The Park Bench Café was opened in 1988 by its proprietors, Mike and Christie Bartusick. Our outdoor cafe has established itself as a hidden gem among the locals and dog owners. Being family owned and operated has given this eatery a home-away-from-home feel. In addition to family, staffing of numerous employees provides the appeal and operation of a full-fledged restaurant that can seat 140 guests at one time. As hectic as it may get, especially during the summer months, Mike and Christie are always striving to make your dining experience one of your favorites.
Throughout the years we attract many guests celebrating with family reunions. The outdoor seating provides the perfect setting for families, as their children are able to play in the park within sight of their parents while waiting for their meals to be served.
Although the large menu provides many delicious breakfast and lunch entrees, it’s the doggie menu that gets the most attention… and laughs. Since 1993, the Canine Cuisine menu has proven to be a hit with dogs and their owners, to the extent that it has attracted media attention worldwide. Dogs are not only pampered with the Dog Menu, which includes items such as Bow-Wow-Wow chicken and Rover Easy scrambled eggs but also given their own Doggie Dining Section. On the grass they lie besides their owners at umbrella-shaded table and mingle with their own kind. While dining, many dog owners have formed treasured friendships with other dog owners and now meet weekly for breakfast or lunch. Several dog rescue groups caught on to this novel approach and currently hold their monthly meetings at our place. The Park Bench Café is so unique that one can find writings about us in various newspapers such as the O.C. Register or the L.A. Times, in books like, “The dog Lovers Companion to California” or on websites such as Dogfriendly.com which has given us the highest kudos. Recently The Park Bench has been featured on Animal Planets, “ Most Extreme” series.
The location of The Park Bench Café can’t be matched anywhere. Nestled amongst the trees in the beautiful Huntington Beach Central Park, this eatery offers the most picturesque and serene setting to dine. Alongside the Park Bench Café, the 350 acres of park is also home to the HB Dog Park, Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center, Central Library and Cultural Center, Huntington Beach Playhouse, Adventure Playground, HB Sports Complex, Huntington Beach Disc Golf Course, Lake Huntington and the Shipley Nature Center. Huntington Beach Central Park also hosts many activities and special events throughout the year, including an annual Civil War Re-enactment, Summer Band Concert Series, BB Jazz Concert, Concourse d’Elegance Car Show, Shakespeare in the Park and an annual Easter Egg Hunt.
We look forward to seeing you for breakfast or lunch and whether you reward your pooch with a run on the mile-long Huntington Dog Beach or a trip to the H.B. Dog Park, make sure to spoil them at our pet friendly restaurant where, “Every Dog Has His Day at the Park Bench Café.”