Many have done the roadtrip from the Central Coast to Bakersfield via Hwy 166. And Cuyama Buckhorn is a favorite stop along that route. You can't miss the huge "Coffee" sign visible from the highway. We recently had to drive said route and decided to finally visit. And we were happy we did. Cuyama Buckhorn serves tasty American dishes from biscuits and gravy to burgers. It was lunch, so we had the burgers. Very good! We tried the apple pie as well and it was nice. We stopped by again on the way back home for some coffee. Good stuff. Not a fan of the matcha drink ( but too much milk) Great location for travelers, friendly service. Fun diner vibe. If you're traveling via the 166, definitely stop, have a coffee and a bite to eat. read more

Another great adventure driving out to New Cuyama to eat lunch at the Buckhorn Cafe. Last time we wanted to stop here there was a field fire up ahead, so we drove back to San Luis Obispo through California Valley, a Wild West adventure on miles and miles of unpaved road, back through time to the Carrizo Plain national monument. The drive out was lovely, with lots of yellow broom blooming on the hills. We passed the Firefighter Monument that my husband tends that commemorates the firefighters killed in the Spanish Ranch fire, and checked out the growth of some oak trees around it. We pulled in for an early lunch at the Buckhorn and got a nice booth near a window. We were waited on immediately and provided water and a new menu with more of an emphasis on breakfast dishes. It was early lunch for us, and I ordered my favorite "Breakfast Salad," a Cobb salad, which has bacon and egg in it. My husband got the pulled pork sandwich, a specialty of the place. There was a delay getting the wine menu, and my first choice had run out, so I tried a white that was close to a Sauvignon Blanc from a local vineyard. I had spied some very authentic looking apple pie coming in, and we ordered a slice for desert. It came with a couple of scoops of creamy ice cream, and had a sure-enough baked through crust with juicy, cinnamony apples inside! On the way to the car, we noticed a local rancher "branding" the building, by pushing his heated up brand into the front wall of the restaurant where many other brands appeared. The paint smoked a bit, and when he was done, a spade appeared on the facade, "Spade Ranch," he told me, literally making his brand relevant to the cafe! We reveled in the beauty of the ride back, appreciated out step back in time into the history of this beautiful valley. read more

If you ride a motorcycle, make this a must try destination. Such great service and good food. I'm definitely coming back and bringing more bikers to try this gem of a dinner. The buckhorn burger was cook med rare. Perfection! Fries crispy and tasted great. I absolutely loved this place. read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Buckhorn Burger - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

Came up from Altadena to see the Carrizo Plain flowers. What a great day. Awesome food, nice vibe, fantastic staff. My wife and I both loved what we had, and will be making this trio again. Recommended. read more

Still a great ambiance and friendly staff and the place is a real benefit to the area. However food quality has gone down recently it seems. I'd say a 3 for food and a 5 for everything else. read more

This place is amazing!!! The lodging is newly remodeled and brings comfort. The restaurant makes quality food and the service is well more than I can ask for. I'm up here for the fires and they stayed open to support the firefighter!!! This was a very commendable act on their part!!! There support plays a huge roll in support of the fire!!! I want to thank the 2 young lady's that worked day and night to support our fire and aviation programs!!!! I recommend this place for sure!!!! read more

The food was absolutely amazing--fresh, tasty and nicely presented good portions! Staff was friendly and communicative about an expected delay because of a large party. They continued to fill our drinks as we waited and the wait was worth it! read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Cobb Salads and a bowl of chili - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

It was great food and service Beautiful place We found it just by driving by Can't wait to go back again read more

The Cuyama Buckhorn is such a gem! My husband and I stopped for dinner recently and it did not disappoint. We shared a steak dinner that was excellent. The Buckhorn is such a cool and unique place with a great vibe. It's a hotel with a pool, a bar, a restaurant, and a venue. But the best thing they have going for them is the staff. Everyone is so friendly. Megan has waited on us several times and she is worth noting. She is pleasant, interesting, and provides great service. If you haven't been to the Buckhorn before, you should go!!! read more

Every time you step into a room, you feel like you stepped back into time! Each room has been meticulously revamped, but it reflects the era when it was built down to the cowhide rug on the floor! read more

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Had an amazing stay at Cuyama Buckhorn, which played host to my last night on a solo roadtrip I took a few weeks ago. Cuyama Buckhorn is like an enchanted oasis literally in the middle of Santa Barbara County's high desert. I called the property a few times prior to my stay and spoke to a wonderful and helpful clerk named Reyna (sp?) - who answered my questions and also took my order for a dinner box to be prepared for my room since I was arriving late. Getting here was fun. After the mistake of taking the single-lane southbound route on PCH from Monterey, I didn't reach Cambria until closer to 6pm. I phoned over to CB where Moni (sp?) picked up and I first wanted to let her know that I was still quite away from CB so we briefly discussed late check-in options, but I also wanted to confirm that my dinner box order was placed (per Reyna from my call earlier), since the only dining option near CB is the property's restaurant itself. I didn't turn onto Highway 166 from Santa Maria until around 1945 so while there was some daylight left - it was quickly fleeting away. I knew that GPS would be spotty, so I made sure I had offline maps downloaded, as well as paper maps (yes those still exist thanks to AAA/Thomas Guide) as backup. The drive was relaxing for the most part - it was weird having that feeling where you literally are in the middle of nowhere, and alone (I was on a solo road trip after all). That comforting feeling dissipated as the last bit of daylight faded, leaving nothing but darkness. While I was able to adequately illuminate the road ahead, and the occasional headlights from cars heading westbound helped - what I didn't count on was the almost hypnotic visuals of the long, lonely stretch of highway silhouetted by darkness. When I eventually made it to Cuyama Buckhorn, it was about 2045 and as expected, the restaurant was closed. In fact, the property - save for a few lights - was pitch black (at least from the outside). I phoned CB and Moni picked up and I asked her for directions to find the lobby. One thing that would be helpful - better or more visible signage. It's one thing if you get here while there's still daylight. It's another if you get here, it's dark, AND it's your first time at the property so you don't quite sure know where to go. Check-in was quick - Moni was friendly and efficient. She confirmed the dinner box was in my room, and provided a map of the property. I pulled into the parking lot - lit by a single flood light - which did a great job hiding the fact that I was driving onto a gravel lot. Note to drivers with low clearance - you might want to opt out of parking in the gravel lot and park on the side along the property. I had trail wheels and decent clearance so I was fine - but the parking lot could use pavement and better lighting. The room was well-appointed, had just the right level of amenities and my dinner box was thoughtfully placed on the desk, with a Smores Kit on my bed. I started to unpack, after I did my usual flashlight sweep of the hotel room. All was well until I noticed a huntsman spider just chilling by the mini-fridge in the room. It was the largest spider I've ever seen in California and in the split seconds following the initial sight of this monstrosity, I processed that 1) I was in the middle of the high desert, spiders this big do exist 2) I didn't want that thing to get away since I needed to sleep tonight. 3) it was the size of a silver dollar. I left its remains by the trash can. Minibar is well-stocked - prices are reasonable for what you get - unique items not like your typical minibar. A lot of the snacks/drinks were sourced locally. Another plus - the mini fridge actually has space for you to place your things in it. The shower stall and bathroom were nicely appointed with luxury toiletries. I had breakfast at the Cuyama Buckhorn Restaurant the following morning - had the best buttermilk pancakes in years, along with chorizo, eggs, and a matcha latte. Service was friendly and I was able to use a drink coupon for the coffee since I was Platinum Elite with IHG. Overall a great stay with some hiccups. Had a double charge on my card (which was addressed after I brought it up) since I booked through IHG which is partnered with Mr&Mrs Smith Hotels which CB is part of, better lighting/signage to find the hotel lobby for evening arrival guests would be great, and a paved parking lot with better lighting would be appreciated. Hoping to make it back here with some company so I can more thoroughly explore the area! Apparently Yelp reviews have word limits because I just had to edit a bunch of this review lol. Photos attached! read more

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Cuyama!?!?! Yup, Cuyama! Assistant GM Milagros Harrington has helped to turn this old school 1950's motor lodge into a calming, comfortable and delightful oasis in the Cuyama Valley. Wifey saw an advert on social media for live entertainment, food accommodation & decided, why not? It was our 28th wedding anniversary week and off we went. Having worked the Cuyama Valley in previous years, to include stops (professionally) at the Buckhorn, I cannot describe the transition of feelings to actually be able to go inside these walls and relax. The food, the service, the retro 1950's decor and security all ensured we had a very positive experience that guaranteed we'll be back again. read more

As a semi local with family there the only reason I go is for the blueberry pie and Sam the bartenders amazing and inventive cocktails. Be patient if you go on a busy night ! read more

Great spot in the middle of nowhere! Stopped for lunch while motoing through on Hwy 33. Staff was quick and friendly. Short rib sandwich hit the spot while the delicious chocolate cookie hit the other spot! I'll be back! read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Great spot in the middle of nowhere! - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

This restaurant is halfway btwn home and my daughter's college. We love stopping here for meals. Cute restaurant delicious food friendly staff and fun people watching. Karissa R helped us today and was very nice read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Pulled pork - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

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Driving back home from Laughlin to Santa Maria & we stopped for good eats. It has been decades since my spouse & I have eaten at the well known Buckhorn. What a joy to come enjoying a great cup of coffee & burger with a side of fries with a small cup of thin sliced pickles sprinkle with pepper flakes; hubby had cowboy omelette. Happy dance read more

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Excellent home-made meals. Great ambiance. Friendly service. If you are traveling between the Bakersfield area & the Central Coast, it is an excellent place to take a break. read more

Anytime you make your way up the 166, this is a must stop!! My experience here goes back thirty years when I was a Forest Service Firefighter. We always stopped in for a meal after a long shift on the fire lines. The spirit, ambiance and delicious food is still the same. Today's visit consisted of their famous Santa Maria Tri-Tip sandwich with a delicious, locally sourced salad. Make point of stopping in, enjoy a meal, and step back in time. Staff here is wonderful. Look forward to staying for an extended visit. Happy Trails. read more

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Ojai had zero hotel availability, Ventura had zero hotel availability so I extended the search and found this true gem of a motel/hotel/resort for Father's Day. The food, the service, the beautifully clean rooms, the pool, the cornholes, the bocce, the giant Jenga, the sunsets, the roasting marshmellows, the lovely architect and design, with comfy seating all over, and did I mention the exceptional service and food x 2? :-) It's in the middle of nowhere but trust me, it's worth the drive from LA. We were in for a true surprise. Everyone I spoke to had a family-like warmth, kindness, and professionalism. Trust me on this, as someone who's traveled the world and stayed in 5 star hotels, this place is worth more than those 5 stars! Thank you Buckhorn! p.s. They had a special wine pairing evening/dinner the night we were there (all from local vineyards) and sadly were unable to score tickets, but it was a great success and another nice reason to check out the restaurant at Buckhorn! read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

Stopped here for dinner while in the area looking at the wildflowers. This place has potential and seemingly great reviews but this is my honest opinion of what my experience was. We were promptly seated in the back room, past the bar at a large table. My friend and I both ordered burgers; mine well done and with onion rings and hers just regular served with fries. I had high hopes for my burger but it only tasted ok. The onion rings were disappointing and had a burnt taste to it. Fries were good! Service was virtually nonexistent at this point. The waiter was nice enough, just not very attentive. I had to chase someone down to get our bill. Prices are higher than I would expect for this place - $14 for a glass of house wine! Anyhoo - it is a cute, hipster spot if that's what you are into. I would eat here again if I am ever in the area just to give it another opportunity to impress me. read more

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We enjoyed a wonderful meal! Love the atmosphere, the food was high quality and our waitress was adorable! Super helpful and kind, going above and beyond to provide ice for my friend who had an injury. Highly recommend!! read more

What I had: - Chorizo spiced butternut squash queso fundido ($15) - House beef chili ($14) - The Buckhorn ($16) - Buckhorn smokehouse platter ($27) - Breakfast burrito ($17) - House-made seasonal scone ($3) How it tasted: - I thoroughly enjoyed every food item. The surprising dishes were the queso fundido with butternut squash as well as the combo smokehouse platter. The vegetables for the platter could've been a bit warmer, but overall well prepared. Why did I give it a four? - I loved the size of the room I stayed in, the atmosphere is very minimalist yet reminiscent of the area (i.e., cowboy/rancher themed), and the friendliness of the staff was outstanding. Only thing I'd wish were slightly cheaper, but also makes sense, are the prices of the food and drinks. It's a bit in the middle of nowhere so I understand why the pricing is higher than usual, but it caught me off guard given a comparison to, let's say, DTLA drinks and food prices. Verdict? - Give it a shot. Love the rooms, atmosphere, and that it was dog friendly (some rooms). read more

Service here is great. We stopped to eat here on our way back from Monterey and we are thankful we did. It is attached to a hotel and bar but a cozy place to eat. Maybe next time we will stay at the hotel because this is a hidden gem! read more

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The food is fresh and local. The staff is great. Service is quick. We always stop there an our way to the coast.

Absolutely loved this hotel + restaurant. Great place to get away from everything and decompress. Rooms are well appointed and the restaurant is fantastic. You will not need anything else. There is also a very nice pool area and hot tip. There are also EV chargers for Teslas and you can check out an adapter for regular EVs from the front desk. Very convenient and appreciated so I didn't have to stress about charging while I was there. Dogs are allowed and there is even a little dog area for "relief". Very nice and friendly service from Sasha at the front desk and Megan in the restaurant. Really appreciated my time here. Just what was needed to start off the holiday break! read more

We always try to get away for the 4th of July weekend. This year, my husband discovered Cuyama Buckhorn via Yelp. I was pretty apprehensive to travel anywhere during this pandemic, but after speaking with staff and inquiring about the sanitation procedures, I felt more secure about traveling. Upon arrival, Keith, the general manager, explained the layout of the property and the dining options due to COVID. The area is really quiet, even though it is off of the main highway. I can't tell you how relaxing it was being there. The hotel isn't very large, with I believe only 21 rooms. It would be perfect to gather a group of friends or family to stay and spend some quality time together. The hotel is constructing a pool, something that my girls are excited about for future use. The rooms have remarkable natural lighting and are equipped with multiple lighting options, as well as a individual heating/cooling units. The linens are very nice and the beds are incredibly comfortable. The soaps, body wash and conditioner they provide are fantastic. I only wish I remembered to ask if they sold them. While you are there, the food options are scarce but the main restaurant on sight, The Buck Stop provides delicious options and really good coffee. Cuyama Buckhorn has the draw to really bring in out of town crowds looking to getaway. The rooms have been renovated and are very stylish. You can tell that the owners took special care when designing the rooms. Everything from the decorative hats on the wall, to the retro radio with USB ports, to the vintage inspired Frigidaire was perfectly paired. Such a beautiful place! read more

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This place is the bomb dot com and words do not describe how good I feel about our experience here for the weekend. I am from LA and my friend from SF met me here in the middle of California back country to explore the wildflowers. The food at the diner is all local and fresh. The incredible service and hospitality was appreciated. Leave ur bossy city energy behind because ranch life is patient. Our waitress Megan was so attentive and informative. She gave us great tips for hikes to see the super bloom flower explosions after all these amazing rains for beautiful Mother Earth. Do not miss the baked goods from the sweet lady at the counter or the yummy BBQ. Also the bartender Sam was very kind and friendly. It was so nice to escape the busy city and enjoy the beautiful quiet slow country life, even if just for a brief weekend getaway. read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Corn bread skillet, chili and onion rings! All my favorite things at the Cuyama buckhorn. And the BBQ not pictured - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

VEGAN EATERS HERE....."NOTE" If you haven't been out to The Cuyama Buckhorn in a while, it is virtually NOT the same place! In new hands for the past three years, it has been transformed into a destination spot that has legions of fans and repeaters shouting its praises. There is still the original vibe, the (really smart and clever) new owners totally respected and, pay full homage to the originality of the place which is exemplary, it's just better, WAY better and, there is the drive out though Santa Maria (Hwy.166) which is absolutely stunning. Don't miss it. There is the completely remodeled hotel/motel which will remind you of The Alamo Motel in Los Alamos, a spectacular new swimming pool/spa, countless places to just hang out and relax, not that there's much else (yet) to do in tiny New Cuyama, other than to snag one of the really inexpensive little houses that can still be purchased in the $150k+ range, no kidding. Make no mistake, the little town is waking up and I can confidently say it's all due to the effort that The Cuyama Buckhorn owners have put into creating a really unique getaway. But I digress, let's talk about the food. We had been to The Buckhorn many times over the years and while the food was ok roadside diner fare, it was nothing special. The current menu offers OFF THE CHART creative/interesting options that will make you look across the table at your companions and actually comment about it. The chef clearly knows how to please. A well positioned blackboard lists the local growers and providers that will impress the most discerning, even Elderflat Farm produce from Alisos Canyon, Rancho Gordo Beans and Larry Kandarian's Ancient Grains. NOTHING IS NOT THE BEST and it shows, except with the prices which are exceedingly fair considering the quality. Two of us are plant based eaters, our guest was not so she ordered the chicken tacos on handmade heirloom corn tortillas, another had the baked sweet potato topped with Rancho Gordo beans and steamed Elderflat broccoli and crispy smoked mushroom chips. This usually comes with sharp cheddar cheese. I had the black bean and sweet potato veggie burger which was loaded with "accessories", fresh house made pickle chips and 1/2 hand cut French Fries 1/2 onion rings (TDF). Being vegan has its challenges but fully 1/2 the menu here is either vegan or can be made vegan/vegetarian/gluten free or just about any other "free from something" you can think of. This kitchen is wired to please. Service is perfect, not "helicopter" style, just attentive. While we didn't have dessert, we will be back, likely for an overnighter so we can have dinner then hang out in the AWESOME throwback bar which is stocked with the usual plus an amazing array of top shelf options that are worthy of any Four Seasons Hotel and have breakfast which looks amazing though, get this, THEY OFFER ROOM OR POOLSIDE SERVICE!!! As if this isn't enough, they have The Buck Stop Coffee Bar which is just as good, offering a huge array of home made cookies, pies, scones, etc. and a coffee menu that is priced right, for everyone and, EVERYONE stops at The Buck Stop apparently, judging by the line of people while we were there. Can't stress enough how cool The Cuyama Buckhorn is, on every level. For the hip they get to feel like a local and for the locals they get to feel hip. They also do special events like "Barstool Movie Night" and huge outdoor BBQ events. Probably a great spot for a Wedding or Private Party. Count me as SOLD!!! read more

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Met the fam here for Mother's Day. The food was good and the service was great. However, the prices were way too high. Paying $20 for 2 slices of french toast or a BLT is too much. We will NOT be back. read more

American-style oasis of damn-good food and quenching cocktails! I might even say that the onion rings were the best I've ever had in my life. Everything was way above satisfactory all around. Great service, amazing location, cool atmosphere, cozy bar, and so on. Don't miss this side-of-the-road stop in the beautiful valley lands of New Cuyama. read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Out front - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

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Good stuff. Pattis are big and thick, burger is fulfilling! Ask for ice & sugar for your drinks cause the waitress won't offer them no matter how not business she is. Great place, will visit again. read more

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Wife and I came all the way from Bakersfield just to eat here for Valentine's Day. To our surprise, they recently changed their operating hours to where the full menu is not available until after 5pm. This is disappointing for us because we were looking forward to having a Vegetarian burger and fries and a salad. Summer the server is always amazing and kind. Very helpful with choosing from the menu and she's always very polite and fun to talk with. The atmosphere of the restaurant and bar is nice, and the bar is nice as well. To be honest, unless they change their operating schedule back to what it was and have the full menu available at most hours we may not make this trip again. read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Nachos - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

Love the new decor and the updated menu. We stopped here for lunch on the way out of town. There was only one other table occupied, so we had the place to ourselves. They had specials on the board which included a roasted onion & potato soup. It was good, almost too creamy (if that's possible), but good. My husband got the smoked beef stew for $23. It was super tasty but small. We were expecting a big bowl, but they brought it out in little dish fit for Barbie and Ken. It was more of a tease than a meal. I got the farm salad for $13. It was just awful. I told the waitress and she just shrugged her shoulders and walked off. It looked like they just ran out of the good stuff and had to scraped the bottom of the barrel to make something that resembled a salad. (Yea I know, don't go to a burger place and order a salad and expect it to be good smh). I have been here and ordered the burger and it was really good so I know they have good food. The service was just bad this time. I didn't expect anything for free, but the waitress didn't even offer to get me something else to eat, which I would have gladly paid more for. Don't go out of you way to eat here, but it's a good place to stop if driving through the area, and has lots of parking for trucks and RVs. read more

I absolutely loved this place. From the moment I checked in, the staff was so nice and welcoming. The grounds are absolutely beautiful, clean, decorated in such a retro cute way. My room was perfect. The pool was refreshing. I had dinner at the bar which was so cute and the bartender was sweet and gave excellent service. Food was good too. I absolutely recommend this place and I will be back! read more

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Trendy, modern place out in what feels like the middle of nowhere. You'd expect some stuffy old country diner, not this. The interior is light and airy, a combination of restaurant, coffee shop and bar all in one. The staff is young, energetic and very friendly and helpful. Their specials are burgers (didn't try this time), and their tri tip. I prefer mine a little more medium, but it was soft like butter and delicious, so were the BBQ sauces. The salsa was out of place on my plate. It was good, but made no sense with the rest of the meal. The veggies were topped with some kind of interesting cold tomato sauce, and unfortunately they were partially cold as well. I prefer my veggies hot. The ciabatta was perfectly buttered and crisp, but some homemade corn bread would fit in better with the BBQ theme. It was a good, decent meal after a long hike. And I'll be back to try one of their burgers. read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - The combination platter - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

Our family are returning patrons to Cuyama Buckhorn because it is the most authentically precious and thoughtful experience we have had at specialty locations, the Cuyama surpasses most. From their staff (shout-out Summer for being a legend and one of their new chefs from Mississippi who make this place what it is) to their food & accommodations... and the mountain range view. This is unique from other specialty boutique resorts because the locals themselves cherish the spot and equally enjoy the exquisite food (so good it was gone before we thought to take a photo). Will always return and prioritize coming here when our time allows. read more

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Can't believe I've never reviewed this restaurant I've been coming here sense I was a kid. They have done some major upgrades and remodeling sense my last visit and it looks stunning inside and out. The staff was helpful but also not attentive enough due to lack of staff being on duty. But it was a great visit and all the food was super delicious and prepared to order. They also now have Gluten Free and Vegan/Vegetarian options which is a must these days. We started with the GF Butternut Squash Queso and so glad we did, it was so good, it's a must try definitely. Also ordered a couple burgers with delicious GF buns freshly baked with side salads. If you're in the area passing through you won't regret stopping here. read more

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The food at this place is very different and I mean in the good way! Service is so good even that they are so under staffed. I love love the ambiance of this roadside cafe hip style! read more

Cuyama Buckhorn - Tri tip sandwich. I like it! Good quality of the meat. - American Near Me - New Cuyama, California

Drove out here just for this place and thankfully it didn't disappoint. If you are looking for BBQ this is some pretty decent BBQ with a good staff and some cool coffee drinks too. There is also a hotel in case you're a tired traveler! read more

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We were excited to check this place out to break up our travels. However at 1;00 pm on a Saturday (hours said open until 11:00 pm), they were closed. Not one car on the street either. Another cafe nearby also appeared deserted. Too bad. read more