Best Restaurants of 2024

Well, here we are again. I never really believed my parents when they would tell me that the years go by faster as you get older. I now know that they were right. It feels like just a few weeks ago, I was sitting at this computer writing my best restaurant list for 2023. 

This marks the 15th year of this blog. My last restaurant review was number 1100, and I have many more on the way for all of you. I averaged one review weekly this year, which is way better than in recent years. I could have done more, but other interests like audiobooks, watching my pitiful sports teams, working my day job, and family obligations got in the way of writing time. 

Another thing that prevented me from reviewing even more restaurants was the time it took me to create an interactive dining map of the restaurants I had reviewed. It took me nearly two months to make the map as I went through and checked the status of all 1100 restaurants to ensure they were still open and operating. If they weren't, I noted it not only on the map but also on my review. You can find that map by clicking here: Eating My Way Through OC Dining Map, or you can find it on the header of this blog, near the top left-hand corner of the homepage. 

Thanks for taking the time to read or at least look at the pictures of the food on the blog. I love the interactions I get from you guys and enjoy sharing the great food I've enjoyed eating over these years with all of you. My hope for this blog has always been to be a resource for you guys to find excellent restaurants to eat at and avoid places that are below average. 

Without further ado, here are the best OC restaurants I reviewed this year. 

#10 - Irv's Burgers - Newport Beach

When a place has been serving burgers for the last 78 years up in LA, and they open an outpost at one of my favorite spots in OC, the Balboa Fun Zone, it excited me. I got even more excited after my first bite of their burger and chili dog. We've lost many fantastic burger spots in the last few years, so it was great to have one added to the OC dining scene for a change. 

#9 - Shorebird - Newport Beach

Staying in Newport, there's no shortage of good brunch spots in this beachside paradise, and you can add Shorebird to that list. A nice harbor view, a great menu with plenty for you to choose from, and a lively atmosphere are a winning combination for any good brunch spot. Plus, their crab benedict was the best breakfast item I had all year. 

#8 - Carnitas Uruapan - Santa Ana

I'm a carnitas fiend, so when my friend and I visited Carnitas Uruapan, I was surprised to find out it had been in business for 29 years—this was my first visit. I need to make up for lost time. This was some of the best pork I have had in years, and every taco was a winner.  

#7 - Benchmark - Santa Ana

Another spot in Santa Ana that impressed me was Benchmark. It's the first restaurant we visited during OC Restaurant Week, and it started my seven restaurants in seven days off right. Everything we ordered was a delight to consume, and we are already planning another visit to explore more of this restaurant that celebrated its 5th anniversary this year. 

#6 - Baekjeong Korean Barbecue - Irvine

I've had some mediocre Korean barbecue experiences until this year, but Baekjeong got me out of my Korean barbecue funk. This is not an all-you-can-eat spot, and it can get quite pricey, but this is the best quality of meat I've experienced to date. An added bonus is that they cook it for you at the tables, so everyone can enjoy their meal.  

#5 - Tijuanazo Birrieria - Anaheim

2024 is the year that birria became mainstream, and the best I had this year was Tijuanazo, which opened its first OC location in 2023 and has been racking up plenty of five-star reviews on Yelp. They do one thing here, birria; however you want to have it, it will be delicious. I suggest always going for the quesabirria, birria ramen, or having it in a quesadilla. You can't go wrong here. 

#4 - Hammer Burger - Santa Ana

Hammer Burger has been on my best-of list before, but now they have their own restaurant in Downtown Santa Ana. Smash burgers are all the rage right now, and this is the best I've had in OC so far. They also feature a burger of the month and do not sleep on their chili cheese dog, which was also excellent. It is well worth the drive from anywhere. 

#3 - Trattoria Trullo - Aliso Viejo

Ready for some real, authentic Italian food? Head to Aliso Viejo to experience Trattoria Trullo. There are no heavy red sauces or huge portions that will require a nap after eating here. Chef Marco Criscuolo serves up the food of his native Puglia, Italy. Make sure to start with their fantastic focaccia, and anything you pick for a meal after that will transform you into Italy, but without the 14-hour flight.  

#2 - Webb's Grainworks - Aliso Viejo

Webb's was another restaurant I visited during restaurant week, and after eating there, I could not stop raving about it. Hidden next to an ice skating rink on a sleepy street, Webb's has a great backstory and serves fantastic burgers, sandwiches, and the only version of Cincinnati chili I can think of in OC. I never thought I'd include two Aliso restaurants in my top ten, but here we are. 

#1 - Bloom Restaurant and Bar - San Juan Capistrano

The best restaurant I ate at this year comes from the guys that brought us Ironwood, Vine, Olea, and Sapphire. The hits keep coming with Bloom, which is directly across the street from the Mission. My bacon-wrapped meatloaf was delicious, and everyone else's meals were first-rate, but the skillet mac and cheese with bacon added was the best mac and cheese I've had in the 15 years of this blog. It's been eight months since I've had it, and I still think about it. 

Have a delightful new year, and I look forward to sharing my dining adventures with all of you as we enter 2025. Now get out there and eat!

Best Restaurants of 2023

We are down to our last day of 2023. It's hard to fathom that this is my 14th year writing this restaurant review blog. Most of my fellow food bloggers have stopped writing and either drifted off to other pursuits or have transitioned to becoming influencers on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or whatever the latest visual app is the hottest. Sometimes, I feel like I'm the last of a dying breed. But I carry on to bring you my thoughts on restaurants in OC and beyond. 

This year is the least amount of reviews I have ever written in a calendar year. No, I have not been on a diet, incarcerated, or been told to curtail my eating by my doctor. I have had another hobby that has taken up my time this year, namely audiobooks. Before, when I used to get home from work, I'd write for a few hours before Katie got home. This year, I got home and continued listening to the audiobook I was listening to on my twenty-minute commute. I have decided that I need more balance in my life, so I'm determined for that to change in 2024. 

Needless to say, I have a significant backlog of restaurants I need to write about that we've already visited, and my restaurant wishlist has ballooned to over four pages. I've set a goal to write at least 80 reviews in the upcoming year, hopefully getting me back on track. Thanks to everyone who has stuck by me this year, checking to see if I've posted a new review, commenting, liking, and recommending places you feel I should visit. It's much appreciated. 

This was also the year I hit one of my personal goals for my blog: 1000 different restaurant reviews. I hit that significant number in August and do not intend to stop anytime soon. My new goal is to be the most prolific restaurant reviewer in OC. I'm still determining who has reviewed the most restaurants in Orange County, but I'm gunning for them. I will also take the time to update my past reviews by fixing broken links, editing my grammar and spelling errors, and denoting restaurants that have closed for business. 

So, here's to a great 2024! Now, my top ten restaurants of 2023. 

#10 - Nosh House - Tustin

Starting things off is Nosh House, which claims to be the only Glatt kosher restaurant in OC. They are run by the same people who own OC Kosher Market a few doors down. The menu here is diverse for such a small place, but don't sleep on the Reuben sandwich, one of the best OC offers. 

#9 - Prince Street Pizza - Los Angeles

I love that some of NYC's most popular restaurants are opening outposts on the West Coast. One of the best we ate this year is Prince Street Pizza, which is opening in Costa Mesa this coming year. Sicilian-style pizza is sold by the slice, with my favorite being the meat lovers and the spicy spring, which features pepperoni and an addictive spicy red sauce. Expect long lines when they finally open their Triangle Square spot, but this pizza is worth the wait.  

#8 - Felix's BBQ with Soul - Oceanside

I was down in Oceanside renewing my library card and decided to try Felix's, which has been on my list for as long as I can remember. The ribs are the things to get here, whether beef or baby backs. Both were delicious. Also, do yourself a favor, and however much mac and cheese you're going to order, just double it. This is one of the best I've had in years. Worth the trip. 

#7 - Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara - Laguna Woods

Birria is still all the rage, and the best we had this year was served at an Episcopal church in Laguna Woods? Yep, you read that right. The birria quesa birria taco and the birria quesadillas are tasty but don't think the birria ramen is just a humdrum fusion item. It's a dish that will warm you from the inside out. Excellent. 

#6 - LJ's Lil Cafe - Cypress

We don't make it up to Cypress very often, but you won't be able to keep us away after we tried the most talked about breakfast burrito in OC this year from LJ's. Run out of a space in front of Home Depot, LJ's uses tater tots in their burritos, and they are a game changer. Add in the light, fluffy eggs and excellent breakfast meats, and you get one of my top 3 breakfast burritos in OC. I just wish they were a little closer to where I lived, but this is another spot worth battling freeway traffic. 

#5 - Flying Pig Pub and Grill - Oceanside

Our yearly trip to get Katie a new purse at the Outlets in Carlsbad was even better when we combined it with dinner at the Flying Pig. This highly-rated restaurant lived up to our expectations. It provided me with my best steak of the year, a 14-ounce ribeye, while Katie raved about their house bolognese pasta. Definitely one of the better dining options in Oceanside. 

#4 - Da Bianca Trattoria - Orange

Da Bianca is an Italian restaurant that everyone wishes was in their neighborhood. It has a cozy and lively dining room with a caring staff and owner, and most importantly, some delicious Italian food. We visited two times this year, and both meals were delicious. Every pasta has been first-class; their Caesar salad is the best I've had this year. I can envision some more trips here in 2024. 

#3 - Breezy - San Juan Capistrano

It's tough for a breakfast joint to stand out. Breezy has stayed with me long after our initial visit with their unique Filipino fusion breakfast specialties. Their pork adobo breakfast burrito is something you should not miss, while their s'mores french toast will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. They deserve all the love they have gotten from the local print media this year, and it's easy to see why there's almost always a wait outside their door most mornings.  

#2 - Moo's Craft BBQ - Los Angeles

I used to lament the fact that we did not have any great barbecue restaurants in Southern California, like the ones I've had in Texas and other parts of the country. This is not the case anymore. Moo's Craft is on par with my other So Cal favorite, Heritage BBQ. All the meats we've had have been spectacular, and their sides, especially the Frito Pie, were equally as good. It's been hard passing by Broadway on the 5 Freeway and not stopping here every time. It's that good. 

#1 - Bourbon Steak - Dana Point

The very definition of a special occasion restaurant. We live 12 miles away from Bourbon Steak and felt we were on vacation when we arrived at this restaurant inside the Waldorf Astoria Resort. The service is world-class and matches the food we encountered. My lobster pot pie is not a meal I will soon forget. A very fitting restaurant to celebrate my 1000th restaurant review on this blog. 

I look forward to sharing many more great restaurants with you in 2024. What restaurants will be on this list next year? Time will tell. As for now, happy new year, and have a delicious 2024. 

Best Restaurants of 2022

We made it! 2022 has now been whittled down to a few more hours. Thankfully, this year has been a closer return to normal. People are back out going to sporting events, amusement parks, traveling, and most importantly, eating in restaurants. With all that has gone on in the world over the last two years, I'm so happy for the restaurants that have persevered through all of this, and I still mourn the restaurants we've lost, even the bad ones. 

With the upcoming new year, it's the natural time to reflect on the past. It's hard to believe that I've been at this for 13 years. When I started this restaurant review blog in 2009, I had no idea I would still be doing this and enjoying it as much as I do. My last review was for restaurant number 980. That makes this coming year the moment I will finally fulfill one of my goals of 1,000 different restaurant reviews on this blog. I have a few plans for that milestone, but I will wait to reveal them. 

As most of my contemporaries in the blogging world have ditched their websites, stopped writing about food for other pursuits, or gone on to bigger and greater things, I have no plans on stopping my quest for great eats in Orange County and beyond. I have always envisioned this website as a resource tool for all of you. A place where you can see pictures of the food, get a little insight from me, and then decide if you want to spend your hard-earned money at the places I visit. As time marches, this site will become a time capsule for restaurants no longer in business and what foods were hot at a particular time. Like, remember when quinoa was all the rage? Good times. 

I hit my modest goal of writing at least one restaurant review weekly in 2022, which will become my norm. Unfortunately, as it sits now, I'm running a couple of months behind from when I visit a restaurant to when I finish a review. I plan to rectify that timespan in the future, as I'll skip binge-watching TV shows, abstain from social media as much, and be more focused when I sit down at my desk to write. We'll see how that all works out. 

Before I get to the best 10 restaurants I ate at this year, I'd like to thank my family and friends who supported my modest hobby of eating out in restaurants over the years. I'd also like to thank Katie, my forever dining companion, for her continued support not only of this blog but in everything that I do. Lastly, I'd like to express gratitude to all of you who have taken the time to read or at least checked out the pictures of what I've eaten over the last 13 years. You all mean the world to me. Happiest of New Year to all of you!

Here are the best ten restaurants I've eaten at in 2022. 

#10 - PorchBox - Laguna Hills

PorchBox makes this list because I love their concept. Their menu changes with the seasons. You get the main course and three sides to choose from, all for $15, or what you'd spend at your local fast food spot, and this tastes like food should taste. A very convenient place to pick up dinner for you or the family, and something you will feel good about giving to your loved ones. 

#9 - Mattern's Sausage and Deli - Orange

German food is not readily available as much in OC these days, with the recent closing of Jagerhaus and the Phoenix Club, but Mattern's is still churning out sausages, smoked pork chops, and one heck of a Reuben sandwich. They also have a small market, where you can find some hard-to-find German specialty items. Definitely worth a stop. 

#8 - Vox Kitchen - Foutain Valley

One of the most reviewed OC restaurants on Yelp, and with a mighty 4.5-star rating, I'm ashamed I didn't make it here sooner. Vox Kitchen serves up Asian comfort food with a Peruvian influence. Their food has broad appeal, and they get it to your table almost at warp speed. Slow it down, guys. We want to enjoy your delicious cuisine. 

#7 - La Super Birria - Santa Ana

2022 continued the birria trend that has taken hold of OC. The best we had this year was from La Super Birria, a mini-chain that has now sprouted to four locations. The quesabirria and all the tacos are stellar but don't sleep on the birria ramen, which is delicious, and not just a novelty dish to show off on Instagram. 

#6 - Folks Pizzeria - Costa Mesa

The best pizza we had this year can be found at Folks Pizzeria, located at The Camp. It's easy to see why this place always seems to have a long wait. High-quality pizza, their chopped salad with a lot of shaved parmesan, and their bread and butter to start will make any time you have to wait worth it. 

#5 - Solstice - Irvine

Another fine dining gem for the city of Irvine. Solstice is predictably a seasonally driven restaurant. Their menu changes four times a year, highlighting what's fresh during each quarter of the year. Unfortunately, they had to delay their opening due to pandemic material shortages, but the management team and their staff hit their stride during our visit in June. 

 #4 - 17th Street Deli - Costa Mesa

Every neighborhood needs an excellent deli, and Costa Mesa is lucky to have this one. 17th Street Deli makes some killer sandwiches, but the best I've had so far is the Bomb Pastrami. Made with Boar's Head pastrami, sauerkraut, coleslaw, and swiss cheese, all on rye bread, this is one explosive sandwich. Easy online ordering and excellent friendly service are just an added bonus. Well worth navigating the busy 17th Street traffic. 

#3 - Centro Storico Spaghetteria - Tustin

You won't find fresh pasta at most places, but it has made Centro Storico popular. After your first bite, you can taste the quality. There are sixteen pasta dishes to choose from, along with eight more substantial main dishes which look amazing. I'm waiting to try them after I eat through all the pasta options. After eating here, it's easy to see why they were on so many best-of lists last year and now they are featured on my list this year. 

#2 - Mario's Butcher Shop - Newport Beach

I rarely make return visits to the same restaurant, especially if I live forty minutes away. That should tell you how much I enjoyed Mario's Butcher Shop. It's a butcher shop, but since I don't own a barbecue, it's way more convenient to have Mario and his team make my burgers, sandwiches, and the best potato salad you will ever put in your mouth. The pastrami sandwich has already reached legendary status, and keep an eye out for their rotating specials, especially their Cuban sandwich. 

#1 - Craft by Smoke and Fire - Anaheim

The only four-star restaurant I dined at this year in OC. Their Mac Rib sandwich, equal parts grilled cheese, smash burger, and barbecue platter, will set you back over $30, but you will not eat a better sandwich in OC. The rest of the menu exudes comfort food that you just gotta have right now. The Brisket Grilled Cheese, Birria Quesadilla, Short Rib Burrito, and barbecue platters are all beckoning me to return soon. 

2022 is now in the books. I look forward to sharing many more excellent restaurants like these with you well into 2023 and beyond. Happy new year and have a delicious 2023. 

Best Restaurants of 2021

The years keep flying by. It's hard to believe that this is my 12th year of writing this restaurant review blog. Even though the last few years have been decidedly different, I still love writing about restaurants. They are magical places that can transport you across oceans, make a bad day a little better, and most importantly, give you nourishment to sustain life. 

It's no secret that restaurants have been hit hard over the last few years. They've had to deal with a global pandemic and government restrictions, but they have also had to deal with rising food costs, labor shortages, and customers that want to fight against the rules that these restaurants did not even set. It's got to wear on them. 

I look back to the early years of this blog when I was averaging more than two restaurant reviews a week. Back then I had way fewer distractions. I did not have Netflix or other streaming services to occupy my time, I had not gotten into my latest obsession, audiobooks, and I was not married and living with Katie, so I had way more time to myself to knock out reviews. 

This is the usual part of the year-end post where I promise to you my dear readers that I will devote more time to writing reviews and getting back to where I was posting twice a week. I'm going to deviate from making these false promises to all of you that have followed me and my awful writing for the last decade-plus. The best I can do is say that I will continue to review restaurants at a clip of once a week, which is what I've been doing for the last few years. My goal has always been to hit 1,000 reviews, and I might not be on target to hit that within the next year, but I will get there, so please be patient with me. 

I'd like to thank all of you that have taken a few minutes every now and then to see where we've eaten recently, used my blog as a reference point to see if you should part with your hard-earned money at a particular restaurant, or even if you've just looked at the pictures, I sincerely thank you. I'd also like to thank all my family and friends for putting up with all of this for all these years. Even my parents know now that I have to take a few pictures before they can dig in. It's much appreciated. Happiest of New Year to all of you!

And now, without further ado, here are the best restaurants we ate at in 2021. 

#10 - Royal Wok - Orange

When Yen Ching closed in Orange, I'm sure a lot of citizens of this great restaurant city were worried that they would have to leave the city limits to find a replacement for Chinese food. Not the case. Royal Wok stepped right in with all the Chinese classics you crave, and one of the best Mongolian Beef dishes you will ever taste. 

#9 - Matiki Island BBQ - Fullerton

I'm a big fan of Hawaiian barbecue, and the best I had this year was found in a shopping center alongside Harbor Boulevard. Matiki Island has some really good chicken and mac salad, but you'd be remiss to skip their beef ribs, which not only feature plenty of meat on them but will have you licking your fingers after tasting how great they are. 

#8 - Navarro's Taqueria - Santa Ana

2021 could be called the year of birria, as it's on menus all across OC. The best we had this year was from Navarro's, which is near the corner of Standard and Edinger. Their orange-hued tacos with consomme are something to behold, but even better might be their Quesabirria, which is full of birria and cheesy goodness The best of two delicious things. 

#7 - Kabob Republic - Costa Mesa

Katie had been on a quest to find the best garlic sauce in OC, and her journey might have ended at the Kabob Republic. Not only was the sauce great, but this is some of the best Mediterranian food we have had in the last few years. I savored every bite. 

#6 - Cupid's Hot Dogs - Fullerton

Looking for the best chili dog in OC? You need to check out Cupid's in Fullerton. This offshoot of the legendary spot in the valley, opened this year. Their limited menu and red and white color scheme are reminiscent of In N Out, but unlike that burger chain, they are actually good. Sorry to throw shade on everyone's favorite burger spot, but after your first bite of Cupid's chili cheese dog, you'll never be able to enjoy a Weinerschnitzel hot dog ever again. Another fast-food chain feels my wrath. 

#5 - Taqueria Zamora - Santa Ana

The best Mexican food we had this year was from this legendary spot that took me way too long to get to. Taqueria Zamora has won praise from lots of people that I respect, but most of them did not do their chilaquiles, tacos, and burritos justice. I regret little from this year, but most of all I regret not eating here more often this year. I'll hopefully rectify that in 2022. 

#4 - Sapphire. Cellar. Craft. Cook. - Laguna Beach

The only breakfast spot on this year's list comes to us from the restaurant group that runs, Vine, Ironwood, Olea, and now this spot, which is situated at Greeter's Corner in Laguna, Sapphire. It's the only one of their restaurants to serve brunch, and that's a shame because this was some awesome food to start your day. We will be back soon to try out their dinner soon. 

#3 - Sauced BBQ and Spirits - Orange

To be honest, I did not have much faith I would enjoy Sauced when I heard that they had other locations in Northern California because in my experience the best barbecue restaurants are usually just one-offs. I can admit I was wrong. The sausage, ribs, and pulled pork were all very good, while the cheesy grits and other sides were very solid. All this and ax throwing, count me in. 

#2 - Subculture Sandwiches - Huntington Beach

In a city which I think is the best sandwich city in all of OC, the sandwiches from Subculture might be the best of the best. I've only tried two of the 13 sandwiches available, but look forward to trying them all in the very near future. It's worth the one-way half-hour drive from where I live, plus they have Dutch crunch bread. 

#1 - Gibroni's Pizza - San Clemente

There are plenty of pizza styles to keep everyone happy; New York, Chicago deep dish, Neapolitan, thick crust, and Sicilian to name a few. 2021 was the year I was introduced to Detroit-style pizza, and after my first visit, I can say that I'm a big fan. Gibroni's operates out of JD's Bar in San Clemente, and they are worth a visit from anywhere you live in OC. Cheese all the way to the edge, crispy crust, and toppings and sauce on top makes this pizza a winner, unlike most Detroit sports teams. Sorry, Tony, I had to throw that in there. 

There are the best restaurants I had the pleasure of eating at this year. Happiest of 2022 to all of you and I hope you make it a delicious new year. 

Best Restaurants of 2020

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said about the year that we just went through together? It's been said way too many times that 2020 has been the most challenging year. The year started off normal but spiraled in March. Mask wearing, hoarding, political strife, hand sanitizer, covid, vaccines, and social distancing became part of our vernacular for the last nine months of the year, and probably well into next year.  

It's an understatement to say that this year has been extremely difficult for the restaurant industry. An industry that I have such an affinity for, one that I've written about on this blog for the last 11 years. It's been a roller coaster ride for the servers, kitchen staff, bussers, owners, management, suppliers, and anyone else who makes their living in restaurants. With the shutdowns, the pivoting to outdoor dining, and then to-go orders, restaurants have had to adapt on the fly, all the while trying to keep up with all of their bills. It's become not just a matter of making a profit, but just surviving. 

Unfortunately, with everything I've read, the prognosis for restaurants is not good. Massive closures of restaurants have already taken place, and others will follow in the coming months. It was already a tough business, but now with months of only making it by on takeout orders and a limited number of customers allowed on the premises, restaurants are facing a tough uphill battle just to get by. 

That's the reason I have continued to write this restaurant review site. I feel it's essential to promote places and let you and everyone else know that local spots are still operating and serving our local communities. Restaurants have sponsored your kid's schools and youth programs all these years, and now it's time to return the favor. Also, as you will see when you scroll down, this might be the most impressive group of restaurants that I have had the pleasure to eat at and write about in any of the 11 years of this blog. Very impressive spots.  

Yes, indeed, I have only reviewed 47 restaurants this year, far below what I've been averaging the last several years, and there are a few reasons for this. First, since I work in a supermarket, and while the restaurants were shut down, we were very busy and it made for some very long days, and that curtailed my writing. We also tried to limit our time out, eating more meals at home, finally unwrapping some of the kitchen stuff we got at our wedding... five years ago. 

So here's to a better 2021. May things get back to a semi-normal state as soon as humanly possible. As usual, I'd like to thank all of you who have faithfully read this blog, or at least looked at the pictures. I'd also like to thank all my social media followers, who put up with me not updating things quite as often as I would have liked. My appreciation also goes out to restaurant workers, who have sacrificed their health to ensure that we have places to eat. You guys are true heroes. I'd also be remiss not to mention my partner in crime, my forever dining companion, Katie, who I know was a little uneasy when we ate out at times this year, but was a trooper as we stayed safe during these turbulent times. You are the best. 

So without further ado, here are my top ten restaurants of 2020. 

#10 Gonzalez's Restaurant - Orange

This is the only Mexican spot to land on my top ten list this year. I loved the family feel of this restaurant that is tucked into the back of a nondescript shopping center off of busy Chapman Avenue. The food was pretty stellar, and this was my first introduction to an alambre, and it won't be my last. 

#9 Ahba - Laguna Beach

This is another blink and you'll miss this place. Located in South Laguna, far from the hustle and bustle of the busy downtown area, we had a great brunch during our visit. It was excellent, but I am yearning for their delicious looking burger that I've seen online. Going back very soon. 

#8 Da Hawaiian Kitchen - Huntington Beach

I feel like Hawaiian cuisine is kind of having its moment in OC right now. There used to be only a handful of spots to get your island fix, but recently some very good spots have set up shop in OC. This place is not new, but it's definitely a standout. Loved their poke and mixed plate, along with an excellent rendition of potato mac salad. 

 

#7 The Ramos House Cafe - San Juan Capistrano

Katie and I are not big Valentine's Day people, but this year we snuck out for brunch at this South OC favorite. Yes, it was a Prix-fixed menu, but very impressive egg dishes, which had us clamoring for more. Situated on the oldest street in California, a visit to Ramos House is like a little mini-vacay. 

#6 Hammer Burger - Orange

Smashed burgers are pretty popular right now, and the best burger I had this year was this one. They were doing pop-up events in front of their house in Orange for a time, but now they have a steady gig working out of the Heritage Barbecue spot in San Juan Capistrano on Sundays. More on Heritage in a bit. 

#5 Cluck Kitchen - Irvine

It seems like almost every time I turned on my computer there was another hot chicken place opening up. The best I had this year was this one, which comes to us from the guys that started the very good burger restaurant The Cut. The chicken here is juicy, had an excellent heat to it, and the fried pickles and potato salad were fantastic as well. I was also a fan of all of their housemade sauces. 

#4 Oliver's Osteria - Laguna Beach

Our visit to Oliver's could not have started any worse. Being sat an hour after our reservation time and then having to change tables because they sat our party of four at a table that was meant to seat two snuggly. The food that made its way out of the kitchen and to our table more than made up for the first impression that we had here. This is the most authentic Italian food in OC by a long shot. As the Italians would say, ottimo cibo!

#3 Oliboli Donuts - Tustin

My love for donuts is well known. I've driven at least an hour to try what people consider a great donut. Luckily, this place is less than 20 minutes away from most points in OC. These are easily the best donuts available in OC and they always rotate new and delicious flavors to keep things fresh.

#2 Porch and Swing - Irvine

Not sure what Charleston, South Carolina food entails? It doesn't really matter because all you really have to know is that whatever you order here, it's going to be delicious and well-executed. You can count us as big fans of Chef Justin Werner and his impressive resume. OC is lucky to have him right in our own backyard. 

#1 Heritage Barbecue - San Juan Capistrano

As if there was going to be any doubt which spot was going to be number one this year. For years I've lamented the fact that there wasn't a great barbecue place in OC. That all changed when Heritage came on the scene in San Juan Capistrano. I waited for two hours for my first taste, and it was definitely worth it. Go during the weekdays for shorter wait times, and they also offer curbside service to eliminate the line altogether. You'll never be able to go back to mediocre Lucille's ever again. 

So there's my list for the best restaurants of 2020. I'd have to say that even though it was a crazy year, this group of restaurants might be the best year-end list I have put together in the life of this blog. Thanks again for reading, and I hope you and yours have a great new year.