Downtown Hollister

Hollister is not known for its vibrant and happening downtown. In fact, over the last few years it has been a little depressing with all of the empty store fronts and close to deserted shops. Many businesses have shuttered due to the tough economic times that have plagued our area over the last few years. It was especially tough on downtown Hollister because of the fact that many of Hollister’s residents commute to the South Bay for work.
That was the Hollister of the last few years. Things are starting to look up as more businesses move into downtown. On weekdays around lunch there is actually a steady hustle and bustle on the streets. This is an exciting sound for Hollister natives like myself. Dining options in downtown have grown greatly. Grilling and Chilling has opened up a location downtown. They are known for serving up great burgers and a wide assortment of  beers.
The County Rose has also recently moved downtown. For this restaurant it is only about a mile from their former location but it provides increased foot traffic. The Country Rose is known for serving up delicious breakfast. My favorite dish is the Potato Pile. It is an awesome mix of your breakfast staples; eggs, bacon, potatoes, cheese, onions, and bell peppers.
The Running Rooster has recently remodeled and sits across the street from The Country Rose. It serves up some of the best burgers in town. My office is right across the street and the delicious burger aroma tantalizes me multiple times each day. Unfortunately, my wallet and my waistband can’t handle me indulging in their massive burgers as often as my stomach would like. Make sure to try out all the different types of fries that the Running Rooster offers. Go with friends or family and make them each order a different type that way you can try a little of everything.
Heavenly Bakery serves up some of the most delicious baked goods in town. They also make delicious sandwiches. Recently I had the Reuben which was great. The best thing about Heavenly Bakery is the apricot freeze. The owner has acquired the original recipe from the former owner of the Sugar Plum. The Sugar Plum restaurant holds a spot in my heart as my siblings and I used to ride our bikes to get apricot freezes. I have tried others in the past but they never measured up to the original from the Sugar Plum.
When I took my first sip of the freeze from Heavenly Bakery it felt as if I had struck gold. It is the perfect mix of sweet, creamy, and crunchy. I will definitely be going back.
These are just a few of the dining options to be found in Downtown Hollister. So to all my neighbors here in Hollister think twice before heading out of town for dinner. There are a lot of great meals to be had right here in town.