Typically on the 4th of July in Laguna Beach, many of our dine-in restaurants close. Our 4th of July crowds tend to flock to Heisler Park and Main Beach, hunkering down for the day and rarely even sending one designated “food buyer” out of the fray to pick up ice cream or counter-service pizza.
This year, however, things have changed. Because crowds have no reason to hunker at Heisler for the evening fireworks show, restaurants that would normally be closed on the 4th are staying open for what is expected to be one of the busiest weekends yet.
And, while all of our restaurants continue to provide take-out, some have created specialty holiday weekend take-out menus for pick up or delivery. Here are a few details to take note of:
DIY Backyard BBQ Kits
For the first time in a long time, Broadway by Amar Santana will be open on the 4th of July for dinner. Chef Amar is also offering five optional “Grill at Home” packages for parties of 2 or more. Choose from five different cuts of steak (including Wagyu Ribeye) and enjoy roasted corn guacamole with house-fried chips, ahi tuna poke appetizer, chilled tomato gazpacho and a mason jar of Chef’s secret seasonings for the steak. (In my opinion, the price is worth the securing of that secret seasoning jar.) You can also order large and small jars of craft cocktails.
Pre-order Broadway’s “Grill at Home” by Thursday, July 2nd before 6 p.m. Pick up your order on Friday, July 3rd, between noon and 6 p.m.
GG’s Bistro’s BBQ Kit includes multiple options for kabobs, family style salad, rice, pitas and more.
GG’s Bistro will be open on the 4th of July (they are, I believe, one of two restaurants open 365 days a year). GG’s is also providing a hearty take-out BBQ kit with marinated skewers (protein of your choice), family-style salad, rice, fresh-baked pitas and plenty of yogurt dressing for DIY gyros.
Harley Laguna Beach remains closed for dine-in but is open for several grab-and-go options Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to about 8 p.m. This Saturday (only), July 4th, Harley is closing at 2 p.m.
Popular picnic fare, Harley’s family style Fried Chicken comes with a basket full of side options.
Chef Greg is continuing to offer a number of great options for take-out, including two popular family-style meals: Harley’s Fried Chicken Meal (in “regular” or “spicy” chicken mode) and their Dr. Pepper Baby Back Ribs. Choose two sides, add in extras or other small sides, and consider nabbing a perfectly paired bottle of wine, too.
Chef Greg says he’s also offering DIY backyard grilling kits this holiday weekend for Grilled Chicken, Ribs and Burgers. Harley pre-orders for all of the above can be done through Thursday evening – remember to pick up by Saturday at 2 p.m. for the restaurant’s evening closure.
Nirvana Grille will be open through Saturday afternoon (July 4th) for pick up and delivery of a variety of mix-and-match family-sized portions that are fully cooked and ready to serve. Chef Lindsay continues to offer contactless groceries, meat and seafood, too. Be sure to get your order in early as Nirvana closes Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
Backyard Burgers To-Go
This last weekend, I had the pleasure of trying Selanne Steak Tavern’s lunch options – a “visiting team” of hearty hamburgers, hot dogs and poutine options from Teemu Selanne’s second Orange County restaurant, Penalty Box. The burger pictured here is “The Broken Rib” with burger, a pile of short rib and onion rings with PB secret sauce.
Normally open for lunch Wednesday through Saturday, this is a particularly great option for your 4th of July Saturday. Selanne will open just for lunch on the 4th to serve up Penalty Box favorites. Hours are 11:30 to about 2:30″ish” p.m. They will be closed for the evening.
Laguna Restaurants closed on 4th of July
Not every restaurant in town has gotten back to me, so please check in my social platforms and blog for updates this week. Closed restaurants on Saturday, July 4th (only) include:
Coyote Grill closes at 2:00 p.m.
Lumberyard and Yard Bar
Nick’s
Nirvana Grille closes at 5:00 p.m.
Selanne Steak Tavern closes at about 3:00 p.m.
Slice Pizza
South of Nick’s
Wine Gallery