Splash Café Downtown SLO

I’m not foreign to splash café as I always hit up this place for some clam chowder or fish tacos when I’m in the area. I usually go to the one in Pismo beach however. Because it was fathers day weekend we decided to go to this place instead. It wasn’t packed at all and there is plenty of seating in and out doors. The food is great as always and price is about fair.

3.5 stars.
Clam chowder in a bread bowl? I love me some Boudin’s (SF), so I’m in! I guess Splash Café is the SLO equivalent of SF’s Boudin’s?
We had originally planned to go to the Pismo Beach, but the line at that location is RIDICULOUS. So we stopped by the DT SLO location the next day — no line! We ordered:
Clam chowder bread bowl — The chowder was very thick and creamy, plenty of clams and potatoes. However it was quite salty! I like my food on the saltier side, but wow. The bread wasn’t sourdough, so less crunchy. But they toast the pieces they carve out with butter, great for dipping. I like the chowder from Boudin’s and Hog Island much better.
Fish and chips — They give you curly fries (unseasoned ones though)! The fish was maybe a tadddd overcooked, but the coating was delicious.
1lb clams/​mussels — Since it’s 1lb including the shells, you don’t get too much food but that’s expected. My friend ordered this so I’m not sure what flavor combo he chose, but it was tasty. You could really taste the clams in the broth, so you know that they’re using the broth that they cooked the shellfish in.
Seating is limited and the tables are small — imagine 4 adults huddles around one tiny table full of food =/​
While I am glad to have tried Splash Café, I definitely would not have been mad if we didn’t get a chance to try it.

Splash Café is pretty good. Although it may be a long wait for food, (even when there is no line) it’s worth it after you get it. The chowder if filling, and delicious, and there really is no line. The bathrooms are decent and there’s nice seating inside and out. The bread bowl is big, but tasty. You could also get the regular cup of chowder, which is just as great, too. It’s creamy and has lots of clams in there.
If you haven’t gone to Splash Café, I recommend you come here.

Review on clam chowder only — because that’s the only thing I got!
Went to splash solely because of the clam chowder, and it did not disappoint! I ordered a pint with seafood topping, which comes with a lot of crab meat. I like the chowder — it was creamy, loaded with clams and potato. It’s best to eat with the sourdough toast.
I love how you can buy their frozen clam chowder to go! Can’t wait to try that at home!

I wasn’t impressed as much as I thought I should have been with the Chowder I’ve heard so much about but during the farmers market they have mini bread bowls for cheap and it’s pretty awesome! The employees working the booth we’re also very nice.

Splash café is the place to go when you crave a hearty bread bowl of clam chowder. To be honest I’m not the biggest fan of chowder in the first place but this place has got it spot on. It’s a tad bit too salty for my taste, but still delicious nonetheless. There are also a good amount of clam chunks in there so it’s definitely worth it to me!

My boyfriend and I stopped here while visiting town, and were pleasantly surprised! Don’t let this order at the counter restaurant fool you: they make the best clam chowder we’ve ever had, and their fish tacos are seriously good. I would definitely come eat here again next time I visit.

So driving back to Los Angeles from the bay, my girlfriend wanted to stop by Splash Café. I’ve never been or heard of this place before, but she suggested that we stop.
I will say, it was well worth the stop. Very nice establishment inside, very welcoming. We got there, they have a simple menu, nothing to crazy or out of the ordinary. But what will catch your attention is their «award winning clam chowder». Now it is hard to find restaurants with even decent clam chowder; this was different. I will say their clam chowder was for sure award winning. Not too heavy, and flavorful especially with the seafood topping (shredded lobster). Only a few places have great chowder and they are both either in Seattle or San Francisco.
Along with the chowder bowl, we also got the shrimp tacos, baja style. I will say they were good and had flavor, but nothing off the top that would bring me back again. I am sure they are not worried because if I’m ever back in the area, I will stop by again for some clam chowder.

I’m a frequent customer for the crab melt, clam chowder, and steamed clams (comes with two slices of toasted bread). They haven’t failed me, yet. Awesome little place!
There’s indoor seating, but the interior is very small. I dislike how the bathroom is right next to the window seats… so I see more people sitting outside!
Other than that, great place for a quick snack!

Great place to eat for lunch. They always have really good deals on there lunch specials. Tues special was 4 tacos with a drink or a beer for $ 6 and change. Much easier to get in and out of then the one in Pismo. This new location is great in SLO. Will definitely be back.

Splash Café. Overrated. Typical tourist trap that boats its clam chowder, which really isn’t that spectacular. Workers here are never notably friendly or seem happy to be at work.
HOWEVER. go to their Farmer’s Market booth on Thursday evenings and get the CHILI VERDE NACHOS. You can only get them here, which is a mistake because they are SO GOOD. Probably the best homemade tortilla chips ever.

Very tasty clam chowder in a bread bowl! Fries so so. Great spot to sit outside near the Starbucks & bookstore.

Pretty good — clam chowder was great, fish was tasty, fries well seasoned. Atmosphere wasn’t anything special but food was good. Service a bit slow — had to wait a long time for ketchup and had to request tarter sauce for our fish after it came.

The clam chowder is certainly among the best I’ve tasted. I’m from the north-east…I’ve had some great chowder. It was disappointing, though, to have paid for seafood topping and to find it missing when I got home… that’s a point lost. The mussels were good… tasty broth. All in all, a decent experience and the lass who helped us at the counter was super nice. I’d go back :)

I don’t know why I keep going back… I ordered a bacon burrito NO potatoes… on the wrap it said NO potatoes… what did I get? POTATOES IN MY BURRITO!!! I really don’t know what’s going on.

I used to go to the original location almost every weekend when visiting my Dad. This was my first time at this Downtown SLO location, and I have to say, go to the original if you want clam chowder. The chowder at this location is very, very thick, and lacked their «signature» taste. It’s hard to describe. but I’ll tell you this: When I participate at the clam chowder tastings at the festival in Pismo Beach, I know exactly which sample is from Splash.
The rest of my party had clams and fish and chips. They very much enjoyed them, especially the clams in a tomato sauce.
The one thing I do like about this location is that it has space. You’ll most likely find a table.

If you’re trying to avoid the never ending line and overcrowded atmosphere of the Pismo location, COME HERE! Quick service, and it’s much cleaner.
Clam chowder in a bread bowl w/​the seafood topping never gets old. Honest opinion — better than any San Francisco or Monterey clam chowder! Definitely a must when you go to ANY Splash location!

You know, once your life becomes a scene straight out of Family Guy, you’re rather hard-​pressed to re-​evaluate your life choices.
My friends and I had just finished a weekend in Paso Robles, having drank half the city dry. Seeing as we had been liquid dieting for the past 24 hours or so, we were all feeling rather famished. Upon recommendation, we all decided to hit-​up Splash on our way home for breakfast. Due to bad group communication/​karma from misdeeds I’ve committed in my life, my friends ended up at the Monterey St. location and I here. And I decided to stay.
One Fried Splash Cod Sandwich and a few hours later, this is literally me:
Which character do I relate to the most, you ask? Probably Stewey, who’s clutching himself pitifully and begging for it all to stop.
Mind you — I am *nearly* a human trashcan. I can eat and digest anything. I have been through the streets of Asia eating questionable street food with no issue.
So thank you, Splash, for giving me the quickest bout of food poisoning I’ve ever had! I really appreciated being incapacitated for four days in bed and over my sink. And hey, you even helped me lose three pounds.
**Highly recommended for those in need of the best crash diet ever**

Service was efficient and friendly. But the food is not as good as the one in Pismo Beach. I was disappointed with my clam chowder– too watery and hardly any clams! Someone didn’t follow the recipe!
May not go back to this place in SLO. Too many better eateries around the area.

Went here for fish n chips. Never again. Frozen fish, tough, stringy. Great price, very poor product. Fries were good.

When I’m thinking of breakfast options downtown, Splash usually doesn’t appear in my list… At least until now.
The breakfast sandwich was excellent, and per the cashier’s suggestion, I added ham and avocado which was the best suggestion ever. Super delicious, and on a wonderfully soft, flaky croissant to boot. I don’t know who you are, mystery cashier girl, but two thumbs up!
Tater tot hash browns? A must. Satisfyingly crunchy, yet perfectly fried, won’t make your gums bleed, salted potatoey goodness!

I like this location better than the one on Monterey only because there seems to be more parking in the vicinity, it always appears less crowded and it feels a bit larger than the one on Monterey.
With that being said, the food appears to be all the same good stuff! I usually just get the clam chowder bread bowl with the seafood (crab & shrimp) topping and bacon topping. The seafood topping is a must-​have. The bacon topping is not that great– in fact the bacon was cold! The toppings are about $ 1.50 extra. Not worth it for the bacon.
If you go early (before 9 or 10am), the clam chowder may not be ready yet, so just be aware.

Go to the original location!
Don’t know what’s up with this Splash branch but I regret bringing my friends here. I remember Splash for it’s delicious chowder in buttery toasted bread bowls. It was pretty much deserted when we got here but it still took 20 minutes to get our orders.
The bread tasted a bit stale and cold. What’s up with that? It’s not difficult to butter and toast bread. Chowder was still good but the bread made me sad.
Even if it’s a lengthy drive and wait I’d still suggest going to the main branch to enjoy the ambiance and amazing chowder.

Oy, this place has gone downhill recently. Used to be you could get a good, healthy meal here with fresh ingredients. This is apparently no longer true.
I went there with 6 friends the other night. All of us thought we got substandard fare. As for myself, I had the fish and chips which were mediocre. This is weird, because I have always thought their fish and chips were excellent. The fish I had tasted old, dry and stringy. Fries were okay, but rather soggy.
I asked for cole slaw, which is standard for almost all fish and chip dishes. I was told it was not included but I could order a side. Okay, fair enough. The side order of cole slaw that I got was simply a basket of dry cabbage and lettuce. No mayonaise, no seasonings, nothing but yuck. I asked for mayo, which was brought after 15 minutes or so. Mayo tasted slightly spoiled.
My friends and I like to go here for dinner before our movie night together. We are probably going to have to change our eating place.

We stopped in at noon for Taco Tuesday — $ 6 for 4 mini-​tacos + a soda or beer. Not a bad deal, especially with the free refills on the soda. :-)
These aren’t as authentic, spicy, or tasty as the $ 1/​taco Tuesday tacos at Cinco de Mayo, but they’re a good, cheap lunch in a pinch. Leaf lettuce and tomato wedges usually don’t make an appearance in a carnitas taco, but Splash does what they want!
This location is conveniently located, clean, and has super-​friendly staff. I like that they discount day-​old baked goods, and the giant mural of SLO/​Pismo/​Avila is clam-​tastically cute.
I’d definitely return for the clam chowder and seafood topping (so, so good). Some spices on that taco meat would go a long way; keep on keeping on, Splash!

Do now eat here if you have a gluten intolerance. They told me their spicy chicken sandwich on gluten free bread was gluten free, but the sauce is not.
Educate your employees next time splash.
Also, the bread bowls are NOT classic splash. Drive the extra 15 minutes to Pismo. It’s worth it.

Clam chowder bread bowl with seafood toppings for the win!
The staff are really nice, and the service here is great.
We swopped in one day at lunch for work and I brought 14 people with me. I told them I was paying for everyone and they were fine with taking a large order on the spot and brining everything out at once. Very impressed.
I lost my receipt (doh!) and went back a week or so later and one very helpful girl worked with the register to figure out how to reprint it for me, and did!
I love the chowder and the bread bowls are so much fun. Don’t skip the seafood topping, it’s the best tip I can offer.
Come here for lunch or dinner. They even are open at 8:00a for breakfast?! How cool!

The food remains mediocre, the popularity mystifying. Updating to remark on their new water ‘cups’, which are slightly larger than a Nyquil cap.
Look gang, I know you want to profiteer on two dollar sodas that cost like half a cent worth of syrup, but this is insulting. Just do like The Palm and charge a dime for a normal sized cup.
Sad.

Although famous for their award-​winning clam chowder, they have a wide variety of seafood to offer. I have no idea how in my 4 years at Cal Poly I have never tried their chowder, but I see now I must have been saving the best for last. Compared to SF’s pier 39 chowder, splash café’s chowder was truly amazing. I got a normal bowl with seafood topping, and almost climaxed on the spot with the first bite. The addition of shrimp and crab to the already delicious chowder was such a superb choice, each following bite was just heavenly.
I also got fish tacos baja style, and a pound of steamed clams/​mussels. The tacos were just alright; the baja style had a lot going on and drew away from the actual fish, and the pound of clams/​mussels was actually not that much.
Service was somewhat lacking that day; they messed up my order and had someone new on the register; she took awhile to punch in my choices

I never give 5’s but Splash deserves it. One of my favorite things besides the food is that I have been to all of the locations and each one is consistent with how amazing the food is.
The clam chowder is the most amazing combination of seafood, flavor and comfort food! The not so secret secret is that you have to add the toppings. It’s like the cherry on top.
The place is always packed and seating is hard to find but its worth it.

This is a pretty solid seafood joint. You can find pretty much any kind of seafood «lunch item» you could crave. Sandwiches, tacos, clam chowders, even some breakfast items.
I was thoroughly impressed with their clam chowder. It was creamy and thick and full of chunky clams and potatoes. It’s definitely worth getting the extra seafood on too. I tried a bite of my friends bread bowl and that was bomb too. My sister thought it was too creamy but I thought it was just right.
I was less impressed with the tuna melt. There wasn’t much tuna in it. The herb bread or whatever it was looked amazing but ended up tasting a little funky to me.
Overall everyone enjoyed their food so I think you can find anything to please your fishy craving.