Day Trip to Pacifica: Just for the Fries?
Okay, I know this isn't in the capital area, but you really ought to know about it. Just in case you're one of those crazy "I must surf, no matter the water temperature" type of people, then you might as well plan a delicious hot lunch for afterwards. Or, if you know one of those people but you wouldn't be caught in subzero surf even with a wetsuit, then you should keep Nona's Kitchen in Pacifica in mind.
My sister-in-law and her husband moved there recently, and being those crazy surf types, they know where to find good, hot, post-surfing food. While we weren't plunging in the icy depths ourselves last Monday, we stopped by to have a little lunch. In the same small shopping center as Norcal Surf Shop, Nona's might be easy to miss. It's got a colorfully painted exterior, but you'd never guess by looking at it that the food inside is top-rate.
There were no less than twelve specials on the chalkboard by the counter and maybe eight tables. The waiter immediately brought a plate of steaming hot biscuits with honey butter, which were easily some of the best I've had in California. With three adults and two toddlers (and frozen toes), we ordered a bowl of French onion soup ($5); a mixed green salad with Gorgonzola, walnuts, and apples ($7); a spicy pork sandwich ($8); and a 10-oz., all-natural beef burger with fries ($8).
The salad was perfectly dressed and fairly large. Shredded pork filled out a hamburger bun for the sandwich, topped with a slice of cheese and accompanied by some fine coleslaw (not too acidic). It was plenty spicy and greasy and delicious. I needed lots of napkins just to avoid smearing the tasty, oily yumminess all over. I didn't taste the burger, but all reports were positive, and the fries it came with were quite simply fantastic. They were crisp, lightly salted and sprinkled with parsley, and a hearty 1/2 inch thick. Even better, they stayed warm and delicious throughout the whole lunch, instead of turning into limp potato worms. The French onion soup was also fantastic, with rich beefy broth, plenty of onions, and a thick crust of bread and Gruyere cheese broiled on top.
For dessert (we could hardly skip that, could we?), we ordered their "award-winning" apple pie ($4) and butterscotch pudding ($4). There were three or four other choices that day, including cheesecake, brownie sundae, and peach cobbler. But we have a thing for pies, so we got that one. It came hot with vanilla ice cream and real whipped cream. Now, I'm a bit picky when it comes to pie crust, and this one was okay, but not great. The filling, however, was chunky and flavorful and was probably better when it was first made. I think it's unlikely it was fresh at Monday lunch. The pudding, sadly, was far too gelatinous. Good flavor, but it was almost like eating butterscotch rubber.
Nevertheless, the lunch overall was really satisfying and surprisingly good for such a small place. I would go back for the fries alone, but another spicy pork sandwich wouldn't be remiss. They're open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Just be aware that they've posted a sign stating, "All unsupervised children will be given sugar and a puppy." Let that be a warning.
Nona's Kitchen
5450 Coast Highway
Pacifica
650-557-1455