Huntington Beach Suggestions?

[LilyHarpole]

Hello~
My boyfriend and I are going to Huntington Beach for the weekend (from Santa Cruz) and I dont want to eat "hotel food" We are staying at the Hyatt and I am looking for restaurant suggestions for breakfast/lunch/dinner of all types. Thank you!
(Also any good quick stop places for the drive down along the coast?)

[LBQT]

The hotel food at the Hyatt isn't too bad, at least the salads I've had there for lunch. For casual meals, Coach's on Main Street is good (Greek). For breakfast I'd head back up north a couple of miles to Harbor House for one of their omelettes, or take a walk to the end of the HB pier to Ruby's for breakfast over the water (I know; it's a chain, but they do a pretty good breakfast). For dinner, there are two casual but good Italian places: Mangia Mangia and Rombi's. Duke's at HB pier is acceptable for seafood, although not stellar. You're just a short drive from Newport Beach - search this site for tons of suggestions.

[Elissa]

Second the rec for Rombi - little hard to find in a quiet strip mall off Warner, North of Beach Blvd - but DEFINITELY one of the better meals I've had recently near Huntington Beach

[OCElizabeth]

You're basically staying in my backyard:) I completely agree with the rec to Harbor House up PCH a bit, they are great for breakfast or any middle of the night dining you might need to do.

Also up PCH in the Sunset Beach area, maybe 15 minutes from the Hyatt, is Roman Cucina. I can't say enough great things about this restaurant. It's cozy, with great ambience - twinkle lights on the (heated!) patio, low lights that still give you enough light to read your menu and gaze into your dates eyes inside...and of course, fantastic food. The sausage mozzarella pasta is to die for, although everything else is really great too. I like it with penne pasta and I ask for them to make the sauce spicy, and it is just fabulous. You can also get the appetizer version and then get one of their huge salads for dinner if you want to not feel quite so guilty! We usually spend $40 - $60 for the 2 of us, depending how much wine we get :)

I also love Mario's in the 5 Points Plaza (right by the intersection of Beach and Main in the strip mall by Trader Joes). They have really solid hearty mexican food, with perfect rice and beans.

For a fun people watching breakfast, mediocre food, and cheap mimosas, hit up Longboards on Main Street and sit on the front patio.

Fred's on Main Street has yummy California style tacos and such, and a great view of the beach from the patio. It's fun for laid back drinks, chatting, and tacos/nachos etc during the day. Gets packed with the HB "beautiful people" crowd on weekend nights.

I'll keep thinking about the places we always go to, that's what I have off the top of my head. Hope it helps!

Link: http://www.romancucina.com/sunsetbeac...

[JenHB712]

Yes, the restaurants in HB are dismal. But, for great Mexican food, try Las Barcas. They have great tacos & enchiladas.

Las Barcas
21032 Beach Blvd (near PCH)
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

And, in Belmont Shore (Long Beach), try Open Sesame or Sunnin for great Lebanese food!

Sunnin
5110 E 2nd St
Long Beach, CA 90803

Open Sesame
5215 E 2nd St
Long Beach, CA 90803

[stormin norman]

I would highly recommend a 10 minute drive up the coast to Seal Beach where you can dine on great fresh wood grilled seafood at the ever popular and busy Walts Wharf...if you want to make the trip,get there before 6:00 to avoid a long wait... it's a fun a scenic little jaunt

[OCElizabeth]

What is the average price point? How's the wine list? Any good recs for menu selections? That's just a hop and a skip from me, I would love to check it out!

[stormin norman]

This place has been around for years,and the fresh seafood is always stellar...the fresh fish is generally in the $20-25 range,and usually includes some unique fish from Hawaii or the South Pacific.The seafood pastas and salads are in the 10-14 range and are generally good...they are also known for the oak grilled artichoke and grilled vegies.They have an interesting and extensive beer menu,including a number of german and belgium beers,and the wine list is not pricey yet still fairly interesting.Enjoy,but get there early or be prepared for a wait on the weekends.

[LBQT]

Another place that is overlooked for dinner on Main Street in Seal Beach is Cafe Lafayette. I love their breakfast and lunch menu, but they dress the place up a bit for dinner. I've had good lamb there, and have heard raves about the butternut squash ravioli. Can't tell you anything about the wine list, other than that they have one, but it's worth a try.

[hbgrrl]

I don't think you can go wrong with so many great restos. downtown, which is a hop, skip and a jump away. You could even walk there if you wanted.

To name a few:
Spark Woodfire Grill-steaks, etc fantastic view, corner of PCH and Main

Asian- Red Pearl Kitchen- fantastic, innovative Asian
412 Walnut Street

There's also Duke's for seafood that's on the beach, as well as Chimayo's for Mexican. Great drinks, imho.

Hand crafted beers? there's the Huntington Beach Brewing Company downtown too.

There are also some great places for breakfast too.

I also heard of a little Italian joint that's gotten raves by some friends. It's on 5th and PCH, right next to the Police substation.

Enjoy your stay!

Link: http://www.restaurant.com/microsite.a...

[OCElizabeth]

>>>I also heard of a little Italian joint that's gotten raves by some friends. It's on 5th and PCH, right next to the Police substation.

Are you talking about Lugatti's? My roommates and I went there once and it was terrible - bland sauces, mushy pasta. Yuck. If that's not the one, I apologize, there are several other places in the area that are fantastic, but that is not one of them.

I also just had to agree with your endorsement of Huntington Beach Beer Co. - the Tuna Chop salad and mushroom pizza a fantastic combo to share...and the garlic bread is actually pizza style with plenty of garlic and cheese - YUM!!!!!!!!! Great for a casual place to munch on delicious brewery food.

[LBQT]

Chimayo's has gone downhill, imho. Drinks there are okay, but the food just isn't what it used to be. Menu is boring, and nothing really stands out.

[torta basilica]

Even my drink there was awful the last time... definitely off the list.

[hbgrrl]

Thanks for the heads-ups on Chimayo and Lugatti's (if that's it! lol)

[Gypsy Jan]

Can't resist the urge to comment.

It's very interesting that most of the replies urge you to get out of the city and seek dining destinations elsewhere. I've always wondered why HB is so blah.

I have spent a major part of my dining life on the coast in OC and HB has never been a destination spot for food.

All of those recs for Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, Newport Beach are good advice.

[torta basilica]

I may get flamed, but in addition, these other spots are MUCH more charming than HB - although the Hyatt itself is gorgeous. Their 'Californian Restaurant' is beautiful, has a very interesting menu & is supposed to be wonderful & the surf bar restaurant isn't bad at all - neither typical hotel food.

[Gilbert]

I second the motion regarding eating places in HB. Newport Beach and Corona Del Mar (South of NB) have very nice places. Try Bayside, Oysters, Bungalow. Don't be discouraged by densely crowded establishments. That the way of the world in OC......

[LBQT]

I've lived in HB for 20 years,and can only describe the local culinary offerings as "white bread and mayonnaise". With few exceptions (Bukhara, Mangia Mangia, Rombi's, Sea Siam come to mind), it's mostly chains.

[SoCal Foodie]

I couldn't agree more about the blah dining experiences in HB and always venture out to Little Saigon to satisfy my food cravings.

[Rich]

Take an early stroll from your hotel to the HB Pier and the recently (and still developing) Main Street area and try the Sugar Shack Cafe (a local HB institution). In a recent FOX 11 feature on HB's Main Street, former resident Jillian Barberie raved about the place and how much she misses it.

[OCElizabeth]

Oh goodness, hopefully I don't upset anyone over this, but I've lived in HB for about 5 years now, and heard the cult hype about Sugar Shack from the beginning. I've tried eating there 3 times, all with the same result - disgustingly over greasy food that was almost inedible. There were literally pools of grease under the pancakes and hashbrowns. Yuck. For my breakfasts I either trek out to Harbor House or go to Long Boards. And I am the first to say that, no - Long Boards does not have the greatest food in the universe but it is passable and cheap and the people watching is fantastic, and mimosas are only $1.25 before 1pm. Thats just my 2 cents, for what its worth.

[joeesha]

That's just not my experience at Sugar Shack. I think the food is excellent including the pancakes. It's just a breakfast place but it's pretty good and the atmosphere is wonderful.

[bernardo]

Of the suggestions below, second Mangia Mangia and Walt's Wharf.
Other suggestions nearby:
Lou's Oak on Brookhurst & Hamilton for Santa Maria BBQ
California Fish in Cypress north of Katella & Valley View for spanking fresh fish for a song, simple but adequate sides
Katella Deli on Katella east of Los Al Blvd for decent deli, go off hours to avoid crowds
Punjab on Brookhurst near Ellis for serviceable Indian chow
Nearby customer friendly chain outlets with adequate if uninspiring chow include: Claim Jumper at Brookhurst & Talbert, Marie Callender's on Beach and Cal Pizza on Edinger. At least if you're not satisfied with something they'll comp it.
If you want a more sophisticated dining experience Newport, Irvine, Laguna & LB are rife with possibilities.

[Like-Go-Eat?]

Cowabunga, Yeah Now!, Like, good pick – Huntington Beach is Primo! Never any Stink-Eyes and plenty ono kine grinz – fer sure! I agree with Harbor House Café, like, 24 hrs a day! Drive down to Seal Beach town, like, for a morning walk and scarf-up on those Cinnamon Rolls at Jill’s – Off the Richter. Ah, ...., ....OH!, try T K Burger for a Mondo burger at a rad surf shack, Like near the pear. Hay, Like, Maybe try Park Ave. for a Bitchin Spinach Salad or Chicken Fried Steak and then get Beached on that Chocolate-berry bread pudding and homemade vanilla ice cream. Like, what about those Choice Hot Wings down Beach Blvd. at Wings N Things? Get Amped cuz you two are, Like, Full-on for a totally rad weekend! Oh ya, The drive. Like make a post on the California Board. I gotta momboosa list for you and my bro.

Bunbye, I gotta bag.

Harbor House Café - (Breakfast - Steak & eggs, lunch and Dinner, great soups)
16341 Pacific Coast Highway
Sunset Beach, CA, 90742
[phone]

Sweet Jill's ( Just for Cinnamon Rolls and coffee – no breakfast)
123 1/2 Main St.
Seal Beach, CA
[phone].

T K Burger (Best burger and really great buns too. One block South and Across from the Huntington Beach Pier – next to Dairy Queen)
110 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, California 92648
[phone]
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
http://www.stockteam.com/tkburger.html

In-n-Out (Try a triple-triple with extra pickel
)18062 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach, California 92648
http://www.in-n-out.com/
http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp
100 X 100
http://www.chowhound.com/boards/notfood/messages/66920.html

Wings N Things Restaurant (Wings, Beef on Weck, Ribs) Dare you to try “Beyond Hot.”
18302 Beach Blvd
Huntington Beach, CA 92648-1311
[phone]

Park Ave. (American food at good prices, Great Burgers, Spinach Salad, Chicken Fried Steak, Steak salad, Steak, Sea food, Chocolate-berry bread pudding, homemade vanilla ice cream) Original post by Fun With Food, She “Loves the Spinach Salad.”
11200 Beach Blvd.
Stanton, CA
[phone]
http://www.parkavedining.com/

Cafe R & D (Asian chicken salad, Prime Rib & French Dip sandwiches, lime-ade
)401 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 219-055
(Fashion Island, By Bloomingdale's)

Roscoes Chicken & Waffles (No – not Huntington Beach BUT if you drive North – just before the Boondocks and the Stink Eyes.....)
730 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA, 90802-5134
[phone]

[LBQT]

I always forget about Sweet Jill's and those amazing cinammon rolls!! Get the rolls there, but go across the street catty corner to Javatini for coffee to go with them. Big fresh cinammon rolls with freshly roasted coffee eaten outside, with the beach just a stone's throw away. Ah, California!

[shimpiphany]

i grew up in huntington, and it is not known for its culinary delights. actually, most of the food around main street sucks.

but neighboring fountain valley is one of the best places to get authentic japanese food in the area. go south on PCH to brookhurst, take a left, and head up several miles past ellis to kappo honda (on the right, before the 405 freeway), my favorite izakaya (japanese pub food) in socal. it is japanese tapas galore, all freshly made and delicious. next door, closer to the beach, in the same plaza as Turner's guns (hey, it is OC) is an awesome japanese BBQ place called tsuruhashi, with kobe beef and delicious bibimbap. both of these places are open until about 1am.

if you head north on PCH to seal beach, you can eat at a great local's steakhouse called patty's place. make reservations. they have prime meat, always good oysters and stiff drinks. in the same plaza is an outstanding sushi place called koi. they specialize in toro, and typically have 3-4 different varieties.

[Al]

You can't have great Indian in Huntington Beach without mention Bukara. On Edinger just west of Beach Blvd.

[Gigi]

This is probably too late but I agree about Rombi's, located on Warner just west of Beach but I'd also recommend Ciao on Edinger just west of Beach and Springdale Grill which is north of Bolsa on Springdale Ave. Ciao is a French-Italian Bistro in a strip mall but the chef-owner has done a nice job decorating his space and his food is very good. Springdale Grill has been in it's place for years and serves typical steak house food; prime rib, prime rib sandwiches, good salads, good French onion soup, etc.

[Comedyman21]

Chronic Tacos.

[haolebaby]

Yes, Chronic tacos are just that. A delicious mess wrapped up in foil. On an note unrelated to the tacos I love the cups for the fountain drinks. Mmm, horchata.. Have the carne asada on corn tortillas with everything and hot salsa.

[Das Ubergeek]

The reason to go to Chronic Tacos is the potato taco.

Oh. My. God.

[stacyface1]

there's an amazing bbq place that originated in san luis obispo, called Mo's. EXCELLENT bbq!!!!

[FoodiePastor]

wow, i'm new to this site, and its crazy how post can come back after several years!

Best HB spot (lived here for 15 year) has to be:
Sakura (shabu shabu) The lunch special has to be one of the best deal in all of Socal, especially if you order chicken! My wife and I were going here a couple times a week for a while. Check it out!

[FoodiePastor]

lol! I'll be a Sakura tonight! Can't wait for it!

[Burke10]

For breakfast we LOVE the Breadcrumb (hidden in the shopping center, corner of Garfield and Beach). BEST macadamia Hawaiian French toast and pancakes. The eggs are also great. We go every weekend - it is amazing!