Eating in Laguna - Sawdust Arts Festival
Three Sawdust Eateries for Summer Laguna Beach Visitors
Jul 23, 2008
There are three main options for eating at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach, California. All are deli style where you order from a window and wait for your number to be called (although at Deb’s they call you by name). You can eat at one of the two main seating areas, which are called the Tavern Stage and the Grille Stage respectively, or you may take your food and beverage to any of the numerous benches situated through the Festival grounds.
Laguna Taco Bowl
The Laguna Taco Bowl offers a wide selection of reasonably priced Mexican favorites such as burritos, tacos, tostada salads, taquitos and quesadillas. The chicken “wet burrito” (this is simply any of the "Big Burritos" with red sauce and melted cheese) is a great value for the money and, while not quite authentic Mexican, is really quite good. The tostada salad topped with fish or chicken is also a favorite, as are the fish tacos. Good food at a great price makes the Laguna Taco Bowl a great choice when visiting Sawdust.
Deb's Deli
Deb’s Deli offers deli sandwiches, salads and more. The wraps are huge and delicious and may be the best value at Deb’s (try the Citrus chicken wrap with Teriyaki chicken, mandarin oranges, pineapple, cashews, and Deb’s special sesame dressing). Deb's also has hot dogs, and, if you like corn dogs, this is the place (order a Hush Puppy). Deb's also offers some great vegetarian options including Veggie Chili and a Garden Burger. Do enjoy Deb’s trademark animal crackers which come with every sandwich, and, if you dare, have the chocolate frozen banana for dessert.
Greek Island Grille - "The Whole Pita"
The Greek Island Grill, despite its far mellower location by the Grille Stage (to the far right upon entering the festival grounds), consistently has some of the best food at Sawdust. Try the moussaka (fantastic bechamel sauce!) and the pita bundles (especially the Leg O' Lamb souvlaki). The lamb stew is perfect if the night is cool. Salads, appetizers (the dolmades are pretty good and the Greek island variety platter with dolmades, spanakopita, hummus, melitzanoslata. feta cheese, marinated Kalamata, and olives is great to share) and baklava are all available. Good value and great food should be expected at the Greek Island Grill, although you may want to take your food back over to the Tavern Stage seating area if you want to feel “part of it all.”
Sawdust Saloon
Back over at the Tavern Stage, you will find the Sawdust Saloon serving a wide selection of beer (both on tap and bottled), as well as a few select wines, occasional margaritas, and other libations. The Sawdust Saloon almost always runs drink specials, so be sure to check the board or ask what’s on special. You can also get soda and coffee (and Dippin’ Dots) at the Saloon (use the windows to the left). There is almost always live music at the Tavern Stage between 10:30 a.m. and 9:45 p.m., although it can be difficult to find a seat during lunch and dinner hours. The Festival’s only public bathrooms are also located adjacent to the Tavern Stage.
If You Go
The Sawdust Art Festival is open from the end of June to the end of July daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission in 2008 is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors (65+), $3.00 for kids (6-12), and free for children under six. Season and annual passes are also available ($20.00 and $25.00 respectively). Be sure to check the Sawdust Arts Festival website for promotions and coupons to save money on admission. When eating at Sawdust, have cash on hand or plan to visit the ATM near the Festival entrance.
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