BUD & GENE’S on the Huntington Beach Pier (Orange County Tribune photos).

By Jim and Marilyn Tortolano

You don’t need to go to the ends of the earth to find a pleasing blend of seafood and burgers in an informal, idyllic setting.

You might only need to go to the end of the pier.

Bud & Gene’s – named after Surf City’s pioneering lifeguards – is the new eatery at the far end of Huntington Beach’s iconic pier.

It’s filled the spot long occupied by Ruby’s but has – in some ways – outdone its predecessor.

It’s got a more varied menu, with oysters, Ahi, shrimp, etc., but also some first-rate hand food such as an excellent burger and French fries.

We strolled through a sunny and warm afternoon to Bud & Gene’s and were pleased by its dining room, sunny and open with white walls and picnic-style tables.

A BIG WEDGE SALAD

You order at the counter and the wait staff brings you your food, and fairly quickly.

Marilyn ordered a wedge salad with shrimp and found it to be quite generous in size and delicious in taste and freshness. There was plenty of shrimp and all the trimmings of bacon, onions, etc. 

Jim went straight for the B&G Burger, and he’s glad he was hungry. Two beef patties totaling 1/3 a pound of meat, with cheese and onions on a sesame seed bun with an excellent side of seasoned fries.

It was one of the best burgers he’s ever had, and it outstrips what you could buy at the Ruby’s that used to occupy that space.

JIM BATTLES BIG BURGER

There’s also an assortment of wines and beers to go with your meal,

Now, regarding the abundance of the dishes, the principle of “you get what you pay for” applies here. Jim’s burger was $16 (with fries) and Marilyn’s salad (with shrimp) was $22.

Bud & Gene’s may not be for those who are on a tight budget, but there’s plenty here for people with an appetite for good American food.

One post-script: B&G’s is still a work in progress, with expansion into the second floor underway. The new look, alas, will see the picnic-style table replaced by more conventional booths and tables on both floors.

Too bad, because we rather liked the park-like ambiance of its present look.

“Bud & Gene’s” is located at 1 Main St., Huntington Beach. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.