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Renowned barbecue chef experiments with traditional diner dishes inside retro Quonset hut building.

Barbecue pitmaster Daniel Castillo of Heritage discusses his struggles with mental health as a chef and his desire to aid others in the culinary field. Meanwhile, a renowned taco spot in L.A. enters the mariscos scene, a trendy bakery causes long lines, and other Quick Bites are served up.

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3 min read

Renowned barbecue chef experiments with traditional diner dishes inside retro Quonset hut building.

New Diner in Town: Le Hut Dinette

When Daniel Castillo, pitmaster and co-owner of the famed Heritage Barbecue, partners with chef Ryan Garlitos, you know it's going to be delicious. Meet Le Hut Dinette, their new venture located in a vintage Quonset hut in Santa Ana.

Daniel admits he's always been a fan of the dying diner scene. With the collaborative effort of Ryan and a rotating menu, they're reviving this classic American concept. Expect savory delights like pastrami sandwiches, smoked-turkey clubs, and Cubanos made with house-cured and smoked coppa ham - all infused with smoky goodness from none other than Heritage Barbecue.

Craving something lighter? Enjoy Caesar salads with chicken smoked right at Heritage and topped with a zingy anchovy crumble and sweet cara cara oranges. For a quick caffeine fix, grab a cup of Cafe du Monde chicory coffee.

Weekend evenings flip to an elevated diner experience, with dishes like steak Diane with mushroom cream and smoked beef rib with mushroom demi-glace gracing the menu. Ryan also incorporates his Filipino heritage and other culinary influences like Japanese or Mexican cuisine into the dishes.

Weekend brunch is on the way, offering tempting treats like pancakes and brisket with eggs. Le Hut Dinette boasts a wine list that showcases natural wines, mostly from California and Texas, along with beer options like Miller Lite.

In stark contrast to the no-frills masculine setting at Heritage Barbecue, the dining area at Le Hut Dinette is vibrant and feminine, with pink terrazzo floors, booths, formica tables, and chairs salvaged from shuttered diners in the area, and mismatched plates sourced from thrift stores.

When not taking the culinary world by storm, Daniel and his team are busy with other projects, including the launch of SeaSalt Smokehouse, a casual restaurant at Bolsa Chica State Beach. Go check out Le Hut Dinette and taste the magic for yourself!

Quick Facts:- Co-owners: Daniel Castillo and Brenda Castillo- Executive Chef: Ryan Garlitos- Menu: Savory diner dishes infused with smoky flavors, including pastrami sandwiches, smoked-turkey clubs, and Cubanos.- Wine: Natural wines, mostly from California and Texas- Location: 730 N. Poinsettia St., Santa Ana, California

Reference:[1] Ewa Chomicka. Le Hut Dinette brings a taste of San Juan Capistrano to Santa Ana, via a classic diner with a twist. LA Times. 2022[2] Kristine Fujikane. Chef Ryan Garlitos Joins Daniel Castillo at Le Hut Dinette - Inside Restaurant Openings and Expansions Across Southern California. LA Weekly. 2022

  1. The collaboration between pitmaster Daniel Castillo and chef Ryan Garlitos has given life to Le Hut Dinette, a new dining venture in Santa Ana, California.
  2. Despite its location in a vintage Quonset hut, Le Hut Dinette is revitalizing the classic American diner concept, offering a rotating menu filled with savory delights.
  3. Daniel Castillo's affection for the dying diner scene is evident in Le Hut Dinette's menu, which includes pastrami sandwiches, smoked-turkey clubs, and Cubanos made with house-cured and smoked coppa ham.
  4. For those seeking lighter options, Le Hut Dinette offers Caesar salads with chicken smoked at Heritage Barbecue, complemented by an anchovy crumble and sweet cara cara oranges.
  5. On weekends, Le Hut Dinette transforms into an elevated diner experience, featuring dishes like steak Diane and smoked beef rib with mushroom demi-glace, incorporating Filipino and other global culinary influences.
  6. Weekend brunch at Le Hut Dinette promises pancakes and brisket, accompanied by a wine list showcasing natural wines primarily from California and Texas.
  7. The dining area at Le Hut Dinette is a striking contrast to the masculine setting at Heritage Barbecue, boasting a vibrant and feminine aesthetic with pink terrazzo floors, booths, and salvaged furniture.
  8. When not at Le Hut Dinette, Daniel Castillo and his team are busy with other projects, such as the upcoming SeaSalt Smokehouse at Bolsa Chica State Beach.
  9. Taste the magic for yourself at Le Hut Dinette, located in Santa Ana, California, where culture, food-and-drink, relationships, travel, education-and-self-development, shopping, sports, and health come together in a unique Southland experience.
Chef Daniel Castillo of Heritage barbecue discusses his battle with mental health issues in the culinary world and his dedication to aiding fellow chefs. Meanwhile, a distinguished taco eatery expands into seafood dishes, a contemporary bakery creates a queue, and more bite-sized updates are provided.

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