Old Fisherman’s Grotto
39 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 375-4604, oldfishermansgrotto.com
The old-school astronaut out front, complete with the white suit and knowing big-picture smile, hints at the voyage involved herein. Locals and visitors both get on board because of things NASA number crunchers – tired of freeze-dried squid – can appreciate: budget-friendly value (particularly for Fisherman’s Wharf; note the locals’ specials), crispy calamari and superior fresh-catch specials, surrounded by massive hand-crafted sides.