Review - Cayucos Restaurants

Cayucos Restaurants

Brown Butter Cookie Company (250 N. Ocean Ave.)

I had read about this shop is a local paper and was happy to try out their cookies. It is a small shop, with an open kitchen. It was nice to see all the ladies making cookies at the tall table. You almost had the sense that if the customers weren't there they would be gossiping amongst themselves. It sort of had an old-fashioned feel.The cookies themselves were great. I liked the regular brown butter with the sea salt the best and I bought a 6-pack of those and a 6-pack of their honey cookies. I appreciated the option to taste them before spending a ton of money for the cookies!!

The only thing I didn't like was the attitude of the people doing the tasting that day. I think they may have been the owners. I was curious and asking questions, and their answers were borderline rude. For example, I asked if the cookies were a shortbread and she answered "Well, it's OUR version of a shortbread". Kind of snobby. Don't know if I will return to this shop again, I may take visitors in there the next time people are in town. If I get the same attitude vibe I won't return again.

Sea Shanty (296 S. Ocean Ave.)

I was in Cayucos for a library book sale and needed some lunch. The library is right next to the Sea Shanty and it had some convenient parking, so I decided to try it out. It was not clear when I walked in if I was supposed to wait to be seated or seat myself. I ended up seating myself outside, which was nice and I could see the beautiful green hills. I ordered Fried Chicken Breast Sandwich, steak fries, a side salad and soda. It was good, I will probably come here again if I need a restaurant in Cayucos that has ample parking (the other restaurant further down the street had no parking in front).

Cayucos Candy Counter

I know this isn't a restaurant, but I wanted to review it for my readers. This shop has chocolate candies, jelly beans, taffy, and some other candies. It also has ice cream and gelato for sale. I wanted to try some of the chocolates, and asked for an English Toffee. I wanted another flavor candy and asked the counter lady about the Peanut Butter Caramel Crunch. She didn't have anything to tell me about it. I asked her about what the "crunch" was, she looked at me blankly. I said "Like is it honeycombed, or something like Rice Krispies?" She said, "Oh no, it is not Rice Krispies, probably something like toffee". So I purchased it to try. I was shocked at the price!! Over $3.00 for two pieces of candy!! I shouldn't have bought any, but I was trying to get in the Cayucos spirit!! Anyway, the English Toffee was fine, but both candies tasted like they had been in the case for a while. Like they had absorbed the flavors of the other candies in the case or something. And, the coup de grace is that, of course, the crunch in the Peanut Butter Caramel Crunch piece WAS Rice Krispies!! I should have paid for a Whatchmacallit bar instead. I won't be back to this shop for the candy. I might try the ice cream if I can't find another place in town to get a cone.

Review - Cambria Restaurants

Las Cambritas (2336 Main St.)

I had been shopping at the Antique shops down the street and had to go to the bathroom. This was the first restaurant I found and used the facilities before eating a late lunch. After I used the facilities the waitress just stared at me while I was waiting (as instructed by a sign) at the greeters' podium. I was seated and my order was taken. It was obvious that she just wanted to get back to the bar, where her "regulars" were waiting. I should have put my earphones in and listened to some music, because the bar-folk were quite loud in their inappropriate conversation.

The food was nothing to write home about, either. I had the trio of tostadas, a salad, and a soda. The salad was great, large and good dressing. But I have to say the tostadas were only mediocre. The beef one also had a strange aroma, spicing? It tasted absolutely horrible, I am surprised that I didn't get food poisoning later in the day. The chips and salsa were only so-so.

I would only recommend this restaurant if you are going there for the bar atmosphere, or the toilet!!

Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill

I was staying up the street from this restaurant and decided not to drive into Cambria proper for dinner. I wanted to watch the amazing sunset while I dined. They had a nifty long deep "bar" outside that ran parallel to the beach, perfect for watching the sunset while dining.

The crusty French bread arrived nice and warm, but since we were outside it cooled off too quickly. I was hungry so I ate it while I waited for the waiter to take my order. I waited a while, but he finally came to bring me a menu and ask for my drinks.

Their drinks have free refills, which I always appreciate. The waiter brought new refills just when I needed them, which is great because I get the hiccups if I am not drinking while I eat.

I ordered the Petite Filet, which I was able to substitute a small salad for the vegetables. The roasted red potatoes were topped with a creamy garlic sauce and they were fantastic. The vinaigrette dressing was fantasic, I even dipped my steak fork into it before I ate the steak. The meal was perfect, and the sunset was amazing while I dined. It did get a bit chilly and I wished for an outdoor heater. Perhaps because it is winter they don't have the heaters outside?

I will definitely return here in the future, the only problem I had was that they were really slow. Perhaps they were really full inside?

Review - Los Osos Restaurants

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant
(905 Los Osos Valley Rd.)

I wanted to try out another Chinese restaurant in the area, and saw this one from the road. It shares the building and parking lot with a Mexican restaurant, which was odd to me. The first thing I did was use the bathroom, boy what a shock. It was dirty, and they wanted you to put your toilet paper in the trash can!! Perhaps that has something to do with the local sewer issues, I don't know.

Then I chose a little table and ordered. I noticed that there were some women who work in the Mexican restaurant next door dining here, so I figured it had to be good, right? Also, there was a table of folks who thanked the hostess/server and said that they love coming here once a week. So far (except for the bathroom) so good!!

I ordered chicken almond, like I always do when I try a new Chinese restaurant. It was good. I think I had the soup and perhaps an egg roll also. I enjoyed my lunch here, good food for a reasonable price. When I am in Los Osos I will probably return in the future. The service was friendly and I had just a little bit of trouble understanding the server. The other thing that always happens down here is that I have to ask for chopsticks.

Tus Amigos Mexican Restaurant

So now I know why the employees of the Mexican restaurant next to Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant eat at the Chinese restaurant rather than their own!! This place was horrible all around. The only thing good I have to say is that the aroma of meat cooking outside wafts through the air as you enter the restaurant. I was dining in the early afternoon, and was the only diner. The owner/manager/server was sitting in one of the booths doing paperwork and phoning orders in, etc. I chose a booth by the streetside windows but when the fan in the ceiling started blowing stale humid hot air my way I moved to the parking lot window booth. I ordered chicken fajitas, with a free refills soda. Unfortunately they don't have a green salad on the menu.

The chips were good, but there was not enough of them. Since the server did not check back with me during my entire meal I had to pace myself!! The salsa tasted fine, but it was an odd color and the salsa bowl was too narrow at the bottom to get a good dip.

When I drank my soda it was flat and there was a distinct taste of mold or mildew!! I had to send back my soda and get water instead. I don't know if it was the ice or the soda dispensers, but both should be cleaned with bleach periodically!! Luckily the man brought water without ice for me and that was fine, except I found it odd that the price tag was still on the base of the cup!! I hope it had at least been washed once before being used for customers!!

The chicken fajitas were dry, over-seasoned, and tasted horrible. The flour tortillas were a nice large size, but they did not stay moist in the paper wrap and the second tortilla was cracking!! The cheese on the top wasn't even melted, which was odd because the beans and rice were warm. These have to be one of the worst chicken fajitas I have ever had.

I had to ask for the bill, and when it came there was no line on the credit card reciept for the tip. I had to ask for change for a dollar so I could give the appropriately low tip. Sorry, I will not be returning to this restaurant again.

China Palace

I needed a quick lunch before heading back home yesterday and stopped at the China Palace in Los Osos. It is off the beaten track, on 9th Street, in a little strip mall. I was the only customer, probably due to the early afternoon time. I ordered the Almond Chicken "luncheon special", which included wonton soup, an egg roll, a fried wonton, the almond chicken, and a fortune cookie for only $5.50!! This is a quite reasonable price for the amount of food.

The wonton soup was hot and tasty, with slices of celery adding some flavor and texture. I almost lost my appetite, though, when a fly flew right into my soup spoon while I was cooling it off before eating. I couldn't believe it, the old "Waiter, there is a fly in my soup" joke came right back to me!! The owner/manager/server brought me a new spoon and I finished off the soup.

The egg roll was amazing, hot and crispy, and the fried won ton was even better!! However, I was not wild about the chicken almond, it was too fishy. I was also confused about the "fried rice". I had asked if they had a brown rice option, and they don't, so I ordered the fried rice. The fried rice did not have anything in it but perhaps some soy sauce and oil, I would have been better off with steamed rice.

I might return here, but won't try the Almond or Cashew Chicken because of the fishy taste of the sauce. Perhaps pot stickers, egg rolls, and wontons for dinner?? Also of note is the fact that the server didn't offer any extra anything because a fly went into my soup spoon, perhaps an extra fortune cookie or something?

La Palapa

On a rainy day in Los Osos I decided to try another Mexican Food restaurant. They had a nice fire in their fireplace and even in the storm the view of the Bay was nice. I had the restaurant to myself because it was mid-afternoon, so I got to choose my seat. The owner/server was polite and attentive, which I totally appreciate because so often a single diner is virtually ignored!! I ordered the chicken fajitas with a salad, and a bottomless soda.

Their chips were warm and tasty, and their salsa is an amazing color red and is most likely freshly made. The salsa was spicy, at least my Anglo tongue thought so!!

The salad was nice, even though it was healthy "weeds" it was crunchy. The blue cheese dressing was slightly different from the one that most of the restaurants use around here.

The chicken fajitas came to my table sizzling hot, check out the steam rising in the picture!! The chunks of chicken were nice and large. It could be the fact that I had eaten Cap'n Crunch recently (which may have removed some of my taste buds) but I found that the flavor was a bit bland. They were moist, and hot, but I think I will try ordering something else next time. The flour tortillas were home-made and stayed moist during the meal.

I was pleased to see that there was sour cream, and yummy guacamole on the extras plate. Their rice seems a better quality than that I get at other Mexican restaurants, and their beans are a bit different also. I dipped the chips in the guacamole!! I wish there was more iceberg lettuce on the plate for my fajitas, but all tasted great.

This is a Mexican restaurant that I would definitely visit again, perhaps while my parents are in town this weekend. The only thing that would have made it better would have been some free treat because I had to wait due to the Health Department inspecting while I was there!! I like to support local family businesses, so I will make it a point to visit when I am in Los Osos again.

Taco Roco

I had driven by this restaurant for years and finally decided to stop in on my way back from a long hike. I was exhausted, and was hungry, so I ordered a "grab bag" of items so I could test them out. I was surprised to see that this was a sit-down restaurant, I knew it was a chain and I thought it was a walk-up fast-food type of restaurant. They have a salsa bar in the back so you can refill your chips and salsa while you are dining in the restaurant.

I ordered a grilled chicken burrito, with "the works", but was disappointed that I couldn't find "the works" inside!! There was supposed to be some sour cream, some guacamole, etc. It was a bit too spicy for my tongue, as well. So much for my search for the perfect "Mission" style burrito on the Central Coast.

I ordered a chicken enchilada, light on the sauce. It was good, but a bit spicy.

I enjoyed the chicken tamale, but it was supposed to be on sale and I think I was charged the regular price.

I am always on the lookout for good chicken fajitas, these were not good chicken fajitas. As far as I could tell they were made from thigh meat, not breast. They neglected to include the flour tortillas I ordered with them, and so I ended up making nachos later with the bag of chips I bought.

The chips were good, and I really liked the salsa. I bought a bag of chips and some salsa to-go. I ended up making nachos with the fajita chicken and some cheese and sour cream.

I probably won't be eating here again, unless I am with a group who wants to dine here. The woman was quite friendly, and I spent A LOT of money there. She said folks order from her and come from Morro Bay to pick their meal up, so she definitely has some followers. I thought the prices were too high for the quality of the food.

Review - Arroyo Grande Restaurants

Alphy's Broiler (130 W. Branch St.)

I was in Arroyo Grande for a visit to Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab and needed a place to go for dinner. I was surprised that there were not any sit-down dining options in town, so I checked out this restaurant because it had such high ratings on Yelp.com. As I was perusing the menu on the outside window, a customer who was waiting for her take-out order encouraged me to "Come on in". I was a bit early for dinner and there were no other customers. The guys behind the counter greeted me in a friendly manner, and I was made to feel welcome. I ordered the cheeseburger, with bacon, fries and a green salad. I was a bit wary of their sauce, but wanted to taste it the way it was meant to be.

While I was waiting for my meal I saw that many people order take-out on their way home from work. Also, the servings are so large that many young men eat here. A popular menu item is the Whaler sandwich and fish tacos. A friend of mine ordered the Whaler and the Ahi was cooked perfectly. One negative thing, though, was that when the owner found out I was a teacher he asked me if I was a member of a union. When I said that I had been he wasn't as nice to me. Don't know if he personally has issues with unions or if it had to do with the union bannering of Doc Burnstein's. Either way it did leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Doc Burnstein's Ice Cream Lab (114 W. Branch St.)

I have seen the signs for this ice cream, and I have walked past this shop several times. However, I have never eaten their ice cream. On Wednesday nights they have a "Lab Show" where the audience participates in the creation of a new ice cream flavor. On some Mondays during a random hour they offer a discount on the ice cream. There is a cute train that rides around the ceiling, I loved watching the kids come in and look for that train!! While I waited for the lab show they played some Three Stooges films!!

The show was fun, although I didn't like the flavor that was chosen (Rice Milk ice cream with Marshmallows and Chocolate-covered Toffee Pieces). Most people there had a fun time. The ice cream is amazingly creamy, almost like it is not frozen. I had their coffee-toffee flavor and it was a bit heavy on the coffee flavor. Next time I will try their praline cream flavor.

Burrito Loco (922 Rancho Parkway)

I needed a quick dinner before heading out to an event, and stopped by this restaurant in the shopping center behind the theater. I ordered the chicken fajitas and was totally disappointed. The chicken was not breast meat (I will verify that the chicken is breast meat in the future) and it was not cut up well enough to be individual pieces. There was gristle in the meat, and the flavor was awful. I was happy that the meal came with chips and salsa, which were only OK, but they didn't offer a salad option. The menu said they would be served with sour cream, but there was none on the plate. Their rice was a bit unique, with pieces of corn and other vegetables mixed in, it sort of tasted sweet. There was only a little drizzling of cheese on top of the beans. I took the left-overs to-go and made a couple of burritos for breakfast the next morning, otherwise I wouldn't have felt as if I got my money's worth. I will not be returning here in the future.