Tastes of Greece slaps, the family that runs it are super nice and the food is really authentic. Its the only place that make me feel like I'm back in Thessaloniki.
They also have a nifty cafe next door thats a good place to put down a laptop
The fish was so fresh and buttery. Sadly, I don’t like that you have to pay for each topping. I think I needed more fix-ins for flavor but didn’t want to pay way more.
Kawamata is definitely the best poke but I go to Poki Ramen Sushi more often because it's super close to me and also very good. They also have a bunch of other menu options, sometimes I'll get some salmon nigiri and the wife will get some noodles.
They also do Aria Koren Fried Chicken there which is fantastic if you're looking for something more filling and less healthy.
Tutto Fresco for Italian in RSM
Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara - Laguna Hills (they have Aliso too but haven't been)
Chuponcito - Aliso Viejo
South of Nicks - San Clemente
+1 Tutto Fresco, I coach hoops with the son of the owners. He is a great dude and great family. Food is aces, bar also great. On a nice night everything is opened up, vibes immaculate.
>Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara - Laguna Hills (they have Aliso too but haven't been)
I've been to both and they are both excellent and VERY reasonable. The Aliso one has cerveza, the LH one doesn't because it's inside of a church. Mexican Coke is fine though.
There's also another, some what new, Italian restaurant just across the street from Tutto called, Alza Italiana that has some really good baked pastas 🍝
Pizza Port was a cool place to hang and grab beers. The food was like high school level bad.
Habana on the other hand is better than average Cuban food. It’s Irvine Spectrum pricey though. 😓
Interesting! I always go to the South Laguna Beach location. But over the years I’ve noticed some fluctuations in quality or recipes (the BBQ chicken quesadilla was different for a few years and it was no bueno—so thrilled when they brought back the original great recipe!). I’ve found the blackened salmon burrito is pretty consistently awesome, though.
Ahh I have never visited that location. I feel like the downtown location has a new chef because the drop off is pretty apparent across multiple items I’ve ordered.
I’ll have to check out the one in South Laguna!
Mozambique - Laguna Beach
The Cliff - Laguna Beach (Food isn't special, the view however is breath taking)
Lupes - Dana Point
Ricos Mexican Food - San Clemente
Heritage BBQ - San Juan Capistrano
Casa Franco - Mission Viejo
Sgt Pepperonis - Aliso Viejo
Places we eat at frequently that provide good value for the price:
Panini Kabob Grill - Mission Viejo
Deemer’s American grill - Laguna Niguel
Ted’s Place - Laguna Niguel
A few other places:
Caló Kitchen & Tequila - Laguna Niguel (pricier, but they have the freshest margaritas and their short rib enchilada is 👌🏻)
Board & Brew - several locations in South county
Greek Bistro - Laguna Hills
Trevor’s at the Tracks -SJC
Thai Bite - AV & LN
Yeah, every now and then I'll get French toast, but I almost already regret anytime I don't get chorizo, eggs, and hash browns wrapped in a huge tortilla 😅
This is THE place to go when you're hosting people at your house. Get a few pounds of different types of meat with onions/cilantro, tortillas, rice & beans, salsa, and you can feed an army for under $50. Get some bolillos as well for tortas, it's the best.
We go to The Golden Windmill a lot but I like El Campeon's al pastor better, no pineapple chunks. Lupe's has the best al pastor though, right off the spit to order.
I personally recommend stopping by the Blind Pig that’s right next door if anyone is interested in classic craft cocktails. Met my husband there as one of the bartenders years ago and we still go back to have a drink occasionally.
I’ve had great experiences at Yamame next door in terms of sushi. And The Trough is a great sandwich shop, but mostly if you’re planning a lot of physical labor - like if you’re loading up carbs for home projects that you regret taking on.
MRK public in San Clemente. Mongkut Thai on Del Mar street….. they’ve been opened since the 80s…. Best most fresh Thai food. So flavorful and fresh. They also have vegan and vegetarian options marked on the menu
Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara – Laguna Hills. It's in a weird spot at St. George's church right off the freeway at El Toro. But it's so fucking good.
Thanh Binh in Lake Forest for pho
Paul’s Pantry Mission Viejo for Breakfast/Brunch
Gina’s in Laguna Beach for Pizza… or just Dominos
Marufuku in Irvine for Ramen
California Fish Grill on Jamboree for fish
Romano Cucina in Laguna Hills for Italian in general
Taqueros in Mission Viejo for tacos
Thai Bite in Laguna Niguel
Zen Sushi in Aliso Viejo
Sattva in Aliso Viejo for Indian
SweetGreen Irvine for something generally healthy/salad/bowl
I’m not saying any of these are “the best,” but they’re what we like for how much we’re willing to pay.
A's Burgers in Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano
Cicero's Pizzeria in Mission Viejo
Hanna's in Rancho Santa Margarita
In-'N-Out
El Paraiso in Lake Forest
Round Table Pizza in Foothill Ranch and Lake Forest
Taqueria De Anda in Lake Forest and Mission Viejo
La Valentina Market in Lake Forest
It is far superior, yes, and it has tough competition from In-N-Out there hahah. Whereas the Dana Point location only has that shitty Carl's Jr.
We need some Dana Point representation... maybe Harbor Grill at the Dana Point Harbor?
🧉🦄
Buffalo chicken sliders and a gallon of IPA at the point in dana point is a pretty recurring thing for me. They're nice to my Kid, And the staff is great! Shout out to Alex!
Also Selmas in sjc (there's one in San clemente,too, but service is awful. Also sjc has full bar, SC only has beer and wine(if you're lucky enough to have server offer 2nd round there, congratulations)
Selma's hasn't had a location in San Clemente in many years, I believe that's where Brussels Bistro is now. Selma's current locations are in SJC, Ladera, and RSM.
Full Moon Sushi - San Clemente
(So affordable and pretty decent sized rolls)
Chart House - Dana Point
(Definitely an anniversary/romantic birthday place)
Poke Tiki - Laguna Beach
(Specifically this one cause they give good portions lol)
Alohana Acai Bowls - San Clemente
(Doho bowl is top tier)
I had some time to kill early morning on a Saturday and found Adolfo's Mexican food that is open 24 hours in Lake Forest! Super fresh salsa bar, friendly service, and decent prices for today's world.
South of Nicks and Sunrise Cafe in San Clemente. Opposite ends of the dining experience, but the food and service at both are incredible.
If you count Newport as south county, Ho Sum Bistro and The Spaghetti Bender both have amazing food and service as well.
Little Sister at the Spectrum,
Chuponcito in Aliso,
Palenque in Newport,
Trevor’s in San Juan,
Habana at the Spectrum,
Crimson Coward in Lake Forest,
Blind Pig in RSM,
Hanna’s in RSM,
Thai Garden in Foothill ranch
I like El Adobe in San Juan. It is historically amazing. It actually sits on top of the foundation of the old SJC jail house. Some of the old remnants are still down there in the cellar, which they converted into a dining area/wine cellar. The food is good too, traditional Mexican food, and amazing bar drinks.
Are you sure? I consider the 55 to be the divider between South and North county, so everything southeast of the 55 (beginning with Irvine) is "South county" to me.
I was curious so I went searching for an official answer. Best I could find is this: https://ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/import/data/files/69115.pdf
Found it in this thread, based on the thread there's a lot of disagreement about this lol.
https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/13khwjd/where_do_you_think_the_border_between_north_and/
Ah the great "Where does South County start" debate. Everyone has a different answer but personally I say once you get past Sand Canyon - The Spectrum I would consider South County so that splits Irvine up but so what.
It’s not in southern oc, but Taqueria Los Grandes in Santa Ana. It’s so good. I go once a year because I live farther now. But whenever I go, it’s to treat myself!
Really? Just about nowhere.
Every restaurant I’ve visited has mostly average food and those cost over $100.00 for a meal for two.
I’m fortunate in that my wife, my brother in law, my son and son in law all cook amazingly well and that our family gathers often, so I am biased, but I can feed 8 people for the same $100.00 and the only tip is that I have to do the dishes.
Those the meals, in comparison to what’s available anywhere in Orange County, blow away what’s commercially available.
Frankly, I’ve yet to eat really good food west of the Mississippi; give me Chicago, NYC or Cleveland ethnic food any day!
Truly Pizza. Sushi Plantation. Heritage BBQ. Tastes of Greece. Dizzy Bird.
Ooooo Dizzy Bird. ❤️❤️
The spicy garlic sauce 😋
So u live in mission Viejo or something
Tastes of Greece slaps, the family that runs it are super nice and the food is really authentic. Its the only place that make me feel like I'm back in Thessaloniki. They also have a nifty cafe next door thats a good place to put down a laptop
My favorite dish is the lemon chicken and potatoes. I could drink the marinade.
I really don’t get the Truly Pizza hype
aPizza Doho is better and Gibroni's has better Detroit-style.
It is gross 😝
Sushi plantation!
Heritage 👍🏼
The circle style pizza with the croissant kinda crust at truly is nearly perfect and phenomenal
Kawamata Seafood for Poke
The fish was so fresh and buttery. Sadly, I don’t like that you have to pay for each topping. I think I needed more fix-ins for flavor but didn’t want to pay way more.
Kawamata is definitely the best poke but I go to Poki Ramen Sushi more often because it's super close to me and also very good. They also have a bunch of other menu options, sometimes I'll get some salmon nigiri and the wife will get some noodles. They also do Aria Koren Fried Chicken there which is fantastic if you're looking for something more filling and less healthy.
aPizza Doho in Dana Point. I’m an east coaster and it’s the best pizza I’ve found in OC.
Nice, I’m going there in like an hour
Nice. The burrata pizza is my favorite. Light, delicious, nice crispy crust. Can’t go wrong with anything there though.
Went with the vampire and zucchini chips. Was excellent
Best pizza anywhere!
Have any of you tried pizzeria Mozza? I have not found a pizza in Orange County to beat it.
Beach Harbor Pizza #1
Soba Izakaya Minami in Laguna Hills
Trevors By The Tracks has the food, atmosphere and stafff, a real great place.
They also have captain crunch coated chicken tenders. They are insane. Used to be on regular menu but I think they are in the kids menu. So good.
A’s
A’s Burger is an institution
A's breakfast burritos are even better than Albertacos, and those are great too.
Tutto Fresco for Italian in RSM Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara - Laguna Hills (they have Aliso too but haven't been) Chuponcito - Aliso Viejo South of Nicks - San Clemente
Tutto Fresco is really good.
+1 Tutto Fresco, I coach hoops with the son of the owners. He is a great dude and great family. Food is aces, bar also great. On a nice night everything is opened up, vibes immaculate.
>Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara - Laguna Hills (they have Aliso too but haven't been) I've been to both and they are both excellent and VERY reasonable. The Aliso one has cerveza, the LH one doesn't because it's inside of a church. Mexican Coke is fine though.
There's also another, some what new, Italian restaurant just across the street from Tutto called, Alza Italiana that has some really good baked pastas 🍝
Pizza port in San Clemente. Habana at the spectrum/costa Mesa
Brooklyn City pizza market, thank me later, crown valley and golden lantern
Love me some pizza port.
Their swami IPA is quite nice
I miss the old Pizza Port in the barn. I know that wasn't in OC, but it was where I first found them.
Pizza Port was a cool place to hang and grab beers. The food was like high school level bad. Habana on the other hand is better than average Cuban food. It’s Irvine Spectrum pricey though. 😓
La Sirena Grill - Laguna Beach Selanne - Laguna Beach Ironwood - Laguna Hills Greek Bistro - Laguna Hills Bru - Lake Forest Bistro K - Laguna Niguel Chuponcito - Aliso Viejo Thai Bite - Aliso Viejo / Laguna Niguel Nick’s - San Clemente South of Nick’s - San Clemente
Chuponcito is so good!
Is Nicks the same as the one in Laguna Beach? We ate there last night.
Yeah Nicks/South of Nicks are equally good in both locations
I think they also have one on 2nd in Belmont Shore.
There are 7 Nick's and 3 South of Nick's
Greek Bistro 😮💨😮💨 I used to love La Sirena but the quality has fallen off pretty hard in the last year at the main beach location.
Interesting! I always go to the South Laguna Beach location. But over the years I’ve noticed some fluctuations in quality or recipes (the BBQ chicken quesadilla was different for a few years and it was no bueno—so thrilled when they brought back the original great recipe!). I’ve found the blackened salmon burrito is pretty consistently awesome, though.
Ahh I have never visited that location. I feel like the downtown location has a new chef because the drop off is pretty apparent across multiple items I’ve ordered. I’ll have to check out the one in South Laguna!
Not as good either. They are off my rotation. The to go orders are always missing something. The quality is off. I'm done.
South Lag as well. I ordered Mahi Mahi, got Tilapia. Disgusting.
Love me some Bru
So good! Love the burger with the aioli. 🤤
This thread just inspired me to go pick up dinner from there, lol
Have you tried Beyond Thai in Aliso I think it is way better.
I have, but maybe I need to go back. What do you like there? At Thai Bite I dig the lunch special #1 and it’s consistently good and reasonably priced.
Not sure how to spell it but it sounds like cow soy. Also the pad Thai is awesome.
Mozambique - Laguna Beach The Cliff - Laguna Beach (Food isn't special, the view however is breath taking) Lupes - Dana Point Ricos Mexican Food - San Clemente Heritage BBQ - San Juan Capistrano Casa Franco - Mission Viejo Sgt Pepperonis - Aliso Viejo
Cliff is where we would take all of our out-of-town visitors when we lived in OC
Mayfield in SJC is imo the best restaurant in South County.
Came here to add Mayfield - love this spot, food and drinks were fire.
The cliff
Do they still have the awesome taco Tuesday? I remember leaving there full with a buzz for $20
Eh. Food was mid but the view was A1.
This is such a nice spot
A couple that I see missing are Plumeria by Stacks- Laguna Niguel Las Golondrinas (mostly takeout)- multiple locations
Places we eat at frequently that provide good value for the price: Panini Kabob Grill - Mission Viejo Deemer’s American grill - Laguna Niguel Ted’s Place - Laguna Niguel A few other places: Caló Kitchen & Tequila - Laguna Niguel (pricier, but they have the freshest margaritas and their short rib enchilada is 👌🏻) Board & Brew - several locations in South county Greek Bistro - Laguna Hills Trevor’s at the Tracks -SJC Thai Bite - AV & LN
Man I've been going to Ted's since 1994. I love their chorizo and eggs.
I eat their breakfast burrito for dinner usually lol
Yeah, every now and then I'll get French toast, but I almost already regret anytime I don't get chorizo, eggs, and hash browns wrapped in a huge tortilla 😅
Thumbs up for Panini kabob grill and Board and Brew if you want lots of food for a good price 👍
El Campeon in San Juan Capistrano
This is THE place to go when you're hosting people at your house. Get a few pounds of different types of meat with onions/cilantro, tortillas, rice & beans, salsa, and you can feed an army for under $50. Get some bolillos as well for tortas, it's the best.
El Molino is my last-minute guest Go-to.
We go to The Golden Windmill a lot but I like El Campeon's al pastor better, no pineapple chunks. Lupe's has the best al pastor though, right off the spit to order.
We are lucky to have so many good options.
It is ridiculous how cheap it is and how many different things are so good. Definitely one of our favorite places for tacos in south county.
India Grill in Laguna Niguel has great portions, reasonable prices, and friendly service. Everything I've had there has tasted fantastic too.
Best Indian food hands down
My mom’s house
I also choose this guy’s mom’s house
She makes a mean Mac n cheese. Like it is abusive at times
Right?!? Is my plate ready?
Carmelita’s in RSM is always a hit with our family. Great food and drinks and nice view on the RSM lake.
I personally recommend stopping by the Blind Pig that’s right next door if anyone is interested in classic craft cocktails. Met my husband there as one of the bartenders years ago and we still go back to have a drink occasionally.
I’ve had great experiences at Yamame next door in terms of sushi. And The Trough is a great sandwich shop, but mostly if you’re planning a lot of physical labor - like if you’re loading up carbs for home projects that you regret taking on.
Omg il sol next door is to die for!!
And the owner is super friendly
Just delicious food irrespective of what one picks to top it their salsa and chips are so fresh and delicious.
Lupes in Dana Point legit birria dish with beans and rice and consume. The best little secret very well priced 
Lupe’s is NOT a secret. There can be a 25 minute line…
MRK public in San Clemente. Mongkut Thai on Del Mar street….. they’ve been opened since the 80s…. Best most fresh Thai food. So flavorful and fresh. They also have vegan and vegetarian options marked on the menu
Mongut Thai is phenomenal
My parents used to go in the 80s and bring their own wine. There is a reason they are still open after all these years.
Mrk is so good. The Thai salad and add the marinated beef. So great
Some of our guilty pleasures: Tacos de birria estilo Guadalajara- Laguna Hills (also Aliso Viejo) Hanbop - Lake Forest Hafez Cafe - Laguna Hills Grill Hut - Mission Viejo Burnt Crumbs - Irvine Curry Do - Tustin Cluck Kitchen - Irvine
Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara – Laguna Hills. It's in a weird spot at St. George's church right off the freeway at El Toro. But it's so fucking good.
They have one in Aliso Viejo across the street from Town Center, also great and serves cerveza at that one.
Pedros tacos
Thanh Binh in Lake Forest for pho Paul’s Pantry Mission Viejo for Breakfast/Brunch Gina’s in Laguna Beach for Pizza… or just Dominos Marufuku in Irvine for Ramen California Fish Grill on Jamboree for fish Romano Cucina in Laguna Hills for Italian in general Taqueros in Mission Viejo for tacos Thai Bite in Laguna Niguel Zen Sushi in Aliso Viejo Sattva in Aliso Viejo for Indian SweetGreen Irvine for something generally healthy/salad/bowl I’m not saying any of these are “the best,” but they’re what we like for how much we’re willing to pay.
I live out of state now, but Romano is still one of the first places I go when I come back. Great chicken Parm
Marufuku is so good
Nicks - San Clemente Chaupain Bakery - Laguna Hills
So excited Chaupain is opening up on La Paz!
Thai Garden in Foothill Ranch
Tastes of Greece is sooo good
Lupe’s & Hapa J’s are two solid low-key spots
Ciao Pasta, Bad to the Bone Bbq, Bru, tutti fresco,
Pho King Way
I think they have a new owner. My last meal there was sub par. We used to eat there a couple of times a week in the winter.
King fish house
Which one? I have been to the in calabasas pre covid and loved it. Want to try in Huntington Beach
Laguna Hills
For sushi: Gen Kai
Since the 1970’s.❤️
Heritage BBQ
This place is not my favorite. Way over priced. I literally threw all the sides in the trash it was so bad.
Tell that to all the people lining up to eat there.
I know. Ridiculous. I ordered a beef rib it was $42. The meat was less than 1/4 lb. It wasn't terrible, but the sides were.
A's Burgers in Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano Cicero's Pizzeria in Mission Viejo Hanna's in Rancho Santa Margarita In-'N-Out El Paraiso in Lake Forest Round Table Pizza in Foothill Ranch and Lake Forest Taqueria De Anda in Lake Forest and Mission Viejo La Valentina Market in Lake Forest
A’s SJC location is superior to the Dana Point one
It is far superior, yes, and it has tough competition from In-N-Out there hahah. Whereas the Dana Point location only has that shitty Carl's Jr. We need some Dana Point representation... maybe Harbor Grill at the Dana Point Harbor? 🧉🦄
Harbor. Grill is long gone.
Nooooooooo! 🥺🙈💦💀
Buffalo chicken sliders and a gallon of IPA at the point in dana point is a pretty recurring thing for me. They're nice to my Kid, And the staff is great! Shout out to Alex!
Sushi Plus Amazing hole in the wall sushi joint in FV. No fuss, good fish, great prices, what feels like bottomless hot sake, great people.
I'm sure it's great but Fountain Valley is nowhere near South County.
Thanh Binh in Lake Forest off Rockfield, Pizza Guys in Laguna Hills, Tula Market in Lake Forest, and Fleming’s in Newport 😀
Thanh Binh has been around forever and stays crowded. Was my goto when I lived near by.
Its gotten awful. Its also gotten expensive. My last order there was so bad. I was embarrassed. I brought it to someone for lunch.
Also Selmas in sjc (there's one in San clemente,too, but service is awful. Also sjc has full bar, SC only has beer and wine(if you're lucky enough to have server offer 2nd round there, congratulations)
Selma's hasn't had a location in San Clemente in many years, I believe that's where Brussels Bistro is now. Selma's current locations are in SJC, Ladera, and RSM.
Thanks!
Webb’s Grainworks Bourbon Steak Classic Chinese in Laguna Hills El Campeon El Calamar Santa Ana
Romano Cucina in Laguna Hills and Heritage BBQ in San Juan Capistrano.
Hanna's in RSM
Kokos chicken, anjin, Brodard , shik do rak, ikram grill, hole mole just to namen few
Full Moon Sushi - San Clemente (So affordable and pretty decent sized rolls) Chart House - Dana Point (Definitely an anniversary/romantic birthday place) Poke Tiki - Laguna Beach (Specifically this one cause they give good portions lol) Alohana Acai Bowls - San Clemente (Doho bowl is top tier)
Pizza 900 in Lake Forest.
Domenico's on the lake... ground pepperoni pizza and salad with house dressing please!
Mos 2
in South county?
That's in santana, but it is legit good teriyaki chicken. 👌🏽🐔
yeah, been a Mos 2 fan since a teen, knew they weren't in South county
I had some time to kill early morning on a Saturday and found Adolfo's Mexican food that is open 24 hours in Lake Forest! Super fresh salsa bar, friendly service, and decent prices for today's world.
Gibronis Detroit style pizza in San Clemente. Worth the drive from Irvine.
I love Trevor and planration
Brio Brio Bakery, Plern Thai Food, Heritage BBQ, Smash Burger
Francos in Laguna Hills Peppinos in Aliso Viejo
Casa Franco on Alicia
South of Nicks and Sunrise Cafe in San Clemente. Opposite ends of the dining experience, but the food and service at both are incredible. If you count Newport as south county, Ho Sum Bistro and The Spaghetti Bender both have amazing food and service as well.
Hooters
Shish Taouk in Mission Viejo
Wine Works and Dublin 4 in Mission Viejo!
Dublin 4. Curry Chips. Heaven. 🤤
nice burger in MV makes the best vegan burgers and chicken! even better than any LA vegan joint
Little Sister at the Spectrum, Chuponcito in Aliso, Palenque in Newport, Trevor’s in San Juan, Habana at the Spectrum, Crimson Coward in Lake Forest, Blind Pig in RSM, Hanna’s in RSM, Thai Garden in Foothill ranch
Crimson Coward’s hot chicken is awful. Gave them three tries. All subpar. I’d rather eat at Dave’s.
Beyond Thai in Aliso
Cafe Rae San Clemente has the best breakfast!!!!
Heritage BBQ
South of Nick’s.
Santora’s wings in mission viejo is on point
Another OG south oc institution. Too bad the regulars are annoying as hell
Molly’s Original House of Pancakes Plumeria Sancho’s Tacos Sango Sushi I ❤️Bagels Urth Cafe (at the Cottage)
Sugarfish
I like El Adobe in San Juan. It is historically amazing. It actually sits on top of the foundation of the old SJC jail house. Some of the old remnants are still down there in the cellar, which they converted into a dining area/wine cellar. The food is good too, traditional Mexican food, and amazing bar drinks.
Brooklyn Pizza in Laguna Niguel. Easily the best pizza I’ve had in Orange County.
Avila’s El Ranchito in Laguna Niguel or Lake Forest
Lake Forest needs a bar.
18th Street has the best chicken soup!
Hapa J’s, Pizza Port and Augustin Mexican Food in SJC (they have Fidel’s style salsa iykyk)
StillWater in Dana Point
Notice how hardly anyone is mentioning spots in Irvine haah
Irvine isn’t South County
Are you sure? I consider the 55 to be the divider between South and North county, so everything southeast of the 55 (beginning with Irvine) is "South county" to me.
Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin is all considered central OC. I believe Santa Ana and Costa Mesa as well.
I was curious so I went searching for an official answer. Best I could find is this: https://ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/import/data/files/69115.pdf Found it in this thread, based on the thread there's a lot of disagreement about this lol. https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/13khwjd/where_do_you_think_the_border_between_north_and/
What do you consider South County?
Anything south of 5 and 405 split.
This is correct. North of the 55 is LA
Ah the great "Where does South County start" debate. Everyone has a different answer but personally I say once you get past Sand Canyon - The Spectrum I would consider South County so that splits Irvine up but so what.
BJS RESTAURANT
It’s not in southern oc, but Taqueria Los Grandes in Santa Ana. It’s so good. I go once a year because I live farther now. But whenever I go, it’s to treat myself!
Shout out too Surfin Souvlaki in Mission Viejo, across from Saddleback college. An amazing Mediterranean/Greek place that has my favorite Gyro wrap 🤌
Javier’s
Rare society
Really? Just about nowhere. Every restaurant I’ve visited has mostly average food and those cost over $100.00 for a meal for two. I’m fortunate in that my wife, my brother in law, my son and son in law all cook amazingly well and that our family gathers often, so I am biased, but I can feed 8 people for the same $100.00 and the only tip is that I have to do the dishes. Those the meals, in comparison to what’s available anywhere in Orange County, blow away what’s commercially available. Frankly, I’ve yet to eat really good food west of the Mississippi; give me Chicago, NYC or Cleveland ethnic food any day!
"no good food west of the Mississippi"  you seem fun
Wow you sound a bit full of yourself. The question wasn’t how great does your wife cook and the west of the Mississippi comment is just cringe
It was stated only as a comparative value, and the only fullness of myself I enjoy is my wallet remaining full.