Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe

In Short – Big Dean's decor is standard beach-bar style, with neon beer signs, surfboards tagged with corporate beer logos and picnic-table seating. The primary appeal is its proximity to the beach--directly off the Strand, practically in the shadow of the Santa Monica Pier. As the ocean breeze wafts through the open-air seating, it combines with smells rising off the nearby grill to create a wonderful hybrid.

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:: Choose from a good number of cheap bottled domestic and import beers, along with two or three types of wine.
Happy Hour:: Monday-Friday, 4pm-7pm.

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User Reviews (15)

ambiance	92.8600025177002% positive	“The laid back atmosphere is perfect for walking right off the beach an.” “Be aware that this place gets packed during warm weekends or during the Pier's summer Twilight Dance Series, but that's also when it's the most fun!” “So much fun - and we're locals!” “We love the front patio, but if it's too crowded - the back patio is tons of fun too.” “Felt comfortable there.” “Big Dean's is everything you want a beach bar to be - cold beer, awesome burgers and the most fun wait staff (JEFF!” “Great atmosphere, patrons and staff”
drinks	84.84999656677246% positive	“used to work in a place whose logo said"A great little bar in a great big city.” “told her to give me what she would order, no more than 5 minutes later she came back with the best fish tacos I have ever had and very large beer.” “In fact, the Big Dean's crowd is often some of the least attractive in town, but the staff is friendly, the beers are cold, and the burgers are good and by far and away the cheapest in the area.” “didnt get to taste the food but I saw many people ording, bar food, it all looked good.” “Mary, the bartender, was very pleasant and helpful in describing the food selections and drinks.” “liked the relaxed place, the service was fine, the beer was cold and the burger was great.” “Big Dean's is everything you want a beach bar to be - cold beer, awesome burgers and the most fun wait staff (JEFF!” “The staff is great and the bartenders regularly dispense free beer and obviously drink along w/ the patrons.” “And they just redid it with a beautiful bar!” “can't wait until the next time I'm in Santa Monica, I'm headed straight for Big Dean's and saying "Mary, a order of fish tacos and a big cold beer please!” “took some pictures, paid what seemed like very reasonable bar tab, bought the T-shirt (Mary's choice of black) and with great directions to LAX, I waved my goodbyes to my new found friends and left with great memories and a promise to myself to get back”
food quality	79.16999816894531% positive	“told her to give me what she would order, no more than 5 minutes later she came back with the best fish tacos I have ever had and very large beer.” “Five hours, a order of awesome fish tacos and many cold ones later, sadly it was time for me to leave.” “didnt get to taste the food but I saw many people ording, bar food, it all looked good.” “Big Dean's is everything you want a beach bar to be - cold beer, awesome burgers and the most fun wait staff (JEFF!” “liked the relaxed place, the service was fine, the beer was cold and the burger was great.” “In fact, the Big Dean's crowd is often some of the least attractive in town, but the staff is friendly, the beers are cold, and the burgers are good and by far and away the cheapest in the area.” “Mary, the bartender, was very pleasant and helpful in describing the food selections and drinks.” “can't wait until the next time I'm in Santa Monica, I'm headed straight for Big Dean's and saying "Mary, a order of fish tacos and a big cold beer please!”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“Mary, the bartender, was very pleasant and helpful in describing the food selections and drinks.”
overall	100.0% positive	“great place to rest if you are riding your bike along the boardwalk HOWEVER you may not be on your best balance by the time you leave.”
service	89.58000183105469% positive	“The staff obviously enjoy their job and run this place perfectly.” “Big Dean's represents so much of what I like about Santa Monica: good funny people, great scenery, and a chill vibe.” “This isn't one of your bars full of the beautiful people.” “Great atmosphere, patrons and staff” “great people watching” “didnt get to taste the food but I saw many people ording, bar food, it all looked good.” “mix of neighborhood 'regulars' with tourists creates an interesting people watching situation.” “Big Dean's is everything you want a beach bar to be - cold beer, awesome burgers and the most fun wait staff (JEFF!” “Beers came in small medium and large, the staff is amazingly friendly, people gather outside, sit beside you if they don't know you, they ask first so that is nice.” “The staff is great and the bartenders regularly dispense free beer and obviously drink along w/ the patrons.” “After a few hours of laughs, big stories, people watching and never ending beverages the "Dude from Tennessee" had make his departure.” “In fact, the Big Dean's crowd is often some of the least attractive in town, but the staff is friendly, the beers are cold, and the burgers are good and by far and away the cheapest in the area.” “liked the relaxed place, the service was fine, the beer was cold and the burger was great.” “enjoyed myself as this was a cool kick back place to sip on some cold brews and people watch.” “Mary, the bartender, was very pleasant and helpful in describing the food selections and drinks.” “These easy going and friendly conversations became my gateway into the "Big Dean's culture.”
wait time	100.0% positive	“told her to give me what she would order, no more than 5 minutes later she came back with the best fish tacos I have ever had and very large beer.”

05/19/11

Best beach bar and restaurant in Southern California!

by reelrich

This is what you want when you go to the beach....a laid back casual, fun friendly place with great burgers. On a saturday afternoon, I can sit in the front patio of Big Dean's all day eating juicy burgers, drinking beer and just watching the world go by. And I always end up meeting some of the most interesting people from all over the world. Plus the people who work there are like a family....a family that gets along that is!! They are always a great mood talking and joking around with you. If you're looking for a great time at the beach, then Big Dean's is the answer!

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04/16/09

I come all the way from New Zealand just to visit Big Deans

by kiwidave

I love how you can come back there 6 months later and still see the same hard working staff there. Great base for my holiday in California. Rent a bike right next door. Inexpensive accomadation just a short walk away. The staff obviously enjoy their job and run this place perfectly. Nothing finer than seeing Skate board mam come through that door on her inline skates.Be back soon to get my next tee shirt.

Pros: Great people watching, great fresh food, cheap beer and winn
Cons: None

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10/11/08

I Like the Place

by HowardE

I liked the relaxed place, the service was fine, the beer was cold and the burger was great. Nice place. I'll go back. Felt comfortable there.

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10/07/08

Great atmosphere, patrons and staff

by Rob3

I blew into Big Dean's from Tennessee looking for a place to have a quick lunch and a cold one. Five hours, a order of awesome fish tacos and many cold ones later, sadly it was time for me to leave.Big Dean's is one of the last true "dive bars" to be found. Inside there was colorful memorabilia that adored every space of the walls. The attitude and atmosphere was easy going and casual. Mary, the bartender, was very pleasant and helpful in describing the food selections and drinks. I told her to give me what she would order, no more than 5 minutes later she came back with the best fish tacos I have ever had and very large beer. Wonderful! While eating, I struck up conversations with some of the locals. These easy going and friendly conversations became my gateway into the "Big Dean's culture." After a few hours of laughs, big stories, people watching and never ending beverages the "Dude from Tennessee" had make his departure. I took some pictures, paid what seemed like very reasonable bar tab, bought the T-shirt (Mary's choice of black) and with great directions to LAX, I waved my goodbyes to my new found friends and left with great memories and a promise to myself to get back next summer. Big Dean's is everything you want in beach side "dive bar." Good atmosphere, food, beverages, service and best of all, people. I have great pictures and memories (plus that slick T-shirt) that I share with everyone. I can't wait until the next time I'm in Santa Monica, I'm headed straight for Big Dean's and saying "Mary, a order of fish tacos and a big cold beer please!" and then immerse myself into the Big Dean's Culture. Do yourself a favor, go to Santa Monica and get yourself to Big Dean's. Who knows, you might just bump into the "Dude from Tennessee."

Pros: Atmosphere, staff, food, people
Cons: none

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09/14/08

Big Dean's

by Smartin007

A great place to rest if you are riding your bike along the boardwalk HOWEVER you may not be on your best balance by the time you leave. Fun crowd. A mix of neighborhood 'regulars' with tourists creates an interesting people watching situation. It's a beer/burger joint right next to the Santa Monica pier.

It's one of the most unpretentious places in Santa Monica where you can strike up a convo with a 'stranger'.

Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe

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What People Are Saying About Big Dean's Oceanfront Cafe

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Editor's Tips

05/19/11

Best beach bar and restaurant in Southern California!

by reelrich

04/16/09

I come all the way from New Zealand just to visit Big Deans

by kiwidave

10/11/08

I Like the Place

by HowardE

10/07/08

Great atmosphere, patrons and staff

by Rob3

09/14/08

Big Dean's

by Smartin007

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