Although I no longer get paid to dine out like that locally, I still get asked, constantly: “When are you going to publish another list of Brad A. Johnson’s best places to eat?”
Well, here it is — for O.C., but this one’s a bit different. Many of the restaurants that routinely topped my rankings at the Register — Marche Moderne, Hana re, Bourbon Steak, Omakase by Gino, Knife Pleat and others — haven’t returned for this one. And not because they’re not fantastic. I assume they still are. But frequent splurging like that for dinner no longer factors into my routine. (I confine my splurges these days mostly to my international travels. Are you following my dining adventures at OLTRE?)
Instead, this is a list — alphabetized, not ranked — of the 40 restaurants where I find myself eating most often. The geographic scope has dramatically shrunk, because I simply can’t be bothered with driving more than 20 minutes for a meal most days. I don’t have time for that.
The alphabetical list:
2145 Eats
This place is always top of mind when the craving hits for pizza. It recently obtained a full liquor license, and it can feel more like a nightclub on some nights, so I mostly visit at lunchtime when it’s quieter. Costa Mesa
6100 Bread
Karlo Evaristo’s long-awaited bakery was worth the wait.
Bello
Another great spot for pizza but also one of the best Italian restaurants in the County. Always solid. Incredible acqua pazza. Terrific hospitality. Newport Beach
Burritos La Palma
It’s not the best burrito in OC, not even close. And the Michelin distinction is truly absurd. But the food’s really cheap, convenient and appropriately delicious. Some days that’s enough. Costa Mesa and Santa Ana
Chaak
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants in California — seriously delicious wood-fired food inspired (very loosely) by the Yucatán. The tamarind margarita is reason enough to come here. A date-night favorite. Tustin
Chicken Shop
The charcoal-grilled chicken here factors heavily into my monthly take-out rotation. If dining in, the hand-cut fries are a must. Beware the spicy sauce — a tiny dab goes a long way. Newport Beach
East Borough
The best banh mi in O.C.. Refreshing jasmine iced tea. Plus: Nobody else makes Vietnamese porridge as delicious as what they serve here. Super casual, indoor/outdoor vibe. Costa Mesa
El Matador
Whenever I get homesick for a bowl of real Tex-Mex queso and a bottomless basket of chips, El Matador is the only place that satisfies. Great enchiladas, crispy tacos and margaritas. Costa Mesa
Finca
David Pratt’s long-awaited, wood-fired burger joint finally opened — and it is fantastic. It’s also more than just a burger joint. It’s a really nice, well-done restaurant. They dry-age all of their meats in-house. Terrific cocktails and wines. San Juan Capistrano
Folks Pizzeria
Fantastic pizza. I love the patio vibe here, despite it always being overcrowded. It’s such a fun scene. Good food. Cheap wine. Zero pretense. Costa Mesa
Fonda Moderna
Hands-down, the best steak burritos and cecina tacos for miles, maybe the whole county. And you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better cocktail than the hibiscus-tamarind-mezcal concoction known as el diablito at the adjacent Drink Bar. Tustin
Heritage Barbecue
Heritage makes better Texas barbecue than most barbecue joints in Texas. Extraordinary brisket. Amazing sausages. And just great people. It’s expensive, yes, but not overpriced. San Juan Capistrano
Hiro Nori
Of all the great tonkotsu ramen in O.C., this is still the one to beat. I’d eat here more frequently if not for the standard 60-minute wait for a table. Irvine +
Hole Smokes
Because I can’t possibly drive to San Juan Capistrano as frequently as I hunger for great brisket, I find myself here often. The San Antonio-style brisket is truly excellent — they make a stupendous sandwich with brisket and a full link of smoked sausage. They also make truly outstanding tacos. Bonus: Shiner Bock on tap! Costa Mesa
Kitakata Ramen
Kitakata’s green chili shio ramen will always be in my rotation. Expect to wait at least 20 minutes for a table, potentially a lot longer. And good luck with parking at the Baker Street location. (Secret spot: Just park across the street at the library, which is closed at night.) Costa Mesa +
Juliette’s
Most people still don’t realize that Juliette’s quietly reopened last year. They swapped their old Bristol digs for a new address on Westcliff. They also scaled back the service. You order at the counter now. Brunch daily, no dinner. Fantastic sandwiches, chilaquiles and Micheladas. Newport Beach
La Super Birria
The OG birria master in O.C. Also the place in O.C. to stock up on Michelada supplies. Santa Ana
Le Hut Dinette
The Castillos (of Heritage Barbecue fame) have opened a super-charming diner with a very limited menu and hours. The patty melt is ultimate comfort. So, too, the beef-tallow fries. I really love the entire vibe here. Santa Ana
Little Sister
Another date-night favorite. I love the elevated Vietnamese-ish cuisine. I love the gorgeous ambience. I love everything about this place except the long walk to the parking lot. Irvine
Lola Gaspar
This tiny Mexican gastrobar is one of my go-to spots for when I have friends visiting from out of town. Or for date night. The elevated suadero tacos are sublime, and the lamb barbacoa quekas, oh hell yeah. The el viento cocktail is perfect. Good music and all-around cool vibe. Santa Ana
Manaao
Although there was a connection to Chada Thai, one of my old favorites in Little Saigon, when this place originally opened, I’m told that’s no longer the case (long story). It’s fancier, with totally different recipes: Huge river prawns. Wildly spicy pork-rib soup. Green curry with roti. Chu chee curry fried catfish. And they just expanded into an even bigger space a couple doors from the original — and are also opening at the Spectrum. Tustin
Mario’s Butcher Shop
The pastrami sandwich is incredible — smokier than anywhere else, so adjust your expectations accordingly. Lots of great sandwiches for meat lovers here. Newport Beach
Mayfield
From the fabulous indoor/outdoor atmosphere to the beautiful Mid-East-Mediterranean-inspired menu, this place captures a vibe like nowhere else. The (recently added) beef croquettes are outstanding. Great tomahawk steak. Excellent bar. Genuine hospitality. It’s the whole package. And IYKYK, show up on a Tuesday night. San Juan Capistrano
Mercado by Gonzales Northgate
This is easily my favorite grocery store in California — and perhaps the most frequented spot on my list — a sprawling, authentic Mexican mercado concept with a dozen different food stalls serving birria, wood-grilled chicken, tamales, ceviches, tacos, carnitas, pozole and more. The butcher shop is also fantastic. Fair warning: It’s a zoo. Costa Mesa
Nara
This is perhaps the only Thai restaurant in O.C. with true fine-dining ambitions. The chef previously worked at some of the top luxury Thai restaurants in Bangkok. The pad Thai with giant river prawns is excellent. So, too, the green curry with filet mignon and the beautiful pork satay. Fair warning: It’s twice the price of most other Thai restaurants, but I love the upscale atmosphere. Dress code enforced. Irvine
Nok’s Kitchen
This might be the best Lao restaurant in America (you don’t have to take my word for it; my husband’s Lao, listen to him). They recently moved into a bigger location not far from the original. The grilled Lao sausage is perfect. The soups, heartwarming. Feels like being in Luang Prabang. Westminster
Oliver’s Osteria
I still think this is the best Italian restaurant in the county. I almost always order the veal Milanesa or the cacio e pepe. And sometimes I go to their other restaurant, Oliver’s Trattoria, in Irvine, which serves similar food at cheaper prices, but the Laguna restaurant is better, for sure. Laguna Beach
Parlor
This is an odd little place — low-key, offbeat and totally underrated. It’s mostly a takeout shop, so there’s not much atmosphere and minimal service, but you can dine in. The pizzas are outstanding. So, too, the pastas, especially the ragu. Tustin
Peking Restaurant
This old Chinese restaurant is a real trek for me — almost a day trip — but the hilariously gruff service, panfried dumplings and walnut shrimp are always worth the drive. Westminster
Pho 101
Here’s how to order the famous oxtail pho, because it’s not on the menu. Step 1: Ask for the meatless pho. Step 2: Add a side order of oxtail. Done. The imperial rolls are superb, too. Westminster
Pho Nic
The best chicken pho in SoCal, and better than anything in Little Saigon. Great Hainanese chicken rice, too. Fountain Valley
Quan Vit Vit Vit
There’s really only one thing on the menu to concern yourself with: the deep-fried duck with dry noodles. Look around the room; everyone agrees. Westminster
Shunka Sushi
Although the variety of fish seems to have diminished significantly post-pandemic, this is still my go-to place for affordable, high-quality nigiri sushi. The far right end of the chef’s counter is reserved for regulars who mostly order omakase. Costa Mesa
Street Thai Cafe
The best yum woon sen (glass noodle salad) in the region — in a league of its own, really. Ditto the uniquely crispy rad na. Feels like being in Bangkok. Huntington Beach
Tacos Los Cholos
When you pull into the parking lot, you’ll think the restaurant is on fire. But all that smoke is from the mesquite grill behind the restaurant. Check it out: It’s loaded with ribeye steaks and dinosaur ribs, soon to be chopped up for tacos. This place is a circus — bring a helmet and elbow pads for the salsa bar! Anaheim +
Thai Avenue
Sadly the original owners/chefs sold this place last year and moved away. But the new owner is a longtime customer who has vowed not to change a thing — so far, so good. The hand-chopped papaya salad is still the best in California. And the tom yum (with giant river prawns), as delicious as it ever was. Garden Grove
Tito’s La Especial
When the husband gets a craving for menudo, I rejoice because that means I get to fill up on Tito’s steamed tacos. These are simply the best tacos al vapor in O.C. And yes, the menudo and pozole are great, too. Santa Ana
Yoo’s Place
I’m hesitant to write about this little all-around Korean restaurant because it’s one of my secret go-to spots, and it’s already crowded enough. But here goes: Fantastic pork katsu. Excellent galbi. Belly-warming soups and stews. And endless kimchi — literally, fair warning, they don’t let up. Awesome hospitality. Irvine
Vaca
This was my one truly bank-busting splurge in O.C. last year, for the husband’s birthday. Our go-to order never changes: Vaca tonics and bikini sandwiches to start, moving on to tapas (including pan con tomate and the chicken canalon with foie gras sauce), culminating with a huge, dry-aged, wood-fired ribeye. Chef Amar Santana never disappoints. And we never have room for dessert. Costa Mesa
Xacalli
I wish I could say I eat here often, but Silverado Canyon is just too damn remote, which is part of the charm, I guess. And that sucks because I think about this place constantly. It is easily one of the best, most interesting farm-to-table Mexican restaurants in SoCal. Silverado
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