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raidahguy Oct 5, 2010 04:56 PM

Just moved to Costa Mesa near the Fair...

so I need food recomendations in Costa Mesa or the surrounding areas. I used to live in Mission Viejo and would hate how there wasnt anything really good to eat since it is more of a Suburan paradise (chain restaurant hell). I picked Costa Mesa as the next place to live because it was close to the beach and more of a cosmopolitan city. I would be happy with recommendations ranging from inexpensive to expensive. I don't care, I want them all as long as they rock. Ive already been to Habana, Shibucho, Santouka, TK Burgers, Hashigo Korean Kitchen, and Orchid Restaurant. I think the Golden Truffle is next on my list to go to, but please hit me with all kinds of recommendations. Im open to everything...

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Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Habana
2930 Bristol St Ste A110, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Shibucho
3114 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Golden Truffle
1767 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Korean Kitchen
2975 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

  1. kc girl Oct 31, 2010 04:44 PM

    You're in the mecca of Orange County there.
    Add these tree when you want to visit the beach areas:
    (1) Sabatino's ~ Friday Clam Chowder
    http://www.sabatinoschicagosausage.com/
    (hard to find for fist timers because it looks like you're driving into private property - in the shipyards

    )

    (2) Ho Sum Bistro ~ light and fresh "Califoriental"
    http://www.hosumbistro.com/

    (3) The Side Door ~ high-end comfort food on small plates
    http://www.sidedoorcdm.com/site/

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    Sabatino's
    251 Shipyard Way, Newport Beach, CA 92663

    Ho Sum Bistro
    3112 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663

    1. adamclyde Oct 30, 2010 11:15 AM

      The worlds of Mexico and Vietnam are as close as Westminster and Santa Ana, so thats a huge benefit to living in Costa Mesa. But some specifically in the town that I've enjoyed since moving nearby a few months ago (most of which I have to thank others kn chow hound for):

      - DX Restaurant. really nice Peruvian, at the corner of bristol and sunflower. Pollo ala bras a is very good there.
      - mitsuwa marketplace. Good Japanese in the food court in the back. Santouka for ramen. And can't remember the udon place, but it's also quite good.
      - el toro bravo, as others mentioned above. Really nice tamales and tacos. The carnets taco could feed two. Fresh tortillas from freshly ground masa.

      Again, Santa Ana and westminster is where I spend most of my eating time, but that's a thread all in itself.

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      Santouka
      3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

      1. m
        MissyAsh Oct 29, 2010 11:44 AM

        Shin Sen Gumi - Japanese Ramen
        Kairakutei - Japanese Ramen
        Moscow Deli - Odessa Sandwich
        5 guys Burgers
        Thai Nakorn - Garden Grove Location
        85 Degrees Bakery
        Marche Modern - South Coast Plaza
        Dosa House - Indian
        Charlie Palmer - South Coast Plaza
        Tabento - Best Sushi I've had in the OC

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

        Moscow Deli
        3015 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

        Tabento
        1525 Mesa Verde Dr E Ste 112, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

        Kairakutei
        17292 McFadden Ave Ste L, Tustin, CA 92780

        1 Reply
        1. re: MissyAsh
          p
          Paolorichard Oct 29, 2010 08:26 PM

          Oki Doki (two doors fown from Hashigo)- asian fushion...try vermicelli w/ bbq and eggroll
          Pizzeria Ortica- Best Authentic Pizza in OC
          Daria's-delicious Persian food (by Antonellos Italian crapy food)
          Tandoori Fresh-Best Indian food in OC

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          Oki Doki
          3033 S Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

          Pizzeria Ortica
          650 Anton Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

        2. OCAnn Oct 6, 2010 08:09 PM

          ECCO & Old Vine Cafe, both @ The Camp in Costa Mesa.

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          Old Vine Cafe
          2937 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

          1. i
            I got nothin Oct 6, 2010 05:14 PM

            Nick's Pizza - pizza, pasta, and meatball subs (lunch only for the sandwiches)
            Vietnam Pearl - Pretty decent vietnamese food if you don't want to go all the way to Little Saigon
            Marche Moderne - one of the best french spots in the area, surprised that hasn't been listed yet
            Jugos Acapulco - one of many good mexican places along 19th street (several of which have already been listed). I usually get a torta or one of their specials for the day.

            1. w
              Wonginator Oct 6, 2010 04:32 PM

              Chicken Coop for broasted chicken.

              Chicago's Best for Italian beef sandwiches and great baby back ribs.

              Onotria for northern Italian.

              Plums Cafe for the Dutch Baby.

              S W Seafood for authentic Cantonese food.

              Chef Chen's for the braised pork shank.

              Philly's Best, Frank's Philadelphia, and John's Philly Grill for Philly cheesesteaks.

              Jerry's Dogs for the Jalapeno hot links and bratwursts, and homemade potato chips.

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              Jerry's Dogs
              2276 E 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92705

              Chicago's Best
              2540 Main St, Irvine, CA 92614

              Chicken Coop
              414 Old Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663

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

              Plums Cafe
              369 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

              S W Seafood & BBQ Restaurant
              5406 Walnut Ave Ste A, Irvine, CA 92604

              Frank's Philadelphia
              2244 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

              John's Philly Grille
              16061 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

              Onotria Restaurant
              2831 Bristol St Ste A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

              1 Reply
              1. re: Wonginator
                Funwithfood Oct 31, 2010 11:03 PM

                I LOVE Jerry's Dogs (I go to the one in La Habra). Their sprial dog and made to order potato chips totally rock!

                (Plum's Greek omelet is delish)

              2. terramassu Oct 6, 2010 06:44 AM

                Also
                Californian/Vegan/Vegetarian
                Avanti Cafe
                259 E. 17th St
                Costa Mesa, CA 92627
                (949) 548-2224

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                Avanti Cafe
                259 E 17th St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

                1. terramassu Oct 5, 2010 08:29 PM

                  Pupusas/ El Salvadorean
                  Pupuseria San Sivar
                  1940 Harbor Blvd
                  Costa Mesa, CA 92627
                  (949) 650-2952

                  Vegan
                  Native Foods
                  2937 Bristol St # E100
                  Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7997
                  (714) 751-2151

                  Organic/ Wines/ Cheeses/ Pastas/Breakfast
                  Old Vine Cafe
                  2937 Bristol St # A102
                  Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7993
                  (714) 545-1411

                  Mexican/Tortillas/Tacos
                  El Toro Bravo
                  739 W 19th St
                  Costa Mesa, CA 92627
                  (949) 646-4266

                  Rotisserie Chicken/Hummus/Meditteranean
                  Chicken Maison
                  3332 S Bristol St
                  Santa Ana, CA 92704
                  (714) 434-0244

                  Ice Cream Closer than Strickland's
                  Hans' Homemade Ice Cream
                  3640 S Bristol St
                  Santa Ana, CA 92704
                  (714) 979-8815

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                  San Sivar Restaurant
                  1940 Harbor Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

                  Old Vine Cafe
                  2937 Bristol St # A102, Costa Mesa, CA

                  1. n
                    ns1 Oct 5, 2010 07:48 PM

                    85' Bakery on the border of Irvine/Tustin

                    1. OC Mutt Oct 5, 2010 07:44 PM

                      Greek Island Grill - corner of Bristol and Sunflower. One of my favorites.

                      1. b
                        bigdead1 Oct 5, 2010 07:22 PM

                        If you like pho just a short drive to westminster and you have about a hundred great choices one of my favs right now is pho 79 on brookhurst and hazard behind the liquor store

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