09/22/09

skip it

by labelreader

Unfortunately, we never got past the front desk. when we arrived, the hostess had her back turned to us talking to her friend on the phone about what she did last night blah blah. ... after five minutes of being forced to listen to her conversation, she got off the phone, never even turned to face us, said "i'll be right back", walked into the back and came back (ten minutes later) to a packed waiting room, where upon she silently stared at me as if I was supposed to say something, so i said "table for two" and she said that will be 25 minutes. f that. we left and went down the street to the bakery w/ excellent cheesy artichoke bread. not the famed soup, but it'll do.

• Pros: everyone says they have great artichoke soup
• Cons: couldn't get past the rude hostess

02/14/07

Best Green Chile Soup You'll Ever Eat

by j53

It's true about walking in the front door and feeling like you've stepped back in time. The "regulars" are there enjoying fun conversation & good food with their friends and the employees have been there for years. The chile soup is great as are the fish entrees and olalliberry pie!! This is a great place for a good meal around sunset, after a long day at the beach just 2 miles away.

• Pros: Fresh fish and excellent pies. Very casual atmosphere.
• Cons: Runny, tasteless mashed potatoes

The small-town setting and all-American cuisine have made this diner a popular road-trip destination for over a century.

by Contributor

In Short
One of Northern California's oldest family-run restaurants, this small Pescadero diner hasn't changed much since its 1894 founding by Frank Duarte. The small wood bar is original as is much of the wood decor. The menu hasn't changed, much either, still featuring traditional diner dishes like burgers, steaks and a daily selection of fresh seafood. The entrees are simply grilled or sauteed, and mashed potatoes are served from an ice cream scooper.

09/06/05

Really good simple food

by dimyep

Everything was good! Sourdough bread was good. Artichoke soop was good. Petrole sole was really good. The mashed potatoes were like my mom's. Even the homemade ollieberry pie was good (i am not a fan of dessert). This is real, simple food prepared really well.

• Pros: food, price, ambiance
• Cons: slight wait

04/09/05

A Wrinkle in Time

by chad_curran

Duarte's is like a throwback to an earlier time. In the center of Pescadero, a tiny town hidden near the beach, Duarte's draws you in with an old fashioned neon sign with a martini glass. Once you're inside, you see that the same people have been working at Duarte's and visiting there for years. They serve you with a genuine warmth that makes you fee like you grew up next door to them. The food is heartwarming - try mixing the artichoke soup and the green chili soup. I didn't grow up with food like this, but somehow it still takes me back home.

• Pros: great food, remote location, family feel
• Cons: long wait time, charm

10/24/02

Amazing artichoke soup

by LisetteMR

The artichoke soup is unique and amazing!!!! Although often crowded Duarte's is a nice small town restaurant with unique food, and pleasant atmoshpere.

• Pros: have take out, small town atmoshpere
• Cons: usually can't reserve