Good Eats in San Luis Obispo

[Icc5]

Firestone Grill has become our stop when going from San Jose area to either L.A. or San Diego. For my money they have the best Tri-Tip sandwich I have ever had. This is about the 6th time we have stopped there and it has always been perfect. I love it with grilled onions on it and my wife likes it without the onions. We have actually driven there when we have stayed in Solvang because we crave the sandwich so much. We have had Tri-Tip at other places and so far nothing compares.
Bart

 

[nightnurse613]

The Firestone Grill is an excellent stop along the way for tri-tip but when I think tri-tip I think Santa Maria tri-tip. It is fine eating but we prefer the Far Western Tavern in Guadalupe (a little west of Santa Maria). We were out in that neck of the woods this past summer and stopped on our way from Hearst Castle. To our delight we saw they were building a second establishment near Orcutt (a little closer to Santa Maria) and to Solvang!!. I love tri-tip and it's been available here in Arizona for quite a while. The secret, in my opinion, is the crusting spread. The Cool Cat Cafe is a popular hot spot with the locals in SLO, too. The Neon Carrot serves beef from the Hearst Castle Ranch. You can get them at Hearst Castle but they are more expensive and not any better - the Neon Carrot is a little dive in a strip center (hard to find) but they serve some other good grub. All three are worth a visit in my opinion. The Neon Carrot even makes their own condiments!

 

[winger]

In SLO we frequent Woodstocks (pizza) - very popular with the locals. I have heard good things about Fat Cats in Avila Beach (near the San Luis Bay Inn TS), and we may try this next month when we visit during spring break. Mama's Meatballs maybe good as well. Farmers Market on Thursday night offers some decent food.