Living in Philly for most of the year, admittedly spoils my palette. So when I am about to come down to the shore for the summer and become a Semi-Native (or Prolonged Benny, whichever you prefer), I have to mentally prepare my tastebuds for the inevitable lack of deliciousness I will be consuming for the next 4 months. I also have a theory about food near saltwater, and let’s not even get into a “shore prices” debate (of which I will write about soon). So combine all of this and you will understand my mindset going into these food reviews as setting the bar incredibly low, and hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

So with that in mind, I tackle one of the Stefano’s regime, The California Grill & Pizza. Why them? Cause I liked their chowder last year during chowderfest, and I haven’t had a chance to drink from their Loins of Creamy Desire since. So it seemed like the place to start.

My 3 word summation: Decent, Average & Cheap

Decent goes to the food. The menu is actually quite varied for a typical grill. It goes beyond the typical burger, cheese steak attempt, chicken sandwich to include some Mexican affair. Of which, I am a fan. Not expecting so, I went ahead and ordered a chicken burrito, Old Bay fries and of course, a bowl of New England. The New England doesn’t need much reviewing. It was last years champion, and still holds its own. A triple C all the way, Creamy, Cheesey, Cheap. Yes, unlike some chowder places on this island, you aren’t breaking out the debit card to nosh on a a simple bowl of chowder. This one only set me back $3. This begs repeating in case anyone in particular is reading this let alone taking notes. IT ONLY COST $3. A bread bowl would be $6. Not $12. Six. The Old Bay Fries were, well, Old Bay and fries. Nothing to write home about, but also not a total fail. Same for the burrito. No I take that back, the burrito was better than most down here. A good size without going over the top, a lot of chicken, and it was flavorful. All in all a Decent meal.

The ambiance is pretty much Average. It’s a grill. I wasn’t expecting any. It wasn’t Valentine’s Day and I wasn’t out to woo a prospective lady friend. So unless you are 14, and your parents will only let you take your date within a 1 block radius of the homestead, go somewhere else. The waitstaff was courteous, and they didn’t screw up my order. The only plus it has over some of the other stop ins is the outside seating. Yes it’s the beach there should be outside seating, but you’d be surprised how many places actually don’t.

Which brings us to the Cheap. A typical family of four will spend a good penny down here on food. In fact one of the best ways to enjoy a vacation, at least in my vast experience is to turn it into a week long tailgate. Fire up the BBQ and don’t turn it off till you leave. THAT, would be the cheap way. However, being as people are on vacation, they don’t want to cook. So your options are limited. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Let’s assume you are prepared to drop a Benjamin on dinner. Ok, hope you were prepared to drop that on breakfast too. Which leaves the lunch, as the “oh please god don’t make it $300 a day on food” dish. Well, the California Grill and a handful of other eateries manage to feed the fam, without starving the bank account, which in my book, goes a long way. Old Bay Fries, Cup of Award-winning Chowder, and a Chicken Burrito = $14 + tax. I was actually kind of full off the Chowder too. I had forgotten how hearty it was. So save the dough for a babysitter Thursday night and treat the wife to a nice Sweet Vidalia dinner. The kid’s palette isn’t developed enough to note a difference anyways.

Rating:  

Stefano’s California Grill
34^th Street & the Boulevard
Beach Haven Terrace
www.stefanoslbi.com

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