Aiming to beef up business

Summer is right around the corner, but locals have more to look forward to than just the coming season.

Bay Burger, at the Balboa Fun Zone in Newport Beach, changed management in April, and new owners Rob and Rosemarie Brown of Huntington Beach have taken on the challenge of making it their own.

The Fun Zone has been pretty quiet over the past few months, so these first-time restaurant owners hope their improvement of the facility and the menu will bring in some new faces.

“I’m hoping by summer it is going to be busy,” owner Rob Brown said. “Business is starting to pick up, so I expect to have a good crowd.”

Brown said he believes customers will most enjoy the nautical theme he and his wife created at Bay Burger, and the use of quality meats and produce in the food selections.

“It was old and dirty before, but we’ve cleaned it up and given a punch to it,” Brown said.

The highlight of the menu is their new Angus Beef Burger, which is made from a half-pound patty of 100% Angus beef, green leaf lettuce, fresh tomatoes and quality buns.

In addition, the menu will include Hebrew National hot dogs, fresh salads, chicken and seafood selections and soft-serve ice cream. And, staying true to the nautical theme, Bay Burger is decorated with netting and sea creatures along the walls.

“It’s like being at Disneyland, not at McDonald’s or Carl’s Jr.,” Brown said.

Brown believes the restaurant is a place where people of all ages can go to enjoy a good meal.

“It’s a place for families as well as teens and guys in their 20s to 30s,” Brown said.

The Browns are relying on word-of-mouth for now to get new business at Bay Burger, but said they have also been getting a lot of support from local businesses in the area.

“We’re doing the right thing fixing up Bay Burger, and locals like Balboa Saloon and Class of 47 are helping us spread the word,” Brown said. “It’s going well so far.”dpt.29-bizspot-CPhotoInfo071RE7V020060529izwr5cncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)Rob Brown of the new Bay Burger in the Balboa Fun Zone has improved the menu and choices. The fast food restaurant now offers made-to-order Angus beef hamburgers, fresh salad and French fries.