Venice Beach Boardwalk’s Hidden Food Gems
The boardwalks along the Venice and Santa Monica beaches are two of the hottest beach destinations in all of Southern California, and they offer up some of the best sights around town: Muscle Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, graffiti-embossed skateboarding ramps, colorful peddlers along the sidewalks—there’s really no other place like it in the country. Though the boardwalks may have it all when it comes to attractions and relaxation, it’s a bit more difficult to find quality food along the beach. There’s an overwhelming about of greasy, overpriced pizza and questionable burgers, as well as higher-end bars and restaurants, but hidden among the clutter are a few really solid gems to score your beach grub. Here are three of our fave (cheap!) foodie finds for beachside dining while having a day at the Santa Monica and Venice Beach Boardwalks:
Hot Dog on a Stick is one of the oldest claims to fame along the Santa Monica Pier or Boardwalk. Now a nationwide chain, the original location opened up here in the 1940s, in the very same red shack standing today reading “Hot Dog Stick” in bold white letters. More like a clown car than a fast food stand, you’ll often find up to 10 employees working inside the dinky space, scurrying busily to dip battered dogs to order and dole out fresh fruit-studded lemonades to the masses. At just around 4 bucks a dog, these are worth the stop. You have the option of turkey dog or veggie, and both are just as delectable, nestled cozily inside a sweet, nutty cornmeal batter.
Speaking of legendary, another don’t-miss spot when the beachside hunger hits should be Charly Tremmel Ice Cream. The story of this Austrian ice cream company is that Arnold Schwarzenegger himself convinced the owner to open up a shop here back in the day. True? Maybe, maybe not, but the glory of the homemade ice cream isn’t necessarily the backstory, or that it’s won multiple awards—it’s that it beats the heck out of the soft serve shops you’ll find along the Venice Boardwalk. If you’re jonesing for other cool treats, try a chocolate-dipped banana, customized ice cream cookie sandwich, or fruit-filled crepe.
So you’re not looking for traditional American foods while cruising the beachside? Check out Bombay Indian Cuisine, a small food shack on the Venice Boardwalk. The Indian food here goes beyond just naan and samosas; it enters full-scale restaurant offering status. Full dinner combination plates, fresh mango lassis, and platters of pakoras are among the generous options here. The prices are reasonable and the food is satisfying. It’s just the thing when you want something more substantial that a greasy slice of pizza on the boardwalk but don’t want to sit down at a full-fledged restaurant (you are, after all, wearing a bikini and cut-offs and are probably dripping with sand and sunscreen).
WHERE TO FIND THEM:
Hot Dog on a Stick
1633 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Charly Tremmel Ice Cream
1313 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
310-664-9564
Bombay Indian Cuisine
1301 Ocean Front Walk
Venice, CA 90291
310-396-6879