30-Plus Top Summer Restaurant Specials 2022: Greater L.A.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — Keep the summer vibe alive with seasonal dining deals. Check out some of the best, splurge-worthy offerings from restaurants throughout the Greater Los Angeles region, along with some budget-friendly freebies and discounts.

Among the options: free guacamole and chips for National Avocado Day (July 31); watermelon sips and salads for National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3); and seafood spreads for National Oyster Day (Aug. 5).

Peruse the list, and find what appeals to you and all tastes and budgets.

And don't miss the photo slideshow at the top of this post for some visual inspiration (like the Red Hot Chili Peppers doughnut at Randy's Donuts).

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BAR LOUIE: This summer's limited-time menu is tropics-themed, with a Lu-au Burger (topped with barbeque pulled pork, grilled pineapple, macadamia slaw on King’s Hawaiian buns), Tropical Loaded Donut Holes (with lime cream, pineapple, toasted coconut) & Island Hopper mocktail. The new Aloha Punch summer cocktail features Bacardí Tropical, orange, passion fruit, guava & pineapple wedge — and for each one sold, $1 will be donated to World Central Kitchen. See website here. Locations at Northridge Fashion Center and The Promenade at Downey.

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BIRDIE G'S: A new "Early Birdie's Happy Hour"—with $5 to $15 snacks and cocktails — recently launched daily 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and includes such new dishes as Vernors-baked ham with pickled melon ($14) and the whipped avocado with fried matzo (a Jewish spin on guac & chips for $12). Info here. At 2421 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica.

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BJ'S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE: Cool off this summer with sweet and tart, sour fruit beer "Yuzu the Dragon" on tap through mid-August, while supplies last. The limited-time brew hails from a BJ's partnership with New Belgium Brewing Co. Find locations throughout Greater L.A. Website.

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BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: “Ranch Hand Plates,” offered at a discounted $20.22 through Sept. 1. Choose from ribeye or salmon, with broccoli & wild rice. Plus, Prime Club Members can score a $10 gas gift card through July 31 when they spend at least $50. Website here. Locations include Burbank, Lancaster, Lakewood, Northridge, Torrance, Ventura & Whittier.

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BROAD STREET OYSTER COMPANY: Offered for a limited time at Broad Street Oyster Company in Malibu —a self-described "grown-up version of a pop-up" — is the Spicy Soft Shell Sando. The sandwich on brioche bun features fresh, deep-fried Maryland soft shell crab, with slaw & Fresno chile aioli. The sandwich is only in Malibu, but all restaurants locations, with seafood & more are: 23359 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles; and Smorgasburg LA at 777 Alameda St. Website here.

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CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Celebrate the season with CPK's new summer menu highlighting seafood & fresh berries. Among new dishes: seafood cioppino, a flavorful stew; the California Fields Salad with watermelon, strawberries & California-grown pistachios; and a piled-high strawberry shortcake. Summer beverages include fruit sangria & sparkling watermelon cooler. Website. Find restaurants here.

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DEL TACO: Snag a BOGO deal through July 31: Buy one Crispy Chicken Taco and get one free when ordering via the Del Yeah!™ Rewards app or online. And on July 31, National Avocado Day, rewards members can score free regular chips & guac or queso with $5 purchase. One per customer. Plus new limited-time items, including Queso Crunchtadas, $3 BreakFiesta & Strawberry Piñata Shake made with M&M’S, just hit menus. Website here.

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DOG HAUS: The new "Uncle Morty," a limited-time creation with beef patty, white American cheese, pastrami, dill pickles, caramelized onions & garlic aioli on grilled King’s Hawaiian Rolls, is offered at all restaurants Aug. 1 through Sept. 30. A collab with TV and YouTube personality Sam Zien, aka “Sam the Cooking Guy,” the sandwich is a benefit burger with $1 of every sale to charity partner, No Kid Hungry. See website for info & locations.

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DUNKIN': Stay cool with the Brown Sugar Cream Cold Brew, part of the chain's summer offerings. Also on menus for a limited time are the Mango Pineapple Dunkin’ Refresher, Cake Batter Signature Latte, Butter Pecan Iced Coffee & Sunrise Batch Iced Coffee. Everything Stuffed Bagel Minis — served warm — are back for the season, along with Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese, Omelet Bites & Cornbread Donut & MUNCHKINS Donut Hole Treats. And DD Perks members can earn 3X points on Iced Espresso beverages through July 31. Website here.

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EL POLLO LOCO: Celebrating National Avocado Day on July 31 with a free small chips and guac with purchase of $1 or more. Offer is for Loco Rewards loyalty members. For more info or to join rewards program, visit this link. Locations listed here.

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HABIT BURGER GRILL: New to menus for summer dining: the Chargrilled Peach Salad, from Habit's Executive Chef Adam Baird. Salad features chargrilled peaches and chicken, pickled red onions & diced tomatoes. Find locations here. Details.

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ISLANDS FINE BURGERS & DRINKS: Toast summer with limited-time, watermelon margaritas, featuring Sauza Hacienda Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, watermelon juice, agave nectar & lime juice. Also on summer menu: the Heat Wave Burger, a 1982 original menu item with jalapeños, ortega green chilies, pepper jack cheese, spicy mayo, lettuce & tomato. Website. Find LA-area locations here.

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JAMBA: Enjoy a sweet deal Aug. 3, National Watermelon Day, with $5 medium Watermelon Breeze Smoothie at participating stores. Use promo code ‘MELONDAY’ online or in-store at checkout. Plus Jamba Rewards members can score a $5 medium Classic or Plant-Based Watermelon Breeze smoothie every Saturday & Sunday through Aug. 21 — valid once per day, per guest at participating shops. Info. Location finder here.

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KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN: Budget-approved, $5 Mac & Cheese Bowls are back for a limited time. The dish features cheddar mac & cheese topped with KFC’s crispy popcorn chicken & three-cheese blend. Or turn up the heat this summer & order Spicy KFC Mac & Cheese Bowl, featuring KFC’s spicy, smoky Nashville Hot sauce. Details here.

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MOD PIZZA: Limited-time summer offerings include the Cheesy-Backyard-Burger Pizza (Spiceology-seasoned ground beef, cheddar & mozzarella cheeses, tomatoes, pickle chips, arugula & drizzle of Roma ranch) & return of customer-favorite – the Strawberry Summer Salad (greens, strawberries, cucumbers, gorgonzola crumbles & pickled red onions, vinaigrette & balsamic-fig glaze.) Both available through Sept. 11 at all sites. Location finder here. See website here.

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NOODLES & COMPANY: Noodles Rewards members can take 50 percent off all zucchini "Zoodle" dishes, including Zucchini Grilled Orange Chicken, Zucchini Pesto with Grilled Chicken, Zucchini Roasted Garlic Cream with Grilled Chicken & more, from Aug. 5-8. Plus, diners who sign up for Noodles Rewards for first time will receive free, small entree after first purchase using the Noodles Rewards app, valid for 30 days. Area locations include Downey. Website here.

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PHILLY'S BEST: This summer's menu star is the new Nashville Hot Chicken Cheesesteak, packing sweet, smoky "Nashville Hot" heat with steak or chicken & melted cheese on authentic Amoroso’s rolls brought in from the East Coast. Info here. Locations include Burbank, Downey, Encino, Long Beach, San Dimas & Torrance.

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PLAYA PROVISIONS: Celebrate National Oyster Day, Aug. 5 at Dockside restaurant within Playa Provisions. Among oyster options are — Kiwi Cup (NZ), Black Duck (VA), Violet Cove (NY) & Blue Pearls (NY) — all served with cocktail sauce, house hot sauce & black pepper mignonette. Shellfish tower also offered with 12 oysters, six jumbo shrimp & three Peruvian scallops. At 119 Culver Blvd., Playa del Rey. Website.

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POLLO CAMPERO: Turning up the heat this summer at the Guatemala-founded chain is the new spicy chicken sandwich with zesty habanero mayo, fried or grilled chicken & sweet pickles on brioche bun. For a limited time, guests can buy one Spicy Chicken Sandwich Meal & get second meal free. Locations throughout Greater L.A. include Burbank, Canoga Park, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Lawndale, MacArthur Park, North Hills, Panorama City, South Gate, Sunset Boulevard & Van Nuys. See website.

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QDOBA MEXICAN EATS: Citrus Lime Shrimp is the summer star on the chain's limited-time menu at participating sites. New dishes include: the Surf & Turf Burrito or Bowl with the shrimp, adobo steak, guacamole, chile crema, cotija cheese over rice & black beans; and the Citrus Lime Shrimp Burrito or Bowl (an online exclusive), with the shrimp, chile crema, pico de gallo, rice, black beans & cotija cheese in flour tortilla or in a bowl. Website here. Location finder here for LA area.
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RANDY'S DONUTS: The iconic doughnut shop in Inglewood is honoring the iconic rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers prior to the band’s hometown show at SoFi Stadium Sunday, July 31. From July 29-31, fans can purchase the limited-edition "Red Hot Donut" and enter contests for chances to win Red Hot Chili Peppers prizes & tickets to the sold-out concert. As a photo-op treat, Randy's 32-foot rooftop doughnut is wrapped as the band's logo. Info here on Twitter. Offered at the 805 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood location.

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RAPPAHANNOCK OYSTER BAR AT ROW DTLA: Grab a stool at the Carrara marble oyster counter & bar for Aug. 5 National Oyster Day for feast of fresh Chesapeake Bay-farmed oysters. The menu offers small & large plates with oysters, seafood and fresh produce. If you can't make it Aug. 5, the restaurant is open daily. Located in downtown Los Angeles’ Arts District, at 1318 E. 7th St. Details.

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RED LOBSTER: It's the perfect time to indulge in "Seafood Summerfest" —a limited-time, line-up of special dishes & summer cocktails. Among the deals: BBQ Bacon Grilled Shrimp ($18.99), including soup or salad & starter, and the new "Summer Sangarita," a blend of sangria and margarita. Website here. Locations here.

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RED ROBIN: Running through July 31 at participating restaurants are $10 Gourmet Meal Deals, with burger, bottomless steak fries & bottomless beverage. Burger options include: Gourmet Cheeseburger; Whiskey River BBQ Burger; & Banzai with teriyaki-glazed patty & grilled pineapple. Dine-in only. Find locations here. Call to confirm participation.

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RUBIO'S: Rewards members can enjoy free chips and guacamole on National Avocado Day, July 31. To score the offer, sign up for Rubio’s Rewards here, or download the app by Saturday, July 30. Then place order online, through the app or scan in-app QR code at the register. And through Sunday, July 31, delivery is free with minimum order of $15. Locations found on website.

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SOULMATE: An off-menu, prosciutto & melon salad, from Executive Chef Rudy Lopez, is ideal for National Watermelon Day, Aug. 3, at the recently opened, Spanish- Mediterranean restaurant in WeHo. Salad features red and orange watermelon, Jamon Serrano, pickled watermelon rind, sherry gastrique, and basil (from the chef’s garden). At 631 North Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood. Info.

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SUGAR PALM AT VICEROY SANTA MONICA: National Oyster Day (Aug. 5) could be ideal date to check out restaurant's "Oysters of the Day" with a half dozen fresh oysters served with green apple mignonette, yuzu curd & citrus. Sunrise & Sunset menus, served 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., also feature seasonal brunch & dinner options. Details. At 1819 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica.

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SWEET CHICK: The eatery, known for chicken and waffles for the past 12 years, is partnering with Tony’s Chocolonely to serve up decadent, fluffy "Tony’s Chocolate Banana Pancakes" — only offered through Aug. 25 — at $13, with banana pancakes, whipped cream & shaved dark chocolate. With every banana-pancake purchase, diners receive a limited-edition, dark chocolate sea salt almond bar. Details. At 448 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles.

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THE DOLLY LLAMA: A limited-time Chocolate Chip Cookie Butter Shake made with Chunky CHIPS AHOY! Cookie Pieces is on menus at the waffle & artisanal ice cream shop. And on Aug. 4, guests can buy one & get one for half off all day, while supplies last. Locations: Downtown Los Angeles, 611 S. Spring St.; Koreatown, 273 S. Western Ave.; Sherman Oaks, 14545 Ventura Blvd. Info.

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TREJO'S TACOS: Two limited-edition watermelon margaritas are on menus at Hollywood and Santa Monica locations through National Watermelon Day Aug. 3. The drinks come with watermelon purée, agave nectar, serrano wheels & watermelon wedge. $12 with El Jimador Tequila at the Hollywood Cantina. In Santa Monica, it's a regular for $11 & a grande for $15, made with agave wine. Website.

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WATER GRILL: Keep National Oyster Day, Aug. 5, on your radar and check out the abundance of Pacific and Eastern oyster offerings at this eatery — including the "Honeymoon Oyster," topped with uni roe, tobiko, ikura and quail egg. Website & details here. At 1401 Ocean Ave. in Santa Monica and 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

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IN OTHER AREA RESTAURANT & DINING NEWS ON PATCH:

• New Beverly Hills Cafe Melds Euro Style & Old Hollywood Glam
• Birdie G's Launches $5 - $15 Happy Hour Specials In Santa Monica
• Jean-Georges Beverly Hills Launches Monthly Dinner Series
• Japanese 'Age-Old' BBQ Restaurant Coming To Los Angeles
• LA Magazine To Host Whiskey Festival 2022: Tickets On Sale
• Corner Bakery Opens On West Side's Pico Boulevard
• Hatch Chile Season Nears At Greater L.A. Gelson's: Place Your Orders
• Dave's Hot Chicken: From California Pop-Up To Fast Track In 5 Years
• Weekend At A Winery: Book A Stay At New Paso Robles Vineyard Farmhouse