bornintheusa

Am driving up Hwy 1 from Santa Barbara to California/Oregon border going through the usual Morro Bay, Big Sur, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Humboldt, etc at a leisurely pace in our tent trailer. Any local dives that have awesome food at incredible prices???

sunbum1944

Lou Lou's Griddle in the Middle in Monterey CA- its on the wharf- very small, a few tables outside- fun place to eat - high rating on Trip Advisor

sunbum1944

Pappa Joe's in Ferndale Ca- definitely a local dive- its a place where the locals come to hang out, play cards etc- food was good but as I recall we had to wait for awhile to get it.

Its a step back in time for sure

Gardyloo

Personal faves - Pepper's Mexicali in Pacific Grove (Monterey), Aloha Island Grill in Santa Cruz, and the Samoa Cookhouse in Samoa (across the bay from downtown Eureka.) Family style in a lumber mill mess hall, served by your grannie.

AustinTraveler

In Morro Bay, the Cafe at the Sunshine Market is awesome. Also, Taco Temple and Frankie & Lola's. Up in Anchor Bay, we stopped at Thai Kitchen and it was really good and reasonable.

clarkgriswold

Oak Pit Barbecue, route 1 Oceano just south of Grover Beach.

MichelleY

Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing.

sunbum1944

Love Phils Fish Market although on a busy weekend - like Mother's Day, the line was out the door.

bornintheusa

These all are great suggestions....keep them coming!!

bear900

Staring at Nipomo, take the Tefft Street exit; turn right to Thompson to Jockos. NOT Little Jocko’s on the frontage road.

Just before Arroyo Grande, take the Traffic Street exit to Bridge Street for McClintock’s in the A.G. Village. Well hidden and we like it that way.

At Pismo Beach try the Thai Talay.

In Shell Beach, off the Shell Beach exit on the frontage road try Zorros and get a table outside. Huge favorite and it’s catching on.

In SLO, try Jaffa's on Monterey Street. I just had a gyro plate there tonight. What a feast! You will get some of the best BBQ Tri-tip sandwiches at the Rib Line in SLO. We both know good tri-tip. Try theirs.

In Morro Bay, try the MB Hofbrau and get the Pastrami sandwich. Haven’t had one that good outside of Chicago. Stacked high and lean. We will take a run up there and just for that. Leave the rest of the menu alone.

Giovanni's Fish Market & Galley in MB is a favorite for fish and chips and the like. As great an ocean view as the expensive spots, just rustic.

In Cambria, Lombardi’s Pasta Familia was a bit of a surprise to us for some solid Italian when you’re just bummin’ and need a fix.

All these places are small to medium, easy and casual, reasonable, Great Food, and where locals hang out and travelers love discovering.

jamie99

I second Jocko's in Nipomo, ate there twice but for lunch, and they do not fire up the red oak BBQ until late afternoon.

clarkgriswold

Jocko's and McLintock's on a low budget????

november_moon

Well, at Jocko's the portions are large enough that they can order 1 meal for 2-3 people...

bornintheusa

Looks like we will be eating our way along the coast..thanks all for these great recommendations! Any more?

ltt

there are so many gorgeious places to stop...my favorite is most days, just pulling over at rest stops or "pull overs" and have a picnic. since you are camping you will have a cooler. after driving in the car for hours, i often find it frustrating sitting inside a restaurant waiting for service/food. i'd rather stop at a great spot and have sandwiches/fruit/juice out of the car.

KTtravel

Not a dive but good food at reasonable prices: the Davenport Roadhouse in Davenport and Puerto 27 in Pacifica.

palmettoprincess

Ditto the Davenport Roadhouse. You also may want to get takeout from the grocery store in PersUaded and take it to the picnic area on #1.

bornintheusa

Itt. Is correct that wel'll do picnics but if I know there is a really good place in an area we are driving through it is nice to splurge since I'm saving $$ by camping!

tomfuller

If you want to cook for yourself you can stop at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse HI hostel. It's about 50 miles south of San Francisco. You can sleep in a real bed in a dorm room next to the lighthouse. There is also another lighthouse HI hostel at Point Montera (closer to SF).

clarkgriswold

Just off the Avila Beach exit...be sure to stop in at Avila Valley Barn to pick up an Olallieberry Crisp.