Found Treasure #4: Watsonville Airport District

April 9, 2021 – Pop quiz: Where is the most underrated food-and-drink destination in the tri-county area?

Hint: It’s industrial, conveniently located right off Highway 1 and flush with enough options it’s not so much a found treasure as it is a found treasure chest.

If you guessed the Watsonville Airport district, you have an appetite for local character and flavor.

I could make the case the area had a claim at that crown before the introduction of The Hangar in 2019—and The Hangar is a blossoming destination unto itself. (More on that in a minute.)

Some of the funky, unique and oft-overlooked elements that were in already place: 

• The Slough Brewing Collective, an independent craft beer operation formerly known Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company, which emphasizes both outstanding wild ales and creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. (They’re currently doing delivery and pickup noon-8pm Thursday-Sunday; just started opening up for outdoor seating 1-8pm Friday-Sunday; on that front, co-owner Ben Ward recommends his favorite, their in-house German-style Helles lager, and a-likely-to-be-quickly-bought-up collaboration on a Venus Spirits-agave-barrel-aged imperial stout made with Hole Foods Vegan Donuts.)

• Ella’s at the Airport, a family-owned comfort food capital with fuselage furniture, great salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas and fruitwood-fired pizzas. (Helpfully enough amid COVID, on top of its reduced capacity indoor seating, EATA offers a patio with seven tables.)

• Ranch Milk Mexican Grill & Craft Beer House, another quirky family-owned spot that offers a mind-boggling assortment of pretty much everything except milk in what essentially is a gas station—think craft beers on tap, over-the-top “fries con todo,” gourmet ice cream and fuel for your car. (The name hails from its past incarnation as a drive-through milk barn.)

Those all set up shop near the young 8,000-plus-square-foot hub called The Hangar, whose anchor is the 4,000-square-foot Beer Mule Bottle Shop and Pour House. The Mule, which just celebrated two years in operation, is from the team behind Beer Thirty in Soquel, which just so happens to be working on a third craft beer/restaurant location scheduled to debut in June at the old Wienerschnitzel location at 800 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz. 

In addition to a constantly rotating menu of 40 (yes) draft beer, cider, hard kombucha and nonalcoholic options drawing from local craft purveyors and independent brewers nationwide, Beer Mule presents a bunch of to-go choices and pandemic-friendly outdoor picnic tables. Butchers and the Mule runs the kitchen, dishing indulgent items like hot fried chicken sandwiches, loaded mac ’n’ cheese and nacho fries.

Neighboring restaurants bring on other edible possibilities. 

Mr. Z’s Crêpe and Teas features all sorts of inventive tastes, like March menu additions ranging from strawberry cream cheese crêpes to barbecue chicken, to go with bubble teas, brown sugar matcha lattes and pineapple-coconut smoothies. 

Aloha Hola brings on its own magnetism with Hawaiian taco-style fare: Think kalua pork tacos, fish tacos, ahi tuna poke bowls and prawn wahini salads.

Zameen at the Hangar reopens next month after a pandemic pause, doing California-Mediterranean fusion fun—Moroccan madness soup, lamb wraps, falafel salads—like its sister locations Zameen Aptos and Zameen at the Point.

Also coming soon: Honey Luxe Coffee, which is updating thirsty followers via its Instagram page.

BTW, it’s not all habit-forming calorie consumption. Additional Hangar neighbor Ritual Ride Cycle Studio offers a pre-eating workout play for those so inspired.

Beer Mule co-owner Kym DeWitt is among many eager to expand capacity safely as the area moves into less-restrictive COVID tiers, while adding attractions like live music and local makers markets.

“What’s been most enjoyable is seeing something become something,” she says. “As each new business has joined us, it’s brought new energy. We’re all looking forward to safe reopening, and getting back to having fun.” 

Share your own treasure tips via ediblefoundtreasure@gmail.com.