You’re standing on the boardwalk in Belmont Shore. The sun is hitting the water just right, and there’s a line snaking out the door of a bright blue building. That’s Schooner or Later. If you’ve lived in Long Beach for more than a week, you know the drill. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and the Schooner or Later menu is basically the city’s unofficial handbook for how to handle a hangover or a sunny Sunday morning.
It’s been around since 1985. Think about that. In a world where restaurants open and close faster than you can check Yelp, this place is a dinosaur—but the kind of dinosaur everyone wants to hang out with. It famously appeared on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and honestly, Guy Fieri wasn’t exaggerating for the cameras. The food is unapologetically heavy, served in massive portions, and designed to be eaten while looking at boats you probably can’t afford.
The Mess: Why This Plate Defines the Schooner or Later Menu
If you sit down and don’t see at least three orders of "The Mess" on surrounding tables, you might be at the wrong restaurant. This isn't just a breakfast dish; it's a local legend.
Basically, it's a chaotic pile of chopped ham, onion, and bell pepper grilled with hash browns and eggs. Then they blanket the whole thing in melted cheddar cheese. It sounds simple. It is simple. But there’s a specific crust they get on those potatoes that’s hard to replicate at home. You can get a full order or a half order. Get the half. Seriously. The full order is roughly the size of a small toddler and will require a nap immediately after consumption.
People customize it constantly. Some folks swear by adding sourdough toast on the side to act as a structural support for the potato mountain. Others douse it in hot sauce until it’s unrecognizable. It's the cornerstone of the Schooner or Later menu because it represents exactly what the place is: unpretentious and incredibly filling.
Beyond the Potatoes: The Benedicts and Sweet Stuff
While The Mess gets all the press, the Benedicts are secretly the technical highlights of the kitchen. They don't do the fussy, tiny poached eggs you find at upscale brunch spots in West Hollywood. These are hearty.
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The Crab Benny is the heavy hitter here. They use real lump crab meat, which is a nice touch for a place that feels like a casual dockside shack. The hollandaise is rich, buttery, and has just enough lemon to cut through the fat. If you aren't feeling the seafood vibe, the traditional Canadian bacon version is a solid, reliable choice.
- The French Toast: Thick-cut and soaked thoroughly. It’s not dry in the middle, which is the cardinal sin of breakfast.
- Pancakes: They’re bigger than the plate. One is usually enough for a human being, but they’ll give you more if you’re brave.
- The Schooner Omelet: Loaded with avocado and bacon. It’s the "healthy-ish" choice, or at least that’s what we tell ourselves.
The variety is actually a bit surprising. You'd expect a place this busy to trim the fat and only offer five things, but they've kept the variety wide enough to satisfy the picky eater in every friend group.
That Massive 32-Ounce Schooner
You can't talk about the Schooner or Later menu without talking about the drinks. The restaurant is named after the glass, after all. The 32-ounce Schooner is a rite of passage.
Most people fill them with beer, usually a light lager that goes down easy in the California heat. But the move? The spicy Bloody Mary. It’s a meal in itself. It comes garnished with the standard stalks and olives, and it’s salty enough to remind you that you’re sitting right next to the Pacific Ocean. Drinking a massive glass of tomato juice and vodka at 10:30 AM while watching the yachts pull out of the marina is a quintessential Long Beach experience. It’s sort of a "don't judge me" zone.
Lunch is Actually a Sleeper Hit
Everyone thinks of this as a breakfast spot. They aren't wrong. But if you roll in around 1:00 PM when the breakfast rush starts to thin out, the lunch side of the Schooner or Later menu holds its own.
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The burgers are classic diner style—thin patties, toasted buns, shredded lettuce. No truffle oil. No gold flakes. Just a burger. The "Schooner Burger" comes with bacon and cheese, and it hits the spot after a morning of walking around the Peninsula. They also do a solid clam chowder. It’s thick, creamy, and served in a sourdough bread bowl if you really want to go all-in on the nautical theme.
Interestingly, their salads are massive too. The Chinese Chicken Salad is a local favorite for people who want the view but don't want the "food coma" associated with The Mess. It’s crunchy, fresh, and actually tastes like it was made that morning.
The Reality of the Wait Time
Let’s be real for a second. If you go on a Saturday at 11:00 AM, you are going to wait. There is no way around it. They don't take reservations. You put your name on the list, and you hang out by the water.
Is it worth a 45-minute wait? For the atmosphere, yeah. The breeze coming off the Alamitos Bay is better than any air conditioning. You see dogs, kids, joggers, and boaters all mingling in this weird, happy intersection of Southern California life. It’s one of the few places that feels genuinely "old Long Beach" despite the gentrification happening in other parts of the city.
Tips for Navigating the Experience
If you want to master the Schooner or Later menu like a regular, you need a strategy. First, go on a weekday if you can. It’s a completely different vibe—quiet, breezy, and you can actually hear the water.
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Second, ask for your hash browns "well done." The standard prep is good, but getting that extra crunch on the potatoes makes a world of difference when they're buried under a pound of cheese.
Third, bring sunglasses. The reflection off the water is blinding, and most of the best seating is outdoors. The patio is dog-friendly, too, so you’ll likely have a golden retriever at the next table hoping you drop a piece of bacon.
- Parking: It’s a nightmare. The lot is tiny. Look for street parking further down towards the residential area and enjoy the walk.
- Seating: Ask for the patio. The inside is fine, but the patio is the whole point.
- Payment: They take cards now, but having cash for a tip is always a classy move in a high-volume place like this.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
In an era of "Instagrammable" food that often tastes like cardboard, Schooner or Later is a relief. The food isn't plated with tweezers. It’s thrown onto a ceramic plate with purpose. It’s loud. The servers are moving at light speed. It’s a machine that has been polished over decades.
The Schooner or Later menu works because it doesn't try to be something it’s not. It’s comfort food for people who love the coast. It’s where you take your parents when they visit from out of town, and it’s where you go when you need a giant beer and a pile of potatoes to solve your problems.
The prices have gone up over the years—inflation hits everyone—but the portions haven't shrunk. You still get your money's worth. That’s a rare thing these days.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to this Long Beach landmark, follow these steps:
- Arrive early: Aim for before 9:00 AM on weekends to avoid the heaviest part of the rush.
- Order "The Mess" (Half Size): Even if you're starving, start with the half size. You can always add a pancake on the side.
- Specify Potato Texture: Tell the server you want the hash browns extra crispy.
- Check the Specials: They often have seasonal items or fish tacos that aren't on the permanent printed menu.
- Walk it off: After you eat, turn left out of the restaurant and walk the boardwalk toward the jetty. It’s the best way to digest that 32-ounce schooner.