Beach April 2018

Bar food
Restaurant hamburger
Ercoles
Our winner for bar food has what is almost
undoubtedly the smallest selection in
the South Bay. If you like burgers, tacos, or
hot dogs you’ll be right at home, because
that’s the whole list. The burgers and tacos
use meat fresh from Manhattan Meat Market
next door, and it’s top quality. The portions
are generous and prices are almost
comically low, making this a great dinner
deal even if you don’t have a drink. You
probably will, and perhaps another one to
follow it because they’re modestly priced
and the classic cocktails are well made. It
will be more trouble deciding what to have
because the selection is so much larger, but
that’s a problem you probably won’t mind
having.
Ercoles
1101 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach
(310) 372-1997
m.mainstreethub.com
>> Runner-up: Baja Sharkeez
52 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
(310) 318-0004
3600 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach
(310) 545-8811
sharkeez.net
Breakfast omelet
“Ode to Ercoles,” by Bob White.
Photo by Kevin Cody
A burger in name only.
Chili
Standing Room
Our definitions of what a burger is have
exploded during the last decade. It no longer
raises an eyebrow when a chef tosses something
outrageous on top of that beef patty.
Or maybe it’s a turkey patty, or lamb,
chicken, veggie, ostrich, or whatever else
didn’t get out of the way fast enough. You
can’t stand out on novelty alone, but you can
on the dexterity with which you combine
flavors. Many burgers at Standing Room
have a distinct Asian fusion influence, with
sweet, spicy, and herbal notes that pair off
superbly. The standard burgers are formidable
too. They’re huge, with the thick meat
patty cooked just as you like it. The Standing
Room serves much more than burgers,
but that’s where they built their reputation.
The Standing Room Restaurant
1320 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach
(310) 318-1272
thestandingroomrestaurant.com
>> Runner-up: Hennessey’s Tavern
8 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
(310) 372-5759
313 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach
(310) 546-4813
1712 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach
(310) 540-8443
hennesseystavern.com
At Martha’s, it’s all about presentation. Photo by Chelsea Schreiber
Martha's
Could it be that the omelets at Martha’s
taste a little better because of the ocean
breeze, or perhaps their sunny patio or
homey interior? We don’t know, but we suspect
that there’s at least some effect. Perhaps
the cooks and servers are a bit more
inspired to do their best by their environment.
Either way the egg pancakes are unusually
light and fluffy, the fillings fresh and
flavorful, and the hash browns on the side
show up with the right balance of crisp and
soft. An omelet here is a full meal, and
32 Easy Reader / Beach magazine • April 12, 2018
based on the number of bicycles parked
here any time they’re open, a lot of patrons
are working them off as soon as they depart.
Martha’s 22nd St. Grill
25 22nd St., Hermosa Beach
(310) 376-7786
>> Runner-up: Eat at Joe’s
400 N. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo
Beach
(310) 376-9570
originaleatatjoes.com
HopSaint
We hope you get hungry for chili only once a week, because that’s how often
HopSaint serves it. Orders start coming out of the kitchen on Sunday at noon, and it lasts
until it’s gone. On rare occasions they have some left over which they serve on Monday,
but don’t count on it. This is so good, the long-simmered stew accented by smoky shreds
and chunks of the burnt ends of meat from their barbecue. It’s served in a hot skillet topped
with chopped purple onion, a dollop of sour cream and decorative cilantro leaf. On the
side is the best, corniest cornbread you’ve ever had. It’s worth putting a recurring reminder
in your phone’s calendar that tells you to head to HopSaint on Sunday for the best chili this
side of Texas – any maybe there.
HopSaint Brewing Company
5160 W. 190th St., Torrance
(310) 214-4677
hopsaint.com
>> Runner-up: Good Stuff
1286 The Strand, Hermosa Beach
(310) 374-2334
1617 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. Ste. 102 Redondo Beach
(310) 316-0262
131 W. Grand Ave., C, El Segundo
(310) 647-9997
Promenade On The Peninsula,
550 Deep Valley Dr., #151, Rolling Hills Estates
(310) 544-8000
EatGoodStuff.com