OC Restaurants
 

Hi all! I'm looking for some recommendations for "good food" restaurants in the Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Seal Beach, etc. area. Hole in the wall suggestions are always good. Thanks much!

Try Chowhound: http://www.chowhound.com/california/...osangeles.html

"Memphis," on Bristol, south of Paularino. Sort of an eclectic Southern comfort food place, with very interesting yet cozy decor. 2920 Bristol St., CM.

"Mangia Mangia"... nice little family run Italian joint... very good food. Near Golden West and Edinger... 16079 Goldenwest St., HB.

Explore Little Saigon while you're here (I'm assuming you're from out of town?). Located in Westminster, the main part is on Bolsa Ave, between Brookhurst and Magnolia.

Try Tulsa BBQ on Tustin Ave in Orange. They have the best potatoes! The last poster was also right about exploring Little Saigon. Try any restaurant with the word "Pho" in it. Oh yeah and try the pho!

DUKE'S!!! It's an Hawaiian restaurant chain and the fish is always incredible. Prime rib is okay, but the fish is much better.

Sugar Shack Cafe is good for breakfast, but always packed.

Yes... definitely try the pho. Vietnamese cuisine has a lot to it... noodle soups, rice platters, spring rolls, etc...

For a place to try everything, go to the Asian Garden Mall... they have a food court there that has tons of variety. Just walk around and sample everything. Ever have sugar cane juice? (On Bolsa, between Magnolia and Brookhurst but closer to Magnolia).

Koreatown is also nearby, in Garden Grove (just a little north of Little Saigon). Both communities are good places to find late night eats.

Checking out chowhound.com is the best advice. I also really like Taco Mesa on 19th Street, CM. Across the street is Sushi Shibucho - in an ugly strip mall, but considred one of the best & definitely authentic! For upscale, the Golden Truffle on Newport Blvd. is very unique & very good.

I just had lunch with a colleague at the Asian Garden Mall's food court after a clientele meeting in Seal Beach today. Very quiet in terms of crowd in it being a weekday and I would recommend coming during weekdays. During weekend, it's virtually impossible to find parking. What I find most interesting about the mall other than the food stalls is that the majority of the shops are Jewelry stores.

Just off the top of my head:

Seal Beach: Kinda Lahaina Broiler (across from pier); Panda Panda (N Seal Beach Blvd N of Lampson)

Los Alamitos: Katella Deli (Katella W of Valley View)

Huntington Beach: Todai oriental/seafood buffet, Beach & Warner (also Main St, Anaheim)

Costa Mesa: Melting Pot, fondue ; or just drive around

Orange: Wolfgang Puck's, The Block @ Orange

Lou's BarBQ at Victoria and Brookhurst in Huntington Beach is really very good and, of course, quite reasonable. Make sure to try their apple vinegar sauce on your ribs.

Thanks!
 

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I really appreciate it!! :D

For an extensive list of OC Dining: http://www.letseatoc.com/

California never entered my mind when I read the thread title. I was thinking the thread had to do with Ocean City, MD. :D

Just had a bad lunch at Sam Woo's at Metro Point, opposite South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The broccoli beef was made of a low quality meat, very little taste and lots of fat. I rarely send anything back but really had to. To top it all off I found a long hair in it, not of my color. Even their orange chicken isn't good anymore. Save your money and head for PF Changs, at Fashion Island, Newport Beach and Irvine.

Not only in Costa Mesa, but virtually Sam Woo's BBQ branches throughout So. California serves meals that are over-oily and over-greasy IMO. Regardless, I rarely waste my wallet in any Cantonese-BBQ joints throughout the L.A. area. I always get my top notch Cantonese-BBQ & Dim Sum in Vancouver. ^

Sam Woo can bite me. There's much better Chinese to be had a Panda Express.

A big Amen!