January 5, 2005
Beginnings
Orcutt Burger in San Diego?
A friend just saw “Sideways” in San Luis Obispo. The scene where Miles drinks a bottle of wine with a burger and onion rings back home in San Diego was filmed at Orcutt Burger, it turns out, according to this astute friend of mine.
The best beginning for a day of wine tasting is a hearty breakfast. Breakfast is a favorite meal for me, and here is a listing of places to try for breakfast in our area.
Bon appetit, and Happy New Year!
- Orcutt Burger in Orcutt at the corner of Clark and Bradley. Tasty food, a lot of it, and very reasonably priced.
- Two other great places in Orcutt are Kay’s Country Kitchen and Jack’s. The Orcutt Country Kitchen which is expanding is just several doors down from Elmer’s. So when the weather’s really nice, and there’s a long wait, get your name on the list and pop into Elmer’s for a little “hair of the dog.” Jack’s, around the corner from the 76 station, serves up delicious food and mighty big portions.
- Up in Guadalupe, two restaurants serve up tasty breakfasts--The Guadalupe Restaurant and the Far Western Tavern. I particularly like the chili verde and eggs at the Guadalupe Restaurant. At the Far Western Tavern-Sundays only-they serve up steak and eggs or bacon and eggs, with all the fixin’s. The breakfast includes buttermilk biscuits and juice, hash browns and the restaurant’s signature pinquito beans.
- Across the county line, there’s Jocko’s at the corner of Tefft and Thompson, open for breakfast seven days a week. Be hungry! The thick sliced bacon or ham are to die for. Going into Jocko’s is like stepping right back into the 1950s.
- Speaking of a time warp, on Broadway in Santa Maria, there’s the Swiss Chalet. They serve up a tasty breakfast Sundays only. It’s worth checking out.
- At US 101 and Betteravia in Santa Maria, there’s Pappy’s. I particularly like their chili verde and huevos rancheros.
- Across Harris Grade or down Highway 1, there’s the Cajun Kitchen on the edge of Lompoc in the Albertson’s center. One of five restaurants, the other four Cajun Kitchens are in the Santa Barbara-Goleta area, and all worth trying!
- In Los Alamos, two restaurants I like are Cafe Quackenbush and Twin Oaks. The Twin Oaks is under new ownership, and Bonnie who works there is the daughter of the legendary Audrey Hilliard, who owned Little Audrey’s Coffee Shop in Santa Barbara. Charlie's, also in Los Alamos, does great breakfasts too-when it's open. It would be disappointing, driving a fair distance, to discover it was closed.
- In Buellton, two places I enjoy are Ellen’s Pancakes and Mother Hubbard’s. Again, be hungry, especially if you go to Ellen’s.
- The Longhorn in Santa Ynez, next to Grappolo, is a perennial favorite of mine and has been for at least 20 years! Since Kelli Moniot has owned the establishment, she has made it better than ever.
- Back to “Sideways,” the restaurant Miles and Jack eat at in the film is the Solvang Restaurant on Copenhagen Drive. I haven’t been there for a long time, but my recollection was it was darn good. Check it out! Copenhagen Drive in downtown Solvang.
Times wine columnist, Bob Senn, lives in the Los Alamos Valley and owns the Los Olivos Wine & Spirits Emporium.
