Part of my reason for starting this web log was to give myself a systematic way to explore the county I grew up in. There's really a lot in Orange County, more than most people are aware of. I've compiled this list so I can check off the cities covered so far and to show what cities are left to go to. Some are actually communities and other currently unincorporated areas of the county.
For a list of actual restaurants covered so far check out the entry entitled Where Have We Been?
If anybody knows of any obscure Mexican restaurant in any of the lesser-known areas or you have knowledge that a particular area does not have any Mexican restaurants, please leave a comment.
You've been to three places in Santa Ana, but that's not marked on this list. Of course, that leaves a LOT of Mexican restaurants left to try in Santa Ana!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. This particular list is not for keeping track of the number of times I've been to eat in a particular city. It just shows if I've been to that city at all. And, yes, there's so many more places to go.
ReplyDeleteBut Santa Ana isn't marked, so...?
ReplyDeleteOops, you're absolutely right. Don't know how I overlooked that. Problem has been fixed.
ReplyDeleteDon Carlos is in Anaheim Hills, which isn't checked on the list.
ReplyDeleteBert, you're right about Anaheim Hills. I wondered first if I should check it since I personally haven't been there for review purposes but decided to give it a check because I have been there and because of your review of it here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the suggestions, Chaz. Q-Tortas might've been the place I saw when I was driving away from El Farolito. It looked intriguing so I made a mental note to go back sometime.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Charo Chicken dozens of times and to numerous locations and it will eventually get reviewed here. One of my favorite items there is also "Moe's Favorite."
Clipped a coupon out of the Pennysaver for El Conejo and will be going soon. I have been to the Irvine location once.
I've noticed a number of places in Orange and a lot seem to focus on seafood. Bahia is the one I saw when I was driving away from Taqueria de Anda. One could almost do a blog devoted to Mexican seafood restaurants on Chapman. Did you see the review on Bahia: Playas de Sinaloa?
You should also try El Ranchito and Tacos Mexicanos.
ReplyDeleteEl Ranchito is a sit down place and has locations in Santa Ana, Corona Del Mar and one other place.
Tacos Mexicanos probably has more than one location but the one I know of is in Santa Ana at 17th and Grand. Cheap tacos of all kinds, including many I would not try.
Enjoy!
Thanks, Renee. Avilas El Ranchito is on my list and I've been told that their Costa Mesa location is the best. Never heard of Tacos Mexicanos but it is on my list now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new recommendation, Chaz. Guess I've been to two from your previous list so far. I certainly have my work cut out for me.
ReplyDeleteChaz, is this the place you're talking about?
ReplyDeleteLa Provincia Mexican Food
Okay, I figure I'll try the address you gave me first.
ReplyDeleteChaz, the next review going up will be on La Provincia which I went to on Tuesday night.
ReplyDeleteThere is place you should try. Jalapenos Grille in Fullerton has some great food. Its owned by the one of the brothers of the family that owns Jalapenos Mexican Food. They have a couple of great additions to the original menu, like Tortilla Soup and Sopes. Their address is 516 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92631. Their phone number is 714-879-8077. They have a real friendly staff. The owners are usually there to make sure of it. Give it a shot!
ReplyDeleteOne additional place to check out in Orange on Main Street near Chapman:
ReplyDeleteThe Chili Pepper
The place is rather festive but can get very crowded on weekend nights. Probably not my alltime favorite Mexican restaurant, but we always end up going back there. Why? Because the food is good and cheap, the service is great, and the scene is very laid back with a very friendly waitstaff. It's a fun place for birthday parties, etc. This place is especially great if you have kids. If you go, make sure to try out one of their soups. I really enjoy the chili fresno soup when it's on the menu.
Another favorite in Tustin on Newport Avenue is Casa Gamino. They have other locations, including one in HB. They have various items to try but I always come back to the barbacoa. Really good food and worth checking out for your blog.
The Chili Pepper is one of the key places that got me to start this blog and I hope to make it back there soon. I love their colorful decor and the little fried aplle things they give everyone as a free dessert. When I was there just over a year ago I thought, "Wouldn't it be great if I could share pictures of this place with others?"
ReplyDeleteAnd I drive by Casa Gamino all the time on my way to work. The HB one I think might technically count as being in Westminster.
Have you tried "Mi Casa" in Costa mesa or "Tacos Jalisco" in Orange
ReplyDeleteA friend is supposed to be treating me to Mi Casa sometime and a former co-worker has told me he would review Tacos Jalisco. If I don't get a review from him soon I might be going myself. Remember that we take guest reviews here.
ReplyDeletethis may be a bit north...and I can guarantee you it will be the most obscure.
ReplyDeleteEvery late night and weekend day a taco truck sets up shop in a laundromat parking lot on Anaheim street in Wilmington. the name of the place is "Arturo's" and every night they have people lined up as late as 3 am to get their tacos.
They setup a full bbq, put out condiment tables with limes, onions, 3 kinds of salsa (best arbol chili sauce I have had) and serve what I consider to be hands-down, the best tripas and al pastor tacos I have ever eaten. Tacos and drinks are a dollar each.
It sounds far, but it is worth the drive...right next to long beach harbor. From Irvine the drive takes about 30 minutes.
Thanks for the info. I'm still looking to cover a taco truck but they don't come to my work. I'll definitely put your recommendation on my Go To list.
ReplyDelete