110 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 FOOD Dubber’s Oldtown Bar and Grill Pub It’s a sports bar with food that goes well beyond burgers and wings (though those are perfectly good options here). They make hot dogs into a full meal with a build-your-own toppings list. 172 Main St., Salinas. (831) 676-0256 El Charrito Mexican A simple, counter-service spot that has become the place to go for burritos, thanks in no small part to those divine housemade tortillas. Regulars happily drive from afar. 122 W. Market St., Salinas. (831) 424-9446, elcharrito.com El Colibri Restaurant and Deli Eclectic The entrees are Mexican. The deli sandwiches are American diner classics with a nod toward south of the border. And the kitchen takes great pride in their burgers. 343 Main St., (831) 422-4133, elcolibrirestaurantanddeli. com First Awakenings Diner See listing under Monterey. 171 Main St., Salinas. (831) 784-1125, firstawakenings.net Ginger Thai Kitchen Thai Curries and noodles and, yes, sukiyaki. Thai cuisine has a lot of regions and influences, but the owners are from Thailand. 1104 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 422-8424, gingerthaikitchen.com Gino’s Fine Italian Food Italian This storied, family-owned restaurant serves traditional Italian and American-Italian meals that bring back satisfied customers year after year. 1410 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 4221814, ginospasta.com Kokoro Sushi Japanese The rolls roll on at this Salinas sushi joint, with something to please every species of Calistyle sushi lover. Bento box lunches and charbroiled combo plates, with generous portions. 36 W. Gabilan St., Salinas. (831) 424-7553, orderkokoro.com La Casa del Sazón Mexican La Casa del Sazón began as a couple from Michoacán selling street tacos from a cart. There are now three restaurants, with two Salinas locations. The cooking is homestyle and very much comforting, with everything from scratch. 22 Romie Lane, Salinas, (831) 751-2300; 438 Salinas St., Salinas, (831) 783-1277, lacasadelsazon.com La Gran Diabla Restaurant Eclectic Where else will you see gobernador and shrimp tempura rolls on the same menu? There is commotion and heat, Japanese and Mexican. 131 Main St., Salinas Live @ Heirloom Pizza Co. Pizza A branch of Heirloom Pizza (see listing under Monterey), but with differences that deserve note. This location has a top-notch stage for hosting touring bands. 344 Main St., Salinas. (831) 998-8824, heirloompizzapie.com Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Brush up on your Spanish before visiting this spot. And focus in on the seafood dishes, particularly those involving shrimp. 301 E. Alisal St., Salinas. (831) 757-4540 Mama Lupita’s Mexican It looks like a family-run Mexican joint. That’s because it is. Try the street tacos and you won’t be disappointed. 321 Salinas St., Salinas. (831) 424-5300, ordermamalupitas. com Mangia Italian Mangia reminds you of why people love Italian cooking, especially when it’s done well. The dishes are familiar, except that the chef’s touch is so deft that even something like a gorgonzola cream sauce becomes heaven. 328 Main St., Salinas. (831) 256-2170 Patria on Main European One of Oldtown Salinas’ most popular spots, thanks to a charming farmhouse interior and European cuisine. Patria specializes in housemade pastas, stylish pizzas, schnitzels and more. 228 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 4245555, patriaonmain.com Restaurante El Michoacano Mexican The list of dishes is long and maybe a bit daunting. And that’s the restaurant’s approach to portion size, as well. But don’t be daunted. 2015 N. Main St., Salinas. (831) 272-6182 Salinas City BBQ Barbecue Full of down-home goodness like brisket, ribs, tri-tip, pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw and several kinds of house-made barbecue sauce. 700 W. Market St., Salinas. (831) 758-2227, salinascitybbq.com Steinbeck House Eclectic Have lunch at John Steinbeck’s boyhood home. And just like at home, there is an entree (with a few options, just in case) and dessert. The fixed menu changes every week. 132 Central Ave., Salinas. (831) 424-2735, steinbeckhouse.com Stonies Taphouse & Bistro Eclectic There are wings and rings, burgers and a lot of things thrown over the fire. Barbecue—especially the ribs—is the focus, but attention to other dishes is such that tortillas are handmade. And they like to play, loading up fries and even pretzels. 1366 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 202-0632, stoniestaphouse.com T&A Cafe, Home of Kleinfeldt Family BBQ Barbecue The tri-tip here is wildly popular, prepared Santa Maria style. The pitmaster turns to the smoker for pork and chicken. For those about to venture along the River Road wine trail, this is a good spot to pack a lunch. 1 Harris Road, Spreckels. (831) 225-0447, tacafespreckels. com Tacos Don Beto Mexican People love food trucks because of the quality and vibe. Well, this place is a food truck gone indoors. Tortillas are done from scratch. They serve bowls and are vegetarian friendly (jackfruit carnitas). 42 W. Gabilan St., Salinas. (831) 272-3233 Villa Azteca Mexican Unless you’ve been, Villa Azteca will surprise you. The dishes are gorgeous, both in appearance and flavor. Everything is made from scratch. It’s a beautiful dining room. The family-run place will wow you. 157 Main St., Salinas. (831) 256-2669, villaazteca.com Delis, Markets and Shops Bagel Corner There is a selection of bagels here. What might catch you off guard are the sandwiches, from burgers to hot pastrami and more. 818 Park Row, Salinas. (831) 771-8670, bagelcornerbistro.com Star Market A longtime grocery run by a local family, it is a perfect spot to grab some snacks or pick up a bottle of Monterey County wine. Plenty of local products on the shelves and an old-school butcher counter in the back. 1275 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 422-3961, starmkt.com Windmill Market Yes, there is an actual windmill, under which you will find a shop stocked with local pasta, bread, eggs and such, local produce and other items. There are also some offerings from further afield. 115 Highway 68, Salinas. (831) 659-5205
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==