Okay, one more post about the places Denise and I visited while we were down on the Oregon Coast in December. After leaving Tillamook and stopping off at Sand Lake Estuary and visiting with a new friend, we found ourselves at Cape Kiwanda at lunch time.
I have visited Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda before on a family camping trip, but we didn’t eat in town that trip. Without much creativity, Denise and I opted to try out the Pelican Pub & Brewery that sits in the parking lot for the beach access. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I hadn’t done my research (SO not like me), but I figured they at least had to have a salad.
The restaurant was busy but we were seated right away at a table with a beach view. There were even folks out on the patio enjoying a drink and listening to the surf.
A quick glance at the menu told me that they they did have a Gluten Free & Vegan menu so I asked our server for a copy. It was basically just the items on the regular menu that were gluten free and/or vegan. There was not much vegan, FYI.
I started with a glass of their house rootbeer, something I do when treating myself.
I opted for the Oregon Shrimp Nicoise Salad sans the roasted tomatoes. I love hearty salads with whole food ingredients.
Our food did not take long despite the busy time and our server checked on us often. Do expect to pay touristy prices but the view is awesome so it is hard to complain.
Warning: the pickled green beans were spiced.
Denise had the Pacific NW Cioppino, one of my favorite seafood dishes before giving up nightshades as the dish is tomato-based. Yum!
And the best part of eating at the Pelican? You can go walk off your meal on the sand dunes of the Cape!
Overall, I was happy with our stop. The last few times I have been down on the coast we have stopped at Mo’s and although it is “the” thing to do on the Oregon Coast, I have never really been impressed with the options available to those who want to eat beyond fish and chips (not that there is anything wrong with that, some of my favorite people base their road trips on where they can get good fish and chips). I would greatly recommend Pelican over Mo’s!
How about you? Are you a Mo’s devotee or do you go for Pelican? Do you have another place you prefer to stop?
You will find the Pelican Pub & Brewery at:
33180 Cape Kiwanda Drive
Pacific City, OR 97135
They are open at 8am every day and close at 10pm Sunday-Thursday and 11p on Friday and Saturday.
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