Splash Cafe

The low-key Splash Cafe first opened its doors just steps from the Pismo Beach Pier in 1989, and since 1991 it’s been run by Joanne Currie and her husband Ross, who turned it into a certified local landmark. No trip to Pismo Beach is complete without a stop at Splash Cafe for a taste of its legendary clam chowder! Seriously, this chowder is so good that it consistently takes the top prize at the city’s annual clam festival, and it helped spawn an additional location in San Luis Obispo, which is also home to one of the city’s few artisan bakeries.

Even though Splash Cafe now serves more than 40,000 gallons of clam chowder every year (seriously!), Joanne isn’t one to rest on her laurels. She’s created a specialty hot sauce that pairs perfectly with the chowder as well as a series of spice rubs, and is constantly seeking out new flavors and developing new recipes. But at its core, Splash Cafe is still about that chowder, which is up there with America’s best. This legendary clam chowder, as well as plenty of in-demand merch, are now shipping nationwide!