I tried a 40-year-old restaurant next to a scenic walk. What I got on a $25 budget
A casual eatery consistently packed with local patrons has been serving up classic American and Mexican meals for the past 40 years in Morro Bay.
True to its name, Bayside Cafe at 10 State Park Road sits mere steps from the lapping waters of the estuary. While seagulls screech overhead, diners pour into the lunch and dinner spot that’s earned the affection of locals over the decades.
San Luis Obispo County resident Bruce Badrigian recommended I visit the coastal restaurant and an adjacent trail for On a Budget, a monthly series where Tribune reporters try reader-suggested eats and activities around the area while spending no more than $25.
“My favorite is the huge fish burrito with grilled onions and guacamole followed by a scenic half-mile walk on the adjacent boardwalk that takes you out into one of California’s largest and cleanest estuaries — a birder’s delight,” Badrigian told The Tribune.
The restaurant is a bit off the beaten path — tucked beside the Morro Bay State Park Campground and the marina — so I was grateful for the insider information that this was the place to try if you wanted great views of marine life while enjoying lunch.
Here’s how my visit to Bayside Cafe went:
What it’s like to visit Bayside Cafe in Morro Bay
I arrived around 12:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and was surprised to find crowd of people waiting for a table outside. I put my name down on the list and was promised by a staff member it would be less than 20 minutes until I was seated.
I parked myself on a bench outside and admired the sunny weather. Fluffy clouds hung in the distance and salty breezes swept through the eucalyptus trees that line the expansive parking lot.
Before I knew it, I was being led to my seat at a two-person table inside. The restaurant was brimming with lunchgoers sipping on chilled white wine and filling up on some seafood entrees.
Kitschy coastal prints cover the restaurant’s walls, along with a full-size outrigger strung up by ropes. The opposite side of the restaurant is all windows overlooking the marina.
After a few minutes of browsing the menu, I was approached by a friendly server who stopped by to take my order and dropped off an icy cucumber water. I took Badrigian’s advice and got the fish burrito for $14 and added guacamole for an extra $3.50.
Is Bayside Cafe affordable?
Before long, a massive burrito arrived in front of me. It was paired with a side of fresh red salsa, a plop of guac on top and a sprig of cilantro.
My first bite of the burrito was tasty with Monterey jack cheese, generous amounts of flaky wild Alaskan cod, crunchy cabbage, grilled onions and black and pinto beans.
It’s certainly not the most authentic Mexican food on the Central Coast, but Bayside’s Americanized version still made for an extremely filling lunch comprised of simple, fresh ingredients, though for an extra $3.50, I’m not sure the guacamole was worth it since the meal only came with a smallish spoonful on top of the burrito.
With tax and tip, my total came out to $22.53 total.
If you’re looking for more affordable options at Bayside Cafe, there are plenty of choices. You can get a small bowl of clam chowder or a cafe salad for $10, chicken enchiladas for $15, a home-style hamburger for $16 or a small fish and chips for $18.
Owner Dawn Borst said she started Bayside Cafe in June 1986 as a walk-up window with easy-to-eat options likes tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs and smoothies. Back then, everything was homemade and prepared-to-order.
Eventually, the lunch spot became so popular she converted it to a casual sit-down restaurant and covered the outside patio.
“It just kept evolving ... until it ended up what it is today,” Borst told The Tribune.
She said the restaurant relies on a steady stream locals who keep coming back due to the cafe’s consistency, coastal location and warm staff.
“You have to go out of your way to find it, and I think once you do, you like it and keep coming back,” she said.
Now 40 years in business, Borst called it a “mainstay in Morro Bay.”
Walking off lunch on a coastal trail
After lunch, I strolled across the parking lot to the 0.7-mile-long Marina Peninsula Trail to walk off my lunch.
The short trail meanders through coastal sage scrub and the estuary that’s home to shorebirds like the marbled godwit, sparrows, seagulls and willets.
During the boardwalk portion of the trail, I saw Canada geese pecking through the salt marsh but wasn’t lucky enough to witness any other seabirds from a distance. Next time, I’ll have to pack some binoculars.
Still, while walking along the path, I was stunned by views of the marina and Morro Rock. It was perfectly peaceful and a completely free way to cap off my budget outing.
How to visit Bayside Cafe in Morro Bay
Bayside Cafe at 10 State Park Road in Morro Bay is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Where should I go next?
Got any ideas on where I should visit next in SLO County on a budget?
Send me recommendations at hpoukish@thetribunenews.com or by filling out the form below.
