I havent eaten here so I cannot speak for the food but the patio is enough to make me give it 4 stars. Right by the SM pier, good drink prices and selection. Perfect place to sit outside, drink and enjoy the warm Cali sunshine!
(4)
Amy S.
For a bar on the boardwalk across from the Santa Monica Pier, yes this place is A-OK. No liquor, just beer and wine...I'm sure the wine came from a box. There's an outdoor patio in the back that kind of blocks any ocean winds, so it's warm and sunny back there. Apparently the burgers are quite fantastic...I've only had the onion rings (good, but when are they not?) and a lot of large beers...that's another thing, the beers come in small, med, large...get the large because the downside of this place is that the bartenders are intoxicated and service is slow. Friendly crew though. Oh and I found out this place is a New York Giants bar, which means that come football season, I might change this to 5 stars.
(3)
Shar A.
This is our go-to beer and fries location below the Santa Monica Pier. Super laid back staff and clientele. Sitting outside is just pleasant and casual. You can peacefully observe the energy of the people near the beach, everyone biking, skating, and running by. Just a great place to people watch and grab a beer. Chips are super fresh and come with yummy salsa. Communal tables allow for comfortable conversation and random chats with neighbors. You can rent bikes or blades right next door, or opt for a stroll onto the pier right above you. Great place!
(3)
Michelle G.
Been going to Deans for over 4 years. Love the place! Great burgers, cold beers, SM local crowd. Tonight I sat at the bar and ordered a burger and beer. The server/bartender was on a psycho trip. TERRIBLE SERVICE from a PSYCHO bartender for the first time in 4 years :-( He was on such a power trip he asked for security to ask me to leave after I tipped him on the wrong receipt?! Which I checked and my copy read customer copy. I literally was in tears. :-( Who ever this server is he need to be FIRED. Total liability to Big Deans. I did nothing wrong to deserve this treatment. Ruined my night. I full on cried. The manager tried to resurrect the situation by refunding the beers that were taken from us. Totally sad. This was a safe place and now I'm worried about a psycho bar tender freaking out for no reason. Can't believe I tipped the MF. Going to fight the cc charge now. :/ If there was a 1/2 star I would chose it.
(1)
Craig S.
This is a great spot! Fantastic burgers! very casual setting, very nice service. will make it a regular stop off.
(5)
Stephanie M.
Fun, friendly, reasonably priced. Not fancy, but delicious.
(4)
Daniel S.
I went here while I was on vacation and it was a good experience. The service was good and our waiter was very nice. He did forget to bring me my beer, but when I went to the bar and reminded him he apologized and gave it to me for free. The food was eh, but they had very cheap beer and that seemed to be the focus of the place anyway. If you are on the pier, want a nice atmosphere and cheap beer, I recommend this place.
(3)
Kimm P.
yah... second time here and I was still amazed by their burgers. great service, nice views, cold beer, and good burgers. the first time i came here was at night on a weekend, it gets pretty crazy and packed so if you want a burger come during lunch time when the weather is good!
(5)
Jessie M.
It's fine... but anything in the midst's of the madness that is the Santa Monica Pier isn't going to get a 5-star approval. Strange crowd, strange vibe. Food was fine... had a corn dog and the basket of frings. Salad was weird. My dad liked his ahi sandwich. Ummmmmm ya.
(3)
Sean L.
At first, I thought this place was called 'Baked Beans' BUT, it's not. LOVED this place. Located right across from the ORIGINAL Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. Right off the water- this hole in the wall has some tasty treats inside. Came here this afternoon with some friends of mine visiting from Minnesota. We decided on Big Dean's - for a beach bite. My friend had the chili cheese fries and a chicken sandwich. She enjoyed. Other friend had some spicy buffalo wings! He still isn't talking about them! I ordered the famous Big Dean's Burger - it was supposedly famous. It was pretty good - but not AMAZING. The decor is cool. Football equipment and baseball nostalgia drape the walls and the back patio is SICK. PROS: GREAT SERVICE -Cheap -Right on the water -Good bites! -Quick -GREASY -TASTY -PATIO - and right by the beach CONS: My burger didn't come with fries - come on, make it a basket. -Beer was a bit pricey compared to the grub. I can't wait to go back here and eat everything in sight. Check this place out at the beach! Best, Sean
(4)
Logan T.
It had been a few years since I enjoyed the Twilight Concert Series/free concerts at the Santa Monica Pier so with an evening burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to scoop the old lady up and show her what this freeq fest is all about. Upon arrival, I actually bump in to a few friends, which was a pleasant surprise, and decide to ride the swell and enjoy the critical mass that was building as they had more wine that we brought so I was happy to hop on that train. On the way, we all decided to stop by one of LA's "101 best bars" aka Big Dean's Cafe prior to hitting the beach and have to say that I, along with the rest of my crue, was utterly disappointed. With all due respect to the other reviewers, it's quite obvious that you all either dine here with a BAC of .62, wrote your review under the influence of some fucked up strain of kush, or are completely clueless when it comes to what constitutes a good dive bar/tavern versus a complete mess like Big Dean's. BL: it boggles my mind that this place even exists - while the staff are fairly kool and easy to deal with, the product was sub-par, at best, as the food was oversold, overdone, and overpriced. Look, I don't expect to get a Rustic Canyon-esq burger from a joint on the beach, but FML if I can't even get an experience that rivals a 3am run to JITB. You want details? Fine. Line cooks - when your hamburger looks like that black disk that hockey players jostle around and try to get in to their opponent's nets, it's time to get a new profession. My "Big Deans Cheese Burger" that apparently "...made Santa Monica famous!" and that my server basically JITP over, (he said it was nothing short of "awesome"), was nothing short of a joke - forget the presentation and all the fluffy BS, the two patties were overdone, the cheese literally had no taste, and the bun tasted like it was 3-4 days old. Also, we had to get ketchup using a napkin as the bottle was teeming with cooties - come on kids, clean your shit before having a paying customer use it. Look, when you can score THREE double-doubles for the price of one shitty Big Deans Cheese Burger...welp, even without an abacus you can do the math and come to the same conclusion that I did: should've scored I&O first. My chick's experience was similar as she went with the waiter's suggestion and got the fish and chips - the whole order, not the half - and was presented with a half-order of pretty decent fries and two pieces of some over fried (aka burned) fish. Line cooks - when your battered fish is floating in your fryer looking like dookie in a pool, it's time to get a new profession. Servers - you need to take as much responsibility as the cooks because if there's an order up and you notice it doesn't look like the picture on the menu, or quite frankly something you'd eat yourself, speak the fuck up because guess what, you're going to end up either comp'ing the food and getting no tip or getting long-fucked on your tip for not comp'ing the food. Servers, you are the last line of defense and as such, need to "trust but verify" your cook's product so shame on you for serving a beaten burger and two pieces of fish that look better suited for a senior prank in the skool pool. Again, I dig the location and the servers all seem like cool hangs or bangs, but I didn't come here for a friendly romp in the sand - I came here to get liquored and greased up and Big Dean's failed miserably at both. All said, if you're going to the Pier concerts, just bring your own booze and food and handle your business on your own - you'll no doubt have a greater experience and save a few bucks in the process. Oh, and don't call yourself a "cafe" if you're nothing more than a burger and beer joint - I know it's LA but call it as you serve it: Big Dean's Crape is much more appropriate. F this place and F the SMP - unless of course you like getting a contact high off of hipsters who smoke shake. Enjoy.
(2)
Bobby L.
Best place on earth. What else is better than great beer and good food. Ask for Keyshawn, he's a regular and a great dude. Great service, better bartenders.
(5)
Glenn F.
A local institution. You know it's summer in Santa Monica when it's standing room only. Some folks you recognize from last year and others are just passing through. Always a colorful crowd and shared seating means you're going to meet them or you won't get to sit down :) Last summer they expanded the front area so it's much more reasonable, but it can get crowded at times, especially on hot days. Recommended: Hot dog with a toasted bun or classic, no frills burger.
(4)
Bob C.
Best burger in town!!! Also a really nice place if you want to hang out between locals.
(5)
Ellen O.
We love Big Dean's and even more their staff!! The burgers were great. Even my big tough critic who usually grades a couple of stars below me was touched by the great service from the staff, all of them. The atmosphere is fun, food is good, people watching from the patio is super duper, and prices are good. I had no regular place to eat in Santa Monica near the pier til we explored, and are we glad we did. Go now!!
(4)
Jessica C.
Came here on a whim with a girlfriend last Saturday. We were looking for something cheap and pretty good, and Big Dean's is definitely both of that. I had the basket of fried shrimp and french fries, again, just... ok. Nothing too amazing or special. It's a great bar/restaurant to hang out in, but ordering food can be a bit of a hassle since it's the bartenders who are taking your order and then giving it to you. So the crowd around the bar can be a bit overwhelming, but it's ok, the bartenders are awesome and attentive.
(3)
Chris S.
Great little spot to step in and get out of the sun for a beer. Food is ok - mostly bar type stuff but the location is the deal. back patio & bar is the best for watching some NFL or other sports. One thing to note: its beer and wine only so you ought to know that in advance depending on the setup of your crew... I'd give it 4 stars if it had vodka. the staff is laid back and friendly. I love this place although it can get jammed with tourists but hey its the pier in SM - so get over it.
(3)
Mr P.
Hey Yelpers I have been going to Dean's for many years as I am a SM native (rare occurrence) and I was surprised by the latest poor reviews. I have never seen the bad behavior sited by one reviewer and if it were true then he should have addressed it with the manager at the time of the incident, that's what I would have done. To not is a kin to rubbing a dog's nose in it 24 hours afterward and I doubt it ever happened, but say it did no employee has a right to treat or talk to a customer in a disrespectful way even if the customer is wrong, drunk, belligerent, or a total tool. Everything about Big Dean's is just the way I'd want it and it's only getting better. Give it a try and you'll see I'm right if you don't you're missing out. I'm not saying to spend your life there but stop by for a beer and a bite because this area is the stepping off place for a ton of cool things to do and A #1 people watching all summer long! Thanks to the staff and everyone at Big Dean's for my own great experiences there and one last comment. NO ONE can please all of the people all of the time and to try is complete madness. Mr. P
(5)
Christine C.
I think I found where all the cool 30 something year olds come for a day drink...Big Dean's. I went here for a 4th of July pit stop and really enjoyed getting my beer and burger on. There were a lot of big groups, but we were able to snag a couple chairs at the bar and order easily from a very kind man. It's a really fun vibe, and I can definitely see myself coming back here many more times. Lots of choices for beer. Great food selection. There's a front outside area, a small inside area, and a back outside area all right on the beach! Honestly, what more can you really ask for?
(4)
Lanore B.
GREAT food, GREAT atmosphere and REALLY cute waiters!
(4)
Joe P.
I stopped here after driving cross country from NYC. I loved this place! A great cheeseburger and a wonderful laid back atmosphere. All of the bartenders and servers help each other out for a great level of service. Super big ice cold beers for good prices. Check out my blog "Tales of a Flying Brick" for more details...
(5)
Vincent I.
gotta say, my daughter picked here to have her birthday celebration, i was a little unsure due to the fact it was on the pier. i was politely suprised by the nice servers, great greeting we got from the security guard, and the fast service. the food was good, burgers, bratwurst, fries, grilled shrimp 32 ounce beers, cold and crisp, for sure a locals hang out, complete with roller bladers.
(3)
Christine Y.
Great for the chill atmosphere and hanging out, but food is just so so. Did watch the World Cup game today of Mexico vs France tho and saw Mexico win. Good place to get away from the crowds outside...but only came here for lunch so far not dinnertime. Think of this as bar food stuff, you're not going to get great food, but its great for hanging out. From the outside it doesn't look very big, but there's also a very cute back patio. Dubbed the beer garden, its like the outside patio, but more enclosed and with picnic tables and booths. Also has a nicer cuter feel to it with the mini cacti and succulent garden, the little booths, and of course its farther proximity from the crowds. Located just next to the Santa Monica pier, its tucked in at the bottom. Some picnic tables and umbrellas on the outside, bar and some seating inside, then to the back patio. The people that were here were all watching the tv's for the world cup or horse racing. The people who work here are pretty chill and nice. Albeit overworked a bit, only one guy in the back, but totally apologized and made up for it. The food... The Frings $7-Onion rings and fries. Onion rings were decent but super greasy but good crispy and right amount of batter to onion. Fries were the crinkle cut thick fries that I always hate cause they are almost always soggyish. Fish Tacos $6-Comes with 2. Surprisingly were large than I thought they would be. The fried battered fish itself was piping hot and pretty good, the rest not so good. There was actually some melted cheese in the tacos that I couldn't even taste, but was kinda weird that it was there in the first place. The rest of the toppings were lettuce, some diced tomatoes, and that white mayo sauce they put on fish tacos. Tortillas were okay, store bought stuff. Toppings really didn't add very much from the fish and actually detracted from it a bit. Good portion size for $6 though. I would definitely come back here as I did really like the atmosphere. Bar food is...bar food. Maybe their other stuff is better?
(3)
Laura G.
Decided on Big Dean's because of the other reviews. The fact that they had a 32oz beer completely elated my husband. We did the fish and chips, and it was awesome. Our friend's 10 year old had the chili bowl and she loved it. The service was a little awkward and a little surly at first, but once we got a single wait staff member, we were good.
(4)
David P.
This was the best bar we visited our whole vacation! Right off the Santa Monica pier, pleasant seating area, perfect for that cocktail day out by the beach. The burgers were very good. Very, very good. The beer was nicely cold. This bar was also in a scene of Moonlight, if you were a fan of the show. But the best thing about this location was the staff. Amazingly friendly & welcoming. I can't say enough about them. BEST SERVICE IN SOCAL that we found!!!
(5)
Mark A.
Greatest place ever. Been going here for 3 years and never leave disappointed... Cheap, delicious, and laid back waitstaff that don't hesitate to mess with you a bit (in a joking manner). I always feel at home in this place, get their grilled Mahi Mahi tacos.
(5)
Brendon D.
Nothing too big about this joint. This is a great place to roll into on your bike. It's a great mid-beach-day stop off to grab a beer. The food is really not that great. BUT, who goes there for the food. You gotta go there for the vibe. There are lots of great people here. If you opt to drive, there is a huge lot north of the pier (30 seconds away from the front door of Big Dean's). If you are trying to locate this joint, find the carousel at the foot of the pier. Then look down to the walking path with your back facing the beach. Try and get a spot out front. The back patio is hot and plastic. Don't half step. Order a "Coors Yellow Belly".
(3)
Amy V.
If your looking for a quick bite near the pier this place is great, the portions are pretty big and the food is really good. I ordered the cheeseburger with a side of frings (French Fries & onion rings served together), my boyfriend ordered a chili dog & a cheeseburger, my boyfriend is 6'2 and it takes A LOT to get him full, but this chili dog & cheeseburger alone made him satisfied. So you can imagine how big the portions are. However, with that said, the service was really bad. There were no more tables in the front so we had to be seated in the back, when we arrived NO ONE greeted us or helped us find a table, we had to look ourselves. Our waiter was so boring, there was no excitement, no fun, no good hospitality. He took so long just to get our drink order. And you could just tell he didnt want to be there. There was no ice & the sodas came in cans. Overall the food was good but it can only do so much when the service is horrible.
(2)
Brian G.
As much as I love the pier, when it's too crowded, I can't wait to get off the pier and that's when I go to Big Dean's on a nice sunny day for a cold brew. While the front patio lets you people watch, I much more prefer the back patio where it's quiet and you can hang out with friends while watching one of the many games shown on the TV. I wouldn't say food is one of Big Dean's strengths, but how many people hit Big Dean's for a meal? I say skip the food, but stop in for a relaxing time. What's even better is that Big Dean's is located right next door to a bike rental shop so if you're in the mood to go pub-cycling, this is an ideal place to start your great adventure.
(3)
Libby D.
Big Dean's is a great local bar in a great location! We go to watch sports but also to enjoy the great Santa Monica weather from the back or front patio-- and there aren't many open air bars near the beach. Very good food and beer selection. Kid friendly and very friendly staff in general. Not fussy or pricey like other bars in downtown SaMo. Highly recommended!
(5)
Jessica S.
4 stars for drinking on the boardwalk. And a nice outdoor patio (was crowded when I went). Looks like a fun Sunday Funday spot, but I only saw one small TV outdoors. 2 stars for the cheesesteak I had (tiny and lame). I asked for no peppers, but waitress told me it was pre-mixed (what?!). Anyways, other people's fries/onion rings/burgers looked better...so I'm guessing this is a 3 star food place. Prices weren't bad either. Definitely a drinking crowd. They have drink specials too.
(4)
Kriss P.
Went to Big Dean's for lunch today. Me and the family were soaking up some Santa Monica sun & thought this would be a good place to grab a burger & beer. It's a real beach spot and has an extremely casual feel to it. The food was great! We got frings (half onion rings & half fries), a chili burger, cheese burger, and beer. Not expensive at all. Don't get me wrong, it's no $1 menu from micky dee's, but super reasonable for a casual beach front sit-down. Cheap beer & dollar off domestics during happy hour! Looks like a place to get wasted at a good price! Service was ok. It looks like the bartender was serving the whole front of the house and inside seating area, so maybe that's why there wasn't really time to see how every table was doing with their food. Our baby was with us so he was a tad messy and they didn't appreciate the food on the floor because of the pestering birds that keep coming if you feed them. He doesn't know any better. We also wanted change after our meal because we wanted to tip her not pay her mortgage. She saw we left cash but didn't come by to pick it up and ask if we needed change. Knowing that she most likely wasn't going to come around for a little bit, I took a trip next door and got change from the souvenir shop so we can give her the proper tab amount plus tip. My only gripe is that they serve regular beverages by the bottle (sodas, tea, etc). They do have a well for some beers, but there's apparently no ice on the premises which is their prerogative but I secretly wished was they served iced tea. Loved the food! Would come back for that and the drinks!
(3)
Michelle C.
The Scene: January. Sunday, early afternoon. It's 80 degrees out. We arrived and were promptly told to sit wherever we pleased, so we chose a table with an umbrella and ordered two beers from the spot-on hilarious server. Never did catch the tall guy's name, but he was pretty funny. He slid two menus on the table, noting that he put them drink side up so we could decide on somethin' and have it out sooner while we decided on the grub. After my first bite of the burger, I exclaimed that it was like In-n-out ... only BETTER. The wings were alright, but the burger was really, really good.
(5)
Jana L.
I love big deans, it's not pretentious or hipster..it's just a great happy pop in from the beach dirty and be welcomed with a cold draft kinda place! it's really friendly and fun. Nothing beats it after a hot day in the sand playing! A true Santa Monica classic
(5)
Lori D.
Came here recently! It was really good! i was intimidated at first because its soooo crowded and busy and i didnt think we'd get a spot. but we did. then i didnt think anyone would help us/check on us. but they did! good clams, and cold beer!
(4)
Johan H.
Ordered a big deans burger and buffalo wings. The burger was really great!! One of the best i've tasted here in california so far. Buffalo wings were also good. The beers were at a affordable price.
(5)
Mark D.
This little store front behind the carousel is Santa Monica Piers best kept secret. While people clammer to get in and out of Bubba Gump for a beer, or throw away money on "fast food" on the pier at restraunt prices... locals know that Big deans is the spot... $7.50 quarts of bid light..... $6 Cheesburgers... children welcome... its a laid back patio bar type of place... your not gonna get anything ordinary at this place.... EVERYTHING has character. they said It's been a bar/cafe since the thirtys and its been standing since 1901. The service and staff were cool as hell, sitting in the bar after a while kinda felt like i was part of the place. 5 stars from someone who usually can not be please!
(5)
Ben F.
Great place to grab some beers then walk the pier. Good prices brews, good food, the outdoor patio (the back one) is cozy and a great place to chill. Definitely the best place on the pier to grab some brews and food while your at it.
(4)
Pyrin L.
We had two Big Dean burgers, one regular cheeseburger, and shared an order of frings (fries and onion rings). Those burgers were generous and juicy and tasty, and the onion rings were very good (I recommend getting just the rings and skipping the very average fries). The prices are OK considering it is by the Pier ... the above plus three drinks (cans of soda) was $48. It was lunchtime on a weekday and the service was quick and friendly. There is a two-hour maximum low-fee parking lot next door but there was no parking available in it today so we just went to regular Pier parking and that costs $12 for the day.
(4)
Lori K.
This is one of my favorite weekday lunch spots. I can walk here from my office. The atmosphere is unbeatable! You get ocean breezes, outdoor seating or semi-outdoor seating and I'm pretty sure, the best, people watching in Santa Monica since you're right on the boardwalk! There are a lot of things on the menu to choose from including, hamburgers, ahi burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings and tacos how can one choose? This place is the epitome of the term "laid back" . No frills, no pretention, no attitude... this place for me captures the essence of old Santa Monica (you know, the days of Jack Tripper!) and yet it somehow fits right in with today's Santa Monica. You can roll in here in flip flops and a bathing suit and sit right next to a person in a business suit and no one would even bat an eyelash. That's just how cool this place is!
(4)
Taylor P.
My favorite place to grab a beer after a day at the beach. It's definitely a locals crowd, and the back patio area is always chock-full of Bros and girls. The service is always good, and you can get a huge beer for pretty cheap. The bar-food is pretty standard, but, tasty all the same.
(5)
Absynth F.
Ok look. I know this is a popular spot but I just went there and was treated like a total dirtbag. It was a MONDAY afternoon and my friend and I sat down outside to have a beer and relax for a minute. The waiter comes over and takes our order and asks for my ID. I'm almost 32 years old. I didn't have it on me so I jokingly gave him my business card and said it was my birthday so he had to give me a beer (all while laughing and smiling by the way). He said "let me see if I can", disappeared, reappeared and said "no". So we left, I grabbed my ID from my car (2 of them, one expired from another state and a current CA one) I use my expired one because the CA one is really ugly and I look mad in it. So.. We sat down at the bar as our table had been snagged and I gave the bartender my expired license (which clearly shows my birthday and photo) and he disappears and a dark haired pissed off woman shows up with my ID in her hand. "Do you have a current ID" she asks me. I say "Yeah I do" and hand her my CA ID. She then starts into this "You know you're not making me WANT to give you a drink". I was like "what? what are you talking about?" She goes on, getting very angry "First of all you LIE about your birthday, THEN you give me an expired license! It doesn't make me want to give you a drink." So I said to her "I don't understand what the big deal is. Anyone would have done the same thing in my position. It's not like I tried to get one over on you or anything. I really AM over 21 and I just want a beer." I even said to her "look, I apologize, I wasn't trying to offend you or anyone else, I was just playing around, having some fun and I didn't mean a bit of harm!" At this point she's really pissed off and she's snarling at me and going on about what a jerk I am and my friend pipes up and says "look, is she gonna get a beer or not?" and ... can you believe it she says "I don't think so, try again next time' HAHAHA AS IF THERE WOULD EVER BE A NEXT TIME?! In total disbelief I look at her and say "Are you SERIOUS?" she says with a very snobby huff "Yeah". So... I said to her "you have a serious attitude problem. You really need to chill out and stop seeing me as your enemy and feeling like such a victim." and with that I left. NEVER TO RETURN!!!! WORST SERVICE IMAGINABLE. I'd like to add I truly feel really sorry for this woman because she obviously is a miserable hateful person.
(1)
erica l.
Food was adequate and female server is not very friendly
(2)
Caroline C.
This place is great!!! Found it under the pier last night and was pleasantly surprised. I'm a vegetarian and was happy to see a garden burger on the menu and Stella on tap! Although Stella has nothing to do with being a vegetarian - it's just good beer. The service was great and what you'd expect from a small place. If you want lots of attention or to be pampered this is not for you. It's a nice relaxing place to have a burger and beer. The location is awesome as it makes you feel you are miles away from the tourists/commotion on the pier. I recommend to anyone looking to relax after a day on the beach!!!
(5)
lottie t.
Talk about frat house by the beach. This is definitely the place to go for some partying. We came on a Saturday afternoon. The crowd was a bit laid back, there was some beer pong going on in the back. We sat in the front and just people watched. It was cool and has cheap beer on the board walk.
(3)
Kurt V.
My favorite place to drink on Saturdays. Always a fun time. Very divey and touristy, which seems to be the perfect blend for a great time near the beach. Fun and friendly staff. Rosa! Good beer specials. A must for anyone who is new to the area or in town for a visit.
(5)
David O.
I've got to admit I've had a very hard time adjusting to life in Southern California. Although I went to Junior and High School in San Diego, moving back to SoCal after almost ten years in the Bay Area has been... well... challenging. The 818 is a very difficult place to live after living in the Bay Area. We've found it extremely hot and it's been very hard to make friends and meet people here. Big Dean's Cafe renewed my faith in SoCal almost instantly after we walked through the front door and stepped out on their back patio. The place is pretty no frills. It looks divey and working class and certainly doesn't pretend to be something it ain't. As he introduced himself, our waiter said, "your waiter's drunk and got long hair." He served us with a smile, a sense of humor, and impeccable aplomb. Let's just say that we spent a mere 2 and a half or 3 hours here, and we had such a wonderful experience. All the people here were friendly, jovial, and real.... something we've sorely missed out in the Valley. Now wait a sec... before I get slammed with hate mail, I *didn't* say it didn't exist in the 818. I'm sure it exists all over the place. It's just very hard to connect with people when you move somewhere where the majority of society moves around by car. We've barely been able to meet our neighbors. We know mostly their cars. Cars pull up, garage doors open and the cars pull in before the doors are promptly closed. Ne'er do you see them outside, on their balconies or patio. Needless to say it makes it hard to meet people. Anyway, all that aside, we had a wonderful time at Big Dean's Cafe! Our waiter brought us a few rounds of Fat Tire Ale, and we got Buffalo Wings and Chili Cheese Fries to munch on. OH MY GOD!!!! This is no joke, but these were the ***BEST*** Chili Cheese Fries I have ever tasted.... EVER! They were incredibly meaty and incredibly cheesy! Just absolutely perfect!!! 8 beers and the munchies came out to some $45 or so (the waiter comped 2 of the beers because he gave us Skinny Dips instead of Fat Tires) We ended up tipping him 20 bucks because we were so blown away by the love, and the friendliness, and for the first time in a very long time, we felt like we belonged. I love Big Dean's Cafe. Our short 3 hour stopover made the day the best time I've had since we moved down here last September. Dean deserves a plaque. I absolutely love these guys! I hope you will too...
(5)
Andy B.
GREATEST SANTA MONICA BAR BURGER!!! large beers, on the beach with burgers and fringes (fries/onion rings) doesnt get much better!
(5)
Eric H.
Great place to grab a drink outdoors near the beach!
(4)
William H.
Excellent, chill, relaxed Local bar without attitude! Best place to find a great combination of chatty, friendly locals, as well as inquisitive tourists looking for a nice place to have a drink and people watch under the sun! Check out the Beer Garden in the Back! Friendly Staff!
(5)
Johnny C.
Joy P. came down to have lunch today, and we went to Big Dean's so that we could eat next to the beach. We split a very good Veggie Burger, and a large order of fries. You really can't see the ocean from the patio, but you can watch tourists, or the volleyball games going on at the beach. Its a nice place to also grab a beer in the middle of the day, or their happy hour between 5-7pm. They always have some beer on special whether its pabst blue ribbon, or tecate.
(4)
leslie w.
Ehhh... good place for burgers. this place is good for locals that want to pound beers. the staff loves to join in. not really a great place to bring a date, girlfriend, or women in general. not trying to slam the place... but want to warn the ladies that if u want to be in a better environment, check out misfit. if you want hole in the wall, check here.
(3)
Michelle S.
Very disappointed.. Service took at least 5 min to come to the table all we ordered was drinks but my son had to go ask for a lemonade and we had to ask for the bill we were never offered refills or if we wanted food. Very disappointed
(2)
Jay M.
My favorite beach bar. Great friendly staff and 32oz ice cold beers. Slammed in the summer when the tourists are here. Beer and wine only, no hard alcohol.
(5)
Bobby C.
I've had such bad service lately, I feel I may be a downer for the rest of my life. Just got back from a lunch where a soup, salad, and a turkey sandwich took an hour to come out. In addition, the healthy food sucks here. The salad is gross iceberg with shredded cheese on top (yuck). The turkey sandwich tasted like a cafeteria line at a hospital (Subway is better) and the New England Clam chowder, while decent, only comes in a bread bowl that wasn't anything special. That's my own fault. Should have known. I'm not gonna take it down a star or anything because for what it is this place is great. Now that Hermosa's Poop Deck is gone, this is the only beach dive bar for locals. Stick to the corn dog, their burger, the fried chicken sandwich and their big cheap beers!
(4)
Kind W.
Please make food for vegetarians and healthy people. We would love to eat here more often, but, it would be better if they less fatty foods on the menu. Impossible to imagine being in a bikini after Big Deans.....We will be Big People.
(1)
Jennifer G.
was a little nervous - but the waiter was cool he forgot our guacamole, he brought it late, so he comped it, which was the right thing to do. I had the chicken tacos - totally decent. if you are looking for a laid back california beach food experience - this is pretty much it....tourist area but with some local flair. -- for what it is, it is solid
(4)
Colleen S.
Love this place! I dropped by for a beer and burger and it fit the bill perfectly. Bartenders are funny and helpful. Burger was greasy and awesome.
(4)
Kasey P.
Great burgers, great location and just a fun to go to after being at the beach all day! Fun staff too!
(5)
Danielle H.
Very chill hangout spot and awesome place to snag a beer and burger after walking the pier... I had their traditional burger and it was delicious. Recently eating beef after a 8 year stint of being vegetarian/vegan, it's tough to find a burger that isn't too much for me but satisfies that desire for a nice beef fix. The fries are also fantastic and a small order is plenty to share. Unreal prices and cool staff, I will be back next time i'm in the area.
(4)
eileen h.
Great location if you want to grab a bite or beer. There's a bouncer at the front door who stamps to validate your age. The stamp is huge and bled deep into my skin. It somehow managed to stay there for 2 days despite having scrubbed my skin that night. I came here on Labor Day and it was packed. I guess the back patio is where you want to be since that's where most people were situated. There's no host and is more of a free-for-all situation. Luckily my friends were scouting the patio area and were able to snatch a table before I arrived. The food is good and is just a great place to down some beers before hitting the beach.
(3)
Bryan A.
Not a Food Critic,,,, but I do love a good burger... And Big Dean's has the best burger in LA. and their Onion rings are even better.
(5)
Hannah M.
As summer approaches I can't help but think of my regular sun time activities and how EXCITED I am to get back to them. One of them without a doubt in the world is riding my bike over to Big Deans. Located right under the left side of pier near short term parking and next to a bicycle shop you will find this rough gem. It's not pretty, it's dark and a bit weird inside, walk through this part and out to the back area. There are ALL sorts of people from hot beach babes to biker guys. Flat screens to watch sports and horse racing. Beer is cheap, food is pretty freakin excellent. The first time I came I left my party to get Hot dog on a Stick corn dogs for everyone. The second time I came I tried Dean's corn dog and it blew the other one out of the water. I also love the grilled cheese sandwich, the chili cheese fries, the fish tacos and the hot wings. The waiters and bartenders know to keep the Guinness coming. They know what all of us want and show up for impromptu chugging contests regularly. Yes, sometimes it's hard to get help here. That's just the way it is. You're at a beach bar... not the Ritz. Hope to see you guys there!
(5)
Tony G.
You've got to go to Big Dean's knowing what you are in for. This is not a fancy dining experience--it's a beach bar, and for that, it's great. You can walk to it straight from the sand, get 24 oz Tecates, and they've got delicious, no frills, chili cheese nachos. Is it just a can of chili dumped over tortilla chips and loaded up with cheese and onions? Probably, but after a day on the beach and a couple of 2x4s, they're the best thing in the world.
(5)
Haiku-Project H.
Perfect looking man tends bar in Bukowski-land. Full of paradox.
(4)
Jason T.
Big Dean's does not feel like Santa Monica. It belongs in a much smaller beach town. It's a restaurant/bar right on the beach path next to the SM pier. The beer selection isn't noteworthy, but having a beer next to the beach while basking in the warm sun is beyond nice. The service is friendly but chill, none of the overly peppy waiters you might get at an upscale chain restaurant. The food came in paper containers - fries and fish - not bad, but not mind-blowingly extraordinary either. It just hits the spot. And Big Dean's Cafe hits the spot dead on.
(4)
Donn U.
My friends have been coming here for a while and I finally decided to meet up with them for a bike ride and end it at Big Deans with some drinks at the bar. This was a great place and can't believe I haven't been here before. The crowd had a good vibe and we could laugh and have our large cups of beer. The food was typical bar food, but good enough to nibble on while we drank the afternoon away. The back patio is really cool to me. We could joke around with the servers and had great service. No one in the bar had an attitude and it was just a fun place to hang out. I felt like people could join in our conversations or we could join other conversations and it was no big deal. I am totally coming back.
(5)
Deanne H.
Don't get the fish and chips!! Frozen fish, nasty hard breading. Our waiter was really nice and apologetic. We paid for drinks and left. No excuse for frozen fish on a pier. I wish I would have seen the picture of it on here before I ordered it. Stick with other reviewers and get the burger and a beer.
(1)
Tiffany O.
Big Dean's Cafe is one of the few places around the Santa Monica Pier that didn't try to rip me off THAT badly. Relatively reasonable prices considering the location, takes cards (unlike most places around there that are annoyingly cash only), and sells one delicious hamburger. Not to mention, considering the place was super crowded this past saturday, we were served within 15 minutes. They have a nice beer garden-esque patio in the back, as well. I spent $20 on two hamburgers, two cokes, and fries, which is a little pricey, but I would have paid basically the same at one of the other stands around the pier and the food was actually good instead of being a hot, greasy mess. Hip hip hooray for Big Dean.
(4)
lisa u.
If this place served Vodka it would get 5 stars Go to the back bar...plenty of seating great for a weekend stop to watch the game havent had the food but im sure its typical bar food
(4)
Heath R.
This is what I imagine the pier used to be like before Bubba Gump's, etc. And it's where I imagine the locals and long-timers hang out. My wife and I stopped by yesterday afternoon for sodas -- they sell it in the can, no ice -- and enjoyed sitting at a table in the front section. Plenty of other people there, too: solo folks drinking in the shade and cool of inside, full tables with beer drinkers outside under the umbrellas. I didn't check the back deck. But the neatest thing for me was that they have multiple non-alcoholic beers! At least two kinds, one domestic, and one "premium." The bottles are priced the same as their normal bottles -- think $5 a beer -- but there's a happy hour between 4 and 7 p.m. that'll knock a buck off draft beers. I'll be back, and next time, for a non-alcoholic beer.
(3)
Brent A.
We always have an amazing time here! Honestly, the staff makes this place so special.
(5)
Michaela S.
I'm kicking myself in the nuts for living on the Westside all these years and just now discovering the magic of Big Dean's Cafe. Strategically located by the beach, it's the perfect spot to day drink after splashing around in the ocean (and potentially catching cancer). The beer garden in the back has numerous picnic tables for you to sit down, chow down, and catch up with friends - or make new ones. Picture this: outdoors in flip flops drinking beer on a Saturday afternoon watching sports in the middle of winter and enjoying the 75 degree weather. This is what Los Anjealous is all about. Parking situation: Beach parking lot next door or try your luck at the meters on Ocean Avenue.
(4)
Staxx D.
All about the dive bar! Beers are cold. Servers are sometimes loaded and food is greasy. Perfect beach bar.
(5)
Kristin J.
Nothing better than sitting on the beach with a beer and watching a gorgeous California sunset. Big Dean's is one of my favorite things about the Santa Monica Pier. If you're really in the mood to eat unhealthy food, I recommend the Chili Cheese Nachos! They're soooo good.
(4)
Amanda D.
We were thirsty for a drink after laying out and stopped at this place. It looks jusr alright from outside. Can I just say it turned out to be a pleasant surprise? Even though I still think they should have some well drink... (nope beer and wine only). The cheese quesadillas were cheep and good. We sit outdoor: it was clean and the staff was really attentive. One of their blond bartender looks like Danny Smith @ Future Model... just sayin'
(5)
Donna B.
Great place to have a beer and relax by the beach without getting ripped off. It's a total dive, but one with actual character and history- and a decent beer list. A nice break from the swank hotel and touristy/ frat bars closest to the beach.
(4)
Amber B.
I feel like Big Dean's is for 40-year olds what Cabo Cantina is for 20-year olds. Now don't take that the wrong way, I ain't hatin' on my elders. I'm JUST sayin'. I love the beach laid back vibe goin' on here for sure. There are 2 bars with different beers on tap at each one (the bar in the middle has your standard domestic drafts while the bar in the back had some more interesting ones...obviously I was too drunk to remember what those were exactly! Oh, and there are 3 different sizes you can choose from for your beer!) and a big front patio filled with tables and umbrellas. Do yourself a favor and pick either the front patio or the back bar that is open air too unless of course a sauna is the right environment for your drinking activities. Standard bar food from the looks of the menu...some of us chicas ordered the large french fries and they were literally a basket of crinkle cut fries that I'm pretty sure they picked up in bulk at Costco and then briefly dumped in the deep fryer. One of the bartenders was flirting with my friend and apparently he thought it would be cute/funny/slick to steal some of our french fries while trying to flirt! What the heck? Keep yo' grubby paws to yourself please! I guess I'm not making this sound like much of an awesome place but honestly it's a fun stop! Stop by after the Twilight Pier Dance Series or stop by on a weekend. It's always packed with warm drunk bodies who are carefree and out looking for a good mellow time!
(4)
Angelica G.
Wow, interesting story for an update. My friend who was with me during the incident mentioned below went to Big Dean's with a different group of friends last week. Upon sitting down, she was told by staff that she could not be served. When asked why not, she was told it was because of her Yelp review. She doesn't write Yelp reviews because she doesn't even have a Yelp account, so they had mistaken her for me! Wow, so BIG DEAN'S RETALIATES AGAINST YELP REVIEWS! And what was wrong with my review? NOTHING. I merely told a story that was true, but I guess they can't handle the truth! The awful truth is: their staff has no respect for customers. Also, my friend and I look nothing alike, except that we are both tan with long brown hair. She's half Japanese and half Mexican and I'm Filipino...so I guess BIG DEAN'S IS GUILTY OF RACIAL PROFILING! Worry not, I won't ever come back here again - I have too much class for this place anyway. BIG DEAN'S = RACIST RETALIATORS!
(1)
Carrie M.
GREATEST place on EARTH! really... there is nothing else i can say that will give it better praise. oh wait... maybe this: if you like beer, the beach and a gramma on skates... this place is for you.
(5)
Lisa Z.
Loved it! The epitome of the perfect LA beach beer' n burgers bar. Prices are great, you can't go wrong with the beers on tap or the tallboys. The food is great, too and the customers very friendly, everyone is chill and mellow. It does have a LOT of seating for the little space that it has. One patio out front that faces the boardwalk; one beer garden/patio in the back, and a bar in the middle with some tables. Fun people watching and mellowing out. Can't go wrong here! A must try for LA.
(5)
Michael M.
Great food....great hamburgers and beer. I bring friends from the American Film Market here every year. Very nice waiters too.
(5)
Ariza S.
Awesome location near the pier: check Casual and cheap: check Outdoor Patio: check Good grub and cold beer: check! Big Dean's was a great/wierd/SoCal experience for me. After a long day of enjoying the pier and some major shopping my buddies and I wanted to just sit back, have a few beers and a simple dinner. We saw Big Dean's and thought why not. It was actually a little chilly out but they had heaters out on the patio so we grabbed a bench outside. The crowd was pretty diverse but everyone was friendly, our group ended up talking to the guys behind us and I even gave them some feet porno (because they liked my shoes so much). I ordered the fish and chips and had a fat tire beer. We had so much food left over we decided to give a homeless man who was sitting near the restaurant our leftovers. He ended up dancing (after asking for some tarter sauce) and entertaining everyone the rest of the evening. Where else can this happen?!
(4)
Todd S.
This was a stupid-luck find. Wandering around Santa Monica feeling a craving for some good food and a cold glass of beer. I see a group of older, and heavier people hanging out in front which is like a bat signal for good fried food and beer. Spot on. Ordered a cheeseburger and fries, a few pints of Sam Adams, and enjoy the locals constantly giving each other shit. The burger was insanely good. Nothing fancy about it, just perfectly cooked, juicy, fatty, exactly how a burger should be. The place really feels like the beach-bum California stereotypical watering hole you imagined before coming to the west coast. I'm coming back and grabbing a nearby hotel and closing this place down the next time I find myself in Santa Monica.
(4)
Mike P.
One of the best burger, beer, tacos, beach bars in Santa Monica!! Prices are low compared to other Pier/Beach bars. Staff friendly/funny make sure u have a good time. not sure what happen to someone else there after all it is a beach bar!! Great spot to catch-up and people watch or go to the back patio bar and watch some sports. Can't wait to go back this week-end, kick back have a bacon, cheese burger with my favor beer and some friends! M&S
(5)
Ashley H.
This place is one of my favorites in SM. It is such a chill atmosphere where you can share a table with other friendly patrons. The servers and bartenders are down to earth and seem to live in a laid back style. I have only lived here 6 months and have probably been there 8 times. Good food, good peeps, good times.
(5)
Henry S.
BOMB ASS FISH TACOS!!! Stopped by Deans this weekend while in Santa Monica had some awesome fish tacos. The fish was lightly fried, milky, and flaky. It had a light crunch and when paired a with fresh tortilla, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato topped with their sauce = awesome fish tacos! I actually ordered a second order after I finished my first one. Customer service was outstanding. Their staff greeted me with a smile and a genuine positive and friendly attitude . Deans is a great spot if you wanna just chill on their patio and people watch. They have specials such as a large tall boy Tecate for $6! I will be back!
(5)
Bridget M.
Make no mistake about Big Dean's - he likes his food and he likes it fried and greasy. Lucky me, Dean and I grew quite fond of each other over a 32 oz. beer, chili cheese nachos, and fried fish tacos, A couple of my coworkers and I hopped in here after reading some of the reviews. It was a little tricky to find this place - here's a hint, cross the bridge but before actually getting onto the pier, hang a left and mosey around the corner and there you'll find yourself face to face with mucho beer-o and mucha comida. The service was attentive and the food was delicious greasy goodness. The prices were real low so that pushes Dean into the 5 star category. They have a nice outdoor seating area - apparently that's the standard in CA; I'm from Chicago and outdoor seating is an extra special treat. Super delightful find and "ahhhh-sim" company. P.S. Check out the decor. My favorite piece is a sign that they would tack onto one of their regulars; it reads "To My Bus Driver: Please drop me at 14th and Whilshire. It's okay to wake me. Thanks, Walter." Classy.
(5)
Samantha S.
If you see big dean's as anything but five stars...you don't know how to have a good time.
(5)
Laura V.
I love cheeseburgers and I love beer!!! This place is super layed back and awesome, swimsuits welcome. They don't allow dogs on there patio which is dumb. I understand in the back but not in the front:/ There are some douches that hang out there. So beware! But the staff is cool. There special sauce is thousand island like everywhere else, but just an awesome standard burger. I met Luke Wilson there which was cool!
(5)
Rodney w.
Come visit the gang at Deans and try an out chug them ! Great food and grog but be sure and ride your bike and leave the car at home . Cheers
(4)
Caroline J.
Just got home from Big Dean's. Got a great hamburger for $5 ish. I forgot my teeth so had to take it home to eat. It was still a great burger. Nice people too.
(4)
Melissa S.
Surprisingly good burger, great location by Santa Monica pier, and very nice people working there. I recommend this place to people who want to go to the beach.
(5)
Casey N.
The only good bar on the beach in Santa Monica. Burgers are huge, beers are affordable, only $7 for a 24oz. Definitely worth hitting up on the way too or back from the beach.
(3)
Jonathan T.
It's Super Bowl Sunday. This is not a place which has gargantuan big-screens to see the action, but there are several small to mid size screens scattered around the joint. Though it turned out to be a great game, i was not so much interested in it, and only watched smidgeons of it. what i did enjoy of the day was: 1. Hangin' with good friends and family on the front patio facing the beach. 2. The nice flow of the joint, from front patio thru cozy dive bar interior to the re-vamped outdoor back bar 'beer garden' which is indeed an intimate tucked away hang (though i hear it's a blazing heat-trap in summertime!) 3. Friendly staff 4. A special super bowl buffet for free in the back beer garden area. 5. Location--though it's just a stones throw from the madness of the Pier, it's tucked away down below so you can completely avoid the circus and throngs of tourists up above. As for The FOOD--eh, not the greatest. Look, it's bar food, that's it plain and simple. Actually, the chicken wings were decent but the calamari sucked. The free buffet in the back beer garden bar was mighty generous of them (though i wonder if it was actually supposed to be free and if i was in fact mooching on some party's buffet or not???) --in any case, the buffet food was just so-so, but it made the day. DONE.
(4)
Suzanne S.
One of my most favorites places to hang out on a sunny day! Great staff, super friendly and fun, love the ahi tacos, and yes...killer burgers. But I love the big beers! Great way to end a day, or hang out and watch a game. I'm a fan everytime I'm there!
(5)
Jennifer N.
Is what it is... Its all about location and ppl watching! great ahi sandwich and cups of beer. A little pricey on the plastic cups of beer but they make up for it in the nice staff! We will keep in the rotation.
(4)
Chris B.
Burger was good. Fries were huge. Beer was ice-cold. Beautiful view. Waiters were very friendly and prompt. I was alone, but ended up making some new friends. Definite thumbs up!
(5)
Dena R.
I LUV this place! It's my version of heaven. I just found this place yesterday. I'd walked by it several times, but my friends and I be-bopped in, and sat at the counter. Our food was good - just simple food done well. Burgers, fries, and a Bud Heavy. Delicioso. Then, I discovered the back patio. Jackpot. A friendly crowd, sun, community style picnic tables, 24 oz. Coors Light (Coors Martinis I call them). Geez, we sat there for 6 hours getting ridiculous. Did I drink enough for a grown man? Yes. Did I make out with some dude? Hell yes. Did I get cut off? Oh yeah. But they were awesome, they were so nice, and dude, I kind a did it to myself. I love this place. I plan on returning soon, but maybe drinking half as much.
(5)
Quentin C.
i love a nice cold beer, served in a plastic cup, at eleven o'clock on sunday morning. this is one of best places to indulge. it's a dive/shit-hole, but has great service and ambiance. my friend and i couldn't decide on a beer, so the bartender helped us out...she asked if we were looking for something that would allow us to drink all day or just a good beer. we were looking for all day drinking and so she picked us an appropriate drink. &it worked. we didn't try the food, but everyone around us seemed to be enjoying theirs. one suggestion, if you're looking for privacy or don't like chatting with random people, this is not your place. the outdoor seating is picnic table-style and you either chat with your neighbors or act like a jerk (trust me, it's easier to chat with neighbors...i know, it's los angeles and we're afraid of interacting with strangers...but try it.)
(4)
Adam R.
Went there for the first time with my Bro last Friday. We parked in the large lot north of the pier- $6 and open till 12am. Then we walked up to the 3rd Street Promenade to survey our dinner options. I had already decided Big Dean's would be a good fall back, based on other reviews, if we didn't find anything. Well, we didn't find anything that would fit the beer + decent cheap food bill. The promenade has a mix of chains and pricey restaurants, neither of which were up our alley. Big Dean's turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. Beer, ample outdoor seating (both in front and in back), and good food. I had a barbeque chicken sandwich, Big Dean's Ale, and my brother and I split a basket of fries. The sandwich was good and the Ale was great. All without breaking the bank.
(4)
Brian D.
This is one of my favorite places in Santa Monica. BD's has one of the best and most underrated burgers in LA and it boasts a pair of awesome patios any person would be proud to drink tall-boy Tecates on. The piece of real estate they occupy can't be ignored either. The restaurant / bar is the only place on the strand in Santa Monica that you can get your day drink on. They also have night drinking as well, but I only do that in the summer time before and after the concerts at the pier. Good food, cheap beer, and an awesome location make this spot a must stop any time you're at the beach in SaMo. Oh, but be warned, the fries suck.
(5)
Kayla Q.
I LOVE Big Deans! Everytime I am in Santa Monica I make it a point to visit. They have thee best beer! It's ice cold! This time I tried their fish tacos, they were really good! I would definitely get them again! I usually just get a burger and fries but it seems anything I try here is delicious! And the staff is super friendly! They make you feel like a regular even if it's your first time! Wish big deans was back home! The only down side is that because it's so great, it's always packed! So you may have to stand around for awhile to find a seat... Or just take a seat w someone else! That seems to be the norm here.
(5)
Chippy S.
Love the fish tacos!! (That's what she said.) They make a great greasy burger too, which is always just what the doctor ordered to cure a hangover- grease! I always bring out-of-town guests here when we do the Santa Monica thing, because it's below the pier and most of the time the tourists stick with Bubba Gumps up on the pier. This way they get a little more local feel for the laid back beach life.
(5)
Sarah H.
Congrats to Big Dean's! They got my FIRST review. I woke up this morning hankering for a burger and found them on here (believe it or not). So, I moseyed on over there on my lunch break and had the most perfect cheeseburger. Big Dean's is small and cozy with a very laid back California vibe. The staff is amazing and I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Geoff C.
Big Dean's is a hard one to put your finger on. It's not exactly a dive bar, especially after the recent overhaul of the beer garden with new bar & flat screen TVs. It's not exactly a Sports Bar. The basic bar food is not exactly good, but it does the trick. It's just good peeps, hidden away underneath the Pier.
(4)
Tom H.
A brilliant Beer Bar with an unbelievable location. Situated at the land end of the Santa Monica Pier - across the walkway from Heal the Bay's Aquarium - Big Dean's is a great local hangout with thousands of out of town visitors yearly. The Ying & Yang of a beach town's best digs. The beer is always cold, the fair is quick and good. The "frings" (fries & onion rings) are very doable. The staff is exceptionally friendly. 3 visits and you are treated like a regular. The new Beer Garden in the back is a delight, but visitors love the picnic tables in front. Be warned, you must order food to sit in the beachfront seats.
(4)
Yvonne V.
I am so glad I found Big Deans. It is the perfect spot to grab one drink or 5 drinks. I have had lunch here and loved the fries and onion rings. I just had a tuna sandwich and my boyfriend had the chicken. It was typical restaurant food, but the atmosphere is what makes it the best. It does get a little crowed and suck if you have to stand, but when you get a chair, it is well worth it. Me and my friends were just there for the Fourth of July and luckily for us found a table for 9. Now I said table, not chairs. Some other party of 18 to the left, playing a game of spoons hogged them up. But we made it work. They had buckets of Stella for $7 and 24 oz Tecates for $6. We got pretty buzzed there just in time for the fireworks. Not to mention we got to see a drunkin' 50 year old lady who still thought she was in a Sorority and could hit on our guys. It was the highlight of our night along with her putting our bread bowl of clam chowder on her head. It is a fun fun time and definitely stop by here if you are having a day/night at the beach!
(4)
Scott M.
A decent cheeseburger and nice place to chill and enjoy a beer on a hot summer day. The small basket of fries is fairly large. The large must be huge.
(3)
Martha J.
The service is confusing. Big Dean's burger pretty good! Bummer it doesn't come with fries.
(4)
Owen C.
While searching for somewhere to go on new years without a cover charge, we stumbled across Big Dean's. Not only did they not have a cover charge, but they had the best drink specials of the night, a dinner buffet and a champange toast! I wish we had found this place earlier so we could have tried their food too.
(5)
David P.
I liked the vibe here. Good place to drink and watch sports.
(4)
K K.
I wasn't really a fan of this place. I didn't find the service to be very friendly or fast (they weren't mean or overly slow either) and the food was just mediocre. I did enjoy drinking a cold beer on their front patio though. But don't let me discourage you from trying this place, they got a 4-star with 80 reviews so I'm the minority.
(2)
David B.
Stopped here after a hike out on the Temescal Canyon Loop and had a beer and their famous burger (which reminded me of In-n-out's Dbl-Dbl) with a side of Frings (half fries, half onion rings). It absolutely hit the spot. The place is fairly spacious with a small dining area in the front, a little bar area in the main restaurant with a handful of lcd tvs for sports-viewing, and a back semi-open dining area which was clean and had nice shade from the sun. Great place to relax and hang out. I'll be back again!
(4)
SOUPERMAN B.
Outside I sit beer in hand breadbowl clam chowder masticating chili size invades mouth outside beer swig breeze breeze breeze smile
(4)
Joseluis A.
serious-ly. a yankee bar? everything else is ok. tall pbr cans for $5. burgers for around the same. ok service but really.... a yankee bar? in santa monica/LA? man, fuck the yankees.
(3)
Johnny M.
Mou here ,It has been about 2 months since the last time , I needed a big deans fix , I was at Brunos and I told him be back soon as I walked down the hill ,I figured ok 2 beer and I am out . My comment is a little bias towards Big Deans as I know this place for 12 years , I was at 1 time a neighbor living 2 doors down and worked at a restaurant nearby for 3 years ,whats even funnier is that about 5 employees that worked at my old employers are now working at Big Deans as its just as fun a place to work at as it is to frequent. As a businessman and old time operator of restaurants this is the place to go and hang . 1 of the best beach bars around ever. TJ puts on a good show there as he has had a big history of running this place ,other wonderful people of interest are Mary Francis who can run circles around anyone of her peers, and Biff whom I taught how to tap dance. The chef big Rigo can cook like nobodies business and from the locals to the adventurers to the tourists ,its just great eye candy . Foods good and oh by the way ,I didnt get back to Brunos to pick up my brief case until 3 hours later as I thought wow 20 minutes goes by fast.
(5)
Tito C.
The service is incredibly good-but when your restaurant is on the beach, what is there to complain about, specially Santa Monica Beach. She was friendly, great attitude, and thoughtful, probably one of the best waitresses ive incountered. The food on the other hand, is nothing to write home about, i had a single cheeseburger, with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and thousand island dressing, along with a side order of chili cheese fries, and a cup of coffee, can i tell you that my total tab came out to be almost 17.00 dollars ! WOW - thats before tip/gratuity. The burger could of been from any burger shack off the beaten path - nothing to write home about, it was tasteless and if it wasnt for the thousand island dressing on the bun i dont think it would have much inspiration, definetly not worth the 5.00 bucks they charged for this place, The Chili fries, served with cheese and raw white chopped onions, for which i was charged 8.00 for - not even close to delicious or worth remembering - there was nothing about those chili fries that i can recall being worth anywhere remotely close to 8bucks! The Coffee awww yes - the coffee, can i tell you that it wasnt strong - but for someone like me that enjoys a smooth cup of joe - it was the only thing that was remotely right with my order or at least enjoyable - i had two. Conclusion: The location is great - The employees are fantastic, and the ambiance is enjoyable - they have plenty of big screen TV's to watch local and national games, and the beer servings seems to be what people really go there for. If your a foodie and are looking for a food experience - this is not the place, the food leaves nothing to be desired. I read some of the reviews here on this site before attending and after eating there myself i can tell you its all hype. If you want to just enjoy a cold beer - maybe this is the place - but if your looking for a good meal - my advice keep looking as the prices don't reflect the taste quality of the food - it will leave you with something more to be desired, and a little upset at the cost of admission for what you get in return. "NEXT"
(2)
Heihachi M.
Walked in and they had the Sox game on the tv. Looks like we picked a good spot to grab some lunch. The waiter came by and he noticed my Celtics shirt -- we commiserated on the beauty that was the 2008 NBA Finals, talked about the Sox some, and then we got down to ordering. My buddy had the chicken sandwich and I just grabbed a hot dog and a side order of fries. The hotdog came with onions and tomatoes (I nixed the relish). Added some ketchup, yellow mustard and tabasco sauce. Not a bad hotdog, although a little on the skinny side. The fries were of the crinkle variety, just crunchy enough without sacrificing moistness. Polished the meal off with a couple of beers and watched the Sox wallop the Twins. Not a bad way to spend lunch! They have the DirecTV MLB package, so I'm sure your favorite team can and will be represented on one of their tvs.
(4)
Jason C.
"No. I didn't shower today so SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!" And that's okay when you hit this little beach side bar/burger joint. It is located right next to the SM pier so you would think fanny pack wearing, map staring tourists would fill this place with thier newly purchased "Life's A Beach" coffee mugs and Mickey hats. i'm not bitter. But considering its divey appearance the tourists seem to stay away. Now, this is a great spot to sit in the sun, have a drink, play some backgammon, people watch...whatever, but the reason I give it 4 stars is the staff. Friendly, helpful, attentive and friendly. My god...the staff is friendly. Did I mention the staff was friendly? Note: Friendly staff.
(4)
Cameron P.
Had a great burger here. Juicy and fresh, not like most of the crap around. Good beer too, and good service. Can't go wrong.
(4)
Emily I.
One of my favorite places in the world. Get your liter beer, frings and sit on the patio.
(5)
Adrienne D.
My friend and I were on the beach in SM and got hungry, so we stopped in here for a quick bite. The atmosphere was like a surfer's dive bar, we were there in the afternoon. The service wasn't bad, our waiter was making us laugh and sports were playing on the television. Hard to mess up burgers and fries, and they didn't...We may go back if we're strolling past again.
(4)
Michelle P.
One of the greatest things about this spot is that it is located right smack in the middle of where all the tourists flock, but never feels too touristy. I've sat in the back patio area, heard tons of foreign accents, but still had an overwhelming sense that this is a local dive. Somehow this place exudes "local" and that is such a good and rare thing to find in SM. I've seen girls on roller skates here, birthday parties, and people stacking beer cans into pyramids to pass the drunken time. I've had the food and can't really remember much about it... not that it was bad, just nothing jumps out to me at present. The servers are always nice, quick and attentive. Actually, they're super friendly. The nachos look awesome. Bring your shorts and flip flops, as anything else would be absurd.
(4)
Scott R.
Really chill, no pressure. And yes go check out the back bar.
(4)
Ryan K.
Big Dean's: where locals meet tourists. This is a great place to grab a Big Dean's burger and a 32oz. Tecate while soaking up the Santa Monica rays. There are 2 outdoor patio areas, but I would highly suggest sitting out front as you get to experience some of the best people watching you've ever seen: from a guy on 5 foot stilts to the grandma rollerblading with a bikini on. It's quite entertaining. The food is great, the beers are cheap and the atmosphere is very laid back. Sunday Funday here is a must.
(4)
Gina H.
This is the place I'll take anyone who comes to town to visit me here in Santa Monica.. My summertime hot spot! I absolutely love the vibe when I go to Big Dean's... nothing beats cold draft beer in plastic cups, while you're chillin outside at a picnic table on a gorgeous day, with a beach view. Plus the staff rocks! They know what I want to order before I even say a word. Thursday nights during the summer are the BEST.. Yes, it does get really crowded, but you're promised a mix of familiar faces, along with a whole new group of fresh faces nearly every Thursday, therefore I always tend to meet new people. Never a dull moment! This is one of those low-key places that gives this big city a small-town feel. Love it! :-)
(5)
Molly M.
I spent almost every Saturday here this summer. Such good bar food - amazing burgers! Tall PBR for $6, and even when it's crowded, I always manage to find a place to sit and chow down. Great service, great atmosphere.
(5)
Darius A.
Great fun location by the pier. The food is pretty good. Not the best burger I have ever had but it was pretty good. Prices are reasonable for the area you are in and food comes out quick.
(5)
gEe C.
Looking for a place to just chill and knock down a few beers while you're at it? Then Big Dean's is the place! Very cool staff, very cool people, the vibe to sum things up is just cool here! Granted, I was the only asian chick up in this place, everyone was pretty nice to me. They didn't hate nor did they discriminate. Gotta love that!
(3)
Mitchell M.
Big Dean's is a burger joint tucked in next to the Santa Monica Pier, basically across a sidewalk from the beach. The burgers are excellent. There are few more enjoyable ways to spend a warm summer evening than having a burger and a beer in Dean's back patio seating area (aside from maybe a table or two inside, there seating is in either the front or back patios). The physical structure of the place itself is pretty run down (I would estimate it to be in a moderate-to-severe state of disrepair) but the atmosphere works for what the place is. A small point to mention is that they offer on the menu a combined order of fries and onion rings (with some stupid name, maybe "frings" or something) and I like being explicitly offered that option. That totally raised my rating from three stars to four. The rings and fries themselves, by the way, are excellent.
(4)
Kristen S.
Good location, nice staff, ok food. A bit more expensive than I would have hoped.
(3)
Aaron H.
I love Big Dean's! The first time I went here I thought it was going to be super-touristy, expensive, and a place I'd never want go to back to, but it wasn't. The front part is kind of towny (in a good way) and the back has a sweet beer garden. The music and service was really good. And the food? Pretty good for bar food and the prices, like Bob Barker, are right. $6 tall boy Tecates? You can't go wrong if you're in the area...
(5)
Huck J.
History shows that Big Dean regulars are the greatest beer drinking sports watching unbelievable view enjoying great food eating people in the world. I suggest you come and join us. This is without a doubt one of the greatest beach hangs in the world. Welcome to Southern California. A+
(5)
George T.
What can I say about this place? Let me start with my first visit to the Santa Monica Pier. My first visit was fantastic. My friends and I were on our way back to the Bay Area and we stopped by this iconic landmark to soak in the sights, and to grab something to eat. The first time here was great. Enough so to warrant another visit a few years later, when my girlfriend and I came down SoCal to visit Disneyland. The service the second time around was pretty lousy, and docked them down two-stars for me. We came around lunch-time, so it was a little busy. Putting in our orders for two cheeseburgers and a side of onion rings was quick. The moment I started getting irritated with the service was when I realized that it had been over an hour and I noticed some of the people who came before us were getting their orders before us. Maybe 10-min later, our order arrived. Problem semi-averted. We asked for a side of Ranch for the onion rings, and they never came. By the time we were finished with our meal, we were ready to head out, but it wasn't until another 20-min later when I could finally track down our server and ask for our check. Mind you, I already made eye-contact with our server several times before that, hoping he would realize I wanted him to come over. The whole time before he was able to get out to us, he was chatting it up with some of the other patrons, who I assumed were regulars. The bright side of all this is that their burgers and onion rings were fantastic. The sad part about it is that their service was so bad, I was surprised how I would not have noticed this the first time I visited the place. Maybe I just caught them on an off-day, but c'mon, 1-hr to grill up two burgers and not once come around to check up on us? I know they can do better than that.
(2)
JC B.
Quite possibly the rudest experience I've had from start to finish. The door guy is terribly unprofessional and as a whole slows people trying to get in. All the bartenders don't communicate properly and feel entitled. They should spend an afternoon learning to pretend like they care about the people coming to their bar. I advise you to choose other bars before this one.
(1)
Greg W.
This is one of those tourist traps by the pier. However its actually not that bad. The food is decent but they don't have soda on tap or in fact even ice!!!! The staff is pretty nice but the place is a bit on the dirty side.
(3)
Vivian L.
came here for the first time ever this weekend. I can't believe I've lived in LA this long, visited the pier a million times, and have never been here until now. my gf who grew up in samo came out to meet us, and she had never been either! I just assumed this was a tourist trap under the pier. this place is the chilliest bar ever. the "glasses" are plastic cups, and the "servers" are big, friendly dudes in t-shirts that walk by every so often to check up on us. the atmosphere is so laid-back, and you can feel and smell the warm ocean breeze while you hang out. beer and wine only, but I love wine!
(5)
Josh B.
sat at the bar for 9 minutes while 3 bartenders milled about. not one word spoken to me. I tried to spend money. they didn't want it.
(2)
Liz S.
Went here on a Sunday afternoon for some Funday action with visiting friends. When a coworker mentioned "Big Dean's next to the pier," I assumed it would be an over-priced tourist trap, but this friendly dive bar has some of the best beer deals around. The overall vibe and low prices will take you back to your college days, as you can buy a $32 ounce craft beer in a plastic cup for just $9. Yes, that's right--you can get a beer the size of a Nalgene bottle for just $9. (Domestics are even cheaper, I think somewhere around $7.) I almost cried tears of joy when I heard that sweet, sweet price. I didn't think non-happy hour prices that cheap existed in LA much less near THE biggest tourist attraction on the Westside. Long story short, if you're looking for a chill, cheap beer on the beach, Big Dean's is the place to go.
(5)
Chris C.
Big Dean's is basically a dive bar on the beach. The front door/wall opens up to the beach so even if you are inside you are still exposed to the sights, sounds, and smells of the tourists on the beach. It's got beer on tap, served in plastic cups, TVs to watch the big games, and servers who know all the regulars. The food itself is decent for a beach bar. Their onion rings are good, but their "world famous" Big Dean's chese burger is underwhelming. It doesn't stack up to a double-double at In-N-Out.
(3)
Kalynne H.
Good fish tacos & great beer selection. Plenty of outdoor seating. The service was very good. Loved the location near the pier.
(4)
Alex G.
Great location by the pier. Went for a quick lunch. Onion rings ($4) were meh and their "world famous" signature Big Dean burger was okay ($8). Toasted cheese sandwiches were weak but only $4. Staff were a bit uninterested in us but friendly enough when they had to be. No big issue there. Looks like a good place to have a beer though. All in all, very average.
(3)
Flying Black Wolf F.
This is just an awesome place to people watch. Get yourself a tall Tecate beer a delicious juicy burger made the way you like and just enjoy the Cali scene. Last visit here I had the large fish and chips and they were great! Always run into some nice Brits that are visiting from across the pond. This is a great place to just chill after riding your bike or skating. Service is on par with this place: friendly and to the point. Never had a bad meal or poor service here! They have a back patio too but the front picnic tables to me are the best seats in the house!
(5)
Cameron S.
Anytime I have family in town, I take them here when we visit the beach. Cheap beers, cheap good, and the service is great. Right off the boardwalk and it's a great place to watch the game. Very chill atmosphere. Shoutout to our server, Joe, was awesome. Great guy and really made sure we enjoyed ourselves. Never disappointed at Big Dean's.
(5)
Nicole C.
Great place to grab a light lunch and drink! Love the grilled Wahoo Tacos!! Very laid back!
(4)
Yuri C.
Came for some cheese burger and fries. The burger was yummy. The meat in it was so beefy, I loved it. The whole thing was very simple, but it was really good. The small fries I got was a lot! Yeay. The back room was the best part of this whole thing. Go there. It's really chill and nice.
(5)
Nick W.
Came here for lunch prior to an afternoon biking along the coast. Got the chicken tacos, which were quite stellar. They used flour tortillas which was different for me compared to the tacos I typically get on the east side, but I liked it (yum, gluten). The chicken was super tender and had great flavor. We also got a few basket of fries which were ballpark style, crisp, gone-in-2-minutes. Overall a great lunch.
(4)
Robert F.
Great place to go and have great food in a bathing suit and a cold beer. Great staff and I should say amazing staff very clean place with a NY giants fan base
(5)
Lucy S.
This is Cheers on the boardwalk. Except the bartenders are prettier and much funnier. Big Deans is, hands down, the best little bar in Santa Monica. Good food, great location, and the staff is built in entertainment. FYI, they only serve beer and wine but the beer selection is great. Sit outside in the front and people watch, inside at the main bar, or out on the back patio. You WILL have a great time!!
(5)
Susan S.
I love this place and have been going here for years. Because the servers handle ALL of the tables, the service is amazingly FAST and the guys (and one gal) who work there are all totally ON THE BALL! The food is simple bar food, but good, and the burgers and fries are the best! A great place to chill any time of the year.
(5)
Christopher B.
Cheers to those who make it here. Best staff. Best burgers. Best patio(s). Hard to beat. Get here if you can... Wait... Never mind, leave it for us locals.
(5)
Yulia D.
very nice quality & cheap price! good beer, chicken wings, tacos, fresh salads. Very friendly staff. would recommend for everyone who wants a good value for little money.
(4)
Sandra C.
Came here for some drinks and food while visiting the pier from the bay. Overall a pretty chill place. There's a very casual and relaxed vibe. We got the large beers which are 32 oz so beware because they are huge!!! I got the long board IPA; I like I like!! I also got the fried calamari which tasted good. It was very crispy on the outside but the calamari tasted very fresh. It came with a side of two sauces, one of which I think was thousand island and the other marinara? (Not quite sure). The staff was friendly too!
(4)
Seda G.
This security guide on the door is extremly rood. It is 5pm, he asks us to show id if we will get alchol. My friend shows his id he is 33 years old by the way. And guy started acting like we are suspects and he is a dedective take ur sun glasses of ! And says you are a pain in the ass! He basically did not want us to enter. Probably because we had baby with us thats why. But they serve food as well and he could just say that before acting like an a.h. Dont go this place!
(1)
Stephanie D.
Perfect spot for a burger and a beer. The single patty cheeseburger w grilled onions was delicious and reminded me of a more home cooked style of an in n out burger. Friendly staff, good food, super casual, cheap... Highly recommended.
(4)
Joseph N.
I don't understand how going to the Santa Monica Pier can end up being the second best part of my trip when that was the primary destination. Don't get me wrong, the pier was fun! But having breakfast at Big Dean's was awesome! The food was terrific, my daughter and I both had the big breakfast plate and were not disappointed! The staff were very courteous and helpful. So if you are debating going there.... GO!!!
(5)
randy j.
cant wait to get to this joint . been there before . don't make the mistake and dussh it up at bubba gumps.....coming 4/4/15 from vegas...love that there is a guy like that at the door , means nobodys gonna mess with us. BURGER ! BEER ! ON THE PEIR ! please ! not too $ for the location. ill be writing my review sat night 3/4..ill be happy for hour im there im sure.
(5)
Steven S.
Overpriced with a tiny beer selection. In a good location, right on the beach, nice decor. But too many douches that can only talk about their hedge funds, or how they married for money or how they're james cameron's nephew or some nonsense
(2)
Michael S.
Had lunch there recently. First of all there was no one to greet us to tell us where to sit. We sat in the back area and waited a few min for service. I asked him if my wife could have a Corona and asked him if she could have a glass or cup with salt around the rim, the way she gets it at most places and the waiter said with a kind of put-off attitude , "there is salt on the table". That kind of got things going on a bad note. A different waiter took our food order. He was friendly enough. The food arrived fairly promptly and I thought the food was good. We all had burgers, sandwiches and fries and I had the clam strips which were very good and there were quite a few of them. The main problem after the attitude of the first waiter was nobody ever checked on us once. I would probably have ordered another beer and I had to flag him down to order another soda. It's is a good location and it does have a good selection of beers. It's funny because when we were leaving a man at the bar in front was very upset and starting cussing out whoever was helping him accusing them of bad service and poor attitudes also. Hopefully our experience was not typical.
(2)
Barry K.
Place is amazing! Cold beer and wine only. Incredible atmosphere and the staff is cool as ice. Must stop it in Santa Monica
(5)
Natalie J.
went here for first time in the past month. Awesome spot. Friendly door guy, great beer selection and lots of space to spread out. Didnt try food but will next time for sure. Was a neat spot to stop and enjoy the day.
(5)
Mikey B.
The food is pretty good for a bar. The veggies burgers are really good if that's your things, also the turkey sandwich is only 6 bucks, which is a good deal for the area. I only gave it two stars because of the crappy service the last two times I've been here. I sat down at a table inside and after 15 minutes of no service, I left. The place was empty, too. Did they take away the servers? I went again last week for a pick up order. Even though I had my hands out to receive the food, the guy put the container and napkins on the table and walked away. wtf? It wouldn't have been an issue except the napkins blew into the people sitting at the bar. They looked at me like I was the asshole, but I just shrugged my shoulders and pointed to the guy that placed them there and walked away with my food. The new design is nice, but I just can't go back due to the service.
(2)
Brian K.
Stopped at Big Dean's while taking a walk along the boardwalk. The weather was pretty shitty for Santa Monica but the place was still packed both out front and in the back. The beer selection is pretty decent for a place like Dean's. I think there were 9 taps (mostly macro brews) and the prices were really reasonable. I knocked back a 32oz ShockTop for $9. In regards to food, I started with the Shrimp and Baby Scallop skewers and followed it with Cajun Chicken Sandwich. Shrimp/Scallop dish came with 3 packed sticks and were well worth $7.00. The Cajun Chicken Sandwich was meh. Also to note, the bathroom (at least the men's room) looked as if it had just been redone and surprisingly clean/nice. TVs and music out back also solid.
(4)
Tanya M.
I've been here a couple times, most recently to watch football in the back deck area. It was blazing that day so trying to stay hydrated was a challenge. The breakfast menu is meh, nothing to write home about...hash browns were different but my fave. They only serve beer and wine...they'll get crafty with a mimosa. Later in the day, we ordered nachos...thumbs down. I think I need to stick to the burger type stuff.
(3)
Jackie C.
The Big Deans burger is the most delicious burger Ive ever ate and yes Ive ate a lot of burgers.
(5)
Craig C.
Pro - After trying several fish and chips near by the Santa Monica Pier, I say this is the best one I found. It taste the best, good prices, and good size. Con - The only complaint I have is the closing hours so if you going to be there late, call to see when they will close or if they are still open.
(5)
Judy Y.
yummy food, good price, great service.
(5)
Julie H.
The food and service were great. We loved meeting Liz, the 90 year old skater. We will definitely go back when near the pier. It's a great chill place to eat and people watch.
(5)
Mike A.
Big Dean's. What's happening? I've been here twice. That's two whole times. Once after a free Minus the Bear and Circa Survive concert on the beach - hell yeah! - and another time after riding bikes down the strand with my mom, her boyfriend, and my brother - not as much of a hell yeah but it was still fun! They serve a gluten-free pear cider in the bottle, so I was able to get my drink on, appropriately. The food is about as good as you would expect from a beach bar. Not bad. Nothing mind blowing. Worth three stars fer sho. Not sure if I would specifically go here or if it is just a place I would wander to. Probably the latter - which is alright, really. Not every place is a destination. Ain't that right, Omaha, Nebraska?! Bathrooms are tiny and there's often a line, at least for the mens room. I can't comment on the ladies room because hi, my name is Mike, I don't go to the ladies room.
(3)
Leigh J.
This place is OK. The food is really greasy. The service is good. The atmosphere is great. It is probably a good place to have a beer, but I am only nine. They seem to have some kind of philosophical opposition to ice. The name is "oceanfront cafe", but you cannot see the ocean.
(3)
Alan K.
It is interesting how I never knew a mini boardwalk existed underneath the Santa Monica Pier. I have always stayed on the pier and the beach, but never to the boardwalk. Big Dean's Cafe is located on that boardwalk. It has a vibe that is similar to one of those bars in Manhattan Beach on the pier, but was really crowded when we went there on a Saturday afternoon. We came here to grab a couple of beers. We ventured into the backroom to get the beers. They had Stella and Newcastle on tap so I decided to get those. It was standing room only at this place. It seemed like everyone who wanted to drink was here as it was the happening place to be. I know that there are places on the pier where you can get alcohol, but they were not as lively as this place as it had the atmosphere for it. It appeared like there was a long line for the men's restroom which indicates that the restroom facilities are probably really tiny. I think this place was a little too cramped for me to enjoy the people watching.
(3)
Sarah O.
I'm rounding up from 3.5 stars. We sat at the bar in the outdoor area behind the dining room for lunch, and it wasn't at all crowded, which was nice. The grilled ahi tacos were fantastic. They were light but filling, and came with a really nice ranch (believe it or not) sauce. My husband ordered chicken tacos with a delicious, smoky taco sauce. We split an order of fries, which were so-so. Not bad, but reminiscent of oven fries, which aren't my fave. The bartender was very friendly, and gave us suggestions on what to do in Portland, which was the last stop on our roadtrip. The beer selection was blah-- the usual assortment of name brand domestics. Prices were kinda steep, but it's a very touristy area so that's to be expected.
(4)
Jeannie W.
so yummy, so awesome, chili cheese fries are the BOMB
(5)
Kathleen W.
Love this place. My husband and I have been passing by here since moving to Santa Monica and finally stopped in on Saturday. Great staff, decent food and the beers are a decent price! The crowd is great, young and old and all friendly. We put this place on the top of our list to hangout on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
(5)
michael s.
Ive never had a bad thing on this menu. A perfect place to grab a burger and a beer right on the beach-front boardwalk. The burger is consistently in the top three best burgers in LA. The chicken tacos are delicious. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jason D.
Great beachside bar! We started out a pub crawl yesterday there and it was awesome! Can't wait to visit in the summer. Good food too! Great hamburgers!
(4)
A C.
Tasty food and friendly service! A bit out of the way if you're coming from the tip of the pier, but their yummy fish tacos, fajita tacos, fish & chips, and burgers beat the more expensive, mediocre fare ON the pier any day. Well worth the walk!
(4)
Sage P.
I took some out of town friends to Santa Monica Pier and we decided to check out Deans because of its laid back atmosphere and, of course, BEER! Oops, got a little excited there. Anyways, the burgers were delicious, and there was a decent beer selection (8 or so on tap, I think, plus bottles). We sat outside, basking in the California sunshine, and it was a great prelude to the Ferris Wheel. The servers are also really friendly. Honestly, I wanted to become friends but thankfully refrained from embarrassing myself to achieve that goal.
(4)
M F.
I first came across this place on a COLD night a couple of years ago. There was nobody out anywhere, so we decided to take a chance and try it out. Much to our surprise, the place was going off. This is one of the few places that unabashedly serves beer by the quart, always cold, and always fresh. I think the bartender told me that they go through at least one keg of every beer they offer, every day. Anyway, this place is awesome, warm, cold, whatever.
(5)
S. E.
Cheap beer, great staff, and great atmosphere. Wings weren't all that great (it's the hot sauce they use; the wings themselves were fried perfectly), but the corn dog was pretty good. I intend on trying the burger (at our bartender's recommendation) the next time I go.
(4)
Victor L.
This is the kind of place that you either sit outside at the picnic table, sit inside at the heavily decorated bar straight out of a coasting/surf bar movie set, complete with a full line of sunblock and skin care for those who need it, or in the back, feeling like someone's fenced backyard but no less charming. It's the kind of place where you find yourself humming a tune for no real reason, nonchalantly, a devil-may-care attitude toned down, in hopes that you can hear the ocean. You're certainly within earshot. It's the only place to go to in the immediate area; the pier has tons of crap (Taco Bell? Pizza Hut? Bubba Gump Shrimp complete with souvenir store in front, are you kidding me) so stop here. There was a huge surf board that supposedly fell recently, and they were trying to fix the rope from which it hung so it wouldn't happen again. They have an old looking tap system that looked to be the subject of many black and white photos. The bartender/waiter was a big tall guy with not very broad shoulders, he reminded me of the bartender in that huge neck brace/head stabilizer toward the end of Fight Club (I think that character reveals the twist). He spoke loud and clear, like a senator, but it's possible his hearing or mind was elsewhere, as it was hard to get his attention. But that doesn't matter in this case; there's no rush when you're here. It's constantly in Jimmy Buffet mode without the margaritas, but instead cheap beer, Amber Boch stylie, I think a pint was something like 3.50 for certain domestics. The food looked pretty good, served casually, a heap of burgers, fries, tacos, etc. Unfortunately we had some nachos and artichoke dip down the way at Sidewalk, so we passed. It's the kind of place that never uses their lights unless they have to; the bright sun illuminates the best of what an afternoon on the beach can offer, here at this place.
(4)
jamaica w.
Have you ever "Big Dean'ed" a beer? Go for the beers, stay for the cheeseburgers, try the wings, try the corn dogs (better, in my opinion, than those corn dogs next door but maybe it's the beer talking). Probably the best bar food in town. If you want to sit out front and watch the scene, be prepared to be friendly as you may have to share a table with a stranger. You meet some pretty interesting characters doing this, a lot of locals drinking their lunch and more than a few tourists stopping in for a bite. TJ and his staff are usually having as good of a time as you are so be sure to challenge TJ to a beer chugging duel but be prepared to be shamed. The party is usually peaking just before sunset in the summer so get here early and get your 4 o'clock sway on.
(5)
David C.
Everything is easy going at Big Deans. Kick up your feet and enjoy a cigarette under the No Smoking sign and enjoy gigantic beers in your choice of two outdoor patios. Showed up with my British roomate on St. Patty's at around 11 a.m., completely trashed and already fleeing the authorities. Managed to insult several patrons and the cook while completely soaked in our own spilled beer. No one kicked us out and the door guy came by and asked for a light. Nice. BTW, both my roomate and I have since quit smoking and never returned to Big Dean's - talk about hard lessons learned!
(4)
Chris S.
Stopped here after a bike ride and had a perfect time. Good food, cold beer, sitting in the sun. Nothing fancy about the place, but that's the point.
(4)
Greg W.
If location is everything, Big Deans is giving quite a discount on their cheap beer and medium-priced bar food. Literally the closest bar to Muscle Beach and many a good sunbathing spot, this place can definitely come in handy. Head out to the back patio if the front patio is overcrowded.
(3)
Barry P.
This place totally rocks! Great food and awesome service. I had a cheeseburger and fries and onion rings. Really good! The waiter was friendly and attentive.
(4)
Habit Y.
can i tell you we have ridden by here millions of times on our bike rides and finally stopped in for a cold brew yesterday. nice back patio area, we pretty much had it to ourselves. super cold beer, yummy clam boat, mellow laid back staff...good times!
(4)
Gol D.
Big Dean's Muscle Beach. The original muscle beach where they did all that acrobatic stuff and crazy group shots of guys holding up 50 chicks and what not. The history is right there on the walls inside. Black and whites all the way to color. ha ha. I like to slide my way in to any table with an umbrella in the day time. They serve beer and wine and some great food items. I usually order a Tecate tall can and a shrimp and scallop skewer and a side of fries. They have great steak and cheese sands, burgers, dogs, etc. Really tasty grub. YUM! Perfect to ride up to on your bike. If you drive, you have to pay to park, unless you have a SM parking pass. Joe, Mary Francis, TJ, etc. They are all great. The place gets insanely crowded during the Twilight Summer Concert Series July to Aug, every Thurs night. They only have 2 toilets. You want to drink and there's no where to go pee. You might as well wear depends. And that's only if y'all have a table, with chairs. Then it's worth staying. And they never say anything to me for eating a cheese on a stick.
(5)
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Address :1615 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA, 90401
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Katie S.
I havent eaten here so I cannot speak for the food but the patio is enough to make me give it 4 stars. Right by the SM pier, good drink prices and selection. Perfect place to sit outside, drink and enjoy the warm Cali sunshine!
(4)Amy S.
For a bar on the boardwalk across from the Santa Monica Pier, yes this place is A-OK. No liquor, just beer and wine...I'm sure the wine came from a box. There's an outdoor patio in the back that kind of blocks any ocean winds, so it's warm and sunny back there. Apparently the burgers are quite fantastic...I've only had the onion rings (good, but when are they not?) and a lot of large beers...that's another thing, the beers come in small, med, large...get the large because the downside of this place is that the bartenders are intoxicated and service is slow. Friendly crew though. Oh and I found out this place is a New York Giants bar, which means that come football season, I might change this to 5 stars.
(3)Shar A.
This is our go-to beer and fries location below the Santa Monica Pier. Super laid back staff and clientele. Sitting outside is just pleasant and casual. You can peacefully observe the energy of the people near the beach, everyone biking, skating, and running by. Just a great place to people watch and grab a beer. Chips are super fresh and come with yummy salsa. Communal tables allow for comfortable conversation and random chats with neighbors. You can rent bikes or blades right next door, or opt for a stroll onto the pier right above you. Great place!
(3)Michelle G.
Been going to Deans for over 4 years. Love the place! Great burgers, cold beers, SM local crowd. Tonight I sat at the bar and ordered a burger and beer. The server/bartender was on a psycho trip. TERRIBLE SERVICE from a PSYCHO bartender for the first time in 4 years :-( He was on such a power trip he asked for security to ask me to leave after I tipped him on the wrong receipt?! Which I checked and my copy read customer copy. I literally was in tears. :-( Who ever this server is he need to be FIRED. Total liability to Big Deans. I did nothing wrong to deserve this treatment. Ruined my night. I full on cried. The manager tried to resurrect the situation by refunding the beers that were taken from us. Totally sad. This was a safe place and now I'm worried about a psycho bar tender freaking out for no reason. Can't believe I tipped the MF. Going to fight the cc charge now. :/ If there was a 1/2 star I would chose it.
(1)Craig S.
This is a great spot! Fantastic burgers! very casual setting, very nice service. will make it a regular stop off.
(5)Stephanie M.
Fun, friendly, reasonably priced. Not fancy, but delicious.
(4)Daniel S.
I went here while I was on vacation and it was a good experience. The service was good and our waiter was very nice. He did forget to bring me my beer, but when I went to the bar and reminded him he apologized and gave it to me for free. The food was eh, but they had very cheap beer and that seemed to be the focus of the place anyway. If you are on the pier, want a nice atmosphere and cheap beer, I recommend this place.
(3)Kimm P.
yah... second time here and I was still amazed by their burgers. great service, nice views, cold beer, and good burgers. the first time i came here was at night on a weekend, it gets pretty crazy and packed so if you want a burger come during lunch time when the weather is good!
(5)Jessie M.
It's fine... but anything in the midst's of the madness that is the Santa Monica Pier isn't going to get a 5-star approval. Strange crowd, strange vibe. Food was fine... had a corn dog and the basket of frings. Salad was weird. My dad liked his ahi sandwich. Ummmmmm ya.
(3)Sean L.
At first, I thought this place was called 'Baked Beans' BUT, it's not. LOVED this place. Located right across from the ORIGINAL Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. Right off the water- this hole in the wall has some tasty treats inside. Came here this afternoon with some friends of mine visiting from Minnesota. We decided on Big Dean's - for a beach bite. My friend had the chili cheese fries and a chicken sandwich. She enjoyed. Other friend had some spicy buffalo wings! He still isn't talking about them! I ordered the famous Big Dean's Burger - it was supposedly famous. It was pretty good - but not AMAZING. The decor is cool. Football equipment and baseball nostalgia drape the walls and the back patio is SICK. PROS: GREAT SERVICE -Cheap -Right on the water -Good bites! -Quick -GREASY -TASTY -PATIO - and right by the beach CONS: My burger didn't come with fries - come on, make it a basket. -Beer was a bit pricey compared to the grub. I can't wait to go back here and eat everything in sight. Check this place out at the beach! Best, Sean
(4)Logan T.
It had been a few years since I enjoyed the Twilight Concert Series/free concerts at the Santa Monica Pier so with an evening burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to scoop the old lady up and show her what this freeq fest is all about. Upon arrival, I actually bump in to a few friends, which was a pleasant surprise, and decide to ride the swell and enjoy the critical mass that was building as they had more wine that we brought so I was happy to hop on that train. On the way, we all decided to stop by one of LA's "101 best bars" aka Big Dean's Cafe prior to hitting the beach and have to say that I, along with the rest of my crue, was utterly disappointed. With all due respect to the other reviewers, it's quite obvious that you all either dine here with a BAC of .62, wrote your review under the influence of some fucked up strain of kush, or are completely clueless when it comes to what constitutes a good dive bar/tavern versus a complete mess like Big Dean's. BL: it boggles my mind that this place even exists - while the staff are fairly kool and easy to deal with, the product was sub-par, at best, as the food was oversold, overdone, and overpriced. Look, I don't expect to get a Rustic Canyon-esq burger from a joint on the beach, but FML if I can't even get an experience that rivals a 3am run to JITB. You want details? Fine. Line cooks - when your hamburger looks like that black disk that hockey players jostle around and try to get in to their opponent's nets, it's time to get a new profession. My "Big Deans Cheese Burger" that apparently "...made Santa Monica famous!" and that my server basically JITP over, (he said it was nothing short of "awesome"), was nothing short of a joke - forget the presentation and all the fluffy BS, the two patties were overdone, the cheese literally had no taste, and the bun tasted like it was 3-4 days old. Also, we had to get ketchup using a napkin as the bottle was teeming with cooties - come on kids, clean your shit before having a paying customer use it. Look, when you can score THREE double-doubles for the price of one shitty Big Deans Cheese Burger...welp, even without an abacus you can do the math and come to the same conclusion that I did: should've scored I&O first. My chick's experience was similar as she went with the waiter's suggestion and got the fish and chips - the whole order, not the half - and was presented with a half-order of pretty decent fries and two pieces of some over fried (aka burned) fish. Line cooks - when your battered fish is floating in your fryer looking like dookie in a pool, it's time to get a new profession. Servers - you need to take as much responsibility as the cooks because if there's an order up and you notice it doesn't look like the picture on the menu, or quite frankly something you'd eat yourself, speak the fuck up because guess what, you're going to end up either comp'ing the food and getting no tip or getting long-fucked on your tip for not comp'ing the food. Servers, you are the last line of defense and as such, need to "trust but verify" your cook's product so shame on you for serving a beaten burger and two pieces of fish that look better suited for a senior prank in the skool pool. Again, I dig the location and the servers all seem like cool hangs or bangs, but I didn't come here for a friendly romp in the sand - I came here to get liquored and greased up and Big Dean's failed miserably at both. All said, if you're going to the Pier concerts, just bring your own booze and food and handle your business on your own - you'll no doubt have a greater experience and save a few bucks in the process. Oh, and don't call yourself a "cafe" if you're nothing more than a burger and beer joint - I know it's LA but call it as you serve it: Big Dean's Crape is much more appropriate. F this place and F the SMP - unless of course you like getting a contact high off of hipsters who smoke shake. Enjoy.
(2)Bobby L.
Best place on earth. What else is better than great beer and good food. Ask for Keyshawn, he's a regular and a great dude. Great service, better bartenders.
(5)Glenn F.
A local institution. You know it's summer in Santa Monica when it's standing room only. Some folks you recognize from last year and others are just passing through. Always a colorful crowd and shared seating means you're going to meet them or you won't get to sit down :) Last summer they expanded the front area so it's much more reasonable, but it can get crowded at times, especially on hot days. Recommended: Hot dog with a toasted bun or classic, no frills burger.
(4)Bob C.
Best burger in town!!! Also a really nice place if you want to hang out between locals.
(5)Ellen O.
We love Big Dean's and even more their staff!! The burgers were great. Even my big tough critic who usually grades a couple of stars below me was touched by the great service from the staff, all of them. The atmosphere is fun, food is good, people watching from the patio is super duper, and prices are good. I had no regular place to eat in Santa Monica near the pier til we explored, and are we glad we did. Go now!!
(4)Jessica C.
Came here on a whim with a girlfriend last Saturday. We were looking for something cheap and pretty good, and Big Dean's is definitely both of that. I had the basket of fried shrimp and french fries, again, just... ok. Nothing too amazing or special. It's a great bar/restaurant to hang out in, but ordering food can be a bit of a hassle since it's the bartenders who are taking your order and then giving it to you. So the crowd around the bar can be a bit overwhelming, but it's ok, the bartenders are awesome and attentive.
(3)Chris S.
Great little spot to step in and get out of the sun for a beer. Food is ok - mostly bar type stuff but the location is the deal. back patio & bar is the best for watching some NFL or other sports. One thing to note: its beer and wine only so you ought to know that in advance depending on the setup of your crew... I'd give it 4 stars if it had vodka. the staff is laid back and friendly. I love this place although it can get jammed with tourists but hey its the pier in SM - so get over it.
(3)Mr P.
Hey Yelpers I have been going to Dean's for many years as I am a SM native (rare occurrence) and I was surprised by the latest poor reviews. I have never seen the bad behavior sited by one reviewer and if it were true then he should have addressed it with the manager at the time of the incident, that's what I would have done. To not is a kin to rubbing a dog's nose in it 24 hours afterward and I doubt it ever happened, but say it did no employee has a right to treat or talk to a customer in a disrespectful way even if the customer is wrong, drunk, belligerent, or a total tool. Everything about Big Dean's is just the way I'd want it and it's only getting better. Give it a try and you'll see I'm right if you don't you're missing out. I'm not saying to spend your life there but stop by for a beer and a bite because this area is the stepping off place for a ton of cool things to do and A #1 people watching all summer long! Thanks to the staff and everyone at Big Dean's for my own great experiences there and one last comment. NO ONE can please all of the people all of the time and to try is complete madness. Mr. P
(5)Christine C.
I think I found where all the cool 30 something year olds come for a day drink...Big Dean's. I went here for a 4th of July pit stop and really enjoyed getting my beer and burger on. There were a lot of big groups, but we were able to snag a couple chairs at the bar and order easily from a very kind man. It's a really fun vibe, and I can definitely see myself coming back here many more times. Lots of choices for beer. Great food selection. There's a front outside area, a small inside area, and a back outside area all right on the beach! Honestly, what more can you really ask for?
(4)Lanore B.
GREAT food, GREAT atmosphere and REALLY cute waiters!
(4)Joe P.
I stopped here after driving cross country from NYC. I loved this place! A great cheeseburger and a wonderful laid back atmosphere. All of the bartenders and servers help each other out for a great level of service. Super big ice cold beers for good prices. Check out my blog "Tales of a Flying Brick" for more details...
(5)Vincent I.
gotta say, my daughter picked here to have her birthday celebration, i was a little unsure due to the fact it was on the pier. i was politely suprised by the nice servers, great greeting we got from the security guard, and the fast service. the food was good, burgers, bratwurst, fries, grilled shrimp 32 ounce beers, cold and crisp, for sure a locals hang out, complete with roller bladers.
(3)Christine Y.
Great for the chill atmosphere and hanging out, but food is just so so. Did watch the World Cup game today of Mexico vs France tho and saw Mexico win. Good place to get away from the crowds outside...but only came here for lunch so far not dinnertime. Think of this as bar food stuff, you're not going to get great food, but its great for hanging out. From the outside it doesn't look very big, but there's also a very cute back patio. Dubbed the beer garden, its like the outside patio, but more enclosed and with picnic tables and booths. Also has a nicer cuter feel to it with the mini cacti and succulent garden, the little booths, and of course its farther proximity from the crowds. Located just next to the Santa Monica pier, its tucked in at the bottom. Some picnic tables and umbrellas on the outside, bar and some seating inside, then to the back patio. The people that were here were all watching the tv's for the world cup or horse racing. The people who work here are pretty chill and nice. Albeit overworked a bit, only one guy in the back, but totally apologized and made up for it. The food... The Frings $7-Onion rings and fries. Onion rings were decent but super greasy but good crispy and right amount of batter to onion. Fries were the crinkle cut thick fries that I always hate cause they are almost always soggyish. Fish Tacos $6-Comes with 2. Surprisingly were large than I thought they would be. The fried battered fish itself was piping hot and pretty good, the rest not so good. There was actually some melted cheese in the tacos that I couldn't even taste, but was kinda weird that it was there in the first place. The rest of the toppings were lettuce, some diced tomatoes, and that white mayo sauce they put on fish tacos. Tortillas were okay, store bought stuff. Toppings really didn't add very much from the fish and actually detracted from it a bit. Good portion size for $6 though. I would definitely come back here as I did really like the atmosphere. Bar food is...bar food. Maybe their other stuff is better?
(3)Laura G.
Decided on Big Dean's because of the other reviews. The fact that they had a 32oz beer completely elated my husband. We did the fish and chips, and it was awesome. Our friend's 10 year old had the chili bowl and she loved it. The service was a little awkward and a little surly at first, but once we got a single wait staff member, we were good.
(4)David P.
This was the best bar we visited our whole vacation! Right off the Santa Monica pier, pleasant seating area, perfect for that cocktail day out by the beach. The burgers were very good. Very, very good. The beer was nicely cold. This bar was also in a scene of Moonlight, if you were a fan of the show. But the best thing about this location was the staff. Amazingly friendly & welcoming. I can't say enough about them. BEST SERVICE IN SOCAL that we found!!!
(5)Mark A.
Greatest place ever. Been going here for 3 years and never leave disappointed... Cheap, delicious, and laid back waitstaff that don't hesitate to mess with you a bit (in a joking manner). I always feel at home in this place, get their grilled Mahi Mahi tacos.
(5)Brendon D.
Nothing too big about this joint. This is a great place to roll into on your bike. It's a great mid-beach-day stop off to grab a beer. The food is really not that great. BUT, who goes there for the food. You gotta go there for the vibe. There are lots of great people here. If you opt to drive, there is a huge lot north of the pier (30 seconds away from the front door of Big Dean's). If you are trying to locate this joint, find the carousel at the foot of the pier. Then look down to the walking path with your back facing the beach. Try and get a spot out front. The back patio is hot and plastic. Don't half step. Order a "Coors Yellow Belly".
(3)Amy V.
If your looking for a quick bite near the pier this place is great, the portions are pretty big and the food is really good. I ordered the cheeseburger with a side of frings (French Fries & onion rings served together), my boyfriend ordered a chili dog & a cheeseburger, my boyfriend is 6'2 and it takes A LOT to get him full, but this chili dog & cheeseburger alone made him satisfied. So you can imagine how big the portions are. However, with that said, the service was really bad. There were no more tables in the front so we had to be seated in the back, when we arrived NO ONE greeted us or helped us find a table, we had to look ourselves. Our waiter was so boring, there was no excitement, no fun, no good hospitality. He took so long just to get our drink order. And you could just tell he didnt want to be there. There was no ice & the sodas came in cans. Overall the food was good but it can only do so much when the service is horrible.
(2)Brian G.
As much as I love the pier, when it's too crowded, I can't wait to get off the pier and that's when I go to Big Dean's on a nice sunny day for a cold brew. While the front patio lets you people watch, I much more prefer the back patio where it's quiet and you can hang out with friends while watching one of the many games shown on the TV. I wouldn't say food is one of Big Dean's strengths, but how many people hit Big Dean's for a meal? I say skip the food, but stop in for a relaxing time. What's even better is that Big Dean's is located right next door to a bike rental shop so if you're in the mood to go pub-cycling, this is an ideal place to start your great adventure.
(3)Libby D.
Big Dean's is a great local bar in a great location! We go to watch sports but also to enjoy the great Santa Monica weather from the back or front patio-- and there aren't many open air bars near the beach. Very good food and beer selection. Kid friendly and very friendly staff in general. Not fussy or pricey like other bars in downtown SaMo. Highly recommended!
(5)Jessica S.
4 stars for drinking on the boardwalk. And a nice outdoor patio (was crowded when I went). Looks like a fun Sunday Funday spot, but I only saw one small TV outdoors. 2 stars for the cheesesteak I had (tiny and lame). I asked for no peppers, but waitress told me it was pre-mixed (what?!). Anyways, other people's fries/onion rings/burgers looked better...so I'm guessing this is a 3 star food place. Prices weren't bad either. Definitely a drinking crowd. They have drink specials too.
(4)Kriss P.
Went to Big Dean's for lunch today. Me and the family were soaking up some Santa Monica sun & thought this would be a good place to grab a burger & beer. It's a real beach spot and has an extremely casual feel to it. The food was great! We got frings (half onion rings & half fries), a chili burger, cheese burger, and beer. Not expensive at all. Don't get me wrong, it's no $1 menu from micky dee's, but super reasonable for a casual beach front sit-down. Cheap beer & dollar off domestics during happy hour! Looks like a place to get wasted at a good price! Service was ok. It looks like the bartender was serving the whole front of the house and inside seating area, so maybe that's why there wasn't really time to see how every table was doing with their food. Our baby was with us so he was a tad messy and they didn't appreciate the food on the floor because of the pestering birds that keep coming if you feed them. He doesn't know any better. We also wanted change after our meal because we wanted to tip her not pay her mortgage. She saw we left cash but didn't come by to pick it up and ask if we needed change. Knowing that she most likely wasn't going to come around for a little bit, I took a trip next door and got change from the souvenir shop so we can give her the proper tab amount plus tip. My only gripe is that they serve regular beverages by the bottle (sodas, tea, etc). They do have a well for some beers, but there's apparently no ice on the premises which is their prerogative but I secretly wished was they served iced tea. Loved the food! Would come back for that and the drinks!
(3)Michelle C.
The Scene: January. Sunday, early afternoon. It's 80 degrees out. We arrived and were promptly told to sit wherever we pleased, so we chose a table with an umbrella and ordered two beers from the spot-on hilarious server. Never did catch the tall guy's name, but he was pretty funny. He slid two menus on the table, noting that he put them drink side up so we could decide on somethin' and have it out sooner while we decided on the grub. After my first bite of the burger, I exclaimed that it was like In-n-out ... only BETTER. The wings were alright, but the burger was really, really good.
(5)Jana L.
I love big deans, it's not pretentious or hipster..it's just a great happy pop in from the beach dirty and be welcomed with a cold draft kinda place! it's really friendly and fun. Nothing beats it after a hot day in the sand playing! A true Santa Monica classic
(5)Lori D.
Came here recently! It was really good! i was intimidated at first because its soooo crowded and busy and i didnt think we'd get a spot. but we did. then i didnt think anyone would help us/check on us. but they did! good clams, and cold beer!
(4)Johan H.
Ordered a big deans burger and buffalo wings. The burger was really great!! One of the best i've tasted here in california so far. Buffalo wings were also good. The beers were at a affordable price.
(5)Mark D.
This little store front behind the carousel is Santa Monica Piers best kept secret. While people clammer to get in and out of Bubba Gump for a beer, or throw away money on "fast food" on the pier at restraunt prices... locals know that Big deans is the spot... $7.50 quarts of bid light..... $6 Cheesburgers... children welcome... its a laid back patio bar type of place... your not gonna get anything ordinary at this place.... EVERYTHING has character. they said It's been a bar/cafe since the thirtys and its been standing since 1901. The service and staff were cool as hell, sitting in the bar after a while kinda felt like i was part of the place. 5 stars from someone who usually can not be please!
(5)Ben F.
Great place to grab some beers then walk the pier. Good prices brews, good food, the outdoor patio (the back one) is cozy and a great place to chill. Definitely the best place on the pier to grab some brews and food while your at it.
(4)Pyrin L.
We had two Big Dean burgers, one regular cheeseburger, and shared an order of frings (fries and onion rings). Those burgers were generous and juicy and tasty, and the onion rings were very good (I recommend getting just the rings and skipping the very average fries). The prices are OK considering it is by the Pier ... the above plus three drinks (cans of soda) was $48. It was lunchtime on a weekday and the service was quick and friendly. There is a two-hour maximum low-fee parking lot next door but there was no parking available in it today so we just went to regular Pier parking and that costs $12 for the day.
(4)Lori K.
This is one of my favorite weekday lunch spots. I can walk here from my office. The atmosphere is unbeatable! You get ocean breezes, outdoor seating or semi-outdoor seating and I'm pretty sure, the best, people watching in Santa Monica since you're right on the boardwalk! There are a lot of things on the menu to choose from including, hamburgers, ahi burgers, sandwiches, chicken wings and tacos how can one choose? This place is the epitome of the term "laid back" . No frills, no pretention, no attitude... this place for me captures the essence of old Santa Monica (you know, the days of Jack Tripper!) and yet it somehow fits right in with today's Santa Monica. You can roll in here in flip flops and a bathing suit and sit right next to a person in a business suit and no one would even bat an eyelash. That's just how cool this place is!
(4)Taylor P.
My favorite place to grab a beer after a day at the beach. It's definitely a locals crowd, and the back patio area is always chock-full of Bros and girls. The service is always good, and you can get a huge beer for pretty cheap. The bar-food is pretty standard, but, tasty all the same.
(5)Absynth F.
Ok look. I know this is a popular spot but I just went there and was treated like a total dirtbag. It was a MONDAY afternoon and my friend and I sat down outside to have a beer and relax for a minute. The waiter comes over and takes our order and asks for my ID. I'm almost 32 years old. I didn't have it on me so I jokingly gave him my business card and said it was my birthday so he had to give me a beer (all while laughing and smiling by the way). He said "let me see if I can", disappeared, reappeared and said "no". So we left, I grabbed my ID from my car (2 of them, one expired from another state and a current CA one) I use my expired one because the CA one is really ugly and I look mad in it. So.. We sat down at the bar as our table had been snagged and I gave the bartender my expired license (which clearly shows my birthday and photo) and he disappears and a dark haired pissed off woman shows up with my ID in her hand. "Do you have a current ID" she asks me. I say "Yeah I do" and hand her my CA ID. She then starts into this "You know you're not making me WANT to give you a drink". I was like "what? what are you talking about?" She goes on, getting very angry "First of all you LIE about your birthday, THEN you give me an expired license! It doesn't make me want to give you a drink." So I said to her "I don't understand what the big deal is. Anyone would have done the same thing in my position. It's not like I tried to get one over on you or anything. I really AM over 21 and I just want a beer." I even said to her "look, I apologize, I wasn't trying to offend you or anyone else, I was just playing around, having some fun and I didn't mean a bit of harm!" At this point she's really pissed off and she's snarling at me and going on about what a jerk I am and my friend pipes up and says "look, is she gonna get a beer or not?" and ... can you believe it she says "I don't think so, try again next time' HAHAHA AS IF THERE WOULD EVER BE A NEXT TIME?! In total disbelief I look at her and say "Are you SERIOUS?" she says with a very snobby huff "Yeah". So... I said to her "you have a serious attitude problem. You really need to chill out and stop seeing me as your enemy and feeling like such a victim." and with that I left. NEVER TO RETURN!!!! WORST SERVICE IMAGINABLE. I'd like to add I truly feel really sorry for this woman because she obviously is a miserable hateful person.
(1)erica l.
Food was adequate and female server is not very friendly
(2)Caroline C.
This place is great!!! Found it under the pier last night and was pleasantly surprised. I'm a vegetarian and was happy to see a garden burger on the menu and Stella on tap! Although Stella has nothing to do with being a vegetarian - it's just good beer. The service was great and what you'd expect from a small place. If you want lots of attention or to be pampered this is not for you. It's a nice relaxing place to have a burger and beer. The location is awesome as it makes you feel you are miles away from the tourists/commotion on the pier. I recommend to anyone looking to relax after a day on the beach!!!
(5)lottie t.
Talk about frat house by the beach. This is definitely the place to go for some partying. We came on a Saturday afternoon. The crowd was a bit laid back, there was some beer pong going on in the back. We sat in the front and just people watched. It was cool and has cheap beer on the board walk.
(3)Kurt V.
My favorite place to drink on Saturdays. Always a fun time. Very divey and touristy, which seems to be the perfect blend for a great time near the beach. Fun and friendly staff. Rosa! Good beer specials. A must for anyone who is new to the area or in town for a visit.
(5)David O.
I've got to admit I've had a very hard time adjusting to life in Southern California. Although I went to Junior and High School in San Diego, moving back to SoCal after almost ten years in the Bay Area has been... well... challenging. The 818 is a very difficult place to live after living in the Bay Area. We've found it extremely hot and it's been very hard to make friends and meet people here. Big Dean's Cafe renewed my faith in SoCal almost instantly after we walked through the front door and stepped out on their back patio. The place is pretty no frills. It looks divey and working class and certainly doesn't pretend to be something it ain't. As he introduced himself, our waiter said, "your waiter's drunk and got long hair." He served us with a smile, a sense of humor, and impeccable aplomb. Let's just say that we spent a mere 2 and a half or 3 hours here, and we had such a wonderful experience. All the people here were friendly, jovial, and real.... something we've sorely missed out in the Valley. Now wait a sec... before I get slammed with hate mail, I *didn't* say it didn't exist in the 818. I'm sure it exists all over the place. It's just very hard to connect with people when you move somewhere where the majority of society moves around by car. We've barely been able to meet our neighbors. We know mostly their cars. Cars pull up, garage doors open and the cars pull in before the doors are promptly closed. Ne'er do you see them outside, on their balconies or patio. Needless to say it makes it hard to meet people. Anyway, all that aside, we had a wonderful time at Big Dean's Cafe! Our waiter brought us a few rounds of Fat Tire Ale, and we got Buffalo Wings and Chili Cheese Fries to munch on. OH MY GOD!!!! This is no joke, but these were the ***BEST*** Chili Cheese Fries I have ever tasted.... EVER! They were incredibly meaty and incredibly cheesy! Just absolutely perfect!!! 8 beers and the munchies came out to some $45 or so (the waiter comped 2 of the beers because he gave us Skinny Dips instead of Fat Tires) We ended up tipping him 20 bucks because we were so blown away by the love, and the friendliness, and for the first time in a very long time, we felt like we belonged. I love Big Dean's Cafe. Our short 3 hour stopover made the day the best time I've had since we moved down here last September. Dean deserves a plaque. I absolutely love these guys! I hope you will too...
(5)Andy B.
GREATEST SANTA MONICA BAR BURGER!!! large beers, on the beach with burgers and fringes (fries/onion rings) doesnt get much better!
(5)Eric H.
Great place to grab a drink outdoors near the beach!
(4)William H.
Excellent, chill, relaxed Local bar without attitude! Best place to find a great combination of chatty, friendly locals, as well as inquisitive tourists looking for a nice place to have a drink and people watch under the sun! Check out the Beer Garden in the Back! Friendly Staff!
(5)Johnny C.
Joy P. came down to have lunch today, and we went to Big Dean's so that we could eat next to the beach. We split a very good Veggie Burger, and a large order of fries. You really can't see the ocean from the patio, but you can watch tourists, or the volleyball games going on at the beach. Its a nice place to also grab a beer in the middle of the day, or their happy hour between 5-7pm. They always have some beer on special whether its pabst blue ribbon, or tecate.
(4)leslie w.
Ehhh... good place for burgers. this place is good for locals that want to pound beers. the staff loves to join in. not really a great place to bring a date, girlfriend, or women in general. not trying to slam the place... but want to warn the ladies that if u want to be in a better environment, check out misfit. if you want hole in the wall, check here.
(3)Michelle S.
Very disappointed.. Service took at least 5 min to come to the table all we ordered was drinks but my son had to go ask for a lemonade and we had to ask for the bill we were never offered refills or if we wanted food. Very disappointed
(2)Jay M.
My favorite beach bar. Great friendly staff and 32oz ice cold beers. Slammed in the summer when the tourists are here. Beer and wine only, no hard alcohol.
(5)Bobby C.
I've had such bad service lately, I feel I may be a downer for the rest of my life. Just got back from a lunch where a soup, salad, and a turkey sandwich took an hour to come out. In addition, the healthy food sucks here. The salad is gross iceberg with shredded cheese on top (yuck). The turkey sandwich tasted like a cafeteria line at a hospital (Subway is better) and the New England Clam chowder, while decent, only comes in a bread bowl that wasn't anything special. That's my own fault. Should have known. I'm not gonna take it down a star or anything because for what it is this place is great. Now that Hermosa's Poop Deck is gone, this is the only beach dive bar for locals. Stick to the corn dog, their burger, the fried chicken sandwich and their big cheap beers!
(4)Kind W.
Please make food for vegetarians and healthy people. We would love to eat here more often, but, it would be better if they less fatty foods on the menu. Impossible to imagine being in a bikini after Big Deans.....We will be Big People.
(1)Jennifer G.
was a little nervous - but the waiter was cool he forgot our guacamole, he brought it late, so he comped it, which was the right thing to do. I had the chicken tacos - totally decent. if you are looking for a laid back california beach food experience - this is pretty much it....tourist area but with some local flair. -- for what it is, it is solid
(4)Colleen S.
Love this place! I dropped by for a beer and burger and it fit the bill perfectly. Bartenders are funny and helpful. Burger was greasy and awesome.
(4)Kasey P.
Great burgers, great location and just a fun to go to after being at the beach all day! Fun staff too!
(5)Danielle H.
Very chill hangout spot and awesome place to snag a beer and burger after walking the pier... I had their traditional burger and it was delicious. Recently eating beef after a 8 year stint of being vegetarian/vegan, it's tough to find a burger that isn't too much for me but satisfies that desire for a nice beef fix. The fries are also fantastic and a small order is plenty to share. Unreal prices and cool staff, I will be back next time i'm in the area.
(4)eileen h.
Great location if you want to grab a bite or beer. There's a bouncer at the front door who stamps to validate your age. The stamp is huge and bled deep into my skin. It somehow managed to stay there for 2 days despite having scrubbed my skin that night. I came here on Labor Day and it was packed. I guess the back patio is where you want to be since that's where most people were situated. There's no host and is more of a free-for-all situation. Luckily my friends were scouting the patio area and were able to snatch a table before I arrived. The food is good and is just a great place to down some beers before hitting the beach.
(3)Bryan A.
Not a Food Critic,,,, but I do love a good burger... And Big Dean's has the best burger in LA. and their Onion rings are even better.
(5)Hannah M.
As summer approaches I can't help but think of my regular sun time activities and how EXCITED I am to get back to them. One of them without a doubt in the world is riding my bike over to Big Deans. Located right under the left side of pier near short term parking and next to a bicycle shop you will find this rough gem. It's not pretty, it's dark and a bit weird inside, walk through this part and out to the back area. There are ALL sorts of people from hot beach babes to biker guys. Flat screens to watch sports and horse racing. Beer is cheap, food is pretty freakin excellent. The first time I came I left my party to get Hot dog on a Stick corn dogs for everyone. The second time I came I tried Dean's corn dog and it blew the other one out of the water. I also love the grilled cheese sandwich, the chili cheese fries, the fish tacos and the hot wings. The waiters and bartenders know to keep the Guinness coming. They know what all of us want and show up for impromptu chugging contests regularly. Yes, sometimes it's hard to get help here. That's just the way it is. You're at a beach bar... not the Ritz. Hope to see you guys there!
(5)Tony G.
You've got to go to Big Dean's knowing what you are in for. This is not a fancy dining experience--it's a beach bar, and for that, it's great. You can walk to it straight from the sand, get 24 oz Tecates, and they've got delicious, no frills, chili cheese nachos. Is it just a can of chili dumped over tortilla chips and loaded up with cheese and onions? Probably, but after a day on the beach and a couple of 2x4s, they're the best thing in the world.
(5)Haiku-Project H.
Perfect looking man tends bar in Bukowski-land. Full of paradox.
(4)Jason T.
Big Dean's does not feel like Santa Monica. It belongs in a much smaller beach town. It's a restaurant/bar right on the beach path next to the SM pier. The beer selection isn't noteworthy, but having a beer next to the beach while basking in the warm sun is beyond nice. The service is friendly but chill, none of the overly peppy waiters you might get at an upscale chain restaurant. The food came in paper containers - fries and fish - not bad, but not mind-blowingly extraordinary either. It just hits the spot. And Big Dean's Cafe hits the spot dead on.
(4)Donn U.
My friends have been coming here for a while and I finally decided to meet up with them for a bike ride and end it at Big Deans with some drinks at the bar. This was a great place and can't believe I haven't been here before. The crowd had a good vibe and we could laugh and have our large cups of beer. The food was typical bar food, but good enough to nibble on while we drank the afternoon away. The back patio is really cool to me. We could joke around with the servers and had great service. No one in the bar had an attitude and it was just a fun place to hang out. I felt like people could join in our conversations or we could join other conversations and it was no big deal. I am totally coming back.
(5)Deanne H.
Don't get the fish and chips!! Frozen fish, nasty hard breading. Our waiter was really nice and apologetic. We paid for drinks and left. No excuse for frozen fish on a pier. I wish I would have seen the picture of it on here before I ordered it. Stick with other reviewers and get the burger and a beer.
(1)Tiffany O.
Big Dean's Cafe is one of the few places around the Santa Monica Pier that didn't try to rip me off THAT badly. Relatively reasonable prices considering the location, takes cards (unlike most places around there that are annoyingly cash only), and sells one delicious hamburger. Not to mention, considering the place was super crowded this past saturday, we were served within 15 minutes. They have a nice beer garden-esque patio in the back, as well. I spent $20 on two hamburgers, two cokes, and fries, which is a little pricey, but I would have paid basically the same at one of the other stands around the pier and the food was actually good instead of being a hot, greasy mess. Hip hip hooray for Big Dean.
(4)lisa u.
If this place served Vodka it would get 5 stars Go to the back bar...plenty of seating great for a weekend stop to watch the game havent had the food but im sure its typical bar food
(4)Heath R.
This is what I imagine the pier used to be like before Bubba Gump's, etc. And it's where I imagine the locals and long-timers hang out. My wife and I stopped by yesterday afternoon for sodas -- they sell it in the can, no ice -- and enjoyed sitting at a table in the front section. Plenty of other people there, too: solo folks drinking in the shade and cool of inside, full tables with beer drinkers outside under the umbrellas. I didn't check the back deck. But the neatest thing for me was that they have multiple non-alcoholic beers! At least two kinds, one domestic, and one "premium." The bottles are priced the same as their normal bottles -- think $5 a beer -- but there's a happy hour between 4 and 7 p.m. that'll knock a buck off draft beers. I'll be back, and next time, for a non-alcoholic beer.
(3)Brent A.
We always have an amazing time here! Honestly, the staff makes this place so special.
(5)Michaela S.
I'm kicking myself in the nuts for living on the Westside all these years and just now discovering the magic of Big Dean's Cafe. Strategically located by the beach, it's the perfect spot to day drink after splashing around in the ocean (and potentially catching cancer). The beer garden in the back has numerous picnic tables for you to sit down, chow down, and catch up with friends - or make new ones. Picture this: outdoors in flip flops drinking beer on a Saturday afternoon watching sports in the middle of winter and enjoying the 75 degree weather. This is what Los Anjealous is all about. Parking situation: Beach parking lot next door or try your luck at the meters on Ocean Avenue.
(4)Staxx D.
All about the dive bar! Beers are cold. Servers are sometimes loaded and food is greasy. Perfect beach bar.
(5)Kristin J.
Nothing better than sitting on the beach with a beer and watching a gorgeous California sunset. Big Dean's is one of my favorite things about the Santa Monica Pier. If you're really in the mood to eat unhealthy food, I recommend the Chili Cheese Nachos! They're soooo good.
(4)Amanda D.
We were thirsty for a drink after laying out and stopped at this place. It looks jusr alright from outside. Can I just say it turned out to be a pleasant surprise? Even though I still think they should have some well drink... (nope beer and wine only). The cheese quesadillas were cheep and good. We sit outdoor: it was clean and the staff was really attentive. One of their blond bartender looks like Danny Smith @ Future Model... just sayin'
(5)Donna B.
Great place to have a beer and relax by the beach without getting ripped off. It's a total dive, but one with actual character and history- and a decent beer list. A nice break from the swank hotel and touristy/ frat bars closest to the beach.
(4)Amber B.
I feel like Big Dean's is for 40-year olds what Cabo Cantina is for 20-year olds. Now don't take that the wrong way, I ain't hatin' on my elders. I'm JUST sayin'. I love the beach laid back vibe goin' on here for sure. There are 2 bars with different beers on tap at each one (the bar in the middle has your standard domestic drafts while the bar in the back had some more interesting ones...obviously I was too drunk to remember what those were exactly! Oh, and there are 3 different sizes you can choose from for your beer!) and a big front patio filled with tables and umbrellas. Do yourself a favor and pick either the front patio or the back bar that is open air too unless of course a sauna is the right environment for your drinking activities. Standard bar food from the looks of the menu...some of us chicas ordered the large french fries and they were literally a basket of crinkle cut fries that I'm pretty sure they picked up in bulk at Costco and then briefly dumped in the deep fryer. One of the bartenders was flirting with my friend and apparently he thought it would be cute/funny/slick to steal some of our french fries while trying to flirt! What the heck? Keep yo' grubby paws to yourself please! I guess I'm not making this sound like much of an awesome place but honestly it's a fun stop! Stop by after the Twilight Pier Dance Series or stop by on a weekend. It's always packed with warm drunk bodies who are carefree and out looking for a good mellow time!
(4)Angelica G.
Wow, interesting story for an update. My friend who was with me during the incident mentioned below went to Big Dean's with a different group of friends last week. Upon sitting down, she was told by staff that she could not be served. When asked why not, she was told it was because of her Yelp review. She doesn't write Yelp reviews because she doesn't even have a Yelp account, so they had mistaken her for me! Wow, so BIG DEAN'S RETALIATES AGAINST YELP REVIEWS! And what was wrong with my review? NOTHING. I merely told a story that was true, but I guess they can't handle the truth! The awful truth is: their staff has no respect for customers. Also, my friend and I look nothing alike, except that we are both tan with long brown hair. She's half Japanese and half Mexican and I'm Filipino...so I guess BIG DEAN'S IS GUILTY OF RACIAL PROFILING! Worry not, I won't ever come back here again - I have too much class for this place anyway. BIG DEAN'S = RACIST RETALIATORS!
(1)Carrie M.
GREATEST place on EARTH! really... there is nothing else i can say that will give it better praise. oh wait... maybe this: if you like beer, the beach and a gramma on skates... this place is for you.
(5)Lisa Z.
Loved it! The epitome of the perfect LA beach beer' n burgers bar. Prices are great, you can't go wrong with the beers on tap or the tallboys. The food is great, too and the customers very friendly, everyone is chill and mellow. It does have a LOT of seating for the little space that it has. One patio out front that faces the boardwalk; one beer garden/patio in the back, and a bar in the middle with some tables. Fun people watching and mellowing out. Can't go wrong here! A must try for LA.
(5)Michael M.
Great food....great hamburgers and beer. I bring friends from the American Film Market here every year. Very nice waiters too.
(5)Ariza S.
Awesome location near the pier: check Casual and cheap: check Outdoor Patio: check Good grub and cold beer: check! Big Dean's was a great/wierd/SoCal experience for me. After a long day of enjoying the pier and some major shopping my buddies and I wanted to just sit back, have a few beers and a simple dinner. We saw Big Dean's and thought why not. It was actually a little chilly out but they had heaters out on the patio so we grabbed a bench outside. The crowd was pretty diverse but everyone was friendly, our group ended up talking to the guys behind us and I even gave them some feet porno (because they liked my shoes so much). I ordered the fish and chips and had a fat tire beer. We had so much food left over we decided to give a homeless man who was sitting near the restaurant our leftovers. He ended up dancing (after asking for some tarter sauce) and entertaining everyone the rest of the evening. Where else can this happen?!
(4)Todd S.
This was a stupid-luck find. Wandering around Santa Monica feeling a craving for some good food and a cold glass of beer. I see a group of older, and heavier people hanging out in front which is like a bat signal for good fried food and beer. Spot on. Ordered a cheeseburger and fries, a few pints of Sam Adams, and enjoy the locals constantly giving each other shit. The burger was insanely good. Nothing fancy about it, just perfectly cooked, juicy, fatty, exactly how a burger should be. The place really feels like the beach-bum California stereotypical watering hole you imagined before coming to the west coast. I'm coming back and grabbing a nearby hotel and closing this place down the next time I find myself in Santa Monica.
(4)Mike P.
One of the best burger, beer, tacos, beach bars in Santa Monica!! Prices are low compared to other Pier/Beach bars. Staff friendly/funny make sure u have a good time. not sure what happen to someone else there after all it is a beach bar!! Great spot to catch-up and people watch or go to the back patio bar and watch some sports. Can't wait to go back this week-end, kick back have a bacon, cheese burger with my favor beer and some friends! M&S
(5)Ashley H.
This place is one of my favorites in SM. It is such a chill atmosphere where you can share a table with other friendly patrons. The servers and bartenders are down to earth and seem to live in a laid back style. I have only lived here 6 months and have probably been there 8 times. Good food, good peeps, good times.
(5)Henry S.
BOMB ASS FISH TACOS!!! Stopped by Deans this weekend while in Santa Monica had some awesome fish tacos. The fish was lightly fried, milky, and flaky. It had a light crunch and when paired a with fresh tortilla, fresh lettuce, ripe tomato topped with their sauce = awesome fish tacos! I actually ordered a second order after I finished my first one. Customer service was outstanding. Their staff greeted me with a smile and a genuine positive and friendly attitude . Deans is a great spot if you wanna just chill on their patio and people watch. They have specials such as a large tall boy Tecate for $6! I will be back!
(5)Bridget M.
Make no mistake about Big Dean's - he likes his food and he likes it fried and greasy. Lucky me, Dean and I grew quite fond of each other over a 32 oz. beer, chili cheese nachos, and fried fish tacos, A couple of my coworkers and I hopped in here after reading some of the reviews. It was a little tricky to find this place - here's a hint, cross the bridge but before actually getting onto the pier, hang a left and mosey around the corner and there you'll find yourself face to face with mucho beer-o and mucha comida. The service was attentive and the food was delicious greasy goodness. The prices were real low so that pushes Dean into the 5 star category. They have a nice outdoor seating area - apparently that's the standard in CA; I'm from Chicago and outdoor seating is an extra special treat. Super delightful find and "ahhhh-sim" company. P.S. Check out the decor. My favorite piece is a sign that they would tack onto one of their regulars; it reads "To My Bus Driver: Please drop me at 14th and Whilshire. It's okay to wake me. Thanks, Walter." Classy.
(5)Samantha S.
If you see big dean's as anything but five stars...you don't know how to have a good time.
(5)Laura V.
I love cheeseburgers and I love beer!!! This place is super layed back and awesome, swimsuits welcome. They don't allow dogs on there patio which is dumb. I understand in the back but not in the front:/ There are some douches that hang out there. So beware! But the staff is cool. There special sauce is thousand island like everywhere else, but just an awesome standard burger. I met Luke Wilson there which was cool!
(5)Rodney w.
Come visit the gang at Deans and try an out chug them ! Great food and grog but be sure and ride your bike and leave the car at home . Cheers
(4)Caroline J.
Just got home from Big Dean's. Got a great hamburger for $5 ish. I forgot my teeth so had to take it home to eat. It was still a great burger. Nice people too.
(4)Melissa S.
Surprisingly good burger, great location by Santa Monica pier, and very nice people working there. I recommend this place to people who want to go to the beach.
(5)Casey N.
The only good bar on the beach in Santa Monica. Burgers are huge, beers are affordable, only $7 for a 24oz. Definitely worth hitting up on the way too or back from the beach.
(3)Jonathan T.
It's Super Bowl Sunday. This is not a place which has gargantuan big-screens to see the action, but there are several small to mid size screens scattered around the joint. Though it turned out to be a great game, i was not so much interested in it, and only watched smidgeons of it. what i did enjoy of the day was: 1. Hangin' with good friends and family on the front patio facing the beach. 2. The nice flow of the joint, from front patio thru cozy dive bar interior to the re-vamped outdoor back bar 'beer garden' which is indeed an intimate tucked away hang (though i hear it's a blazing heat-trap in summertime!) 3. Friendly staff 4. A special super bowl buffet for free in the back beer garden area. 5. Location--though it's just a stones throw from the madness of the Pier, it's tucked away down below so you can completely avoid the circus and throngs of tourists up above. As for The FOOD--eh, not the greatest. Look, it's bar food, that's it plain and simple. Actually, the chicken wings were decent but the calamari sucked. The free buffet in the back beer garden bar was mighty generous of them (though i wonder if it was actually supposed to be free and if i was in fact mooching on some party's buffet or not???) --in any case, the buffet food was just so-so, but it made the day. DONE.
(4)Suzanne S.
One of my most favorites places to hang out on a sunny day! Great staff, super friendly and fun, love the ahi tacos, and yes...killer burgers. But I love the big beers! Great way to end a day, or hang out and watch a game. I'm a fan everytime I'm there!
(5)Jennifer N.
Is what it is... Its all about location and ppl watching! great ahi sandwich and cups of beer. A little pricey on the plastic cups of beer but they make up for it in the nice staff! We will keep in the rotation.
(4)Chris B.
Burger was good. Fries were huge. Beer was ice-cold. Beautiful view. Waiters were very friendly and prompt. I was alone, but ended up making some new friends. Definite thumbs up!
(5)Dena R.
I LUV this place! It's my version of heaven. I just found this place yesterday. I'd walked by it several times, but my friends and I be-bopped in, and sat at the counter. Our food was good - just simple food done well. Burgers, fries, and a Bud Heavy. Delicioso. Then, I discovered the back patio. Jackpot. A friendly crowd, sun, community style picnic tables, 24 oz. Coors Light (Coors Martinis I call them). Geez, we sat there for 6 hours getting ridiculous. Did I drink enough for a grown man? Yes. Did I make out with some dude? Hell yes. Did I get cut off? Oh yeah. But they were awesome, they were so nice, and dude, I kind a did it to myself. I love this place. I plan on returning soon, but maybe drinking half as much.
(5)Quentin C.
i love a nice cold beer, served in a plastic cup, at eleven o'clock on sunday morning. this is one of best places to indulge. it's a dive/shit-hole, but has great service and ambiance. my friend and i couldn't decide on a beer, so the bartender helped us out...she asked if we were looking for something that would allow us to drink all day or just a good beer. we were looking for all day drinking and so she picked us an appropriate drink. &it worked. we didn't try the food, but everyone around us seemed to be enjoying theirs. one suggestion, if you're looking for privacy or don't like chatting with random people, this is not your place. the outdoor seating is picnic table-style and you either chat with your neighbors or act like a jerk (trust me, it's easier to chat with neighbors...i know, it's los angeles and we're afraid of interacting with strangers...but try it.)
(4)Adam R.
Went there for the first time with my Bro last Friday. We parked in the large lot north of the pier- $6 and open till 12am. Then we walked up to the 3rd Street Promenade to survey our dinner options. I had already decided Big Dean's would be a good fall back, based on other reviews, if we didn't find anything. Well, we didn't find anything that would fit the beer + decent cheap food bill. The promenade has a mix of chains and pricey restaurants, neither of which were up our alley. Big Dean's turned out to be exactly what we were looking for. Beer, ample outdoor seating (both in front and in back), and good food. I had a barbeque chicken sandwich, Big Dean's Ale, and my brother and I split a basket of fries. The sandwich was good and the Ale was great. All without breaking the bank.
(4)Brian D.
This is one of my favorite places in Santa Monica. BD's has one of the best and most underrated burgers in LA and it boasts a pair of awesome patios any person would be proud to drink tall-boy Tecates on. The piece of real estate they occupy can't be ignored either. The restaurant / bar is the only place on the strand in Santa Monica that you can get your day drink on. They also have night drinking as well, but I only do that in the summer time before and after the concerts at the pier. Good food, cheap beer, and an awesome location make this spot a must stop any time you're at the beach in SaMo. Oh, but be warned, the fries suck.
(5)Kayla Q.
I LOVE Big Deans! Everytime I am in Santa Monica I make it a point to visit. They have thee best beer! It's ice cold! This time I tried their fish tacos, they were really good! I would definitely get them again! I usually just get a burger and fries but it seems anything I try here is delicious! And the staff is super friendly! They make you feel like a regular even if it's your first time! Wish big deans was back home! The only down side is that because it's so great, it's always packed! So you may have to stand around for awhile to find a seat... Or just take a seat w someone else! That seems to be the norm here.
(5)Chippy S.
Love the fish tacos!! (That's what she said.) They make a great greasy burger too, which is always just what the doctor ordered to cure a hangover- grease! I always bring out-of-town guests here when we do the Santa Monica thing, because it's below the pier and most of the time the tourists stick with Bubba Gumps up on the pier. This way they get a little more local feel for the laid back beach life.
(5)Sarah H.
Congrats to Big Dean's! They got my FIRST review. I woke up this morning hankering for a burger and found them on here (believe it or not). So, I moseyed on over there on my lunch break and had the most perfect cheeseburger. Big Dean's is small and cozy with a very laid back California vibe. The staff is amazing and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Geoff C.
Big Dean's is a hard one to put your finger on. It's not exactly a dive bar, especially after the recent overhaul of the beer garden with new bar & flat screen TVs. It's not exactly a Sports Bar. The basic bar food is not exactly good, but it does the trick. It's just good peeps, hidden away underneath the Pier.
(4)Tom H.
A brilliant Beer Bar with an unbelievable location. Situated at the land end of the Santa Monica Pier - across the walkway from Heal the Bay's Aquarium - Big Dean's is a great local hangout with thousands of out of town visitors yearly. The Ying & Yang of a beach town's best digs. The beer is always cold, the fair is quick and good. The "frings" (fries & onion rings) are very doable. The staff is exceptionally friendly. 3 visits and you are treated like a regular. The new Beer Garden in the back is a delight, but visitors love the picnic tables in front. Be warned, you must order food to sit in the beachfront seats.
(4)Yvonne V.
I am so glad I found Big Deans. It is the perfect spot to grab one drink or 5 drinks. I have had lunch here and loved the fries and onion rings. I just had a tuna sandwich and my boyfriend had the chicken. It was typical restaurant food, but the atmosphere is what makes it the best. It does get a little crowed and suck if you have to stand, but when you get a chair, it is well worth it. Me and my friends were just there for the Fourth of July and luckily for us found a table for 9. Now I said table, not chairs. Some other party of 18 to the left, playing a game of spoons hogged them up. But we made it work. They had buckets of Stella for $7 and 24 oz Tecates for $6. We got pretty buzzed there just in time for the fireworks. Not to mention we got to see a drunkin' 50 year old lady who still thought she was in a Sorority and could hit on our guys. It was the highlight of our night along with her putting our bread bowl of clam chowder on her head. It is a fun fun time and definitely stop by here if you are having a day/night at the beach!
(4)Scott M.
A decent cheeseburger and nice place to chill and enjoy a beer on a hot summer day. The small basket of fries is fairly large. The large must be huge.
(3)Martha J.
The service is confusing. Big Dean's burger pretty good! Bummer it doesn't come with fries.
(4)Owen C.
While searching for somewhere to go on new years without a cover charge, we stumbled across Big Dean's. Not only did they not have a cover charge, but they had the best drink specials of the night, a dinner buffet and a champange toast! I wish we had found this place earlier so we could have tried their food too.
(5)David P.
I liked the vibe here. Good place to drink and watch sports.
(4)K K.
I wasn't really a fan of this place. I didn't find the service to be very friendly or fast (they weren't mean or overly slow either) and the food was just mediocre. I did enjoy drinking a cold beer on their front patio though. But don't let me discourage you from trying this place, they got a 4-star with 80 reviews so I'm the minority.
(2)David B.
Stopped here after a hike out on the Temescal Canyon Loop and had a beer and their famous burger (which reminded me of In-n-out's Dbl-Dbl) with a side of Frings (half fries, half onion rings). It absolutely hit the spot. The place is fairly spacious with a small dining area in the front, a little bar area in the main restaurant with a handful of lcd tvs for sports-viewing, and a back semi-open dining area which was clean and had nice shade from the sun. Great place to relax and hang out. I'll be back again!
(4)SOUPERMAN B.
Outside I sit beer in hand breadbowl clam chowder masticating chili size invades mouth outside beer swig breeze breeze breeze smile
(4)Joseluis A.
serious-ly. a yankee bar? everything else is ok. tall pbr cans for $5. burgers for around the same. ok service but really.... a yankee bar? in santa monica/LA? man, fuck the yankees.
(3)Johnny M.
Mou here ,It has been about 2 months since the last time , I needed a big deans fix , I was at Brunos and I told him be back soon as I walked down the hill ,I figured ok 2 beer and I am out . My comment is a little bias towards Big Deans as I know this place for 12 years , I was at 1 time a neighbor living 2 doors down and worked at a restaurant nearby for 3 years ,whats even funnier is that about 5 employees that worked at my old employers are now working at Big Deans as its just as fun a place to work at as it is to frequent. As a businessman and old time operator of restaurants this is the place to go and hang . 1 of the best beach bars around ever. TJ puts on a good show there as he has had a big history of running this place ,other wonderful people of interest are Mary Francis who can run circles around anyone of her peers, and Biff whom I taught how to tap dance. The chef big Rigo can cook like nobodies business and from the locals to the adventurers to the tourists ,its just great eye candy . Foods good and oh by the way ,I didnt get back to Brunos to pick up my brief case until 3 hours later as I thought wow 20 minutes goes by fast.
(5)Tito C.
The service is incredibly good-but when your restaurant is on the beach, what is there to complain about, specially Santa Monica Beach. She was friendly, great attitude, and thoughtful, probably one of the best waitresses ive incountered. The food on the other hand, is nothing to write home about, i had a single cheeseburger, with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and thousand island dressing, along with a side order of chili cheese fries, and a cup of coffee, can i tell you that my total tab came out to be almost 17.00 dollars ! WOW - thats before tip/gratuity. The burger could of been from any burger shack off the beaten path - nothing to write home about, it was tasteless and if it wasnt for the thousand island dressing on the bun i dont think it would have much inspiration, definetly not worth the 5.00 bucks they charged for this place, The Chili fries, served with cheese and raw white chopped onions, for which i was charged 8.00 for - not even close to delicious or worth remembering - there was nothing about those chili fries that i can recall being worth anywhere remotely close to 8bucks! The Coffee awww yes - the coffee, can i tell you that it wasnt strong - but for someone like me that enjoys a smooth cup of joe - it was the only thing that was remotely right with my order or at least enjoyable - i had two. Conclusion: The location is great - The employees are fantastic, and the ambiance is enjoyable - they have plenty of big screen TV's to watch local and national games, and the beer servings seems to be what people really go there for. If your a foodie and are looking for a food experience - this is not the place, the food leaves nothing to be desired. I read some of the reviews here on this site before attending and after eating there myself i can tell you its all hype. If you want to just enjoy a cold beer - maybe this is the place - but if your looking for a good meal - my advice keep looking as the prices don't reflect the taste quality of the food - it will leave you with something more to be desired, and a little upset at the cost of admission for what you get in return. "NEXT"
(2)Heihachi M.
Walked in and they had the Sox game on the tv. Looks like we picked a good spot to grab some lunch. The waiter came by and he noticed my Celtics shirt -- we commiserated on the beauty that was the 2008 NBA Finals, talked about the Sox some, and then we got down to ordering. My buddy had the chicken sandwich and I just grabbed a hot dog and a side order of fries. The hotdog came with onions and tomatoes (I nixed the relish). Added some ketchup, yellow mustard and tabasco sauce. Not a bad hotdog, although a little on the skinny side. The fries were of the crinkle variety, just crunchy enough without sacrificing moistness. Polished the meal off with a couple of beers and watched the Sox wallop the Twins. Not a bad way to spend lunch! They have the DirecTV MLB package, so I'm sure your favorite team can and will be represented on one of their tvs.
(4)Jason C.
"No. I didn't shower today so SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!" And that's okay when you hit this little beach side bar/burger joint. It is located right next to the SM pier so you would think fanny pack wearing, map staring tourists would fill this place with thier newly purchased "Life's A Beach" coffee mugs and Mickey hats. i'm not bitter. But considering its divey appearance the tourists seem to stay away. Now, this is a great spot to sit in the sun, have a drink, play some backgammon, people watch...whatever, but the reason I give it 4 stars is the staff. Friendly, helpful, attentive and friendly. My god...the staff is friendly. Did I mention the staff was friendly? Note: Friendly staff.
(4)Cameron P.
Had a great burger here. Juicy and fresh, not like most of the crap around. Good beer too, and good service. Can't go wrong.
(4)Emily I.
One of my favorite places in the world. Get your liter beer, frings and sit on the patio.
(5)Adrienne D.
My friend and I were on the beach in SM and got hungry, so we stopped in here for a quick bite. The atmosphere was like a surfer's dive bar, we were there in the afternoon. The service wasn't bad, our waiter was making us laugh and sports were playing on the television. Hard to mess up burgers and fries, and they didn't...We may go back if we're strolling past again.
(4)Michelle P.
One of the greatest things about this spot is that it is located right smack in the middle of where all the tourists flock, but never feels too touristy. I've sat in the back patio area, heard tons of foreign accents, but still had an overwhelming sense that this is a local dive. Somehow this place exudes "local" and that is such a good and rare thing to find in SM. I've seen girls on roller skates here, birthday parties, and people stacking beer cans into pyramids to pass the drunken time. I've had the food and can't really remember much about it... not that it was bad, just nothing jumps out to me at present. The servers are always nice, quick and attentive. Actually, they're super friendly. The nachos look awesome. Bring your shorts and flip flops, as anything else would be absurd.
(4)Scott R.
Really chill, no pressure. And yes go check out the back bar.
(4)Ryan K.
Big Dean's: where locals meet tourists. This is a great place to grab a Big Dean's burger and a 32oz. Tecate while soaking up the Santa Monica rays. There are 2 outdoor patio areas, but I would highly suggest sitting out front as you get to experience some of the best people watching you've ever seen: from a guy on 5 foot stilts to the grandma rollerblading with a bikini on. It's quite entertaining. The food is great, the beers are cheap and the atmosphere is very laid back. Sunday Funday here is a must.
(4)Gina H.
This is the place I'll take anyone who comes to town to visit me here in Santa Monica.. My summertime hot spot! I absolutely love the vibe when I go to Big Dean's... nothing beats cold draft beer in plastic cups, while you're chillin outside at a picnic table on a gorgeous day, with a beach view. Plus the staff rocks! They know what I want to order before I even say a word. Thursday nights during the summer are the BEST.. Yes, it does get really crowded, but you're promised a mix of familiar faces, along with a whole new group of fresh faces nearly every Thursday, therefore I always tend to meet new people. Never a dull moment! This is one of those low-key places that gives this big city a small-town feel. Love it! :-)
(5)Molly M.
I spent almost every Saturday here this summer. Such good bar food - amazing burgers! Tall PBR for $6, and even when it's crowded, I always manage to find a place to sit and chow down. Great service, great atmosphere.
(5)Darius A.
Great fun location by the pier. The food is pretty good. Not the best burger I have ever had but it was pretty good. Prices are reasonable for the area you are in and food comes out quick.
(5)gEe C.
Looking for a place to just chill and knock down a few beers while you're at it? Then Big Dean's is the place! Very cool staff, very cool people, the vibe to sum things up is just cool here! Granted, I was the only asian chick up in this place, everyone was pretty nice to me. They didn't hate nor did they discriminate. Gotta love that!
(3)Mitchell M.
Big Dean's is a burger joint tucked in next to the Santa Monica Pier, basically across a sidewalk from the beach. The burgers are excellent. There are few more enjoyable ways to spend a warm summer evening than having a burger and a beer in Dean's back patio seating area (aside from maybe a table or two inside, there seating is in either the front or back patios). The physical structure of the place itself is pretty run down (I would estimate it to be in a moderate-to-severe state of disrepair) but the atmosphere works for what the place is. A small point to mention is that they offer on the menu a combined order of fries and onion rings (with some stupid name, maybe "frings" or something) and I like being explicitly offered that option. That totally raised my rating from three stars to four. The rings and fries themselves, by the way, are excellent.
(4)Kristen S.
Good location, nice staff, ok food. A bit more expensive than I would have hoped.
(3)Aaron H.
I love Big Dean's! The first time I went here I thought it was going to be super-touristy, expensive, and a place I'd never want go to back to, but it wasn't. The front part is kind of towny (in a good way) and the back has a sweet beer garden. The music and service was really good. And the food? Pretty good for bar food and the prices, like Bob Barker, are right. $6 tall boy Tecates? You can't go wrong if you're in the area...
(5)Huck J.
History shows that Big Dean regulars are the greatest beer drinking sports watching unbelievable view enjoying great food eating people in the world. I suggest you come and join us. This is without a doubt one of the greatest beach hangs in the world. Welcome to Southern California. A+
(5)George T.
What can I say about this place? Let me start with my first visit to the Santa Monica Pier. My first visit was fantastic. My friends and I were on our way back to the Bay Area and we stopped by this iconic landmark to soak in the sights, and to grab something to eat. The first time here was great. Enough so to warrant another visit a few years later, when my girlfriend and I came down SoCal to visit Disneyland. The service the second time around was pretty lousy, and docked them down two-stars for me. We came around lunch-time, so it was a little busy. Putting in our orders for two cheeseburgers and a side of onion rings was quick. The moment I started getting irritated with the service was when I realized that it had been over an hour and I noticed some of the people who came before us were getting their orders before us. Maybe 10-min later, our order arrived. Problem semi-averted. We asked for a side of Ranch for the onion rings, and they never came. By the time we were finished with our meal, we were ready to head out, but it wasn't until another 20-min later when I could finally track down our server and ask for our check. Mind you, I already made eye-contact with our server several times before that, hoping he would realize I wanted him to come over. The whole time before he was able to get out to us, he was chatting it up with some of the other patrons, who I assumed were regulars. The bright side of all this is that their burgers and onion rings were fantastic. The sad part about it is that their service was so bad, I was surprised how I would not have noticed this the first time I visited the place. Maybe I just caught them on an off-day, but c'mon, 1-hr to grill up two burgers and not once come around to check up on us? I know they can do better than that.
(2)JC B.
Quite possibly the rudest experience I've had from start to finish. The door guy is terribly unprofessional and as a whole slows people trying to get in. All the bartenders don't communicate properly and feel entitled. They should spend an afternoon learning to pretend like they care about the people coming to their bar. I advise you to choose other bars before this one.
(1)Greg W.
This is one of those tourist traps by the pier. However its actually not that bad. The food is decent but they don't have soda on tap or in fact even ice!!!! The staff is pretty nice but the place is a bit on the dirty side.
(3)Vivian L.
came here for the first time ever this weekend. I can't believe I've lived in LA this long, visited the pier a million times, and have never been here until now. my gf who grew up in samo came out to meet us, and she had never been either! I just assumed this was a tourist trap under the pier. this place is the chilliest bar ever. the "glasses" are plastic cups, and the "servers" are big, friendly dudes in t-shirts that walk by every so often to check up on us. the atmosphere is so laid-back, and you can feel and smell the warm ocean breeze while you hang out. beer and wine only, but I love wine!
(5)Josh B.
sat at the bar for 9 minutes while 3 bartenders milled about. not one word spoken to me. I tried to spend money. they didn't want it.
(2)Liz S.
Went here on a Sunday afternoon for some Funday action with visiting friends. When a coworker mentioned "Big Dean's next to the pier," I assumed it would be an over-priced tourist trap, but this friendly dive bar has some of the best beer deals around. The overall vibe and low prices will take you back to your college days, as you can buy a $32 ounce craft beer in a plastic cup for just $9. Yes, that's right--you can get a beer the size of a Nalgene bottle for just $9. (Domestics are even cheaper, I think somewhere around $7.) I almost cried tears of joy when I heard that sweet, sweet price. I didn't think non-happy hour prices that cheap existed in LA much less near THE biggest tourist attraction on the Westside. Long story short, if you're looking for a chill, cheap beer on the beach, Big Dean's is the place to go.
(5)Chris C.
Big Dean's is basically a dive bar on the beach. The front door/wall opens up to the beach so even if you are inside you are still exposed to the sights, sounds, and smells of the tourists on the beach. It's got beer on tap, served in plastic cups, TVs to watch the big games, and servers who know all the regulars. The food itself is decent for a beach bar. Their onion rings are good, but their "world famous" Big Dean's chese burger is underwhelming. It doesn't stack up to a double-double at In-N-Out.
(3)Kalynne H.
Good fish tacos & great beer selection. Plenty of outdoor seating. The service was very good. Loved the location near the pier.
(4)Alex G.
Great location by the pier. Went for a quick lunch. Onion rings ($4) were meh and their "world famous" signature Big Dean burger was okay ($8). Toasted cheese sandwiches were weak but only $4. Staff were a bit uninterested in us but friendly enough when they had to be. No big issue there. Looks like a good place to have a beer though. All in all, very average.
(3)Flying Black Wolf F.
This is just an awesome place to people watch. Get yourself a tall Tecate beer a delicious juicy burger made the way you like and just enjoy the Cali scene. Last visit here I had the large fish and chips and they were great! Always run into some nice Brits that are visiting from across the pond. This is a great place to just chill after riding your bike or skating. Service is on par with this place: friendly and to the point. Never had a bad meal or poor service here! They have a back patio too but the front picnic tables to me are the best seats in the house!
(5)Cameron S.
Anytime I have family in town, I take them here when we visit the beach. Cheap beers, cheap good, and the service is great. Right off the boardwalk and it's a great place to watch the game. Very chill atmosphere. Shoutout to our server, Joe, was awesome. Great guy and really made sure we enjoyed ourselves. Never disappointed at Big Dean's.
(5)Nicole C.
Great place to grab a light lunch and drink! Love the grilled Wahoo Tacos!! Very laid back!
(4)Yuri C.
Came for some cheese burger and fries. The burger was yummy. The meat in it was so beefy, I loved it. The whole thing was very simple, but it was really good. The small fries I got was a lot! Yeay. The back room was the best part of this whole thing. Go there. It's really chill and nice.
(5)Nick W.
Came here for lunch prior to an afternoon biking along the coast. Got the chicken tacos, which were quite stellar. They used flour tortillas which was different for me compared to the tacos I typically get on the east side, but I liked it (yum, gluten). The chicken was super tender and had great flavor. We also got a few basket of fries which were ballpark style, crisp, gone-in-2-minutes. Overall a great lunch.
(4)Robert F.
Great place to go and have great food in a bathing suit and a cold beer. Great staff and I should say amazing staff very clean place with a NY giants fan base
(5)Lucy S.
This is Cheers on the boardwalk. Except the bartenders are prettier and much funnier. Big Deans is, hands down, the best little bar in Santa Monica. Good food, great location, and the staff is built in entertainment. FYI, they only serve beer and wine but the beer selection is great. Sit outside in the front and people watch, inside at the main bar, or out on the back patio. You WILL have a great time!!
(5)Susan S.
I love this place and have been going here for years. Because the servers handle ALL of the tables, the service is amazingly FAST and the guys (and one gal) who work there are all totally ON THE BALL! The food is simple bar food, but good, and the burgers and fries are the best! A great place to chill any time of the year.
(5)Christopher B.
Cheers to those who make it here. Best staff. Best burgers. Best patio(s). Hard to beat. Get here if you can... Wait... Never mind, leave it for us locals.
(5)Yulia D.
very nice quality & cheap price! good beer, chicken wings, tacos, fresh salads. Very friendly staff. would recommend for everyone who wants a good value for little money.
(4)Sandra C.
Came here for some drinks and food while visiting the pier from the bay. Overall a pretty chill place. There's a very casual and relaxed vibe. We got the large beers which are 32 oz so beware because they are huge!!! I got the long board IPA; I like I like!! I also got the fried calamari which tasted good. It was very crispy on the outside but the calamari tasted very fresh. It came with a side of two sauces, one of which I think was thousand island and the other marinara? (Not quite sure). The staff was friendly too!
(4)Seda G.
This security guide on the door is extremly rood. It is 5pm, he asks us to show id if we will get alchol. My friend shows his id he is 33 years old by the way. And guy started acting like we are suspects and he is a dedective take ur sun glasses of ! And says you are a pain in the ass! He basically did not want us to enter. Probably because we had baby with us thats why. But they serve food as well and he could just say that before acting like an a.h. Dont go this place!
(1)Stephanie D.
Perfect spot for a burger and a beer. The single patty cheeseburger w grilled onions was delicious and reminded me of a more home cooked style of an in n out burger. Friendly staff, good food, super casual, cheap... Highly recommended.
(4)Joseph N.
I don't understand how going to the Santa Monica Pier can end up being the second best part of my trip when that was the primary destination. Don't get me wrong, the pier was fun! But having breakfast at Big Dean's was awesome! The food was terrific, my daughter and I both had the big breakfast plate and were not disappointed! The staff were very courteous and helpful. So if you are debating going there.... GO!!!
(5)randy j.
cant wait to get to this joint . been there before . don't make the mistake and dussh it up at bubba gumps.....coming 4/4/15 from vegas...love that there is a guy like that at the door , means nobodys gonna mess with us. BURGER ! BEER ! ON THE PEIR ! please ! not too $ for the location. ill be writing my review sat night 3/4..ill be happy for hour im there im sure.
(5)Steven S.
Overpriced with a tiny beer selection. In a good location, right on the beach, nice decor. But too many douches that can only talk about their hedge funds, or how they married for money or how they're james cameron's nephew or some nonsense
(2)Michael S.
Had lunch there recently. First of all there was no one to greet us to tell us where to sit. We sat in the back area and waited a few min for service. I asked him if my wife could have a Corona and asked him if she could have a glass or cup with salt around the rim, the way she gets it at most places and the waiter said with a kind of put-off attitude , "there is salt on the table". That kind of got things going on a bad note. A different waiter took our food order. He was friendly enough. The food arrived fairly promptly and I thought the food was good. We all had burgers, sandwiches and fries and I had the clam strips which were very good and there were quite a few of them. The main problem after the attitude of the first waiter was nobody ever checked on us once. I would probably have ordered another beer and I had to flag him down to order another soda. It's is a good location and it does have a good selection of beers. It's funny because when we were leaving a man at the bar in front was very upset and starting cussing out whoever was helping him accusing them of bad service and poor attitudes also. Hopefully our experience was not typical.
(2)Barry K.
Place is amazing! Cold beer and wine only. Incredible atmosphere and the staff is cool as ice. Must stop it in Santa Monica
(5)Natalie J.
went here for first time in the past month. Awesome spot. Friendly door guy, great beer selection and lots of space to spread out. Didnt try food but will next time for sure. Was a neat spot to stop and enjoy the day.
(5)Mikey B.
The food is pretty good for a bar. The veggies burgers are really good if that's your things, also the turkey sandwich is only 6 bucks, which is a good deal for the area. I only gave it two stars because of the crappy service the last two times I've been here. I sat down at a table inside and after 15 minutes of no service, I left. The place was empty, too. Did they take away the servers? I went again last week for a pick up order. Even though I had my hands out to receive the food, the guy put the container and napkins on the table and walked away. wtf? It wouldn't have been an issue except the napkins blew into the people sitting at the bar. They looked at me like I was the asshole, but I just shrugged my shoulders and pointed to the guy that placed them there and walked away with my food. The new design is nice, but I just can't go back due to the service.
(2)Brian K.
Stopped at Big Dean's while taking a walk along the boardwalk. The weather was pretty shitty for Santa Monica but the place was still packed both out front and in the back. The beer selection is pretty decent for a place like Dean's. I think there were 9 taps (mostly macro brews) and the prices were really reasonable. I knocked back a 32oz ShockTop for $9. In regards to food, I started with the Shrimp and Baby Scallop skewers and followed it with Cajun Chicken Sandwich. Shrimp/Scallop dish came with 3 packed sticks and were well worth $7.00. The Cajun Chicken Sandwich was meh. Also to note, the bathroom (at least the men's room) looked as if it had just been redone and surprisingly clean/nice. TVs and music out back also solid.
(4)Tanya M.
I've been here a couple times, most recently to watch football in the back deck area. It was blazing that day so trying to stay hydrated was a challenge. The breakfast menu is meh, nothing to write home about...hash browns were different but my fave. They only serve beer and wine...they'll get crafty with a mimosa. Later in the day, we ordered nachos...thumbs down. I think I need to stick to the burger type stuff.
(3)Jackie C.
The Big Deans burger is the most delicious burger Ive ever ate and yes Ive ate a lot of burgers.
(5)Craig C.
Pro - After trying several fish and chips near by the Santa Monica Pier, I say this is the best one I found. It taste the best, good prices, and good size. Con - The only complaint I have is the closing hours so if you going to be there late, call to see when they will close or if they are still open.
(5)Judy Y.
yummy food, good price, great service.
(5)Julie H.
The food and service were great. We loved meeting Liz, the 90 year old skater. We will definitely go back when near the pier. It's a great chill place to eat and people watch.
(5)Mike A.
Big Dean's. What's happening? I've been here twice. That's two whole times. Once after a free Minus the Bear and Circa Survive concert on the beach - hell yeah! - and another time after riding bikes down the strand with my mom, her boyfriend, and my brother - not as much of a hell yeah but it was still fun! They serve a gluten-free pear cider in the bottle, so I was able to get my drink on, appropriately. The food is about as good as you would expect from a beach bar. Not bad. Nothing mind blowing. Worth three stars fer sho. Not sure if I would specifically go here or if it is just a place I would wander to. Probably the latter - which is alright, really. Not every place is a destination. Ain't that right, Omaha, Nebraska?! Bathrooms are tiny and there's often a line, at least for the mens room. I can't comment on the ladies room because hi, my name is Mike, I don't go to the ladies room.
(3)Leigh J.
This place is OK. The food is really greasy. The service is good. The atmosphere is great. It is probably a good place to have a beer, but I am only nine. They seem to have some kind of philosophical opposition to ice. The name is "oceanfront cafe", but you cannot see the ocean.
(3)Alan K.
It is interesting how I never knew a mini boardwalk existed underneath the Santa Monica Pier. I have always stayed on the pier and the beach, but never to the boardwalk. Big Dean's Cafe is located on that boardwalk. It has a vibe that is similar to one of those bars in Manhattan Beach on the pier, but was really crowded when we went there on a Saturday afternoon. We came here to grab a couple of beers. We ventured into the backroom to get the beers. They had Stella and Newcastle on tap so I decided to get those. It was standing room only at this place. It seemed like everyone who wanted to drink was here as it was the happening place to be. I know that there are places on the pier where you can get alcohol, but they were not as lively as this place as it had the atmosphere for it. It appeared like there was a long line for the men's restroom which indicates that the restroom facilities are probably really tiny. I think this place was a little too cramped for me to enjoy the people watching.
(3)Sarah O.
I'm rounding up from 3.5 stars. We sat at the bar in the outdoor area behind the dining room for lunch, and it wasn't at all crowded, which was nice. The grilled ahi tacos were fantastic. They were light but filling, and came with a really nice ranch (believe it or not) sauce. My husband ordered chicken tacos with a delicious, smoky taco sauce. We split an order of fries, which were so-so. Not bad, but reminiscent of oven fries, which aren't my fave. The bartender was very friendly, and gave us suggestions on what to do in Portland, which was the last stop on our roadtrip. The beer selection was blah-- the usual assortment of name brand domestics. Prices were kinda steep, but it's a very touristy area so that's to be expected.
(4)Jeannie W.
so yummy, so awesome, chili cheese fries are the BOMB
(5)Kathleen W.
Love this place. My husband and I have been passing by here since moving to Santa Monica and finally stopped in on Saturday. Great staff, decent food and the beers are a decent price! The crowd is great, young and old and all friendly. We put this place on the top of our list to hangout on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
(5)michael s.
Ive never had a bad thing on this menu. A perfect place to grab a burger and a beer right on the beach-front boardwalk. The burger is consistently in the top three best burgers in LA. The chicken tacos are delicious. Highly recommended.
(5)Jason D.
Great beachside bar! We started out a pub crawl yesterday there and it was awesome! Can't wait to visit in the summer. Good food too! Great hamburgers!
(4)A C.
Tasty food and friendly service! A bit out of the way if you're coming from the tip of the pier, but their yummy fish tacos, fajita tacos, fish & chips, and burgers beat the more expensive, mediocre fare ON the pier any day. Well worth the walk!
(4)Sage P.
I took some out of town friends to Santa Monica Pier and we decided to check out Deans because of its laid back atmosphere and, of course, BEER! Oops, got a little excited there. Anyways, the burgers were delicious, and there was a decent beer selection (8 or so on tap, I think, plus bottles). We sat outside, basking in the California sunshine, and it was a great prelude to the Ferris Wheel. The servers are also really friendly. Honestly, I wanted to become friends but thankfully refrained from embarrassing myself to achieve that goal.
(4)M F.
I first came across this place on a COLD night a couple of years ago. There was nobody out anywhere, so we decided to take a chance and try it out. Much to our surprise, the place was going off. This is one of the few places that unabashedly serves beer by the quart, always cold, and always fresh. I think the bartender told me that they go through at least one keg of every beer they offer, every day. Anyway, this place is awesome, warm, cold, whatever.
(5)S. E.
Cheap beer, great staff, and great atmosphere. Wings weren't all that great (it's the hot sauce they use; the wings themselves were fried perfectly), but the corn dog was pretty good. I intend on trying the burger (at our bartender's recommendation) the next time I go.
(4)Victor L.
This is the kind of place that you either sit outside at the picnic table, sit inside at the heavily decorated bar straight out of a coasting/surf bar movie set, complete with a full line of sunblock and skin care for those who need it, or in the back, feeling like someone's fenced backyard but no less charming. It's the kind of place where you find yourself humming a tune for no real reason, nonchalantly, a devil-may-care attitude toned down, in hopes that you can hear the ocean. You're certainly within earshot. It's the only place to go to in the immediate area; the pier has tons of crap (Taco Bell? Pizza Hut? Bubba Gump Shrimp complete with souvenir store in front, are you kidding me) so stop here. There was a huge surf board that supposedly fell recently, and they were trying to fix the rope from which it hung so it wouldn't happen again. They have an old looking tap system that looked to be the subject of many black and white photos. The bartender/waiter was a big tall guy with not very broad shoulders, he reminded me of the bartender in that huge neck brace/head stabilizer toward the end of Fight Club (I think that character reveals the twist). He spoke loud and clear, like a senator, but it's possible his hearing or mind was elsewhere, as it was hard to get his attention. But that doesn't matter in this case; there's no rush when you're here. It's constantly in Jimmy Buffet mode without the margaritas, but instead cheap beer, Amber Boch stylie, I think a pint was something like 3.50 for certain domestics. The food looked pretty good, served casually, a heap of burgers, fries, tacos, etc. Unfortunately we had some nachos and artichoke dip down the way at Sidewalk, so we passed. It's the kind of place that never uses their lights unless they have to; the bright sun illuminates the best of what an afternoon on the beach can offer, here at this place.
(4)jamaica w.
Have you ever "Big Dean'ed" a beer? Go for the beers, stay for the cheeseburgers, try the wings, try the corn dogs (better, in my opinion, than those corn dogs next door but maybe it's the beer talking). Probably the best bar food in town. If you want to sit out front and watch the scene, be prepared to be friendly as you may have to share a table with a stranger. You meet some pretty interesting characters doing this, a lot of locals drinking their lunch and more than a few tourists stopping in for a bite. TJ and his staff are usually having as good of a time as you are so be sure to challenge TJ to a beer chugging duel but be prepared to be shamed. The party is usually peaking just before sunset in the summer so get here early and get your 4 o'clock sway on.
(5)David C.
Everything is easy going at Big Deans. Kick up your feet and enjoy a cigarette under the No Smoking sign and enjoy gigantic beers in your choice of two outdoor patios. Showed up with my British roomate on St. Patty's at around 11 a.m., completely trashed and already fleeing the authorities. Managed to insult several patrons and the cook while completely soaked in our own spilled beer. No one kicked us out and the door guy came by and asked for a light. Nice. BTW, both my roomate and I have since quit smoking and never returned to Big Dean's - talk about hard lessons learned!
(4)Chris S.
Stopped here after a bike ride and had a perfect time. Good food, cold beer, sitting in the sun. Nothing fancy about the place, but that's the point.
(4)Greg W.
If location is everything, Big Deans is giving quite a discount on their cheap beer and medium-priced bar food. Literally the closest bar to Muscle Beach and many a good sunbathing spot, this place can definitely come in handy. Head out to the back patio if the front patio is overcrowded.
(3)Barry P.
This place totally rocks! Great food and awesome service. I had a cheeseburger and fries and onion rings. Really good! The waiter was friendly and attentive.
(4)Habit Y.
can i tell you we have ridden by here millions of times on our bike rides and finally stopped in for a cold brew yesterday. nice back patio area, we pretty much had it to ourselves. super cold beer, yummy clam boat, mellow laid back staff...good times!
(4)Gol D.
Big Dean's Muscle Beach. The original muscle beach where they did all that acrobatic stuff and crazy group shots of guys holding up 50 chicks and what not. The history is right there on the walls inside. Black and whites all the way to color. ha ha. I like to slide my way in to any table with an umbrella in the day time. They serve beer and wine and some great food items. I usually order a Tecate tall can and a shrimp and scallop skewer and a side of fries. They have great steak and cheese sands, burgers, dogs, etc. Really tasty grub. YUM! Perfect to ride up to on your bike. If you drive, you have to pay to park, unless you have a SM parking pass. Joe, Mary Francis, TJ, etc. They are all great. The place gets insanely crowded during the Twilight Summer Concert Series July to Aug, every Thurs night. They only have 2 toilets. You want to drink and there's no where to go pee. You might as well wear depends. And that's only if y'all have a table, with chairs. Then it's worth staying. And they never say anything to me for eating a cheese on a stick.
(5)