Thanks for the input all, much appreciated! Off we go
The Habit without chili simply isn’t The Habit. That’s crazy. Excuse me but what exactly the fuck were they thinking?
Make reservations, though. It was always a popular spot, but ever since the movie Sideways it’s become almost impossible to get in there, even on a weeknight, unless you show up right at opening. (They have a wine tasting starting at 4.00p at the bar before the kitchen opens for business at 5.00. And yes, the wine is fantastic, especially the Cork Dancer.) Or you might try the original The Hitching Post in Casmalia. Just…stay…out…of…Solvang.
I’m thankful for answers too; I was planning to make a pilgramage up to San Francisco in a couple weeks over an extende weekend, but work has now precluded that so it’s just going to be a day trip or an overnighter on a short weekend hop up the US Hwy 1.
Stranger
Hey, if you’re interested in doing something besides eating (and especially if you’re going through Solvang), I would recommend a quick side trip over to Nojoqui Falls. It is probably down to a trickle right now but it really is beautiful, you can walk there in about 5 minutes, and it is just outside of Solvang.
As far as eating goes, my favorite taqueria on the central coast is La Roca on H Street in Lompoc. It is right next to the Baskin Robbins and the tattoo shop. If you don’t really, really love tacos than it isn’t much of a reason to detour through Lompoc - unless of course military and prison towns are your thing.