I tried a century-old SLO County diner with ‘great food.’ What I got for $25
A San Luis Obispo County restaurant with an Old West ambience and super-friendly servers is back from the brink of closure — feeding locals breakfast and lunch seven days a week.
Village Cafe, 112 West Branch St. in Arroyo Grande, offers patrons classic diner fare — three-egg omelets, pancakes, French toast, soup, salad and sandwiches and plenty of other options for hungry guests.
Village Cafe opened its doors in the Village of Arroyo Grande in 1927.
The eatery has changed names and ownership numerous times over the years, owner Tammi Price said, but it has always offered patrons a place to relax, hang out and enjoy a hearty meal.
“Kick off your boots … you’re among friends,” reads the motto on the diner’s menus.
That community mentality is why Arroyo Grande resident Bill Cockshott recommended I visit the old-school spot for On a Budget, a monthly series where Tribune reporters try reader-suggested foods, drinks and activities around the area on a $25 budget.
“At lunch you can do the half sandwich/cup of homemade soup,” Cockshott wrote in an email. “Randy makes his own, I understand. Of course, coffee refills are non-stop. Oh, and it’s a ‘Cheers’ kind of place — everybody knows your name!”
I was overdue to check out a South County spot for my series, so I was delighted to get to spend a lunch at the cherished institution.
Here’s what I got:
What’s Village Cafe in Arroyo Grande like?
Location: 112 West Branch St., Arroyo Grande
I visited Village Cafe on a warm December weekday around 12:30 p.m. When I walked into the almost empty restaurant, I felt like I had stepped back in time.
Wood paneling lined the walls with tons of cowboy accoutrements hanging above tables and booths. The Western decor included an old-timey wagon wheel, a welcome sign made from a lasso rope and a shoe-shaped placard that read “Mind your manners or you’ll get the boot.”
After I sat down at a two-person table, a cheery server dropped off the menu and gave me a few minutes to browse.
Everything sounded tasty. Breakfast is served all day — which almost swayed me — but I knew I had to take Bill up on the diner’s lunchtime deal.
I decided on the half-sandwich and soup combo and a diet Coke. On the day I visited, the house-made soup was cream of broccoli.
Diners can choose between turkey, ham, tuna or a BLT with bacon, lettuce and tomato. However, the server convinced me that the BLT was the right option to try since it comes with thick slabs of bacon.
While waiting for my meal, I admired the diner’s various holiday decorations.
The main window was painted with poinsettias and most tables were adorned with miniature Christmas trees composed of tinsel or pipe cleaners. Gold, red and silver ornaments hung from the ceiling.
Only a few diners were scattered around the room, but they seemed like a devoted crew of regulars on a first-name basis with cafe staff.
Is SLO County diner affordable?
In no time, my $4.95 diet Coke and $13.95 soup and half-sandwich were delivered to my table.
The soda was crisp with the right amount of caffeine I needed to make it through the afternoon.
However, I thought the cost of the soda was a bit steep. Next time I’d probably go without, and I’d recommend those on stricter budgets do the same.
On the other hand, the soup-and-sandwich combination was a fantastic deal. I got a hearty cup of creamy soup filled with broccoli florets along with a large dill pickle spear and an overstuffed bacon, lettuce and tomato half sandwich.
The server was spot-on about the quality of the bacon — it was tasty, salty, crunchy and there was a lot of it.
My sandwich came with three thick-cut bacon slabs that jutted out on both sides of the bread. I’ve had full BLTs served with less bacon than what I got with just half a sandwich at Village Cafe.
There was no skimping on the lettuce, mayonnaise and tomato, either. I dashed a few drops of hot sauce on the sandwich and enjoyed every bite of the crispy bacon, crunchy lettuce and tangy tomatoes.
The cup and half-sized portions still left me more than full by the end of the meal.
With tax, tip and a 3% credit card charge added to my bill, my total came out to $24.88.
SLO County cafe almost closed due to rising costs
It’s been a difficult year for the Village Cafe.
In February, Price told The Tribune the nearly century-old restaurant was considering closing due to skyrocketing bacon and egg prices.
Ten months later, she said the diner has been able to keep its lights on and its doors open due to continued support from “wonderful customers.”
“We’re still hanging in there,” she said. “It’s a slow time, struggling still with all this increase in prices.”
Price has owned the cafe for 17 years and worked there a total of 26 years, she told The Tribune.
She attributed the Village Cafe’s longevity to its spectacular service and home-cooked food, along with a loyal community of locals who keep showing up even when she’s had to raise prices to keep up with costs.
“Thank God I’m still here,” Price said.
What’s cheap at South County eatery? See menu, prices
Even though Price said inflation forced her to increase some menu prices recently, she said the cafe will never cut corners on quality or portion size.
“They way I feel about our food here is you’re going to get your portions, and you’re going to get your quality,” she said.
However, those on a budget can still find a good value meal at Village Cafe.
For breakfast, you can get the potato skillet with home fries, mushrooms, onions, bell pepper and cheese with toast for $9.95.
For the same price, you can grab a bowl of oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, along with an egg and a slice of toast.
A waffle, a small order of French toast or two pancakes all cost $8.95 each.
For lunch, visitors can get a grilled cheese sandwich for $11.95 or soup and salad for $11.95. A Village burger with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion costs $14.95.
As for drinks, you can get coffee, hot tea and milk for $4.25.
Whatever you order, make sure to bring cash. I rarely have any on me, which cost me an extra 3% credit card transaction charge — or $0.62 — during my visit to the cafe.
When is Village Cafe in Arroyo Grande open?
The diner at 112 West Branch St. in Arroyo Grande is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Where should I go next?
Have 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.
