Tackle Box

Loved this place! My husband and I just ate here today and we can’t wait to go back! Everything we ordered was so tasty– Buffalo cauliflower, Pork Belly sandwich, and Poke. Loved the refreshing Agua Fresca (watermelon juice) too. Get there before they start serving lunch at 11:30 because there will be a line. It is definitely worth the wait though.

Great food! Pork belly bahn mi is awesome! Shrimp/​lobster is a must. You really can’t go wrong with anything here…

My gf and I live in Dana point came here last Saturday… And If you are looking for a great taste fresh ingredients and quality you are in the right place tackle box you won’t be disappointed I totally recommend the fresh salmon poke delicious. She got the catfish– kinda similar to a southern po boy. Best beach stand not the processed frozen stuff.

This is a wonderful food experience run by a former Top Chef New Orleans contestant in a location that you expect to serve beach grub. I think that is what suprises people most, it’s not what they expect given the location. These kind of elevated options at a beach walk-​up are perhaps not for everyone (if you prefer super cheap hot dogs and fries this is not your spot) but give it a shot and I think you’ll be impressed. It’s not intimidating food, it’s good food and having that provided in a casual beachside setting is pretty great.
The shrimp roll is heaven on delicious bread and the house made chips are fresh, crisp and salty. I have heard rave reviews on the buffalo cauliflower and the chickpea sandwich as well as the breakfast options (get the Chilaquiles I hear). I also had the pleasure of attending a party catered by Brian Huskey (the chef) and a member of his team and the food was excellent from start to finish. Everyone at the party was impressed by each course. I would encourage you to come to CDM to the beach and try breakfast or lunch here. Order a bunch of options, soak up some sun, play some vollyeball and have a nice walk on the beach to complete your day! It’s such a good spot, I almost don’t want to share this info as I can’t wait to get back and don’t want to face a ridiculous line. But I just can’t keep this place to myself, get out there and try it soon!

What more could I ask for? A nice Memorial weekend day at the beach and pleasantly decent food that goes beyond what you’d typically expect at a beachside snack shack. I had expected the hamburger patty slapped between a sandwich bun and hotdog kept warm under a heat lamp. But instead I found myself deciding between sandwich specialties like a shrimp salad sandwich roll, Maine Lobster roll, salmon poke, and kale salad too. We opted for the Tackle Box burger, shrimp sandwich roll and a cheese quesadilla. All were served with house made chips and were quite satisfying.
The service wasn’t snack bar fast, but was a satisfactory 10 minute wait during the busy holiday weekend lunch hour. No complaints. We enjoyed our beachside lunch enough to go in for a sweet refreshing watermelon flavored Aqua Fresca drink.
Although some may knock off a star for the price, I say you get what you pay for. The moderate prices for good unconventional snack food and the convenience is well worth it.

I love love love the Buffalo Cauliflower here! They are cooked to perfection with just enough heat. Everytime I visit Corona Del Mar Beach it is a must that I grab a scrumptious snack from the Tackle Box. You will not be disappointed!

Everything on this menu is mouth watering! My favorite is the buffalo cauliflower and all of the breakfast items, oh and the burger! Ugh to die for. I’ve never tasted meat so well seasoned and perfectly cooked. Owners/​Chef Brian and Andy are great! Always making you feel welcome and like part of a family. I hope to see more of them. Great people and great food should never be taken for granted. Thank You Tacklebox!

So good ! We got the chicken club and pork belly bahn mi. Eat here. Trust me. Not only good food but great view!

My favorite was the pork belly sandwich. The chowder and lobster roll was ok nothing special.
Reason for 2 star is because of the service, the boy taking our order you can tell he was new and didn’t know much but my problem was with the chef who came off rude. He needs to work on his customer service skills. They have pictures of their food on the outside but no name attached to the food. Every time we asked what it was you could tell he was annoyed. If you’re annoyed then put the darn name on the picture. Duh!!! Plus when I asked for a knife to cut my lobster roll in half he said it would cost me .25 cents! Seriously?!

The burgers are incredible, and from what I hear from my group, the shrimp rolls, and even the catfish rolls are awesome too. The only bad thing about this place is that they sell out of stuff so quickly. Definitely get here at noon or earlier if you want to be gauranteed your favorite!

Tackle Box is located on the beach at Corona Del Mar. They have a little shack right in front of the parking lot on the beach. I visited Tackle Box during restaurant week and tried their $ 10 special (tax included). This consisted of a starter (soup, veggies with ranch dressing, or a baby kale salad), sandwich (chicken club, fried fish, or vegetarian [chickpea patty]) with house made potato chips, and a drink (jones soda or a watermelon aqua fresco). I opted for the butternut squash soup, fried fish sandwich, and watermelon agua fresco.
The butternut squash soup was amazing. It was creamy and very rich and had a wonderful flavor. I loved the nuts that topped the silky smooth soup. This was a great dish on a cool winter day.
The fried fish sandwich that I ordered had a cornmeal crust, tomato, romaine lettuce with some spices, and a remoulade on a soft roll. The roll reminded me of the rolls typically used for a lobster roll, which is basically a hot dog bun (shape wise). The roll was soft and delicious and was a good roll to house the fish. I really enjoyed my sandwich. My table mates each ordered the vegetarian sandwich (chickpea patty, seasoned with coriander and cumin, tomato, romaine lettuce, and a chipotle tzatziki sauce) and a chicken club sandwich (hold the bacon). I sampled each sandwich and was impressed with how juicy the chicken sandwich was as well as how delicious the chickpea patty was. I really enjoyed the unique flavors of the chickpea patty. It sort of had a Mediterranean feel to it.
Each sandwich came with fresh made house chips that were crispy and tasted great. We all ordered the watermelon agua fresco which was so incredibly refreshing. I loved the taste of watermelon in the drink.
Tackle Box is open for breakfast and throughout the day. Breakfast goes till 11am. They provide 2 hours of complimentary parking in front of the restaurant, look for the signs. Otherwise parking is about $ 4 an hour on the weekends, with a maximum of $ 15 being charged for the day. The beach is beautiful with a lot of volleyball courts and calm waters. There are a couple of patio tables in front of the shack as well as some covered ones with a TV screen.
For $ 10 this is an incredible deal for the meal. It’s definitely one of the top picks for restaurant week for Newport Beach. The dishes are of high quality and the chef really knows what he is doing. There are other breakfast items on the menu, as well as snacks, lobster rolls (weekends only), poke, burgers, etc. I talked to the chef and asked if this $ 10 deal would last after restaurant week and he mentioned that he was looking at adding some sort of combo in the future, but would probably charge a little more.

I have been coming here since the week it opened. We live in the village and walk down – a treat! Everything on the menu is innovative and carefully put together. My family and I have tried all of the breakfast items and almost all of the lunch items and never had a let down. Tried the soup (butternut squash) and it was awesome! Andrew is always so kind even though it can get so hectic! Be patient. This is not some fast food place. This is a fine restaurant better than many fancy white tablecloth places.

I’ve visited Corona Del Mar a billion times, and never noticed this shack on the beach! It’s right next to the sand by the parking lot, a few hundred feet from the ocean. The staff is super friendly and nice, and the menu is great if you’re looking for new flavors.
I came prepared to try the burger or cauliflower, but didn’t want to be too daring and got the Pork Belly Banh Mi sandwich instead. There’s something about the bread and the pork belly that is reminiscent of a cheesesteak — it was a little heavy but super tasty. I would recommend Tackle Box if you’re looking to try something new, but be a little weary of the prices. Depending on what you get, it can get pricey pretty quickly for a casual dining spot.

— came here for newport beach restaurant week 2016, $ 10 for sandwich + app + drink, we ordered two, would have been ~$ 50 normally for everything
lots of parking in the neighborhood if you’re willing to walk up/​down the hill
but i also think that it would have been free to park right in the beach parking lot since there looked like there was a sign that said it was okay to park until april or may? don’t really remember
— this place is literally on the beach, so i probably would only come here again if i was at this beach, but this beach can also get kind of crowded
the food was mediocre, i wanted to try their beach corn because there were pictures of it everywhere but they said they weren’t offering it until spring or summer. bummer.
— watermelon fresca — actually tastes like watermelon juice, sweetened with agave, this was probably my favorite thing
— catfish sandwich — the fish tasted kind of like something you could get in the frozen section at costco
— house chips — i think they put that seasoning that you get on your fries in middle school cafeterias
— chicken sandwich — not sure why this wasn’t fantastic because it all had the ingredients to be really good, the bun was probably the best part… same bun that most places use for lobster rolls
— lobster rolls only on the weekends
— buffalo cauliflower — probably because its the $ 10 restaurant week portion, but we only got 4 pieces and no celery
— baby kale salad — good, but not iwillcomehereagainjustforthesalad good

Good lunch spot. Came here for Restaurant Week and tried their 2 course lunch special with a drink for $ 10.
Buffalo cauliflower: good, there were only 5 – 6 tiny pieces but I guess you get what you pay for. I would assume if you paid the normal price of $ 9 for it then you would get a bigger portion.
Fried fish sandwich: ok, very lemony flavor. The roll was really soft. The chips on the side were fresh and yummy
Watermelon agua fresca: fine, tasted like watermelon juice
Cheesesteak: delicious! Best thing I tried. My bf ordered it and was still kind of hungry afterwards.
Overall, good food, kind of small portions for the price but it makes sense for the location. I’d come back again to try the bahn mi

Tackle Box is an amazing seaside restaraunt, and a local craze. Everything on the menu features perfectly prepared meats, along with fresh, falvorful toppings. If you favor seafood, or are a vegetarian, there is something for you too. There is a handfull of solely seafood options, and a few meatless entrees as well. There really is something for everyone here. The concepts are creative and mind blowing, you cannot fo wrong picking anything on the menu! My husband and I have eaten here a few times, and each time, we were blown away. Not only by the food, but also by the friendly and warm chef, along with the staff. The chef’s brother helps run the front, and he is a gem. Excellent service, even better food. Give it a try. You will be pleasantly amazed. TIP: try the buffalo cauliflower, or the clam chowder if you cannot choose an entrée. These two are HUGE hits with all the customers.

I’ve been looking forward to tasting chef Brian Huskey’s food ever since his debut on Top Chef. I would highly recommend the Pork Belly Bánh Mì and Salmon Poke which were both rich in flavor and tasted very fresh.
Amazing location on the beach with outdoor seating and free two hour parking.
Tip: Come early for the limited lobster rolls! All seafood is delivered live/​fresh and Tackle Box poaches shrimp and cooks the live lobsters on location.

Breakfast burrito and huevos rancheros are sooo good. I love that you can drive down and park without having to pay. For all of our beaches in Orange County, it is amazing that we have so few restaurants on the sand. This one is super tasty and the portions were surprisingly big.

Super casual and delicious beachside eats – this place might simply have it all.
The food is good, a fresh twist on some of the staples that you might find at a concessions stand, like sandwiches, salad, some yummy snacks (like Buffalo Cauliflower, or homemade chips), breakfast items, and hot or cold brew – not to mention, you can’t beat the view. It’s located right on Big Corona with 2-​hour free parking Tacklebox goers, or an easy walk for the locals.
Also, it’s especially great right now without the summer crowds. Get it while you can!

Absolutely one of the best! The food was delicious. Omg… the buffalo cauliflower, A must get! Clam chowder is fresh, Cali sandwich and catfish sandwich you can’t go wrong with, and the corn is hands down terrific. Chef Brian owns it and he is a cool guy, just really trying to have a community type business for all to come and be comfortable. Oh, the view… ocean front baby! You may see his brother too, he knows his stuff too! Great recommendations, and just a great OC vibe.

Love the idea of this place. Simple beach shack where you can hang out and enjoy the scenery while eating.
Food wasn’t very good and was real expensive.
$ 21 for a lobster roll that had soooo much mayo. I normally love that style as much as when it is served warm with butter. Couldn’t handle it. Very small as well. Needed acid.
Best part about the burger was the super fluffy bun. Patty was well done and dry but was somewhat saved by the caramelized onions and cheese.
Salmon poke was bland. Needed acid badly. Would not order again.
Fries were the best part. Best I’ve had in awhile.
All of the above + two waters ended up being like $ 52.
Tried some buffalo cauliflower that a friend ordered that was also one of the favorites. Crispy, good flavor from the buffalo sauce.

First of all. Can you beat eating right on the beach? Not a lot of places are like this.
The whole family went here after a walk. I met them, I don’t walk…
So I got the poke, which was actually really good. Big pieces salmon cut into it with some nice crunchy rice pieces on top. It was made in an orange base which was very different, not had that before but it was very good.
My wife got the lobster which is only served Saturday and Sunday. It comes in a squaw roll with generous portions of lobster. I really loved that.
Then the Bahn Mi was actually insane. Looks fairly normal, but the flavoring was absolutely great. Totally getting that next time.
The chicken club was reportedly «ok.» Didn’t try it though.
Lastly the Phillys Cheese Steak was good, but we’ve had some better.
So definitely get the Bahn Mi and maybe the Lobster.
Also the cold brew, sort of bitter. I make a better one at home.
Otherwise, definitely coming back, definitely loved it, and very happy with the food.

First time at The Tacklebox today. Love the FREE 2 hour parking right on the Beach.
Can’t beat the White water views, put you feet in the sand and enjoyed gourmet meal.
We tried:
Salmon Poke — yum
Buffalo Cauliflower — my new favorite dish of 2015 indescribable it was just so unique and so good.
Cali Cheesesteak — the roll was super light and airy buttery. Steak and sauce also a 10
Bahn Mi — excellent. I preferred the Cheesesteak but both my dining companions preferred the Bahn Mi.
Both Sandwiches came with super thin homemade Potato chips. Melt in your mouth.
And Jones cream soda — great
Our new favorite lunch spot — can’t wait to try Breakfast !

This place is the bomb! Everything i’ve tried has been absolutely delicious. I’m so lucky it’s right down the street so I can ride my bike over and try more menu items. It’s on the main beach on the back side of the snack shack. I tried the Breakfast sandwich and the breakfast burritto. The sandwich is my favorite. A perfect over easy egg sitting on top of cheese, bacon and lettuce on super fresh buttery bun… 1^st bite when the gooey egg oozes out — OMG!
Went back for lunch a few times and tried the cheesesteak which rocked my world (ribeye) and again with the freshest most delicious buns. The pork Bahn Mi with pickled relish was to die for and to my surprise I absolutely loved the buffalo cauliflower. Also, the potato chips are hand made and paper thin yuminess. Can’t wait to go back and try the lobster roll.
Spread the word and keep their business going strong in the off season!

Fantastic doesn’t begin to describe this little beach gem. So, I grew up going to Bolsa Chica and having to eat cheese wiz and potato chips. Now that I live a block from CDM, it is truly a treat to be able to walk to the tackle box and enjoy delicious food. I will walk down here without even staying at the beach. The food is always super fresh, and though it takes a while, it’s good to know they are preparing everything you order right there on the spot. This is restaurant quality food with the convenience of a walk up café. Seating is always a chess match, because of the summer crowds, but I’m looking forward to coming here time and time again even when the weather goes south. You can almost always catch the owner when you eat here and he is happy and grateful every time you say hello. Truly a fantastic installation into the beach community.

I walked by TackleBox last weekend and was amazed at the menu. So today we gave it a try. We tasted our way around 7 – 8 items on the lunch and sides menu. All were amazing for any restaurant. Having this food at the beach is out of bounds.
The pork Ban Mi sandwich, buffalo cauliflower, chips, and Brussels spouts all were 10 out of 10. Great place for foodies regardless of the beach. Just wish you could BYB of nice wine.
Will be back for breakfast next weekend.

Tackle Box is a hidden gem located in Corona Del Mar, just steps from the main beach, but I’m quite confident it won’t take much time for everyone to discover this five star «grub shack.» It’s only been open for about a month and people are already raving about the quality of the food.
One person I overheard while standing in line said to his friend, «The food here is so good. These guys are definitely going places!» Well, with Top Chef alum, Brian Huskey (from Season 11 — New Orleans), at the helm, I’d say these guys have already been places, big places, and Corona Del Mar is lucky to have him and Tackle Box in town.
My husband and I have eaten here twice so far, and everything we’ve tried has been amazing.
— The Agua Fresca sweetened with agave was not too sweet and quite perfect.
— The Pork Banh Mi sandwich had a nice kick and I would definitely order it again.
— The light, bright citrus notes of the Shrimp Roll refreshed my palate.
— The Lobster Roll came with huge chunks of fresh lobster. They only offer this on Saturdays and Sundays, and for good reason.
— The Cali Cheesesteak… OMG the Cali Cheesesteak!!! We decided to order this at the last minute when we heard other customers raving about it in line. There is a reason everyone was saying this is their favorite. You just have to try it for yourself.
— All sandwiches and rolls come with crispy, thin, house made potato chips. So yummy!!!
We still have yet to try their breakfast options, their cauliflower that everyone seems to be raving about, their poke, and so much more!
My only complaint, which isn’t really directed at Tackle Box has to do with the parking. Fighting the beach crowd to get here on a nice summer weekend day or weekend night is a losing battle. The first time we attempted to try this place was a Saturday evening and the beach parking lot was full, and we could not find parking on any of the side streets. We abandoned our attempt and reluctantly opted to have dinner elsewhere.
If you go during the week or before noon on weekends (during the summer), parking should be a breeze. We like to park for free on side streets and hike down to the beach and grub shack, but they do have parking for the beach/​Tackle Box available in the main parking lot for around $ 2 — $ 3 per hour as well.
Tackle Box is a must try for sure.

Tackle Box is my new favorite place in Corona del Mar and the OC! The sandwiches are great, on toasted rolls and amazing flavor combinations. I’ve had the shrimp roll, California Cheesesteak, pork belly bahn mi, salmon poke and chilaquiles. All were amazing, Top Chef quality food!

Great location– right off the shore on Big Corona Beach. It was only the fourth day so they still weren’t serving breakfast, but Andrew at the window kindly offered coffee and pastries. The apple danish and bear-​claw were superb as well as the Tackle Box coffee. The price was surprisingly low for the great quality. Eating on the wooden picnic tables with a refreshing morning sea breeze was picturesque. Would definitely recommend.

I dig it!
Randomly stumbled upon this spot while killing time at the beach. I just wanted a snack so I ordered their buffalo cauliflower. It had a nice kick to it! I liked it and would definitely need to try more from their menu. I then realized that it was this place’s opening weekend… No wonder it didn’t exist on Unilocal yet. The chef was swamped with work and the lady taking orders courteously told costumers that orders were taking about 20mins (which was no big deal since they had the best waiting area — the beach!).
Staff were friendly
Ambiance — socal beach
Food — tastey
Good vegetarian selection as well…
Benches for seating or take it to your claimed spot on the beach.