Santa Cruz native Nate Goode loves Chill Out Café’s breakfast burritos so much—he says they’re the best in town—that he took a job as a barista at the Pleasure Point spot last April.
For more than 20 years, Chill Out has amassed many fans who are just as passionate as Goode. The beloved No. 3 breakfast burrito is stuffed with bacon, avocado, cheese, eggs and hash browns—a marriage of quintessential breakfast components rolled up tightly in a tortilla of your choice. The quiet back patio’s mellow vibe beckons most diners to sit down and tear into their food on site.
Additionally, Chill Out’s menu also features a variety of breakfast sandwiches, bagels and salads. The coffee drinks, many handcrafted by Goode, keep the traffic steady, too. The eclectic selection of smoothies is popular; the Sho ‘Nuff is a blend of soy milk, peanut butter, honey and banana. Chill Out is open every day, 7am-2pm. Goode recently spoke about his favorite breakfast burrito joint, and he was all smiles.
What made you fall for Chill Out Café?
NATE GOODE: The tasty breakfast burritos and chill vibes. Most places in town that offer breakfast burritos use cubed potatoes, but I remember the first time I tried one from here; it was the best I had ever had because it was really big, and I loved the crispy hash browns and crispy bacon. I was hooked from there, and I still love the breakfast burritos just as much, even though I work here now and eat them all the time.
What is your favorite coffee drink to make?
The mocha, because I really love using the espresso machine. It’s really satisfying and is a good hands-on experience with all the pushing, pulling and twisting. It’s a super old-school machine, and we have different varieties of mochas, including the Blanca with white chocolate powder, the Mexican Mocha and the Mocha Chai.
860 41st Ave., Santa Cruz, 831-477-0543.
