108 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 montereycountynow.com/bestof poke? I ain’t no cowpoke.” Wouldn’t make for a good Hollywood Western showdown. Fortunately, there is no better place to get a satisfying poke bowl in Monterey County than Poke House in Marina. It has a build-yourbowl system. People can pick from different fish options (with or without chili) including salmon, tuna, shrimp and scallops. The base can be hearty or light and there are over a dozen toppings to choose from to add some texture and crunch to your meal. There are options for meat-eaters, non-meat eaters, and gluten-free eaters. All are full of flavor. Best Gourmet Burger Covey Grill at The Quail 8205 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel (831) 624-2888, quaillodge.com You would think that with all the cattle ranches, the burger would have been invented in Abilene, Kansas City or Cheyenne. But German immigrants actually brought us the foundation. And Chef Goran Basarov at The Quail’s Covey Grill took it to perfection—twice. The “Covey Bar Burger” sandwiches two Wagyu patties, cheddar cheese and chimichurri between a bun. It’s featured at the bar. The dining room is the setting for his “Quail Burger,” a masterpiece that has a chef’s blend of cuts, triple cream brie and bacon marmalade. Either way, Covey Grill is the best around. Best Fast-Casual Burger In-N-Out Burger 151 Kern St., Salinas 1350 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside (800) 786-1000, in-n-out.com In-N-Out makes three things—burgers, fries and shakes—and their slew of fans believe they do all three exceedingly well. In fact, tourists from states that don’t have an In-N-Out will make a pilgrimage, locals go daily and anyone on a road trip knows they can depend on a perfectly cooked burger, cheeseburger, double-double, 4x4 or a burger made “animal style” to-go. The chain is so convenient, it’s a wonder pioneers rushing to crest the Sierra Nevada or the Rockies before winter didn’t stop at one of the locations. In-N-Out’s not-so-secret secret menu is stuff of legend. Best Fried Chicken The Butter House 1760 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 394-2887, thebutterhouse.com “Boiled or roasted?” That would have been the question asked by a server at the Long Branch saloon. And yes, either way is good. But fried chicken is better. Chicken and waffles? Now we’re talking. Fried chicken wasn’t exactly a staple food in the American West but if they got their hands on a plate of chicken and waffles at The Butter House in Seaside, it might be cause for a brawl. In other words, get your name on the list because that line is consistently out the door on weekend mornings. Best Chicken Wings Peter B’s Brewpub 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey (831) 649-2699, portolahotel.com Given how many places offer chicken wings these days—they’ve had a meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade—this category is not lacking for competition. And amid the crowded field, Peter B’s rises to the top. Its wings, coated just right with a tangy and savory Buffalo sauce (sadly not named for the bison), are accompanied by a ranch (which sadly has little to do with cattled ranches) or blue cheese dip, neither of which is necessary. Protip: Order them crispy, thank us later. Best Pizza Place Gianni’s 725 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey (831) 649-1500, giannispizzamonterey. com Locals know that the only place to get a pizza as big as a Stetson and as hefty as a horse (OK, we’re joking about that one) is Gianni’s. But what sets the ever-popular parlor apart from the others is the atmosphere. We’re talking tablecloths covering tables suited to a family. There is old world charm and friendly faces. A case of colorful gelato just adds to the appeal. There is a full bar and, of course, that wonderful aroma of dough baking in the oven. Their signature pizzas like the Pizza di Casa and the Siciliana Oreganitta come loaded with a combination of traditional Italian ingredients. The fun, casual setting invites you to dine in, but you can pick up a pie to take with you. Best Barbecue Salinas City Barbecue 700 W. Market St., Salinas (831) 758-2227, salinascitybbq.com One of the perks of being a vaquero or cowboy was that the rancher would allow them some beef. Of course, never the good cuts. So those handy with the firepit learned to cook brisket low and slow—or at least to cover it with a rub to hide the imperfections. Nearly every region in the U.S. has a distinct style of barbecue. In our imaginations, the Western Migration brought the good word of barbecue straight to the smoking pits of the Ingrams, owners of Salinas City Barbecue. For years, the unassuming house on the corner of Market and Clark has served up Texas-style beef brisket, impossibly tender St. Louis style ribs, delectable Carolina-style pulled pork and, of course, signature hot links and California-style (or Santa Ana) tri-tip. The real kicker? It’s all so good, even the pickiest barbecue snobs are humbled, yet united. Best Butcher Shop The Meatery 1534 Fremont Blvd., Seaside (831) 656-8810, themeateryseaside.com When the outlaw Josey Wales rode up to granny’s store for provisions, it was for a side of bacon—probably some jerky, too. That’s the way it was in the days before refrigeration. And Chef Todd Fisher still offers cured meats at The Meatery. But he also has a selection of ethically raised prime beef cuts (he can name the ranch for each), chops from heritage-breed hogs, free-range chicken and game meats. Best Local Beer/Brewery | Alvarado Street Brewery
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