Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe
310-393-2666
1615 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Business Information
Restaurants, Banquet RoomsSports Bars
Message from the Business
Sun, Fun, Great Food, Beer, Wine, Music, Sports TV, Outdoor Patios and reasonable prices is what you will find at the world famous Big Dean's Cafe on the Santa Monica Boardwalk. Where nostalgia surrounds you while you relax and sip a beer or have a burger. Bring the children, they are always welcome!
In 1902 Big Dean's Cafe was known as Laring's Lunch Room and was a landmark for years. In 1970's, Big Dean's took over the popular cafe, lifeguards, body builders, bicyclist, jugglers and celebrities such as Cary Grant, Robert Wagner, Natalie Wood, George C. Scott, Wilt Chamberlain, Evel Knievel and California's governor Jerry Brown, not to mention the current governor Arnold Schwarzenegger .
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Customer Reviews (13 reviews)
kiwidave
on Citysearch Apr 15, 2009I 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.... (more)
HowardE
on Citysearch Oct 10, 2008I 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. (more)
Rob3
on Citysearch Oct 06, 2008I 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... (more)
Smartin007
on Citysearch Sep 13, 2008A 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... (more)
Patti123456
on Citysearch Jun 19, 2008Big Dean's is everything you want a beach bar to be - cold beer, awesome burgers and the most fun wait staff (JEFF!!) We love the front patio, but if it's too crowded - the back patio is tons of fun too. And they just redid... (more)
dwallace3
on Citysearch May 13, 2007Just a note to say that I really miss the bar and everyone there. (perhaps the only thing in LA that I miss!) Also would like to say (and pardon me if I repeat myself to some of you) I really miss... T.J. - whom I thought... (more)
mollish
on Citysearch Apr 26, 2007I adore Big Dean's. A friend & I discovered it about a year & 1/2 ago and try to go there at least once a month as it is consistently awesome. The staff is great and the bartenders regularly dispense free beer and obviously... (more)
hapgoodnew
on Citysearch Mar 01, 2007For being a bar right across the street from one of the biggest tourist attractions in Los Angeles, Big Dean's houses one of the largest bunch of regular customers of any bar I've visited. Dean's is essentially a shack... (more)
taintymellow
on Citysearch Oct 29, 2006been to the pier more than once and noticed the outdoor bar. tried the cheese quesadilla w/ chicken. got my money worth for the taste and customer service. enjoyed myself as this was a cool kick back place to sip on some... (more)
Contributor
on Citysearch Oct 29, 2006<b>In Short</b><br>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... (more)