SeeCalifornia.com

Redondo Pier Taste photos: The iconic Tony’s where over one million Mai Tai cocktails have been served; Mike Trutanich greets customers; a family from Orange County samples ice cream at the Taste event.

By Chris MacDonald

More than 5,000 people came from all over to enjoy the 4th Annual “Taste of the Pier and Boardwalk” in Redondo Beach recently.

They purchased $1 “Taste Tickets” to sample delicious Salmon Chowder (Tony’s on the Pier), chicken tacos (El Torito), fresh-squeezed lemonade (Craig’s Hot Dog on a Stick), egg rolls (Mini Chinese), grilled Cajun shrimp (Portside Café), churros with caramel (Pier Bakery) or get handmade shell necklaces (T’s Toe Rings & Gifts), flashing LED pins (Awesome Blossoms) and so much more.

“I’ve never tasted better chowder. It’s absolutely delicious,” said Debbie Darlington of Canton, Ohio. “We plan our visits with relatives here to coincide with the Taste event.”

The chowder and incredible crab cakes came from Tony’s on the Pier, which other event participants enjoyed as well. “I love the crab cakes and like checking out all the autographed celebrity photos of customers who have dined at Tony’s the past 60 years,” said Navy retiree Billy Whitsett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa. He said he even met  Redondo Union High School graduates, the Smothers Brothers, whose photo hangs on the wall.

Whitsett and some of his former Navy pals stayed past the 4-hour event and enjoyed a legendary Sunset from the octagonal “Crows Nest,” which Tony designed himself, atop the restaurant. (The late Tony Trutanich flew on 25 missions, including D-Day, during World War II, and his proud son, Mike, helps run the iconic spot today.)

Martha Watson of Los Angeles used a ticket at the Shark Attack store to see the famous educational exhibit featuring the preserved remains of Georgette, a 16 ½-foot Great White Shark, which weighed 3,400 pounds. (Owner Judy Milner said their business is closing and they are donating the fascinating exhibit to The Ocean Institute in Dana Point.)

The Redondo Pier Association sponsored the Taste, which raised funds for the local Cancer Support Community and Educational Foundation. The Redondo Pier is located at 100 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA. To find out more see: RedondoPier.com