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Bay News CC Life Coast News Columnists SLO City News Teri Bayus

Surf On In To Surfside Deli

A clash of Titans has occurred with the merger of in executive chef, Michael Avila of Sycamore Springs and Muffin Goddess Pastry Chef, Hannah Ingham.

They have a new business, a partnership, a marriage, and three of the cutest offspring ever reared in a kitchen.
After their nuptials, they decided to strike out on their own and purchased the bistro Surfside Deli in Grover Beach and I was instantly a fan. The food, atmosphere and this heart inspired, family-run business are my new cherished eatery. 

We came on opening day and I instantly stole baby Abagael, because she looks like a doll being only 2-weeks old. Yes, Hannah gave birth and closed escrow on the same day. But this is a dream that her and Michael have worked their whole lives for and to be able to do it with the kids — makes it even better.

I always want to raise my kids in a kitchen. Have them waiting tables as they toddle about and learning how to work as a team. I love restaurants with nurseries in the back and will go out of my way to frequent them. 
On to the food, I had my Grands with me to taste test the kid’s menu that is organic, healthy and got two thumbs up from my fastidious eaters. Izabell had the organic PB&J sandwich, with whole grain bread, fresh peanut butter and strawberry jam from Farmer’s Market. It came with luscious fresh berries. She shared, with her brother, fresh pressed carrot, apple and lemon juice.  They loved this pulpy goodness that usually only comes from Grandma’s house.  

Hannah shops twice a week at local Farmer’s Markets and only serves the best items, because her kids are eating there too. There is even a Micro Grom menu that is puréed vegetables.

Izic, who at 6 is ancient, loved that he could create any sandwich he wanted. His choice was sourdough roll, bacon and cheddar cheese. With big crunchy slices of bacon and thick chunks of cheese on a soft role, he deemed this the best sandwich ever. 

Don›t think Surfside Deli is all about kids! The adult sands are an epic example of passion, quality ingredients and a trained chef. I started with the pork belly Bahn Mi. With house-brined pork belly, kimchi, chimmichurri, cilantro, jalapeño on a Dutch crunch roll, this mixing of Asian and Western flavors blew me away.

I offered Gary a taste and he all but inhaled it — until I grabbed it back. He had just finished the Kook Burger, every huge bite of it. It is made with a half pound of house ground rib eye, tomato, onion, lettuce, pickles, cheddar cheese, guacamole, and house made aioli. — all farmer’s market elements or in-house made tucked into a fresh sesame bun. This is a man’s burger.

On the next trip (sans the little people) we had the spiked lemonade, as they have a beer and wine license. I had the poached tuna sandwich that was not your grandma’s tuna. This is fresh albacore, fresh off the boat from local waters, sliced and poached, then made into one of the best salads I›ve had. Their hoagie has boiled egg, arugula, and avocado on wheat bread.

Gary had a Cali Philly. This delectable meal between bread had marinated steak, caramelized onions, Ortega chilies, sautéed mushrooms, and pepper jack cheese served on a soft French roll. 

We brought friends who were shocked at the quality of the Chipotle chicken sandwich. No sliced deli meat here, Michael comes early every morning and roasts, or rotisseries all the meat. This miracle between bread included rotisserie chicken, Chipotle aioli, provolone cheese, tomato, lettuce, and onion. His wife being a proper vegetarian ordered the veggie. She moaned as only an herbivore would at the delectable ingredients — cabbage, carrots, sprouts, cilantro, onion, tomato, avocado, pepper jack, and sunflower seeds on wheat bread.

Everyone agreed this was the highest-ranking deli we had ever visited and it needs to be regarded as a bistro of brilliance.

Surfside Deli is located at 191 South Oak Park Blvd. Ste. 1, Grover Beach. You can reach them at (805) 668-2500 or see more menu items at: www.surfsidedeli.com. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, closed Mondays. Michael and Hannah invite you to “Surf on in!” and try some of their amazing food and meet their wonderful family.

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