Pete's Sunset Grille - Huntington Beach

The menu is quite lengthy, but it seems that about half of it is advertisements. Given its prime location near the beach and inside a hotel courtyard, it's on the pricier side. Despite the extensive menu, the food selection isn't particularly diverse, although the dishes they do offer sound quite appetizing. We were tempted by a BBQ buffet and, after some discussion, we all succumbed to the allure of unlimited grilled meat. The buffet included potato salad, macaroni salad, green salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, various types of bread, coleslaw, beef brisket, smoked sausage, pork ribs, chicken, a variety of cakes, and star coffee. I appreciated the macaroni salad for not being overly mayonnaise-y, making it a refreshing side between bites of delicious meat. If you enjoy corn on the cob that’s quite oily, then you’ll love theirs. The baked beans were sweet and paired well with the meat. The beef brisket was occasionally a bit fatty, but that didn’t bother me. The meat was somewhat tough, yet it retained enough tenderness to be enjoyable. Unfortunately, the chicken was the weakest dish – it was dry, flavorless, and tough, which I really didn't like. The pork ribs, however, were the highlight of the meal. While the outer layer of meat was sometimes a bit too crispy and burnt for my liking, the actual meat was tender and easy to chew. Typically, the meat pulled right off the bone without being overcooked and just falling apart. I probably ended up eating an entire rack! As for desserts, I found them delightful. They had cheesecake, pancakes, apple cake, chocolate mousse, and cookies. Pete Mallory's is a lovely, laid-back restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while listening to some great music, all while sipping coffee and devouring meat. However, be prepared to pay a premium, as it's not a budget-friendly place. I feel that the high prices and average food balance out the lovely atmosphere and live music.