A legendary local favorite

DINING OUT

The Sugar Shack, in the second block of Main Street, combines the

past, present and future of Huntington Beach.

Opened in 1967 by Pat and Mary Williams so that their six children

would have a place to work part time after school, it was a single

store front with stools lining a counter. One day Pat put a table and

chair out on the sidewalk to see what would happen. So was born the

sidewalk breakfasts for hungry surfers, where you can now reserve a

table by signing the clip board hung by the door -- a tradition that

defines Surf City’s casual ambience.

The future came after expanding into the yogurt shop next door in

1994. Sugar Shack spread into a lovely tree covered patio with 16

umbrella tables that fill the back yard. Now it’s daughter Michele

Turner’s Sugar Shack, and we are here for breakfast -- no matter what

time it is. It’s served all day from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the omelet with everything, my friend selected the Main Street

Special ($6.25) from the 10 varieties available, a creation packed

with diced onions, mushrooms, avocado, the freshness of sprouts and

the smoothness of American cheese all wrapped up in a thin egg

envelope. It’s a good fat omelet that covers half the plate and is

served with hash browns and a choice of toasted raisin bread. It’s

also an excellent vegetarian selection, with such a great mix of

flavors.

If you’re looking for traditional morning fare, try the Breakfast

Special ($4), which has two light fluffy pancakes slightly smaller

than a Frisbee, the egg over-easy with a firm white and well-defined

yoke. However, the two small slices of bacon were overcooked as if

they had been reheated after frying.

Our server Summer Real, who used to come into the Sugar Shack with

her dad when she was 2 years old, says one of the favorite breakfast

selections is Michele’s Special ($5.75), a fresh chicken breast,

three egg whites, bell peppers and tomato all scrambled together,

with a side of rice or fruit and a fresh bagel.

The breakfast menu is extensive, with burritos, pancakes, omelets

and 16 hot and cold beverages. There are pork chops and hamburger

patties, healthy stuff like turkey burgers, bran muffins and a fruit

bowl.

Summer says the very local place is known to surfers all over the

world who come to compete in the surfing competitions and spread the

word.

Nothing for breakfast is priced over $6.75.