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Counter-serve cafe near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk offering locally sourced American eats & a patio.
Hours
| Friday | 7 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–4 PM |
| Monday | 7 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 7 AM–4 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 125 Beach St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 427-9946
Website: http://thepicnicbasketsc.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Photo Gallery
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The Picnic Basket in Santa Cruz, California. 4.1 stars (1603 reviews). Cafe. Hours, menu, photos & directions.
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Reviews
Mike Price
Our party of 5 recently stopped here while in the area. The location is perfectly positioned across the street from the Santa Cruz beach and wharf. The two sandwiches we ordered had some unique ingredients we hadn’t ever had before, and they were both delicious. The standouts to me were the turmeric pickled onions (what look like banana peppers on the sandwich to the left), and the carrots, which I can only describe as tasting like they were very lightly pickled in something like white balsamic vinegar. I have no idea if that’s how they’re made, but they were absolutely delicious.
While maybe a bit expensive, I feel like the prices were on par for this premium location in a tourist trap. Not outrageous, but certainly more than I’d pay at a no-name place inland.
The only letdown was the mac and cheese we got for our toddler, which was bland and uninspired. Not that it was necessarily bad, but it certainly wasn’t at the same caliber as our sandwiches.
The other two in our party got hot dogs, which disappeared quickly and looked tasty, so I can’t really comment on those good or bad.
Would definitely come here again if we find ourselves in the area.
… moreWhile maybe a bit expensive, I feel like the prices were on par for this premium location in a tourist trap. Not outrageous, but certainly more than I’d pay at a no-name place inland.
The only letdown was the mac and cheese we got for our toddler, which was bland and uninspired. Not that it was necessarily bad, but it certainly wasn’t at the same caliber as our sandwiches.
The other two in our party got hot dogs, which disappeared quickly and looked tasty, so I can’t really comment on those good or bad.
Would definitely come here again if we find ourselves in the area.
Kate Bizyayev
Had breakfast here. Delicious light food that doesn’t leave your stomach feeling heavy. Great vegan options. The breakfast burrito with feta was amazing. They have gluten free bread options which was amazing. Right next to the pier.
… moreTheOne Anjel
I found this place several years ago when I lived in Santa Cruz, I always ordered the frittata panini on gluten free. It was the best sandwich! Now I live 2.5 hrs away & go once a year. The last 2 years the sandwich was barely yummy & in fact this time – last week – they had the nerve to hand me a burnt sandwich – for $22! People were waiting on me so I opted not to send it back but it should not have been served that way in the first place. It’s also been lacking flavor and little or no butter was used, plus they seem to remove the potato when I add avocado (which costs extra). The sweet carrot missing, as well. They obviously have different cooks now& less concern on what comes out of the kitchen. On top of only going once a year, it’s also my only cheat day per year, so the disappointment was palpable. Last week was my last visit. They obviously don’t want my repeat business. Updating from three stars to two stars 4 months later for lack of response from the owners..
… moreJason Logan
Highly recommend stopping here if you are ever in Santa Cruz. Across the street from the beach, the Picnic Basket offers high quality food for fair prices. I searched the whole area for an egg salad sandwich, decided on this spot, and was not disappointed. The macaroni and cheese was just amazing too, creamy and crunchy (bread crumbs). Plenty of seating (try to get a seat outside!), and the staff is very helpful, especially for first time visitors. 5 stars!
… moreAJayen P
I ordered mac and cheese ($11.50) for my child and received what appeared to be a pre-prepared dish that had been reheated in the microwave.
The pasta was significantly overcooked and breaking apart throughout the bowl.
After already waiting quite some time for our initial order, I felt I had no choice but to allow my hungry child to eat what was served.
When I politely requested a grilled cheese as an alternative, the staff kindly agreed but unfortunately took over 20 minutes without completing the order.
When we finally said we couldn’t wait any longer, I noticed the staff smiling to each other and saying “good news”.
Overall this felt rather unprofessional given our situation as paying customers with a hungry child.
I understand busy kitchens face challenges, but I hope the restaurant can improve both their food preparation standards and customer service.
Fresh preparation and genuine concern for customer satisfaction would make such a difference.
July 4th – 2pm
… moreThe pasta was significantly overcooked and breaking apart throughout the bowl.
After already waiting quite some time for our initial order, I felt I had no choice but to allow my hungry child to eat what was served.
When I politely requested a grilled cheese as an alternative, the staff kindly agreed but unfortunately took over 20 minutes without completing the order.
When we finally said we couldn’t wait any longer, I noticed the staff smiling to each other and saying “good news”.
Overall this felt rather unprofessional given our situation as paying customers with a hungry child.
I understand busy kitchens face challenges, but I hope the restaurant can improve both their food preparation standards and customer service.
Fresh preparation and genuine concern for customer satisfaction would make such a difference.
July 4th – 2pm
Maxence Renaud
We were in Santa Cruz for just one night and staying at a motel right by. We already read good reviews so the choice was simple.
We all had different salads, all of them were fresh, tasty and the portions generous. Price was fair, service courteous and fast. We would have definitely gone back if we would’ve stayed longer.
… moreWe all had different salads, all of them were fresh, tasty and the portions generous. Price was fair, service courteous and fast. We would have definitely gone back if we would’ve stayed longer.
Dave C
This is a great spot for lunch. The chicken pesto baguette was one of the best I’ve had. All the other sandwiches couldn’t be far behind. They’ve got ice cream as well. If you come to Santa Cruz, make sure this is part of your itinerary. Oh yeah, there’s a beach around here somewhere. It provides enough overflow for places to eat your Picnic Basket sandwich.
… moreSandhya Prashant
They have protein bars, sun hats and snacks, good salad boxes. This is right opposite the pier. We were there in a Sunday morning at 10am and it was so quiet and peaceful
… moreCardiff Brunch
FANTASTIC – A must visit if you’re after a fresh prepped sandwich. After a trawl of local eateries we chose this one based on reviews and so glad we did. They also did salads and gelato which looked great. Highly recommend
… moreCharlie Elliott
Because the name “The Picnic Basket” was such a turnoff, i had avoided eating here for years. I expected a retirement-paced cafe that was barely passing safety inspection but staying financially afloat due to its tourist-bait location.
So when i recently ordered a breakfast burrito with bacon and avocado, my expectations were through the floor.
The breakfast burrito left me shook!!
There is a dark horse of culinary innovation working in that tiny kitchen and he’s making breakfast burritos on a whole other spectral plane!
Someone call France, the Michelin hommes are gonna want to get in on this.
Secondary restaurant factors i will happily endure to get another burrito in the future:
Service: cashier/food guys, totally great, A+. The drinks area by contrast felt like goodwill donation space for hot drinks. Not well defined, kinda cramped and awkward comparatively.
Atmosphere: if you enjoy the 11 minutes of waiting in a regional train station, squeezing past fellow travelers and seeking out a comfortable place to eat, the indoor seating is for you. (Outdoors is lovely tho)
… moreSo when i recently ordered a breakfast burrito with bacon and avocado, my expectations were through the floor.
The breakfast burrito left me shook!!
There is a dark horse of culinary innovation working in that tiny kitchen and he’s making breakfast burritos on a whole other spectral plane!
Someone call France, the Michelin hommes are gonna want to get in on this.
Secondary restaurant factors i will happily endure to get another burrito in the future:
Service: cashier/food guys, totally great, A+. The drinks area by contrast felt like goodwill donation space for hot drinks. Not well defined, kinda cramped and awkward comparatively.
Atmosphere: if you enjoy the 11 minutes of waiting in a regional train station, squeezing past fellow travelers and seeking out a comfortable place to eat, the indoor seating is for you. (Outdoors is lovely tho)