breakfast/brunch in Orange County

I need suggestions for breakfast or brunch in Orange County prior to attending the Wooden Classic at the Arrowhead Pond the first Saturday in December. We will be on vacation in LA and do not know OC at all. Something in Anaheim or even near Laguna is fine. It does not need to be "fancy" but would love to hear about local favorites.

Thanks for all the suggestions. The basketball starts at the Arrowhead Pond at 10:30 so we are actually looking for an early morning breakfast place. I also forgot to mention that we have two vegetarians with us. The ideas you have provided are great. Any others?

I suggest MIMI'S CAFE' (opens at 7:00 a.m.) for breakfast and, although a chain, offers high quality food that is very tasty. Great muffins, too. There are two locations in Anaheim. And, don’t be afraid to ask for a lunch item. If they can, they will prepare it for you (at least at the one I go to in Costa Mesa - wait staff there is always outstanding)

(1) IN ANAHEIM ON EUCLID
1240 N. Euclid Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801
Phone: [phone]

(2) IN ANAHEIM ON HARBOR
1400 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92801
Phone: [phone]

Check out the link below for more Orange County locations that may be near where you are staying. I don’t believe you will be disappointed.

Take a look at the looong breakfast menu on their website (and navigate all you want within)

Link: http://www.mimiscafe.com/f_breakfast.htm

Yes -- the muffins are fabulous. Also...don't forget the $1 corkage fee -- Bring Champagne!

[kryztyne]

I guess this thread is a little old, but thought that it might be helpful for people still looking for vegetarian food. Native Foods in Costa Mesa and Aliso Viejo serve a great lunch and dinner. They have something for everyone, including people who are not vegetarians. My kids love it!

Used to be that "brunch" meant buffet brunch. Now, there are so many sit-down meals that are called brunch, that you should probably define what you mean.

For Buffet Brunches, the Orange Hill Cafe is great, with a lot of variety, good seafood, and a great view. El Torito Grill in Fashion Island also has a Sunday Brunch that is a favorite with locals. If you are willing to travel a few miles out of Orange County, the Queen Mary in Long Beach has a wonderful Sunday Brunch.

Your knowledge and comments on the food and restaurant scene in the greater Southern California area are welcome here in the LA board. Just one minor request not to answer using the subject line, or change the subject line, unless the thread has completely drifted away from the original topic, (and then just hyphen in the new subject to the old as I did with your post).

Thank you for your kind cooperation. And now back to reading and eating the chow.

For the view & setting alone, Splashes at the Surf N Sand Hotel in Laguna is spectacular, but a bit of a ride to the Pond.

Here's a family favorite of mine that will put you just up the road about a mile from the Pond. It's Gustav's Jägerhaus, right off the 57 freeway at the Ball Road exit; from either northbound or southbound, it's immediately west of the fwy on the north side of Ball. It's the more informal but better (IMHO) German restaurant at that intersection, the other being the Loreley at the Phoenix Club on the other side of the freeway. The big draw here are the fluffy, delicious German pancakes, served with various fruit topings - apple, peach, cherry, etc. Really good stuff. Another specialty of Gustav's you might check for is his chorizo and eggs - seriously! A few years ago, the owner found out what went into most chorizo and, like the good sausage-loving German he is, invented his own version from better cuts of pork. Can't go wrong with much here.

Gustav's Jägerhaus
2525 E. Ball Rd.
Anaheim
714-520-9500

I would agree with the Jagerhaus, good breakfast and very authentic food (not to mention that their hash is homemade).

Also would recommend, if you are the biscuts and gravy type, Johnny Reb's on Chapman. Roadhouse feel with really good smoked meats and southern style food, including grits.

Johnny Reb's
2940 Chapman Av
Orange, CA 92689

Got a spare ticket to the Wooden? I'll buy breakfast!;)

Link: http://www.johnnyrebs.com/JR_Main.html