I was in Cayucos, about 35 miles up the coast from Pismo Beach, very early in the morning a couple of Saturdays back to wait for my wife, Jan, and daughter, Sara, to finish the Rock to Pier 10K they were running in. I was parked at the pier right off D St. in that little ally way and decided to cruise the town. There were no waves to suit-up for so why not?
On the corner a man was working hard measuring and cutting a large piece of wood out side the open door to the Smoke House. He was wearing a cooks apron and my curiosity got the best of me. I introduced myself and asked what he was up to. I did mention my past restaurant endeavors and to my surprise he was very familiar with my now long gone restaurants.
He immediately gave me a tour and showed the warm hospitality you usually get from restaurant owners. Inside was a high glass case counter with all his smoked products, fish, pork and cheese. Behind a partition a 2 man work station to make orders and a double wide, 12 rack smoker. That was about it. Orders are picked up through a small window on the beach side or over the counter. There are no tables inside, however, you can sit outside on the corner, dodge skateboarders and watch the waves.
When my wife and daughter finished the 10K I took them back to meet Jim Ruddell. I am still amazed at his hospitality. He opened the smoker and sampled us on different smoked products and gave us a sample of Salmon to take with us. I also purchased some smoked albacore for a picnic the next day.
The experience was so good and it is so seldom you are treated with genuine warmth (you know what I mean...) I decided to take Jan and the boards and go back up to Cayucas the next Saturday to look for surf and try Jim's fish tacos. We didn't find any waves, again, but we did find THE FISH TACO. I ordered the smoked albacore and it was delivered to the table wrapped in foil looking more like a large burrito. It was the best fish taco I have ever eaten, and I have eaten allot of them!! (The only hint I will give as to why Jim's fish tacos are so good is smoke and apple.)
If you want a nice ocean view drive and the best fish taco ever, and maybe some surfing thrown in stop in and see Jim. Order a fish taco!
You can visit Ruddell's Smoke House web site here, http://www.smokerjim.com/
