​Bricks is the kind of restaurant you grow up with and the type of place every community needs. It’s where families celebrate little league victories, where friends gather after high school football games, and where the grownups go to get killer burgers and beer on a casual night out. The tiny standalone building along Lyons Ave. sits just out of reach from Newhall’s main drag of increasingly trendy hotspots, creating a bubble of family-owned and operated nostalgia and warm, homey comfort for all who walk in through its doors. But there’s much more to Bricks than its communal tables, quaint patios and fancifully decorated counter—there’s some serious comfort food to be had.

Burgers, fries and shakes are the name of the game at Bricks, and present one of the best values this side of LA. The bacon bleu burger, practically toppling over from a mountain of onion rings and its namesake ingredients stacked atop a thick patty, puts rivals to shame AND comes with fries…like a good burger should. Same goes for the signature Bricks burger, a savory compilation of bacon, caramelized onion, Swiss cheese, grilled jalapenos and arugula. Each is complemented with a house-made aioli. 

Bricks takes it a step further with its add-ons, a plethora of haute customizations that are well-worth the paltry $1 – 3 upgrade. That 50/50 patty—half beef, half chorizo—is as progressive as what you’ll find in any pretentious burger bar, as are those skinny fries with parmesan and garlic [though they could be served a bit hotter]. Best to complete the experience with a milkshake, just as stellar in sweet, decadent richness. Sea salt caramel and cookie butter are just two from a long list of tantalizing options. You’ll also find wine and beer, where Bricks has partnered with a locally-acclaimed brewery to step up its draft game.

While Bricks can’t exactly be classified as a small-town diner [Santa Clarita is bigger than you think], it does share the distinct quality of cooking up just about everything under the sun. From gyros to fried chicken, you’ve got an array of salads, sandwiches, hot dogs and meal-sized starters and sides to choose from. The street dog is a souped-up version of LA’s classic curbside bacon-wrapped hot dog, finished with that house-made chipotle aioli. Then there’s the bacon waffle burger, which subs out a bun for a bacon and cheese-infused waffle.

Bricks is located at 23820 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321. Open 11a – 9p Mon – Fri, 10a – 9p Sat, 10a – 8p Sun. Avg. out-the-door price for entrée and 1 – 2 drinks is ~$25/person. For more information, call (661) 286 – 1091 or visit BricksNewhall.com

Brewery Draconum has found itself right at home in downtown Newhall. It brings with it the exact kind of authentic, small-town character you’d hope to find in this historic wild west district, and at the same time a level of sophistication in its menu and ambiance that reminds you that you’re still in LA.
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And the beer? Unquestionably killer, crafted through decades of experience under owner Ben Law and his humble yet visionary team.

​A true brewpub, Brewery Draconum brews a wide variety of beers in-house, turning out new types so often that they can’t print new menus fast enough. The beer room is visible from the other side of the bar, rows of stainless steel vats a beautiful site for patrons seeking beer straight from the source. Their gutterhead red ale is a house favorite, with excellent Saison, melonkolschy [kolsch] and ABVAF [golden Belgian strong] as additional contemporary highlights. You’ll also find additional craft brews from SoCal icons such as Stone Brewing and Mother Earth.

​Brewery Draconum’s meticulous attention to detail carries through to its food menu, which of course incorporates into recipes whenever possible. They make nearly everything from scratch, all the way down to their potato and tortilla chips. Enjoy them with some impressive spinach dip, then move onto a fresh, colorful beet salad finished with creamy burrata.

Mains go for an unbelievably reasonable price point, from $10 perfectly fried fish tacos and customizable burgers that start at $12. And hallelujah, those burgers include fries! If you’re seeking something more elevated, try the rack of lamb with Irish mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. Unsurprisingly, everything pairs quite fittingly with the beer menu, including dessert—how about a nitro beer float?

​Out back is the beer garden, where communal picnic tables and lawn games allow you to make the most of your afternoon or evening.
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Brewery Draconum is located at 24407 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321. Open Tue and Thu 12 – 10 p.m., Fri – Sat 12 – midnight, Sun 12 – 9 p.m. Closed Tue and Wed for brewing. Avg. out-the-door price for split appetizer, entrée and 1 – 2 drinks is ~$41/person. For more information call (661) 568-9160 or visit Brewery Draconum’s Facebook page.

Newhall may be widely known as Hollywood’s Wild West, but Persia Lounge has had no trouble mixing things up with flare from The Middle East. Fall-off-the bone meats, rich hummus, saffron rice and seemingly endless lavash meld with belly dancing, hookah and live music for a holistic cultural experience. As little ol’ Downtown Newhall continues to expand and attract more attention from ‘Mainland LA’, it’s places like Persia Lounge that are bringing the area an elevated allure, not to mention great taste.

Persia Lounge’s humble setup speaks to its authenticity. An inviting, minimalist dining room wraps around the restaurant’s small enclosed kitchen and leads to the lounge in the back, where hookah, music and dancing proceed to run the show. Wall décor pays homage to ancient Middle Eastern décor, and even has some exposed brick painted on. But it’s the food you’re after, and it comes in heaps at Persia Lounge.

Nobody is going to leave here hungry. The inquiry is confirmed as the appetizer combo arrives with enough lavash bread to carb-load for a marathon. Creamy hummus and masto khiar [yogurt cucumber dip], shirazi salad with diced cucumber and tomato, and light Persian potato set the tone for a menu with just enough familiar territory for everyone to enjoy, and an abundance of potential for adventurous palates to seek new discovery.

Meat is clearly a treasured entity at Persia Lounge, with every dish rich in bold flavor and distinct identity. Take the baghale polo with lamb shank, which you could tear apart with your fingers if you wanted, served in an herbaceous tomato broth that magnifies the flavor profile further. Or the zereshk polo with chicken, a spectacular chicken kabob that seems like it’s been marinating for ages, with saffron rice and the fascinating addition of sour barberry. Then there’s your classic shish kabob, with juicy chunks of char-grilled beef.

If you’re looking for true Halal, this is one of the only shows in town. You’ll also be able to find beers and wines from Lebanon and Armenia, in addition to the labels we all know and love.

Persia Lounge and Restaurant is located at 24328 Main St, Newhall, CA 91321. Open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Tue – Thu, 11 a.m. – midnight Fri – Sat and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun. Closed Mon. Average out-the-door price for split appetizer, entrée and 1 – 2 drinks is ~$40/person. For more information call (661) 259-4100 or visit Persia-Lounge.com.