Bread Head
Sandwich shop · Manhattan Beach ·
Sandwich shop with house-baked focaccia-style bread
Sandwich shop with house-baked focaccia-style bread
"The sandwich mavens over at Bread Head now have a second location in Manhattan Beach, just a block away from the pier. The menu is nearly identical, with whole or half portions of sandwiches on their crackly-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside bread. Plus, this one has extra patio seating." - cathy park
"Just steps from the water, this Manhattan Beach offshoot of LA’s focaccia-sandwich stars turns out summer’s ultimate bite: a peak-season tomato BLT on salty, crackly bread that sits somewhere between focaccia and ciabatta. The BLT gets garlic mayo, iceberg, sliced tomato, and Nueske’s bacon, and pairs well with “picnic nachos” (a pint of house pimento cheese with Have’a chips) and an icy Arnold Palmer; go half-sandwich to stay under $25, or opt for the much-talked-about vegetarian build stacked with mozzarella and springy alfalfa sprouts. Must-try dishes: BLT, vegetarian sandwich." - Rebecca Roland
"A focaccia-sandwich shop steps from the water serving summer’s ultimate sandwich — a peak-season tomato BLT on salty, crackly bread that texturally crosses somewhere between focaccia and ciabatta. The shop’s BLT, swiped with garlic mayo and piled with iceberg lettuce, sliced tomato, and Nueske’s bacon, makes for near-ideal picnic fare; pair it with the shop’s "picnic nachos," really a small pint of homemade pimento cheese with Have’a tortilla chips, and an icy Arnold Palmer. Mix and match with the half-sandwich option or go all in on the one you love most. Vegetarian options include a mozzarella sandwich stacked high with alfalfa sprouts; the shop doesn’t have a gluten-free focaccia supplier yet but one day, we’re sure, it will (maybesomeone nearby in Venice can help). Recommended by Nicole Adlman, Eater cities manager." - Eater Staff
"The sandwich mavens over at Bread Head now have a second location in Manhattan Beach, just a block away from the pier. The menu is nearly identical, with whole or half portions of sandwiches on their crackly-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside bread. Plus, this one has extra patio seating. We haven’t been here yet, but want you to know this spot exists." - Cathy Park
"A popular Santa Monica sandwich shop that opened its first standalone location on Montana Avenue in 2024 after operating as a pop-up. The Manhattan Beach site is slated to open in May 2025, while a Westwood location remains under development. The concept comes from Trois Mec veteran chefs Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder, who developed a signature bread that "falls somewhere between focaccia and ciabatta" — an airy, chewy loaf used for sandwiches that can be ordered full or half (half sizes swing in under $15). Sandwiches are "stacked on its airy and chewy bread," loaded with cured meats, cheese, and vegetables; specific offerings include a simple ham and butter, a fully-loaded muffaletta with salami, mortadella, Swiss, and more, a muffuletta layering salami cotto, mortadella, and pit-smoked ham, roasted turkey with Calabrian chile-infused mayo, a stacked BLT, and a vegetarian-friendly mozzarella with avocado, alfalfa sprouts, and za’atar. Rotating daily specials correspond to days of the week (for example, a Monday meatball sandwich and a Cubano available only on Wednesdays). Sides include Zapp’s Voodoo chips and homemade sweet tea. The operation is part of the Bread Head Restaurant Group, owned by the two chefs alongside former Night + Market operations director Michael Pasternak and Venice Brands founder Greg Willsey. Williams told Eater in June 2024: "Let’s grow this into the next sandwich chain," and added, "We’d love to see [the brand] across the states." - Rebecca Roland
