We saw a video on social media about the unique spot situated in Los Alamos and decided we had to…read morestop in! How cool that they carry so many ethnic products. It was really fun to check out all of the different options. Each of us left with something yummy to enjoy. They have quite a few items stocked on their shelves. I loved the toasted corn with tajin flavoring. If you're in the area, don't skip on this place. Parking is super easy too.

10/17/24 cf3.5* Los Alamos Grocery…read more General store in a very small town Los Alamos Friendly local store Good for coffee stop

A Hidden Gem in Los Alamos! After a scenic drive through the beautiful backcountry roads of the…read moreSanta Ynez Valley, my travel partner and I found ourselves in Los Alamos, searching for a sweet treat. With not much open around us, we turned to Google for help and stumbled upon Charlie's Restaurant. What a fantastic surprise! My friend ordered a chocolate pineapple milkshake--a creative blend not listed on the menu. She thought it would be a delightful combination, and she was absolutely right. Meanwhile, I went for the Nachos Supreme, and let me tell you, they are hands down the best nachos I've ever had at 70 years old! The chips were perfectly crisp, topped with homemade refried beans, creamy sour cream, cheese, fresh guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. Each bite was a flavor explosion! The restaurant itself isn't flashy; in fact, it took us a moment to spot the sign, which was partly hidden by a hedge. But stepping inside was a treat! We chose to sit in the charming garden, where a lovely mural added to the ambiance. The dining room is small and rustic, creating a cozy atmosphere that felt inviting. The service was exceptional, with a friendly young couple attending to us. The young man even took the time to sit with us, asking where we were from and sharing tips about nearby treasures. It's refreshing to experience such genuine, old-fashioned customer service these days. I can't recommend Charlie's enough! Their extensive menu is full of tempting options, and the mouthwatering aromas made it hard to resist trying more. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in the area--perhaps for those onion rings next time! The bathroom had a sign on the wall with a picture of a toilet saying please seat yourself If you're in Los Alamos, don't miss out on this hidden gem!

I have now boycotted Charlie's after spending THOUSANDS (literally) over years. We used to eat here…read moreup to three times a week via takeout since we moved here in 2017. That's a lot of years and orders. They got two items completely wrong (I would have NEVER order what was given to me) and the refused to make it right BOTH times. This greasy spoon is nasty burgers (that our kids didn't order, we usually ordered them chicken nuggets and side salads (plus fries) on evenings when the two of us were too tired from work all day to cook. For the best burger in town: Norman's or Plenty on Bell. For Mexican food: we don't really have Mexican food besides Charlie's in town unfortunately and it's not good just waste your money yourself and try or go to the restaurants that the town is known for- not just the restaurant that's been along the longest. Look in their kitchen. Filthy!! This place is worn down. Restaurants to check out: Predite bbq has inexpensive smash burgers and tacos!! Great sodas, and wine and beer available in another part of their yard. Bob's well bread has great huevos rancheros. Norman's has Chilequilles from time to time and fancy tacos. In a town known for its cuisine and beverage go somewhere that you will experience the food in incredible settings, don't go to this old shit hole on the end of town. Really try our delicious farm to table food at literally any other restaurant but Charlie's.

A really interesting place but not super easy to find. You have to go all the way to the back and…read moreit's really just a food truck/trailer but, it's really pretty good. Smasher was great as were the pork tacos. Will definitely go there again

Ok This place is so unique and I highly recommend it. It's hard to describe but there's basically…read morean excellent low key barbecue place that I believe does bbq tacos / burgers some of the time and full BBQ other times... I had the beef tallow tortillas with the brisket and pork and it was fantastic. I also had the buttermilk peach pudding which was excellent as well. I would gladly return to try everything else but let me tell you they do not skimp on portion sizes ! It's really neat that in the same area there's a full wine bar with very friendly, knowledgeable staff to help you make the hard decision of choosing your wine, I believe there's also beer and there's even different areas to sit Depending on the ambience you're looking for. My friend and I sat at a cute little table in the garden next to a greenhouse and it was just so magical. We had local rosé and barbecue tacos- I mean I've never had such a combo it was really neat. I also highly recommend you check out the bodega shop on your way out. There's great local wines as well as extremely beautiful ceramics and other handmade goods. I will definitely go back.

As a local, it is always our date night choice! We also love their Taco Tuesdays when we can make…read moreit! They always cater to my vegan husband and I absolutely LOVE the vibe here! Grateful for it!

Norman at Norman at Skyview gets one thing undeniably right: the setting is stunning. Overlooking…read morethe charming town of Los Alamos and surrounding ranch land, it feels like a true escape and makes for a beautiful lunch backdrop. Unfortunately, the dining experience didn't live up to the property itself. Service was painfully slow, and my dish arrived cooked differently than requested. Beyond that, the food was simply underwhelming and largely forgettable. I'd absolutely return for the property, pool, and views -- just with much lower expectations for the food.

I ordered a chicken burrito and most places aren't very good. The first bite of this one and I was…read morevery impressed. It was not dry and it was full of flavor, perfect spice level. The red salsa that they have outside in the little kiosk area is very good! The wait was a little long, but we had a big group that came in before us, but the food is worth the wait. Finally food that's not boring and is full of flavor.

The whole purpose of us stopping here was to try some street tacos while out of town. Mission…read moreaccomplished. The carne asada and pastor was excellent and I really liked the style of tortilla used as it added a nice flavor. The lady taking the orders outside seemed to be in a bad mood because she was very short with her answers and made zero small talk and did not greet us when we walked up. We were the only customers so it wasn't because she was busy. It felt more like we were a nuisance. I even asked my wife "does she not want us here?" It was Tuesday but the price of 3 tacos was right at 12 dollars. The tacos were great but if I saw her taking orders again I would drive on by.

WOAH! Drop any dinner plans you had an go here! Hidden gem in Mission. I have had a LOT of real…read moreauthentic Mexican food and all very good BUT this place ABSOLUTELY takes the #1 spot! I ordered the Quesa Birra, my dad had the chicken tacos and daughter had the fajita burrito and let me tell you. I'm going to be hard pressed to find a better place, and I don't say that lightly! The cook or I assume owner came to us and made sure everything was perfect. It was beyond perfect and then began to chat with us a bit. He takes his business very seriously. We also learned he has 2 sons serving in both the Marine Corps and Army. Literally I don't think there would be a thing on this menu that would not be 5 stars. Again, I don't say that lightly. His wife also made a strawberries and cream dessert that they brought us and THAT was amazing as well and certainly not something they had to do. This place deserves your business, many times. You will not be Disappointed! Go now, even if you already ate.

Very authentic food!! My wife Latina huge critic and she loves this place!! Highly recommend this.read more

Top tier customer service and some of the best farm to table food in the San Ynez Valley. Very…read morefamily friendly and gorgeous outdoor garden seating too. The wine list was incredible too! They make their own wines under Lumen, and they are solid.

This review covers three visits, the first two were midweek in 2025 and one two weeks ago on a…read moreFriday. It's an interesting setup, as there's a separate space for Pico and a space for Lumen Wines, however we were told that the wine tastings are done in the restaurant. The ambiance is upscale-casual, the service is excellent (thanks Kali for getting my joke and making me laugh on our last visit), and the food is wonderfully delicious. They have main floor seating, a balcony, and a back patio, so request your spot when making a reservation. DRINKS: They have a full bar and the cocktails we've tried were very well made. The wine list is primarily Lumen wines, but there are some other local and old-world wines available, and some alcohol-free cocktails and beer too. On our first visit, we tried a Lumen wine tasting flight consisting of a '21 Chardonnay, a '21 Pinot Noir, and a '21 Grenache, and a couple extra pours, like the Escence orange wine and the "Hey Ginger" Pet Nat (check out my separate review for Lumen Wines). FOOD: We've eaten something on all three visits and everything we've tried has been very good. The menu is seasonal, so it's ever changing. The appetizers/entrées we've tried are the Wedge Salad, Kabocha Salad, Grilled Carrots, Avocado Crudo, Channel Island Squid, Steak Tartare, Pico Burger, and Rabbit Carnitas Tostadas. The food is well-seasoned and prepared as ordered. The kitchen seems to work well with the wait staff to coordinate when courses are delivered, so you're not getting everything at once. Pico is one of our favorite spots in the Los Alamos/Los Olivos/Buellton area and well worth the drive if you're not staying right nearby. I highly recommend you check them out.

We visited in weather-perfect, late October, but a couple months later we still talk about our…read moreweekend getaway to Los Alamos and our stop at Casa Dumetz. Yup, the Yelp reviews and their website paint an accurate picture. Super chill spot with good wines, friendly service, inviting outdoor area and excellent attention to detail. Whenever we return, we'll definitely carve out some time to have a glass or two here again.

The most honest review of Casa Dumetz begins with a warning to AVOID this place at all costs. While…read moreall advertising would suggest this is a friendly, female-focused winery, all staff members our group encountered seemed to be the exact opposite. Our group of 5 all ordered $30 wine tastings where we were not allowed to actually select the wines to taste. When I asked what wines would be included, the server identified several on the menu and unfortunately only half of these ended up being included in the final tasting. As our group began to enjoy our tasting, the staff unexpectedly took our heater away to warm a 2 top table without ever asking our group if we still wanted the heater (we did, it was 50 degrees out). One person in our group brought out a leftover bite of baguette from a previous stop in town and was QUICKLY alerted by the owner with the wag of a finger and note that "they sell food there and she can't bite her own food." The owner waited until my friend put her small bite in her purse before walking away. When checking out, the server told us we'd need to pay via one card only (fine) and proceeded to watch closely as my friend chose her gratuity option (rude). Although we selected a nice 20% tip on the screen prompt, the actual math shook out to a 24% tip without us ever agreeing to it. Short story: - Too expensive - Rude - Performative, white-centric feminism - Not worth visiting when there are so many other great options close by