By Neil Farrell
For more than 20 years, they had one of the most popular restaurants in all of SLO County, and after selling the business last year are starting out on a new adventure, transforming an iconic Morro Bay café into a new dining experience.
Adam and Dawnelle Pollard and family have taken what they hope is a step back from the crazed bustle of Taco Temple, opening The Flavor Factory, and remaking a spot that was for decades, Nibble Nook Sandwich Shop (located at 410 Quintana Rd., in the Cookie Crock shopping center).
Adam, taking time out from the daily opening prep work that has him up and at it by 5 a.m., said they had Taco Temple for 22 years, first opening in Cayucos in a tiny spot by the beach.
They moved to North Main Street and specialized in “California Fusion” style foods — a mix of Mexican recipes with distinctive twists creating dishes like no others in the area. And also featuring amazing desserts made by Dawnelle.
Adam said Taco Temple, “Just kicked my a**. It was so busy. We had a really good run and loved all the people that worked with us there. But we just needed to slow down, switch it up.”
He’s nearly 52, he explained, and while starting a new restaurant from scratch is bound to be difficult, he’s got family surrounding him, including Kit Knapp (Dawnelle’s sister) and their two daughters, Riley and Camille. And they’re closed two days a week (Wednesdays and Thursdays) for a little breathing time.
They opened Flavor Factory Jan. 9. Readers who recall Nibble Nook will hardly recognize the place. They removed a drop ceiling and it opened up the kitchen and dinning room spaces immensely. Who knew that a beautiful open beam ceiling was hidden all those years?
They also put in new lighting and used corrugated metal as a wainscot. Gone are the big red booths, replaced with stylishly simple tables and chairs. The pizza oven is gone, too.
“It took three months from start to finish,” Adam said. The inspiration apparently came as they tore into the place, discovering some odd things, like drawings on the walls that dated back to the 1970s, along with the hidden ceiling.
“This place has the complete package,” he said. “The rent was reasonable, it’s a cool location with plenty of parking and off the beaten path.” They really didn’t take any time off after selling the Temple, working at getting the Flavor Factory up and running. The name and interior design owe, “to my wife’s genius,” said Adam. The name goes with the theme, he added.
They also are featuring local artist like Charlie Klingman and Chris Peterson of Forever Stoked on the walls.
The menu is back to basics too. They serve gourmet hamburgers, which Adam said they ground the meat fresh daily. They have custom sandwiches and homemade sauces, with a farmer’s market-fresh salad bar. There’s a kids menu, too. And they have craft beers on tap, local fine wines and, “Dawnelle’s killer desserts.”
The Flavor Factory is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed Wednesdays-Thursdays) with happy hour specials from 3-5 Mondays and Tuesdays.