Lunch specials are tasty treats at B.J.’s

Glori Fickling

Celebrating a successful 25th anniversary this month, B.J.’s

Restaurant & Brewery also celebrates Laguna Beach as its fourth venue

out of 35 burgeoning establishments launched in Orange County circa

1979 and still growing. With thriving locations extending as far east

as Texas, north to Oregon and west to Hawaii, the once-independent

chain initially gained fame by introducing Chicago-style deep dish

pizzas to the West Coast. It soon offered full-fledged restaurants,

eventually featuring its own on-site breweries in nine different

locations.

With its unparalleled vista of the Main Beach continuing east

along Coast Highway, the little Laguna Beach gem has maintained the

nautical ship’s hull ceiling originally built by long-ago Delaney’s

restaurant. The ocean-facing patio was wisely converted for

comfortable enclosed seating. Walls in the main dining room are

adorned with large posters, label replicas of the seven different

brews available, any of which will be “bottled” for take-out in half

gallon growlers priced at $11 and $12.

The same glass receptacles filled with the kind of malt and grains

utilized in brewing, top every polished oak table -- each jug

semi-circled with a wiry condiment rack. The containers also serve as

pedestals for the wide variety of pan-filled pizzas served in mini,

small, medium and large sizes bearing a choice of 20-some vegetables,

herbs, anchovies, poultry and meats.

B.J.’s menu focuses on old-fashioned Italian fare in hefty

servings at affordable prices. Ten pasta favorites sided with twin

garlic toasts start at $7.95 for spaghetti marinara and go to $9.75

for classic ravioli in creamy tomato sauce. Most entrees are less

than $9 including fettuccini Alfredo, angel hair pasta with tomatoes,

basil, garlic and olive oil, spaghetti marinara and luscious lasagna

layered with Italian sausage and ground beef swaddled with delectable

tomato sauce. B.J’s Cajun chicken pasta is a bit of a departure at

$10.95 lavishing fettuccini noodles with roasted peppers and red

onions. Add grilled chicken breast to some of these for $2.25.

While the entire menu is available all day, the lunch brigade has

a special treat in store now because pasta favorites are available in

lunch sizes for a dollar less with the added bonus of soup or salad.

This means minestrone laden with fresh vegetable chunks, kidney beans

and rotelli pasta in the same bountiful bowl listed a la carte for

$3.75. Or enjoy rich, creamy Boston clam chowder, usually $4.95 or a

healthy toss of the $3.95 house salad embellished with kitchen made

croutons. Other lunchtime attractions are the soup/salad combo at

$7.95, and the “Nooner” pizza, a standard 6-inch mini at $4.35 plus a

bit more for additional toppings and a crisp salad for $2.25.

Beginnings from $3.95 to $8.25 include classic bruschetta anointed

with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, roma tomatoes, basil, garlic,

onions and parmesan cheese plus the same clam chowder heaped in a

scooped-out round of sourdough bread. Specialty salads are another

departure from the Italian theme starting at $4.65 for traditional

Caesar and $6.75 for a garden medley sprinkled with feta cheese

artichoke hearts and balsamic vinaigrette going to $9.25 for a large

Cobb arrangement and the Santa Fe combo of blackened chicken breast,

romaine, roasted red peppers, tortilla chips, jack and cheddar

cheeses,

Two calzones, half a dozen sandwiches and a quartet of burgers

round out the bill of fare with a few wine selections starting at

$3.95 a glass.

Whatever you choose, B.J.’s famous Pizookie is a must! This

enormous piping hot in-the-pan cookie is crowned with a double scoop

of vanilla bean ice cream and comes in a choice of chocolate chip,

oatmeal, peanut butter and white chocolate macadamia nut, at $4.50

enough to please two. Groups of six to eight will revel in the

bountiful Pizookie party platter, a $14.95 heaping of all four

cookies and a mountain of ice cream. A big bonus with these decadent

desserts is the percentage of each sale donated to the Cystic

Fibrosis Foundation, “the sweetest way we can think of to lend a

helping hand” states the menu.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has

written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at (949) 494-4710 or by e-mail at ghoneywest@aol.com.