ROUTE 1 CALIFORNIA GRILL

“Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.”

 -Doug Larson

ROUTE 1 CALIFORNIA GRILL

841 Main Street

Cambria, CA 93428

(805) 927-2970

(No Website at the moment.)

Cambria is a place where Sharon and I like to go on our rare vacations.  It’s a bit of a tourist trap, but a very nice quiet place if you’re not there on a weekend.  We hadn’t been there in several years but not too much has changed.  We were slowly cruising up Main Street when we smelled, and then saw, a serious smoker behind a restaurant.  It was the Route 1 California Grill.  The decision to have lunch there was immediate.

The first thing that confronted us when we ascended the curved stairs from the sidewalk to the front door was the sign on the door announcing that they take cash and checks only, no ATM or credit cards and that their restrooms were for customers only.  But then, we had seen the “restrooms for customers only” on many of the stores and eateries.  This was not a problem since we had sufficient cash, but I wondered if this was costing them some business.  While we were there a family with six children came up the stairs.  The father read the sign and promptly turned them all around.  This really was not necessary since just inside the door is an ATM.  I have a bit of sympathy for the owners of this establishment since I have an internet business and credit card processing through a bank clearing house has been the bane of my existence, and I am going to cancel the contract and process all payments through PayPal.  Still, you have to wonder if not accepting credit/debit cards is a good idea in a restaurant.

The interior is pseudo wild west with a combination of knotty wood, and corrugated metal with wooden booths that have backs made from finished slabs of wood.  It was quiet on the Monday afternoon that we were there, but I would imagine that if the place was full it would be rather noisy will all those hard surfaces.  None of the tables had set ups on them and for a brief moment, we wondered if we would have to eat with our hands or if there was an up charge for napkins and silverware.

The menu is a little strange.  At most barbeque places we order some kind of a sampler plate to get a good tasting of the Q.  The only thing on the menu listed as a “sampler” was the Family Style Sampler Plate for $165 and was apparently meant for a small banquet.  The only Q on the menu was a Full or Half Rack of Baby Back Ribs, a Whole or Half Barbequed Chicken and a Full or Half order of BBQ Tri-tip.  Now this is strange because you can get a Cowboy Sandwich with Pulled Pork or Brisket as well as Tri-tip.  There are many other items on the menu, burgers, sandwiches and sides, but all we were interested in was the Q so I ordered a Cowboy Sandwich with Pulled Pork, and French Fries.  Sharon ordered a Half Rack of Ribs with Coleslaw, Chili Beans, grilled corn, garlic bread and a Swiss Sausage.  The food arrived hot and without delay.

Pork Ribs

The portion was generous.  Sharon knew that she would not be able to finish it and remarked that if this was a half rack a full rack would have been more than enough for both of us.  There was a light, sweet glaze on the ribs and they had a good smoke ring.  The flavor was very good however, they were dry, mainly because they were pre-cut before cooking…points off for over cooking. The serving included a small container of a very sweet barbeque sauce to make the ribs less dry.

Cowboy Sandwich

The portion looked small.  Once I started eating, I realized that it wasn’t.   The sandwich was served on about a six inch section of a freshly baked roll and was cut in half.  There was really an ample portion of pork on the sandwich.  The pork itself was moist, tender and about as flavorful as I have had anywhere.  I’m not quite sure what the sauce that came on the side was, but fortunately, the pork did not need it.  There was nothing on the sandwich but the pork, but more fortunately Sharon is not a coleslaw fan, so her coleslaw ended up on my sandwich.  The server told us that customers frequently ordered a side of coleslaw to put on the pulled pork sandwich.  Maybe they should take a hint in the kitchen.

Coleslaw

As long as I mentioned it I should remark that their coleslaw is a simple, competent slaw, not too wet, the way I like it.  It does need a little salt and pepper, but goes very well on the pulled pork.

Swiss Sausage

Ok, why this comes with the ribs is a question, but it is very interesting.  Most sausage that you get with barbeque is very flavorful and quite spicy.  This is a very mild, but delightfully seasoned European style sausage.  You might expect to find it served with sauerkraut, baked pork, boiled potatoes and a glass of full bodied red wine, but certainly not with barbeque.  It’s very good, different and somewhat surprising.

Chili Beans

No complaints here.  They are a bit mushy, but have a very good flavor with a slight bite.  There is a definitely one spice that is noticeable above the others in the mix, not sure what it is (maybe some Tabasco® in there) however the overall taste is great.

French Fries

The serving was more than I should eat, but made in house from real potatoes, properly done, and not greasy.

Our feelings are somewhat mixed on this one.  If you are staying in the Cambria area for a couple of days it is well worth going to the Route 1 California Grill, but I would not call this destination barbeque.  The way it is now we can only give it a seven.