I've known about this place as loads of friends have recommended it for lunch. Finally made a visit to it. First time and it was quite nice. It's located along the boardwalk at the beginning of the pier. Literally right at the base of it. Of course with the patio seating, that's the best seat in town. You have the view of the boardwalk and it perfect for people watching. When we stopped in, there was a security guard checking for ID. I guess even with a restaurant they carded people and stamped their hand for alcohol. Patio was open seating with wooden tables and umbrellas. There was two bar on the patio. Majority of the seating were outdoor. Later found out that there's a nice beer garden out back where the restroom was but it wasn't open. Staff were all friendly which is nice. It's a casual beachside cafe. Menu had your usual food, easy eats. Started off with a nice cold one which we were surprised when they brought it out. It was massive. Food, your usual beachside menu. The Philly cheesesteak, which everything as à la carte. It was decent, nothing major but good. Also an order of the chili cheese fries, fish and chips and a classic hot dog with trimming on the side. Food was decent for a beachside cafe. It's nothing fancy but a fun casual dining experience. Vibe and ambiance was pretty mellow and chill. When we were there it seemed more like holiday makers versus the locals. We had a nice experience for our first time and the service was great. Staff were all friendly and sweet. Service animal are allowed in. read more

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Good beer! Good vibes! Good service! If you come down to Santa Monica Pier hit up this place to chill have a drink and vibe with the beach attitude! You never know what might be going on in front of this bar/cafe. We watched a guy and girl do a skate board photo shoot doing some crazy tricks. If that wasn't enough I won an engraved Stella goblet with my name engraved on it just for ordering Stella Artois. That just made my day. This place has a huge back patio 3 bars. Great staff! Super friendly. You do not wait for a table you seat yourself. Someone will come with a two sided menu. Now on to the food. The food is decent. Not over the top. Pricing is about $10-$20 depending what you order. We got the salad without feta cheese with ranch, which was ok. The clam chowder that I've seen raved about I was disappointed as it did not come in a bread bowl. But it wasn't bad. Fries were the perfect mixture of crispy and soft. The magi mahi sandwich was good. I bet they got a lot of dine and dashers previously because they take your credit card up front. So don't be surprised when they ask you for it. read more

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Having lunch at Big Deans was a WIN for our weekend at the beach. There is semi construction at pier entrance like a tight bridge/tunnel and Big Deans was just South of this chaos. Ordered margarita and pale ale. I liked the beer. It paired well with the double cheese The Big Deans with grilled onions. We also ordered fish chips which we also liked the fries both super crispy and a side of cole slaw. Would come back to this place for a repeat order. Some band was playing live music and it helped enhance the vibe at this oceanfront restaurant. Oh we had a nice outside table with umbrella shade. read more

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It was pretty busy here so it drew our attention. We just wanted something light and water. Our server was the sweetest girl , always was smiling. Service top tier. They even have a security guard in the front, not sure what be happening for them to do all that haha!! The food was ok. The Mac and cheese could have been more seasoned, and a little bit more pasta. The clam chowder was also okay, it seemed to be just a tad bit flavorless in my opinion. Everything else was good! read more

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Flew into LAX for the Eagles vs. Chargers Monday night game!! Straight off the flight to Santa Monica where we stumbled across Big Deans food and drinks were definitely on the morning menu! Friendly service, great vibes, and sunshine...can't beat that combo! I had the Big Deans Cheeseburger with bacon and it was delicious! Just a heads up the fries don't come with the meal, but you definitely need to order some. My fiancé went with the grilled shrimp and baby scallop skewers super flavorful and so good. We also grabbed the Frings (half fries, half onion rings). My friend ordered the BBQ burger, and it was packed with flavor. Perfect way to kick off game day weekend! read more

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This is a good bar with good bar food - especially their burger and fries. The Bloody Mary is pretty good too. Wait time can be very long so prepare yourself for that. They are usually busy so sometimes it can be tough getting the server's attention. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Cheeseburger (ordered with raw and grilled onions) - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Disappointing service! We were told to sit & we'll be served. The waiter made eye contact with me twice & went to clean tables.... Ok. Then eventually drops menu without saying a word but processed to speak to the table behind us. It's not busy at all! No greetings, no hello. I do not recommend Deans cafe read more

Great service, from being welcomed and seated, to getting drinks right away. Beach vibe, duh, and is literally 50 yards from the water in Santa Monica . Perfect beach dive bar. There was a time when this was a beach biker bar. Times have changes and so has the vibe. Great place for family and friends, or just catching a game and a beer on the weekend. Parking is reasonable for the day at $15. Highly recommended read more

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Great service, great atmosphere and excellent burgers. We've come here for years and it never disappoints. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Big Deans Burger, onion rings, draft Stella - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is a great place. Super chill beach vibes. The employees were all so nice and accommodating. It's not fancy, but their prices aren't either. Great place to watch the game, stare at the ocean. Watch the people. Perfect place to watch a bunch of games all at once. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Special bacon bbq burger and a "small" side of onion rings. - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Love the food and staff here. I brought my dog as it says "dog friendly" on Yelp and they have a huge patio. Outside it says only ADA service animals allowed and the security guard asked me about my dog. I showed him his service animal tag and he asked what services he performs. I felt a bit uncomfortable that they are this strict. The staff seemed to love animals and they have that large open air seating. It was also not busy. For future reference: The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) allows only two questions to be asked: (1) is the dog a service animal, and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform. Asking about the disability itself is not permitted. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Burger, fries, blonde beer. - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Great, Fantastic, Must Visit! Its just a great vibe. Nothing fancy, but feels great to sit there w a drink and watch people go by. Prices are reasonable also! read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Menu - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Wonderful bar--feels like it should be a tourist trap but it's just a great spot for a drink and a bite. They have large format draft beers, a great bar burger, good service, pleasant vibe, fair prices. What's not to love? read more

Dean's is such a good vibe and a great location. This store spot has been here for decades, you gotta come. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Iykyk - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

If you're visiting the Santa Monica Pier and want a beach view, local vibe, cheap beer, and classic bar food -- this is the spot. I biked over and loved that it's right at the end of the bike path with easy bike parking. They've got a chill mix of indoor and outdoor seating -- picnic tables out front and a more laid-back area in the back if you want to hang longer. Bonus points for the super clean restrooms, which is a rare find near the beach. It's also a solid sports bar setup with multiple TVs playing different channels. The staff does a great job of strolling around, keeping drinks topped off and service prompt and friendly. Whether you're just off the sand or cruising the boardwalk, this is a great casual spot to refuel and relax. read more

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Really solid spot, don't be scared by the location close to SM pier (aka tourism, sketchy people). Plenty of seating (outdoor/indoor hybrid but it's open space) and TVs with sports on. Draft beers (20 oz) are ice cold for $10, and nothing on food menu is more than $12-$14 bucks. Really good cheeseburger, I loved how they put 3 slices of cheese on. Fries were good. Wasn't the biggest fan of Big Deans sauce on burger but that's my only nitpick (it tasted like coleslaw minus the actual coleslaw, if that makes sense). Will be back here A LOT. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Double Cheeseburger w/ grilled onions + lettuce - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Food was amazing. We ordered the Big Dean cheeseburger, grilled shrimp and baby scallops skewers and Frings. Everything was done to perfection. The burger was juicy and a lot of flavor and plenty of cheese. The seafood was fresh like it was caught that day with perfect seasoning. The fries/onion rings were hot and crispy, just like they should be. It was strange they took a credit card before we ordered to make a tab on food. Soda served in cans and they were room temperature. Overall, that doesn't take away from the quality of food. read more

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Great location just under the Pier! If there's a big game this place is so lively, especially on the weekends! The service here is always great and the food is pretty good! Your typical bar foods like Burgers, Fries, Onion Rings! I come here cuz I just love the vibe and I love burgers and the burgers are here are simple and delicious! If you're hungry get the famous Big Dean's Cheeseburger! Great place to grab a beer and food and catch up with your friends! read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - IPA Draft Beer - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Oh my gosh, I'm a new local in town and I have been coming here every Sunday. We have the sweetest serve servers in bartenders every time., George and Kirk are our favorite of all time, we will continue visiting this bar. Philly cheesesteak for the win read more

There were 7 of us having lunch at Big Deans on Jan 2. It was raining off and on and very crowded so we understood that service would not be ideal and we were very patient. When the bill came, they added 20% because of being a party of 7. Totally fine. We would have tipped that anyway. We leave the restaurant and an employee comes chasing after us and says "you forgot to leave a tip. Seriously. We are working in the rain here". We looked at him and said "we were charged $48 for tip automatically which was 20%" (which was by the way a tip on alcohol and T-shirts so technically it was even more than 20 %) He said "oh" and walked away. He did not apologize for his mistake. He did not apologize for publicly accusing us of not tipping our server. He did not apologize for wrongly questioning our character. It was completely uncalled for and deserved an apology for how we were treated as customers. read more

This place is awesome! It's right on the beach and has a super cool vibe. They have a lot of beer on tap and the food was straight bussin. It's right next to the pier so if you are looking for something quick, easy, and bussin then this is the place! Also the service is great we never had to wait for anything! read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Me enjoying a beer! - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The 1st thing I want to say is that this place has amazing service. The were was an issue with my bill that they caught, explained, and corrected effortlessly. They are also very attentive & quick. I didn't know what to expect food wise, but I had the wings and fries and they were GOOD AF! I also liked that they had 32oz beers, and their margaritas were strong! It's an open air restaurant/bar so there will be some gnats/flies, but nothing to fuss over. Even though a gnat got in my beer, I still drank it read more

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Hostile Careless Environment / Dine-Ins Served in Takeout Tupperware/ Over-Stimulated Servers with attitude / Often feels unwelcoming When you walk in the security guards have a hostile/non-friendly attitude all the time. The waiters have inconsistent service; They are quick to leave when they give us our order, and then become difficult to find for assistance. After minutes of waiting for someone to help us with our order, our food was cold. We had to walk around to find someone for help, and the Bartender gave us a rude and aggressive response to a simple question about their clam-chowder soup. Between the quality of service and food, it almost makes you regret paying. This is a place for Frat-House teenagers and adults trying to get a buzz. It has consistently not been a friendly environment at all! Even the locals say-so. I've lived here for 19 years and am sorry to say this place has completely changed, and NOT for the better! read more

darius was the goat this man needs to be remembered as the best server ever! the food was good too. the bbq burger is secret but genuinely delicious. super good moszarela sticks! read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Frings ( Onion rings + fries) - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Drinks were really strong, and the nachos came out with a soft velvety cheese that I loved. The weather was amazing. There was a slight breeze next to the water and the air smell clean. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Friends!! - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe is the oldest bar in Los Angeles. Established in 1902 as Laring's Lunch Room. This bar has been around even before the Santa Monica Pier was built. Locals and tourists alike come here for a cold 32 ounce beer. Many famous celebrities have patronized Big Dean's over years such as Cary Grant, Natalie Wood, Wilt Chamberlain, Evil Knievel and even the The Governator. I was told by the bartender that they recently received their liquor license. You can now order a mixed drink or a shot to start. Liquor before beer and you are in the clear. I ordered my go-to (Whiskey Sour) from university drinking days. It was decent Whiskey Sour. No complaints! I had to try their legendary 32 ounces beers. I opted to order the house beer which is Big Dean's Blonde Ale. It was solid beer. After halfway through, I started getting hungry and was itching for something to eat. I checked with the bartender to see his recommendation for what to order. He recommended the Big Dean. The Big Dean is a double cheeseburger with their special sauce. It was a very good burger I'm not going to lie. It actually surprised me how it good it was. Perhaps, it was the liquor talking, but it was a legit burger in my humble opinion. I'm looking forward to coming back to Big Dean's the next time I'm in Santa Monica. read more

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Good location is the best thing to say about this Santa Monica Pier bar. It also has great drinks and okay food too. Big Dean's is a long time favorite for tourists to party hard. Prices are about as expected, with some things a ripoff and other things reasonable. The menu is typical beach bar type of stuff. Came on a weekend and it was crazy busy. It's a lot like a frat house. There's lots of loud asses and people throwing back shots. Fun. The bar seems like it can be laid back and relaxing at other times. Even though it gets tourists, it also gets lots of locals. Menu is typical. It's about $10 for most cocktails. Pretty okay for the location. We got a few including the Blue Tide Margarita. Food menu is also surprisingly good. It's $11 for a Beyond Burger, kind of a lot for that but it's a pretty big one. Fish and other things are on the menu of course. The service wasn't fast but it was okay for the busy evening. For sure it's a good place for watching football or anything. It's rowdy but not like it's too crazy. There's drinks, seafood, and some things for vegetarians. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Blue Tide Margarita And Beyond Burger - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Big Dean's is a great option if you are on the boardwalk or the pier and are looking for a place to rest and get a drink. I bike the boardwalk often and stop here for a beer along the way. Solid deals, not overpriced, and lots of seating. There are also plenty of tv's if you are looking for a place to watch the game read more

Great chicken fingers !! Frozen marg And Aperol spritz were also great drinks. Great outdoor space read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Chicken finger basket - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is truly a great place. First, the location is genuinely impossible to beat. Right by the pier and with views of the beach. The atmosphere is great as well, very good crowd both inside and outside. I was there during March Madness and appreciated being able to see all the games running while maintaining the beach view. The beer prices were crazy good. I don't know that I've ever seen a 32 ounce beer for that cheap on a beachfront. The service was fast and friendly as well. I loved the food too, simple but good. I have no complaints and look forward to coming back in on my next trip to Santa Monica. read more

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This feels like a straight Daydrinker place with amazing comrade. I was very surprised at how fresh the Burger was. And it scored possibly a three point five period. There were so many people connecting, End hooking up. It was fun to see old friends Getting back together for fun time. Highly recommended, Not the greatest Burger I've ever had. But It's worth it, read more

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Love this place. Such a Santa Monica classic. There are two bars in the front. One on each side. Both are open to the outdoors. This is a great spot to come watch sports or just have a beer. The bartenders are all super nice. This is not fancy. So, don't go in there thinking it will be. It's good ol' fashion classic old sports bar with all the regular types of drinks. The burger is so classic. Similar to an in and out burger, but better IMO. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This place is great. We were enjoying a couple beers at the bar when a customer sat next to us and began a phone conversation at full speaker volume. The bartender asked him politely 3 times to turn it off speaker or take it outside because it was too loud. The man became belligerent and was asked to leave. He stood outside harassing the staff and yelling at customers for an hour and even called 911. What a tool. The staff handled it very well. Some people should just stay home. We love you Big Dean's. Cheers. read more

Great location, right on the beach! And this is what I really like about this place! You can walk in there straight from the water. There are indoor and outdoor seating areas. Lots of tables and benches and more chairs around the bar. Service is great! Pretty quick! I ordered the Fish and chips (half order) and I absolutely loved it. Very tasty, not oily at all, like many other places I've seen. Next time I definitely order the fish tacos too, I'll try other items from the menu, knowing that their food is good! There is a short term parking lot right next to the restaurant, if you only want to grab a bite. It's for 2 hrs maximum, and $1/hr. read more

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Great little spot just off the pier. Very fair prices, good food, friendly staff, and cold beer! What more could you want? Staff was very nice and went and talked to all of the tables. I had asked to put a baseball game on tv and they did it right away. Food came out quick and was really good. Very glad we stopped at this little hidden gem! read more

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Love this place. The vibe is all out sports bar and comfort food. The chili dog is good along with the smash burger. And you just can't best the location! read more

Stopped by here for a quick drink before heading to the pier. Kids are allowed to enter but the person at the entrance will check IDs to give a stamp if you want alcohol. Saves the waitstaff and bartender time for most efficiency. Service was fast and they made an effort to stop by and ask how we were doing. The tables have QR codes to scan the menu but we were immediately given menus. They have a large selection of beer but we started with mimosas and snacked on a chicken quesadilla. The chicken quesadilla was hearty and served as nice appetizer. The place is a lot bigger than it appears in the front because there's more seating in the back with full restrooms. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Chicken quesadilla - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

My wife and I visited here 3 times because we hadn't been to Santa Monica in 5 years our favorite bar in Santa Monica food was awesome I ate lunch with my whole family including my three grandchildren and the staff as always made us feel like family read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Awesome drinks - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This review skews to 4.5. The burger was surprisingly good. It's not Gastropub tier and not at all trying to be. It's just a solid, basic burger. Good bun, great charred crispiness on the patty, cheap cheese, grilled onions (upon request). No fries included (bummer). Big Dean's Beach Blond Ale was tasty and light. Bunch of TVs. For example, I'm watching 2 Olympics broadcasts simultaneously. I don't know why I've avoided this place all these years. It's solid. read more

Big Dean's Ocean Front Cafe - Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Awesome sports bar right next to Santa Monica Pier. What surprised me was that the prices were very reasonable for the location. Though you can't see the ocean itself, you definitely get to soak in the sun in their big outdoor dining area and take in the beach atmosphere by people watching and enjoying the view of their pier and ferris wheel. The location can be tricky to find. The best way to explain it is to look for the merry go round at the start of the pier and go down the steps, it's literally on the ground floor below the pier walkway in front of the merry go round. Service was fantastic, they have a super friendly staff, great prices on drinks and decent enough food. They have plenty of outdoor seating both in front and in back of the restaurant (if you don't want to deal with a ton of people walking/biking by). This is obviously the local go-to spot to watch whatever sports you are into, they have a ton of TV's and I'm sure it's a popular spot during football season. I don't usually like to hang in touristy areas but this was just hidden enough that I really enjoyed my visit and wouldn't hesitate to swing by if in the area again. It felt like a place with regulars as well as tourists stopping in. We took the metro Expo line into santa monica since parking can be a nightmare on the weekends. It was a 2 block walk from the last stop. But if you do drive, I'd suggest parking at the santa monica mall, I believe you get 90 minutes for free. read more