Food Talk Santa Cruz

Food Talk was an absolute highlight for us in Santa Cruz. Chef Donnie welcomed us with genuine warmth and friendliness. We had the burger and the scotch egg; the burger was one of the best we had on our holiday in the US and the scotch egg was delicious and really special. The ingredients are locally sourced and a lot of thought and love has obviously gone into the dishes. This little restaurant is a hidden gem and highly recommended!

What looks like a menu of limited options really delivered. Our party of three got the burger, the dirty fries, the crunch wrap, and 2 scotch eggs to share. We were completely stuffed. Portions were generous, flavors were great. The crunch wrap with pork belly was deldelicious and it was our least favorite of the bunch! The fries (which I was dubious of) were the surprise hit. The burger was thick and cooked perfectly. Food is highly recommended. Each menu item is $15-20.

Food Talk is **THE** spot to go for comfort food, good vibes, and good company. If you've been here, you know that Chef Donnie is an artist in his craft. High‑quality, hyper‑local ingredients compromise every item on the menu. The crunchwrap goes crazy. The elote dogs go crazy. the birria balls go crazy. You don't want to miss out on this iconic spot. easily one of the best in Santa Cruz County.

Food was KILLER! Chef knows exactly what he is doing! Highly recommend dinner on weekdays!

For a $20 burger I was expecting a better quality bun, it was a seed bun you’d get at a grocery store. It was fine, but again for that price I’d expect it to be out of this world. The pics are glammed up. Interesting sauces and flavors, wish they still had the veggies but only burgers and fries and a wrap.

If you ever meet a cook who talks as passionately about the food they make as Donnie does, you know you're in good hands. Very friendly guy, makes you feel welcome, and very creative with his food choices.

The menu works well with cocktails, so it's a win-win from the get go. I've had the burgers multiple times, (try one and see why). I love a homemade sauce that pairs with multiple menu items and that is happening here for sure. Overall this is filling a space in SC food culture that is very much needed!

This little hidden gem was so fun and absolutely yummy! First off I love that this restaurant supports locally grown produce from farmers and fishers. Everything we ordered tasted so fresh and for a great price too. Huge thank you to the owner Donnie for making us feel right at home with friendly & quick service. We look forward to eating here again.

Donnie of Food Talk is a culinary creative, crafting food that's both imaginative and delicious. He's kind, attentive, and genuinely cares about your experience. The challenge? His kitchen lives inside Ulterior which is a speakeasy bar above Motive with a vibe that's more "grungy afterthought" than hidden gem. The bartenders seem indifferent at best and downright cantankerous at worst, which does a disservice to the excellence Donnie is putting out. Santa Cruz isn't exactly overflowing with well-run spaces and solid service, so I'm sending Donnie all the luck in the world, whether that means finding a new space that matches his talent, or somehow lighting a fire under Ulterior to finally live up to its name. Maybe he'll take over the whole gestalt one day (yes, please!). Pro tip: There is a sign in the alley, but when you walk in, you're greeted by a closed downstairs bar and a bookcase. That bookcase is the door. Pull it open and head upstairs. Donnie, consider keeping that bookcase open while you're open. Let people find you without needing to solve a mystery. You're worth the discovery!