Splash Café on Monterey St.
| Address: | 1491 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA |
| Phone: | +1 805-544-7567 |
| Site: | splashcafe.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 7AM–8:30PM 7AM–8:30PM 7AM–8:30PM 7AM–8:30PM 7AM–9:30PM 7AM–9:30PM 7AM–8:30PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 16
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A Private User
OK I KNOW this is the best damn clam chowder on the planet and having admitted such, I should have ordered it instead of the fish and chips. Thought I would try something else for a change. I was sadly mistaken. I have had better fish in fish sticks. No flavor and CHEWY....I think they cooked it yesterday and just left it under a hot lamp. Fries were tasteless as well. Did I learn?? No, after $17.00 for lunch, silly me decided to get some goodies for home....bad idea! The chocolate covered pretzels and peanut butter cookie were stale and I ended up throwing them away. The lemon bar and cheesecake were ok but nothing to write home about. If you go, do not, I repeat, DO NOT get fish and chips or pretzels and cookies. Stick to the chowder. Mrs. Pauls and Gortons are a better bet for fish and they suck. And what WAS that cute little cashier smoking? I asked her what type of sodas they had and she got all glassy eyed and was not sure what I was asking. She stammered and uttered "um" and few dozen times before I saw the cups labeled PEPSI and told her never mind. Oh well-another day and 30 bucks down the drain
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Michael Cook
So the original is on the waterfront at Pismo, which is where I went first but there were literally 40 people in a line that was down the street. Incredible, I came back an hour later and there was still a line. So we went to the Splash in San Luis Obispo, from what I understand its the same menu just not crowded.... the clam chowder was amazing and the clams were very well cleaned (no gritty sand). My friend got the fried shrimp and chips and both were made perfectly. The fries were not greasy and were only lightly seasoned (the way they should be when done as fish and chips). The only thing that frustrated me was that the employees were raving about the clam chowder yet they had no idea if the clams they used were from CA or shipped in from somewhere else. Not that it really matters but you would think they would have some idea.... most likely they are not local. Regardless, still a top notch place.
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Lex Lewicki
I tried the cinnamon roll, lemon danish, fish and chips, and the garden salad. Everything was delicious! We were too late to order breakfast so we each ordered a pastry and split the lunch order. The breading on the fish was lightly spiced and the fish was cooked perfectly. The chips were curly but didnt seem to have much seasoning. The garden salad was a mixed lettuce with onion, tomatoes and cheese. The sun-dried tomato vinaigrette was light and yummy. Both the danish and the cinnamon roll were perfect examples of what they should be.
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David Barton
Serving up more than 30,000 gallons of clam chowder a year, Splash Cafe‘s chowder has received awards from both Gourmet Magazine as well as Bon Appetit Magazine. For only $6.95, you can get a piping hot bowl of clam chowder. Even better, Splash offers “Chowder Toppers” – clams, bacon, seafood, cheese or green onions to add on top. Get the chowder with the seafood topping. You won’t be disappointed with this rich and hearty chowder filled with lots of clams and potatoes.
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A Private User
Ive never quite understood the hype surrounding Splashs chowder. Its not bad chowder, it just isnt as good as everyone makes it out to be. I try chowder everywhere I go and to me this is about average. By far my favorite is just down the road in Morro Bay at a place called Giovannis, which used to be a hole in the wall but has been upgraded with a nice patio seating area (and bathrooms) in the past few years.
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Brianne St Pierre
LOVE. I recently got married and used Splash as my caterer. The staff was very professional, polite, and helpful. Heather was the BEST; from staying in contact with me throughout my planning and on the day of. She stepped up and made my special day just absolutely PERFECT. The food was great and the extra mile that she and her helpers went, blew my mind away. Highly recommend for events and weddings.
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Thor Larsen
Even though this is the newer location, it does have a bit of a run-down feel. That said, the food is fantastic. Rather than the normal chowder, we opted for fish tacos and a fried seafood platter. I was blown away at how tasty it was. I would recommend it for the food, not necessarily the venue. The parking is difficult and rather poorly thought out, especially during busy hours, so beware.
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Scott MacDonald
Always amazing food and service. Prices are a bit high but match the quality. Dont be a jerk and order the chowder in a bread bowl if you cant hack it. Most throw at least 75% of the bread away. Get a regular cup or bowl and order a loaf of bread (buttered and toasted, every piece!) for your whole party. I highly recommend at least one order of the seafood topping!
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Penny King
Same food as the Pismo Splash Cafe with an expanded lunch/dinner menu and the addition of a breakfast menu and bakery items. I missed the hustle and bustle of the beach location. The fish taco seemed a little dry. The pizza ( surprising addition to the menu) was enjoyed by a couple in our party. The clam chowder and seafood topping was exceptional.
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Lauren Matal
The customer service straight up put me in a bad mood. Just wanted to get a cupcake for my birthday, saw it in the display and ordered it. Then the baker had taken them out, and the girl had no desire to see how she could get me that cupcake. She kept offering me bars... Lucky for her the baker had come back with more cupcakes...
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Fernando Castillo
Being a local for over 40 years. It is nice not to fight the lines of Pismo Beach to get the great clam chowder of Splash Cafe without the lines. But a must when you order the chowder is add the seafood topping. The seafood topping is a mix of crab, lobster and shrimp that takes the already great chowder over the top.
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Anne Nguyen
Splash Cafe is the pit stop for a good bite to eat. The clam chowder with seafood toppings, oysters and chips are really good here. Small place. Small parking lot. They do have a fast pace service so the wait is not that bad. Inside and outside seating. Friendly staff. Good customer service.
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Greg Ross
Gotta love splash cafe. Been here many many times and am never dissapointed with the quality chowder. However, I have had friends who have worked their and they have warned me that they put ungodly amounts of butter and cream in the chowder. but it tastes good so who cares right!/?
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Paul Le
Food was ok but service was horrible. My friend ordered a clam chowder and bit into a peace of plastic. He told the server what happened and she just said ok. No apology no nothing. This was at the last hour on a Sunday night maybe they were just anxious to go home.
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Toshinobu Kubota
Probably one of the best clam chowder on the West Coast. But the secret is definitely out; on the weekends, the line is around the block just to order. The waitstaff is overworked as expected. I hope they can open more locations to alleviate some of the lines.
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Ace L
OK, we go to the Splash Cafe for a quick meal when in SLO, and typically order a bread bowl clam chowder, and a fish/chips plate or sandwich. All good, and much easier to eat in SLO than endure the summer and weekend lines at the Splash Cafe in Pismo Beach.
