Mimi’s Cafe: A Local Favorite

Known for dependable meals at great prices, Mimi’s Café is the place to go for your everyday comfort food—soups, salads, sandwiches, hearty entrees (meatloaf, pot roast, etc.) and more. Founded in 1978, this local chain is known by their custom-constructed buildings, which resemble French country cottages, as well as their excellent hospitality. Starting out in Anaheim, California, there are now Mimi’s in 28 states. Regulars all rave about the carrot raisin bread, served in the free breadbasket that starts your meal. You can ask for nothing but that in the basket and they’ll gladly give it to you. The food is competent if not extraordinary, with the usual mix of breakfast, lunch, and dinner favorites. The service is also polite and respectful, making Mimi’s one of the few restaurants in town that doesn’t seem like they’re trying to rush you through your meal.

Mimi’s Café
24201 Magic Mountain Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-5520
www.mimiscafe.com

El Trocadero: This Steak’s No Mistake

The cuisine of the Sonora region of Mexico is notorious for great steaks, and El Trocadero displays that to great effect. Owners Raul and Dora Bojorquez opened the restaurant in 1998 to share the cuisine of their native Nogales. The original El Trocadero is south of the border in Sonora, but the new sibling in California is just as authentic. Acting as an anchor to the revitalization of Valencia’s downtown business district, the restaurant boasts a large bar, a huge dining room, an outdoor patio out front and a tree-shaded dining space in the back. Food is excellent, with meat the star—the carne asada is deliciously spiced and perfectly cooked. The fresh fish is also excellent, and regulars order food “Sonoran style,” with cotija cheese. One complaint that has been leveled against El Trocadero is that the service can be inconsistent, so be warned before you go.

El Trocadero
24274 Main St
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 284-6615
www.eltrocaderosteakhouse.com

South Point Grill: Argentinian Specialties

South American food is often characterized by a serious love of meat, and the cuisine of Argentina is no exception. Valencia’s South Point Grill brings many of the specialties of that country to an audience of appreciative California diners, but be warned: vegetarians may have a hard time eating here. The house specialty is the “Argentina Mixa,” a spectacular mixed grill that incorporates tender skirt steak, short ribs, a half a chicken, chorizo, black sausage, and sweetbreads. It may put you into a meat coma, but you’ll love every minute of it. If you’re looking for something a bit lighter, the chimchurri sauce is spectacular on steak, but make sure to order extra bread to sop it up. Milanesa sandwiches are also tasty options, served on a French baguette with great French fries. Regulars also recommend the fresh empanadas.

South Point Grill
24320 Town Center Drive
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 254-0088
www.southpointgrill.net

Egg Plantation: It’s No Yolk

Do you like omelets? Seriously, really like omelets? Egg Plantation likes omelets. Using over 6,000 farm fresh eggs a week, this local breakfast legend has 101 omelets on the menu, featuring a wide array of fillings. Every meal is made from scratch with no MSG or trans fats. Locals rave about the crab omelet and the chorizo and avocado, but pretty much everything that comes out of the kitchen is great. If you’re not in the mood for eggs, the peanut butter stuffed French toast has won hearts with its intensely filling calorie bomb. Sides include home fries and hash browns, all of which are great. In addition, Egg Plantation makes fantastic coffee and espresso drinks. The décor is traditional American diner, but what else would you expect? Service is great, friendly, and unpretentious, and there’s live music every Saturday. Be warned, though, they close at 2 p.m.

Egg Plantation
24415 Walnut Street
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
(661) 255-8222
www.eggplantation.com

Claim Jumper: Casual American Dining Nearby

Originally launched in 1977, Claim Jumper has become one of the most successful homegrown casual dining chains in the Southwest. With an old-school mining town presentation coupled with huge portions, it’s no wonder that the franchise has expanded to 45 restaurants. The Santa Clarita outpost is a typical Claim Jumper experience—specializing in solid American food, including steak, chicken, and pot pies. The interior is decorated with rough-hewn logs of Douglas fir, raw stone, and large fireplaces. Visitors can opt for table service or drinks and appetizers at the bar. In addition to a variety of cocktails, a surprisingly robust wine list and a selection of national microbrews, Claim Jumper also produces a variety of its own well-received beers. The place is often full, so there are some complaints about the speed of table service, but it’s not a fast food restaurant. In general, the meat is well prepared and seasoned, but side dishes and vegetables fare less well.

Claim Jumper
25740 The Old Rd
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
(661) 254-2628
www.claimjumper.com

Maru: From France to Japan and Points In Between

Great sushi isn’t hard to find in California, as fresh fish is abundant and there’s a sizable Japanese population to teach traditional methods of preparation and recipes. But there are few restaurants that take Japanese cooking and fuse it with traditional French methods like Santa Clarita’s Maru. Executive chef Jason Park flies fish in from Tokyo daily, picks produce from the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, and creates dishes that please every sense. Regulars go gaga over Park’s fried chicken, a cunning take on the classic fast food that is juicy, perfectly breaded, and piping hot. Soy braised short ribs are also excellent, and their sushi preparation is delicate and fresh, with flavorful, firm nigiri and innovative rolls. When you’re there, order a Mexican Coca-Cola (made with real cane sugars) to wash down your meal. Service is attentive and helpful, but prices can be a little high.

Maru
24250 Town Center Drive, Suite 180
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 290-2595
www.maruvalencia.com

Kabuki: More Than Just Great Sushi

It can be hard to convince less adventurous eaters to take the plunge into Japanese food—the concept of eating raw fish can be just too much for some to handle. Those in the know, however, understand that Japanese cuisine is about more than just sushi, and Valencia’s Kabuki does a great job of representing the diversity and excellence of the country’s culinary traditions. This popular chain has branches throughout California and Arizona, serving up not only sushi but cooked foods that have regulars raving. Some of the hottest dishes on the menu include the tonkatsu, a breaded cutlet of pork served with a savory sauce, as well as the variety of tempuras. Classic Japanese noodle dishes like udon and ramen are also well-represented. And, of course, if you have a yen for sushi there is a wide variety of rolls on the menu to nosh on. The Lotus on Fire roll is a particular favorite.

Kabuki
24045 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 799-8655
www.kabukirestaurants.com

Le Chene: Fine French Dining in Santa Clarita

Voted the most romantic restaurant in the Santa Clarita area, Le Chene serves spectacular, authentic French food in a gorgeous location surrounded by a glade of oak trees. The restaurant’s architecture will remind you of a small castle, with a fantastic patio, wine cellar, and a fine bar. The wine cellar is deserving of some special notice—housing up to 32,000 bottles, it wins the restaurant special recognition from Wine Spectator for their vast range of vintages available. Owner Juan Alonso bought the building in 1980 and renovated it into its current state, in addition to planting a vineyard next door. The food is uniformly excellent, with diners praising the lobster, wild boar, and what some have called the best duck anywhere in California. The drive can be a bit much, but once you get there, it’s like a peaceful oasis that will reward your dedication.

Le Chene
12625 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita, CA 91390
(661) 251-4315
www.lechene.com

Frankie’s New York Italian Restaurant: A Taste of the Big Apple In California

If you’re hankering for East Coast Italian food, Frank Competelli has you covered. The Big Apple transplant relocated to California two decades ago and decided to bring the food he grew up with to a new audience, which has received him with open arms. At Frankie’s New York Italian Restaurant, you’ll get the classics prepared with great ingredients and fine attention to detail. Regulars rave about the many lobster preparations on the menu, including a tender stuffed tail and a spicy, hearty lobster fra diavolo. The linguini with clams is also excellent, as are the black Angus aged steaks and the tender osso buco.  Portion sizes are large, as you'd expect from an Italian place, and prices are fair. And just like dining in the city that never sleeps, Frankie's is open late—the kitchen doesn't close 'til midnight.

Frankie’s New York Italian Restaurant
24025 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 799-8888
www.frankiesonmelrose.com

Craving Fresh Sushi? Try Sushiya

If you talk to a real sushi expert, they’ll tell you that the most important thing in the whole experience is the freshness of the fish, which should not be disguised with lots of sauces or wasabi. Sushiya has won the hearts of regulars with its extensive menu that takes Japanese food as a starting point and takes it a step beyond. Appetizers of note include the fantastic chicken karage (Japanese fried chicken), fried oysters, and a wonderful tuna poke. Some rolls that regulars recommend include the great rice-free Oh! My God, a decadent concoction of deep fried soft shell crab, spicy tuna, crab, avocado, and mango; and the unique Geisha Roll made with albacore and red onion. The nigiri is equally excellent, prepared expertly to showcase the excellent quality of the fish. Service is quite good, attentive without being overwhelming, and the location is nice.

Sushiya
23360 Valencia Boulevard
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 254-3855
www.sushiyavalencia.com