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    Westend

    4.2 (446 reviews)
    Closed Closed

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    WESTEND ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Westend

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jorge F.

    Cocktails are amazing! Food is really delicious! The restaurant/bar makes you feel at home and is the absolute best!

    A S.

    Chelsea our server/bartender was amazing, we shared great conversation with her and one of the owners of Westend, Kaylee. The food was super good, great drink choices w/ a variety of unique alcohol choices too (which can be made into mock-tails). Love that they are open again. I also love the funky vibe that Westend has great feeling and is quaint. Want a fun date night out or a night with friends? I highly recommend Westend.

    Lenny L.

    They are OPEN, and I can't wait to try their awesome food. They smoked their meat and I'm coming back for it. They have an awesome selection of cocktails.

    Chocolate Starfish
    Elise O.

    This is one of my fav places to go out for a drink & a bite. We always have a great time here! Amazing staff and the food/drinks NEVER miss. My go to is a chocolate starfish, veggie empanadas, and beignets.

    deviled eggs
    Nick H.

    Restaurant Bar with a Loaded Menu! 3.5 Stars! This restaurant serves huge portions. They do have outdoor dining and do take reservations. The menu sports various dishes and appetizers. This includes jambalaya, fishing ships, deviled eggs, tater tots...All of which we tried. Jambalaya- I have very high hopes for the jambalaya but it was AOK. If you are expecting NOLA Jambalaya, this is not yet. But, the portion was huge. Fish and Chips were AOK. The fishi and chips were also AOK. Lots of French fries. My favorite dish was the deviled eggs. The deviled eggs were flavorful and Pretty darn good. Customer service was also AOK. It was not very personable. Parking is pretty difficult. If there is a street parking in front of the restaurant or down the block further, the easiest is to park across the street in the shopping plaza. Overall an AOK experience. I would like to come back again and try other menu items and maybe some drinks.

    Aileen K.

    Beautiful place with some serious intimate vibes and romance. It did throw me off a bit though. For example, the cuisine is unexpected,..it's southern comfort and bbq, which doesn't quite match the romantic ambience. (But the smell of the place is heavenly because who can complain about the smell of bbq.) And it's in the middle of a typical Costa Mesa street with no lot for parking, so you have to find street parking or park in the plaza lot across the street (we didn't get our car towed or anything, and when we called, we were directed to that lot). So it was a bit sketchy. No complaints from me though-- which is why I had this place bookmarked and was so glad to finally make it out here in the midst of the covid madness. The brussel sprouts were good, as were the brisket and the fried chicken. Their macaroni and potato salad left a lot to be desired, though...we left pretty much all of that untouched. The drinks were also yummy. Ultimately though I don't think I would come back. PSA: NOBODY WAS WEARING MASKS, EVEN THE SERVERS AND BARTENDERS. We almost left once we saw this but we were starving and really wanted to try the food. In hindsight it was reckless and it still bothers me, which is why I'm alerting folks here. Dine here at your own risk, but I will say the food is good!

    Mac n cheese - average
    Simon K.

    The items I ordered were average. But they have a variety of impressive sounding menu items so I will be back to try something else. The deviled eggs were good with a nice reduction almost like balsamic underneath to provide a little kick. The empanadas were good, homemade, light and mild. The pizza was average - this is not a pizza place. The Franklin sandwich (with Nashville Chicken) was average and rather dry. They smoke their own meats, so I think I'll try that next time. I also heard the Jambalaya is good. Fun ambience in the outdoor patio. It seems to be a lively area with the neighboring establishments blasting party music. I hear this place turns into a big party late at night as well.

    Smoked BBQ Meat Sampler Plate
    Aileen F.

    Had a pleasant lunch here with the hubby. They didn't have coffee (unfortunately) coz their machine was busted according to the server. We were promptly seated since we arrived right when they opened. The server was attentive but overall service could've been improved. Why? I overheard him say that he was also the bartender so he was pretty busy making drinks and serving customers in their patio area (where we sat). We ordered: - kale salad = generous portion, a bit too acidic to my liking - prosciutto, apple, Brie sandwich with potato chips on the side = enjoyed this very much, nice flavor combination; melty cheese is always a winner - meat sampler with potato and macaroni salads = flavorful but needed more barbecue sauce which we asked for Overall, we enjoyed our lunch. We'll probably return if we're in the area.

    Amazing food amazing people! Best vibe! have to try the brisket empanadas! Omg and the mustard sauce omg.
    Rachelle W.

    Great vibe! Awesome people! food was amazing. Great drinks. Have to try brisket empanadas omg! Mustard sauce amazing and I hate mustard! So good.

    Delicious fries. Perfect. I didn't try the sauces.
    Crystal M.

    If I said this was the best meal I can remember then I'd be telling the truth. All I seem to do is eat, eat, and the eat some more. Frankly, I've gotten tired of eating. Why? Most restaurants lately seem to want to waste my time. I've had a lot of lazy, nasty food for the past several years. Sometimes there can be a thing or two on a menu that is okay, or tasty. Westend blew my Foodie mind last night. I had the Aperol Spritzer and it was completely refreshing. Actually, I bet all of their drinks are refreshing. This was very well balanced with sweetness, citrus, and with my second one there was a super thin cucumber slice. I was a little grossed out because I hate cucumber drinks. It still worked. The fizz was long lasting and I loved the cool metal straw they gave me. I ordered the Wedge as an appetizer. I told my husband so many times, like with each bite, that it was the best wedge I'd ever had. I'm quite confident that I've eaten at least 100 wedge salads in the past year. Most are just a big hunk of iceberg that is screaming for help. The first thing I noticed was the insanely crispy bacon. I've never had bacon so crunchy that wasn't also burnt. The pieces were tiny. Somehow I had just enough for each bite and the salty flavor was able to compliment the dressing, blue cheese, and herbs. The temperature was also perfect. I'm often disappointed when I get served an ice-cold, wilted, fresh from the fridge salad. There was only a slight hint of chill. We also shared some calamari. It want well with my wedge. It wasn't super fresh calamari, but it was fried well. I never eat any dipping sauces with my calamari. I'm all about just using the lemon. It was yummy. Not the best ever. Then our jambalaya arrived. I must admit that I normally would not order Jambalaya, Gumbo, or even an etouffe. This is because they normally are pretty gross. I decided to take a chance. It was the best chance. Like I hit the jackpot. I'm actually eating omg the leftovers for breakfast. I can safely say that this is a delicious dish. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't famished or delusional last evening and somehow imagined this fantastic food. Nope! It's still awesome. First, there is tons of meat. Chicken, sausage, and jumbo shrimp. Tons of meat. I think I had five shrimp in my plate. I told my husband to eat some of my food because he inhaled his jambalaya. Somehow this morning I'm still finding tons of meat. This is what I would consider mildly spicy. I love extremely hot food so proceed with caution. This may actually be very hot for a normal mouth. It was perfect. I'm glad that I could enjoy all of the flavors without having heat overwhelm my tongue. In the middle of the jambalaya and while enjoying the spritzer, I decided I needed an order of fries. Wow! They were like a gift. Perfectly crispy and salty. Well done. You could poke someone's eye out. So delicious. In summary. It's Monday morning and I wanted to eat at Westend for breakfast. They are closed on Monday's. Boo hoo!

    Joseph Z.

    When we walked into West End last evening, we were pleasantly greeted by the bartender and the server and told we could sit wherver we liked. This is such a pet pieve of mine that you are greeted property when entering a business. My wife and I both own medical business and we pride ourselves on having great staff. It turns out that this is a one woman show in that the bartender was also the owner, the waitstaff, everything. It was her, one server and the chef. Thr dining experience was very nice and food was top shelf. We ordered the meat board, think charcuterie but with pulled pork and brisket.. its a can't miss dish. The atmosphere is great, it's very quaint like a small European restaurant. Our community needs restaurants like this as opposed to thr big corporate chains. These businesses are the essence of our community. We can't recommend the West End enough. We will be back.

    Brisket Sandwich, lunch special
    Steve B.

    I have been up and down 19th street for years and witnessed the influx of new bars and restaurants. Westend by far is the best I have visited. Across the street is El Metate Market and La Canada, that is saved for another favorable review. What drew us in is the smoker out front with the $10 lunch sign. Wow, what a score. We had the pulled pork sandwich and brisket sandwich . The Chef/Pit Master is a craftsman. If you like smoked meat this is a must go. Just enough rub and smoke, meat was tender and moist as you would hope. The bonus is they put the BBQ sauce on the side not on the meat. There is so much more on the menu and the cocktail selection looks great too. Highly recommend.

    Tom C.

    Must say I was a bit disappointed. After reading the reviews I really wanted to check out the place. So much so our group stopped by after our early dinner and had our 2nd dinner of the night just to try the food. Pro: cute decor, good drinks the shrimp po-boy was decent flavor. Con: 1. The place was half empty but we still had to wait to order, get our food, ask for our bill 2. The food was bland. The lobster Mac and cheese needed pepper and salt. The jambalaya was very watery and more marinara sauce then jambalaya (as seen in my picture). Really wanted it to be more then what I got. 3. The place didn't have AC. Or if they did it wasn't turned in. When we were there it was later in the night and the restaurant was half empty. Can't imagine how it would be if it's pack in the summer time. Overall, like some reviews said this is more of a neighborhood bar to grab a drink and chat for the local. Would not say I will be back.

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    Photo of James N.
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    6 months ago

    Cute place for a drink. We had a variety of cocktails and beers and all were good. Not too loud so we were able to catch up w friends.

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    3 months ago

    i love this place! is it closed? my heart is broken. i hope ya'll come back. amazing food.

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    3 years ago

    Our favorite cozy neighborhood spot! Great cocktails and the food is incredible. The best bbq in town. Don't sleep on this place!

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    3 years ago

    Cool ambience, good food great service. Fun drinks. Good for a date night or just a casual dinner

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Our go to spot. Friendly staff. Awesome food. Strongly suggest giving it a shot, you won't be disappointed. A+++

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    Page 1 of 12

    Westend Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Westend

    Will there be a DJ for Halloween night? What kind of music? I made a reservation for 8:30 :)

    We are always full of surprises. Best bring those dancing shoes...

    I made reservations on Open Table, and the confirmation page says "Cash only at this time." Is that correct?

    Yes this place is cash only they have an ATM outside but if you wanna avoid the fees with the banks bring cash.

    Is there a music on Wednesdays?

    Yes, if you bring your phone and use an app.

    Are babies allowed?

    At a bar? What's wrong with you??

    Is there a corkage fee? And will you have live music this Friday?

    Hell, yes the fee is $15. This Friday we may have a dj hand selecting various genres all night.

    Is the Live Jazz going on all day on weekends? Thanks!

    Not when we were here on a Saturday 7pm...but the music selection was truly awesome!

    Is there live music here on Sundays?

    Not yet, at the end of March we will host Live Jazz on Sundays!

    What is their most popular dish or drink here?

    Shrimp PO'Boy or the Southern Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwich

    View All 9 Questions

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    Pioneer

    Pioneer

    4.6
    (205 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    Takes reservations
    Romantic vibe

    A speakeasy at night, hidden within a diner during the day. So far, I've been to this speakeasy 3…read moretimes (different years). The vibes are still intimate and drinks are still strong which is AWESOME. I noticed they expanded the space a bit toward the back recently to offer a little more seating. I usually recommend a max party of 4 but cool to see they could now accommodate a group of 9 in the back room without issue. They take reservations in advance and walk-ins may go on a wait list. It's great so that each patron/party has a comfortable, undisturbed experience. It's not a crowded, loud, or messy type of bar. Love that they initially provide us with water before we order. Old Fashioned was fragrant and smooth. Orange peel scent was pleasantly present throughout the drink - they used a spray instead of zest - impressive! My partner prefers his whiskey with stronger flavor than the default Makers Mark though he might ask for a different whiskey next time. *RATED 8/10 Fuzzy Navel was sweet and flavorful just as I like it. Major points for the foam being vegan-friendly as is. The foam texture is fun and very peach forward. Would order again. *RATED 10/10 Cheong Soda (price unlisted on the menu) was a nice finishing, non-alcoholic drink to sober us up. The Cheong (Korean fruit preserve) is apparently different sometimes - this time, it was blueberry. First time taking my boyfriend here and he LOVED the experience. We'll be back!

    A true hidden gem. The cocktails here are unlike anything you'll find at a typical bar--creative,…read morewell-crafted, and full of surprises. Every drink feels thoughtfully designed, with unique flavors and beautiful presentation. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed, making it a great place to slow down and enjoy the experience. The staff are passionate about what they do and happy to guide you through their creations.

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    Palenque Kitchen

    Palenque Kitchen

    4.1
    (773 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$$
    Takes reservations
    Happy hour specials

    Nice little Mexican food spot located where HUB used to be. They don't advertise it on their menu…read morebut they have an unpublished kids menu that includes: grilled chicken with rice and refried beans, chicken strips with French fries or quesadilla (choice of cheese, chicken, or steak) with rice and beans. I really enjoyed the puerto Nuevo enchiladas and my 4 yr old loved them too! He also nearly went face down in the flan with coconut ice cream. My son loves coconut ice cream but now he also loves flan! They have a cool decor in the restaurant and it's very modern. There's a bathroom at the end and they have high chairs if you need them. Service was great and we'd come back again.

    First time at this restaurant and we were so happy with it!…read more The service was great, fast and friendly. I wish I remembered our waiter's name but he was so attentive. The ambiance was super cool too. Perfect for a date night, out with friends or just happy hour. The food was AMAZING. I had their Salmon Al Pastor and it was simply scrumptious! It was so soft and cooked to perfection! It was almost sweet and the skin so flavorful. It was a side of white rice with a sweet tone to it and fresh veggies. I will definitely order this again! My friend had Chicken Fajitas and they were super yummy. I also had a Watermelon Cucumber Margarita and it was simply delicious. I will also order this again!

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    Stowaway

    Stowaway

    4.5
    (783 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$

    Always a Great spot. Food, Drinks and Service never…read moredisappoints. Ambiance is what you would expect and more from a Tiki Bar.

    (Drank/Snacked 06/27/2026 SA @ 9:00pm): I'd gladly be a stowaway at this enchanting tiki bar and…read morelounge! After a farewell dinner to/at Gulliver's Prime Ribs Of Beef, our party of six continued the evening several miles away at Stowaway for some light bites and libations. Personally, I was all about the Hawaiiana tiki culture and tried to live it every day. Founded by co-owners Leonard Chan and Dominic Iapello, its current home of barely three years in a former dive bar came about when they unceremoniously had to leave the original location. With its proximity to Disneyland's Enchanted Tiki Room and the very niche underground-like society of tiki culture, they found their footing with a consistent customer base and the thrill of island escapism through colorful cocktails, pleasurable pupus, and tropical trimmings. Would I stow myself away somewhere inside and never leave!? PURCHASE(S) Don Q Punch Bowl ($38.00): Made with Don Q's Cristal Silver, Anejo, and 151 Gold Rums, respectively, peach brandy, passion fruit, pineapple juice, and citrus juices, this flaming concoction was rumtastic in every way possible as the tropical juices just made it that much sweeter. There were more ice chips than I liked, but it was a fun trough to drink out of for the four of us who wanted to imbibe. Coconut Shrimp 6pc ($12.00): Breaded and flash-fried plump shrimp served with a sweet chili dipping sauce, these were tasty and perfectly paired with the Don Q cocktail I was drinking. Stowaway Fries ($17.00): Constructed with a pile of crisp golden spud sticks, rum braised pork, and topped with a hearty gravy and sunny-side up egg, this loco moco fries dish was slamming while the slightly charred juicy pork had me squealing with enjoyment. SERVICE We had reservations, so once our entire party arrived, they quickly seated us in a cool cave-live separate alcove for more privacy. Our server arrived with menus, suggestions, and glasses of water. Minutes later, we all ordered at once, and everything (drinks and food) arrived within ten minutes. Because we had another reservation inside the same bar, we informed our male server and to let us know when we were allowed to go there. All was casual, chill, and somewhat on island time - aloha and mahalo! PARKING (FREE): They shared a medium-sized private lot with several other businesses who were closed at this time with plenty of spots - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE Located within a strip mall, you opened the front door and walked into an island oasis as if you were a cast member on "Gilligan's Island" with thatched roof material above you, tiki statues displaced on all of the volcanic-looking walls, collections of tiki mugs past and present for purchase, a central square bar with plenty of stools, and seemingly small dark nooks and private spaces where naughty things could happen. No natural lighting whatsoever while an assortment of extremely low-lit electric lights barely guided you along. There were no TVs while I recalled various styles of music played in the background along with chatter and clamor of conversations in all directions. ATTIRE Although I was actually dressed appropriately for the occasion in an aloha shirt, linen pants, and flip-flops, this place was totally casual, so a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops would suffice. OVERALL I had a cowabunga time at Stowaway, and I couldn't wait to return to try more of their awesome-soundling elixirs. I loved tiki bars, and although this was generally out of my range, I'd make a special trip or two here. My one drink was lip-smacking good, the pupus were yummy, the prices were reasonable enough, the atmosphere was stupendous, and the service was friendly and professional. While the drinks menu was loaded with tropical cocktails, an impressive rum selection, and a decent assortment of local craft beers, the food menu was somewhat limited. And, the bar had happy hour TU-FR 4pm-6pm. Plus, I always preferred to support small local mom & pop businesses. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $75.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

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    Dining room
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    Stowaway Fries $17

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    Stowaway Fries $17

    Westend - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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