OC's Top 100 Tastes You Must Try Before You Die

[kingkong5]

I was hoping we could get a list of some of the best tastes in Orange County. I am sure that this would be a useful list for other Chowhound's and our visiting guests. Please list the name of the dish, the restaurant where you can get it, and the city where it's located. I'll start with a few:

1. House Special Lobster from Newport Seafood, Santa Ana
2. Cream Pan from ... Cream Pan, Tustin
3. Shoyu Ramen with extra Chashu, Santouka Ramen Mitsuwa, Costa Mesa
4. Sweet & Sour Shrimp, Golden Dragon, Costa Mesa
5. Spinach Artichoke dip, Houston's, Irvine
6. Nem Nuong spring rolls, Brodard, Westminster

let's see how many "special tastes" we can put together.

[elmomonster]

Yay! I'll play!

1. Nem Nuong spring rolls, Brodard, Westminster
2. BBQ Beef Banh Mi, Banh Mi Che Cali, Westminster
3. Linguine with Fish, Franco's Pasta Cucina, Irvine
4. 1/2 Order Carne Asada Nachos, Alertos, Westminster
5. Falafel Sandwich, Sahara Falafel, Anaheim

http://elmomonster.blogspot.com

[dagrassroots]

l

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Thai Nakorn
11951 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680

Banh Mi & Che Cali Bakery
8948 Bolsa Ave, Westminster, CA 92683

Banh Mi & Che Cali Bakery - duplicate
15551 Brookhurst St, Westminster, CA

Franco's Pasta Cucina
2222 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Alertos Mexican Food
15681 Brookhurst St, Westminster, CA 92683

Sahara Falafel
590 S Brookhurst St, Anaheim, CA 92804

The Olde Ship
709 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832

El Farolito
201 S Bradford Ave, Placentia, CA 92870

Thai-Rama B B Q
2500 E Chapman Ave, Fullerton, CA 92831

Fresca's Mexican Grill
275 E Birch St, Brea, CA

Caspian Restaurant
14100 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA 92604

Cafe R & D
555 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Bluewater Grill Newport Beach
630 Lido Park Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Sam Woo Restaurant
15333 Culver Dr Ste 720, Irvine, CA 92604

Quan Hop Restaurant
15640 Brookhurst St, Westminster, CA 92683

Green China
595 N Tustin St, Orange, CA 92867

Super Antojitos
1702 N Bristol St, Santa Ana, CA 92706

El Adobe De Capistrano
31891 Camino, Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA

[OCAnn]

Great Idea!

1. Sticky Toffee Pudding, THE OLDE SHIP, Fullerton
2. Chips & Salsa and Carnitas Enchilada, EL FAROLITO, Placentia
3. Mango w/Sticky Rice, THAI RAMA, Fullerton
4. Taco Tuesday, FRESCAS, Brea
5. Tadij, CASPIAN, Irvine

[umami]

1. French dip sandwich, R&D Cafe, Newport Beach
2. Sourdough bread, Bluewater Grill, Newport Beach
3. Pad Thai, Thai Nakorn, Stanton
4. Wonton noodle soup, Sam Woo, Irvine
5. Pho tai, Quan hop, Westminster

[ErikaK]

Here are some of the things I think about when I'm hungry ^^
1. Nam Sod w/Crispy Rice - Thai Nakorn, Stanton
2. Pad See Ew - Bangkok Taste, Santa Ana
3. Szechuan Eggplant - Green China, Orange
4. Crunchy carne asada tacos - Super Antojitos, Santa Ana
5. Media Noche - Felix Continental Cuisine, Orange

[JAB]

Lobster Fajitas, El Adobe, San Juan Capistrano
Salmon with Garlic & Mushrooms, Shin Sen Gumi, Fountain Valley
Kobe Short Ribs, Tsuruhashi, Fountain Valley

[dagrassroots]

link

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Shin Sen Gumi Hakata Ramen
18315 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Sushi Wasabi
14460 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780

Irvine China Garden
14825 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA 92618

Tsuruhashi
18798 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Ritz Restaurant & Garden
880 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660

Morton's the Steakhouse
1641 W Sunflower Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Mangia-Mangia
16079 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Chef Chen's Restaurant
5408 Walnut Ave, Irvine, CA 92604

[russkar]

Blue Crab Handroll, Sushi Wasabi, Tustin
Ritz Egg, The Ritz Restaurant, Newport Beach
Chicken Soup, Avilia's , Santa Ana
Giant Clam(Genock) Sashimi on Ice boat, China Garden, Irvine
Steak Tartar (special request), Morton's , Santa Ana
Eggplant Sorentino, Mangia Mangia, Huntington Beach
Spicy Pungent Shrimp, Chef Chen, Irvine
Custom Submarine Sandwich, Claro's , Tustin
Chicken Kabob, Darya, Orange
Thai Salad, Houston's, Irvine
Ground Beef Taco, Moreno's, Orange
Bochworst Sausage Sandwich, Mattern Sausage Co, Orange
#4 Special, Taiko, Irvine
Braised Short Rib w/tempura poached egg, Break of Dawn, Laguna Hills
Apple Pie w/walnuts or Pumpkin, Filling Station, Orange
Cheeseburger, Morton's, Santa Ana
Sushi Treasures, Wasa, Irvine

[groover808]

nem nuong spring rolls w/sauce - Brodard, Westminster
banh mi - Banh Mi Che Cali, Westminster
mixed pupusa - Pupusa San Sivar, Costa Mesa
nam sod w/crispy rice - Thai Nakorn, Stanton

[dagrassroots]

More links

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Wasa Sushi
13124 Jamboree Rd, Irvine, CA 92602

Darya Restaurant
1998 N Tustin St, Orange, CA 92865

Break of Dawn
24351 Avenida De La Carlota Ste N6, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Filling Station
201 N Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866

Claro's Italian Markets
1095 E Main St, Tustin, CA 92780

Taiko Japanese Restaurant
14775 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA 92618

[choctastic]

the banh mi xiu mai, Banh Mi Cho Cu, Garden Grove
and baked pandan cake are special tastes I learned from CH.

[Das Ubergeek]

1. Tacos de alambre, Taco Mesa, Orange, MV and Ladera
2. Shio ramen (sorry kingkong5, I'm not all about the shoyu!) with negimeshi, Santouka, Costa Mesa
3. Mango salad with crispy catfish, Thai Nakorn, Stanton
4. Cheeseburger with bacon and avocado, Original Mike's, Santa Ana
5. Kalbi with dduk bo ssam, Shik Do Rak, Garden Grove
6. Tacos al pastor with grilled pineapple, El Farolito Jr., Anaheim
7. Sesame bread (da bing), Mas' Islamic Chinese, Anaheim
8. Macanese-style daan taat, Desir Bakery inside 99 Ranch, Anaheim

Damn it, now I'm hungry.

[dagrassroots]

O

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Original Mike's
100 S Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Old World German Restaurant
7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Sushi Shibucho
590 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Taco Mesa
647 W 19th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Pho Thanh Lich
14500 Brookhurst St, Westminster, CA 92683

Taco Rosa
22922 Los Alisos Blvd Ste P, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Taco Mesa
3533 E Chapman Ave Ste E, Orange, CA 92869

Taco Mesa
27702 Crown Valley Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA

Shik-Do-Rak
9691 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92844

El Farolito Jr
1339 N East St, Anaheim, CA 92805

Ma's Islamic
601 E Orangethorpe Ave, Anaheim, CA 92801

99 Ranch Market
15333 Culver Dr, Irvine, CA

Peking Chinese Restaurant
8566 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683

Ngu Binh Restaurant
14072 Magnolia St, Westminster, CA 92683

De Simone Bakery & Deli
6850 Edinger Ave, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Manmi Bakery
18732 Colima Rd, Rowland Heights, CA

Philly's Best
18691 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Gemmell's
34471 Golden Lantern St, Dana Point, CA 92629

Taco Loco
640 S Coast Hwy Ste 1, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Black Sheep Bistro
303 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780

Rothschild's Restaurant
2407 E Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

Muldoon's Irish Pub
202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Mastro's Ocean Club
8112 E Coast Hwy, Newport Coast, CA 92657

[Youndo]

1. Pan fried dumplings - Peking Restaurant, Westminster
2. Bun Bo Hue - Ngu Binh, Westminster
3. Chicken Shawarma plate - Sahara Falafel, Anaheim
4. Cuban sandwich - De Simone, Huntington Beach
5. Beef Noodle soup - A & J, Irvine
6. Cream puffs - Manmi Bakery, Garden Grove
7. Stuffed Chicken Wings - Thai Nakorn, Stanton
8. Bratwurst plate - Einbech Inn(sp?), Old World, Huntington Beach
9. Filet Mignon Pho - Pho Thanh Lich, Westminster
10. Cheese Steak sandwich, Philly's Best, Fountain Valley

[1000steps]

Sure I'm not thinking too hard here initially, but...

Lamb Chops at Gemmell's in Dana Point and
Blackened Mushroom Quesadilla at Taco Loco in Laguna Beach.

[mrhooks]

Toroniku shio ramen; Santouka, Costa Mesa (much better than their shoyu IMHO)
Hakata ramen with firm noodles and mentaiko/Yakiramen; Shin Sen Gumi, Fountain Valley
Beef liver sashimi/Oxtail soup/Pork Belly; Tsuruhashi, Fountain Valley (and I agree about the Kobe short ribs too)
Lamb chops; Black Sheep Bistro, Tustin
Omakase; Shibucho, Costa Mesa

[ocshooter]

Black Sheep Bistro is no more, alas.

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Black Sheep Bistro
303 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780

[High Maintenance]

1. French Dip Sandwich, Houston's Irvine
2. Vittelo Saltimboca, Rothschild's Corona Del Mar
3. Cheeseburger, Muldoon's Newport Beach
4. Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese, Mastro's Ocean Club Newport Beach
5. Sour Dough Bread and Butter, Bluewater Grill, Newport Beach

[dagrassroots]

Green Mussel Omelet- Bangkok Taste
Iced Coffee- Banh Mi Cho Cu

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Bangkok Taste
2737 N Grand Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705

Banh Mi Cho Cu Bakery
14520 Magnolia St, Westminster, CA 92683

[dagrassroots]

Links

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Santouka Ramen
665 Paularino Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Cream Pan
602 El Camino Real, Tustin, CA 92780

Newport Seafood Restaurant
4411 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Golden Dragon Restaurant
2023 Harbor Blvd Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Houston's Restaurant
2991 Michelson Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Brodard Chateau
9100 Trask Ave Garden, Grove, CA

[bananna slug]

Beef pasty (especially with a Cactus Cooler), Pasty Kitchen, Los Alamitos
Chocolate shake, Volcano Burgers, Los Alamitos

[bananna slug]

It has been a long time since I had a slice, but the boysenberry pie at the Knott's Berry Farm chicken restaurant (Buena Park) was very good and very Orange County.

[TheManning2]

Very fun!
1. Corned Beef Sandwich, East Coast Italian Deli, Huntington Beach
2. Chocolate Cake Shake, Portillos, Buena Park
3. Steak Chili, Harbor House Cafe, Sunset Beach
4. Mac 'n' Cheese, K'ya, Laguna Beach
5. Ahi Poke, K'ya, Laguna Beach
6. Fried Squid, Lucky Chinese, Fountain Valley
7. Durbin Curry, Mozambique, Laguna Beach
8. Garlic Fries, Phils, Fountain Valley
9. Meatball Pizza, Pizza D'oro, Fountain Valley
10. Waygu Fillet, Silvera's, Huntington Beach

[exilekiss]

Das Ubergeek & kingkong5,

If I may ask, have either of you noticed the decline in quality at Santouka (Costa Mesa) over the past 1/2 year?

When Santouka first opened up here in the OC, my friends and I were amazed at the quality of Ramen and Broth, and it became a regular place for us. It was my favorite Ramen in LA/OC, bar none.

But I've noticed completely different staff (both the front & back of the house, so to speak) and the quality of the noodle and broth and chasyu have definitely been in decline the last ~5 visits I've paid to it. I called up a couple friends of mine who also visit regularly, and they said they noticed the same thing (a bummer to be sure).

[FoodieKat]

What a fun topic! I only have a few items, as I'm still pretty new to the area, but this will be updated soon. So here goes, in no particular order:

1. Swordfish piccatta from Zov's Bistro, Tustin
2. Chirashi from Maki-Zushi, Tustin (especially the yellowfin and big toro)
3. Albalo polo (black cherry basmati rice) and grilled scallops from Darya Persian restaurant, South Coast Plaza
4. banh beo from Quan Hy, Westminster
5. Green tea and red bean bread from 99 Ranch Market, Irvine
6. Almond milk boba tea from Cha for Tea, Irvine
7. Pan dulce and fresh bread rolls from El Gallo Giro, Santa Ana
8. Clam chowder soup (and sticky toffee pud) from The Olde Ship, Santa Ana
9. Potato noodles Goong Korean restaurant, Irvine

Favorite local finds (so far):

Sim's British sandwich shop San Juan Capistrano
99 Ranch Markets (all locations, but especially on Culver in Irvine)

[bananna slug]

I may be over-reading the original post. I have been trying to come up with some tastes sort of unique to or associated with Orange County, rather than just the best dishes. (Hence my boysenberry pie at Knott's post, though I stand by the Pasty Kitchen as both representing OC as well as a best dish. God, I miss that place so much.)

Anyway, staying with my interpretation of what was sought by the original post, I will throw out Balboa Bars at Dad's on Balboa Island, Newport Beach.

[Allmodcons]

Excellent topic!

Off the top of my head:
1. Cream Pan, any item
2. carnitas taco, Q Tortas, downtown Placentia
3. cabeza anything, Taqueria Guadalupana, Orange
4. cold miso ramen w/chicken, Kairakutei, Tustin
5. chile relleno burrito, Celinda's, RSM
6. Cream of Poblano soup, El Cholo, La Habra

[quinntran]

shio ramen- santouka, costa mesa
ceviche tostada-osteneria 7 mares, Orange
nem noung rolls- brodard, Westminster
asparagus wrapped in bacon yakitori- honda-ya, tustin
nam sod with crispy rice- bangkok taste, santa ana
panna cotta- cafe hiro, cypress

[FoodieKat]

Does Taqueria Guadalupana have a grocery store? Just wondered, because in Chicago, we always used to shop at La Guadalupana carniceria, so I thought maybe it could be a chain?

[Allmodcons]

This Guadalupana is a taqueria only, no store. Very pure, in the best sense.

[gabehoya]

Great thread!

No one ever mentions this but I've always enjoyed the beef tongue dinner platter at Tacos Jalisco in Orange. And their albondingas soup satisfies on cold nights.

[And great user name mod cons. You flashed me back to my highschool days when me and a few of my friends were the only Mods at our highschool. That's back when the famous Circle City nite club (Orange Circle) was still around. They used to have a pretty cool Mod night. I'll never forget going on scooter rallies with my buddies to places like Camel Records in H.B., The Whiskey, The Starwood and tons of other places. The heads we turned; those were the days. I still have my old bikes (1 Vespa and 1 Lambretta) in storage at my parents' house. ]

Sorry to get off topic but your tag brought me back to the 80's...

[Johnny California]

Great Topic:

1. Tony's Deli - Anaheim (Any sandwich.- I challenge anyone to find a better sandwich place. I also challenge anyone to find better potato salad)
2. Tustin Brewery - Tustin (Fettuccini Caliente is money, as is their award winning chili)
3. Oh Those Doughnuts - Costa Mesa (I know you will roll your eyes, but you must order a sandwich in this place - drunk or sober)
4. Great Mex - Balboa (Everything in this place is amazing. Especially the chorizo egg burrito)
5. Maggiano's - Costa Mesa (Until you go family style, you haven't lived)
6. First Class Pizza - Santa Ana (There is only one pie you need to know - The Porker)
7. Haveli Fine Indian Cuisine - Tustin (The luch time buffet is not only amazing, but only $7.95)
8. Cabana - Laguna Beach (Fondue Grill Sticks - Incredible. And don't leave thhe place without ordering a Mai Tai)
9. Rutabegorz - Tustin (Cockie Leeky soup. You'll feel dumb ordering it, but it's awesome)
10. Bandera - Corona del Mar (The Cluck & Moo. It's not on the menu, but they'll make it for you. It's a half of their Rotisserie Chicken and Ribs - It will leave you clucking and mooing)

[groover808]

I've heard about the unlimited refills of the Maggianos family style...what's the price range?

[Das Ubergeek]

$15-$25 for entrees, but the salt content is so high that I get headaches unless I drink litres and litres of water.

[Riccardo]

- Almond croissant from Boulangerie Pierre & Patisserie, Garden Grove
- Mesquite-grilled California spiny lobster (in season) at the Crab Cooker, Tustin
- Italian beef sandwich at Portillo's, Buena Park
- Lemon meringue pie, Marie Callender's or Hof's Hut

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The Crab Cooker
17260 17th St, Tustin, CA 92780

[mikester]

- ABC Burger at Peter's Gourmade Grill, Tustin

- Odessa Sandwich, Moscow Deli, Costa Mesa

- Saltenas, Rollies Bakery & Mexican (and Bolivian) Cafe, Tustin

- Pambazos and any type of tacos (but esp. carne asada) with tortillas "hecho a mano" at Tacos Y Mulitas Ruben, Santa Ana

- Barbacoa and/or Pancita tacos at Tacqueria Don Victor, Huntington Beach

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Moscow Deli
3015 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Peter's Gourmade Grill
16851 Mcfadden Ave, Tustin, CA 92780

[ocshooter]

Seared Toro at San Shi Go on Newport Peninsula.
Fresh Slamon Roe (imported in season from Japan) at San Shi Go
Any of the desserts from Zov's
Crying Tiger from Thai Nakorn

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Thai Nakorn
11951 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680

Zov's Bakery
17440 E. 17th Street, Tustin, CA 92780

Thai Nakorn Restaurant
12532 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92843

San Shi Go Sushi and Asian Cuisine
205 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661

[BubblyOne]

Sizzling Sausage Platter at Sabatino's Lido Shipyard, or get the uncooked from their case. I think it's $6.99 a pound.

[js76wisco]

1. Ham, egg and cheese waffle sandwich - Bruxie, Orange
2. Custard shake (any flavor will do) - Bruxie, Orange
3. Broasted chicken - Chicken Box, La Habra - is this OC?
4. Carnitas plate, chips and salsa - El Farolito, Placentia
5. Octopus appetizer - Olive Pit, Brea
6. Falafel and zataar - Zait & Zataar, Anaheim
7. Salami and Anaheim chile pizza - Pizzeria Mozza, Newport Beach

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El Farolito
201 S Bradford Ave, Placentia, CA 92870

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Olive Pit
834 E Lincoln Ave Ste B, Orange, CA 92865