Summer
is almost upon us. Come haze or high water. While you’re
at the beach enjoying the sun, sand and surf it is a
known fact that at some point hunger and thirst will
come
upon you. Depending on where you’ve marked out
your beach spot, somewhere along the way you’re
bound to encounter a concession stand to appease those
demands.
 At
North Beach the stand known as “Kahuna’s Grill” is
run by locals Eric and Gia Lucy, who took over about
a year ago. Gia is the author of, “Sun, Sand and
Surf, the Ultimate Guide to Orange County Beaches” and “Temecula
Wine Country”. Eric is an ordained minister (pastor
at South Shores Church at Salt Creek) and personal trainer.
The Lucy’s snack shack is open weekends through
May. Starting mid-June it operates seven days a week
until Labor Day. Hours are from 11am to 5:30pm. You will
find not only hamburgers and fries, but also Chicago
style hot dogs, Nature Burgers, nachos and salads there.
In addition smoothies, sno-cones and soft-serve ice cream
are also offered.
The Pier
Bowl
Venture south to the Pier and discover the
pride of San Clemente, the Crab Pot Restaurant
and Beach Eatery, operated by the Fisherman’s
Restaurant. While the hours are limited through
May, the Crab Pot goes into full swing mid-June.
This is a full service eatery with an extensive
menu ranging from grilled seafood, to ribs
and chicken. After 5pm a hostess and table
service are added for the dinner crowd. A
full service bar is available to make your
dining experience complete.
The Pier Bowl also offers several alternatives
to the beach snack shacks should you feel
the need to leave the sand. Directly across
the street from the pier you will find Cassano’s
Pizza, the Beach Garden Café, Le Gallette
Creperie and the White Horses Restaurant.
The Pier
If you find yourself walking out on the pier, whether
it be for exercise or to do a little
fishing, you will happen upon Schleppy’s
on the Pier. Carlos Keppner took this
place over several years ago and has
done a remarkable job transforming this
circa 1927 bait and tackle shop into
a unique destination. Its full-service
kitchen offers 1/3 lb. ground sirloin
burgers, Ahi burgers, homemade ceviche,
fish and chips and clam strips. Coffee
and a full espresso bar round out the
menu.
T-Street
The City has dubbed the concession at the base of the pedestrian
overpass at T-Street Beach, The Surfer, but the locals
know it as the T-Street Snack Bar. The Wilson family
has run this snack shack since 1990. The Surfer is open
on weekends from 11 am to 6 pm through mid-June when
it opens daily all summer until Labor Day. You can feast
on fast foods, soft-serve ice cream and candy, and rent
Boogie boards and swim fins there.
Calafia Beach
On the eastside of the railroad tracks at Calafia
Beach you’ll
find another of Carl Keppner’s eateries, Schleppy’s
at the Beach. This concession provides casual beach dining.
Its menu offers the 1/3 lb. ground sirloin burger, fish tacos,
homemade ceviche, fried clams and chicken burritos. It also
boasts a full espresso bar and serves fruit smoothies. This
is the only beach concession that has a full beach rental
department where you can acquire surfboards, Boogie boards,
umbrellas, beach chairs and sundries, in the event you’ve
forgotten something. And at 5 pm, this snack shack
transforms into an oceanfront dining experience complete
with an extensive beer and wine list. The perfect
ending to a great day spent on the beach. b
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