HANNA CHU & ANELA HOLCK
A & E Editor & Photo Editor
As ideal as it would be for every date to be perfectly planned and mapped out, life forces us to be open to spontaneity, and we might just have to leave the night up to chance.
We had a very romantic evening planned — hot dogs on the pier — but because we didn’t realize the abnormal dining hours for some eating establishments, we got turned away from both the pier and Malibu Inn.
It may have been our third attempt, but Malibu Beach Grill provided us with kosher cheap eats and proved itself to be a safe bet for a random evening. A short drive from campus down Pacific Coast Highway, the Malibu Beach Grill is located near a popular student hangout, the Malibu Inn. The restaurant is also located across from Malibu’s picturesque pier, adding to its casual atmosphere and beach-theme ambience.
Walking up to the restaurant with a shack-like exterior, there’s a mix of surfer locals, out-of-town bikers and people who enjoy kosher foods. There are heat lamps keeping customers warm while in the beautiful outdoor ocean view seating. But beware: the romantic setting is slightly diminished because of the proximity of Pacific Coast Highway. However, the constant flow of traffic could provide for interesting conversation if the date is going stale.
For those more comfortable sitting indoors, the seating is cozy at the raised wooden barstool tables. A lone surfboard hanging on the ceiling is one of the restaurants only decorative pieces, along with a flat screen television that was shut off and two pieces of art on either side of the register.
Because the establishment is so small, there is a crowded and noisy ambiance created by the clanks of the kitchen, the drowned out radio and the jovial conversations initiated by the cashier. However, the aroma of fried goodness will stir your appetite, and the surroundings suddenly become unimportant.
There is an array of burgers, tacos, salads, wraps, burritos, and organic roasted chicken with a variety of sides. It’s always a good idea to save money and try something new by checking out the small chalkboard left of the register that lists the daily specials. For our cheap date, the specials included a chili dog, chili bowl and chili fries, each one costing less than $7.
The cooks are open to special requests, and add their signatures to everyday dishes. The chili bowl with an addition of brown rice helped make the meal more filling, and the big chunks of tomato added a tangy touch to a otherwise average bowl of chili.
The burritos are always a popular choice at the eatery. The carne burrito came stuffed full of guacamole, beef, red rice, pinto beans, onions, cilantro and salsa — all stuffed in a large flour tortilla. The great thing about the burritos is that they all come with chips and the Malibu Beach Grill’s home-made salsa.
Wash this grub down with your selection from the refrigerator crammed full of Snapples, Vitamin Waters, Stewart’s Fountain Classics or just a water bottle. However, for a truly cheap date experience, turn around and take a few steps over to the orange Home Depot water cooler for a refreshing lukewarm plastic cup of water.
Seating is limited at the Malibu Beach Grill, so if the shack is crowded, take the meal to-go and add more spontaneity by heading to the pier across the street.
01-19-2006
