Alternatives to Father's Office in Santa Monica?

[netster]

Hi! My husband, our friend and I are going to Santa Monica Pier for the free concert on Thursday. We really want to go to Father's Office, but I've been reading that the wait can be pretty long. Just in case the wait is crazy I would like to have some other options that may not be as busy. We're looking for places that are similar to Father's Office (good affordable food and good beer). Please help! Thanks!

[hrhboo]

Not SM, but reasonably close is The Other Room on Abbot Kinney with their awesome selection of beers. They don't serve food but you can bring it in yourself or order delivery. 3 Square next door does a great burger and plenty of other good dishes too. If you don't feel like getting it yourself, the Other Room actually hires a runner to go out and pick up food, cigs etc.

[westwood]

Pick up a pizza at Abbots and eat it at the Daily Pint at Pico and 23rd.

[LisaStitch]

Ye Olde King's Head - some of the best fish & chips in LA, great laidback but fun vibe, walking distance to the pier

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Ye Olde King's Head
116 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[whatsfordinner]

King's Head is a great back up.
The Counter isn't close to the pier and their burgers are dry and overcooked, no matter how you order them.

[Diana]

I like Ye Olde King's Head. The beer selection ain't all that, but the F&C is OK (No shine to Robin Hood's, though) and the Bulldog bar is a cool little nook. They also go pretty nice teas, although the battenburg cake can be dry.

It's a nice place to relax and tourist watch.

[maxzook]

I agree with other posters that if you get there on a Thursday before the dinner rush, Father's Office shouldn't be that crowded.

If it's burgers you have in mind and FO doesn't work out, try the Counter. Their burgers are the flip side of the coin from FO, which only makes theirs one way -- the Counter gives you a full-page checklist with scores of option for buns and toppings.

It can also get crowded on weekends but again, early on Thursday shouldn't be a hassle, plus the Counter has parking.

[maxzook]

Here's a link ...

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Counter
2901 Ocean Park Blvd Ste 102, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[SauceSupreme]

I agree with the responses so far. Head to Father's Office first but have Library Alehouse in mind as a backup.

Library Alehouse also has a larger menu. They don't have anything that can go toe-to-toe with FO's burger (or sweet potato fries for that matter) but it's just something to keep in mind.

[Wolfgang]

I agree with the Sauce. Try FO, then try LA. I've never been able to sit right away at LA. If LA is crowded, go next door to Rick's Tavern, a divebar with your basic dive burgers.
And to take this in a different direction in the event that you are not familiar with the pier concerts, most people bring food and drinks and blankets and have a picnic on the sand next to the pier.

[tritip]

Father's Office opens at 5PM on Thursdays. If you don't mind eating at 5, simply show up about 15 or 20 minutes before they open, wait in line outside and you'll be seated with the first wave of customers.

[whatsfordinner]

If you get there right when they open on a weekday, there's usually no wait at all. Last Thursday we got there just at 5 and there were maybe 4 people ahead of us.

[Diana]

Library Alehouse is similar, but not quite the same.