January 17, 2025 – One crazy irony about one of the most eye-catching spots I’ve visited in months is that it’s so easy to fly right by.
And that would be unfortunate—because the spot is actually three spots, an uncanny combination of two worthy cafe-restaurants, next door to a wonderland of a plant store.
If that sounds a little hard to believe, that’s all the more reason to peep it in person.
831 Beach Kitchen, Pacific Bowls & Rolls and Dirty Girl Plant Co. are all doing memorable things on a corner of much-trafficked Del Monte Avenue in Monterey, which means hundreds, if not thousands, drive by every day without knowing what they’re up to.
The most visually striking of the group—though they all score style points—has to be Dirty Girl, what with the mustachioed cactus dancing out front and the disco balls and selfie-friendly Sparkle Wall dripping light inside.
The rules here are laid out clearly on a sandwich board. They include “You want a sad plant, Home Depot is down the street” and “Pet the shop dog, Winston. He might even bring you a toy.”
A number of other slogans and philosophies pop up throughout, both explicit (“Be leaf in yourself”) and implicit (embrace whimsy and color).
The inventory, while deep with flourishing plants, covers a kaleidoscope of quirk that makes for fun exploring and potential budget exploding.
Next door, the double signage hints at the double treat in store, made possible by the shared commercial kitchen in back.
That’s the food prep headquarters for 831 Beach Kitchen and its catering outfit, but they also stoke a curated and tasty lineup of sandwiches, salads, Verve coffee, teas and baked goodies.
As with Dirty Girl next door, there’s a lot of personality and positivity, from the names of items like Filthy Mofo tea to the reception received: I actually jotted a note in my phone observing genuine surprise how smiley and welcoming different staffers were on two visits to Beach Cafe.
The sandwiches impress. I came away satisfied most supremely by an improvised combo of slow-smoked tri tip and braised short rib (since they were running low on rib) aided by tangy sauce, an onion ring and some of the house potato chips tucked inside. Multiple napkins come in handy.
The barbecue pulled pork also earned an A, and a well-pickled grilled cheese with white cheddar and gruyere was good, but I’d nominate the “dirty” version with artichoke jalapeño spread and bacon for more excitement.
On my first visit, a Zen-as-F*** herbal tea—citrus-forward and refreshing—and an airy churronut rounded things out.
On the to-do list for next time are greener pastures, perhaps parlayed with a plant purchase next door. The best-selling veggie sandwich is Dani’s Delight with roasted tomato, avocado and hummus spreads, apple slaw and spring greens, and there are six solid salads, the plant-based Cobb, grilled peach and pesto pasta salad among them.
Breakfast is an all-day proposition, with biscuit breakfast sandwiches, vegan alternatives, a breakfast burrito and parfaits. (Beach Kitchen hours are 8am-3pm daily except Tuesdays.)
Then there’s part three, Pacific Bowls & Rolls, relocated from Alvarado Street for use of the kitchen and more modest rent rates.
Their presence is the most subtle, though after Beach stops serving at 3pm Bowls & Rolls is the main show on premises, open until 7pm weekdays, 8pm Friday-Saturday, closed Tuesdays.
A digital kiosk in the corner scrolls through a deep drawer of possibilities. Loaded poke bowls, sushi and hand rolls all have their own sections.
I had to pounce on my first ever sushirrito from a choice of six different takes—ranging from lomi-lomi to shiitake-tofu to California—with the Ahi Da’kine.
My hopes were high.
Then the three scoops of tuna, green onion, sweet onion, cucumber, masago, furikake, avocado and ponzu sauce, all carefully wrapped in seaweed, landed in my life—and earned points on a trio of key qualities: girth, composition and freshness.
Call it a nice little triple play of satisfaction to wrap a three-part adventure awaiting anyone willing.
It can be a little tricky to turn off Del Monte coming southwest, but there is parking on site, and it will be well worth the pause, so, you know, just be leaf in yourself.
More via the Dirty Girl Plant Co., 831 Catering Beach Kitchen and Pacific Bowls & Rolls respective websites.
About the author
Mark C. Anderson, Edible Monterey Bay's managing editor, appears on "Friday Found Treasures" via KRML 94.7 every week, a little after 12pm noon. Reach him via mark@ediblemontereybay.com.
