At the winding intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Highway 84, Alice’s Restaurant is a lively roadside stop surrounded by redwoods, parked motorcycles, and visitors taking a break from the mountainous drive uphill.
“There’s such a rich history here,” restaurant owner Andy Kerr said. “The patrons who frequent the spot are hikers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, car enthusiasts, people who want to get away from the city and have a little slice of nature.”
The building was originally constructed in 1918 as the Skylander General Store to serve loggers from a nearby mill that produced railroad ties for the train route between San Francisco and Santa Cruz. As cars and trucks became more common, the site expanded to include gasoline and automotive services before becoming a cafe in the ‘40s.
After several ownership changes, Alice Taylor bought the restaurant in 1960 and gave it the name it still carries today. Now owned by two brothers, Alice’s continues to attract diners looking for a quick escape from city life.
Grapefruit Juice ($5): 8/10 and Lemonade ($4): 6/10
The grapefruit juice has a sweet, acidic tang that develops a strong flavor. Served in a mason jar, the fresh fruit nectar serves as a refreshing drink, perfect to pair with any meal. Though there is a slight bitter aftertaste from the rind of the fruit, the juice tastes delicious overall.
While the drink is refreshing, it lacks a strong lemon flavor and is heavily watered down with ice. This drink is favorable for someone who wants something not too sweet, yet still tangy enough to balance out a heavy meal.
Chicken Avocado Panini ($17): 6/10
The pressed panini is grilled to perfection, stuffed full with creamy, rich avocado slices, and completed with juicy tomatoes that fall out with each bite. One key ingredient, however, weighs down the rest: the chicken is extremely dry. Lacking its own flavor, the chicken slices are at least able to hide behind the other ingredients in the panini. Plated with a succulent strawberry adding a pop of color, alongside a well-dressed garden salad, the meal’s presentation is top-notch.
Kale Salad ($15): 8/10
The kale salad is a colorful mix of ingredients, including kale, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, raisins, diced beetroot, and creamy avocado dressing. The salad balances savory and sweet flavors well: the parmesan and dressing provide a salty richness, while the fresh kale and beetroot bring a lighter sweetness. The avocado vinaigrette is smooth and creamy without feeling too heavy, tying the ingredients together with a rich, fresh flavor.
Sweet Potato Fries ($6): 9/10
Arriving piping-hot, Alice’s sweet potato fries hit the spot. Served with creamy spicy chipotle dipping sauce that brings the perfect ratio of heat and tanginess, these fries are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, and still perfectly seasoned. The dipping sauce has just enough for each fry to be dipped. For the price of six dollars, the portion size is great, complementing other mains very well. All in all, these sweet potato fries pair well with any savory food as a sweet-and-salty partner.
Chocolate Molten Cake ($10): 10/10
The molten lava chocolate cake is served with two generous scoops of vanilla ice cream, delectable drizzles of hot fudge, a dollop of smooth whipped cream, and a dusting of powdered sugar. The cake itself has a spongy exterior and a rich center that flows out like lava. The vanilla scoops are cold and creamy, making each bite of the warm cake harmonious. As a finishing touch, the whipped cream is light and airy, not taking over the flavor profile, and the sticky-sweet fudge adds depth to the dessert.
