Abalonetti
57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey (831) 373-1851, abalonetti.com
It’s pure economics why calamari made its way onto restaurant menus back in the 1980s. Squid were used as bait until flounder and cod became scarce off of Long Island, New York and fishermen were hurting financially. A group of university experts, industry association members and the federal government got together and devised a plan to take plentiful and cheap squid and make it popular. Americans love anything breaded, deep-fried and dipped in sauce, so a recipe was developed. The name was changed to the Italian “calamari” and the rest is delicious history. Each year our readers vote Abalonetti as their favorite place in Monterey County to indulge in the delicacy.