Orange county must eat

[Technor]

Spending a week ( aug 15-22) in laguna hills looking for outstanding hole in the wall Mexican or BBQ
Price isn't issue
Food is main goal
Where do you go?

[WhereTheCopsEat]

One of our other favorite spots off the main street is Alta Coffee in Newport. Great Breakfast and small town feel. Go early for breakfast and parking is metered. The table service is spotty but you can always take your mug up to the counter for a refill if you get tired of waiting. Great poached eggs and french toast o the weekends!
Mike

[WhereTheCopsEat]

La Tiendita in San Clemente. They also have cheap bean burritos and quesadillas! If you get a combo they serve it up on a real plate too otherwise it's cheap paper plates. Love this family owned spot!

[gator28]

Jan's in Huntington Beach is a great for sandwiches. Get the Surfer Special with avo & tuna.

[Technor]

Thanks to all what wonderful suggestions
Any more great hole in the walls?

[mlbartender]

Hi there,
I know this other amazing hole in the wall restaurant if you're into sushi. At first when I started to live in Orange county, I was surprised how besides Mexican, Japanese and Vienamese cuisines are big in OC. The place I'm referring to is called Ikko in Costa Mesa. Besides some of their fusion dishes, they serve mostly traditional preparations of pre-seasoned sushi that calls for immediate eating when served and don't carry American-style rolls. They've even posted on their chalk board in the front where they would used to post specials saying that they don't serve these sort of rolls as many people would just flat out leave after looking at the menu. The first pic is a citrus vinaigrette carpaccio (must ask sushi chef directly for this as they've taken it off) with a fish imported from Kyushu, Japan called "chicken grant" (i know, weird name). Second pic: Maguro (tuna), Third: Albacore, Fourth: Toro (I think it's Chu-toro instead of the fatty O-toro). I've taken many friends to this place and they all love it. Even people who used to not like anything raw change their perspectives on sushi. Here's their address and reservations are highly reccommended: 735 Baker Street Costa Mesa, CA 92626
[phone]

[Porthos]

Japan called "chicken grant" (i know, weird name).
================
Izaki = chicken grunt. A bit chewy in texture.

[crystaw]

I recommend Mil Jugos (also in Santa Ana) for arepas-the green sauces in the squeeze bottles on each table are delicious with them. http://www.miljugos.com/

[mlbartender]

For Mexican, I would travel to Santa Ana as they have a large, if not, the largest Mexican community in Orange County. Granted, it won't be as pearly as Laguna Hills. However, if you're looking for authentic tacos, especially al Pastor tacos with meat shaven off the shawarma/kebab grill, go to Taqueria 2 Guys. Here's a recent OC weekly article on the restaurant. http://www.ocweekly.com/2012-04-05/fo...

Also, the prices are really reasonable from around $1.29 a taco. After 5pm, the al Pastor tacos are only a buck each. Be sure to look at the other reviews on the net. Their really spicy Jalapeno salsa is amazing! The following pics are their al Pastor Tacos along with their special (all-meat) buritto for only $1 more (approx $6 total) with meat of your choice.

[Norm Man]

If you are going to go to Santa Ana, you have to eat the Tacos Acorazados ("Battleship Tacos") at Alebrije's Grill Food Truck. Alebrije's Grill is the Pink Food Truck at the Northgate Gonzalez Market in Santa Ana and operates 7 days a week.

Review by Chowhound "Elmomonster:"

http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2009/09/alebrijes-grill-santa-ana.html

OC Weekly Review:

http://www.ocweekly.com/2009-07-23/food/hole-in-the-wall/

Alebrije's Grill Food Truck (Pink Truck).
Cubbon and Main St
at Northgate Gonzalez Market
Santa Ana
714 655-3253
http://www.yelp.com/biz/alebrijes-gri...

[josephnl]

OC is hardly a Mecca for lovers of barbecue, but Blake's in Anaheim puts out a mighty tasty brisket or pulled pork sandwich. Suggest it for lunch. See: http://www.blakesplacebbq.com/

[A5 KOBE]

A true hole in the wall is in Tustin called Carnitas Los Reyes. Get the chicharron and the refried beans. Best beans I have ever had and the chicharron is amazing. I also love the lengua and buche there. Chorizo is great but will put you to an early grave.

[Das Ubergeek]

It's actually on Tustin Street in Orange, though.

[ocshooter]

I will second Coyote for fun Mexican, but it is hardly traditional. My favorite hole in the wall for fish tacos is Los Cotijas in Tustin. You want to go further north up the 5 into Santa Ana for other real Mexican options.

If you want Cal-Mex, Taco Rosa in Irvine is good.

As far as real BBQ, again I will point you north to Santa Ana and Burrell's BBQ.

[josephnl]

Coyote Grill is a hole- in-the-wall Mexican that does terrific Mexican style breakfasts on deck with a bit of a view. It's in south Laguna on PCH.

[Tapeworm]

Baja Fish Tacos for their namesake.

[chewbacca]

Taco Loco in Laguna Beach!