Restaurant Spotlight: The Shwack

By Cory Saul
24502 Del Prado, Dana Point, 949.218.2731, www.theshwack.com
BEST KNOWN FOR: Inexpensive beach fare
MOST POPULAR ITEM: Shwack Burger
Open now for just two weeks, this is local surfer dude Max Fisher’s first restaurant. Named after a surf maneuver (and a play on the word “shack”), The Shwack is a grill bent on serving up inexpensive, quality food at portions that will make any surfer happy. As a general contractor, Fisher renovated the former Starbucks himself. Distressed wood tables and upholstered benches line the windows, and Nation Surfboards, a local brand, hang from the walls. The food is designed for everyone, and priced for everyone, too. From the 1/3 lb. Shwack burger ($3.95) to the seared ahi tuna salad ($8.95), Fisher is combining fast-food prices with house-made, healthy beach food, and his reputation is growing. Just ask the tank-topped twenty-somethings packing the place and chowing down on now famous first baked then flash-fried Shwack Spuds. The local microbrews and everyday happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. probably don’t hurt either. Big, healthy, tasty, cheap, and one-of-a-kind. The Shwack is cool.
PRICE RANGE: $2.50-$8.95
PAYMENT: Cash, credit
RESERVATIONS: Not Needed
HOURS: Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., starting next week, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.