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    The Kitchen at the Mission

    4.2 (450 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Kitchen at the Mission Photos

    THE KITCHEN AT THE MISSION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Upscale
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Kitchen at the Mission

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    Menu
    Victoria S.

    First time visiting, it's a great place to stop while driving between North/South CA & they also have Tesla charging stations. The food was fantastic, the server was great, very accommodating & attentive, constantly refilling our drinks. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was spacious with lots of indoor & outdoor seating with many gluten free options, including gluten free pizza & pasta.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I LOVED the GF Brick Oven Pasta Rustica (Penne pasta with chicken, shrimp, bacon, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, basil & garlic tomato cream sauce). It came with a salad & I upgraded to the Gorgonzola Spinach Salad, which came with mangos, mandarin oranges, strawberries, grapes, pine nuts & raspberry vinaigrette. My daughter LOVED the Margherita Pizza & my husband enjoyed the California Steak Sandwich (Fire-grilled NY steak on garlic butter grilled French roll, tomatoes, red onion & romaine lettuce) he added grilled onions & mushrooms. Everything was so delicious, we ate ALL our food!! I highly recommend this place & we will definitely return the next time we're traveling up north. It's located in Hotel Mission De Oro, you can park to the left of the hotel & enter through the garden area, follow signs that point to the restaurant.

    Waiyi C.

    We stopped here for breakfast on our way from the Bay Area to Los Angeles while charging our car. When we arrived, we realized it's a restaurant inside a hotel. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The outdoor area was lovely, and the indoor space was decent as well.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Unfortunately, the service was quite slow--likely because there were only two servers handling both the dining area and room service. It was hard to find anyone when we needed help. The food was pretty average. One thing worth mentioning is that the water had a strange taste. My child noticed it right away after just one sip. Because of the water quality, the coffee didn't taste good either.

    Brussels Sprouts
    Betsy M.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]What a wonderful meal we had with our pups on the patio, while staying overnight at the hotel.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Two weeks on the road and likely the most proper meal we had in awhile. Our server was very attentive along worth the other staff taking care of us, they brought out some cold water for our pups which scored them points right off the bat. We ordered the Brussels Sprouts appetizer which was delicious. My husband had the seafood pasta and I did the apple/walnut salad. My salad was so fresh and delicious, my husband ate every morsel of his pasta. The bread they brought was really good, particularly the pumpernickel rolls. Our girls got some chicken off the doggy menu which they devoured in a minute or less. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This restaurant must be pretty popular, as we saw lots of folks arriving after we were seated.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] GREAT meal all around!

    Haley B.

    Stopped by to simply charge the Tesla but ran into a little gem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The mission in is beautiful!! Walking around the place makes you go, why on earth is this place located here! You would never have known otherwise. They have beautiful gardens and greenhouses on site.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]While the car was charging we grabbed breakfast and sat outside on the patio.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was delicious and employees were super friendly! Would for sure stop by again!

    Cadillac margarita
    Myagi J.

    The first time I came get I absolutely loved it - and had a great time with my fiancé. The service is good. The server a charming lady. Last time the burger was much better and to my surprise it comes with Gorgonzola unless otherwise requested which feels like something out of an old twilight movie. I didn't catch this and regret it - next time I'll just get the steak. I wouldn't call it Wagyu either. But the drinks helped wash it down.

    Roasted cauliflower.
    Christie Lynn D.

    Jaikob was our server. The meal delish; the service was amazing. First time here. So glad we decided to chance it and give the place a try. Definitely will be back. The calamari, walnut apple salad, and roasted cauliflower just so scrumptious. :) [[HIGHLIGHT]]the ambiance was so chill and pretty.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Grilled romaine salad
    Lisa N.

    Traveling on the 5 yesterday and we did not want fast food. Searched and found @kitchenatthemission and I am glad we stopped! Everything was tasty! We got two salads and the locally made pumpkin cheesecake. The chicken wonton soup was delicious ! We are definitely returning when in the area. Great place to stretch your legs and look at the gardens Our server Maritza was so friendly

    Anca D.

    We were on our way to Carmel and stopped to charge our electric car, not expecting to find anything memorable but right next door was The Kitchen at The Mission, and what a hidden gem it turned out to be. The setting is absolutely beautiful. It's in a lovely location that feels like a peaceful escape, even if you're just passing through. The food was amazing every dish was full of flavor and clearly made with care. What started as a quick charging stop turned into one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommend stopping here, especially if you're charging nearby. You won't regret it!

    Juliana P.

    [[HIGHLIGHT]]Beautiful decor, the restaurant looked like a mission.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Food was amazing, everything was delicious and reasonably priced. Had the French toast, breakfast burrito, and steak/mushroom omelette. Service was fantastic as well.

    Denise S.

    We had lunch here while we charged our Tesla at the Supercharger. Nice atmosphere with friendly staff. The best dish we had was the French Onion soup. Delicious and oh so satisfying! I could have just eaten that, but I also had the yummy crab cakes. We also tried their recommended steak sandwich and it was just ok. Next time we will try the French Dip.

    Hot link sausages - Father's Day BBQ buffet
    Leslie Q.

    This review is going to be a three-parter! Located right off HWY 33, The Kitchen at the Mission is a hidden-in-plain-sight gem. They're a bit fancier for a truck stop hotel restaurant, so the SO and I tend to treat our visits here as a special occasion. The inside is warmly lit and reminds me of a classier Olive Garden. Classic jazz/swing plays throughout the speakers. There's a bar/lounge through a door and you can see a part of the kitchen upon entrance. Dinner - 4/5 stars Highlights: - Tomahawk steak, while pricy, is so good! We love the roasted whole garlic and accoutrement it comes with. - Bruschetta is a must-order for us. Notes: - You can request to take the tomahawk bone home lol Sunday Brunch Buffet - 3/5 stars Highlights: - Felt classier than your typical buffet with spaced out buffet stations. - Service was amazing as usual! Shouts to Maritza who served us and was so nice and kind throughout. - Prime rib was pretty good! - Crab legs, although not my personal favorite (too much work), are included in the buffet Notes: - Price at the time of review is around $42 per person. This does NOT include drinks (coffee, oj, etc.), which are an additional $4. - For the price, I wouldn't return to the brunch. I wasn't personally interested in at least 3-4 of the offerings so it already loses value. Special Father's Day BBQ Buffet - 4/5 stars Highlights: - Same layout as the Sunday brunch buffet, but with more BBQ items - St. Louis ribs, tri-tip, and brisket were really good for buffet food. Same for the mac n cheese. Notes: - Price at the time of review is $46 per person (NOT including drinks) - This was a nice one-time thing. - Definitely recommend calling ahead of time to make reservations. Because it was only for Father's Day, there were a lot of people. Overall a really great place for date night. Will be back for dinner some time soon!

    Pork Chop Meal
    Chuck M.

    Another nice meal at The Kitchen. The food was solid and the service excellent. The price point is a little high, but you get a quality meal that makes it worth it. We started the meal with some deep fried asparagus and calamari. It was a good start. My friend had the pork chop meal and he said it was excellent. My wife had the chicken piccata, she said it was alright, but didn't care for the breading. My friend's wife had a dirty martini, dinner salad and the Tomato Bisque soup and enjoyed it. I had the Santa Maria Tri-Tip Sandwich. It was on a fresh Dutch Crunch roll...Yummmm. The caramelized onions and mushrooms really allowed the sandwich to pop. The ambiance is beautiful and a big selling point. We finished off the meal with some ice cream and a molten lava cake also topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was a nice evening.

    Menu November 2025
    Nico C.

    Sold food and good waitstaff - makes charging at the nearby Tesla and Rivian chargers a breeze. Prices are reasonable, bathrooms are super clean, as is the dining room. Very comfortable place to spend 45 min while charging and getting a solid meal.

    Fish and chips

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    12 days ago

    What a gem! Amazing patio, live music, and buffet. Also very dog friendly! Worth to stop over. Tesla charger within walking distance.

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    Page 1 of 12

    Ask the Community - The Kitchen at the Mission

    Is there live music?

    Sometimes on weekends check their Facebook account for future dates

    My partner is EXTREMELY allergic to gluten - she has Celiac's and even a knife or cutter used on a gluten item and then used on a Gluten-Free food item will make her very sick. Is there a dedicated GF menu and/or cooking station?

    Food presentation looks similar to those that were found at LB steakhouse. Is this the same chef that worked that restaurant?

    Hello yes we have a few new chefs on board and he is one of them

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I can't even tell you the last time I was here. It has to be over 10 years or so. Of course it's a…read moremajor stop for people who know about it. The other location in Buellton closed a while ago so I think this maybe the only one left. Could be the original but I'm not sure. Just off the 5 heading north. We stopped by for a quick bite before heading back on the road. Mid week which wasn't that busy. It's been so long ago that I didn't remember what the inside looked like. As we had our little pup with us, they were able to accommodate us. There's three entrance from the front area. Main being the one that leads you to the restaurant. Another is from the gift shop side and we also noticed people coming in from the side of the bar. One side is the restaurant which we looked at but ended up at the bar section. Which happened to be happy hour happening. Didn't know they had that to offer. Bar area was pretty quiet when we were there but it did pick up. There's also patio seating right outside there. Main menu pretty much has as everything but we just opted for some happy hour bites for now. Drink special was offered both for draft and bottle as well as cocktails and wine. Food menu, they were limited on that but the usual were offered. Both cup or bowl of the famous soup was available. Half order of the potatoes skin, onion rings and wings were available as well as the quesadillas. Soup was decent but could have been hotter. Onion rings, and the wings were ok. Good nothing major to rave about. Both served with ranch sauce. I also picked up some dessert from the counter which looked great. Happy hour items were decent for the price. The service for the whole place was great. All The staff and waitress were very friendly and helpful. Our waitress who was also the bartender was a major doll. She was very sweet. As well as all the ladies on the restaurant side. Very accommodating to us. Overall, it was a cute stop off for a quick bite. Cute gift shop that's worth a wandering around. Plenty of parking available.

    I have always wanted to stop by Pea Soup Andersen's. It is iconic driving down the I-5 with its…read morewindmill towering over the surrounding landscape. Outside there is a photo op and the building looks really cool. Inside, you can find all things Danish. However, I was sad to find the shop was so much smaller than the pictures on Yelp show. Everything is connected inside - the shop, bakery, restaurant, bar, and restrooms. The restaurant is huge and there's also an eating area at the bar and a back patio, although it was dusty and cramped and I don't think many people use the patio seating. They are dog friendly and the bartender allowed us to sit in a corner of the bar with our two dogs for our dinner. We also were able to walk them around inside the shop. Split Pea Soup 3.5/5* The soup itself is boring. There's a grainy texture, good flavor, but blah. You definitely need to order the toppings to go with it, which is a weird combination of stuff that somehow makes the soup so much better. You get cheese, sliced ham, bacon, scallions, and croutons but the crunchy green onions and bacon are what makes the soup pop. It feels like eating a healthier version of chili. Country Fried Steak 2/5* Not your typical country fried steak. The batter on this is thin and isn't very textured with crunchy edges. It was like a sad limp piece of fried patty. The steak had good seasoning but the batter really did it no justice. Hashbrowns were average. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and English Muffin was perfectly toasted. I do like that they give you a whopping amount of whipped butter for your toast! The bakery had some good looking pastries. The whole experience reminded me of a piece of Solvang. Great rest stop for something different. Plus, the bathrooms are huge and clean.

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    Wool Growers Restaurant

    Wool Growers Restaurant

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    Probably one of my favorite places to stop by when driving between Northern and Southern…read moreCalifornia. Being able to enjoy a full meal without completely extortionary prices is a rarity in today's world - and quite frankly if you want to get it in California, you probably need to get it driving up and down I-5. Not sure where else you can do it. The set menu is pretty simple. You pick your entree, say what side dishes you want, and they're off to the races with a full-course meal for you by providing family-style sides - namely salad, a lamb soup (fantastic!), baked beans, even a quick easy dessert at the end. Also, a house wine, which I honestly can't judge in terms of quality, but it certainly isn't /bad/ (ie, it's drinkable). As for my review, the main entrees I've had have generally been decent. I've had the tri-tip and the lamb chop and they both have come out decently seasoned, decently cooked. My thoughts on the side dishes: 1. The lamb soup is definitely the best. It's super flavorful, super tender, the meat really falls apart in your mouth. Honestly, the lamb soup might even be better than the actual lamb entrees. 2. The vegetable soup is basically just fine. It's nice and hearty, but honestly not super memorable (in either direction). 3. The salad is probably my least favorite entree simply because it always has too much dressing and is a bit too "rich" for my liking. I've actually found that it tastes pretty good though if you eat it on top of the bread. 4. Baked beans - basically hearty and good with the generous parmesan cheese they put over it. I'm a fan. My actual certified Gamer Pro-Tip is to toss tabasco sauce into it - it definitely balances out the parmesan better. 5. Potato salad - I don't actually think too memorable besides being adequate. Definitely filling. Anyways, the amount of food and diversity of dishes you get is crazy - and it's remarkably rare to see this kind of cuisine at this price point. Finally, there's honestly just not a lot of competition in the "places to eat driving up and down between Los Angeles and the Bay Area." If I had to think of any changes, I really just think they need slightly less dressing on the salad! No complaints otherwise!

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    The vegetable soup
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    Black Bear Diner Los Banos

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    Black Bear Diner Los Banos
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    The Kitchen at the Mission - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026

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