Location, location, location

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So my husband and I headed out on our usual weekend bike ride Sunday with a special ride’s-end reward beckoning. We take the beach bike path that stretches from Santa Monica to the South Bay, and we’d noticed the weekend before that there was a smoker set up outside at Alfredo’s, the concession stand at El Porto Beach in Manhattan Beach. (We’d noticed because the enticing aromas reached us as we rolled by.) We made plans to stop there for lunch. But though the woman at the counter assured us that it had NEVER happened before, the barbecue guy hadn’t shown up by lunchtime the day we stopped. Disgruntled and famished (we’re talking miles of anticipation) we ordered what we figured would be distant also-rans: a tuna sandwich and a veggie burger. Oh, and fries. It turned out to be the best meal we’d had all week -- simply prepared, perfectly seasoned, fresh and tasty. Sure, you’ll say. Put a half-dozen miles of pavement behind you and the curling surf in front and anything will taste good. Not so. We’ve sampled the wares at more than one beachfront burger stand. But the exercise and view don’t hurt.

-- Susan LaTempa

Alfredo’s, just south of 40th Street and the Strand, Manhattan Beach.

Photos by Susan LaTempa