10 restaurants for $10 or less in the Monterey Peninsula
This country restaurant in a Carmel Valley strip mall might not be much to look at, but its breakfasts draw fans from throughout the Monterey Peninsula. It’s tiny, so there’s often a wait. Horseshoes and tack on the wall make local cowboys feel at home.
7156 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel; (831) 624-8878 (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
Eggs Benedict is the popular choice for breakfast ($9.25); lunch items are accompanied by mom-style side dishes such as Jell-O and homemade pork and beans. Some pet-friendly tables. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
If the name has a familiar ring, it’s because you’ve bought organic produce from Earthbound Farms at your local gourmet market. The company, nearly 30 years old, began here; it now contracts with 150 organic growers to supply its distributors. This outlet, a produce stand but super sized, has a salad bar and small grill (panini, $8.95), besides selling produce and packaged foods (hummus and cucumber sandwich $5.95, carrot-ginger soup, $5.95). The grounds are suitable for picnicking.
7250 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel; (831) 625-6219, http://www.ebfarm.com/OurFarmStand/index.aspx (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
The chicken panini ($8.95) comes with organic chicken breast, pepperoni, provolone cheese and marinara sauce on farmstand focaccia. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
Take your dog out to dinner at the Forge, which has a courtyard reserved for four-legged diners and offers a special menu for them. No dog? This onetime blacksmith shop — converted to outdoor patios and indoor bar and restaurant — is still fun, and the food is both trendy and tasty. We split an Italian sausage pizza ($15.95) and had a few dollars to spare.
5th at Junípero, Carmel; (831) 624-2233, http://www.forgeintheforest.com
Pictured: The Francis Whitaker Blacksmith Salad has organic field greens, crumbled blue cheese, red onions, sliced pears, oranges and spicy pecans all tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
Take the chill off a foggy Carmel evening at the Hog’s Breath Inn, where the courtyard patio has great ambience and half a dozen romantic fireplaces. Several lunch and bar items make the cut here. We liked the chicken quesadilla ($9.50), which was stuffed with huge chunks of chicken and cheese and came with three salsas.
San Carlos between 5th and 6th, Carmel; (831) 625-1044, http://www.hogsbreathinn.net (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
The “Dirty Harry” is the most popular burger at the Hog’s Breath Inn. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
Revel in the scenic grandeur of the 17-Mile Drive (and the grandiose homes that line it), then grab a gourmet sandwich ($10) or some cheese and wine at the Pebble Beach market. You can dine at picnic tables outside the market (it’s near Pebble Beach Lodge) or stop along the route for a picnic overlooking the sea.
1700 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach; (831) 625-8528, http://www.pebblebeach.com (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
“The Driver,” a popular choice at the Pebble Beach Market, comes with seasoned roast beef with shaved red onion, watercress, blue cheese spread on an onion roll. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
RG Burgers (it stands for “real good”) wins our best-burger award, hands down. Diners find great burgers and lots of other good choices at this fast-food outlet and cafe that has locations in Carmel and Monterey. Hungry for a sandwich? Choose from six-ounce prime beef, chicken, turkey or veggie patties, with a choice of bread, condiments and side dishes for $8.95.
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Pictured: The Hawaiian Burger comes with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, RG sauce and pineapple teriyaki sauce on a baked bun. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
If sightseeing has made you thirsty for a brew, combine it with a burger at Cannery Row Brewing Co. The brewery-restaurant has 73 beers on tap, which it claims is the largest selection in Northern California. It’s near the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row and is a noisy, fun place to stop for lunch.
95 Prescott Ave., Monterey; (831) 643-2722, http://www.canneryrowbrewingcompany.com (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
The beer-and-a-burger special ($10.95). (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
The margaritas and beer are icy, the chips crunchy and the enchiladas tasty at this Mexican restaurant near Cannery Row and the Aquarium. Diego Garcia prints, sombreros and whirling overhead fans give the feel of a Mexican resort (or is that just the after-effect of the margaritas?). Several combination plates available for less than $10.
638 Wave St., Monterey, (831) 655-4419 (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
Stop in at Trailside for coffee and a bag of French beignets (six for $6.95), or try a breakfast combo (two pancakes, two eggs, two strips of bacon and two sausages for $8.95). The cafe, near Cannery Row, is popular with bike riders and walkers along the beach trail.
550 Wave St., Lower Level, Monterey; (831) 649-8600, http://www.trailsidecafe.com (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
This simple storefront cafe, known for its large portions and vegetarian fare, has a menu chock-full of tasty items for less than $10, including sandwiches, salads and specialty dishes. Our fave is the Greek salad ($9.95), which overflowed its dinner-size serving plate. We’re not the only ones who like the small cafe: Tillie Gort’s is an annual winner in Monterey County Weekly’s dining poll.
111 Central Ave., Pacific Grove; (831) 373-0335, http://www.tilliegortscafe.com (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
The Grilled Polenta special at Tillie Gort’s. This local favorite comes with grilled polenta, cornmeal, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese and heavy cream served with sauteed spinach, grilled onions and grilled mushrooms on a bed of organic marinara sauce. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
