New French Cafe Less Than Expected
Le Petit Cafe is a new restaurant in Arroyo Grande. I’ve read several reviews and had high
hopes, unfortunately they were not met.

The Digs:
Le Petit Cafe
1351 E Grand Ave.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

The Scoop:
Le Petit Cafe is a new restaurant in Arroyo Grande where Me ‘n Z’s used be. And for the long
timers, where King’s Fish & Chips was.

What Rocks:
It’s a small, quiet restaurant. It has a nice patio (it was too cold for us to eat outside), and a
cute atmosphere. Their french fries ROCK. And so does their trianon, a chocolate cake-like
desert with hazlenuts.

What Sucks:
For what you get, it’s expensive. We split two sandwiches (about $4 each), which we both
added a salad, fries and a drink ($4.85). The croque monsieur was basically a French grilled ham
and cheese: single slice of ham, with cheese and a bland cream sauce. Their menu needs some proof-
reading as well.

The Moolah:
Our bill (without tip) came out to be $34. Their prices range from about $4 to $10 and higher,
but expect to buy more than one item.

Submitted by guest reviewer Suzanne.

Nice Italian Restaurant with Casual Atmosphere.

Gina’s has been a Village favorite for many years. They serve up many classic Italian dishes,saladsand pizza. They don’t have a bar, but they do have a nice selection of wines, including manylocals.

The Digs:
Gina’s Italian Cuisine
138 E. Branch St.
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

The Scoop:
Gina’s is in the Village of Arroyo Grande. It has been there for as long as I can remember,with goodreason.

What Rocks:
The food is always good. I had the Pollo Basilico (basil chicken) and my date had RigatoniwithSausage. Both of these dishes are among our many favorites at Gina’s. My chicken wasperfectlycooked and came with two delicious home-made cheese raviolis. The side of vegetables(carrots andbroccoli) was perfectly cooked. I also really enjoy the long, rotating list of wines by the glass.All oftheir soups and most of their raviolis (all but the meat ones) are home-made, as are theirdesserts. Myfavorite is the tiramisu. Meals also come with some really good home-made bread and what Ilike tocall “Italian Salsa.”

What Sucks:
It’s a bit pricey. Not as bad as some other local Italian eateries, $11-$19. They also seem tobe trying abit too hard to be upscale. A couple of years ago, they changed their menu from moreAmericansounding dishes to more Italian sounding ones. Instead of chicken, you now get “pollo.”Unfortunately, the prices changed, too.

The Moolah:
For dinner, pasta dishes are generally $11-14 and specialties are $17-19. Pizzas range from$9 (small cheese) to $17.

Submitted by guest reviewer Suzanne.

Pricey but Good Mexican Food, Margaritas, and Deep Fried Ice Cream.

So some of you may not know but Native is gone. It has been replaced by Cielo Cantina. Same owners just a different direction. They have a nice selection of Mexican dishes, a tasty selection of different margaritas, and even tequila flights if you want to try out different types of tequila.

The Digs:
Cielo Cantina
1023 Chorro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Cielo Cantina is located next to the Mission at Chorro where Monterey dead ends downtown. Several restaurants have been there over the years and this is a new direction from what used to be Native.  While it’s a great location nothing seems to survive at this place but hopefully Cielo will be able to change that.

What Rocks:
The food was very good. I tried the Seared Ahi Tacos and my dinner date had the Chile Verde Enchiladas. Both were good and I was surprised how much Ahi was stuffed into the two tacos. Margaritas were pricey but good and being a hard core deep fried ice cream lover they got points for having this on the menu but they lost me using strawberry sauce instead of chocolate. (They should offer both.)

What Sucks:
It’s expensive. Margaritas are $8-10 and food dishes start around $9 but most are $12-14. That is a lot for Mexican food in my opinion but I do have to say it’s not your standard family style Mexican food, its more upscale but the question that will remain to be seen is do people want that. The service was pretty good but we were sat next to a group of college girls and I started counting how many times they said “oh my god”.  I want this place to make it but having been in SLO all my life I think this location might be cursed as nothing survives here.

The Moolah:
Prices are a bit high with most items around $10-14. Our meal for two and two cocktails each plus one dessert was $65 with tip.

Some of the best food in SLO from a gas station?

I have to admit until about 5 months ago I did not know about the Edna Valley Market in San Luis Obispo. I had heard of it but had never been and had no idea it was located inside the Shell gas station. Located at Tank Farm and Broad you will recognize the car wash with the grass growing on the roof. It’s diagonally right across from the Marigold Center in SLO. This place is has a hidden surprise as not only is it a gas station, car wash, and mini mart inside it also has some of the best food for lunch in San Luis Obispo and I am not kidding.

The Digs:
Edna Valley Market
4021 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Edna Valley Market serves everything from salad to sandwiches to mexican food and they even have a great breakfast menu. What I love best about this place is they are always changing it up. If you subscribe to their email list you will get a weekly update of their specials for the week and it can be anything from a Chile Verde Breakfast Burrito or Cinnamon Roll French Toast for breakfast to an Asian Chicken Wrap or Albondigas soup or Coconut Shrimp for lunch. Wow! At a gas station?

What Rocks:
I don’t know where to start but to say every single thing I have had here has been fantastic. I am especially fond of the Cobb Salad as it huge and always so fresh. I have also had the sandwiches as well as a burger and fries and its all done very well. This is a place I can safely say you can order anything on the menu and you will not be disappointed. They do a great job and the staff is pretty friendly and there is a great outdoor patio area in the back to eat. You will be shocked how busy it gets as the word is out how good it is.

What Sucks:
Well, it’s in a gas station but other than that nothing. The prices are reasonable and there is a great selection. It does get a bit windy out on the patio sometimes but I really have no complaints here.  Would be very cool if they had a couple beers on tap and you could hang out after work with a pitcher and food.

The Moolah:
Salads are $5.75-7.75. Sandwiches and burgers are $6.50-7.50.

Burgers, chicken and ribs – oh my!

I can remember The Rib Line when I was growing up in San Luis Obispo and it’s as good today as it was back then. Located off the beaten path on Los Osos Valley Road, The Rib Line serves up (and delivers) some of the best ribs you will have in San Luis Obispo.

The Digs:
The Rib Line
12308 Los Osos Valley Road
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

The Scoop:
The Rib Line is known for its ribs but their menu has everything from salads to burgers to chicken and yes of course, beef and pork ribs. This is a place for a meat lover.  While it is more suited for delivery or takeout, The Rib Line is in the small strip mall off Los Osos Valley Road just before Sunset Honda off the 101. It’s very small and does offer a few tables to eat there but don’t expect anything fancy as it all about the food.

What Rocks:
This place is all about ribs. If you love ribs, you will love The Rib Line. I wanted to try something different so I went for the SLO Town burger. It was very good. The fries aren’t really fries they are more like potato wedges but you will be surprised how good they are.  For the family you can get one of their selections of Family Meals which include ribs, chicken, or tri-tip and it includes coleslaw, beans, baked potatoes, and cornbread. Yum.

What Sucks:
The location begs for something more. It’s in a small spot and there really isn’t much seating and Los Osos Valley Road gets so windy you really don’t want to sit outside either. I can’t help to think if this place was in a more central location it would do fabulous as a retail restaurant but if the focus is to stick with delivery its fine where it is.  While we had fun going there the next time I would get it to go or have it delivered.  One could say it’s a bit pricey too but for all that meat you can’t complain and its oh-so-good.  One thing that was very surprising when we were there is the time it took to get our food. When we arrived the staff was all standing up front talking as they were obviously slow but even after we ordered it took more than 20 minutes to get our food and we had to ask to get drink refills.

The Moolah:
Most of the sandwiches and burgers run between $6-10. Ribs are $10-23 depending on what you get. Family packs start around $37. They also have great lunch specials that include a side and a drink starting at $7.

An off the beaten path gem in SLO

Last week I was taken to lunch by a friend who said “Let’s go to The Neon Carrot.” “The what?” I had never heard of the place until now but will be going back often.  Located on South Higuera just past Prado Road and across from what I call “Tire Center Row” where all the tire stores are, The Neon Carrot offers up a delicious menu and I promise you won’t know which thing to pick as it all sounds so good.

The Digs:
The Neon Carrot
3536 S Higuera St # 206
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
The Neon Carrot San Luis Obispo offers up a tasty variety of sandwiches, salads, soups and their own baked goods but what makes this place shine is they use as much local organically grown produce as they can in their food.  On top of that their menu changes frequently so you’ll want to keep coming back. They also do catering as they are formerly Maegen Loring Catering and based on the food I had at lunch I can bet the catering options are equally delicious.

What Rocks:
The food and the people. When you walk in it’s not overly fancy but you walk to the back counter to order and you can see everyone working in the back, catering style, to make the food. Everyone was very friendly, service was good, and it was fun to watch them all running around. I had the Grilled Romaine Salad and my friend had the veggie burger and both were great. My salad came with a crème fraiche blue cheese dressing that was fantastic! You really won’t know what order as it all sounds so good. I have also heard on Fridays they do Happy Hour (great unique beer selection!) and each week they mix it up and do something new and fun to eat.

What Sucks:
Paper plates. For food this good the fact that it comes on paper plates is a bit weird. I get why they are doing it but seems like they could present it a bit better. The atmosphere there can get a little cramped at lunch time as the word has gotten out about them. While it wasn’t bad at all when I was there, it was getting very busy when we left and I heard it can be noisy, but what SLO restaurant isn’t at lunch time? This is nit-picky but it wasn’t clear where to get my ice tea when I ordered as there is a place to get your own water and coffee but they didn’t say they would be bringing the drink to me so I was confused.  (Overall not a big deal) Also their web site needs some serious love as it doesn’t accurately reflect how great everything is. (Again, not a big deal)

The Moolah:
Prices are what you would expect for this kind of restaurant in SLO. Sandwiches are $7-9. Salads are $4-9. They are open Monday through Friday from 8am to 3-pm.

Beautiful Atmosphere but don’t go Hungry

Meze Wine Café & Market is a new place by the train station in the Railroad Square building. It’s a wine bar, café, and market, and the décor is beautiful and the layout is very open but if you are looking for the “SLO atmosphere” you will be disappointed.

The Digs:
Meze Wine Café & Market
1880 Santa Barbara Avenue, Suite 130
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Meze would be a great place to stop in to have a glass of wine, but don’t expect much local wine as they focus on wines from other countries instead of our wonderful SLO offerings.  The bar is very nice how they built it around the open kitchen so you actually see the chefs running around making your food. They have no real stove so they use hot plates to warm dishes and make their creations.  This place is more of a see and be seen environment and it really has no SLO feel to it at all. Although the staff was very friendly I found the whole thing a bit snobby.

What Rocks:
The presentation. Every dish I saw looked good, you just had portions the size you would give your children and for the price your first reaction was “wow, really?” The seating in the place was also good; love the big open window and the open environment. The market is well laid out but it’s not really some place you would specifically go to buy things unless you were already there.

What Sucks:
I really wanted to like this place. The people were very friendly. The food looked good, but the portions were literally a joke. I ordered a Mediterranean Pita salad and when it came I thought it was some kind of appetizer. I literally looked at my friend and we both laughed. Plus it was VERY oily…I mean so oily I couldn’t finish the dish. And this was a salad.  For the price I was expecting something a little more substantial and if I wanted to walk away feeling like I had a good meal I probably would have needed to order 3-4 of this dish as it was so small but at almost $7 a pop, no thank you. I got my dish after about 10 minutes of ordering. My friend got theirs almost 15 minutes later and I was done. Bad.

The Moolah:
It’s pricey but in all honesty, I think they want it that way. Prices for lunch start around $6-7 and go up from there.