92 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 food Amapola Kitchen & Wine Merchant Lunch A handsome spot with a bistro menu that pairs nicely with wines curated by the owner, who happens to be a sommelier. Think croque monsieur, pasta, charcuterie plates and the fluffiest quiche around. 32 W. Gabilan St., Salinas. (831) 262-0075, amapolakitchenandwine.com Avatar Indian Grill Indian Dishes are prepared from scratch and range across India’s culinary regions. There is a good selection of tandoori and vegetarian options. 1568 Constitution Blvd., Salinas. (831) 4432156, avatarindiangrill.com Cali Glizzy Hot Dogs Sometimes you just need a dog. And they give you options—plus waffle fries. 16 E. Gabilan St., Salinas. (831) 769-6477 Chopstix See listing under Monterey. 624 Northridge Mall, Salinas. (831) 442-2622, chopstixboba. com Camalig Filipino Cuisine Filipino There are flavors familiar to a broad dining audience, such as lumpia or adobo. And there are items many local diners encounter only rarely. Dinuguan comes to mind. The restaurant offers reasons to branch out. 190 E. Laurel Drive, Salinas. (831) 422-9500 Casa Sorrento Pizzeria Pizza, Italian The gigantic salads, lasagna, pasta dishes and pizza pies have given this cozy neighborhood joint a faithful local following. Its live entertainment and dance floor make it a favorite, too. 393 Salinas St., Salinas. (831) 757-2720, casasorrento.com Culturas Hidalgo y Oaxaca Restaurant Mexican Home cooking from a specific area of Oaxaca, done up restaurant-style. There are antojitos, pastes Hidalguenses, molotes estilo Hidalgo and more. Handmade tortillas and true flavors. 473 E. Market St., Salinas. (831) 975-4766 Doña Leo Mexican A manageable breakfast and daytime menu in a spot serving Mexican favorites to the downtown Salinas workforce. 319 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 796-5100 Dubber’s Oldtown Bar and Grill Pub, American 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, and also do big, bountiful salads. 172 Main St., Salinas. (831) 676-0256 Dudley’s Restaurant American A breakfast and lunch spot with a local following and for its old-school family vibe (steak and eggs for breakfast). Dudley’s brags about their burgers. 258 Main St., Salinas. (831) 758-5257, dudleysoldtown.com Eagle Chinese The humble spot has its share of regulars. And they have a lot to choose from—something like 130 menu options, not including family dinners. 26 W. Alisal St., Salinas. (831) 751-2312, eaglerestaurant.net 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. You may also be distracted by the tortas. And it’s possible to order tamales by the half dozen or dozen. 122 W. Market St., Salinas. (831) 424-9446, elcharrito.com First Awakenings See listing under Monterey. 171 Main St., Salinas. (831) 784-1125, firstawakenings.net Fish & Chips Eclectic What if we told you that many believe Fish & Chips serves the city’s best menudo? Confused? There’s no way around that with a place that serves English pub fare, tostadas and burgers. 2010 N. Main St., Salinas. (831) 442-0313 Flying Artichoke Breakfast, Lunch Located in the Salinas Municipal Airport, the restaurant offers burgers and diner fare for breakfast and lunch. And yes, they do indeed serve artichokes, even on a burger. 40 Mortensen Ave., Salinas. (831) 759-9096 Ginger Thai Kitchen Thai Curries and noodles and, yes, sukiyaki. Thai cuisine has a lot of regions and influences, and the owners are from Thailand, so they get it. Best of all, it’s a handsome place. 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 (spaghetti and meatballs stands out) meals that bring back satisfied customers year after year. 1410 S. Main St., Salinas. (831) 422-1814, ginospasta.com Heirloom Pizza Pizza, Italian See listing under Carmel. Set to open in 2023. 344 Main St., Salinas. heirloompizzapie.com Ikebana Japanese A tidy spot with sushi, tempura, teriyaki and other favorites. This place has a loyal followPassionfish Nik Blaskovich
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