big sky cafe

i’m not big on breakfast. i’ve never found eggs all that tasty and bacon, sausage, and other traditional morning foods are often overloaded with fat and unless they are prepared right, they are often difficult to stomach. but there are some places that do breakfast right and one of them is big sky café in downtown san luis obispo, california.

i visited big sky café as part of a beercation adventure and arriving here for breakfast, i wasn’t sure what to expect. would this place serve the usual, boring bacon and eggs with a slice of toast and jam? or would it serve something better that the typical breakfast food? well, a quick look at the menu confirmed what i had hoped was true: big sky café serves more interestingfooddishes, unlike those found at other restaurants.

for my morning meal, i ordered the pesto chicken sausage scramble with herbed potatoes and toast with a cup of coffee. the serving size was larger than expected and the taste? it was absolutely divine and unlike any breakfastfoodi had tasted in a long time. the seasoning, the ingredients used, and the freshness made for a most satisfying meal. big sky prides itself as a place that serves farmer’s market- based cuisine and this natural, unprocessed goodness is tasted in every bite.

big sky café has a pleasant interior, featuring wooden tables and chairs, breakfast bar, and a spanish theme that features artwork from local artists. the service is excellent and i noticed from looking through the menu that big sky café is a good choice for vegetarians. oh, and it is not just a place for breakfast- they also serve lunch and early dinner. but they close at 8pm during the week and 9pm on weekends so don’t wait too late if you want to dine here.

breakfast is my least favorite meal of the day but big sky café has at least renewed my confidence in morning nutrition. tasty, fresh, natural ingredients, creative combinations, and cool atmosphere make this a restaurant deserving of a visit.

imponderable! nothing is quite like thefoodhere. it all has its own unique twist.

spend your money elsewhere. averagefoodat a high price. the turkey chile was blah. the only thing i liked was the mint iced tea. with all of the other options in the area, i won't be going back.

very accomodating. greatfoodand very accommodating. we had a large party and everyone was taken very good care of. thefoodwas delicious and great portion sizes. love the atmosphere and decor as well. i will definitely be back when i visit slo again.

if you are a vegan or just like goodfoodthen check out big sky! the stir fry was chilly though. i like it hot.


-----12 sep, 2012-----

trio veggie plate was yummy! pass on the coconut carrot bisque

searching for veganfoodin slo and i wasn't disappointed. had the tagine, the vegetable plate and the crisp of the day. all tasty and brought super fast. service slightly dreamy but charming and really with wine this good andfoodthis tasty we didn't mind a bit.

i hate all corn bread except for theirs. big sky uses fresh ingredients and has a lot to choose for vegetarians. their featured soups are always good and thefoodis flavorful yet simple.
i love their breakfast menu! the huevos rancheros with vegetarian chili and a side of home fries with garlic pepper plant sauce and cornbread is awesome! i love that they'll substitute any egg dish with tofu. i like the scramble with parmesean cheese, sundried tomatoes and spinach too.
my husband loved their bacon. and the swiss cheese pancakes.
i think it's a given that locals know they have bad service, but thefoodis great. that's the only downfall. they also have outdoor seating which is a big plus in my book.

sweet spot for locals & visitors. thefoodis always excellent, friendly service, and a huge effort by big sky to support local farmers. out first pick when guests are in town.

kinda pricey but worth it! thefoodis reallly fresh and in the interiot is very nice!

first of all big sky cafe is not a vegeterian restaurant! second, i really don't understand what the fuss is about. although the staff is friendly and efficient, thefoodis mediocre at best. we had the sweet potato fries (based on other reviewers' comments). they were soggy and entirely ordinary. vegetarian burgers were decent but, again, uninteresting. i guess that for someone who eats tv dinners and at subway most of the time, thefoodmight seem exotic. if, however, your palate is more frequently challenged, the only thing big sky cafe will do to your mouth is induce a big fat yawn.

i've been here a couple times and thefoodis good but always seems overpriced. if i'm going to pay that much i want it to be something i couldn't have made myself.

nice wines, modern american food, reasonable prices. i dined here with my girlfriend in late november, 2009. service was friendly and attentive. our appetizer, two glasses of wine, two entrees and two desserts set us back about $70 including tax and tip - a price i consider reasonable. thefoodwas excellent. i particularly appreciated their longish wines by the glass offerings, which feature many local winemakers. the wines by the bottle seemed reasonably priced (for a restaurant). this restaurant clearly has a loyal local following and for good reason.

big sky worth a try. there is a lot to like about big sky, though, admitidly, the place is not for everyone. but, if you like the idea of eating well-craftedfoodfrom an inventive menu in a charming and comfortable atmosphere, then it is certainly worth checking out.
one of my first praises for big sky is for its reasonable prices. there are dozens of well made items on the breakfast and lunch menu for less than $10. the savory turkey burger and the chipoltle and mushroom grilled cheese sandwich come to mind as both excellent and affordable entrees. i recommend them with either the sweet potato fries (served with orange zest -- how clever!) or the flavorful black bean chili.
the dinner menu is also a marvel, with combinations offoodthat may make some anxious, but certainly may excite others. the menu brings flavors from across the globe to create such treats as the sweet and tender brown sugar brined pork roast with yam risotto and apricott fig mostarda. you may have no idea what a mostarda is, but if you are willing experience some kitchen creativity, it is certainly worth the try.
the wine list is great, the staff is intelligent, and the wait is typically a little long. i recommend sitting at the counter during rushes - you can bypass the wait and will probably have some great conversation with the folks around you too.