Special Guest: Steve Barilotti (Barlo)
I met Mr Barilotti one beautiful Cape Town Autumn day a very long time ago. We found ourselves on the deck of the Nauticat, the one time HQ Boat of the Red Bull Big Wave Africa, chugging out to Dungeons (a sickass big wave break just outside of Hout Bay). Since that auspicious moment he's been a soul friend and has taught me to look at not only surfing but the world in general through different eyes. It was Barlo who took me on my first trip up the Californian coast...an unforgettable week of surf history, galleries, fish tacos, crackers Danish replica towns, wine valleys and my first ever tower of blueberry pancakes. Oh and a blue mustang. It was in California that I discovered that burittos and avocado work just as well at breakfast time as with an ice cold corona at night. Tequila you can add at either time...
Barlo's travelled the world writing for Surfer and endless other iconic Surf mags and so he's infinitely qualified in the master art of picking the best spot for a post dawn surf breakfast. Apparently I am not infinitely qualified in the master art of persuasion as it has taken me a year of nagging to get him to send me one of his local favourites. Hopefully my skills will improve and I'll manage to get him to send me a few more...
Pipes Cafe
121 Liverpool Drive
Cardiff, CA
760-632-0056
The new kid on the block but quickly becoming a runaway star in its own right. Owned by hardcore North County local Tim Fischer and wife Karen, this former Thai-restaurant-turned-surf-cafe fires on all culinary cylinders. Located just across the railroad tracks from Cardiff State Beach Park, the outdoor dining patio offers great visual access to parked cars. The walls sport surf art, maps and signed surf posters from Slater to Buttons endorsing the cafe's food in breathless terms. The latest surf videos play nonstop for the heavy San Dieguito high school crew. Surf star appeal: heavy. Rob Machado eats there 2-3 times a week when he's off the tour. Taylor Knox and Gerlach too. The Surfers--Slater, Machado and Peter King--all practiced in the cafe's back room before cutting their CD. The signature bro deal dish is the Pipes egg burrito--prepared four ways and is legendary in it's size. Cost: $3-3.75. Salsa: 8.3.
