Red O

Red O by Rick Bayless 143 Newport Center Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 Tel: (949) 718-0300 Fax: (949) 718-0303 Listing on OpenTable Listing on Trip Advisor Official Site

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Went a few weeks back to a food blogger's preview lunch at the new Red O restaurant at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. I'll be back to try some more food but you can read one of the reports about the food we had that day at Griffin Eats OC. As I approached the building and then entered and walked through it I was pretty amazed at the architecture of the place. I kept wanting to take pictures of all the different things I saw but there were so many customers already there that I felt it'd look a little weird for me to just stand around taking photos. After the preview lunch ended I asked the person who invited me if I could walk around the building and take photos. He said that I was absolutely free to but that they could also send me the professionally taken photos that they had. So, presented here are those photos plus an explanation he sent about how the architecture for the building was influenced:

The unique freestanding restaurant, inspired by the historic villas of Mexico’s breathtaking San Miguel de Allende, will feature an expansive 8,500 square foot dining room with an adjoining 1,100 square foot heated, outdoor pavilion with multiple cabanas, ideal for private events. Guests will be welcomed by an extravagant bar lit by handmade oversized chandeliers, and a live tree ascending into the tall ceilings of the main dining room. Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has designed a stunning space which features an exotic atmosphere by night, yet comfortable and inviting by day, highlighted by rich, color soaked fabrics and finishes.

The restaurant will include aged walls mingled with precious European tiles, exotic furnishings, leather accents, pierced brass lanterns and mosaic tile work. "This modern and luxurious space mingles with old world textures to create a beautiful and inviting space that is perfect to experience Chef Rick Bayless' modern Mexican fare," says Bullard. The authentic décor will also feature a magnificent viewing window into the kitchen accented by beautiful archways and meticulous woodwork as well as a specially designed Tequila Room, showcasing the depth of over 100 available agaves.

Clicking on any of these photos will take you to the full set, where you can also view the whole thing as a slideshow:

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New Taco Bell Beverages

Okay, I haven't posted anything in a while, and I do have more stuff coming, but just to get something new up pretty quick I'll post this press release I just got from Taco Bell:

Taco bell® embarks on largest expansion of beverage menu in company history with six UNIQUE flavors

As the First National Quick Service Restaurant to Offer Manzanita Sol®, Taco Bell Brings Fans More PepsiCo® Beverage Options at Select Restaurants Including: SoBe® Lifewater™ Yumberry Pomegranate, Mtn Dew Sangrita Blast, Diet Mtn Dew® Baja Blast and More

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 17, 2014 – The brand that brought its fans exclusive products like Mtn Dew® Baja Blast™ and Doritos® Locos Tacos is about to help beverage buffs “Live Más®” even more while they sip.

With a 51-year history of Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry firsts, Taco Bell® announces yet another as the first national QSR to offer the crisp apple-flavored “Manzanita Sol®” – a classic flavor that has crossed borders. This will also be the first time that “Diet Mtn Dew® Baja Blast™” and the citrus-infused punch of “Mtn Dew Sangrita Blast” have ever been offered in any form.

The brand’s PepsiCo® partnership – a collaboration that has led to Taco Bell being one of Mountain Dew’s largest national customers – continues with six new beverages being added at select locations starting immediately and expanding nationally through 2014. The three new carbonated soft drinks are: “Manzanita Sol®,” “Diet Mtn Dew® Baja Blast™” and “Mtn Dew Sangrita Blast.” The three non-carbonated drinks include two bold flavors from Brisk: the tropically-inspired “Brisk® Mango Fiesta,” and a new refreshing mix combining Brisk Iced Tea and Lemonade, as well as zero-calorie and nutrient-enhanced “SoBe® Lifewater™ Yumberry Pomegranate.” Suggested prices will be $1.39 (16 oz.), $1.49 (20 oz.), $1.69 (30 oz.) and $1.79 (40 oz.) at participating locations.

“We hear how fanatic our customers are about Mtn Dew Baja Blast, and this inspires us to continue introducing exciting and exclusive beverages to Taco Bell fans,” said Taco Bell Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Brandt. “Beverages – like many of our food items – can be enjoyed on-the-go, which fits our fans’ lifestyle to get more out of every day. We really want to develop beverages that are as unique, tasty and portable as our food.”

A key element in the brand’s ongoing 10-year growth plan to double the business, these new flavors and Taco Bell’s continued innovation in specialty beverages extend the snacking day part for the brand. To that end, the brand also launched Happier Hour® in 2013 – $1 Loaded Grillers, medium beverages and regular Freezes from 2-5 p.m. at participating locations – and this value offering will continue for Taco Bell fans in 2014.

About Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant. Taco Bell serves made to order and customizable tacos, burritos, and specialties such as the exclusive Doritos® Locos Tacos, gourmet inspired Cantina Bell® Menu and lower calorie Fresco Menu. The company encourages customers to “Live Más,” both through its food and in ways such as its Feed The Beat® music program and nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens™. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations have nearly 6,000 restaurants across the United States that proudly serve more than 36 million customers every week.

Like: Facebook.com/tacobell

Follow: @TacoBell (Twitter) and tacobell (Instagram)

Subscribe: YouTube.com/tacobell 

solita tacos & margaritas

solita Introduces New Baja-Inspired Dishes to Weekend Brunch 

Executive Chef Deborah Schneider Presents New Menu in time for Memorial Day Celebrations

Huntington Beach, May 2015 – Executive Chef Deborah Schneider will be rolling out a new Weekend Brunch menu on Saturday, May 23rd at her popular Huntington Beach concept, solita Tacos & Margaritas. The brunch menu will see the addition of brunch classics presented with a Baja twist. New items include Brunch Potato “Nachos,” Machaca & Eggs, and a Mad Scramble. solita’s brunch is offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In celebration of Memorial Day, the new brunch menu will also be available on Monday, May 25th.
“The success of our weekend brunches here at solita has inspired us to dig deeper into Baja cuisine,” explained Chef Deborah Schneider, who recently published her sixth cookbook, Salsas and Moles. “We’re excited to introduce Machaca to our brunch menu. What makes our machaca unique is that it is oak-smoked, cooked in a rich sauce, and then shredded.”
solita’s weekend brunch will see the addition of the following dishes:

mad scramble your choice of grilled chicken or chorizo, scrambled with eggs, spinach, onions & cheese, topped with crema & salsa fresca, served with one side & warm tortillas (optional: sub carne or machaca)

brunch potato ‘nachos’ platter of fried breakfast potatoes, onions & ranchera salsa topped with melted cheeses, chopped bacon or chorizo, scrambled eggs, crema & salsa

machaca & eggs our slow-cooked & smoked shredded beef sautéed with onions, fresh tomatoes & scrambled eggs, topped with melted mexican cheeses, cilantro & avocado, served with one side & warm corn & flour tortillas

kids breakfast burrito kid-sized flour tortilla stuffed with melted cheese & scrambled eggs, served with ketchup

The new additions will be offered alongside solita’s regular brunch menu which includes favorites like the Breakfast Burrito and Berry Cinnamon Bread Pudding. Those looking to liven up their brunch experience will enjoy Mixologist Colin Pflugradt’s lineup of specialty brunch cocktails including Fresh Fruit Mimosas, Frozen Sangrias and Bucket Service on beverages including Rainbow Fruit or Regular Mimosas, Ice-Cold Beer, and Micheladas, which allow guests to completely customize their brunch beverage experience.
solita offers Weekend Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday throughout the restaurant. solita is located at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). More information is available at www.solitatacos.com.

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solita Introduces Taco & Tequila TuesdaysExecutive Chef Deborah Schneider and Mixologist Colin Pflugradt present unique Taco Tuesday specials
Huntington Beach, August 2014 – Huntington Beach’s solita Tacos & Margaritas introduces Taco & Tequila Tuesday featuring the very best local coastal Mexican cuisine. Every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to close, guests can look forward to Executive Chef Deborah Schneider's signature tacos and shareable specials boasting bold, traditional flavors, alongside handcrafted margaritas by Mixologist Colin Pflugradt. The highlight of solita’s Taco & Tequila Tuesday is $10 snifters of Don Julio 1942 served with housemade sangrita. This tequila is prized for its smooth richness and guests will be hard-pressed to experience this premium, small-batch tequila at this price point elsewhere in the region. Located at the Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508), the acclaimed Mexican eatery will also feature live music from various local artists, including the Slime Kings.
“We're always looking for new ways to share our experiences of Baja with our guests," commented Chef Deb, whose menu is inspired by her various trips through Mexico. "Baja-style street fare encompasses much more than just tacos, which is why our menu features an array of street-style dishes."
Taco & Tequila Tuesday specials will be served alongside solita’s regularly offered menu of coastal Mexican favorites. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Taco Tuesday, guests may enjoy Guacomole solita (served for $5 till close), two Wood-Grilled Chicken Tacos, two Oak-Roasted Chicken Tacos, two Pork Carnitas Tacos, or three Chicken Taquitos for $5 each.Drink specials will include a flight of frozen margaritas, which features a trio of solita's handcrafted blended beverages for $12. Guests will also be able to enjoy solita’s House Margarita, Frozen House Margarita, and Skinny Margarita for $5 each from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“Since day one, our guests have been looking forward to Taco Tuesday here at solita,” said Matt Baumayr, Managing Partner of solita Tacos & Margaritas. “We're thrilled to finally present to them our approach to the traditional Taco Tuesday."
Taco Tuesday will be offered every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. alongside solita’s regularly offered Happy Hour menu from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. The neighborhood casual eatery is located at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). More information and a complete menu of Taco Tuesday offerings can be found at www.solitatacos.com.

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solita Tacos & Margaritas Now Offers Convenient Takeout Service

To-go options inspired by Baja-style street fare now available at neighborhood-casual eatery

Huntington Beach, JUNE 2014 – Huntington Beach’s neighborhood-casual Mexican restaurant, solita tacos and margaritas, introduces takeout service to their already highly acclaimed menu of authentic-inspired offerings. Guests may now place to-go orders from solita Executive Chef Deborah Schneider’s distinct menu of bold flavors, imaginative dishes and traditional favorites. Located at the Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508), the Baja-inspired eatery now features an exclusive street-side takeout window.

Guests will be able to enjoy solita’s full menu of Coastal Mexican favorites, including antojitos such as the famed Grilled Corn Elote and Yellowtail Ceviche Tropicale; popular taco plates and tasters; as well as solita specialties including Chef Deb’s Skirt Steak Asada with Toreados, Wood-grilled Fajitas, and the Perro Caliente “Changa.”

“With solita, my partners and I wanted to open a neighborhood restaurant that is reflective of what we loved most about our trips to Mexico,” commented Chef Deb, who is the author of multiple acclaimed Mexican cookbooks. “Throughout our travels, we became inspired by the rustic simplicity of Mexican street food. The addition of our takeout service will allow us to present our Baja-inspired dishes in a manner that is reflective of the quick and easy Baja-style street fare.”

In addition to her regularly offered menu items, Chef Deb’s takeout menu also features a la carte and Party Pickup options. A la carte offerings include solita’s special Whole Oak-roasted Chipotle Chicken and “Build Your Own Taco” packages which feature meats roasted on solita’s Santa Maria-style grill and smoker including Carne Asada, Wood-grilled Ancho Chile Chicken, and Grilled Fish Mazatlan, as well as vegan and wheat-free options. The Party Pickup option features a taco buffet that presents three kinds of delicious wood-fired meats equipped with tortillas, solita taco fixings, solita’s famous chips & salsa, plus three sides. Add-ons to the Party Pickup option include cheese enchiladas, chicken taquitos, and solita’s margarita mix, all of which are available in specified quantities.

“The addition of takeout service will allow us to serve more of our community,” said Matt Baumayr, Managing Partner of solita Tacos & Margaritas. “With the many Bella Terra residences directly above us and more in close proximity, along with a rapidly increasing fan base, we’re excited to provide our growing number of guests with an all-new way to experience solita.”

solita Takeout is available Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. solita is located at Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). More information and complete Takeout Menu is available at www.solitatacos.com.

ABOUT SOLITA
With solita, Partners Matt Baumayr, Rich Howland and Executive Chef Deborah Schneider, the restaurateurs behind the SOL Cocina brand, have created yet another unique interpretation of contemporary Mexican food, with its own personality, look and distinctive menu. Similar to SOL, solita builds on an appreciation for fresh ingredients, big flavors, and seasonally changing menus.  They deliver a Mexican food experience in a way that represents the soul of coastal Baja California.

At the heart of the restaurant and the menu is a wood-fired open grill and oak smoker, the inspiration for Executive Chef Deborah Schneider's unique takes on familiar Mexican favorites such as tacos, carne asada, skirt steak asada, ancho chile chicken, oak–roasted chipotle chicken, house carnitas, red chile borracho beef and wood-grilled wild fish - all created with premium fresh ingredients and served with delicious hand-made salsas.

The bar menu at solita takes an equally fresh approach to traditional Mexican cocktails, featuring fresh fruit-based and agave-sweetened margaritas made with 100% blue agave tequilas. Margaritas focus on vibrant and immediate flavors, and all recipes are made in-house with fresh citrus juices and sugar, and contain no HFCS, preservatives or coloring. solita offers an extensive selection of artisan, premium and ultra premium tequilas.

In addition to highlighting the true flavors of Baja, the setting of solita Tacos & Margaritas invites diners to experience the simplicity, ruggedness, timelessness and warmth of the region. Much of the interior detail and furnishings were hand-made by Mexican artisans and craftsmen, and the space reflects the charm, sophistication and hospitality of modern Mexico, but also to represent some of the overlooked sophistication that is evident in the country. The airy 150-seat space offers 80 seats indoors and 70 seats in a covered, all-weather patio, with 20 of those seats shared in a unique indoor/outdoor  bar.

Here's some pics of when I picked up takeout from them earlier today, everything packed neat and comes in a great reusable bag:

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solita Tacos & Margaritas Introduces Weekend Brunch

Huntington Beach’s neighborhood-casual Mexican restaurant offers a fresh, flavorful menu of Brunch favorites

Huntington Beach, April 2014 – Huntington Beach’s newest restaurant concept, solita Tacos & Margaritas, has already received rave reviews for its menu of contemporary Mexican food, and it will add to its success with the introduction of Weekend Brunch.  A new menu of Baja-inspired Brunch items are now offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Executive Chef Deborah Schneider presents fresh ingredients and big flavors in Mexican favorites such as Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles y Huevos. To complement her menu, solita Mixologist Colin Pflugradt offers a beverage menu of Fresh Fruit Mimosas, Frozen Sangria, and solita's Bucket Service of Rainbow Fruit or Regular Mimosas, Ice-Cold Beer, or solita's famous Michelada for those who opt for a more lively Brunch experience.

Following is solita’s complete Weekend Brunch menu:

solita Brunch

Served every Saturday & Sunday 

11 AM – 3 PM

huevos rancheros

corn tortillas, refried black beans, fried or scrambled eggs, ranchero salsa, melted cheese, cotixa, served with one side

(optional: add bacon, chorizo, chicken, or carne asada)

breakfast burrito

red flour tortilla, refried black beans, scrambled eggs & cheese, served with pico de gallo and one side

(optional: wet red or wet green or ‘el flag’ with both salsas & cheese; add bacon, chorizo, chicken, or carne asada)

chilaquiles y huevos

corn tortilla chips, onion, red or green salsa & cheese, topped with scrambled eggs, cotixa cheese, crema and pico de gall, served with one side

(optional: add bacon, chorizo, chicken, or carne asada)

berry cinnamon bread pudding

sweet & creamy with brown sugar, fresh berries, and ceylon cinnamon, served warm with a drizzle of agave syrup, brown sugar sour cream sauce and a dollop of whipped cream

fruit plate with greek yogurt & agave

mixed seasonal fruit, pineapple, mango and berries served with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of agave syrup

Brunch Cocktails

mimosa

classic Champagne and OJ cocktail - the best mimosa deal in town at $3

fresh fruit mimosas

your choice of watermelon, guava, mango, strawberry, pomegranate, or pineapple

solita bloody mary

solita's take on a traditional Bloody Mary kicked up a notch using Chef Deb's house-made Chile de Arbol hot sauce

sparkling white sangria

a crisp refreshing sangria served on the rocks in a wine glass, featuring Champagne and Chardonnay mixed with house-made hibiscus reduction and fruit juice

frozen sangria 

a frozen version of red wine sangria, featuring house-made sangria layered over our custom frozen margarita

Brunch Bucket Service (for 2 or more guests)

mimosa bucket 

a bottle of our sparkling wine in an ice-filled bucket (serves 2-4)

rainbow mimosa bucket

color up your bucket with up to four fruit choices pre-poured in your Champagne glass -- options include watermelon, guava, mango, strawberry, pomegranate, or pineapple (serves 2-4)

beer bucket

any four bottled beers; served on ice with limes in a beer bucket

michelada bucket

any four bottled beers; served on ice with Chile con Limon-rimmed glasses and Michelada mix

“We set out to offer a vibrant and fun Weekend Brunch menu that takes the same fresh approach to traditional Mexican cuisine and cocktails that our our lunch and dinner menu takes,” explained Matt Baumayr, Managing Partner at solita. “This menu presents our fans with a unique, creative and flavorful new option for weekend dining.”
solita offers Weekend Brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday throughout the restaurant.

SOL Cocina introduces sister concept solita tacos & margaritas

New neighborhood-casual dining destination to open in Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center 

Huntington Beach, December 2013 – The team behind Newport Beach's acclaimed SOL Mexican Cocina will open the doors to their newest restaurant concept, solita tacos & margaritas, on Thursday, December 26, 2013 at Huntington Beach's Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). The new neighborhood-casual Mexican eatery features a distinct menu of bold flavors, imaginative dishes and traditional favorites, served in a casual, social setting, complete with an all-weather patio and indoor/outdoor bar, and take-out service. The restaurant will first open for dinner service and then introduce lunch service on Thursday, January 2, 2014.

With solita, Partners Matt Baumayr, Rich Howland and Executive Chef Deborah Schneider have created yet another unique interpretation of contemporary Mexican food, with its own personality, look and distinctive menu. Similar to SOL, solita takes from that same SOL essence by building on an appreciation for fresh ingredients, big flavors, and seasonally changing menus.  The goal is to deliver a Mexican food experience in a way that represents the most loved culinary aspects from the coast of Baja.

At the heart of the restaurant and the menu is an open, oak-fired Santa Maria-type grill and smoker, the inspiration for Executive Chef Deborah Schneider's unique takes on familiar Mexican favorites such as tacos, carne asada, skirt steak asada, ancho chile chicken, oak–roasted chipotle chicken, house carnitas, red chile borracho beef and wood-grilled wild fish - all created with premium fresh ingredients and served with delicious hand-made salsas.

“What makes solita so unique is that we incorporated a wood grill like so many we have enjoyed in Mexico, and created a menu around it that offers fresh, simple preparations made with seasonal ingredients,” explained Chef Deb, who is the author of multiple acclaimed Mexican cookbooks. “The menu at solita has something for everyone to enjoy and can easily be modified to accommodate vegan or gluten-free requests.”

In addition to highlighting the true flavors of Baja, solita tacos & margaritas is meant to transport diners to experience the simplicity, ruggedness, timelessness and warmth of the region. The entire space has been designed not only to reflect the charm and hospitality of Mexico, but also to represent some of the overlooked sophistication that is evident in the country. The airy 150-seat space will offer 80 seats indoors and 70 seats in a covered all-weather patio, with 20 of those seats shared in a unique indoor/outdoor bar.

“Solita is a concept that is rooted in two of the things we love most about Mexico: tacos and margaritas,” said Rich Howland, Operating Partner of solita tacos & margaritas. “My Partners and I wanted to open the kind of neighborhood Mexican restaurant we all wished we had near our homes - a place that combines the distinct elements of Baja and presents them in a relaxed, casual setting.”

The bar menu at solita takes an equally fresh approach to traditional Mexican cocktails, featuring only fresh fruit-based and agave-sweetened margaritas made with 100% blue agave tequilas, that are much more creative than one expects in casual Mexican restaurant. Margaritas will focus on fresh and immediate flavors, and recipes will be made in-house with fresh citrus juices and sugar, and contain no HFCS, preservatives or coloring. Like SOL, solita will offer an extensive selection of artisan, premium and ultra premium tequilas.

solita tacos & margaritas is set to open December 26, 2013 in Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Center (7631 Edinger Avenue, Suite 1508). More information will be available at www.solitatacos.com.

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solita Tacos & Margaritas Introduces Happy Hour!

Huntington Beach’s new neighborhood-casual Mexican restaurant offers a $5 weekday Happy Hour menu

Huntington Beach, February 2014 – Huntington Beach’s newest restaurant concept, solita Tacos & Margaritas, has introduced a new Happy Hour, offered from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in its bar and bar patio area. On its new Happy Hour menu, solita will offer its signature house margarita, frozen house margarita and skinny margarita made with fresh citrus juices, agave and 100% blue agave tequilas for $5 each. The neighborhood-casual Mexican eatery will also feature a $5 culinary menu of solita specialty tacos featuring wood-grilled and oak-roasted chicken, and juicy pork carnitas.

Following is solita’s complete Happy Hour menu:

solita $5 Happy Hour MenuMonday-Friday | 3-6 PM

House Margarita
Frozen House Margarita
Skinny Margarita
Castle Rock Chardonnay
Jade Mountain Merlot
Well Drinks

Two Wood-Grilled Chicken Tacos
Two Oak-Roasted Chicken Tacos
Two Pork Carnitas Tacos
Three Chicken Taquitos
Mini Sweet Potato Fries“What makes our Happy Hour so special is the fresh approach to traditional Mexican cocktails that our bar takes,” explained Matt Baumayr, Managing Partner at solita. “We feature only fresh fruit-based and agave-sweetened margaritas made with 100% blue agave tequilas, that are much more creative and flavorful than one expects to find in casual Mexican restaurant.”

¡Viva Navidad!

¡Viva Navidad! @ Disney's California Adventure 1600 S Disneyland Dr Anaheim, CA 92802 (714) 781-4565 Official Site

From now through January 6, 2014, Disney California Adventure Park is holding a ¡Viva Navidad! celebration in its Paradise Pier area. I knew they were going to have a few Mexican food items but when I went earlier today I was surprised at how much they had. I was able to get some pozole and chocoflan earlier today and am going to try to make it back to try some more. If I do then I'll post some more photos. Some of the items are at Paradise Garden Grill and some are at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta and there's also a dessert cart that seems to be on the outer perimeter of the whole Paradise Pier area. UPDATE: ¡Viva Navidad! has been renewed for the 2014-15 holiday season.

Here's a video that was just posted at the Disney Parks Blog:



Again, the food is a good bit more authentic than you would expect at Disneyland. The fact that they call their tacos "street style" seems to indicate they know tacos are not called "street tacos" in Mexico, while acknowledging that people here think they are called "street tacos." And the prices are not like those at Tacos el Chavito but are comparable to prices at many other places in the county. It's hard to not appreciate the fact that they are using masa harina in their hot chocolate and that they have pineapple dessert tamales.

If you were a fan of when DCA did their Food & Wine Festival you might want to make sure you stop by in the next few days as they will be doing some culinary demonstrations then. Here's a clip from their Disney Parks Blog about it:

As part of Limited Time Magic, you can stop by Paradise Gardens from November 14 – 17, 2013 to enjoy some savory treats, including Champurrudo and Pineapple Sweet Tamales—each prepared by Disneyland Resort chefs during exciting culinary demonstrations!

Paradise Garden Grill

Entrees

Torta al Pastor

Fresh-made Telera Bread with Chorizo Beans, Marinated Pork, Shredded Lettuce, Sliced Avocado and Crema drizzle with Tortilla Chips and Salsa $10.99

Sopes de Barbacoa

Two Lightly Fried Sopes with Chorizo Beans, Barbacoa, Shredded Cabbage, Cotija Cheese and Crema drizzle with a side of Achiote Rice and Tortilla Chips and Salsa $10.99

Street Style Tacos

Three Street-Style Tacos (Barbacoa or Al Pastor) on soft Corn Tortillas garnished with Cilantro and Onion with a side of Achiote Rice and Tortilla Chips and Salsa $10.99

Mahi Veracruzano

Sustainable fish topped with Salsa Veracruz with Achiote Rice, Nopales and Jicama Salad and a side of tortillas $12.99 (This item didn't seem to make it back for 2014.)

Ceviche

Seems to have been re-imagineered for 2014

Chicken Mole

Roasted Chicken topped with Chocolate-infused smoked Chili Sauce with Achiote Rice, Nopales and Jicama Salad and a side of Tortillas $12.99

Desserts

Buñuelos

Two Golden Fried Flour Tortillas dusted with Cinnamon Sugar served with a side of Cajeta $4.29

Sweet Pineapple and Golden Raisin Tamales

A pair of Traditionally made Sweet Tamales with Pineapple and Golden Raisins $4.29

Champurrado

Traditional Christmas Time Mexican hot chocolate is a combination of chocolate, milk and masa harina $2.79

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• Buñuelos with Cajeta
• Chips and Salsa
• Cajunzihos - "Trio of Mini Peanut Kisses"
• Abuelita Hot Cocoa

UPDATE: Also see here and here for more reports on ¡Viva Navidad! at the Disney Parks blog.

Panchito

Of course, one of the best parts of this whole celebration is that it features The Three Caballeros, including the Mexican rooster Panchito aka Panchito Pistoles aka Panchito Romero Miguel Junipero Francisco Quintero González III, who can be seen on this blog from time to time and who serves as the @ocmexfood Twitter avatar. If you don't know him, get to know him:

Don Jacinto Pollo Grill

Don Jacinto Pollo Grill 2413 S. Fairview St. #H Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 434-0821 Listing on UrbanSpoon Listing on grubHub Official Site

Enter starting address: Address City, State and/or Zip

(This is an "only-photos-first" post, done quickly to get photos up and a new entry on the blog, with the expectation that text may be added later. Guest reviews can also be added to this entry and each published one will be paid $10.)

View the complete photo album (18 photos so far) on flickr by clicking here.

Del Real Foods Giveaway

Winner Announcement

November 1, 2013: We have a winner! The drawing was held today (basically me putting all the entrants names on little slips of paper and pulling one blindly out of a bag) and Anne L. of Texas was the lucky winner. Congratulations to Anne; your prize package from Del Real Foods is on its way.

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It's time for another contest. Del Real Foods recently sent me a package of some of their stuff to try and they have agreed to send an even better gift package to the lucky winner of this contest. To enter, simply e-mail reviews@ocmexfood.com with the subject line "Del Real Foods Giveaway." You have until October 31st (spooky!) to enter. On November 1st I will draw the lucky winner and notify them by e-mail. If you are the winner then you can give me your mailing address which I will have Del Real send the prize package to.

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Here's a video with Chef Sergio showing how to make a pulled pork sandwich using their carnitas:

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About Del Real Foods:

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in California, Del Real Foods is a family business committed to preserving the rich gastronomy and traditions of Central Mexico. Designed to satisfy all palates and promote healthy eating, Del Real Foods refrigerated products offer authentic taste, using the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and cooked with traditional methods for an enhanced dining experience among family and friends.

Del Real Foods refrigerated products include carnitas, barbacoa, tamales, seasoned shredded beef, shredded chicken and more.

Del Real Foods products are based on the following pillars:

• Authenticity: the family strives to create deliciously simple products based on traditional recipes infused with Mexican culture and bold colors. Prepared in an industrial, home kitchen, the products will provide comfort and familiarity.
• Healthy People: cooked with a safe open-kettle method, the products are made with the freshest, ingredients, most of which are locally sourced. Once prepared, they are ready to enjoy. The products are also gluten free and do not contain any trans fats.
• Healthy planet and better communities: the company has adopted sustainable initiatives including wastewater management and recycling to help the environment. Del Real Foods has also sponsored local sporting events and made donations to local communities to contribute to their improvement.

For more information, visit: delrealfoods.com