Not much to talk about this week, so I’ll make this fast. Custom House is closed–relax! It’s just a remodel–but it appears Mr. Ricks is still open (with some food) and of course the best conveyor-belt pizza on the coast: Mission Pizza. The remodel of Custom House brings some industry question marks… I mean… WHY? It’s basically brand new–20 years old–looks fresh and bright inside and maintained well. Should we factor in the *fading* of Compass’ hospitality footprint lately? Should we factor in with Ocean Grill and Porthouse gone, it is head-to-head with the relative luxury but on-again/off-again and deeply ethnic presence of Blue Moon down the street or the stuck-in-the-mud, HOT/COLD awkwardness of Sycamore? Remember, like it or not: Custom House is the mother restaurant and bears the name of the company, so could we be nurturing it more towards flagship status? Right now, I would call Oyster Loft the flagship–based on quality and menu alone–because Ventana gets the *ethnic* asterisk. With Mestiza and Flagship and Alex and all the competition in Avila gone, are they searching for a bright spot?

Couple of interesting things down at Dalidio: San Luis Ranch (otherwise known as “the OTHER public market–what’s it’s name? I can never remember it”) recently opened a new Sushi joint and kabob place to fill in the rather sparse dining experience out in the wind tunnel. There’s currently an interesting-looking sandwich spot inside the grocery and wine-shop, but am anxious to see some indoor dining areas developed there. You don’t have to follow me very long before understanding how much I hate eating outdoors. Yes, yes, I know… you LOVE eating outdoors and so does everyone else so knock yourself out–I’ll be over here at the 4-top in the corner with my napkin in my lap like a grown-up. Anyways… the new restaurants are Sushi Table and Shekamoo Grill respectively, and join the already-operating but hardly-destination-worthy coffee shop, ice cream shop, French bakery and the aforementioned deli. Palo Mesa Pizza is supposed to be going in, and a brewery whose name is going to REALLY confuse tourists. Also, city council voted this past week to approve the Prado overpass, which is due to be complete in 2027. Going to make is SOOOO much safer for the homeless to get from Creek to creek. Also on the traffic topic: we are MINUTES away from a passage opening between SLO Promenade and Froom Ranch shopping centers–the inexplicable lack of which has infuriated drivers for several years.

Across the 101 (imagine how CLOSE these two public markets will be when Prado opens!!! Imagine how easy the homeless will be able to travel from the Day Center to your neighborhood!!!) at SLO Public Market, is all rock-n-roll except for the glaring vacancies of three-fold owner Rambling Spirits, Piexies and Bishop Market. Kreuzberg checked out some time ago–opting for Duncan Alley–but leaving a rather stalwart group of dining experiences: the excellent Kitchen & Vine, obligatory lunch fare at Todo Bueno and Brooks Burgers, plus luxurious Mexican fare and a ridiculous tequila selection at California Tacos & Cantina. Is the millennial model of dining sustainable? Is fine dining obsolete? Are we destined to sit around in huge packs in the open air at community picnic tables, eating casual fare with our hands and washing it down with a beer from across the street? The ‘public market’ STARTED when the FIRST restaurant let a snot-nosed brat with a McDonald’s bag come in and sit with his family. Correction: It started when the first PARENT let their kid do it.

Speaking of 74’s, fairly major construction going on inside the former–and beloved–Upper Crust Pizza and then the short-lived Tres Brothers or something location in Laguna. Peering through the dusty windows reveal a still parked inside. Imagine that. Finally got into Barley & Boar, North County Restaurant Group’s second-newest concept, although themes between it and Feral Kitchen are easily drawn. Wandered back down the hall pretending to look for the restroom and BINGO: a small still–looking rather *un-plumbed* and *un-attached*–polished and present. A quick ABC check shows it one of only three 74’s in Atascadero. Notice how our new Peruvian restaurants are offering pisco? Mmm-hmmm. 74. By golly there’s a still at Hotel Serra too!

TWO new barbeque spots open. Atascadero has Chef Gregory’s BBQ Emporium, offering Memphis-style dry rub; and CJ’s BBQ Smokehouse, showcasing Texas-style dry rub. Neither has brisket, though Greg gets the extra point for not having tri-tip. CJ’s also does quite a bit of fish, which is an interesting twist. While we’re on the subject, don’t forget newish-opening Savory Smoke in Morro Bay, offering “American fusion” style BBQ. This is making me wonder what the actual advertised *style* of some of the OTHER places are classified as. Hmmmmm…
>G Bros says Texas and CALLS OUT the other 5 BBQ spots in SLO. That’s EPIC. Except I don’t think there’s 6 BBQ places in SLO anymore.
>Gold Land mentions SoCal several times and is all about “tradition”.
>Old San Luis BBQ is “authentic Santa Maria-style cuisine” two words which should never be in the same sentence and easily one of the worst places I have ever eaten in my life.
>Does Ribline even exist anymore? Grover looks completely closed and Bear Valley might be take-out only? Not sure how that operates with The Switch.
>Firestone calls themselves “Central Coast Barbeque”.
>Jeffry’s just says our own dry rubs”
Who did I miss? I don’t care, I’m bored with this game.

And since I gave an incomplete rambling of Top SLO Taco places a few weeks ago, then followed it up with an even vaguer reference last week–confusing and disappointing many–HERE YOU GO. I banged out your top 100 in SLO-PROPER. Please read that again before sending me how much better Hanna’s or La Parilla or La Tap or Guerrero is. Seriously. SAN LUIS OBISPO CITY LIMITS. Try to keep up.
1- Santa Cruz Express
2- CHICHO’S (Laguna)
5- Taqueria San Miguel
6- San Luis Taqueria
11- Taco de Mexico
12- La Botana 805
19- Tonita’s
20- El Guero
21- Santa Cruz Taqueria
22- Efren’s
59- Chili Peppers
60- Taco King
98- Taco RICO (Trader Joe’s)
99- Taco ROCO (Beda’s)

While we’re on the subject of tacos and BBQ, remember: The New Times still wants to know where your favorite vegan resty is. You’ve got til March 10. Go vote, then go outside and play.