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Arcata, CA

overview:

arcata is a small, remote town across the bay from Eureka, CA, and adjacent to highway 101. it's very pretty, the weather is very nice, and there isn't a lot in the way of chain restaurants. fortunately, I went to a couple of these local restaurants. I did not go everywhere unfortunately. this is my first go at making any sort of travel guide.

need to know:

to sum it up:

passing through?

staying?

drinking?

*this is a loop my partner and I did quite a few times. lunch and a flight at the cider bar; beer, wine, and pinball at dead reckoning; dinner and margaritas at rita's.

the options:

The Big Blue Cafe

cool breakfast place with big portions and cool coffee. there's art on the walls you can buy. B tier. I would go here if you are staying in town.

Cafe Brio

expensive food. my first time seeing a $20 burger (I went to vegas after coming here). pastries and coffee are okay. C tier.

Don's Donuts Pizza & Deli

cheap. I only had cinnamon rolls from here. they were excellent. A tier.

Arcata Pizza & Deli

cool options. really fresh ingredients. partner really liked THE GOTTI and the garlic cheese fries. I really liked the ARCATA BURGER and ADAM'S TURKEY. sprouts on a burger was a new thing for me but it was very pleasant. S tier.

Rita's Margarita's and Mexican Grill

great place to go last on a weekday afternoon outing. you can get a liter margarita for like $15. they always have a deal on tacos and they're always really good. S tier.

Slice of Humboldt Pie / The Local Cider Bar

terrific pot pies with excellent gravy. we only got a pie once (eggnog pie) and the whipped cream was top notch. we went here for cider and pot pies every time we went out. A tier.

Dead Reckoning Tavern

this is a bar. there is no food. but there are The Simpsons, Iron Maiden, Godzilla, Ghostbusters, Revenge from Mars, and Scared Stiff pinball machines. the barman will give you quarters and the specialty beers on tap are really good. S tier.

The Burger Joint

companion food restaurant next to Dead Reckoning. I only went here once during a slow time and the food was okay and it took a long time to come out. C tier.

Arcata Scoop

ice cream place with odd vibes. closed on tuesdays. they do have weird flavors on rotation though which is cool. B tier.

The Pub at The Creamery

only went here once. food was good. drink was okay. B tier.

Hole In the Wall

small venue. large sandwiches. A tier.

Stars Hamburgers

great burgers. reasonably priced. milkshakes too. A tier

Dutchy's Pizza

beer bar with good pizza which they will sell by the slice. partner really liked The Hot Goat. go here if you're staying in town. A tier.

McIntosh Farm Country Store

great food. lots of stuff to look at on the walls. massive burritos. A tier.

Toni's 24 Hour Restaurant

terrific 24 hour restaurant. stop here if you're just passing through. excellent food and pastries. egg-based foods are a little pricey. S tier.

Murphy's Markets

this is a grocery store, but the deli food is good and sometimes there's unique seasonal options. B tier.

honorable mentions:

these are in adjacent towns. not in arcata.

Fieldbrook Market & Eatery, Fieldbrook

we went here expecting to get sandwiches to eat on moonstone beach. well it turns out they only sell soup on wednesdays. so we got soup instead. the soup was still good but it was a definitive rural small town experience. B tier.

The Lighthouse Grill, Trinidad

their signature item is a mashed potato cone. it's a waffle cone filled with mashed potatoes and brisket. cheese too if you want but I don't like cheese so I didn't get it with cheese. it was strange but good. B tier.

other things about arcata

going to talk about some other things about arcata if you want.