Your local favorite joints to grab the grub

[Ghoulish Delight]

I just discovered a fantastic new place to eat, so I thought I'd start a thread to share my favorite local eateries (no, Kevy, the Cheesecake Factory that just opened doesn't count!). There's nothing I like better than a small independant place that just knows how to serve good, fresh food.

The place I just discovered is Taco Mesa. Now, they've got a few locations and I actually think I've been to their Mission Viejo location. But I do not remember it being this freaking good. This time I went to the original, on 19th in Costa Mesa. It turns out they are doing $1 tacos on Tuesdays. I ordered 3, figuring they'd be little 2-bite street tacos. Holy moly, these things were more like little burritos than tacos! And it's not like the $1 was a huge discount. Normal price is $1.50-$2.50 depending on the kind of taco. And they tasted so damned good. Nothing better than when something tastes 100% fresh. Mmmm. If you're in Costa Mesa and are looking for Mexican...

Also in Costa Mesa is The Gypsy Den, at the Lab Antimall. A tiny little bakery/cafe that serves delicious sandwiches on fresh baked bread. Their soups leave something to be desired as every soup they serve is basically cream of cumin that's been dyed the color of whatever it's supposed to be. But man, those sandwiches. And it's all about the atmosphere. Seating is a mix of little cafe patio tables and couches with coffee tables. They've got two big doors that are always open to the outside seating area, so it's nice and airy. It's decorated in a great eclectic lounge style, with randomly filled bookshelves. It's just the most relaxing place to sit and have a meal.

My last recomendation will have to be updated later, because I don't actually know the name or exact location of the place. My sister used them to cater their Superbowl party this weekend, and my BiL and his friend are actually renting their kitchen for a little side business they're running. But it's a soul food restaurant in Encino, and by God the food at that party was absolutely sinful. A killer real deal mac and cheese casserole, heavenly corn bread, hush puppies served with hot sauce (kinda like buffalo wing sauce) that were just delicious. But the star of the show were the ribs. Oh...my....goodness. Literally falling off the bone, and the most flavorful ribs I've ever tasted. I stuffed my self silly, and I'm still craving it. Apparantly there were also supposed to be some yams that were equally stellar, but they never made it. I think we lived anyway (or maybe that's WHY we lived). I can't wait to eat at the actual restaurant.

So those are a few from me. What are yours?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Psst. The mac and cheese was made by their caterer friend, not the restaurant.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh, Ann brought that? I missed that. Well, it was delicious none the less.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

One of my faves is in Lake Forest and is called "Philly's Best". They also have a location in Aliso Viejo. If you want a to-die-for Philly Cheesesteak, you can't do any better. They proclaim that all of thier ingredients are imported from Philly, including and especially the bread, which is delicious. The trademark "Philly's Best" sandwich includes Steak, Onions, Mushrooms, and grilled peppers, all smothered in gooey melted cheese. Prices average about 6 bucks for a sandwich that you will inhale. Good stuff but expect a good 1/2 hour wait if you go at lunch.

Another that comes to mind is Los Golandrinas. They have at least two locations. One in Laguna Niguel (Crown Valley Pkwy and Greenfield) and the other in Capo Beach. It is the epitome of "hole in the wall" and all food is ala carte. I've been told that have been voted best mexican food in orange county for many years.

They have a refrigerated section where you can buy their own tortillas, salsa, guacamole, flan, and sweet tamales (coconut and pineapple tamales are to die for, btw). From what I understand, they sell a lot of their stuff to other restaurants. We always pick up some of their yummy chips and guac.

As far as regular items, my favorite is the wet chile verde burrito, with big chunks of fall-apart pork that have been simmering in verde sauce for what seems like an eternity. The soft tacos are huge and on Tuesdays they are a buck each. They also have huge breakfast burritos that are served all day. I highly recommend this place.

Ok, now that I wrote all of that, I realized that it is Tuesday. I'm doomed, especially since I mentioned aloud what I was writing about and now everyone around me is putting in orders for tacos. I guess I'm off to Los Golandrinas...

[Baileykat]

:( We've yet to find anywhere in Tucson besides chains that have good food...I think it's just my taste buds.

We did find wonderful mexican food finally. BUT..it's on the other side of town...about 30-45 minute drive thru traffic...The kind of place you have to be going to to find. But it was so yummy...I've been having cravings for it since the day we ate there..about 3 months ago. I think it was Mischa's...rumored to be the Mexican food place that Pres Clinton flew in special to dine at. Of course, every Mexican food place in town claims to be that place!


When we lived in Abilene, Texas, there was a little hole in the wall BBQ place I loved...They made hot water cornbread, both spicy and plain and fall off the bone tender meats...and turnip greens! I'm a born and bred Southern girl and we love turnip greens...And it's almost impossible to find somewhere to get them that are worth eating....Ahhhh...I can just imagine them now...A big bowl of greens, cornbread and hot pepper sauce! Ahhhh...I miss Texas!

[BarTopDancer]

Also in Costa Mesa is The Gypsy Den, at the Lab Antimall. A tiny little bakery/cafe that serves delicious sandwiches on fresh baked bread. Their soups leave something to be desired as every soup they serve is basically cream of cumin that's been dyed the color of whatever it's supposed to be. But man, those sandwiches. And it's all about the atmosphere. Seating is a mix of little cafe patio tables and couches with coffee tables. They've got two big doors that are always open to the outside seating area, so it's nice and airy. It's decorated in a great eclectic lounge style, with randomly filled bookshelves. It's just the most relaxing place to sit and have a meal.

I love the Gypsey Den. I miss the days when I was a regular customer. They have another location in Newport or Santa Ana in a museum. I'm blanking on it now. I must disagree with you on their soups... the Adobe Stew rocks. The sandwiches and salads are amazing, the portions are huge and the prices can't be beat.

In HB there's a little Italian restaurant called Manja Manja. It's at Golden West and Edinger, a hole in the wall place. The food is excellent. Their garlic bread is melt in your mouth and the pasta is always done right. Their chef will create a sauce if you don't like what the pasta comes with.

Also in HB is Kings Pizza. Located on Springdale and Heil a few stores down from Vons, this pizza place has been in that center for over 25 years. Total hole in the wall, tables in the front and a small banquet area in the back. Cash only. The pizzas are huge and to die for. I have never had a pizza as good as Kings.

One more in HB is Kung Pao Chinese Restaurant. This gem is located at Bolsa Chica and Warner. It is a family style restaurant with warm intimate seating areas. The service and food are amazing and the prices are great (especially for lunch).

In Laguna Hills there is a Chinese Restaurant that I just discovered located off of Carlotta Ave in the Trader Joes shopping center. Amazing.

[Ghoulish Delight]

II must disagree with you on their soups... the Adobe Stew rocks. I wasn't refering to the adobe stew, I was talking about their soups of the day. They are the same base of thick, cumin flavored soup mildly flavored to whatever the vegetable of the day is, and colored to match. Not bad once, but if you've had one variety, you've had them all.

[UvaGirl]

We have a few places we like to frequent.

I’ve posted this one before: www.matterhorn.co.nz (http://www.matterhorn.co.nz/) - it’s got a great bar and the food is really good. This place is also nice.

This (http://www.backbencher.co.nz/)is our local pub – we’re usually here at least once or twice a week. It’s just across the road (literally) from my work and close to some other places we hang out.


For Mexican, I like to go here (http://flyingburritobrothers.co.nz/). Good food, good bar, and it’s in a cool area of town.


I’ll add some more later.

[€uroMeinke]

Mmmmm Taco Mesa - I miss them, if they still have them, try the massa tacos

Since I'm in Chicago today I'll mention Pot Belly Sandwiches - they're a chain here, at least in the city and they have by far some of the best sandwiches ever - oh and shakes and malts. I always try to have at least one meal at one of these when I'm in town.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I've yet to find any good BBQ in Orange County. Anyone got any tips? There used to be a place by Knott's called "Tree's BBQ" that was incredible but they went out of business. I'm forever searching for a replacement.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Tulsa Rib Company in Orange, on Tustin St.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Tulsa Rib Company in Orange, on Tustin St.

It looks mighty tasty, although I'm looking for something less...hmm...restauranty? More of a walk up, down home, take out kinda place. Also, I noticed that they don't serve greens.

I can get what I'm looking for up in LA but for some reason there just aren't many choices down here.

I do appreciate the tip though. :)

[AllyOops!]

*Luna Park~ (http://www.opentable.com/restaurant_profile.asp?ID=2569&ref=537) Los Angeles, La Brea & Wilshire
Although there is also one located in San Fran, making it not exactly one-of-a-kind! The food is delish, and the cocktails are super unique. :cheers: The Icebreaker used to be my absolute favorite. A martini glass packed with frozen green & purple grapes! The Dr. Pepper cocktail comes served on a silver tray, garnished with Dr. Pepper Jelly Bellies, a vintage bottle of Dr. Pepper and a glass of vanilla vodka! You mix it all up and sprinkle the Jelly Bellies inside! Fun! The food is tasty and the atmosphere is hip n' trendy, yet relaxed and casual. Certainly swank! :cool:

[UvaGirl]

The Dr. Pepper cocktail comes served on a silver tray, garnished with Dr. Pepper Jelly Bellies, a vintage bottle of Dr. Pepper and a glass of vanilla vodka! You mix it all up and sprinkle the Jelly Bellies inside! Fun! The food is tasty and the atmosphere is hip n' trendy, yet relaxed and casual. Certainly swank! :cool:

Oh my God - I love it!! How cool:cool:

[Claire]

There's this charming little coffee shop (Capitol Coffee House) two blocks from my house next to this amazing little Italian restaurant, alba osteria (no, I'm not ee cummings, they just don't capitalize).

The coffee shop serves a light dinner upstairs, has amazing desserts and wines in the evenings, mouth watering pastries in the mornings, is filled with dark antique furniture, has great patio seating, is always packed, and oh my gosh, the coffee drinks are to die for.

I found out from our neighborhood Starbucks manager that Starbucks OWNS Capitol Coffee House. I guarantee that NONE of their regular customers knows it, or they wouldn't go there (major hippy hang-out too). :eek: I about DIED. Here I'm always feeling guilty that I don't go there often enough, thinking it's locally owned, but NO. It's owned by Starbucks!!! Apparently, Starbucks makes offers on its local competition when it moves into a neighborhood. I had NO idea!

So....that WAS my favorite little independent place. :rolleyes:

[Prudence]

Agua Verde is a little Mexican place in the U District, down alongside the shipcanal. (You can rent kayaks, too.) Seating is cramped and service is sometimes iffy (you may or may not get exactly what you ordered) but the food is amazing. Put away any notions of greasy enchiladas. Think -- chili-rubbed chicken tacos with cranberry slaw. Tacos with yams, cactus, or portobellos. Actually, just go here (http://www.aguaverde.com/) and read the menu for yourself. Try not to drool on the keyboard. Best guacamole I've ever had. How good is it? Before trying it I hated avacados.

Also in the U District is Mamma Melina's. Amazing Italian food served in a "spaghetti house" environment. How good was the food? I actually ate my vegetables. Astoundingly delicious and very reasonably priced -- which is why they're so damn crowded. Make reservations. They often have live piano music. Somewhat cheesy at times, but in the best possible way. My favorite was the segue from a classic Italian aria into Smoke on the Water (complete with foot-played tamborine.) And I think that was followed by R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Next time your in the area, GD, skip the chain joint and insist your family head over the water to Mamma Melina's.

Closer to our home (south Everett) is a little hole in the wall called the Gyro House. Run by people that are definitely not Greek. Something Middle Eastern we're dying to know but haven't asked because we don't want to be rude. How good is their food? i thought I didn't like hummus, but I'm licking my plate there. Ditto for the falafal. We've ordered take out so often the wife knows who my husband is by his voice -- and if it's the husband, once he starts calling out items to his wife she shouts back that she knows who's calling and how to complete our order. The first time I was in there she was joking with me about some guy who almost forgot to get his wife baklava and yep, she was talking about my husband. What I wouldn't give for a chicken schwarma right now...

And there's "our" Chinese delivery place, and "our" cheap sushi place, and "our" pho noodle place....Still haven't tried the Columbian restaurant or any of the many terriyaki joints. I could go on for days.

[Gemini Cricket]

My favorite is a greasy spoon called 'Rainbows' it's in Kapahulu, O'ahu, HI. They have the best plate lunches and mac salad in the world. Mmm mmm! Makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
:)

(It's not local to me now, but it was as a kid.)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Versailles, cuban place in the valley. Fanfreakingtastic. And if you're further east, in Glendale, and are looking for quick Cuban, Mambo's Cafe on Victory is wonderful as well.

[€uroMeinke]

Versailles, cuban place in the valley. Fanfreakingtastic.

Is that the same as the one in Venice? If so - Oh yeah damn good!

[MerryPrankster]

La Pinata, an excellent hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint. They haven't failed me in 13+ years. And they're open until 3 am.

Top Dog in Berkeley. Again, very reliable. I love the Bocks with sauerkraut and hot mustard, my husband loves the Hot Links -- so we're both happy! And they're open until 3 am.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I may be in the minority, but I love, love, LOVE Bob's Big Boy over near Warner Bros. mmmmmmmmmmm .... Love that Big Boy!! Think I'll go get one after work tomorrow!


There's a great BBQ place out here in Ventura County. Woodranch BBQ is excellent. The make the best onion loaf that is paper thin, crispy and their BBQ sause is so perfect. I know of 3 location out here, but I don't know if they're anywhere else. Moorpark, Agoura and Oxnard. Yum Yum!!

[Mousey Girl]

There is a local, family run Mexican restaraunt here that is killer. It is called La Colonia. The only problem is its location. It is located in a reeeeeeeeeeallllllly bad area of town. You turn your stereo off long before you enter the neighborhood, make sure you are wearing neutral colors, watch for kids in the streets (it is in a residential area) and do NOT flash any excess jewelery. The parking lot sports 20 ft high brick walls topped with razor wire. The opened a new one on this side of town but the food was lacking something.

Other than that, there aren't many independant choices here...all are franchises of large chains.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

The opened a new one on this side of town but the food was lacking something.


Probably the blood of the innocent!!! :cool:

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Anyone familiar with El Tepeyac (http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/59599/los_angeles_ca/el_tepeyac.html?cslink=roundup_name_noncust&ulink=roundup__roundupentity3-1_1__0_profile_2_1) in East LA? From what I remember, it was a great little hole in the wall. I haven't been there since I was a little kid but I remember their mexican food as being fantastic.

I would love to make a trip back someday.

[Tito's Kitten]

One of my favorite places is actually a chain of like five restaurants in Nor cal called Pizz'a Chicago. (it is one of reasons we even GO into downtown San Jose) Oh god I wish they were in LA!! The best pizza is the John Dillinger: Pesto sauce, roasted red pepeers, slivered almonds,fresh garlic and romano on a real DEEP dish pizza. It is SOOOOOO good.....

And two great places for BBQ (and I know I will get hell for this since I think I am, I think, the only one who lives in the San Fernando Valley on this board) is the Bear Pit in Mission Hills (They have a BBQ beef sandwich on thier own garlic toast and with their own brand bottled BBQ sauce...mmmmm...) and The Meat Locker in Thousand Oaks. (A place where you can't find close parking and the windows are so blackened with grease and smoke you KNOW it has to be good!!)

[cirquelover]

We have a great little Hawaiian place called Local Boyz. My brother and I have never found a bad item on the menu and I think we have tried it all now!!
It's always so filling, a scoop of macaroni a scoop of rice and your fav meat to go along! Yumm

[€uroMeinke]

Anyone familiar with El Tepeyac (http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/59599/los_angeles_ca/el_tepeyac.html?cslink=roundup_name_noncust&ulink=roundup__roundupentity3-1_1__0_profile_2_1)in East LA? From what I remember, it was a great little hole in the wall. I haven't been there since I was a little kid but I remember their mexican food as being fantastic.

I would love to make a trip back someday.

Tepeyac still great, and near enough to my workplace, but there's this fish taco place nearby in the other direction that I visit far more frequently.

[blueerica]

Is that the same as the one in Venice? If so - Oh yeah damn good!

Go figure I've been surfing the boards all this time and I never bothered to open up this thread. How lame am I?

Anyhow, I was going to ask the very same thing, but I see you already did.

I love the original Gypsy Den, and from time to time, I still like to stop by. Watch the hip kids be hip, and in the afternoon, watch the business crowd chortle about whatever happened in their work day. The other Gypsy Den, found in Santa Ana, in the art district, near some small galleries, never had the appeal or the same feel as the one in Costa Mesa. I'm a sucker for originals; copies just never do it for me, especially in terms of locations.

One of my favorite places is Tito's Tacos. Anyone ever go there? It's on Washington & Sepulveda, right next to the freeway. Steve & I tell people that it's kangaroo meat, but I think it's also laced with crack, because it's just too good to be true! A few years ago, when Steve asked me where I wanted to go for Valentine's Day, I actually said, "I think Tito's sounds good!" Of course, I'd worked a long shift that day and was too wiped for much more, but that had to be one of the most fun Valentine's I'd ever had.

I also love El Coyote, not so much for the food, but for the atmosphere. The food isn't so bad, but it's just so eclectic and cool. It's a head trip to sit in there, having conversation, eyes roving from object to object.. I love it!

For tequila, I like El Carmen. Long long long bar in a long long long skinny room. Paintings and posters of Mexican wrestlers... Far too cool for even me at times, and they have a tremendous tequila selection. I suppose I haven't grabbed grub there. Nix that, but I'll leave it here so that perhaps sometime someone will want to try the place out. HEHE.

Umm.. I've always like the Stinking Rose. Also a celebration favorite! So delicious!

I'll think of more later, I'm sure! And I'll get back on it...

[Ghoulish Delight]

Yup, it seems the two Versailles are under the same ownership. Actually, there are apparantly now 5 of them, one on La Cienega, one on Ventura in Encino, one on Venice in Culver City, one on Sepulveda in Manhattan Beach, and one in (shudder) City Walk. That news is a bit worrisome, because it's usually the case that the more a restaurant spreads, the more packaged and bland their food becomes. Let's hope they avoid this trap!

[Gn2Dlnd]

I can tell you that the City Walk Versailles lives up to its sister's reputations. I've been to most of them and they're all amazingly good, amazingly cheap, and amazingly fast. And don't be surprised to have to wait in line to get in! The one on Venice is near our kitchen so we eat there every couple weeks. Get the chicken and pork combo, crispy, garlicky chicken on the bone and shredded, garlicky pork. Plantains, black beans, and the tastiest white rice I've ever had. I'm not a rice guy, but I could make a meal of this stuff.
In downtown L.A. I love the Original Pantry, been there since 1926 and looks it. The menu is written on boards on the wall and I'm convinced all the ancient waiters are ex-cons. You sit down and they drop a half a loaf of sourdough bread and a plate of cole slaw in front of you. The menu is mostly chops and steaks, some chicken, usually short ribs, too. Breakfast is amazing. Apparently these people don't get out to other restaurants, 'cause when your order of ham and eggs with pancakes show up, it takes up three plates! Expect to stand in line here, too. Open 24 hours, their motto is, "Never closed, never without a customer."
Mr. Sippee. A take-out fried chicken place in an Arco station on Blaine street below Olympic. Amazingly cheap and better fried chicken than I've gotten most anywhere.
Except Roscoe's.
Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. Low carb what now? Just go. Stop trying to figure out why, just go. No, you don't wrap your chicken in your waffle like a taco, don't be crazy. Stop arguing and go.
And in Corona, where I grew up, a drive-through Mexican restaurant called Miguel's Jr. The best red beef or green pork burrito I've ever had anywhere. No lettuce, no rice, no beans, no nothing but meat and sauce the way God intended burritos to be when He invented them. It's become a small chain out there in the Inland Empire, and I haven't been disappointed yet.
My best Yestaurant was Belisle's. It was down Harbor from Disneyland and a great place to go after work. Their gimmick was that everything was HUGE. Pies were about ten inches tall. Cinnamon rolls were the size of a small cake. Sandwiches were basically served on a loaf of bread sliced sideways. And my favorite part was that for a side you could have french fries, mashed potatoes, or sage stuffing. Stuffing as a side! Heaven. I wish they would resurrect it in Downtown Disney.

[blueerica]

I was just thinking about Pinks for some reason. It's one of the few places in the world where I'll have a hot dog without gagging. They're so delicious, and just a fun place to go!

[AllyOops!]

And two great places for BBQ (and I know I will get hell for this since I think I am, I think, the only one who lives in the San Fernando Valley on this board) is the Bear Pit in Mission Hills (They have a BBQ beef sandwich on thier own garlic toast and with their own brand bottled BBQ sauce...mmmmm...) and The Meat Locker in Thousand Oaks. (A place where you can't find close parking and the windows are so blackened with grease and smoke you KNOW it has to be good!!)

OH NO YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, TITO'S KITTEN!! :D

I grew up in Granada Hills & Mission Hills! :)

The Bear Pit ROCKS! :snap: From the sawdust on the floors, the picnic tables, the pickles n' peppers on ice and my favorite- the paintings of cute cartoon bears that adorn the walls, everything is :snap: about The Bear Pit! And I always feel so safe whilst eating! Out of the squillions of times I've eaten there, I've never been there once when the LAPD has not been dining! :)

I love it! :)

[CoasterMatt]

Casa Vega on Ventura Boulevard - I hope they'll stay in business now that Brando's kicked the bucket.

[FEJ]

I've yet to find any good BBQ in Orange County. Anyone got any tips? There used to be a place by Knott's called "Tree's BBQ" that was incredible but they went out of business. I'm forever searching for a replacement.

Lou's Oak Oven Barbecue (http://www.10best.com/Orange_County/Restaurants/Lunch/?businessID=55182)

21501 Brookhurst St, Huntington Beach, CA 92646-8080 · 714-965-5200


a great place...





One of my favorites is Lucy's El Patio Cafe in Capistrano Beach. Wed. is Chicken Asada Taco's with papaya salsa...mmmm


I also love Wahoo's (any location) Mi Casa and El Matador in Costa Mesa.
in LA, you cant go wrong with Philepe's

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Lou's Oak Oven Barbecue (http://www.10best.com/Orange_County/Restaurants/Lunch/?businessID=55182)

21501 Brookhurst St, Huntington Beach, CA 92646-8080 · 714-965-5200


a great place...


Thanks for the tip!


One of my favorites is Lucy's El Patio Cafe in Capistrano Beach.

Oooh, I love Lucy's! Definitely a hole in the wall but a long wait on a Friday or Saturday night. My only gripe is that they don't have a liquor license (at least the last I checked, it's been a while). A wine marguirita just doesn't take the place of the real thing. Still, their portions are huge and yummy. Good call!

[Ghoulish Delight]

We just ate at the Bear Pit this weekend for my Dad's birthday. I was kind of underwhelmed. The sauce wasn't bad, but the meat itself was all pretty bland. And the service baaaad. The waitress did NOT want to be there. We had a long table, and she was just slapping things down on one side of the table and saying, "pass it down". She was downright pissy. I will vouch for their beans, though. Downright fantastic, best beans I've ever had. No, for me, the two places in the valley for BBQ are Dr. Hoggly Woggly's in Van Nuys and The Rib Ranch in Woodland Hills. Yuuuuuummmy!

[HTHBellcaptain]

Well, I figure it's time for Boma to intrued upon another thread. So in that spirit I submit Boma as my favorite local hangout, even though tourists go there too.

[BarTopDancer]

Katella Deli. Located in Los Alamitos, about 20 minutes west (I think) of DL.

There food is laced with crack. The best pickles on the planet. Sandwiches are huge. Their entire menu is an awesome value and full of quality food.

[Not Afraid]

Open Sesame on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore. They have this chicken there - several chicken dishes that we refer to as Heroin Chicken. It's is delicious and addicting,

[AllyOops!]

Casa Vega on Ventura Boulevard - I hope they'll stay in business now that Brando's kicked the bucket.

HOLY COW! Casa Vega is just a hop, skip & a jump from swingin' Chez Ally! :snap:

I feel a margarita infused meet comin' on.. (now that the Brad & Jen sightings are nevermore. :( )

;) :cool: :cheers:

[MickeyD]

I may be in the minority, but I love, love, LOVE Bob's Big Boy over near Warner Bros. mmmmmmmmmmm .... Love that Big Boy!! Think I'll go get one after work tomorrow!


There's a great BBQ place out here in Ventura County. Woodranch BBQ is excellent. The make the best onion loaf that is paper thin, crispy and their BBQ sause is so perfect. I know of 3 location out here, but I don't know if they're anywhere else. Moorpark, Agoura and Oxnard. Yum Yum!!

Camarillo. Woodranch is the first local place that came to my mind.

ETA: One of my favorite things about Woodranch is that a friend of mine is a waitress there, and to this day, she ensures that my ex and his family have horrible service when they go there. :evil:

[Claire]

We have this new place in our neighborhood, right next to our Starbucks that is so excellent.....I've wanted to post about it, but how can it be my favorite place....since it's only been here a week?

But it IS. I've been there everyday after school with the girls. I loooove it! They have a roasting facility on site, so the beans are freshly roasted each morning...smells so good. I go to Starbucks in the morning and only order a grande soy latte, no add shots, no venti. Then in the afternoons I get a neighborhood roast black coffee while the kids have milk and cookies. Baker & Spice it's called.....by the way.

:coffee: Good GOD, I love my neighborhood. :coffee: Have I mentioned that lately??? :coffee: We have three yum yum coffee houses in one block.:coffee: Amaaaaaaaaaazing. :coffee: :eek:

[Gemini Cricket]

I go to Starbucks in the morning...
Claire's blood type is Latte positive.
:D :coffee:

[SusieP.]

MBC, my brother in law swears by a BBQ place called Johnny Reb's. I think it is in Fullerton...? Yes for Taco Mesa! We've been eating there since it opened. Yes for Wahoo's! Across the street from the original is another little place called PK Burgers, where you can find all manner of fried goods, for when you are missing the OC Fair. Also in Costa Mesa on Newport Blvd. (next to the condom store) is the Side Street Cafe, only open for breakfast and lunch. That's where we used to eat all the time as college students because it's good and cheap. And, more tacos at Los Primos Cantina, our other college hangout, which is on the corner at 17th and Irvine.

I think I need a taco for lunch tomorrow...

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Thanks for the tip, SusieP.! :)

[Claire]

Claire's blood type is Latte positive.
:D :coffee:

I need more blood in my caffeine stream......

[Baileykat]

Claire's blood type is Latte positive.
:D :coffee:


I was thinking she needed a "coffee intervention"!


Claire...we're your friends...we're here to help you...put down the latte slowly.... :D

[mhrc4]

I LOVE THESE THREADS!

on a more popular forum I visit, one of these threads was well over 30 pages in under 24 hours, so this has POTENTIAL...

anyhow, I completely agree with Taco Mesa, i used to eat there all the time in Mission Viejo, was right up the street from my friends house, so we would eat there after lunch each day.

Also, to add to my list of local places....

The Hat - Lake Forset and Brea - you need to eat to believe
Ted's Place - Aliso Viejo, good local burger joint worth checking out
Giovanni's Pizza in Fullerton - good italian food, grinders, pizza :drool:

[Ghoulish Delight]

There's a pizza joint up the street from my office called Haus of Pizza, on Harbor south of the 405. Excellent pizza, and if you go at lunch time you get to see the creepy black teased haired, pale, peirced Paul Mitchel Skin Institute clones emerge for lunch. Creepy.