For those who may occasionally make it up to Julian...

And that may be Randy, Kathleen, Jules, possibly Linda, etc.
We've always liked the Julian Cafe (Jer loves their Hot Roast Beef Sandwich with Garlic Mashed Potatoes), but they've always got a line waiting outside if you don't get there just before 11:00...and so we've started going to the Red Barn Pizza in Wynola (4 miles down the hill from Julian). At first I expected them to be probably not very good, but Jer thinks their BBQ Chicken Pizza is the best he's had and I think their Hot Meatball Sandwich is the best I've had (and I've had a few). It's quiet there, peaceful in the back room, nice atmosphere and this afternoon light classical music....if you're up that way, give them a try. No, they aren't relatives, but selfishly, we'd like to see them stay in business so we can go there every time we're in Julian. About noon they were also firing up the BBQs outside for dinner.....the pasta salad was quite different and good also....

That sounds good, Sherry. DH does not like crowds and standing in line outside isn't our favorite way to pass the time. Like the sound of the music, too!

Thanks for the heads up, Sherry. Waiting outside in the cold, is Not on my list of things to do. We've never stopped at the Red Barn Pizza, but prolly will next time we drive through, hopefully when the bulbs are blooming. Sadly, there are also too many blooming people visiting Julian during the weekends.
WIB!
SW

That's true,we usually go up on weekdays. I'm toldnow that Jeremy's On The Hill right across the road from Red Barn Pizza also has good sandwiches, guess we'll have to try there next...lol...

Admit it, you are nibbling your way through town! We should get together up there sometime.
I seem to have an appetite these days. : - )
LOL!
WIB~
SW

We always seem to enjoy any drive even more if there's good food at the end...lol...

Thanks for the info. Have not been up there for awhile. It's nice to find a spot that may be more 'local' than the tourists line up for.

If anyone is going through Lake Elsinore and looking for a great "Everyone knows your name" kind of local spot, the place to go is Annie's Cafe off Mission Trail near the Stadium. Down home cooking, well priced and super friendly atmosphere. Owners Jan and Kevin, from England, are the best. They will customize whatever you need to meet your dietary needs and are continually seeking better vendors and products. They make, of course, great fish and chips too. Sat and Sun will find a bit of a lineup in the mid morning, but worth the short wait. If "Annie" (Jan) is there, tell them Tony sent you (DH has a bit of recognition there).

Thanks...we're always on the lookout for fish and chips. What about Flour Fusion? Is that stillin Elsinore? I'd heard that they are good also. Though, I guess when we're headed up that way we're usually heading for Northern California and just want to keep going.....lol..you know, that 3-4 hour drag just to get outta SoCal.

DH likes the sound of these places - maybe I can get him to leave home occasionally!

There are two shops in Julian that I like but I really don't need to buy anything at all anymore, so we just enjoy the drive and look for the turkeys and have lunch. Elsinore we could incorporate into a drive over Ortega Hwy to Plant Depot or Tree of Life..
Years ago Jer used to say how nuts my family was because we'd drive for miles just to go eat somewhere...I think he has the hang of it now....lol...

Wow...............................Love, love all the excellent info on great places to eat, Julian etc. wcgypsy.. Tell me more about Plant Depot and Tree of Life? One of my most favorite T.V. programs these days is Foodnetwork's Diners, Drive Inns and Dive's. The "star" is Guy Fieri. He is so funny. Yipee, I got to retire a few months earlier than I expected and hope to do a little traveling. Alway's looking for a destination great food place.
Sylvia

Plant Depot is in Capistrano...one of my favorite nurseries..they have just tons of stuff. Tree of Life is on Ortega Hwy....Ca native plants...KaperC can tell you more about that one.....

Tree of Life is a big source of native plants and it's a nice drive there. They have gardens all around so you can see how the plants behave. Workshops, lectures, books, seeds, etc. Their catalog is online and they have lots of info, including what they call a "plant respecifier" that gives native alternatives to non-native plants.

Check out the web site: http://www.californianativeplants.com/

End of ad. ^_^ Just kidding, I really like the place.

Definately check the website first as they are only open to the public on Sat. Right now they are doing some classes on Saturdays that sound interesting.
Carol

Correction! I guess their new Casa La Paz is open during the week!
Carol

Always check the web site for hours, unless your memory is better than mine or you don't mind the drive! During the hot summer months they are not open on Saturdays, but I can never remember when it changes over.

Thank you all so much for your input.....................................You're the best. as always.
Sylvia

I just found this thread. Thanks for the food tips Sherry. Lisa and I will have to go up there and try the pizza parlor.

You'll like it during the day if you like quiet and a really peaceful atmosphere (in the back dining room)....Friday and Saturday nights they have live music, everything from Bluegrass to belly dancing, but I'm not fond of driving home from there in the dark, what fun is that? Apparently they'll also be doing some Asian food during the week too. We haven't tried anything except the BBQ Chicken Pizza and the Meatball Sandwich 'cause we like that so much. The pizza has a very thin crust..Jer gets a small for himself and usually finishes off all but two pieces. I like their Pasta Salad that's offered with the Meatball Sandwich. We've been told that Jeremy's On The Hill (across the street) is good and has good sandwiches, but I'm sure they're more pricey...Cordon Bleu chef and all that...gourmet burgers, steaks, seafood, crepes. We're pizza people..either Round Table or Stuffed Pizza in Dana Point or Wynola Pizza in Julian. We always have a different direction to go depending on our mood...lol..

I'm sure we'll check it out.

Gourmet burgers...yum!