The Best Things I ate This Year - 2024

These are the best things I ate this year in SLO County! Disclaimer: This is my personal list, and if a dish or business doesn’t make it on here, it doesn’t mean their food or business isn’t good. There are so many businesses I enjoy visiting when I have a craving, but the food items on this list met all of my criteria:

It has to be yummy…clearly 😂
The dish challenged my palate or really surprised me.
I randomly think about it when I’m at home.
I would recommend it to a friend because, let’s be honest, you don’t recommend something you don’t like—you don’t want to be embarrassed!
I would take the time and effort to come back and eat it a second time.

FULL LIST OF OUR FAVORITE FOODS
THROUGH THE YEARS HERE

So without further ado, in no particular order, here are the best things I ate this year in SLO County:

Indian Food from FioSac’s
Did you know that Ray and I spent a month in India? It’s one of our favorite destinations, and the culture holds a special place in our hearts. When I overheard that a woman was making Indian food for friends, I had to give it a try. Honestly, it wasn’t just good—it transported me back to the streets of India and the unforgettable nights spent getting lost with friends. My favorites from our order were the butter chicken, paneer tikka, and that lassi (so legit). I definitely need to explore more of their menu. To learn more, click the link!

Cake + Ice Cream from Colony Culture
I had this during At Her Table, and while it looked so simple, it was bursting with complexity and flavor. Crème fraîche, sesame, saffron, and lilikoi passion fruit with a crumble—I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I was so obsessed that I had to contact the owner, Monika, to bake me a full one, which I happily enjoyed throughout the week. It’s not on her regular menu, but if you ever get the chance to grab a slice and she offers it…don’t miss out.

Chocolate Cake by Katie Taylor
You can imagine my surprise when I was offered a slice of gluten-free cake and bit into the most chocolatey, fudgy, moist bite I’ve had on the Central Coast in a long time. I had all but given up on finding a truly great chocolate cake—and to discover it was gluten-free? Unbelievable. Stay tuned because you KNOW I have to cover her story. Until then, check out her Instagram!

Apple Spice Sweet Roll from Proof & Gather
I’m the type of person who covets the ooey-gooey center of a cinnamon roll, and when I tasted the Apple Spice Sweet Roll from Proof & Gather’s seasonal menu, it was like the whole roll was the ooey-gooey center. Not overly sweet, with a soft, chewy, mouthwatering texture. Is it fall yet?

Cheese Assortment by Black Market Cheese Co.
Now, this just breaks my heart because they recently closed shop, but I want to honor this wonderful couple. Their cheese was truly something that challenged my palate. Using locally sourced ingredients, they offered an incredible variety, and every single one was so good! Perhaps you’d like to continue the dream? Their business is currently up for sale.

Creamed Corn Elote from Sabor Sazon
This family-owned restaurant in Downtown Paso was a new discovery for me, thanks to my dear cookbook author and friend Lisa Pretty. Not only was the hospitality on point, but there was an appetizer that flooded my mind with memories. The moment I took a bite of their creamed corn, I was transported back to LA, sitting on the curb after a night of clubbing, eating street corn from the corn man. If you know, you know—it just hits different. This version was clearly more elevated, but it left a lasting impression on me.

Lasagna from Humble Oven
I was visiting SLO Public Market and the owner of Humble Oven gifted me their Bake-At-Home lasagna, and Ray was starving when I got home—so of course, I popped that baby in the oven. I was shook at how good it was. The tomato sauce was so delicious you’d want to drink it straight from the pan! Honestly, it’s one of the most memorable lasagnas I’ve ever had. I even went back to buy another one for my family in LA, and they loved it too.

Carbonara al Cacio e Pepe & Scarola Saltata from Flour House
If you get to know me, you’ll quickly learn I’m a fiend for Cacio e Pepe. So when I spotted it on the menu during Meter Monday, my friends and I had to order it. It was soooo good—it was the first section of pizza to be completely devoured. Next time, I’m just ordering an entire pizza of it for myself.

We also tried the Scarola Saltata, and it was incredible. Delicious, complex, and a total happy dance in my brain.

Smash Burger from The Olde Alehouse
One of my all-time favorite smash burgers is from Burger She Wrote, so when I discovered The Olde Ale House, my heart jumped with happiness—I didn’t have to drive 300 miles away for something similar! This smash burger has those delicious crispy edges and cheesy goodness. If you’re a smash burger fan, don’t miss out on giving it a try.

Toasted Marshmallow Ice Cream Cocoa Cake from Ember
I’ve had this many times before, and when Ember changed ownership this year, I had to go back and give it a try. I’m happy to say the dishes are just as good, with no noticeable changes in service. This dessert still hits in all the right ways! The variety in temperature, from the vanilla ice cream to the warm toasted marshmallow, with its softness and the crunch of the crust, is just perfection.

Clam Chowder from Ada’s Fish House
I went to the clam festival and had Ada’s for the first time! This is one of my two favorite clam chowders on the Central Coast. It was creamy, hearty without being overly salty, and they provided great customer service. Which leads me to my next item…

Clam Chowder from Zorro’s Cafe & Cantina
Yes, I know. I thought the same thing too, but my friend swore I needed to try it—and wow, it was really good! I honestly think about it all the time. What a win—clam chowder and chips and salsa all in one! Lol.

Rajas Tacos at La Chata
Rajas means “strips,” and Rajas Tacos are typically made with strips of veggies, including poblano peppers and onions—so you can imagine how excited I was to try it. This taco didn’t disappoint with its housemade tortilla, poblano peppers, and cheesy goodness. And although it was my first time having a Rajas Taco, it definitely wasn’t my last…

Macadamia Crusted Mahi with Black Forbidden Rice from Pono Pacific Kitchen
I had this dish during SLO CAL Restaurant Week! It’s a beautiful dish that comes together perfectly, with all the elements working in perfect harmony. It’s hard to describe, but it’s not just delicious and elevated—it makes me feel so at home and brings me back to nights watching the moon over the sea. I’m getting dreamy just thinking about it all.

Biscuits and Gravy from Bramble Pie Company
This dish is only available on Sundays, but these biscuits are butter layers of perfection, topped with hearty gravy. They offer both a vegetarian and a meat option, and honestly, they are both delicious. I always order one of each!

Smoked Wagyu Fat Caramel from Justin Winery
I had this at Masters of Fire, created by Chef Saree Musick of Justin Winery. I didn’t even get a chance to take a photo because we were being filmed, but this small chocolate, which looked so innocent on the plate, totally blew me away. A light, thin layer of chocolate enveloped a smoky, decadent caramel that will honestly live in my mind forever. I don’t think it’s available right now, but make sure to follow Chef Saree—and who knows what might happen!

Shout out to the entire culinary community for what they do! Comment below with YOUR favorite bite of the year and let’s show some love to our local businesses!