Café Quackenbush is one of the true treasures of the Santa Ynez Valley, as well as the Central Coast and probably Southern California in general! If you're going wine tasting or just passing by Los Alamos on the 101, you HAVE to stop by!
Quackenbush is a beautiful café/art gallery that you wouldn't expect to find in a sleepy little town like Los Alamos. Everything on the menu is wonderful and artfully presented, but before you order off the menu, be sure to check the chalkboard by the register for the day's specials. The chef, Jesper, is wonderfully creative and is always experimenting with wonderful recipes from around the world, including delicious oddities like a South African potpie or halibut fish & chips. The same is true if you're there for breakfast on the weekend -- you might be treated to something like sweet potato chicken hash or brioche French toast!
My favorite sandwich/salad is probably the smoked pork loin -- be sure to ask for your bread to be toasted (I prefer sourdough). I also ask for a little chipotle mayo to go with it -- it's very tasty and adds a nice kick. The soups are always very tasty, as are the baked goods.
If you can, ask to be seated in the art gallery -- it's wonderful to be sitting between the paintings and a wall of windows looking out onto the quiet main street. The outdoor area is also nice since the street isn't too busy, and it's also dog friendly. Free WiFi!
Seriously, Quackenbush is THE BEST and is the kind of hidden treasure you'll be proud to tell your friends about! I guarantee you won't be sorry! Seriously, if Quackenbush was in a city, it would be mobbed!
Our favorite detour off of Highway 101. I enjoy eating on the patio on a nice day with a view of the historic buildings, or among the artwork inside when on cooler days. I keep coming back for their roasted pepper salad served with tapenade and their flavorful homemade balsamic. Ask for toasted bread on their roast beef sandwich. They had just run out of their salmon salad, but the people at the next table raved over it. We knew how good it was from our previous visit. Maybe next time. The servers are friendly, wine and beer choices are good, and they have awesome fresh brewed iced tea. Don't miss their bakery selections. And don't miss John Wayne in the bathroom!
Review Source:I've been going here since they first opened in the late 90's, and I will always love this place. Jasper use to make me a special peanut butter sandwich after school and their baked goods are amazing. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Order at the counter and enjoy the art gallery adjacently connected.
Review Source:Best BLT I have ever had hands down, plus the chef sent out complimentary to die for peanut butter cookies.....great service as well; Â waitress left a pitcher of iced tea on the table so we could help ourselves. Â Def worth the stop in for breakfast or lunch.
You will be happy you did!
Stumbled upon this little gem on our way to Santa Barbara. This might have been the best breakfast we've had in some time. The latte was excellent, omelette was delicious and enough for two of us to split, but the best were the hash browns which were possibly the best we've ever eaten. The place is an eclectic mix of cafe, art gallery and fun people watching. Well worth the stop if you find yourself in this neck of the woods. Don't overlook the homemade peanut butter cookie sandwiches. Four stars overall.
Review Source:We walked in not really knowing what to expect, but encouraged by the Yelp reviews. Â We walked out sated, with smiles on our faces and a bottle of the house dressing in hand.
If you're driving on the 101 between L.A. and Northern Cal, this is the place you want to stop at for lunch (or breakfast if you start out before daybreak). Â They stop serving the pulled pork at 2:00, so I'll have to get there a little earlier next time through.
This little cafe is our can't-miss lunch spot when traveling between Monterey and LA on hwy 101. Â The menu is fresh and local Caliornia cuisine. Â Outdoor patio also, where dogs are welcome. Â Has an art gallery in the main building. Â Watch for the lentil soup w/ curry, jalepeno and sweet potato. Â The BLT is the best, AND if you can be there during tomato season, try the fried green tomato BLT. The burgers are phenomenal. We have tried nearly every item on the menu, and there have been NO stinkers.
Review Source:I have been to this wonderful authentic place several times in the last year as I do business up and down the California Coast - it beats out all the other places I have tried in more sophisticated towns like Santa Barbara and Carmel - simply one of the best places to have a memorable lunch anywhere! Â The chef, Jesper, has done magic with simple ingredients put together so creatively that you keep wondering how one could achieve these tastes. Â My favorites so far have been the incredible lamb burger with the harissa mayo, the pulled pork sandwich, and the dense exotic vegan chili with overtones of chocolate and coriander. Â The specials are incredible and rotate regularly, but so are the regular menu items - like the bleu cheese burger.
I cannot believe a town this tiny and sleepy has such a great place to eat - well worth a side trip anytime.
This place was a great surprise when we drove into this one road quaint little town, Los Alamos. As my boyfriend complained he didn't want to stop at the burger place we had eaten at before and I was saying back to him "too damn bad I'm starving" we saw this cafe.
Very cute, lots of YUMMY looking fresh baked treats on the counter and in the midst of an art gallery.
They had great options on the menu, including vegetarian. I heard the pork sandwich was amazing but went with a turkey sandwich and asparagus soup. Ummm, hello fresh oven roasted turkey breast! Was so delicious! Only thing I would have changed...ASK FOR TOASTED BREAD.
Asparagus soup was definitely fresh- you can tell by the less thick consistency, tasty and had great spice to it.
Lemonade seemed fresh and I'm a lemon whore. I was very happy!
My cousin and friend got the ...wait for it... Cheddar, Blue Cheese, Bacon and Turkey Grilled Cheese. It was better then my sandwich. It was ridiculously amazing looking. I found myself staring at the bacon ass sticking out of the bread. *Sigh. Thick cut. "This is what jealousy feels like" I said in my head.
My BF got the special...pan roasted chicken sandwich with mozz, avocado and all the fixing's. Again...jealousy. He said it was too creamy and that it needed crunch. I said bullshit. But whatevs.
Sooo the downside. Service. They are all nice, very sweet but on a different time zone. It was very slow service. Once we got our food it took forever to see anyone or get our bill. And the $2 shot of espresso was a little annoying. My fault, LATTE Jessica, LATTE.
But still! Just remind yourself that you're in the sticks and you're lucky to have such an amazing place out in the middle of nowhere.
I'm not sure how strong of an endorsement this statement presents, but this restaurant is the reason I signed up on Yelp to review restaurants. I've been a faithful lurker here on Yelp for a couple years now, and have always considered writing my own reviews, but my procrastination has always gotten the better of me. However, my experience in charming, tiny Los Alamos, CA (not to be confused with the more ominous location in New Mexico) absolutely compelled me to do so. After driving for about 2 hours through the pastoral agricultural landscape of central California, I stumbled upon this quiet little town around lunchtime, which turned out to be perfect timing. I of course turned to Yelp to find a restaurant, and to my delight, all the restaurants in the area (the entire town looked to be about 5 blocks or so) were highly rated. I was a bit skeptical at first, but the friendly townspeople quickly changed my mind.
I initially wanted to visit the highest rated restaurant, Bell Street Farm, but it turns out they're closed for most of the week. However, seeing me standing outside, a man came out, introduced himself, and told me although their restaurant was closed, I should try down the street at Cafe Quackenbush, as they also had great food. What small town hospitality and charm - this guy was willing to direct me to a close competitor (at least I think they don't have the same owners)! So with a smile I went a block down to Cafe Quackenbush.
Not expecting anything sophisticated, I walked into this small town cafe and was absolutely blown away. As others have noted, there is an art gallery attached to the cafe, and the sophistication somehow carries through the restaurant. The experience is very casual, but stylish, with a keen detail to presentation. The prices are a bit higher - about $11 for a burger and other entrees get progressively pricier, but for the amount of food, presentation (nicely presented on stylish ceramic plates), and quality it's a steal. They have an outside patio area where customers may eat, and I can definitely imagine myself staying out on a sunny day with a glass of wine there for hours.
When the food came it was delicious. Others here on Yelp weren't kidding - the Bleu Cheese Burger was probably the best burger I have ever had. Perfectly done medium rare, and the bun was nicely toasted. Before I realized how much food this would be, my mind got ambitious and I decided to ask Jasper (the cook who personally brought out my meal) if I could have some fries to go along with the burger. He told me the cafe did not serve fries, so I replied it was probably okay (in hindsight, definitely okay). He then hesitated, and told me, "You know what? I'll go make you some," which I thought was awesome. I was already over the moon regarding the service, but the icing on the cake was yet to come. When I got the bill, Jasper didn't even charge me for the custom-made fries! I was absolutely delighted and made sure to tip very generously. This is what a restaurant experience should ideally be - a two way relationship between restaurant and customer that encourages mutual affection and goodwill.
This place is definitely a hole-in-the-wall gem. Next time I'm driving through Central California I'm definitely stopping through here to see Jasper again. So far this restaurant is the only place I have ever been to deserving of five stars here on Yelp. My experience was simply perfect - almost a transcendental experience, and that's why this place absolutely deserves five stars.
This is the best lunch spot on the entire central coast and I can say that after eating here for well over five years and never having been disappointed!
The pulled pork is the best I have ever had and the tuna melt is delicious.
Cafe Quackenbush is always consistent, fresh and delicious.
Thank you!!!
I am giving this five stars for several reasons.. not the least of which is how surprised I was by the food here.
 Driving to Los Angeles from Big Sur I was feeling defeated and daunted at the uninspiring possibility of finding a decent meal.
 The Burger and Pulled pork sandwich were talked about through vicious traffic ahead.
AMAZING lunch today! We tried almost all the specials today and they were incredible! Scallop, peach, watermelon, cucumber, arugula and feta salad so fresh and all the flavors were incredible! The watermelon gazpacho was light and summery, just the right thing for this warm weather. The chicken curry salad is always a must and then we tried the Pork burger special, which was surprisingly light and so tasty with apple coleslaw!
A little on the pricier side, but they use only the best and freshest ingredients and don't mind paying a little more every now then!
This is our new favorite lunch stop on the way to Santa Barbara. Â We aim to leave San Luis Obispo by 9, but somehow always take off at the "crack of dawn," Â or 11am.
The food at the cafe features generous burgers and salads, which feature fresh ingredients, like grilled salmon on greens with a savory sauce.  The necessary  accompaniement is a cup of steaming cappucino in a bowl sized cup.
The best feature of this cafe is that it is also a gallery, featuring lovely scenes by California plein air painters. Â The gallery owner and curator, John Morley has a gifted eye, and the works of art are always startling and refreshing to the spirit. Â His curatorial eloquence brings heart to the art, and it is always a pleasure to stop for a chat and to view the work.
This cafe, along with the evolving restoration of Los Alamos, makes the tiny town worth a day trip from Santa Barbara or points local.
Love this place, worth a stop anytime. The pulled pork sandwich is a must, caramelized to perfection. Yum! So good...
Breakfast hashbrowns are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Delicious. Have the carrotcake or the peanut-butter sandwich cookies for dessert, if you get the latter get two cuz you want one later...
A little pricy, but you get what you pay for. Â The ingredients are as fresh as they come. Â I had a burger. Â Simple, but oh so good! Â I still have the fresh Vermont Cheddar taste in my mind. Â Seriously, the menu is so simple, yet everything tastes so good. Â I can't wait to go back and try the turkey sandwhich. Â Yes! a road trip for a damn turkey sandwich, it's that's good. Â Then I'll swing next door and do the wine tasting...
Review Source:My new favorite place to stop for lunch on the trip from LA to SF is Cafe Quackenbush! Just off the 101 is a tiny town called Los Alamos. It has one main street with turn of the century buildings. It takes very little imagination to visualize this as a dirt road with horse-drawn carts. Literally about 500 feet from the 101, you feel as though you've gone back in time. In this main stretch is a quaint cafe with a big outdoor patio and an adjacent art gallery. It's a great place to stretch your legs and get a bite to eat.
This most recent visit, I ordered a turkey sandwich and a cold ginger ale. At ten bucks, it's pricier than a deli sandwich, but this is no deli sandwich. Four thick slices of smoked turkey with two thick slices of aged sharp cheddar, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, an incredible chipolte mayo between two pieces of heavenly dense bread with a nice chew. It comes with a small salad. I actually couldn't quite finish it even though I really wanted to. It was the best turkey sandwich I've ever had.
The coffee and pastries here are good and the patio is a lovely spot. Parking is a breeze.
The cafe is very nice and the outdoor eating experience is great on a sunny morning! The waitresses customer service was not very good.Our waitress never came back to the table to see if we needed anything. I had to to get up and ask for a refill on my coffee. Food is pricey. Cute little street that the cafe is located on.
Review Source:I'm a fan. The cafe is a quaint, homely cafe and has great oatmeal raison cookies with icing glaze. The art gallery, attached to the cafe has great local artwork and antiques. Great local flavor at Quackenbush cafe!
For a cafe in the middle of Los Alamos, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious pastry and creative artwork. 3.5 Stars
The nearest Starbucks was 20 miles away and I needed a quick pick me up for my long trip home. Â Thank goodness for the GPS system on my boyfriends Nokia otherwise we would have had to wait to get an iced coffee and I was dying. Â We found this sweet little cafe restaurant on the main street in Los Alamos a cute little old western style town. Â The girls working inside were really sweet, food was a little pricey for what it was, and there were flies inside because the door was left opened. Â I must however say the iced mocha that the girl made me was better than anything I have ever had at Starbucks; she made it Cadillac style with a floater shot of espresso, yum. Â I had to use the restroom so I head that way and as I opened the door I jumped because there was one of those cardboard cutout props of John Wayne greeting me at the restroom entry way. Â There are cute little cartoons framed around the restroom and it was clean and cute too. Â The cafe is attached to a little art gallery where there were seniors frequenting and having their lunch. Â Nice little spot, but boy am I glad I don't live in a town that small.
Review Source:
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