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Rustic, ranch-inspired seating area - The Cow Tipper, Cambria, CA

The Cow Tipper

3.5
3.5
20 Reviews
$30 and under
American
Top Tags:
Stop by The Cow Tipper for homestyle, seasonally-inspired dishes by Chef Joe Montgomery. Pick your table in our seat-yourself style of service as the fireplace crackles and you sip on your glass of world-class Tooth & Nail wine. When you're here at The Cow Tipper, it should feel like a little piece of home in the heart of Moonstone Beach.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today

Additional information

What 20 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

3.5
3.5 based on recent ratings
  • 3.8Food
  • 3.7Service
  • 3.6Ambience
  • 3.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

    Neighborhood gem

  • San Luis Obispo / Paso Robles

    Great for outdoor dining

20 Reviews

  1. ToniH

    St. Louis

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    We didn't even use our reservation as we read it was simply a show-up and wait situation.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience3
    The website and the appearance on OpenTable are misleading. There is no such thing as a reservation here. Not at all. We made a reservation on OpenTable but that’s a farce. You order and pay at the register on a first come first served basis. Then you get a number and sit wherever you find a seat and then you wait. We ordered the smoked trout and bagels breakfast. We chose this place when we saw that on the menu. Lady brings it out and plops it down and says here’s your smoked salmon and bagels. We said it was supposed to be trout. She asks “didn’t he tell you that we are out of trout when you ordered?” We said no. It was obviously salmon. She took them away. We started thinking about what we might want and she comes out with a photo of a package of trout (not the package itself) on her phone and says “actually it is trout after all…here’s the package “. Oh my goodness. Like we would fall for that and we don’t know what smoked trout or smoked salmon look like and couldn’t tell the difference? Come on… whew. That was a new experience. Wasn’t funny then but kind of funny after the fact. By the way, the presentation was awful. The bagel wasn’t toasted properly and the salmon and accompaniments were just thrown on there. We didn’t eat them. We asked for the 2 eggs with sourdough toast. We got 2 eggs with white bread toast. Oh well Like another review said, great place to grab a cup of coffee early in the morning if you’re wanting to walk by the beach but it’s a very very short drive to town for a full breakfast. Don’t waste time on a reservation though.

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  3. MichaelW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Not your typical order at your table restaurant. Order is placed with host upon arrival. The food was amazing and generous despite limited options. Service was great. Breakfast and dinner only. One of the few place open at 7 am for early travelers.

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  4. Tomh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 11, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Small restaurant on Moonstone Beach. Menu was not huge but everything we tried was good. Had both breakfast and dinner. Had the best strip steak I've ever eaten.

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  5. CharisM

    Los Angeles

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We really enjoyed our dinner! Shared the ribs starter and the jerk chicken. Delicious flavors!

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  6. AmyH

    Dublin

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food. The Root beer baby back were exceptional. We also enjoyed breakfast the next day and the Wrangler breakfast burrito was amazing. Can’t wait to visit again.

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  7. ChristineB

    Central Coast

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Arrived on time for a reservation to be turned away at the door as they no longer were serving breakfast. No explanation was given.

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  8. VisitorSummer23

    Berkshire

    4 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience3
    We had high hopes for the Cow Tipper but the dishes were poorly executed. My whipped potato tasted sour. My husband’s jerk chicken was nearly inedible due to being poorly cooked. My son’s mac’n’cheese was clearly from a box or frozen meal. As my son said, it looked and tasted like ‘plastic’.

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  9. JoeC

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Do not be fooled by their website, Cowtipper *DOES NOT* take reservations, it is a first come first served cafeteria where you order at the counter withfood dropped at table - much later. What little staff they have are nice enough but completely overwhelmed. Food is mediocre cafeteria quality and not worth the price or extended wait. Too bad because it would otherwise be very convenient to utilize the onsite dining at Oceanpoint. My suggestion is to maybe order a coffee and grab a pastry (if they're not all out) at the counter if you don't want to wait forever for food prep and serving. Perfectly fine for coffee and a snack, but definitely best to just drive into town for a full breakfast.

    1 person found this helpful

  10. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 22, 2023

    overall2food4service2ambience2
    The food was tasty. The ambiance is simple. You order at the cash register and your food is taken out to you. We chose the location for dinner due to the entertainment that night (Jill Knight). There are better dinner options throughout Cambria, but we had an enjoyable evening.

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  11. KatieJane

    Tahoe

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    There are not many dining options right along Moonstone Beach and as we wanted to walk to a restaurant from our hotel, this was it. But after eating there, we would travel far to eat there again. Admittedly we only ate from the appetizer menu but boy was it delicious! Please, Cow Tippers, put the chili and the root beer ribs on the main dish menu and give them the full portions they deserve. Those ribs were falling off the bone tender and oh so tasty with a hint of root beer in every bite. The chili too was so yummy; beans and crunch from corn chips and melty cheese with each bite. The meat was there and again, tender and tasty, but in small pieces and not the star which is as it should be. Casual spot with excellent food, local wines by the glass, a decent selection of beer, live music, and indoor/outdoor dining, just what we wanted after a long day at the beach.

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  12. MichelleM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 21, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Extremely pleasant staff. Food was great. Pleasant outdoor seating.

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  13. HeatherJ

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 10, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Do not eat here for dinner. This was the worst meal I’ve ever had. I ordered the halibut and it was a piece of fish in a bowl of water. I didn’t think it was possible to mess up a cookie and ices cream, but they did with the Snookie.

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  14. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    They add 18% gratuity but everything is self service

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  15. Libby

    Central Coast

    25 reviews

    3.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience3
    It is very rustic. The reservation system is non-existence although we made a reservation through Open Table. You have to stand in line to order your food. So be sure to get a menu before you get to the head of the line. Once you order you can sit anywhere. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The tables are very old. No tablecloths. The service is okay although a little spotty. It seemed as though there was only one person serving the whole restaurant. The manager did come out and help however. There is no way for the server of the food to know who ordered what, so he was running around trying to find the right people to go with the food. We both had chili which was delicious. I don't know if I would go there again, but I would recommend it to those who want that rustic casual style. I might be tempted to go again just for the chili, but I would take it out next time. They are really more suited to take out. I don't know about delivery. Maybe to the cottages that go with the establishment?

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  16. ChristopherH

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience2
    We actually ordered breakfast to our room. Overall it was an overpriced McDonalds breakfast. Ordered the chicken and waffles only to be told at delivery that they were out of chicken. Over easy eggs were over cooked, berry bowl was mostly grapes.

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  17. PatrickD

    Las Vegas

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Really great breakfast spot. Food was quick and tasty. Location is right across from the beach area with nice walking trails. Would definitely return.

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  18. KimP

    Orange County

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    we enjoyed a great meal. my friend and i shared the halibut, which was excellent. one friend ordered the short ribs and other friend ordered the chili and mac cheese. all the dishes were well prepared. service was excellent.

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  19. kimmb

    Los Angeles

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Lovely little spot where you order at the counter and they bring you your food. We ate outside as we have a dog. They don't have a full bar, nor an espresso maker. but they do serve Starbucks. The food was very good, we ate there 3 times total. My husband had me ask them for a specific recipe on their salsa he loved it so much. The restaurant is part of the Ocean Point Ranch, which we were staying at, so we were able to charge everything to our room, but it is open to the public. I think it's the best location in all of Cambria. Can't wait to go back.

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  20. OpenTableGuru

    Los Angeles

    21 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great atmosphere. Great live music on Wednesday nights!

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FAQs

The Cow Tipper is rated 3.5 stars by 20 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 2 times today
Google Map for The Cow Tipper

7222 Moonstone Beach Dr, Cambria, CA 93428

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Cambria
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 7:00 am–8:00 pm
  • Cuisines
    American, Breakfast, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
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