459003 Fri Nov 09 13:38:54 -0800 2007 33 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3111245 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. Fri Nov 09 13:38:54 -0800 2007 31764 kingkong5 1 3111327 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 Fri Nov 09 14:00:52 -0800 2007 3111245 11757 elmomonster 2 3115214 l Sun Nov 11 13:23:09 -0800 2007 3111327 37834 dagrassroots 1 3111380 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 Fri Nov 09 14:17:36 -0800 2007 3111245 12873 OCAnn 1 3111548 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 Fri Nov 09 15:19:20 -0800 2007 3111245 18738 umami 1 3111722 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 Fri Nov 09 16:26:09 -0800 2007 3111245 15291 ErikaK 1 3111765 Lobster Fajitas, El Adobe, San Juan Capistrano Salmon with Garlic & Mushrooms, Shin Sen Gumi, Fountain Valley Kobe Short Ribs, Tsuruhashi, Fountain Valley Fri Nov 09 16:41:57 -0800 2007 3111245 10883 JAB 2 3115235 link Sun Nov 11 13:34:55 -0800 2007 3111765 37834 dagrassroots 1 3112618 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 Sat Nov 10 07:05:02 -0800 2007 3111245 10210 russkar 1 3112648 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 Sat Nov 10 07:29:09 -0800 2007 3111245 63444 groover808 2 3115240 More links Sun Nov 11 13:38:52 -0800 2007 3112648 37834 dagrassroots 1 3112668 the banh mi xiu mai, Banh Mi Cho Cu, Garden Grove and baked pandan cake are special tastes I learned from CH. Sat Nov 10 07:39:34 -0800 2007 3111245 10246 choctastic 1 3112972 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. Sat Nov 10 10:22:37 -0800 2007 3111245 10811 Das Ubergeek 2 3115261 O Sun Nov 11 13:52:09 -0800 2007 3112972 37834 dagrassroots 1 3113515 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 Sat Nov 10 15:25:40 -0800 2007 3111245 141923 Youndo 1 3113831 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. Sat Nov 10 18:38:19 -0800 2007 3111245 10974 1000steps 1 3113898 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 Sat Nov 10 19:17:32 -0800 2007 3111245 107648 mrhooks 1 3114613 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 Sun Nov 11 08:22:01 -0800 2007 3111245 10870 High Maintenance 2 3115182 Green Mussel Omelet- Bangkok Taste Iced Coffee- Banh Mi Cho Cu Sun Nov 11 13:06:57 -0800 2007 3114613 37834 dagrassroots 1 3115189 Links Sun Nov 11 13:09:21 -0800 2007 3111245 37834 dagrassroots 1 3115217 Beef pasty (especially with a Cactus Cooler), Pasty Kitchen, Los Alamitos Chocolate shake, Volcano Burgers, Los Alamitos Sun Nov 11 13:23:50 -0800 2007 3111245 81261 bananna slug 1 3115246 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. Sun Nov 11 13:44:18 -0800 2007 3111245 81261 bananna slug 1 3115575 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 Sun Nov 11 16:20:03 -0800 2007 3111245 142174 TheManning2 1 3117349 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). Mon Nov 12 10:13:40 -0800 2007 3111245 113442 exilekiss 1 3117554 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) Mon Nov 12 11:04:52 -0800 2007 3111245 124476 FoodieKat 1 3117701 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. Mon Nov 12 11:43:11 -0800 2007 3111245 81261 bananna slug 1 3126057 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 Wed Nov 14 17:29:53 -0800 2007 3111245 95296 Allmodcons 2 3126420 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 Wed Nov 14 20:15:22 -0800 2007 3126057 16677 quinntran 2 3128067 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? Thu Nov 15 11:42:04 -0800 2007 3126057 124476 FoodieKat 3 3138204 This Guadalupana is a taqueria only, no store. Very pure, in the best sense. Mon Nov 19 07:53:58 -0800 2007 3128067 95296 Allmodcons 4 3140073 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... Mon Nov 19 16:10:35 -0800 2007 3138204 68940 gabehoya 1 3135792 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) Sun Nov 18 09:07:41 -0800 2007 3111245 102518 Johnny California 2 3144404 I've heard about the unlimited refills of the Maggianos family style...what's the price range? Tue Nov 20 21:00:11 -0800 2007 3135792 63444 groover808 3 3144953 $15-$25 for entrees, but the salt content is so high that I get headaches unless I drink litres and litres of water. Wed Nov 21 06:57:48 -0800 2007 3144404 10811 Das Ubergeek