SLO’s Foodie Hotspot is Big Sky Cafe
Why We Went: My daughter Taylor and I were visiting San Luis Obispo and since Big Sky Cafe seemed to be “the” foodie hotspot, we gave it a try. The restaurant is casual and welcoming, while being incredibly artsy and fun. Bonus, they use local farmers.
What We Had: Taylor always opts for a traditional meal so she chose scrambled eggs, chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes, and bacon. I, on the other hand, love to try more exotic choices so I had the Devil’s Mess, an egg dish with sautéed onions, mushrooms, spinach, spicy pork andouille sausage, and chilies. Although they warn diners that this dish is spicy, I found it rather mild. The Devil’s Mess is served with herbed new potatoes or fresh fruit.
Something Special: Big Sky Cafe’s choice of breads are both unusual and made from scratch: killer cornbread, buttermilk ginger coffee cake, or toast. I tried them all and yep, as you figured, they are all fabulous.
Noteworthy: Big Sky Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, plus offers health-conscious choices and fresh market cuisine.
Best Part of the Meal: I was really torn between the Devil’s Mess and the Traditional New Mexican Pozole so the kind waitress just brought me both. The pozole was (eyes rolling back in my head) over the top wonderful! Such a lovely combination of a spicy hominy stew with peppers, tomatillos, cumin, pumpkin seeds, and cilantro topped with a poached egg and cornbread with queso fresco. The flavors worked so well together and it was spicy/sweet/memorable all at one time. You may choose either seared pork (which I did) or a vegetarian version. Definitely one of the most clever dishes I have ever had and it was a copy cat recipe from Chicago Mexican Guru Chef Rick Bayless modified with their imagination. I appreciated how honest they were in telling how the recipe was derived.
Bonus: The Big Sky Cafe exhibits local artists galleries and rotates the collections often.
What Needs Improvement: I cannot think of a single thing! I wish they had one in Florida. I would have loved to try their lunch and tagine dinners.
My Rating Scale 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest)= 9 1/2
Big Sky Cafe
1121 Broad Street (1 block from Mission Plaza)
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 545-5401
Check out our other California posts:
San Luis Obispo Reagan Presidential Library Driving PCH
Looks like a great place for breakfast, and I LOVE breakfast! The buttermilk ginger coffee cake looks incredible!
I’m not really a fan of sweet pastries like that (however don’t come between me and a good donut) but it was really well done. Not too sweet or messy. 😉
looks delicious!!! Love Mexican food so that soup looks just so savory! I would also totally go with the Ginger coffee cake (the picture?) what ever that was looked delicious too. yum
This cafe looks lovely! I am a big fan of breakfast and this place looks like it would be right up my alley! I’ll make sure to stop there the next time I’m in the area!
We should meet one day halfway, say West Palm Beach, for breakfast. 😉
You had me at chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes, and bacon. Very cool that they make their bread from scratch – there aren’t a lot of places around which do these days. Looks like a great cafe!
Thanks Meg! It was a great discovery. 😉 Still thinking about that hominy stew.
The Devil’s Mess sounds awesome – but I’m afraid the ‘mess’ part really sums up the presentation! However, if it’s as tasty as you say it is – I wouldn’t have any complaints!
You are right, it wasn’t the most beautiful presentation. LOL It tasted divine though! 😉
Just gave me yet another reason to visit San Luis Obispo. I usually stay on the coast when I’m in the area but this sounds like delicious fun (and I’m also a big fan of Rick Bayless’ recipes.)
Elaine, we were meant to travel together. 😉
We ate there for breakfast a few years ago and really enjoyed it. The food is really great. I liked everything we had. And a great location too. So when you’re out wine tasting, you stop by there for a refuel in between tasting rooms. Perfect!
Great suggestion! 😉
When it comes to breakfast, I am not “adventurous,” so I’d probably have made the same choice as your daughter. Did you have a chance to look at the lunch/dinner menus?
Yes. Equally impressed. 😉
I love pozole! One of my favorite soups and a go-to order at any Mexican joint. Now I’m hungry for pozole!
Awesome! Their food was so delicious and it was my first time having pozole. 😉
Looks like a delicious meal. I’ve actually only had Pozole when friends have made it for me but that looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure. Thanks for stopping by. 😉
We don’t get to that side of the world very often, but next we do I will remember this!
Awesome! 😉
Your day looks amazing. I would love to try out this cafe as well. Your photos make it look so inviting.
Don’t you just love good food pictures? My weakness. 😉 Thanks!