Does eating in a communal space while drinking a beer sound like a fun time? If it does then SteelCraft in Garden Grove is the place for you. This style of open-air casual, communal style eateries are becoming increasingly popular in Orange County. SteelCraft Garden Grove features Beachwood Brewing, Duck Donuts, Bird Talk, Buddha Belly, The Penalty Box, Barrio, Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, and Tea Otter.
SteelCraft is a trio of like-styled concept locations built out of repurposed shipping containers with centrally located picnic table-style communal dining areas. Garden Grove is the first of its kind in the county and is the third SteelCraft rolled out since 2017. The other SteelCraft locations are in Long Beach and Bellflower. These community craft food and drink destinations offer everything from coffee to wine to community events to live music all featured within the barrier of SteelCraft.
Barrio
Barrio (Also pronounced Mat Jip in Korean means “Tasty House”), this outstanding blended cultural experience combines Korean and Filipino cuisines. The married Korean and Filipino couple brings state-side ethnic skewers, with sides of kimchi, calamansi slushies, lumpia and much more. This, merged with American cuisine, also brings SteelCraft a fusion burrito never to forget. Barrio is open 11am to 8pm Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 11am to 9pm Friday and Saturday. Be sure to check them out!
Beachwood Brewing
Beachwood Brewing is a spin off of Beachwood BBQ restaurant and has been a fixture of Long Beach since 2011. They have a focus on brewing but in 2018, after seven years in business they partnered with Stone and further expanded their standing as a successful brewery. The brewery features various types of beers ranging from pale ales to stouts. This popular brewery has up to 20 beers on tap and features to-go cans and bottles if you want to take a taste home. Beachwood is open 11:30 am to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday, and 11:30 am to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. They are closed on Mondays.
Cauldron Ice Cream
Cauldron Ice Cream is known for their pufflecone and signature flower shaped ice cream. This artisan ice cream shop makes all of their base flavors in-house and makes a show out of their liquid nitrogen process of making each dish come to life. Cauldron is a must visit for the ice cream connoisseur. They are open from 12pm until 8pm Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 12pm to 9pm on Friday and Saturday.
Chick N’ Shack
This SouthEast Asia inspired chicken shop is sure to delight even the most daring food expert. Chick N’ Shack is a fast dining styled restaurant that boasts their ability to make “everything chicken” Asian-inspired, but for every culture. Chick N’ Shack is open 11:30am to 8pm Wednesday through Sunday, so be sure to conquer your next chicken craving here.
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Dark Horse Coffee Roasters roasts their superior coffee beans in-house daily. This coffee shop looks to truly live their mantra “relax, it’s just coffee.” Dark Horse Coffee offers convenient classic and nitro cold brew cans so you can have your favorite coffee on the go, anytime. Dark Horse Coffee Roasters is open from 7:30am to 6pm Tuesday through Sunday to give you a jolt in the morning or to combat your midday grogginess.
Merenda
Merenda means snack in Italian which is usually a meal between lunch and dinner. This Italian restaurant features paninis, pizza, pastas, Italian soda and so much more that is made in-house daily with healthy and thoughtful ingredients. Staying true to a local pizzeria, this shop offers delivery besides the experiences offered inside SteelCraft. They are open from 4pm to 9pm Sunday through Thursday (closed Monday), and 4pm to 10pm Friday and Saturday.
The Penalty Box
The Penalty Box is the latest and only casual dining experience from NHL Hockey Hall of Famer and former Anaheim Ducks Captain Teemu Selanne. This restaurant features hockey themed and rink inspired eats including pucks, sticks and twigs, also known as burgers, hot dogs and fries. They also offer shakes, beer, and bottled sodas. Every meal item is made from the highest quality ingredients and truly worth checking out! They are open from 12pm to 8pm Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 12pm to 9pm Friday and Saturday (Closed Monday).
Renegade Taco
This catering company offers a fusion taco culinary concept crafted from the highest quality ingredients and made from scratch daily. Renegade Taco brings a whole new experience to the taqueria makeup. They have regular events at SteelCraft and places like the Anaheim Packing House. They are open 12pm to 7:30pm Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday and 12pm to 8:30pm Friday and Saturday, be sure to check them out!
Wilson Creek Winery
The latest addition to the SteelCraft family is Wilson Creek Winery hailing from Temecula Wine Country is set to open later this year. Their new location in Garden Grove marks the winery’s first venture outside of Temecula. Wilson Creek is known for their quality wines, almond champagne and their special frozé. Frozé is simply frozen wine. Stop by to welcome Wilson Creek when they open.
Experience SteelCraft
This communal dining experience is fun for everyone with the various family friendly eateries that are sure to please and feature a vintage arcade and cornhole games. SteelCraft makes eating an experience you will never forget so stop in and stay a while.
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Rebecca has an undeniable love of writing and recently graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a degree in journalism. She enjoys watching hockey, scuba diving, swimming, and working out.