Old town grocery charm with pricey but good sandwiches

Right downtown on Monterey Street Muzio’s Grocery and Deli has been adding its delightful presence to our town. It used to be more of an old fashioned market when I used to go there 25+ years ago but now its focused mainly on the lunch crowd serving up a fantastic variety of deli sandwiches.

The Digs:
Muzio’s Grocery & Deli

870 Monterey St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
A great variety of sandwiches to satisfy anyone. People usually come in knowing exactly what number they want as its all listed by number on the boards written above  you.  The store has an old world charm to it and while it’s not what it was back in the day it’s still a lot of fun to go and hang out and grab a bite to eat.  If you are new to San Luis Obispo or just coming back after a long visit it’s almost a must that you have lunch here.

What Rocks:
The hot roast beef with Ortega chiles. My ultimate fav.

What Sucks:
The price. No matter what you order the sandwich is about 10 bucks and add a drink and you are at $12 for lunch for one person. A bit high in my opinion. The food is great but the price is what keeps me from making it a daily stop.

The Moolah:
Sandwiches vary in price but most are around $10.

One of the best sushi spots in town

Located in the Wells Fargo shopping center next to Mountain Air Sports, Sumo Sushi is a great stop for lunch or dinner and has some of the best Japanese food to offer and a great sake selection to add to your experience.

The Digs:
Sumo Sushi & Grill
667 Marsh St
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Sushi and Japanese food that everyone will love. Many of the rolls are creatively named after our local landmarks and it’s a down to earth and relaxed atmosphere.  If you dare they have some interesting drinks made with sake. A sake martini?

What Rocks:
I haven’t had a thing here that wasn’t fantastic. For lunch I love the Chef’s Special Combo. (I can’t get enough of the Love Love Roll!) It’s a nice selection of sushi the chef chooses and then you get to choose any roll from their menu. It’s the perfect lunch portion.  For dinner I recommend some of the fabulous specialty rolls. Pick three or four and share amongst your friends. Get some sake and soak it all in. Mmmmmm.

What Sucks:
On one or two occasions the service has been less than par. It seems wait staff is given an area to deal with and they will walk right by you even if it’s clear you need help.  Not what I would expect for SLO. Also there is a huge TV in the front that is often playing sports games and such. Again not what I would expect in a Japanese restaurant.

The Moolah:
Most rolls are around $10 give or take. Dinners are a bit more.

A tasty fusion of wraps and bowls to satisfy any craving

Located in downtown by the movie theater, the Gap, Barnes and Noble, etc. (you know where I mean) Mondeo Pronto serves all kinds of tasty wraps or bowls for any craving. They call themselves an Asian/Café but that name doesn’t do it justice.

The Digs:
Mondeo Pronto
893 Higuera Street # D4
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Wraps and bows in all flavors. Rather you crave something from the East, West, or some tasty Mediterranean place, They have a fabulous menu and everything I have had in the years I have been going there has been great.

What Rocks:
I am usually drawn the East Winds menu because of the The High Thai Peanut, Ahi Wasabi, or Sesame Chicken choices but I promise whatever you order will be a tough decision as it all looks and sounds good. One stop here and you will be planning your next because you can’t choose which one you want most. I have tried many menu items in both bowls and wraps and both are great.

What Sucks:
Sometimes I have noticed when I order the bowl the rice isn’t always the freshest possible but overall its hard to complain. I tend to like the wraps better but sometimes I bowl just sounds healthier.  They can get busy and the wait can be longer than you want sometimes  (I was late for my movie once) but overall it’s a great experience.

The Moolah:
Most items are about $8-9 and you can get them as a wrap or a bowl. Salads range $7-8 and they do have  kids menu.

Amazingly good pizza with a healthy flare.

If you have yet to try Pizza Fusion, located in the Trader Joe shopping center in San Luis Obispo, you are about to add a new favorite pizza place to your list. Everything from the lights in the building to the way the pizza is cooked and delivered to you has Mother Earth in mind. Too touchy-feely for you? Well the pizza rocks!

The Digs:
Pizza Fusion
3971 S Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Fantastic gourmet pizzas from the Trader Joes/Food 4 Less shopping center on South Higuera in San Luis Obispo.  All ingredients are fresh, organic, and earth friendly.

What Rocks:
So much rocks. The pizza is fantastic. The staff is ultra friendly and have a great attitude. Even the delivery boxes are cool.  From the Bruschetta pizza to the Founder’s Pie, I have tried a half dozen different pizzas from their gourmet selection and they have all been fantastic.

What Sucks:
It’s hard to complain about anything here. It ‘s all so good. If anything the pizza could be called slightly expensive but keep in mind its all fresh and organic and like no other pizza in town. Like every other SLO restaurant they run coupons so keep an eye out for the discounts and go enjoy.

The Moolah:
Most pizzas are about $18-20 for the large. Salads range $9-12.

Decent fast Mexican food but so ridiculously overpriced.

Taco Roco has been on the scene for a few years now and they have 8 locations throughout the Central Coast and three in San Luis Obispo alone.  I went to the Laguna Village location with my son and was incredibly let down having been there a few times previously.

The Digs:
Taco Roco
11560 Los Osos Valley Rd
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

The Scoop:
The Laguna Center Taco Roco is a cute spot located between Laguna Brew and the Nautical Bean. When you walk in its got the usual look and feel of a fast food place but this is all your standard Mexican grub.

What Rocks:
The outside patio. Its nice to get your meal and sit out front on the patio and eat and watch the world go by. Food is good not great but what you would expect for a quick Mexican place. Nice Mexican beer selection.

What Sucks:
We went in at 6pm on a Wednesday night, right before they got busy. The very small salsa bar looked like a tornado hit it, half the containers were empty, and you could tell it had been sitting there all day. My son and I picked out two of the meals and I thought it might be small so ordered an extra crispy taco. He had a soda and I ordered a Negra Modelo cerveza. $28 bucks. (“Wait, it’s how much????) For that price for two I could have gone to a nice sit down Mexican food restaurant in San Luis Obispo, like Pepe Delgados.  I am not sure if they just charge more in SLO because they think everyone will pay it but its incredibly overpriced for what you get. I would expect the prices to be 30% less than what they are.

The Moolah:
Most combonations are $7-9 and for very small portions (except the rice and beans of course) and individual items like a taco a la carte is just under $3.

Cute little grocery store with a fabulous hidden deli.

You have to know San Luis Obispo to head over to Laurel Lane but those who do love SLO Fresh Market. The deli in the back serves up amazing sandwiches every day featuring Boars Head Meats.

The Digs:
SLO Fresh Market
1285 Laurel Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
It’s a small town local grocery store at its finest. It’s not fancy at all but has some of everything. Its prize jewel is the deli in the back.  Staff is extremely friendly every time I have been and its quickly becoming a favorite stop for lunch.

What Rocks:
The Boars Head Meats are great and they have some fun varieties. Great smoked turkey breast and a fantastic parmesan ham. Get it with the Gruyere cheese. I promise you will not be disappointed.  You can also sit outside at the tables if you choose or take it to go. It’s a really cute place.

What Sucks:
There is nothing fancy about this place but the best places are like this. Prices may be slightly high for a sandwich but it’s so good you won’t complain about it much.

The Moolah:
A sandwich and a drink will set you back about $8-9. Not outrageous but on the high end. Plenty of drink and snack selections since it’s a full grocery store.

Downtown Thai Food at its best.

Thai Palace is downtown San Luis Obispo’s must stop Thai Restaurant. It serves up authentic Thai food at reasonable prices in the heart of the SLO

The Digs:
Thai Palance
1015 Court Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
If you live Thai food you have to go here. Everything is good from the presentation down to the décor. Customer service is fantastic and food is great! Once you go here you will be hooked and it will also soon become on your take out list of favorites.

What Rocks:
Everything I have eaten here is fantastic. A wide variety of veggie and tofu dishes as well as the yummy Thai curry dishes you expect to find. If you love peanut sauce you MUST try the Param. I love it with chicken.

What Sucks:
Nothing! If you want take out you do have to make the trip downtown but its worth the trip!

The Moolah:
Dishes range from $8-$10 for lunch and $11-$16 for dinner. Decent wine selection and beer. Try the Singha Thai beer.

You’ve known it for its night time activities but have you tried it for lunch?

The Graduate has been serving it up for 33 years. Yes, thirty three years it’s been doing lunch during the day and an assortment of dance nights each day of the week. It a great find for lunch and has a bit of a secret following as most still don’t realize there are open during the lunch hour and have only visited during evening hours.

The Digs:
The Graduate
990 Industrial Way
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
They have a great selection of food from burgers to great chicken sandwiches, giant salads and even steak if you are craving it. The best thing about it is there is lots of food and all reasonably priced for lunch. It’s quite an operation.

What Rocks:
Big food and done in an assembly line fashion. They really have their system down and they have a huge lunch following. Try the grad burger or one of the chicken sandwiches. You won’t be disappointed but come hungry!

What Sucks:
This is nitpicking but you can’t get your drinks at the same place you order your food so if you pay by credit card you end up with two charges. One charge where you order food and a separate charge at the bar where you order your drinks. They should allow you to pay for your drink when you get your food and then pick up at the bar by showing your receipt.

The Moolah:
Lunch prices range from $4.50 to $13.50 depending on what you order but most is between $6-8. They have a full bar as well.

A great place for lunch and watch the happenings at the San Luis Obispo Airport

Spirit of San Luis Restaurant has been in business for over 20 years and it’s a great place to stop in for lunch and enjoy the planes at the San Luis Obispo Airport taking off and landing.

The Digs:
Spirit of San Luis
925 Airport Drive
San Luis Obispo CA, 93401

The Scoop:
A lot of the meals are humorously named after airplane terms or history such as the Kitty Hawk, The Mile High Club, and the Wright Cheeseburger. If the weather is nice, sit outside on the patio. It’s a great time watching the happenings at the San Luis Obispo Airport. There is a whole world going on out there that people rarely stop to pay attention to.

What Rocks:
All the food is great. I have been there many times and on this occasion enjoyed the Chicken Cordon Blue Sandwich. Try the Mile High Club Sandwich or if you are into salads, the Cobb Salad. You won’t be disappointed. They have a full bar and a very nice beer and wine selection.

What Sucks:
Since the restaurant has been there so long, it is becoming a bit dated. It could desperately use some remodeling but my suggestion is don’t pay so much attention to the décor and watch all the fun activity going on at the airport.

The Moolah:
It is not an inexpensive lunch but not terribly priced for what you get. Most lunch fares range from $9-13. Dinner is around $11-25. They have a full bar and a very nice beer selection.

In a word, this place ROCKS!

Snofari is a new frozen yogurt shop that opened a few months back in Laguna Shopping Center. It’s the do it yourself type of yogurt where everything has been turned to the customer. Select your favorite yogurt, scoop in your favorite toppings, and weigh in for the price.

The Digs:
Snofari Frozen Yogurt
1352 Madonna Road
San Luis Obispo CA, 93405

The Scoop:
You can’t help but fall I love with this place if you like frozen yogurt. When you first walk in the staff is incredibly friendly and offer to assist if it’s your first time there. They have a great variety of frozen yogurt and so many toppings and sauces you simply couldn’t think of anything more to put on your dessert.  Once you finish you put your yogurt on the scale and pay by weight.  It is very reasonable and it is really great yogurt by Dreyers. All the toppings are fresh and it’s a cute little store.

What Rocks:
Just about everything. Great variety of frozen yogurt and limitless toppings. If you are a peanut butter fanatic like me try the peanut butter sauce on your yogurt. YUM!

What Sucks:
Not a thing. Prices are fair; they even give you frequent visitor card that once you fill up entitles you to a free yogurt. They are doing everything right at this point.

The Moolah:
Everything is by weight so the more you fancy the more you pay. It all weighs out at just under .40 per pound.