone. How can it get any better? They offer half orders! Try the Fried Green Tomato Benedict with a half order of the Pain Perdu to share for a heartier meal.
In San Luis Obispo, don’t let your palate get bored! There are so many delicious eateries to try with dozens of options. For more places to try follow @SLOBites on Instagram!