Dining out
It’s been pretty dark at Sunny’s Restaurant lately. An old man sitting
at the counter is ready to grab you if the big spider hanging from the
ceiling doesn’t catch you in its web.
But don’t fret -- it’s owner Summer Zervos’ way of celebrating
Halloween as her parents Cindy and Andy Zervoz did at Sunny’s No. 1
across from Golden West College.
It’s a lively, busy restaurant with a counter and booths leading to a
glass-roofed veranda dining area toward the back and two additional rooms
nearby.
There isn’t much you can’t find on the menu, from a breakfast omelet
with egg beaters to baby back ribs with honey molasses barbecue sauce
served with preparations ranging from East Asia salad to a San Francisco
melt. And what is most satisfying is the range of prices.
One lunch I combined a good mixed green salad and half a sandwich
($6.45) -- a No. 1 best selling all white skinless chicken on thick, dark
bread served with sliced melon that was just right -- substantial and
satisfying.
On another occasion we delved into the dinner menu for a half rack of
barbecued ribs and half a chicken ($15.95). One thing that stands out at
Sunny’s, according to manager Jonathon De Leon, is the portions. Across
my plate was half a breast, thigh, leg and wing topped with a half rack
of nine big-boned meaty ribs drenched in dark barbecue sauce made by chef
Tony Fagundez -- a texture like molasses but not sweet or too spicy, just
an underlying warmth.
Sunny’s serves a top sirloin steak with deep fried crunchy shrimp
($14.95). Again a generous portion of meat with three butterflied tail-on
shrimp. This is top sirloin cut from the more tender top loin muscle --
firm, about a third of an inch thick, but one that could have been
juicier.
At Sunny’s much is in the accompaniments that can overwhelm. There’s
soup -- chicken noodle or beef barley one time -- and a crisp mixed
iceburg and romaine salad. With these comes a small loaf of warm bread on
a carving board. The uncooked bread prepared by Bradford Company is
delivered to Sunny’s and allowed to rise over night before baking the day
it is served. It’s another homey touch that tastes great.
The entree has an ear of corn or other seasonal vegetable and rice or
potatoes -- after 3 p.m. you can choose baked potato or a yam. The chef
even tucks a tiny dish of vanilla pudding on the plate. There’s something
about Sunny’s that makes you want to surrender!
Zervos bought the Spire’s Coffee Shop in September, 1999, transforming
its menu to comforting Midwestern food and a myriad of dishes prepared by
chef Tony who has been with her parents’ Sunny’s No. 1 for “ages” says
the manager. Help in serving comes with brother Shado.
Sunny’s decorations for Halloween make it a fun place to take kids who
can eat for $3.95. Not only will they enjoy good food but also the huge
spider leering down from its web and skeleton heads popping out of black
caldrons. Perhaps they’ll be served by Shado. What more can you ask?
FYI
Sunny’s Restaurant
WHERE: 19810 Beach Blvd. at Newland Center
HOURS: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
MISC.: Beer and wine are served. Seniors get a 10% discount.
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