<p>We are new to Cal Poly SLO with our daughter just entering the school as a freshman. What are your top choices for dining in the SLO area–ranging from memorable to eclectic to fine dining? We’ll have at least four years, if not more, to sample. Any recommendations in the nearby towns, like Morro Bay?</p>
<p>In downtown slo there is Firestone grill. They have hamburgers, fries, and an extremely delicious tri-tip sandwich. The food is classic, but way above average and it’s very popular among cal poly students. Across the street is Woodstock pizza if you’re in the mood for a slice. There are also a lot of nice smaller restaurants downtown, especially along Higuera and the side streets. Louisa’s place is an old fashioned breakfast/lunch place that’s pretty popular. There is this place called Bel Frites that supposed to have amazing belgian fries (different than your regular french fries). Novo is a bit fancier and offers scenic creekside dining downtown. </p>
<p>Nearby there is the famous Madonna Inn. I’ve never eaten there, but some of my friends were huge fans of some sort of pink champaign cake they have there. It’s also a pretty interesting place just to visit.</p>
<p>In Pismo beach there is the Splash cafe (they also have a location near downtown slo). This place is very popular and famous for their clam chowder. There is also Brad’s which has good food at great prices.</p>
<p>Morro Bay also has some restaurants. There are a lot of clam chowder/sea food places, but I’ve never eaten at any.</p>
<p>For a rather small town, slo has many different options for dining. There are so many great places to eat, you’ll want to come back just to try them all!</p>
<p>Thursday night farmers’ market is a BBQ feast which should be experienced at least once.</p>
<p>[San</a> Luis Obispo Downtown Association - San Luis Obispo Downtown Association](<a href=“http://www.downtownslo.com/farmers.html]San”>http://www.downtownslo.com/farmers.html)</p>
<p>We went there for the first time last weekend while in town for golf. It’s located in the Old Creamery on Higuera. Very small dining area but great food!</p>
<p>The breakfast burritos at the Breakfast Buzz on Santa Rosa St are amazing, and another vote for Firestone’s for the tri-tip and pig sandwiches …</p>
<p>Firestone Grill cobb salad…Yum!! And they sell gift certificates.</p>
<p>S likes Pizza Solo for single serving pizzas made to order. Not much room to sit in there but the students really seem to like it.</p>
<p>My family’s favorite is the Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. </p>
<p>We also liked going up to Cambria. It has been a few years, and I’m not sure which restaurants have survived.</p>
<p>Great recommendation for Mama’s Meatballs. Super pasta dishes. D had angel hair pasta (cappellini al fresco), and I had Pasta al Salmone (pasta w/ spicy creamy red sauce). Salads were very fresh, as was tomato basil soup my wife ordered. We arrived just before the 9 p.m. closing so ordered their small plate sizes–plenty for us this evening, leaving room for tasty tiramisu for dessert. We will go back to try other dishes.<br>
Tomorrow night we plan to try Novo for creekside dining. The menu is quite inviting–duck mole especially. My wife will definitely be choosing from the tapas menu. And, of course, D will be ensconsed in her new dorm, eating with her new classmates at SLO. We will toast her from afar. All the best.</p>
<p>Tsurugi Japanese Restaurant— great Japanese food in downtown SLO</p>
<p>570 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-3865</p>
<p>flydad, glad you liked Mama’s Meatball. I’m returning to try their chicken lasagna that my friend raves about.
Novo sounds like a great place. I’ll have to check it out tomorrow at lunch time. I also have to stop my Apple Farm to pick up some yummy baked goods!<br>
I may be the one dealing with the freshman 15 before long!!</p>
<p>Splash Cafe is the place for lunch. Great sandwiches and burgers. W had grilled ono on a salad. D had chipolte BBQ burger. All of us shared curly fries. Fresh baked cookies topped it all off.</p>
<p>THEN, dinner at Novo. Don’t miss it. W had duck empenadas. Friend had lamp satay tapas. I had duck mole–fresh made tortillas, corn salso, great rice, and local wine. no room for dessert.</p>
<p>Looking forward to the next visit after dropping off D for the start of her freshman year.</p>
<p>Hope the rest of you are eating as well…</p>