Gen Korean BBQ House: 30+ All-You-Can-Eat Meats

By the time you get seated at Tustin's Gen Korean BBQ House, you'll probably have worked up an appetite. That's because the eatery boasts such a following that a meal there often includes a wait for a table. But make it through the wait, and you will be greatly rewarded. At both lunch and dinner, patrons feast on all-you-can-eat cuts of Korean meats—which you cook yourself on each table's central grill.

You'll have two hours (the time limit placed on every party!) to sizzle and sample more than 30 types of meat, seafood, and veggies, so waste no time ordering your first round when you sit down. From thin slices of American waygu kobe brisket (a local favorite) and Black Angus top sirloin to shrimp and garlic calamari, the menu encompasses a wide variety of exotic and familiar meats.

Gen Korean BBQ House
13741 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 505-1800
http://genkoreanbbq.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gen-korean-bbq-and-yakitori-bar-tustin-2

Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain: Enjoy a Taste of Retro Charm

When most people envision a scene from the 1950s, they think of an old-fashioned soda fountain filled with smiling faces. The Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain still offers that same retro charm in modern-day Santa Ana, creating a lively and wholesome place to bring the whole family. Like you might expect, the restaurant is decorated with kitschy signage and memorabilia all over its walls, and it contains a number of vinyl booths and even a black and white checkered floor.

The authentic soda fountain menu offers casual American lunch options like juicy burgers and French fries and homestyle dinner platters later in the day, and everything tastes better with a thick milkshake paired with your meal. If you want to ditch the modern restaurant trends and take a trip down memory lane, Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain is truly a must-see blast from the past.

Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain
116 East Chapman Ave
Orange, California 92866
(714) 532-6317
www.watsonsdrugs.com

Embark on a Culinary Journey at Christakis Greek Cuisine in Tustin

Christakis Greek Cuisine on Newport Avenue has served Tustin traditional Greek dishes since 1996. Still family-owned, the service is friendly and attentive, and the menu is fantastic. Begin with a saganaki appetizer, or the fresh and excellent hummus, or the spanakopita—most starters here are very good and very filling. Popular entrees include the paidakia, four charbroiled lambchops marinated in virgin olive oils and Greek spices, and the terrific falafel.

The ambience is intimate and relaxed on most days, but on weekend nights live music and belly dancing accompany meals. Prices are reasonable and the outdoor seating is a calm escape.

Christakis Greek Cuisine
13011 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-6600
christakisgreekcuisine.com

Zov’s: The Taste Of Quality

Founded in 1987 by a chef named Zov Karamardian, Zov's in Tustin has earned accolades for its Mediterranean-influenced menu and excellence in baked goods. The calamari appetizer makes a great start to a meal while hummus is a great choice for an indecisive eater to fall back on.

The rack of lamb, probably the most popular menu item, is an often-praised entrée and comes highly recommended, while the prime rib is also well-regarded. You can head to the bakery behind the bistro after your meal for a very good dessert, or stay at the bistro and grab Zov’s famous chocolate bomb. According to Zov, the staff does regular trainings to ensure a consistent and warm level of hospitality toward guests, and it shows in the attentive service here.

Zov's
17440 17th Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 838-8855
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zovs-bistro-tustin

Have You Tried the Clam Chowder at The Crab Cooker in Tustin?

It’s impossible to miss The Crab Cooker’s bright red building from the street in Tustin, and once you take the first taste of the restaurant’s delicious seafood dishes, you’ll be glad that you didn’t. This local favorite eatery serves some of the freshest seafood in town, including a clam chowder that keeps regulars coming back again and again. The atmosphere at The Crab Cooker is lively, colorful, and family-friendly, and there is even a fish market inside that sells fresh fish that you can cook at home.

Stop by for lunch or dinner and enjoy Alaskan king crab legs, raw oysters, shrimp skewers, and other tasty dishes served in small or large sizes, along with sides like rice pilaf and cole slaw. The Crab Cooker offers a small selection of draft beers and wines for of-age guests, as well as shareable appetizers that everyone at the table can enjoy.

The Crab Cooker
17260 E 17th St
Tustin, CA 92680
(714) 573-1077
www.crabcooker.com

Hole Mole: Don’t Miss Taco Tuesday

You can probably expect to encounter a crowd if you come to Holé Molé on a Tuesday—better known as Taco Tuesday by its regulars. That's because the Mexican eatery's tacos, which are reasonably priced on a normal day, will only run you $1.15 apiece on Taco Tuesday. Order one stuffed with carne asada, chicken, grilled shrimp, or fish, or create a smorgasbord of every type of taco. You can choose from soft corn or flour tortillas or a hard corn shell.

No matter when you come to Holé Molé, however, you can always snag some classic fare from south of the border. During breakfast, the restaurant dishes out fare like the steak and egg burrito with carne asada and cheese (you can also get it as a quesadilla, torta, or bowl, like all of the morning eats). For lunch and dinner, tacos share menu space with burritos, enchiladas, tostadas, tortas, and the popular nachos. Save some room for fried ice cream at the end of your meal.

Holé Molé
​14430 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 505-2502
www.holemole.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hol%C3%A9-mol%C3%A9-tustin-2

The Olde Ship: Don’t Be a Stranger at This Neighborhood British Pub

Just like the old-fashioned pubs found throughout England, The Olde Ship is a lively, welcoming locale that locals love. Duck into the cottage-style building and you’ll be met with a warm, dimly lit interior that’s perfect for spending the afternoon chatting with friends over a pint of ale. The beer list is quite long at The Olde Ship, and the beers are served in extra large 20-ounce imperial pint glasses that you won’t find anywhere else in town. If beer isn’t your thing, you’ll also enjoy the impressive wine list and imported ciders.

Show up hungry and enjoy the pub lunch menu until 3 p.m., which includes British favorites like bangers and mash, cottage pie, and fish and chips. For dinner, the sandwiches, seafood and hearty dinner options are served in larger portions that will leave you feeling more than full. With affordable prices and quirky British charm, The Olde Ship is one of the best spots in Santa Ana for casual food and drink.

The Olde Ship
1120 W 17th St
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 550-6700
www.theoldeship.com/santa_ana.html

Order the Hainan Chicken at O’Shine Taiwanese Kitchen

Juicy chunks of chicken piled alongside a heap of rice, simmered in gingery chicken broth, and a healthy serving of pickled veggies. These are the components that comprise the hainan chicken, perhaps the most popular dish at O'Shine Taiwanese Kitchen, according to Yelp reviews. Served with a pair of exotic sauces for dipping, the hainan chicken epitomizes the authentic Asian fare you can expect at O'Shine.

Another highly recommended dish is the pork chop rice, a mound of lightly breaded pork served alongside cooked veggies and, again, the sweet-savory rice. You also might want to try the sizzling plate with an unusual pairing of spaghetti, fish, and green veggies, or one of the many classic Taiwanese noodle soups. The complex soups teem with your choice of meat, perhaps beef or pork chop, and ample noodles and veggies. The entire slate of international dishes awaits at O'Shine Taiwanese Kitchen in Tustin.

O'Shine Taiwanese Kitchen
13834 Red Hill Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 852-3383
www.facebook.com/oshinekitchen
www.yelp.com/biz/o-shine-taiwanese-kitchen-tustin-2

The Original Taco Factory: Take a Trip to the Salsa Bar

A trip to the salsa bar comes as part of your meal at The Original Taco Factory, and you shouldn't pass it up. The pico de gallo snags rave reviews from many customers, and it's just one of the freshly blended toppers available at the bar. Red and green sauces, toppings like cilantro and green onion, and other fixings also reside in the salsa bar. They're the perfect way to cap off any of the authentic Mexican fare on the menu, whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

You can always go with something classic such as the "famous" burrito, stuffed with your choice of meat (beef, steak, pork, or chicken) and guacamole, gooey cheese, and either hot or mild salsa. It's the best-selling thing on the menu at The Original Taco Factory, but far from your only option. You can also dig into tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or the more unexpected machaca plate. The latter consists of steak and eggs with salsa, rice and beans, and corn or flour tortillas.

The Original Taco Factory
14455 Newport Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-1111
originaltacofactory.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-original-taco-factory-tustin

Explore the Flavors of Authentic Cuban Food at Bella Cuba

Regular Bella Cuba diners insist that the casual ambiance creates a comfortable, cozy dining experience for sampling traditional Cuban cuisine.

The menu features traditional Cuban comfort foods such as the ropa vieja, a tender shredded beef simmered in sauce and served with black beans, rice, and sweet plantains. Regulars also recommend trying the lechon asado, a dish of tender roasted pork with a tangy garlic sauce that's served with rice and beans. Another fan favorite is the roasted garlic chicken, a savory dish that's best followed by a spoonful of sweet Cuban flan for dessert.

Located within the Ross Shopping Center, Bella Cuba serves beer and wine, including sangria made in-house. Take-out is offered.

Bella Cuba
3940 S. Bristol Street
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 545-5711
www.bellacubarestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bella-cuba-santa-ana

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