HANNA CHU
Assistant A&E Editor
Malibu isn’t much of a college town, which has affected Pepperdine’s dating scene in that there isn’t one. Being surrounded by beautiful people, mansions and high-end restaurants such as the Chart House, Nobu and Geoffrey’s, it’s no wonder guys don’t ask gals out. Not only is it intimidating to go on dates, but it’s inconvenient. As broke college students, we’re on a quest to find the perfect affordable date scene.
Introducing Reel Inn: tasty food, casual ambiance and most importantly, low-priced meals. Don’t let the shabby, shack-like wood exterior throw you off, although the interior is no different. Everything inside is wood, from the counter where food is served to the benches lining each table. An array of different ornaments adorns the walls and ceilings, and each table sports candles and Corona bottles filled with salt and pepper. With its hanging surfboards, bikes and blow-up balloon beer advertisements, Reel Inn never gives your eyes a rest.
Unlike other restaurants where guests are seated with menus, there’s just a gigantic wall menu here. Simply line up to order, then loiter around or seat yourself until the cooks call out your name on the microphone. Everything at Reel Inn is about self-service. You get what you want when you want it. There’s a table to the right of the register with filtered water, napkins and utensils. Another table next to it has all the condiments lined up that you might want for your meal, like ketchup or Tabasco sauce.
An instruction sheet on how to order food at Reel Inn guides first-time visitors through the process. First, you pick a fish. As a seafood restaurant, the menu has an extensive list of them. Salmon, halibut and tuna are always a safe bet, but for those willing to venture, the restaurant also offers uncommon options such as monk fish, bassa sole and swordfish. After making their selection, guests select two sides such as Cajun rice, home-style potatoes or beans. Finally, guests have the option of completing their meal with either coleslaw or salad.
While the entrées are guaranteed to fill appetites with mouth-watering food, the selections under the appetizers section are also an excellent choice. The fried zucchini and fish tacos in particular are surefire options to satisfy.
For those who don’t eat seafood, there is a chicken and pasta portion of the menu with equally attractive and tantalizing alternatives.
The wait for the food is not long, and with the relaxed atmosphere, fun decorations and groovy music selections from oldies such as Heart and Chuck Berry, any night here will be a memorable one.
Quality seafood that doesn’t cost a fortune is hard to find, but Reel Inn offers a wide selection for a price that college students can budget.
Since there’s no one serving whatsoever, tipping isn’t necessary. Save that money for Malibu Yo after dinner.
10-27-2005
