The Picnic Basket opened its doors in June of 2011, not even a full year after it's sister shop, The Penny Ice Creamery, made its mark on the California culinary scene. Chef Kendra Baker and Co-owner Zach Davis had already created a small community of local farmers and food producers who would come by The Penny with seasonal offerings of Dirty Girl strawberries, Glaum Ranch fresh eggs, or Meyer lemons from a neighbor's backyard. The Picnic Basket has extended that network now to include lettuces from Happy Boy Farm, bread from Companion Bakery, beer from the local brewery, and more. With a seasonally evolving menu, the farms and the menu offerings change daily. At The Picnic Basket, the only thing that stays the same is the commitment to quality ingredients and community. Despite its location, it has seen more and more business over the last year and is now a permanent fixture on Beach Street, a lunch spot for tourists and local Santa Cruz-ians alike.
Did I mention how good it is?
It is REALLY good. As proof, since I don't have a kitchen, I eat here every single day. And I'm not even exaggerating.
