Slapfish Features Eco-Friendly Menu

Seafood – As Fresh as it Gets!

A Surfrider Sponsor Story

Written by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

“Sorry, Charlie, only the best will do.”

Remember that classic line from the Starkist tuna ads? Well the same applies to the fish served at Huntington Beach casual dining restaurant Slapfish (Newland Shopping Center at 19696 Beach Blvd.)

Specializing in fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, sourced from responsible sustainable suppliers, Slapfish is as concerned about where your fish comes from as how it tastes.

Owners Andrew Gruel and Jethro Naude describe themselves as “pure ocean-aholics,” noting that “We grew up fishing, surfing, and ultimately making our livings with the ocean.”

Along the way, the pair launched their Slapfish food truck in May 2011…and later the Beach Boulevard restaurant in Huntington Beach.

 

When it comes to the fish they serve, their goal is to “take wisely from the ocean without harming the marine eco-system.” This way, rather than being fished to the brink of extinction, fish have an ability to replenish themselves.

SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel learned that this means you get the freshest, healthiest, best-tasting seafood imaginable.

Some of the specialties on the Slapfish menu include its trademark fish tacos and more.

  

 

And at a price that won’t bust your budget. Forgoing white table cloths and expensive silverware, Slapfish focuses on providing a “boatload of deliciousness” on your plate.

This extends to the vegetables it serves, too, which are the freshest available, coming from local providers…

including the students in Huntington Beach High School’s sustainability class, taught by social studies teacher Greg Goran.

Goran, the Surfrider Foundation’s Huntington/Seal Beach Ocean Friendly Gardens expert, teaches the class as a way to give his students hands-on knowledge about responsible farming methods…and an opportunity to learn business skills.

By selling their produce to Slapfish and at local events the students, who are part of the school’s environmental Green Team, get to see how all their hard work, planting, nurturing and harvesting, pays off, while generating revenue for the school – a win-win for everyone.

Plus it’s exciting for the students to see their vegetables being enjoyed by the diners at Slapfish. “When we come in they’ll be eating the stuff we brought literally within minutes,” Goran stated.

Jessica Bechtold, Surfrider’s HBSB Ocean Friendly Restaurants chairperson, applauds the work that Slapfish is doing to protect the ocean’s sea life and is actively involved in getting restaurants to join the new OFR program.

Bechtold explained to SurfWriter Girls that restaurants who sign on will be committed to sustainable food practices. Along with how the food is sourced and handled, this includes using biodegradable food containers, cups and utensils. 

Whether you stop by Slapfish to grab a fish taco or an order of fish and chips to-go or opt for one of the restaurant’s definitely gourmet lobster creations, you can be sure that everything on your plate will be fresh and flavorful.

 

And, if something on the menu isn’t available, that’s because it’s either sold out or not in season. 

At Slapfish sometimes even being the best isn’t enough to get on the plate.

“Sorry, Charlie, only the sustainable will do.”

SurfWriter Girls

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Huntington Beach Beer Company Handcrafts Brews

Brewpub Taps Historic Roots

Written By SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel

Tap into the historical roots of Huntington Beach at the Huntington Beach Beer Company (201 Main Street).

In the early 1900s, when Huntington Beach was just being developed, local farmers would sickle the grain grown nearby and cart the malt by horse-drawn carriages to the downtown breweries in Los Angeles.

Reflecting that era, the Huntington Beach Beer Company – a brewpub started in 1992 in an upstairs location overlooking Main – has kept the feel of that time…

with brick walls, stone floors, wood finishes, and malt sacks.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor, SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation, which told us this was just the place to take a break from the sun.

On the way to our table we noticed the huge, gleaming beer tanks.

Starting with HBBC’s handcrafted, brewed-on- site ales and lagers, there’s an ever-changing lineup of craft beers from award-winning breweries.

For a true taste of the beach, try HBBC’s own HB Blonde Ale, Pier Pale Ale, or Brickshot Red Ale, available in pints or pitchers.

Or check the chalkboard to see what other beers brewmaster Brandon Blankenship has in store for you. There’s always something new to try.

Plus HBBC offers a wide range of burgers, soups and sandwiches, salads, appetizers, daily specials and more.

HBBC’s burgers are big and served with its trademark beer battered fries.

The house burger is made with a half-pound beef patty and your choice of cheese. Other burgers include a BBQ Hickory, Spicy Blonde Onion burger, turkey, ahi, veggie burger, and more.

For sandwiches, if you like pulled pork or jerk chicken, you’ve come to the right place. You can also get a classic Reuben, made with corned beef or pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing on rye.

And, for that ultimate comfort food sandwich, the grilled cheese, HBBC’s is served on sourdough with a choice of cheddar or provolone.

SurfWriter Girls liked the wood-fired, brick oven pizzas that are another of HBBC’s specialties.

 

If you’re looking for something different, try the Thai Chicken Pizza with spicy peanut sauce and cilantro or the Endless Summer Veggie Pizza that has “the entire garden” on it.

For entertainment, when you feel like kicking up your heels, stop by HBBC on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to dance along to the records the DJs are spinning.

Or go on sports nights to root for your favorite football, hockey and baseball teams while enjoying the food and beer specials - fish tacos, pizzas and chili cheese dogs, with HB pints.

Natalie and Jim Antista and son Josh told SurfWriter Girls they like to go to HBBC for fun family time. The food is great and they can see the shops on Main and walk on the beach.

Wednesday Beer Appreciation Nights (reservations required) are set aside for beer aficionados who want to sample the latest beers. 

    

HBBC is open daily with a Late Night Happy Hour on Sunday - Thursday from 10 p.m. to close. For more information about hours or events, phone 714-960-5343 or check the website: hbbeerco.com.   

Then the next time you’re looking for a brewpub where you can relax with friends, stop by the Huntington Beach Beer Company and grab a stool at the bar or a table on the patio overlooking the pier.

Cheers!

Patti & Sunny

 

SurfWriter Girls

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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.