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In 1984, “Mom” (aka Anita Nichols) opened her first pie shop in the old Julian Café building. People lined the streets for a slice of the guilty pleasure, known for its buttery crust, not-too-sweet filling with local apples, and commitment to quality. Two bakeries later—plus training at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute—the integrity of Mom’s pies remains the same. And although apple is the moneymaker, you can’t go wrong with peach, bumbleberry, or pecan pies, or other sweet treats like chocolate chip cookies and apple dumplings. For something savory, there are soups, salads, sandwiches, and chicken potpies. When the wait is too long at the Main Street location, head five minutes outside of town to Mom's Wynola on Highway 78, or better yet, call in your order and they will ship a pie right to your door.
2119 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Pressed apple cider
- Cinnamon ice cream
- Baking classes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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A diner dating back to 1928 is both a local hangout and the headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement. Find all kinds of Highway 101 memorabilia here along with old-school ambience, prompt service, and great prices. The bountiful breakfast menu (served all day) lists omelets, eggs any way you want, buttermilk pancakes, and French toast. On offer at lunchtime are burgers, sandwiches, and chili fries. The thick milkshakes and root-beer floats will take you back in time.
631 S. Coast Hwy., Oceanside, California, 92049, USA
Known For
- Headquarters of the historic Highway 101 movement
- All-day breakfast
- Thick milkshakes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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This bakery tucked down a narrow alley proves there’s no such thing as too many pie shops in Julian. After mastering the apple-to-crust ratio, they took on lunch specials by offering a soup–sandwich–pie combo for $13. Wraps, salads, and other wholesome goodies are also available. Apple crumb is the biggest seller, but few can pass up their lemon tarts, molasses cookies, and berry strudels.
2122 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Apple pie
- Lunch specials
- Gluten-free and vegan options
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Before dawn, owner and chef Narciso Dorado preps all of Carmelita's meat, sauces, and sides to create the generous portions served at this friendly family-run eatery tucked into a back corner of what is called "The Mall." Carmelita's draws locals and visitors all day whether it's for a hearty breakfast, a cooked-to-order enchilada or burrito, or a brew at the bar. If you're still hungry, they'll serve you plenty of chips and salsa. It's the best place to escape the heat with a margarita on the rocks.
575 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Reasonably priced menu
- Large portions
- Festive cantina
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Breakfast foodies religiously line up for a table at this cheerful A-frame restaurant for the chance to dig into wholesome food made from scratch like organic quinoa Benedict, multigrain pancakes, and French toast stuffed with fresh ricotta. Built from reclaimed wood and salvaged bricks, the eatery has a green roof, solar panels, and is insulated with recycled denim—all of which helped it earn platinum LEED status. Breakfast is served all day, but you can opt for sandwiches, salads, and burgers for lunch. You also can’t go wrong with the Thai steak salad made with grass-fed Angus or the cucumber and avocado sandwich with a side of homemade potato chips. The attached grab-and-go bakery opens at 7 am for train commuters. There is even a doggie menu for patio-side pooches.
246 N. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- Scratch kitchen
- California-style comfort food
- Generous portions
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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The apple pies that made Julian famous come from the Smothers family bakery in a one-story house on Main Street. In pleasant weather you can sit on the front patio and watch the world go by while savoring a slice of hot pie—from Dutch apple to apple mountain berry crumb—topped with homemade cinnamon ice cream. The Smothers family has been making pies in Julian since 1986; by 1989 the family had bought its own orchard, and by 1992 it had built a larger bakery in Santa Ysabel that makes and serves only pies. Arrive by 9 to avoid the lines that wrap around the building.
2225 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Sweet Dutch apple pie
- Frozen uncooked pies to go
- Apple cider doughnuts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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$$ | | Vegetarian
Veggies with a view could be the subtitle for this venerable Cardiff-by-the-Sea restaurant that grew from a simple juice shack. Ki's is well known for heart-healthy, gluten-free, vegan, locally sourced, ovo-lacto, vegetarian-friendly dishes like huevos rancheros, filling tofu scrambles, taco plates, chopped salads with feta and nuts, watermelon juice, and carrot ice-cream smoothies. The menu also includes turkey wraps piled on wheat bread and dinner entrées such as Thai seafood curry, roasted Jidori chicken, or Asian salmon salad on a bed of organic greens, all prepared with minimal fat. Get a table up top for incomparable ocean views, but be prepared for a wait, as service is rather slow.
2591 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California, 92007, USA
Known For
- Healthy vegan and gluten-free menu
- Yummy Asian-inspired dishes
- Popular post-surfing spot across from the beach
- Heaping Açai bowls
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Get ready for savory perfection with a concept built around locally sourced ingredients from ranchers, fishermen, and farmers who are dedicated to their harvest and sharing the beauty of their bounty. While the all-day breakfasts are a hit, it’s what’s between the bread that matters, like Brandt beef patty burgers, smoked tri trip sandwiches, and beef sliders with house-made chips. Order at the counter for breakfast and lunch, or take it up a notch after 4 pm with full-service dinners offering dry-aged Brand beef with Chino Farms greens. The Chef’s daily Brand Beef Tasting menu is what keeps customers loyal. If you fall in love with a cut, simply order any dry-aged steak from the onsite butcher with a bottle of wine from the in-house market.
512 Via de la Valle, Solana Beach, California, 92075, USA
Known For
- No corkage fee when purchasing wine from their shop
- Chef’s daily Brand Beef Tasting menu
- Locally sourced everything
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Mon. and Tues.
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For inexpensive comfort food, this desert diner serves sandwiches, pasta, burgers, and chicken-fried steak with thick fries. This is the area's best breakfast joint, with menu highlights including cinnamon French toast and smoked salmon eggs Benedict. For super fresh ingredients, request organic goods plucked from their adjacent vegetable garden. The full bar and pet-friendly patio are great on sunny days.
721 Ave. Sureste, Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Smoked salmon eggs Benedict
- Flavorful rosemary potatoes
- Hearty biscuits and gravy
- Pet-friendly patio
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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It's worth the wait for breakfast or lunch at this cozy café, where everything is fresh and made to order. The breakfast standout is eggs Benedict, both classic and vegetarian. For lunch you can choose among several classic salads and homemade soups.
2000 Main St., Julian, California, 92036, USA
Known For
- Combo soup, salad, and sandwich for $15
- Fresh and fast food
- Homemade soups
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No dinner
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Put your phone down and lose track of time—or thyme—at this darling cottage in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe. Owner-chef Keely Barrera has created quite the spread with artisan-baked goods made with locally sourced ingredients like the homemade muffins that blend blueberry with bran or raspberry with mango. Grab a scone or sweet bread to go, or stay for the savory Mediterranean quiche, albacore tuna salad, or old-fashioned turkey meat loaf; the focaccia sandwiches are guilt-free with locally grown avocado, tomatoes, and eggplant. If available, snag a table on the patio overlooking the rose garden.
16905 Av. de Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, California, 92067, USA
Known For
- Fruit muffins
- Savory brunch items
- Garden setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner.
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Step into South Coast Winery's dimly lit restaurant, where prices are high but wine pours are generous. Wooden pillars divide L-shape booths, and stained-glass windows of red roses that pay tribute to the name are the backdrop to a menu that delivers favorites like the charcuterie platter, Jidori chicken, and roasted salmon with heirloom tomato marmalade; hearty eaters will appreciate the selection of pork chop, Scottish salmon, and grilled filet mignon. Outdoor tables overlooking the lawn illuminated with market lights are equally romantic. Guests at South Coast Winery, or neighboring Carter Estate Resort, can charge their bill to the room.
34843 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, California, 92591, USA
Known For
- Generous portions
- Good service
- Steak and frites
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
