Huntington Beach’s local business scene is anything but stagnant. Culinary concepts are shuttering and opening every month, and we try our darnedest to keep pace with the buzz. Aside from Pacific City’s grand opening, here are 6 new must-try eateries around town.
1 // Hole Mole
Holy moly, we’ve got ourselves a Hole Mole. Born in Long Beach, this family-owned and operated local chain serves up Mexican-inspired favorites in Long Beach, Carson, Tustin, and finally, since January 6, Huntington Beach. They promise “one bite and you’re hooked,” and they’re not kidding. The menu boasts affordable, locally sourced eats and beverages, and features marinated asada, chicken, and al pastor; slow-cooked, made-from-scratch enchilada sauces, mole sauces, and salsas; fresh guacamole; savory refried beans and cheese; fried ice cream; nachos; and their signatures: Ensenada-style fish tacos made with their secret Ensenada batter and crema, grilled ono burritos, and chicken mole bowls. Offering one of the best Taco Tuesdays in Southern California, Hole Mole prices their Ensenada-style fish, asada, chicken, carnitas, and al pastor street tacos at $1.19, and their Ensenada-style shrimp tacos at $1.99. Also on tap are more than a dozen craft beers, plus wine cocktails.
Winter hours are Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours will extend come summer.
BONUS: Main & PCH readers can download a free Ensenada-style fish taco by texting “holemole” to 44777 and downloading the On-Q mobile app.
Hole Mole // 17491 Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 // 714.841.3474
2 // Bahama Buck’s
While this shaved ice concept is part of a national chain, a local husband-wife team from Huntington Beach brought one of the first California locations to town in late July 2015. Serving up nearly 100 flavors of sno, smoothies, and other island treats, the new dessert spot also offers a tropical retreat with its island-inspired decor.
Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Bahama Buck’s // 8112 Talbert Avenue, Unit 104, Huntington Beach, CA // 714.841.7661
3 // Euro Caffe
Self-described as “Europe in a cup,” this cafe, coming soon to Bella Terra, serves up coffee, tea, handmade crêpes, grilled panini, and European pastries. A crème brûlée latte paired with green tea matcha tiramisu? Yes, please. It recently took over the former SweetXO shop at Bella Terra, and will proudly pour alongside neighboring locations in Costa Mesa and Irvine.
Euro Caffe // Bella Terra, 7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 151, Huntington Beach, CA 92647
4 // Thunder Burgrz & Pizza
Sky Door Restaurants is slowly taking over downtown Huntington Beach, and this customizable comfort food joint marks their fourth location alongside Gallagher’s, 2nd Floor, and BLK Earth Sea Spirits. The new late-night concept centers on build-your-own and ready-to-eat pizzas featuring handmade-from-scratch dough and sauce, $5 late-night pizza by the slice, handcrafted burgers made with Angus beef and American Wagyu Kobe beef, fresh hand-cut fries and onion rings, and fried sweets. Thought the OC Fair was the closest place to score fried Oreos, Snickers, and Twinkies? Wrong. It’s now on Main Street, and also fries up “Kronut Bites.”
Hours are daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., then midnight to 3 a.m.
Thunder Burgrz & Pizza // 126 Main Street, Suite 104, Huntington Beach, CA // 714.374.1234
5 // Go Salad
We love to hate salad. But with Go Salad’s nutritious customizable medleys, we may learn to love them. Newly minted at 5 Points Plaza, the eatery invites diners to create their own fresh chopped salads from more than 60 toppings and homemade dressings. Also featured are chef created salads, bowls, and sandwiches, plus fresh juices. The menu is friendly to all diets, from vegans to omnivores.
Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed on Sunday.
Go Salad // 18687 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 // 714.316.3893
6 // Kitchen Republic
Occupying the former Bondi Grill space at Bella Terra, Kitchen Republic defines itself as a “tapas bistro,” with a menu that’s not quite Spanish nor French. Grouped by “Earth,” “Land,” “Sea,” “Pasta & Soup,” “Main Land,” “Main Sea,” and “Desserts,” the menu has us drooling for ahi poke, lobster macaroni & cheese, spicy chicken khao soi, crab fried rice, and…okay, we’ll stop.
Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kitchen Republic // Bella Terra, 7821 Edinger Avenue, Suite 110, Huntington Beach, CA 92647 // 714.891.8890
