Big Sky Cafe has been a SLO institution since 1994, occupying a warm, high-ceilinged space on Broad Street a few blocks from the Mission. The menu is eclectic in a way that works — influences from across California and Mexico without losing coherence — with a strong emphasis on local and organic sourcing. Breakfast and brunch are the standout meals.
The huevos rancheros and the breakfast burritos are consistently good, and the coffee is taken seriously. Lunch and dinner are solid without being remarkable. The space is airy and casual, service is unhurried in the way that suits a long Saturday morning, and the clientele runs from students to families to locals who've been coming for years. It's not cheap by the standards of a college town, but portions are large and the ingredients are genuinely good.
Expect a wait for weekend brunch — the dining room fills up. Arrive before 10 AM or after 1 PM if you want a table quickly.