Buffalo Pub & Grill

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A nice stop on Higuera for a cocktail and great bar food.

Buffalo Pub & Grill is located downtown SLO and is a great place for after work cocktails or a quick lunch. In the evening it’s a popular stop for the college crowd.

The Digs:
Buffalo Pub & Grill
717 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Located just a few doors down from Mother’s (Mo-Tav) the Buffalo Pub is owned by the same people that own one of my favorite places, The Black Sheep Bar & Grill. It’s the typical bar atmosphere and they have a number of beers on tap, a full bar, and a nice menu.

What Rocks:
Just like Black Sheep, the service is excellent. Everyone is friendly and you feel right at home from the second you walk in. I had the Grilled Pastrami and Pepperoncini Pepper Sandwich and it was great! My lunch date had the Marinated Chicken on Ciabatta and it was also excellent. It was actually hard to decide what to eat as there were many great selections on the menu.

What Sucks:
If you aren’t into the college crowd this place will get on your nerves after about 6pm. If you are one of the college crowd, this is your place!

The Moolah:
Most sandwich items are between $8.50-$12.50. Buffalo plates are $12.50-$16.50.

Creeky Tiki Bar & Grill

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Great food and perfect lunch atmosphere in and old downtown SLO location

Creeky Tiki is located in the Network shopping center in downtown SLO. It’s outdoor area sits along the creek and it’s the perfect afternoon setting on a nice day.

The Digs:
Creeky Tiki Bar & Grill
778 Higuera Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Located in downtown San Luis Obispo two doors down from Kwirkworld and in the same place as Cowboy Cookie (also amazing!) is the Network building and in the back is Creeky Tiki and its amazing back patio area and probably the best outdoor bar in SLO.

What Rocks:
Honestly, the entire menu. Creeki Tiki has everything from Mexican food to burgers to pizza and I have eaten there more than a dozen times and each time has been great. Try the chicken club or the ortega melt. If you had a burger in mind, the Tiki Special is tasty! The service and people have also been fantastic every time I have been. These guys are doing it well. On the weekend its the perfect place to go hang out, have a pitcher of beer, and listen to the local music they frequently have going on in the outdoor patio area. They have a nice selection of beer on tap and a full bar inside and outside.

What Sucks:
What makes Creeky Tiki a great place is the outdoor dining so if its cold and rainy, it’s not as much fun. They do have indoor dining but part of the charm of this place is its outdoor seating next to the creek.

The Moolah:
Very reasonable pricing as most items are between $4.50-$6. Full pizzas will run you about $17.

Luna Red – Global Tapas & Wine

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Tasty tapas from one of SLO’s favorite restaurant families

Luna Red is owned by the same people that bring you Novo Restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo as well as Robin’s in Cambria. This is a fun new establishment with a tapas style menu and a great wine list to compliment their yummy dishes.

The Digs:
Luna Red Restaurant
1009 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Located right down from Fremont Theater, Luna Red has a fantastic presentation and everything looks amazing. You will have trouble choosing what to get as it all looks so good.

What Rocks:
The fish tacos without a doubt but I recommend trying a variety of tapas and sharing. The pastrami was also very good. A perfect place for lunch of after work for a glass of wine and some wonderful dishes in a great atmosphere. The staff was also great.

What Sucks:
The wait time to get the food was a little long being it was not busy when we arrived but they are very new and getting the kinks worked out. When we left it was packed so get there early.

The Moolah:
Prices range between $9-14 for lunch. Dinner ranges between $8-24 depending on what you order. (tapas vs. full dinners)

Gennaro’s Grill & Garden

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Tasty Cuban cuisine in a down home setting

Gennaro’s is located just past Landis Automotive on Marsh. We all drive right by it and don’t realize it’s there but you are really missing out. The Cuban/Italian food is fantastic and the friendly atmosphere makes it one of my new favorites.

The Digs:
Gennaro’s Grill & Garden
450 Marsh Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Located on Marsh in the cute Victorian house that has seen its share of restaurants come and go. They have a variety of Italian dishes as well as Cuban items and after having been there twice I am becoming a fan. This place has potential, but it needs to spread word of mouth as the location has consistently been a problem for every business that has tried to make it work.

What Rocks:
I cannot speak enough about how good the Cubano sandwich is. Mmmmm. I ordered it with a side of plantains and it was delicious. Next time I am ordering the Ropa Vieja as it also looked fantastic. (see pic)

What Sucks:
The location is a challenge. Also it is always a little strange when restuarants combine two different cultures together. (Italian and Cuban) I honestly think if they filled the menu with Cuban dishes it would do just fine and really catch on.

The Moolah:
Prices range between $8-14 for lunch. Dinner ranges between $12-32.

Black Sheep Bar & Grill

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Great “locals” bar with consistently great food

The Black Sheep Bar & Grill has become my new favorite when you want good food and great cocktails. It’s hidden off of Chorro Street, which is a good thing as it’s not too busy during lunch and the food is great. It’s also a perfect after work place for a cocktail and they make their drinks…shall we say..generously!

The Digs:
Black Sheep Bar & Grill
1117 Chorro Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

The Scoop:
Located next to The Sanctuary Tobacco Shop on Chorro, Black Sheep has a old style bar feeling and when I say that I do not mean a dive bar by any means. It’s warm and welcoming and there is a great patio area in the back for outdoor dining. The food is fantastic and after several visits I have not had anything that wasn’t great. They are known for their mac and cheese, which while I admit isn’t one of my favorite dishes, theirs is very good.

What Rocks:
Everything on the menu. The Guinness burger, tacos, or club sandwich are my favorites. If you want to enjoy a cocktail, almost every mixologist there has their own specialty so ask for it.

What Sucks:
The back patio usually has an abundance of flies which can get annoying. Also if you want to escape the college bar scene at night, get there before 7 as the younger crown tends to come in after that.

The Moolah:
Prices range between $8.95-$13.95