Big Belly Deli - Newport Beach

It was a cloudy day in Huntington Beach. What can we do to bring a little sunshine into our lives? Why, ride your bike down the strand to Big Belly Deli, that's what! We called Neighbors Matt and Tammy, and texted Friend Christina to see if they'd like to join the expedition, and they did. After airing up the tires and adjusting some bike seats, we began our ride down to Newport Beach.

The Big Belly Deli is a cute little beach dive that serves up sandwiches, salads, pizza, and beer. It's located right on PCH, and most people just walk or ride there. The parking on the street is hard to come by. The walls are covered with pictures of patrons holding "Big Belly Deli" signs in various parts of the world, and there are a few video games to pass the time too.

Big Belly Deli: Building Better Bellies

You've probably passed this place a million times!

I ordered the Grilled Veggie Salad with Chicken. The salad was topped with red and yellow bell peppers, onions, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, mushrooms, olives, and melty cheese. It was served with a warm, buttery breadstick and Tabasco ranch. The last time I was there I ordered the Ragin' Cajun, and I said I'd get that every time, but I'm glad I branched out today. There were some great flavors going on!

Grilled Veggie Salad with Chicken

Dear Ben always gets the Cheesesteak. It's one of the best cheesesteak sandwiches I've ever had, and it's consistently good. If you like cheesesteak sandwiches, you should definitely give this one a try! The cheese seems to smother every morsel of meat, and the peppers and onions are always cooked just right. Dear Ben's side dish today was the macaroni salad.

Cheesesteak

Friend Christina ordered an Antipasto Salad. It was piled high with pepperoni, salami, ham, Canadian Bacon, black olives, tomatoes, and cheese with Italian dressing. It looked sinfully delicious. She's so good about portion control - she only ate half!

Antipasto Salad

Neighbor Tammy opted for the 1/2 sandwich and 1/2 salad. We all agreed that it would be so much better if you could pick which sandwich and salad you'd like half of. Instead, they pick for you. You get the turkey and provolone with the green salad. I didn't hear her raving about it across the table, so I'd say it was average. Their hot sandwiches are definitely where it's at.

1/2 & 1/2

Neighbor Matt got the "6310" sandwich, named for their address I guess. It was loaded down with turkey, avocado, bacon, cheese, and all the other sandwich fixin's on grilled foccacia bread. I've always wanted to try it, and I think I will sometime. He also indulged in a Snickerdoodle cookie, and it did smell exactly how you'd hope it would.

6310

When our pitcher of beer was empty, we hopped back on our bikes. With the wind blowing right in our face, the ride was longer and harder. Nature's little way of working off some of those excess calories, I guess.

... and those are my Notes from the Napkin!

Big Belly Deli
6310 W Coast Hwy

Newport Beach, CA 92663
http://www.bigbellydeli.com/