We had a birthday to celebrate and we headed to Hidden Kitchen in Cayucos for brunch.
Hidden Kitchen
Hidden Kitchen in Cayucos is not so hidden. The line is usually out the door. The idea of Hidden Kitchen – which first opened in Cambria – came from a 2018 trip to Sayulita, Mexico. At the Blue Corn Mama Café, owner Amanecer had her first taste of blue corn waffles.
From a 2018 Culture Trip article called 7 Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Sayulita, Mexico,
The vibrant hot-pink building that houses Blue Corn Mama Café is part of the Huichol Center, founded by anthropologist Susana Valadez. The café and adjacent gallery are both non-profit ventures that aim to empower the Huichol community so that indigenous people can coexist with the modern world while preserving their traditions. Besides supporting a worthy cause, patrons will be glad they visited this spot, on account of the scrumptious blueberry pancakes, waffles topped with banana, volcano shaped sopes, and large stuffed quesadillas—all made from home-grown blue corn!
Waiting in line, I had plenty of time to browse the menu and specials. The Hidden Kitchen offers both sweet and savoury blue corn waffles and blue corn tacos (Cayucos location). Also smoothies, coffee, and “boozy drinks.”
We ordered two kinds of waffles to share. Fiscalini Fruit (strawberries, banana, maple syrup, Hidden Kitchen whipped cream, cacao powder, and grass-fed butter) and the special, Stoney Summer (grilled locally-sourced stone fruit, Hidden Kitchen whipped cream, granola, grass-fed butter, honey drizzle, and powdered sugar).
A beautiful sunny day, we found a spot outside to sit. The servings are pretty big and with our smoothies, it made for a fulfilling brunch.
Afterwards, we took a short walk over to the pier. I noted the food truck offering freshly-made churros.
This is not the original pier. Re-opening in 2015, the pier was closed after concerns due to a 2013 storm and was reconstructed. Over $500,000 of private donations from the “Save Cayucos Pier” campaign contributed to the final cost of $3.5 million.
Hidden Kitchen
The Original Hidden Kitchen – 2164 Center Street, Cambria, California | (805) 395-7029
113 North Ocean Avenue, Cayucos, California | (805) 995-7030
website
Visiting Cayucos
Located north of San Luis Obispo, Cayucos is a small town in Central Coast, California. Its name is from the Chumash word for “canoe” or “kayak.” They fished in canoes, “tomolor cayucos.” A 1842 Mexican land grant to Martin Olivera and Vicente Feliz created the Morro y Cayucos Rancho. Another possible way the town got its name.
Cayucos was officially established in 1875 by William Babcock; however, it is James Cass (1824-1917) who gets the credit for its growth. By the time he built the 380-foot-long wharf in 1873, his shipping business was already underway. At that time, ships were bringing lumber and goods to the area while Cayucos provided livestock, hides, and dairy product.
James Cass and his partner then replaced the wharf and extended the pier to 940 feet for ships to dock. The coastal highway and train service disrupted the growth of Cayucos, which was already becoming a tourist town. Still, it remained an active rum-running port during Prohibition.
Just a short drive from Morro Bay, another popular coastal town and surf spot, Cayucos is the “Last of the California Beach Towns.” With local shops, a variety of eateries, and miles of sandy beaches, it is a charming low-key place to visit.
Look for exit 285 off Highway 1 to get onto Cayucos Drive and then take a left on Ocean Front Avenue. Park along this street or find more free parking closer to the pier. The exit coming southbound is North Ocean Avenue which takes you to Cayucos Drive.
