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Fresco Cafe North
updated: Aug 28, 2010, 9:30 AM
By Ms. Lemonjelly
I'll admit it - I haven't been a huge fan of Fresco. Even when it was just the one deli in Five Points, it always seemed busy, which is a good sign for a restaurant, but I sometimes get overwhelmed by crowds. Many of my girlfriends absolutely love the place.
When Fresco opened in Goleta, I did think it was a good addition to the area. It can be both casual and a little dressy - a good place for suits. The trick is - can I successfully get a table after I've ordered, wooden spoon in hand, without being run over by others charging for the same table, who throw their jackets down to claim the table and then walk back and get into the ordering queue? It only has to happen a few times before I give up. Getting a sandwich should not be confrontational.
This week, a co-worker who'd transferred out of state was in the office and suggested that Fresco was a place she'd like to revisit for a lunch. She got the quiche and the Greek side salad. It cost around $10. And we got a table without resorting to fisticuffs!
I ordered off the Specials menu, which was offering a bbq pork sandwich, and choice of side salad, and it cost about $12.50, including tax. The pork slices were grilled, and served with a bbq sauce, cheese, and a high pile of finely shaved fried onion rings. It came open face, with the hot components on one side, and the lettuce, tomato and pickles on the other. I ate about half the onions before putting together the sandwich. The portion was quite large; half that amount would have been sufficient. The side salad I opted for was also the Greek salad, and their side portion was also generous. What I should have done was eat the salad and half the sandwich, and taken the other half home for dinner. Instead I crammed all of it in and lolled around in a food coma for the rest of the afternoon. In other words, it was tasty enough for me to accept the consequences.
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Fresco does offer a selection of their sandwiches in a half portion, and the salad or soup for a couple dollars less. Also, upon sitting down, a waiter brings out a small basket of complimentary bread and butter. It's a nice touch, considering the diner orders and pays at a front counter.
Fresco Cafe North
5940 Calle Real
Goleta, CA 93118
fresconorth.com
P.S. Since there're only two photos for Fresco, here's a freebie. I
caught this little fellow in a friend's strawberry patch. Not only was
he caught red-handed, he was caught red bodied! I can't fault him for
trying - summer strawberries are delicious.
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