Ryan ChartrandWhile you’ve still got your parents – and their wallets-in town, you’ve got to celebrate over dinner. San Luis Obispo is full of restuarants that the whole family will enjoy and the Mustang Daily set out to find the five best.
Alex Madonna’s Copper Caf‚ and Steak House
100 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo
(805) 784-2430
www.madonnainn.com
The Madonna Inn, named for Alex Madonna who opened the inn in 1958, is a well-known site on the Central Coast. With 109 uniquely decorated rooms and rustic charm, the inn is home to the Copper Caf‚ open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The hand-carved wood and patterned glass windows offer a comforting atmosphere that complements the menu’s homemade favorites.
The caf‚ is adjacent to the Pastry Shop and Coffee Bar, which bakes French cream puffs, cinnamon pull-aparts, cookies, Danish pastries and one-of-a-kind cakes daily.
For those special occasions, try the oak-pit-barbecued steak or seafood dinner at the Gold Rush Steak House. The inn is especially charming during the holidays when they go all out with decorations.
F. McLintock’s Saloon
686 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo
(805) 541-0686
www.mclintocks.com
F. McLintock’s Saloon is the San Luis Obispo location of the famous Shell Beach Dining House. Well-known for their ranch-style cooking, turkey nuts and water pouring skills, McLintock’s is a rare dining experience for the whole family.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week, McLintock’s also participates in downtown San Luis Obispo’s Farmers’ Market every Thursday night. Stop by for barbecued ribs , burgers, fresh seafood or specialty salads.
Big Sky Caf‚
1121 Broad Street
San Luis Obispo
(805) 545.5401
www.bigskycafe.com
This contemporary caf‚ offers healthy, affordable and delicious dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ninety percent of the menu items are made from scratch and the majority are vegetarian. Well known for their gumbo and fresh seafood, Big Sky Caf‚ also serves organic vegetables from local farmers.
The Food Network’s Rachel Ray recently visited Big Sky Caf‚ and included the vegetarian pazole on her show. The modern caf‚ also displays local artists’ work inside the restaurant. They are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday.
“(Parents) like the thought of leaving their kids with healthy food and good values,” manager Chris Dillow said.
Corner View Restaurant & Bar
1141 Chorro
San Luis Obispo
(805) 546-8444
www.cornerviewrestaurant.com
Chosen as one of the “Best of SLO” in the annual New Times’ readers poll, the Corner View Restaurant & Bar offers an elegant mission style interior with historic photographs of old town San Luis Obispo and rolling vineyards of Edna Valley and Paso Robles.
The restaurant, once the site of a bank, is located in the heart of downtown and offers fresh fish, produce and aged steaks. Corner View is open for lunch and dinner on the weekdays and brunch and dinner on the weekends. There is live music Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 9 p.m. including jazz, fusion, and mellow rock by local artists.
Apple Farm Restaurant and Bakery
2015 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo
(805) 544-6100
www.applefarm.com/dining
The Apple Farm Restaurant and Bakery has been a favorite stop on the Central Coast for decades. Serving hearty homestyle food, fresh pastries and pies, the restaurant is well known for traditional favorites like chicken and dumplings, turkey pot pies and biscuits and gravy. The prime rib and fresh seafood followed by the signature dessert of hot apple dumplings all add to the Country Victorian atmosphere.
The restaurant also offers box lunches for day trips around the Central Coast and a cocktail hour on the outdoor dining patio. Located directly adjacent to the Apple Farm Inn, the restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.