If you want to experience the best of what the "Salad Bowl of the World", the Salinas Valley has to offer then I would suggest a night out at Hullaballoo.
We were on our way up from San Diego when we visited Steinbeck Country and discovered this gem right in the heart of Oldtown Salinas. Hullaballoo is the kind of restaurant that keeps people from thinking they have to go all the way to Carmel or Monterey for decent dining.
Try the Mauie Wowie Onion Rings with Chinatown sweet and Sour Sauce, or the Watsonville Artichoke and Roasted Garlic Fondue, or the I Love Spinach Salad, the Root Beer and Molasses Marinated Skirt Steak, or the Cider Glazed & Pancetta Wrapped Pork Tenderloin.
It's all awesome.
Other people in our party had the Hullaballoo Burger, the burger by which others are measured. I know 100% ground chuck when I taste it. I started to think of the TV ad where they take the beer OUT of a restaurant that charges $10 for a burger. BETTER Beer makers would be bringing IN their beers for THIS $12 burger! Simply incredible.
Look online, the menu is fabulous. And then, ask for Robert and Cristina. The owners actually are there every shift they say, and they greeted us very warmly.
We even met the Mayor of Salinas there!
Our Hullaballoo experience was a breath of fresh air.
Pros: Fabulous dining and service. Looks like great banquet facilities as well.
Cons: Nobody outside of Salinas knows about the best restaurant in town.
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