Uncovering Secret Menus
Photography by Mary Lagier
The concept of a “secret menu” was popularized in California by the chain In-N-Out Burger, though it wasn’t the first and is certainly not the last restaurant to offer off-menu choices. For In-N-Out the secret menu has kept people talking, friends excited to spill the beans to those not in-the-know, even though the secret menu is now not exactly a secret anymore. While In-N-Out has a minimalist menu of just five items posted on their red and white letter boards, its offerings exceed that with a secret menu of additional options like animal-style burgers and fries, or root beer floats.
I have to admit that the first time I ordered an animal-style burger, I was nervous. I had just moved out to California and was adjusting to life on the West Coast, which now included ordering off what seemed to be a nonexistent menu. What if my friend told me the “secret” as a prank, a sort of hazing to this new life? I tried my best to keep the reservation hidden from my face.
“A double-double, animal style, please.” And without missing a beat, the cashier soothed all my insecurities with the words, “Will that be all?”
And alas, the tables are now turned and I do take some joy in unloading secret menu items at SLO restaurants on you, dear reader. It feels good to hold some knowledge I can drop onto some listening ears. Isn’t that the joy behind secret menus anyway? That, and the opportunity to discover some beloved foods, I suppose.
Enjoy these secret menu dishes around the county.
Hidden Kitchen, Cambria and Cayucos
Created by a regular at Hidden Kitchen’s Cambria location who could never decide between the Fiscalini Fruit (strawberries, bananas, coconut whipped cream, maple syrup and cacao powder) and the Cass Crunch (granola, fig jam, almond butter and maple syrup) atop his blue corn waffles, he one day asked to have it all — and his wish was granted. It was deemed the Captain Crunch, a delicious combination of both options with homemade granola, fig jam, strawberries, bananas, almond butter, coco whip, cacao powder and maple syrup. It’s now available in secret; mention this to your server at either location and you shall be rewarded. An aside: Everything on the menu, conceptualized by owners Amanecer Eizner and Amira Albonni, is 100 percent gluten free and organic, and freshly made to order.
Order the Captain Crunch Blue Corn Waffle at Hidden Kitchen, 2164 Center St. in Cambria, or 113 N. Ocean Ave. in Cayucos.
Gessica and Alberto Russo, the husband and wife duo behind the scene-y Flour House in Downtown SLO, known for its pizza Napoletana, has been in business for four years and counting in large part due to the relationships they’ve fostered with their employees. In fact, a pizza that the team noshes on during off times has now made its way to requests from customers as well. The Alessandro pizza, named after the pizzaiolo who made it, is a margherita pizza with spicy salami and Gorgonzola cheese added for extra strength flavor.
Order the Alessandro at Flour House, 690 Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo.
Lincoln Market & Deli, San Luis Obispo
Oh, the sandwich. A ubiquitous staple on lunch menus. And of all of the sandwiches, in all of the land, Lincoln Market & Deli’s owners Mike and Becky Hicks have made theirs ones that live in customers’ hearts forever. A secret menu was formed from daily sandwich specials that the regulars wouldn’t let them move on from. There’s the K-Pop, a Korean-style roast beef sandwich that has big flavor with its sweet and tangy gochujang sauce, extra garlic in the house-made Awesome Sauce, kimchi for added spice, pickled onions and Cheddar cheese. Served on a toasted Dutch crunch roll. Or else try out the West Coast Reuben — it has turkey, avocado, pickled jalapeños, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and ranch dressing on local sourdough. “We make a lot of traditional-style Reubens but wanted to create one that says California,” says Becky. “One that Tupac could get down with.”
Order the K-Pop or the West Coast Reuben at Lincoln Market & Deli, 496 Broad St. in San Luis Obispo.
