A SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL BUSINESS

The City of Huntington Beach has over 200,000 residents, and yet it retains a small-town feel where people know and support each other. Just ask these four diverse business owners, who have set up shop in Surf City USA—because it’s all about community. | BY MARCIE TAYLOR

HOUSEPLANT NATION

BY JOE KATCHKA

Brett Beale, owner of Beale’s Texas BBQ (16400 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, bealestexasbbq.com) at Peter’s Landing, opened up his eatery three years ago. One of a couple dozen blackowned restaurants in Orange Country, Beale learned his craft from pitmaster Bill Cannon of Texas BBQ Rub. He serves his barbecue with Bill’s “gold dust” along with traditional Southern sides like collard greens, mac and cheese, and yams. “The Huntington Beach community has been supportive and welcoming,” says Beale. “I love the community, for I was born and raised in Orange County [in Santa Ana], so it has been awesome to be back.” The husband-and-wife team of Tammy Ha and Joe Nguyen opened up Houseplant Nation (17045 Newland St., Huntington Beach), their second location, during the pandemic in September 2020. The nursery shop carries both common indoor plants and some rare tropical species, and it also o ers pottery and handmade goods from local artisans. “We are Huntington Beach residents, and our daughters go to school in HB,” says Ha. “Being a working mom and running your own business is tough, so I always wanted to have a space for my business in the same city where we live. We love living and working in HB. The ocean breeze reminds my husband of his hometown back in Vietnam, along the coast.”

WET DOG TAVERN BY JOE KATCHKA

Wet Dog Tavern (221 Main St., Huntington Beach, wetdogindustries. com), located two blocks from the Pier, is a dog-friendly, cozy restaurant with a stress-free vibe. “I really enjoy the excitement of Main Street,” says owner Kammy Major. “The locals are such a fun-loving group of people who really embody what our tavern is all about: togetherness and inclusivity.” Wet Dog Tavern has a full kitchen serving traditional pub classics including wings, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and a bar with local beers, liquors, and a great happy hour, seven days a week. The restaurant also hosts community events like for Pride month every June. “The city is always doing such a great job of organizing events for both locals and tourists,” says Major. “I think that the people of Huntington Beach are a driven group of people who really understand the meaning of the phrase ‘work hard, play hard’.

For authentic, fine Thai cuisine served by residents of Surf City USA, head over to Silk Thai (19690 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, ordersilkthaicuisine.com). Owned and operated by locals Sue Pittayavanich and Vandy Nuttased, who are both originally from Thailand, the menu has traditional dishes like lemongrass soup, pad Thai noodles, and jasmine fried rice. Spicy food enthusiasts will like the “Crying Tiger”—char-grilled, premium filet mignon marinated with a special homemade sauce, served medium rare with mixed vegetables and a chili-lime dipping sauce. As for why they opened their business in Huntington Beach, Nuttased says, “We love the beach, the weather, and the people!”