Pete’s Pierside Cafe

Place was not on the correct spot on the map, you will need to go in the furthest pier on the right (facing the sea), was pretty good, crab was cheap and tasty!

Was excited to try after so many positive Unilocal & Foursquare reviews. Sad to say I was majorly disappointed. My mom & I both had shrimp cocktail, & I had shrimp & chips and she had fish taco. The shrimp cocktail had watery shrimp & the cocktail sauce was ketchup with chopped onion, celery & green pepper. No kick either– ick. The shrimp & chips were ok, but too much breading & the shrimp was overcooked. My mom’s fish taco was pretty good she said, but not properly seasoned. We grabbed hot sauce, salt & pepper & lemon. All in all, didn’t live up to reviews.
If you’re looking to something to suffice, Pete’s is your place. If you’re looking for fresh seafood, pass on this place & keep looking!

Oh, no, NO! I take back every bad thing I said about Pete’s sometimes-​shoddy service. The food was great and the location was awesome. I tear out my hair and beat my breast! Not DEVELOPERS!!!
Please God, don’t let them ruin the pier. It’s like my husband just said, «I like the shabbiness and chance to get attacked by a sea lion.»
I totally get it now why their quality slid in the last few months they were in business. The owner knew the lease wouldn’t be renewed so why even try? My heart is broken for another fine establishment.
Note to developers: You better be fricken great! You better not turn the pier into some kind of plastic tourist trap. You will have Unilocal to answer to. I DO NOT want to see a Bubba Gump’s there this summer! (You’re on notice…)

I am so, so, so broken hearted to hear about the closure of this absolute gem.
The trek out to Pete’s, sitting on the pier with hot fish tacos, cold cold beer and a couple of oyster shooters was always a highlight of my PCH trips. This spot will be missed. :(

Nothing like enjoying fresh fish tacos while standing on the pier and watching the most beautiful views anywhere.
If you order the fish tacos, don’t expect cabbage, sauce, etc. You get chunks of fish in a warm corn tortilla. All you need is their excellent salsa from the salsa bar to top it off.
Cold beer, too!

This place is a frickin’ gem.
Delicious food and an AMAZING view. Right on the ocean, on the pier. AWESOME people, AWESOME food, AWESOME salsa bar/​condiment section, AWESOME prices.
Everybody should check this place before it’s gone. Unfortunately it wont be open much longer because of lease issues but that doesn’t effect the FOOD or the EXPERIENCE. Such a great place… it’s most definitely one of my FAVORITES!
AWESOME Sunday oyster buffet dollar special too!!! They cook em’ up right in front of you or you can get em raw!
Romantic, casual, fun! GO!

Pete’s Pierside has always been a favoriate place for great food at reasonable prices. The rustic fishing atmosphere even with pigeons and seagulls flying about make it unique in SLO county.
That said, todays experience left a lot to be desired. Salsa was mostly yellow onions. No balance of flavor with pepers, cilantro and tomatoes. Their fish tacos have always been tasty with ample amounts of fish. This time the meager serving of fish was over cooked, rubbery and without flavor. The cheese enchilada, rice and beans were nicely served on a hot ceramic plate. The Corona was served in a can.
To acompany the reduced food quality was what seemed to me a 50% increase in price for beer and food. I sure hope they return to the old tradition that Pete’s once had. Until then, we we will have to pass on Pete’s.

I hadn’t been to Pete’s in nearly a year and I had never tried the breakfast burritos that they showcase on Facebook. But my husband and I decided to celebrate «Friday» this week by stopping by for breakfast. We chose the Shrimp Breakfast Burrito because it sounded so unique.
Let me just say that this is currently my absolutely favorite breakfast burrito ever. It was packed full of perfectly grilled, perfectly spicy shrimp. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and tasty. The potatoes were crispy and the salsa was fresh and delicious. This breakfast burrito hit it on all levels — spicy, savory, creamy, warm and cool (salsa). And, of course, we enjoyed it on a beautiful sunny morning with the sea lions barking in the water below us.
I think we will be making this a regular Friday treat.

The good: I love their fish tacos!
The Bad: Prices have increased and it feels like they are skimping to just make a buck off the tourists.
Recent experience: Ordered the steamed mussels and some were not open. Let them know and he said they would fix it. He brought them back in some oily, soy sauce, panfried state that ended up leaving us disappointed. Kind of made me nervous as the mussells still wern’t open, a sign they weren’t fresh or good.

Fish tacos and Tuna Salad — I would get them again (and will get them again when I come back).
My Dad’s a commercial fisherman based out of Avila Beach but I’ve never actually eaten at Pete’s before. My husband and I went out with my mom and dad to meet a some family friends on a nice sunny Sunday afternoon for lunch.
The pier wasn’t too crazy but the parking lot down by the restaurant can be hit or miss — if they’re full you can wait to see if anyone comes out but if not, you’re going to have to do an Austin Powers 16 pt turn and go all the way back to the main lot on dry land. We had to do that this time — bleh.
Ahi tataki salad is delish — fish and greens were fresh. I could have used more dressing but regardless, a great salad on a hot day. I also like the fish tacos. I know alot of Unilocalers aren’t into the bigger chunks of fish but I didn’t have an issue. Tasty, well cooked and well seasoned.
There’s plenty of seating (it’s all outdoors) but on a hot day, you’re going to have to camp out for a shady spot — otherwise, bring your hat or sunscreen b/​c you’re going to be in direct sunlight for the entirety of your meal.
Dogs are welcomed by the way and this place is good for groups (they do have large tables).

Quality probably depends a lot on how good and fresh the catch is, but we had some great one-​dollar oysters and a very reasonably priced beer. I don’t understand why the wine costs twice as much as the beer despite being sub-​par quality, but my date got some anyway. Some cover band music while the sun set really rounded out the experience.
Much more interesting is the sea lion landing right behind the neighboring ice cream shop. Those guys are huge, loud, and mean, so don’t get too close, but it’s amazing watch them fighting from halfway down the stairs.
For some reason Unilocal has this as being in town, but it’s actually on the Harford pier at the end of the road. I tried to update it but they rejected my changes.

For the sun kissed beachcomber in search of solid seafood, decent prices, and gorgeous ocean views, Pete’s will not disappoint. Unilocaler’s don’t lie — this place is amazing!
My friends and I couldn’t resist ordering a fish bonanza; we tried the fish tacos, shrimp tacos, clam and chips, and ahi taco salad. Oohs and aahs ensued. Excellent flavors complimented by an excellent fresh salsa bar and some of the best tartar sauce I’ve had in awhile, nothing overly fried, and served on a pier overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches in Avila. I’ll say it again: Pete’s. Will. Not. Disappoint!
Five stars and I’m telling everyone I know.

Park your car in the free parking lot at the harbor and walk out the pier to Pete’s. The regular menu’s above the order window and specials are posted on laminated paper to either side.
We had fish tacos for $ 4.50 each. Pricey but came with big chunks of nicely grilled mahi mahi on soft corn tortilla. You add your own toppings — red cabbage, chopped cilantro, fresh salsa, red sauce — from the condiments to the side of the order window. Good regular (not fruity) brewed iced-​tea. Refill for a large was 50 cents.
All tables are outside, either on the covered patio or along the side of the building. I recommend the latter because you’re right at the edge of the pier with a great view of the coastline and anchored boats in the harbor. We also watched diving grebes and 2 sea lions playing below us.
Gulls and pigeons wait to snatch any wayward food so protect your meal. Afterwards you may want to check out the landing at the far end below the pier. Look for stairs. Harbor seals haul out on the landing and you can see them close-​up.

I liked it. Totally dug the environment, on an old pier in a secluded part of town. Desolated bliss. The food was good, loved the freshness of the seafood. Casual, wooden tables on the pier, sea lions everywhere, easy parking. Perfect

I am horrified to be giving this place only two stars as it used to be hands down the best place to eat in all of California. I mean for YEARS we have been coming here for fresh seafood, crab, and fish and chips for cheap. The food was always AMAZING and inexpensive. We thought we had a gem and then the new owners took over. The menu seemed to change slightly, the place was updated but the food has gone down hill fast. It just was not good. It pains me to say that I am very doubtful we will ever return.
Why do people change something that is not broken. Should have left well enough alone. I am sure I am not the only disappointed ex-​regular. So sad.

5 stars for being dog friendly. Pete’s never lets me down. Their clam chowder is killer! Fish and chips are yummy! I have also tried their burritos, which are huge and delish! I think Pete’s tastes the best after a hike in Avila, beach exploration, or jogging on the dog beach! This place is casual and relaxing. You order your food, then enjoy it as you overlook the ocean. The good life!

The worst feeling in the world is looking around at your friends’ plates and immediately regretting what you ordered.
You see, if Pete’s had had a SINGLE coherent menu, I might not have been overcome with such regret. Alas, there are about four or five menus (perhaps even more), scattered around the walls of the shack: one main one that probably never changes, two specials menus, and one alcoholic beverage menu. I was so overwhelmed with their menu, but that’s completely my fault. I have a hard time deciding what I want when someone throws dozens of delicious options at me. So I ordered a basket of squid & chips assuming I was going to get a few little fried squid guys (legs and all). But to much dismay, they were factory pressed squid sticks fried in a seasoned batter. WHY, OH WHY WOULD I ORDER SQUID STICKS AT A FRESH SEAFOOD SHACK!!! Biggest «d’oh!» moment, ever.
As I look around at everyone’s fresh swordfish tacos and octopus ceviche (which had the little squid/​octopus guys I thought were going to get fried up in my squid & chips basket, btw), I question my reasoning for ordering the squid & chips. Luckily, I also ordered oyster shooters and a bread bowl of clam chowder, so I had some substance in my stomach besides those god awful squid sticks.
Reviews of what I ate:
Squid & Chips: See above. French fries were a bit too soggy. Take into consideration I usually like soggy fries. Do not order this item!
Clam Chowder Bread Bowl: The bread was not sourdough. And if it was, there wasn’t any sourness to it whatsoever. They grill the soft underbelly of the piece of bread that they cut out, which gave for some good texture when dipping into the chowder. The chowder itself had a fantastic flavor, although it could’ve been a little creamier and not as watery. It could’ve used a little more clams in it as well.
Oyster Shooters: FRESH! FRESH! FRESH! Huge.
My boyfriend’s swordfish taco: DELICIOUS! Perfectly cooked, fresh, flavorful. They also have an open salsa bar so you can add whatever you want to your tacos.
LESSON LEARNED: You can’t go wrong when you order from their specials menus. The fresh seafood is what makes this shack a gem, so don’t go for their fried foods. I also saw a man order a bucket of crabs and just poured them onto his table. Where was this bucket-​o-​crabs on the menu? Look around before ordering so you don’t make the same mistake I did. Also, don’t wear high heels. We came here on a whim and my boots had little heels that could’ve slipped through the cracks on the dock. I’ve never felt so stupid in my life.
Although I didn’t have a great experience this time, I know I’ll make the right decisions in the future; flat shoes and all.
–1 star for a confusing menu

Pete’s Pierside fish taco and clam steamers are the local’s best kept secrets here. This is one of those unassuming, unpretentious walk-​up «taco stand» that serves up fresh, honest, and delicious seafood burritos, tacos, fish ‘n chips and one hella good clam steamers.
I’m almost hesitant to write the review for Pete’s on Unilocal because my selfish self wants to keep this a secret but alas, for the Unilocalmankind, I must share this discovery.
Again, I would recommend any of their fish tacos, and the clam steamers – and the price! Ok, I’ll stop now.

When my family and I first walked up to Pete’s Pierside Café, I have to admit… I was skeptical– I hoped the food would be ok and be the «fuel» to keep us going for the rest of the afternoon. Thankfully, my lunch was better than my expectations. I kept it simple, ordered a bean and cheese burrito– it was more than decent– the burrito was hot, the beans were tasty, filled with the just the right amount of cheese. My husband had the fish tacos and he thought they were excellent… they didn’t look like much, honestly, but he said that the fish was super fresh as well as being prepared and seasoned well. My daughter got her standard, a chicken quesadilla and had no complaints.
The seating area was messy-​ish but not awful and the high windows protected form the wind.
It can get quite packed and busy, which is how we once ended up at Olde Port Inn (ugh… horrible) down at the end of the pier.

Went back today and tried the fish & chips. I’m still looking for someone that can beat Hoagies. I figured with rock cod it would be awesome. The fish was coated in a corn meal-​like batter. I happen to prefer the tempura batter on cod & such because the fish cooks a lot more even. I have to say the fried fish needs some work. However, the fries were the best on the Central Coast! I was looking closely at them thinking, «Are those red potatoes?». I tried a couple and I instantly fell in love! They definitely were fries fresh cut from red potatoes! My favorite!
Beware of the pigeons, though.