Santa Barbara/Pismo/Paso Robles

Discussion in 'Pacific' started by AlmostDeadly777, Jul 16, 2021.

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  1. AlmostDeadly777

    AlmostDeadly777 Crusader (426) Apr 29, 2018 California
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    Hey all, I'm going on a roadtrip to Pismo with my wife for our anniversary in a few weeks and need some beer and/or food suggestions for Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach (where we'll be staying), and Paso. We're going for 4 days/3 nights with one of the days being a wine day in Paso. We do have the FW locations in Buellton and Paso on the list to visit, but any places in Santa Barbara near the MT location or any other breweries/lunch/dinner spots in any of those locales are welcome!
     
    #1 AlmostDeadly777, Jul 16, 2021
  2. AlexM

    AlexM Pooh-Bah (1,868) Jun 9, 2011 California
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    #2 AlexM, Jul 16, 2021
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  3. PatKorn

    PatKorn Pundit (971) Aug 30, 2007 Hawaii

    In Pismo Hot Shots and Boardroom have great beer selections, Boardroom good food. Near FWB is a place called Industrial Eats that is a must stop. In Paso Pour House has a good selection and Silva brewing is in back. The Hatch, Los Robles Cafe, Jeffries BBQ all great food. Best restaurant in the area is The Range in Santa Margarita, in my opinion. Wineries on west 46 La Venture, Linne Calodo, j Dusi, Shale Oak, Niner has a nice restaurant with ok wines. Tin City has a ton of wineries, Barrelhouse Brewing, Tin City cider.
     
    #3 PatKorn, Jul 16, 2021
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  4. erichxedge

    erichxedge Zealot (567) Nov 29, 2009 California

    In Santa Barbara, go to Third Window for a beer and a smash burger. My favorite smash burg in CA. Loquita in Santa Barbara is an awesome dinner spot that serves Tapas. If you have the chance driving out of SB, take the 154 and make a stop off in Los Olivos for at least a wine tasting. Story of Soil and Stolpman are my favs there. There is also one of the best Santa maria Tri Tip sandwiches you will have at the liquor store on Grand.

    If you havent booked a room in SB, stay at Hotel Milo.
     
    #4 erichxedge, Jul 16, 2021
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  5. pinballplayer

    pinballplayer Maven (1,487) Jul 2, 2014 California
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    FW Barrelworks and Industrial Eats would be top of my list. Hot Shots in Pismo is straight out the 80/90s, and I liked the Splash Cafe.

    Haven't checked out Wild Fields in Atascadero but have heard good things.
     
    #5 pinballplayer, Jul 17, 2021
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  6. RKP1967

    RKP1967 Savant (1,150) Sep 26, 2010 Virginia

    We just covered that area on vacation. We really liked Liquid Gravity in SLO. Also went to a couple others in SLO that were just average.

    FW Barrelworks was also good but not exciting.

    We tried to go to Modern Times in Santa Barbara a couple hours before closing time and they had closed early due to "low staff."

    Also have to disagree with previous poster, we found the Splash Cafe to be terrible, at least for breakfast.

    We really like Guiseppes for Italian in SLO, Arigato for sushi in SB, and Apna for Indian in SB.
     
    #6 RKP1967, Jul 17, 2021
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  7. pinballplayer

    pinballplayer Maven (1,487) Jul 2, 2014 California
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    We had the chowder with shredded crab on top...didn't know they served breakfast.
     
    #7 pinballplayer, Jul 17, 2021
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  8. rhertan

    rhertan Crusader (461) Jan 22, 2008 California

    Definitely top spots to check out for beer are Liquid Gravity Brewing, There Does Not Exist, Wildfields and a newly opened beer garden in Atascadero Ancient Owl, along with KiloKilo in Paso. Hot Shots has good draft list and California Fresh markets have good to go bottles/cans. Central Coast Brewing always a good stop too

    The Range is awesome for food, cash only. Great sandwiches at High St. Deli or Lincoln Market in SLO. Can't go wrong with the Tri Tip Sandwich and Fries at Firestone grill in SLO(not related to FW), and Guiseppe's is a good call. in Arroyo Grande you also got Ember Restaurant and Humdinger brewing along with Klondikes pizza worth checking out. And a new spot Kulturhaus brewing just opened in pismo.
     
    #8 rhertan, Jul 17, 2021
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  9. M-14

    M-14 Zealot (657) Feb 5, 2014 California

    Modern Times is a must - and not just for the beer. Their kitchen, though vegan (don't let that stop you), is exceptional.
     
    #9 M-14, Jul 18, 2021
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  10. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thought I would piggy back onto this thread, as the wife and I will be in the Santa Barbara area from 7/28 thru 8/1. We're actually staying up in Buellton, and so normally I would think the FW outpost would be a must for a beer and a bite. However, a 7/12/21 update on their site indicates they were recently affected by the Ransomeware attacks, and so are now offering an extremely limited menu. I'm not exactly sure what that means from a food or beer standpoint, or if this is even still current, and was wondering if anyone has recently visited the facility.

    Also, we're getting into town around 4:00 on Wednesday. Is there any place near the airport or on the way to Buellton that someone can recommend? We'd like something casual for dinner, preferably with a good taplist. It would be a huge bonus if the place also happened to have a good wine by the glass selection (or just a half way decent bottle selection).

    Otherwise, would love to hear about any other "must visit" beer sites in the area. I would add that no one in our group is a big sour fan, and coming from PDX, I don't feel the need to visit Modern Times (as we have a MT outpost here). Other than that, I think we're pretty much game for anything.

    Also, we're doing a lot of wine tasting over the 3 days we're here, and I don't think at this point we can squeeze in another winery (we're visiting Sanford, Foxen, Gainey, Babcock, Mellville, Au Bon Climat, Brewer Clifton, Jaffurs, Mosby and Stolpman, which I feel should be enough).

    Thanks in advance for any help or advice!
     
    #10 John_M, Jul 21, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2021
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  11. PatKorn

    PatKorn Pundit (971) Aug 30, 2007 Hawaii

    Flying into SB and driving to Santa Ynez Valley area?
     
    #11 PatKorn, Jul 22, 2021
  12. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Yes. We're staying at the Buellton-Solvang Quality Inn, but will be driving around the area.
     
    #12 John_M, Jul 22, 2021
  13. PatKorn

    PatKorn Pundit (971) Aug 30, 2007 Hawaii

    Just north of SB is Hollister Brewing, OG brewery with good beers and great food, just off the 101. In Buellton Industrial Eats is a must stop. Amazing food, great wines by the glass, good beers. Hitching Post 2 is a local legend and popular because of Sideways, but solid food and amazing wine list. Los Olivos is a cool little town with a bunch of solid restaurants I know I have been to and had a good meal but cannot remember the name. Many local wineries have tasting rooms there so you can hit up quite a few in one day. Wines in SYV are very good in general but some places I did not enjoy and thought the wines were mediocre, ones you have listed are solid. Not sure about FWB, but pretty sure they are open. Feel free to DM me with anymore questions.
     
    #13 PatKorn, Jul 22, 2021
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  14. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    This is very helpful. Thank you.

    I have a question about the Hitching Post. Of course we're all big fans of the movie Sideways, and the Hitching Post was one of the first places I thought of in terms of a place to eat. However, when I checked the website, I didn't get a positive vibe. The place sounded very touristy, and I was put off by the meat heavy menu and what appeared to be exorbitant prices (it wasn't so much that the prices were high... it's that the menu option prices seemed excessive for what was offered). Please tell me I'm completely wrong about that, as it's a place we would all like to visit
     
    #14 John_M, Jul 22, 2021
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2021
  15. dksl16

    dksl16 Zealot (734) Sep 12, 2008 California
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    The Hitching Post specializes in Santa Maria BBQ so not sure why a "meat heavy menu" would be an issue. Is it touristy? Yes, but plenty of locals eat there too. Is it overpriced? Yes, but the steaks are very good/great (the duck is actually my go-to) and though I've never been wowed eating there, I've also never felt ripped off. You may want to consider just getting lunch at the Hitching Post tasting room -- prices are far more reasonable.

    My top two dinner spots are Industrial Eats and Bell's in Los Alamos. Bob's Well Bread, also in Los Alamos, is a favorite for breakfast/lunch.

    For Santa Maria BBQ, I prefer Jocko's in Nipomo over The Hitching Post -- it's cheaper with comparable food, not as touristy, but a downgrade in ambiance. Just make sure to only go for dinner because they don't fire up the grill during the day.
     
    #15 dksl16, Jul 22, 2021
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  16. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I appreciate the response and information. This is very helpful as well. Thank you. We're actually going to Bell's on Friday (we have reservations), so I appreciate your confirming that it's a good spot (it was recommended to us by a friend, who raved about it).
     
    #16 John_M, Jul 22, 2021
  17. erichxedge

    erichxedge Zealot (567) Nov 29, 2009 California

    Second on Bells. For the price, one of the best dinner experiences I have had in years. Loved Pico in Los Alamos too. But, if you can get a reservation at Bells, I would do that.
     
    #17 erichxedge, Jul 22, 2021
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  18. asong_net

    asong_net Zealot (598) Jan 26, 2016 California
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    Industrial Eats all day...everytime I pass through its a must stop
     
    #18 asong_net, Jul 24, 2021
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  19. JBogan

    JBogan Pooh-Bah (1,871) Jul 15, 2007 California
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    And if you're going to Industrial Eats in Buellton you might as well stop by Figueroa Mtn Brewing which is about a one minute walk from there on the same street. Nice beers and good atmosphere.
     
    #19 JBogan, Jul 24, 2021
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  20. AlmostDeadly777

    AlmostDeadly777 Crusader (426) Apr 29, 2018 California
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    Hello everyone! Got back from my trip tonight and was able to go to several of the places recommended here. Thought I'd share my own experience with them as well as my own recommendations.

    There Does Not Exist: Bummed I didn't spend more time here, my favorite place in SLO of all the recommendations I got beer-wise. Walked out of there with the hazy IPA and the WC DIPA as well as some merch. I'd recommend this place first before anywhere else in SLO.
    Liquid Gravity: Tried a bit of everything and found the hazy pale, hazy IPA, and blackberry white ale to be pretty good. Bartenders were super nice too despite how busy it got on a Saturday afternoon.
    SLO Brew Co: I had had the Mustang IPA before in cans in SoCal and remembered it being "good". The Rock adds a cool ambiance but I'd skip this place next time. Didn't love anything I had there (including the Mustang IPA I thought I liked) although the food looked good.
    Firestone Paso and Buellton: Never been to the Paso location before but for how big and busy it was, they had everything there running like clockwork. Tri-tip sandwich between wine tastings was clutch and I loved the Lonely Mountain pilsner. At Buellton, we hit that on the way home and I got to try Amburana Parabola, DB Parabola, and Cocoanut Parabola, all were great but DB and Cocoanut were my favorites. Sucaba 2019 was also nice to have too.
    Modern Times SB: Skipped the food here as my stomach generally disagrees with their vegan food but the beer was good-to-great as always, and since I'm a member they had cans of Dragon Mask: Vanilla Rye to-go, so that was a nice treat too.

    Food-wise, I'd recommend any of the following:

    Zorros: Good Mexican food in Pismo/Shell Beach, carne asada tacos were good but wish I got the chilaquiles or the carnitas after watching a few plates go by the table.
    Crushcakes: This was recommended in a previous BA thread for Central Coast (its in Santa Barbara) and if you're reading this, I can't thank you enough. My wife LOVED this place (as did I), so much so we got it for lunch on the way up to Pismo as well as on the way home.
    Vivant: This is a cheese shop near downtown Paso that had a pretty good selection of both meats and cheese, and the people working there were generous with samples so we could figure out what we wanted. After wine tasting we did a wine and cheese night on our patio at our hotel and it was killer.
     
    #20 AlmostDeadly777, Jul 26, 2021
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