Harbor Grill
34499 Golden Lantern Street
Dana Point
949.240.1416
www.harborgrill.com
Compiled by Rachel Johnson, Assistant Administrative Analyst, Dana Point Community Development
The city of Dana Point has chosen Harbor Grill as the Business of the Month for February.
After working and being around restaurants for many years, owner John Hicks and his wife, Wanda, dreamed of opening their own restaurant.
The perfect opportunity presented itself in the Dana Point Harbor in the spring of 1984. The Hicks decided to relocate from San Francisco to Dana Point and opened the Harbor Grill.
With John as manager and Wanda taking care of daily business, Harbor Grill was an instant success.
Growing up in the restaurant, their son Keegan decided to focus his college career in resort and restaurant management. In 2002, Keegan took over the day-to-day operation of the family business in preparation for becoming the operating proprietor in 2006 when John retired.
Today Harbor Grill employs approximately 45 people.
The Harbor Grill sets itself apart from other restaurants with its mesquite grill that gives meat a tremendous amount of flavor while still keeping it healthy.
Executive Chef Angel Fabian has been with Harbor Grill for more than 30 years, offering a delicious array of dishes from more traditional to elaborate recipes and inventive styles.
Harbor Grill serves lunch, dinner and a Sunday champagne breakfast.
The staff at Harbor Grill has created an atmosphere that makes customers feel at home from the moment they enter the restaurant, striving to provide fine food and excellent service in a casual atmosphere. And their commitment to quality is of utmost importance in every aspect of the business, which has contributed to them being named the Best Overall Restaurant in Dana Point in the Dana Point Times’ “Best of Dana Point People’s Choice Lantern Awards” for the past five years. The Harbor Grill has also consistently been named one of the top 10 seafood restaurants in Orange County by Open Table.
The Hicks family believes operating a successful business is more than just making a profit and feels strongly about investing back into the community. They have provided support for many local nonprofits including Dana Hills High School foundations, Fish for Life, Dana Point Symphony, Mission Hospital Foundation and the Assistance League of Saddleback Valley, to name a few.
Keegan has said if they are asked to help, he will find a way for the Harbor Grill to be involved, but still believes his greatest accomplishment is when someone tells him they had a great meal as they leave the restaurant.
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