Non-chain restaurants in Santa Clarita

[BunnieBear]

I have a friend who lives in Santa Clarita who feels that the choices are limited to only chains. I want to wow him with amazing finds from the folks here on the Chowhound boards, as I've been telling him what a great treasure trove of information this site is. Any takers?

[LA Buckeye Fan]

There are a few great finds. Emphasis on few. For excellent Mexican food, try Las Delicias on Lyons Avenue. Great chorizo tacos and bean and cheese pupusas. Cash only. For more upscale Mexican, try El Trocadero on "Main" (formerly San Fernando) in old town Newhall. Nice family run restuarant. I believe they also own one in Nogales. They have delicious tacos dorados and steaks. But to be honest, I go for the chilequile breakfasts and a pitcher of Margaritas. Cavi and Cavi at Big Oaks has good Italian Food. I really like the Indian food at Karma, but in the interst of full disclosure, I don't know that much about indian food. Get their eggplant dish. Thelma's Morning Cafe does a nice breakfast, but seriously needs to get a liquor license. I'm not a fan of the food at Salt Creek Grill, but they pour a killer "French Kiss" Martini. (Are you picking up a trend with me?). I also love Vincenzo's pizza on Lyons in Newhall...great garlic crust. Love Sushi on Lyons is also very good, but I'm not that schooled, so others may have a better opinion. Rose and Crown is a nice little bar/restuarant with mostly expats..but a good bangers and mash and nice family who runs it. I also like Sisley at the mall. For their brunch, pastas and salads. I hear good things about Athena's, greek restuarant in Canyon Country, but I've never tried it.

That's all I can think of right now. I will post later if I missed something.

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Thelma's Morning Cafe
22876 Copper Hill Dr, Santa Clarita, CA 91350

Cavi
23754 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Las Delicias
22928 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Rose & Crown British Restaurant
24246 Lyons Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Karma Restaurant Bar & Lounge
23460 Cinema Dr, Valencia, CA 91355

El Trocadero Steak House
24274 San Fernando Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

Sisley Italian Kitchen
24201 Valencia Blvd Ste 101, Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Cavi At the Big Oaks
33101 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91390

Vincenzo's Pizza Saugus
24504 1/2 Lyons Ave, Newhall, CA 91321

Salt Creek Grille
24415 Town Center Drive, Valencia, CA 91355

Athena's Rotisserie & Pizzeria
18853 Soledad Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

[LisaN]

There are getting to more and more, here are some favorites. Tell your friend to look on yelp, because you can look by town so its easier than on chowhound
Manoushee
27131 Sierra Hwy
#100
Canyon Country, CA 91351
[phone]
www.manoushee.com
Good chicken wrap sandwiches, shwarm sandwiches, hummus, tabuli

Grill Kabob
27653 Bouquet Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91322
[phone]
kabobgrillkabob.com
Falafel, chicken and beef kabob plates,

Longhorn's Barbecue
28070 Hasley Canyon Road
Castaic, CA 91384
[phone]
longhornsbbq.com/

Lily's Cafe - Lyons Ave, Newhall, attached to the bowling alley
Fantastic breakfast, soups, salads, turkey sandwiches are made from real roasted turkey no storebought deli stuff

Tortas Ahogadas
23630 San Fernando Rd
Newhall, CA 91321
[phone]
Tacos, etc, but especially the molcajete, - which has beef, chicken, cheese, shrimp and sausage all in a bubbling hot sauce.

Kona Crisp - burgers and sandwiches
24341 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

[phone]
www.thekonacrisp.com

Cavi at the Big Oaks, on weekends they have pizza cooked in a woodburning oven
33101 Bouquet Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91390

[phone]
www.cavibigoaks.com/

jazmin's Bakery
24330 San Fernando Rd
Newhall, CA 91321

[phone]
Good pastries

[lvgoodfood]

Here in SCV, we are extremely lucky to have one of the best restaurants in Southern California, MARU, it has been like our local's little secret since they opened. http://www.maruvalencia.com/.

I have been there multiple times since their opening about 8 years ago. This is a place that just keeps getting better and better. Maru serves French, Japanese, and modern California cuisine. Chef Jason Parks truly loves what he does.

It is true that we have mainly chain restaurants here, and we have other 'non' chain restaurants, but I have to really think what else I can recommend, since nothing will compare to the experience at Maru. Check their reviews on yelp. I also found sometime ago a blog with an article about Maru, with great photos: http://foodieuniverse.blogspot.com/20....

I highly recommend you to order from their Market Menu.
If your friend likes sushi, they serve excellent sushi, all prepared with the highest quality ingredients. Sushi Chef Luis is a master.

Every Tuesday they have a Prix Fixe Dinner Special, from 5:30pm-7:00pm for $25.95.
DONT skip dessert, my favorite is their version of Strawberry Shortcake, but I have tried all of their desserts and all are excellent in taste, ingredients, and presentation.

Enjoy, and if you decide to go to Maru, please let us know about your experience.

[liindamerlot79]

There is Salt Creek Grille, which is a franchise, but not bad for steaks. South Point also near the mall. Le Chene up on Sierra Hwy for French food and game meats. El Taco Llama in Old Town Newhall has goof Mexican food. The Wayside Station for breakfast (and a favorite of Clint Eastwood)

[Will Owen]

That's Way Station. Didn't know Clint Eastwood liked it but I'm not surprised. Very ordinary food done right, for the most part, especially the (all-day!) breakfast items, most especially the massive fluffy pile of hash browns you get.

At the eastern end of Greater Santa Clarita, in the hamlet of Agua Dulce, there is a very pleasant pizza-and-sandwich joint (yeah, and pasta too) whose name escapes me, but which our Alfa Romeo club always includes on our annual A.D. Winery excursions. I've had just a few bites of the pizza, but the bread for their hot sandwiches is made from the same stuff, and my ham and cheese was about as good as those get. As it is one of only two eatin' places out there you really don't need the name to find it...