The bartender/waitress was complaining about her divorce and not paying much attention to any of her customers. She did not smile or return for drink refills throughout the whole meal. She was the worst server I have ever had. I would never go back!

My husband and I came from Santa Clarita (So. Cali) to Big Sur for our Babymoon. Once we arrived at our hotel he wasn't feeling good. Being that Im 7 months pregnant he didn't want me driving in the rain alone to get food. So we walked across the street so i could eat dinner. It took a total of 1 1/2 hr just to get a Rootbeer and Pork Taquitios. The food was all right but if you're used to good mexican food then its disappointing. It was by far the WORST SERVICE i have ever had!! We waited forever for our waitress to come back and check on us so we could ask for a to go box. My husband and other customers even went looking for her. As far as i could see there where two waitress and it wasn't that busy. A total of five different couples eating which came in at staggered times (including us) and maybe five people at the bar. We where the first couple to sit and order!! Finally we did ask her for the damn to go box she and disappeared only to come back and take other peoples orders and gave them their extras as we continued to wait. Finally i went to the bar to get some service and the other waitress/bar tender ignored me until i was directly in her sight/face. I told her we had been waiting for at least an 1/2 hour and wanted our to go box and check please. she looked at me blanked faced because i interrupted her causal conversation with a regular customer. Who by the way asked her where my waitress was so she wouldn't have to stop talking. So i walked away while she went to get the our waitress. Who came about another five minutes later. She mumbled something under breath like she had been doing all night to the affects of "we ran out of to go boxes" and took my plate away without giving me a chance to say something. First off dont ever take some ones out of your their sight. To me its like leaving an unattended drink at the bar. She doesn't say what she's going to do with it, just disappears!! Comes back with a paper plate wrapped in foil and our check. Doesn't come back for the damn check either. We had to once again go back to the Bar to be checked out by the other non helpful blank faced waitress. Who started looking for us at our table. Hello we gave it to at the bar!!! we are still standing in the same place we handed it to you! Once again when i called for her she completely ignored me again. Then she stepped in front of me between me and husband for no reason while he signed for the card. Needless to say i threw out my food. I wont eat something that left my sight especially and mostly when i had such bad service. Im was disappointed i told the front desk of our hotel how disappointed i was since they had recommend it in the first place. Overall this placed sucked!!! The food sucked, the service majorly sucked and you could tell that workers played favorites with the regulars and its way over priced for what you get. One scoop of rice, 3 taquitios with salsa and sour cream and roman lettuce dumped on the top of you food. I thought she got my order wrong cause it looked like she was bringing me a salad. Shouldn't the lettuce/salas be on the side or under my taqutios?? Trust me me and husband are foodies. This place as my husband who cooked for 7 years said was a "NIGHTMARE!"

We stayed across the street and ate dinner here. The British owner is just as nice and helpful as he can be, as are the rest of the staff. The food was good (several Mexican specialties) prices were reasonable (for the Big Sur) and the beer and wine list respectable. Granted, there is no view, but the outdoor patio is charming.

Recently went on vacation to Napa, but decided to spend two days in Monterey / Big Sur before flying home. We went to Nepenthe for the sunset views but soon realized the food wasn't quite the style or price we were looking for. After a quick iPhone search, we decided on the Big Sur Roadhouse.

Boy, were we happy! Despite the "rough & tumble" name, the restaurant is charming and the food fantastic. It was late, but the waiter (who I now realize is the owner) Dave sat us on the back patio and was very gracious.

Our dinner here was the best meal of our vacation! The portions are large (but not disgustingly big), well presented and feature fresh ingredients. In particular, the mushroom cap appetizer was delicious and the fish special was a really excellent recipe. In addition to all that, they have some nice local wine specials and aren't gouging you on any prices.

Forget all the pricier restaurants in the area... THIS is the place you want to go! My recommendation? Go to Nepenthe for the views and a drink, come to BIG SUR ROADHOUSE for a good, nicely priced meal in a friendly, non-pretentious place