ROCK & BREWS
KISS FOUNDERS DELIVER THE GOODS TO THE SOUTH BAY

KISS founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are no strangers when it comes to showmanship and crowd-pleasing, whether onstage or feeding the masses. Teaming up with notable restaurateur Michael Zislis and concert industry veterans Dave and Dell Furano, they launched a rockin’ mix of good food and drinks with rock star swagger with their Rock & Brews brand.

With their original location in El Segundo open since April 2012, they partnered with South Bay pro athlete Jon Mesko and opened Rock & Brews PCH in Redondo Beach, which even featured a live KISS concert on opening night (right above the bar). There’s even a Rock & Brews Los Cabos, and there are plans to open at LAX in the Delta terminal, in Maui, Agoura Hills, and Kansas City.

Rock & Brews features an impressive array of casual American dishes, from handcrafted burgers, delicious sandwiches, and killer pizzas, along with more than 60 craft beers on tap as well as a full  bar. Rock & Brews Redondo Beach even offers a Yellow Submarine play area for kids and dog-friendly al fresco dining.

The restaurant and bar feature a cool mix of rock bravado (from the artwork on the walls to the music playing in the background) without being cheesy. As far as a place to hang out in the South Bay, if you’re looking for somewhere to chill without a beach view, then this is a cool and causal place for eats and drinks.

I recommend starting off with a Paradise City, a refreshing mix of Kettle One and Paulaner, which is guaranteed to get you going. With an impressive beer list, we let partner Jon Mesko pair the appropriate beers with several menu items. You can’t go wrong with any of the following.

Start with the Strawberry Fields Salad, a pleasant mix of baby greens, strawberries, cucumbers, red onions, candied walnuts, feta cheese and sliced avocados tossed in lemon pepper vinaigrette, and pair it with the Czech Pilsner Urquell.

The Spicy Asian Wings, flavored with spices from all over Asia are sweet, tangy and spicy and finished with chopped cilantro, ranch and fresh vegetables, are some of the best wings I can recall having anywhere, they’re just so damn flavorful, and the White Dog (El Segundo Brewing Company) goes just perfect with it.

Another favorite is the Bill Graham BBQ Chicken Pizza, fire-grilled chicken breast, BBQ sauce, red onion, and cilantro, with Mozzarella and Gouda cheese; it’s hearty and so savory, and the Beach House Amber (Strand Brewing Company in Torrance) brings out just the right flavors.

Really hearty menu items include the Ultimate Burger, melted double cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, tomato, lettuce, dill pickles and Thousand Island Dressing on a fresh baked sesame seed bun, and the Santa Maria Tri-Tip Sandwich with toasted sourdough roll with garlic aioli, mixed greens, fresh Pico de Gallo, and a touch of BBQ sauce, and both pair so well with a Hanger 24 Double IPA (Redlands). Both the burger and Tri Tip sandwich will satisfy and I’m a huge fan of Hanger 24 so I love the recommended pairing.

Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, go with the Purple Rain Chocolate Rain Drops, six chocolate filled French donuts drizzled with a raspberry sauce and served with a side of whipped cream for dipping, and make sure to pair it with Black Butte (Deschutes Brewery). Take a bite of a Drop and you’ll ask yourself how can this get any better? Pair if the Black Butte, that’s how.

Kudos to Mesko and his rockin’ team for the spot-on pairings that really help elevate great American comfort food to another level. As the famous KISS stage introduction goes, “You wanted the best, you got the best!”

Rock & Brews PCH is located at 6300 Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, and Rock & Brews El Segundo is located at 143 Main Street.