Issue Date: 5/19/08
Restaurants on 101 have originality that chains don't
By Katrina Kozbeff
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Whether looking to grab a snack after a day at the beach, or desperately craving some comfort food, Highway 101 in Encinitas offers a plethora of cuisines to fulfill any appetite.
"I like the unique atmosphere and community feel, it's a lot warmer than a cold franchise," said student Nicole Roth about the restaurants along the Highway 101.
The long stretch of highway that follows the coast is cluttered with quaint restaurants that are easy to miss, but crowded with locals who call them their second home. According to Palomar students, the restaurants they think stand out are Juanita's Taco Shop, The Pannikin Café and the Roxy.
The Pannikin is known for its coffee, tea and mouth-watering pastries, according to Roth. "I come here when I have a bad day at school, as soon as I get a cupcake I start to feel better."
A restored train shop from 1888, the Pannikin has now been converted into a cozy bohemian coffee shop and gift store that also sells local artwork.
Located off Highway 101 and Athena Street in Encinitas, this café is a place where people gather to study, chat or enjoy Sunday brunch. The prices range between $2 to 4 for a coffee, and $4 to 7 for lunch or breakfast. They serve food until 3 p.m. Roth recommends the Jimi Hendrix coffee.
A few streets south of the Pannikin is a little taco shop called Juanita's. It doesn't have the same charm as the café, with bars on all the windows and stickers covering the shop, but the beach as its backyard makes it the perfect place to grab some tacos after a day of surfing, according to student Jerry Condron.
"Me and my buddies grew up there, we like to go surfing and then grab some carne asada burritos and fish tacos," Condron said.
The perks to this place are that it's open 24 hours, the price is cheap (between $3 to 7 for a meal) and you get a lot of food. The staff said that their most popular items are the California burrito and their carne asada.
Even further south in downtown Encinitas is the Roxy. This restaurant is a small café located in the heart of Encinitas next to all of the popular bars. It's entertainment and interesting cuisine makes it a good place to stop and eat.
"It has something for everyone," said student Katie Alvarez. The menu has everything from vegetarian food to burritos. It has a Mediterranean feel and also offers live entertainment some nights around 8 p.m. They usually showcase a local musician playing the guitar, according to the staff. The prices are a little higher than Juanita's or Pannikin, ranging from about $7 to 18 for food and a full bar ranging from $6 to 10 per drink.
This restaurant appeals to those looking for a healthier dinner, with items on their menu like grilled fish and a hummus platter. For those with a sweet tooth don't worry, there is an ice cream bar inside the restaurant.
Although all these three restaurants are very different, the common ingredient that Palomar students seem to agree makes a good restaurant is convenience, fair pricing and a comforting atmosphere. According to Roth, it is the "relaxed beach feel and history," that makes them stand out.
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