KATHY MADER -- Dining Review

You know how a Southern Californian really knows it’s autumn? Sure, we

have a slight chill in the air, some of the leaves change on some of the

trees, it gets dark in the middle of lunch and people who have fireplaces

go ahead and flip the switch. But it is football and a hankering for big

time comfort food that really lets us know that fall has arrived.

And there is only one place, aptly named The Place, on East Coast

Highway in Corona del Mar where one can celebrate the seasonal transition

appropriately with football everywhere and an oh so comforting

flame-burgers and fries in front of you.

With satellite receivers and a television in every corner at every

angle in The Place, you can watch every game you ever dreamed of. And for

just a few more weeks, you can catch baseball at the same time. A sports

fan’s paradise.

Now you’re asking yourself, “Isn’t she just talking about another

sports bar?”

Let me assure you that no, it is not just another sports bar. The

Place is far more personal and cozy than any of the chain

restaurant/sports bars and chock full of local flavor and characters.

Just standing at the door, you get a view of the sports collection,

booze collection and people collection -- old and young.

The rustic wood walls are covered in memorabilia, much of it local.

Batting helmets line the walls, along with Chuck Finley’s jersey,

somebody’s old skis, boxing gloves, ancient ice skates, a giant pair of

basketball shoes, cleats from football’s pioneer days, and a lantern.

The booze collection leaves no taste dry, with 10 different drafts, a

great selection of bottled beer and a full bar.

And the people collection? Suffice it to say, there is much to see,

all of it interesting.

And if the surroundings aren’t enough of a celebration of all that is

American, take a peek at the menu. The stuff that makes us famous in

medical journals and in Third World countries -- chili, chicken wings,

chips, cheeseburgers and the diet special “tuna with a green salad.”

The aforementioned flame-burgers ($5.75) is reason alone to visit and

has made yours truly’s Top 3 best-burgers-in-town list. This half-pounder

is loaded with all the usuals plus bacon, avocado and cheese. It all

comes together just right and is truly a great one.

I hesitated to do this review because I would have to try something

different. But I forged forth and tried the chicken wings, excellent with

a sassy sauce (make sure to order them well done); the taquitos, tasty

but not a lot of sustenance; and the polish sausage sandwich ($5.25) This

is sporting food baby!

Actually Brian ordered the polish sausage sandwich and swore he would

again, and again.

The Place’s pizzas are popular and available for takeout. And they

have a nice variety of hamburgers, including a jalapeno burger ($5.50)

and a Philly burger with grilled onions, mushrooms and cheese.

The Place offers a long list of grilled sandwiches from the French dip

($5.50) and the tuna melt ($6) to the hot dog, chili dog and the BLT.

This is get-your- pajamas-on-and-get-the-remote type comfort.

You can’t have a causal restaurant in California without at least

nodding to the Mexican food influences. And The Place nods vigorously

with a entire section from south of the border, replete with taco salads,

tacos, quesadillas and huevos la placha ($5.25) -- eggs scrambled with

bacon, tomato, jalapenos and salsa, served with tortillas.

Deli sandwiches, daily soups and a small breakfast menu round out the

choices.

I mentioned that The Place is full of local flavor, and nowhere is

this more evident than on Saturday afternoons when college football is in

full swing. From Little League baseball teams to grandpas with their USC

letterman sweaters, from surfers to fitness trainers, The Place has them

all.

And though it can get rowdy and loud in there, The Place’s manager,

“Mo” (short for Monique), runs a pretty tight ship so that everyone can

have fun. ‘Tis the season.

* KATHY MADER’s dining reviews appear every other Thursday.

FYI

* WHERE: 2920 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar

* WHEN: Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to midnight, kitchen open until

10 p.m. Saturday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., kitchen open until 9

p.m.

* HOW MUCH: Inexpensive

* CALL: (949) 644-0210