Specialty Foods (smoothie) at a time. They offer online ordering from an extensive juice and smoothie menu for delivery and pickup, and bowls for hearty meals on the go. Those who need a break from the American diet—cowboys loved their bacon grease—can choose from one of two juice cleanse protocols. BEST DONUT Red’s Donuts 1646 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 394-3444 433 Alvarado St., Monterey (831) 372-9761, redsdonutsinc.com What a sad place an office would be on Monday mornings if someone didn’t bring a box of donuts. It’s easy to imagine solitary cowboys out on the range felt this way, too—only there was no Red’s staff up well before dawn to bake fresh donuts ready for pickup by sunrise. Have them raised and glazed, and then go for variety to take you through the entire week—grab a couple of French on Tuesdays and weekends, or red velvet donuts on Wednesdays and Sundays. Add a raspberry jelly, one or two glazed twists and there’s plenty of variety to make every morning taste better. It’s the best thing since fry bread. BEST BAGEL Bagel Bakery Six locations throughout Monterey County thebagelbakery.com Bagel Bakery has been offering up its wide variety of bagels and specialty sandwiches since 1976, with over 20 bagel options and nearly a dozen spreads. With six locations, cowboys can find just what they need: plain bagels with schmear, deli sandwiches, omelets on a bagel, and all of the fixings one could desire. Bagel Bakery has been voted Best Bagel by Weekly readers year after year. BEST OMELET Googie Grill 1520 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside (831) 392-1520, googiegrill.com When it’s time to rustle up some breakfast and you’ve got a hankering for a hearty omelet, look no further than the chuck wagon that is Googie Grill. They’ve got 10 huge omelets made with “hen fruit” (eggs, in cowboy parlance), starting with the Googie, filled with smoked applewood bacon, fresh avocado, Monterey jack and cheddar. The Pinto’s chorizo omelet is packed with chorizo, black beans, onion, jalapeño and more. The list goes on—there are vegetarian versions (don’t tell the cowboys). Each omelet is served with a choice of Googie potatoes, hash browns or toast buttered with “cow grease.” Make sure to thank Cookie (the chef) by saying you’re “stacked to a fill” after eating such rib-sticking breakfast grub. BEST HUEVOS RANCHEROS The Grill at Point Pinos 79 Asilomar Blvd., Pacific Grove (831) 375-1313, grillatpointpinos.com Driving cattle from Texas up north was grueling or tedious work, or both. The only thing a vaquero could look forward to is a helping of huevos rancheros from the chuck wagon. While the brunch dish is far from the only thing to look forward to at The Grill at Point Pinos (think chicken fried steak, chilaquiles, pretty much everything, actually), the huevos rancheros have everything one could want: rich, earthy beans, thick-cut country potatoes, queso fresco, spicy salsa and two hearty eggs. No wonder ranch hands took on the work. BEST BISCUITS & GRAVY From Scratch Restaurant 3626 The Barnyard, Carmel (831) 625-2448, fromscratchrestaurant. com Before a long day herding doggies, you just want to sit back and enjoy a nice, comforting meal of fluffy biscuits and creamy gravy. Unfortunately, Cookie at the chuck wagon wasn’t known for his light touch. Fortunately, the kitchen staff at From Scratch is. And they have basic peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs and other popular day-starters. But for a boost of flavorful goodness to sustain you all day, biscuits and gravy are the way to go. BEST SALADS Salad Shoppe 1138 S. Main St., Salinas (831) 422-9600, saladshoppe.com Striking gold is good and all, but what if the dirt could deliver an amazing (and far more delicious) bounty year after year? Tucked into an ordinary Salinas strip mall lies the source of our green rush: the Salad Shoppe. This 102 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST PLACE FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY OPEN Mon-Thurs at 4pm, Fri at 3pm, Sat & Sun at 12pm 725 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey www.giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 INDOOR DINING, Takeout & Delivery! Voted Monterey County’s Best Pizza BEST FAMILY RESTAURANT (TIE) ’17, ’20 ’15 Grazie mille! We are honored that since 2008, you’ve voted us as Best Pizza in Monterey County. We are truly overwhelmed! These awards wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication from our staff and managers. Since we opened in 1974, the community has welcomed us with open arms and has continued to support our family-owned business. We hope to continue to serve delicious pizza, pasta, gelato, breadsticks and everything in between for years to come. Thank you again! - Gianni 2008– 2024
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