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Off-Campus Dining:

B-

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Off-Campus Dining Grades:

Quick Stats

Best Pizza

  • Woodstock Pizza

Best Breakfast

  • Linnea's

Best Chinese

  • Golden Gong

Best Healthy

  • Mondeo

Best Place to Take Your Parents

  • Firestone Grill

College Prowler Take

Since San Luis is a tourist town, off-campus dining can get a little pricey. You do get a lot of variety, though. Fast food is always an option, but a city ordinance forbids any drive-through windows, which is nice for community involvement, but a pain when you’re in a rush. Major student hangouts are Woodstock’s Pizza and Firestone Grill, usually followed by Coldstone’s for some excellent ice cream dessert.

If you think there’s no selection in SLO, you obviously need to open your eyes. If a place looks good, it probably is. Fans of ethnic dishes will not be disappointed. It’s not hard to find Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Kosher, Italian, Mediterranean, Southwest, Mexican, Indian, or any other kind of food that will make your mouth water. While the city has its share of typical chains, it primarily boasts independent, one of a kind restaurants, that won’t be found anywhere else. If you enjoy good food, San Luis will be a treat. If you lack the cash to indulge, wait for a visit from your parents and try something new!

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Cales says:

California Polytechnic State University 2016

Psychology

There is awesome food downtown....

There is awesome food downtown. SLO is a college town, so there are places that are cheaper because they know the customers. Honestly, take the time to ride a bus downtown and get some real food every once in a while.

Off-Campus Dining: March 19, 2009
Report

Calnr says:

California Polytechnic State University 2012

Engineering

The restaurants are very good...

The restaurants are very good because the school is somewhat close to the downtown area.

Off-Campus Dining: March 16, 2009
Report

CalSF says:

California Polytechnic State University 2016

Communication and Journalism

There are a huge range of foods to...

There are a huge range of foods to eat. My friend and I are into sushi right now, and we went to six different places in the span of two weeks! They have a every type of food you could ask for at prices any college student can afford.

Off-Campus Dining: March 09, 2009
Report

CalKM5 says:

California Polytechnic State University 2016

Other

It is kind of far to walk to town,...

It is kind of far to walk to town, but you can take a bus. here are many restaurants to choose from. Firestone is good!

Off-Campus Dining: February 23, 2009
Report

camjam73 says:

California Polytechnic State University 2016

Engineering

The Chinese food leaves something...

The Chinese food leaves something to be desired (coming from the Bay Area), but Splash Café is famous for their clam chowder.

Off-Campus Dining: April 20, 2009
Report

Facts

Student Favorites

  • Cabo San Luis
  • Firestone Grill
  • Linnea's
  • Mondeo
  • Woodstock Pizza

Other Places to Check Out

  • Ben Franklins Sandwich Co.
  • Breakfast Buzz
  • Chilie Peppers
  • Coldstone Creamery
  • DaVinci's
  • F. McLintocks Saloon & Dining House
  • Fat Cat's
  • Franks Famous Hot Dogs
  • Gus's Grocery
  • High Street Market & Deli
  • Japanese Restaurant
  • Kona Deli
  • Mo's Smokehouse BBQ
  • Mother's Tavern
  • Novo Restaurant Bakery
  • Royal Thai
  • Sakura Rikyu
  • Taco Roco
  • Thai Classic
  • Vieni Vai Trattoria

Grocery Stores

Albertsons
771 Foothill Blvd.
(805) 541-1285
Daily 6 a.m.–12 a.m.

Scolaris Food Company
1321 Johnson St.
(805) 545-9061
Daily 6 a.m.–12 a.m.

Restaurant Listing

Big Sky Café
Classy Midwest, various ethnic
1121 Broad St.
(805) 545-5401
Price: $10-$15
Voted best in SLO
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 8 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

Cabo San Luis
Unique blend of Mexican, Baja, and seafood
981 Foothill Blvd.
(805) 783-2226
Price: $5-$10
Enormous square tropical fish tank with seating on all four sides
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Tahoe Joes
Steakhouse
485 Madonna Rd.
(805) 543-8300
www.tahoejoes.com
Price: $12-$20
Looks like a Midwest cabin, menu is full of hearty eats
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 4 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 4 p.m.–11 p.m.

Applebee's
Traditional American
305 Madonna Rd.
(805) 782-9088
www.applebees.com
Price: $5-$10
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Firestone Grill
Sports bar
1001 Higuera St.
(805) 783-1001
Price: $10-$12
Busy student hangout on weekends
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

Flame Bay
Stir-fry made to order
778 Higuera St.
(805) 787-0330
Price: $5-$10
Take a bowl, choose ingredients (meats, veggies, extras), pick sauces, watch chefs stir-fry yours
Hours: Saturday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Thursday–Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m.

Golden Gong
Chinese
290 Madonna Rd.
(805) 541-0226
Price: $10-$15
Hunan & Szechwan, free delivery
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Mondeo
Fusion
893 Higuera St. #D4
(805) 544-2956
Price: $5-$10
Increadible fussion bowls and wraps, courtyard seating
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Pizza Solo
Calzones, gourmet pizzas, pastas, salads, sandwiches
891 Higuera St.
(805) 544-8786
Price: $5–$13
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Splash Café
Bakery, burgers, fish and chips, gourmet soups, sandwiches
1491 Monterey St.
(805) 544-7567
www.splashbakery.com
Price: $3–$10
Hours: Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday 7 a.m.–9:30 p.m.

Linnea's
Homemade desserts, light breakfasts, special-menu lunch items
1110 Garden St.
(805) 541-5888
Price: $3-$10
Hangout for artists and musicians, local artists' work adorns the walls, enjoy music from traveling independent musicians
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 6:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 6:30 a.m.–12 a.m., Sunday 6:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 6 p.m.–11 p.m.

The Shack
Sports bar
763A Foothill Blvd.
(805) 546-8623
www.theshacksportsbar.com
Price: $7-$12
Three large screen TVs, peanuts while you wait, happy hour daily from 4 p.m.–7 p.m.
Hours: Sunday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Woodstock Pizza
Pizza, Italian
1000 Higuera St.
(805) 541-4420
www.woodstocksslo.com
Price: $6-$10
Fun hangout for college students, tons of pizza toppings
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Hudson's Grill
Sports bar
1005 Monterey St.
(805) 541-5999
Price: $7-$11
Hours: Daily 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Sarah Parr
Hometown: Simi Valley, CA
Major: Journalism/Pre-Law

Sarah is into astrology.

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