Bodacious Beach Eats
Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
Visitors and locals in Huntington Beach (Surf City USA) have a bodacious place to chill out and enjoy the latest in gourmet California casual cuisine. To find out for yourself, just head to Lot 579.
Located in the stylish, beach-themed Pacific City complex on Pacific Coast Highway, Lot 579 – named after lifeguard stations 5, 7 and 9 across the street – is a trendy, upscale food hall that gives new meaning to your typical shopping mall food court.
Just steps from the sea and sand, with ocean breezes, Lot 579 has everything under one roof.
From fresh-caught seafood, artisanal sandwiches, burgers and beer, and Italian specialties to tempting cupcakes, homemade ice cream and cool pops with your own custom flavors.
Whether you’re taking a break from surfing or sightseeing, shopping or sun worshiping, Lot 579 is the perfect port (with or without a storm) to drop anchor.
SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel give a BIG two surfboards up to Burnt Crumbs‘ signature spaghetti-grilled cheese sandwich mashup, a sandwich that’s gone viral on social media food sites. There’s also a fried chicken biscuit sandwich, classic turkey, pastrami, crispy pork, Reuben, and more.
The Bear Flag Fish Co. prides itself on offering “the best cut of the best fish. Fresh out of the ocean, expertly prepared.” Everything’s sustainably harvested and mostly local. So, whether you opt for a sashimi plate or ahi poke bowl or go for an order of fish tacos or a seafood plate, you know you’re making an environmentally-friendly choice.
Living up to its name, The American Dream will have you dreaming about its burgers and truffle mac & cheese.
Mahogany Smoked Meats definitely knows a thing or two about beef jerky, ham steaks, pork chops and sausages. Based in California’s High Sierras, they’ve been smoking premium meats over mahogany logs since 1922.
For a taste of the neighborhood – Italian style – look no farther than Il Barone Sicilian Street Food. With roots going back more than a generation to a family-run restaurant outside of Milan, the pizzas, fresh calzones, and more will have you singing ‘O Sole Mio.
Or how about something from the Land Down Under? SurfWriter Girls say, “Why not?” Better yet, Pie-Not. The Aussie-style bakery’s hand-held meat & veggie pies are savory and delicious.
For a special treat or dessert there’s Popbar, Frosted Cupcakery, and Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream to tempt you. The brightly-colored gelato on a stick, mini-cupcakes and creamy ice cream are definitely worth leaving room for.
If you want to just stop and relax, grab a cup of premium roasted coffee from Portola Coffee Lab or a cool beer at The Dude’s Brewing Company.
Or stop by Petals & Pop for a celebratory glass of Rose Champagne. They have lots of wine to choose from, gifts, and flowers, too – a whole bathtub filled with them!
Lot 579 is much more than just a place to refuel or escape the sun. It supports the beach community, lifestyle and environment. Donating to social causes, it recently hosted A Taste of Lot 579 benefit for the non-profit Surfrider Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, waves and beaches.
To find out more about the Surfrider Foundation benefit, check out the story in SurfWriter Girls. Just click: SRF Benefit.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the next day.
Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material. Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to post it on social media sites as long as credit is given.