Indian Food in Living Color at Rangeen Kitchen

 Rangeen Kitchen

28241 Crown Valley Parkway

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Day number four of OC Restaurant Week has brought us to Rangeen Kitchen. This location used to be home to one of our favorite local Mediterranean spots that we would grab takeout from at least every other week. We were sad to see Zait Bistro close down at the end of 2021 but were happy to find out that the owners still have a restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga, a little far for takeout, but we never know where we'll end up these days. 

Rangeen Kitchen opened in March 2022. It's owned by Sukhi Nagpal, who left her corporate job in 2017 and followed her calling to start a catering company. After a successful run, she decided to take the next step and open her first restaurant. With help from her mother, mother-in-law, and husband, Rangeen Kitchen came into existence. Their cuisine stays true to the authenticity of Indian food, but they put their own spin on things. 

In the Ralph's/Chick-fil-A shopping plaza, Rangeen's menu is divided into sections featuring appetizers, plates, handhelds, curries, salads, and tawa rice. It's a diverse menu for such a small restaurant. Nothing eclipses the $20 price point, which is rare these days. Of course, we were here for the OC Restaurant Week dinner menu, a $45 four-course dinner for two. Let's take a look at their take on Indian food. 

Before we ordered, we were presented with Papadums and a dill-based sauce, which I believe was raita. The papadums were crispy like crackers and did not hold on to the thin sauce as much as I would have liked. They were free and helped us pass the time as we waited for our food after ordering. 

The Rangeen Restaurant Week menu started with Gobhi Manchurian ($12), fried cauliflower tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce. This also had some slightly spicy parts to it. The sauce was made up of ginger and chili, and then some cubed bell peppers, garlic, and sesame seeds were added to the dish. We've had something like this in Persian restaurants, called arnabit, but this one was made differently. I liked the big pop of flavor here, and the different flavor profiles came in waves. A must-try when visiting Rangeen Kitchen. 

We had to choose between one of five curries and two kebabs for the main course. It might seem basic, but I always veer toward Chicken Tikka Masala ($18) when eating in an Indian restaurant for the first time. If they can make this good, I will venture out and try something more adventurous the next time I return. This tikka masala was much lighter than others I have had, but it did not sacrifice the depth of flavor this dish possesses. The chicken was tender, and the sauce was very comforting. 

The Mango Habanero Chicken Tikka Kebab ($17) was a plate with a herbed salad, rice, and extra tikka sauce. I liked this, but not as much as the curry version. The chicken was in giant hunks, so some bites were less moist and tender than others. The mango habanero sauce would have been more front and center if it had been served like the tikka sauce in a ramekin instead of just placed on the platter. I enjoyed it but used it up too quickly, so I used the tikka sauce more frequently. The salad was fine and fresh but a little bland for my taste. 

The Garlic Naan ($4.50) was one of the better ones we have had recently. It was soft and included plenty of butter and garlic. It took some great willpower not to order another basket of it. 

Katie was a little concerned about the spiciness of the mango habanero chicken, so she chose to get her own entree instead of helping me with the restaurant week menu. She selected the Chicken Tikka Sandwich ($14). The sandwich was wrapped in what I assume was naan and filled with chicken, lettuce, tomato, lime pickled onions, and some herbs. Katie was thrilled with this sandwich and wants to return and get it again. She loved the chicken and produce included in it and the way the tikka sauce tied everything together. This usually comes with fries, but she got rice instead. 

Our last hurrah at Rangeen Kitchen was these Chocolate Puffs ($4). They were half dipped in chocolate and filled with mango pudding. Our server gave us instructions on how to eat them, but I was not listening and made a big mess when I bit into mine. Katie was listening to him and was much more demur when she had hers. Even though mine dissolved into a big mess, I liked the mango pudding and the crunchy outer shell of the puff. 

Rangeen Kitchen was an excellent local find, thanks to OC Restaurant Week. We live close enough that this spot will become our go-to for Indian food when we don't want to venture too far from home. I look forward to trying more of their curries and other proteins on future visits. We experienced outstanding service from Jaime on this visit, as he kept things moving and ensured our every need was met. The value for the money at Rangeen Kitchen was one of the best offers for Restaurant Week that I saw. We were saddened by Zait Bistro leaving, but Rangeen Kitchen is a worthy replacement.  

Out of five rainbow sprinkle donuts (because Rangeen means colorful in Hindi, and I can't think of a more colorful donut than one with rainbow sprinkles), five being best to zero being worst, Rangeen Kitchen gets three rainbow sprinkles donuts.  

For more information about Rangeen Kitchen, head to their website by clicking here: https://rangeenkitchen.com/

No Web of Deceit Going on at Webb’s Grainworks

 Webb's Grainworks

7 Journey

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

One of the benefits of Restaurant Week is that it alerts me to restaurants that may have escaped my attention. I try to stay current with the latest and greatest restaurant openings, but some inevitably slip through the cracks. It was incredibly embarrassing when I failed to know about a place four miles from where I live. I'll blame moving twice in the last year and my audiobook obsession. 

It was day three of restaurant week, and I was headed to Webb's Grainworks in Aliso Viejo. The only research I had done before walking in was looking at their restaurant week menu. They were offering a two-course $20 lunch with the choice of one of four entrees. I gathered my good friend Cynthia from work, and we headed to Webb's for a much-needed respite from our annoying coworkers and demanding boss. 

Webb's is next to the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace and a few doors from the City Hall. It's not a spot that would get a lot of foot traffic. You almost have to know it's here, as it's removed from the much busier Pacific Park. Many people must know this place is here, as there's sometimes a 2-hour wait for dinner on weekends and a month after I visited, they were named Best New Restaurant of the Year by Orange Coast Magazine. Good for a restaurant that is practically hidden in plain sight. 

As with many restaurants, Webb's has a great backstory. I got this story from our server, so it might be paraphrased. This space was home to Lew Webb's Event and Classic Car Center until 2013. Lew Webb and his grandson, Jeremy, always discussed opening a restaurant, distillery, and brewery at this location. In 2017, the elder Webb passed away, and Jeremy honored his father by making their dream a reality. Almost all the cars were sold off, and the doors opened to the public in September last year. 

The menu at Webb's is divided into sections by North, South, East, and, you guessed it, West. This is a little odd, as the East and West sections both have burgers listed. The South section includes what I'd describe as Southern staples, but then they go even further south with four tacos listed. Except for two items, everything on their menu is priced modestly under $20. They have also started a $17 special lunch menu with an entree and a side. Cynthia and I were here for the Restaurant Week menu, priced at $20 and included a starter, entree, and a side. Let's see how it all turned out for us. 

Webb's starts every table with their House-Cured Pickles, like chips and salsa in a Mexican restaurant or a bread basket at a steakhouse. I'm always up for pickles, but I do not generally like them in my sandwiches or burgers. They overpower most of the time. These dill spears from Webb's were nicely mellow with an addictive crunch when bitten into. They were not shy about refilling these either. 

Since we both had the Restaurant Week menu, Cynthia and I purposely got different items to try each other's food. We selected the Smoky Corn Ribs ($13) and the Sonoma Goat Cheese Wontons ($14) for our starters. The corn is quartered and seasoned with sea salt and comes with a yuzu kosho mayo sauce. It was a little messy because I added extra sauce to each rib, but it was worth it. The corn was sweet, and the salt and mayo balanced this out nicely. The wontons are something other than what I'd typically order, but there were only two choices on the Restaurant Week menu. These little fried pockets were filled with goat cheese and served with a raspberry sweet and sour sauce and a mustard-based sauce drizzled on the plate. They resembled a cream cheese wonton but without the tanginess that cream cheese can bring. I would have liked to have had the sauce on the side, which would have been easier for dipping. Still, they are solid starters, though.  

Webb's offered four entrees, so Cynthia chose the Straight to the Point Burger ($18), which included a choice of side. The burger was rightly named, as this Smashburger came with two smashed patties, gruyere cheese, mayo, and caramelized onions. The burger was a little bigger than a slider, which was okay with Cynthia, as she doesn't like eating a big lunch and then returning to work. The burger was clean-tasting, and the house bun was soft and pillowy. If I had ordered this, I would have asked for an extra side of mayo. For her side, she got the Cinncinati Chili, which I grew up with but have never seen on a menu in OC. For those unaware, Cincinnati chili has hints of cinnamon and other spices traditionally served over spaghetti with cheese, beans, and onions. This version got the flavor right, but there was no spaghetti, as it came in a mug with green onions, sour cream, and cheese. It cured my Cincinnati chili cravings until I could make it at home. 

I'm always apprehensive about ordering barbecue items outside a barbecue restaurant, but the buzz I read online about the Simple and Saucy BBQ Brisket Sandwich ($19) was too overwhelmingly positive to ignore. The menu states that they smoked their brisket for 12 hours, which tastes like it. The meat is very tender and has a lovely flavor. They added just the right amount of barbecue sauce to the sandwich so it was not too obtrusive to the meat. The house bread did a great job of containing the sandwich's contents, minimizing the spillage I was expecting. This was a sandwich I could not help but boast about for the next few weeks after having it. For my side item, I got the Island Mac Salad. This was another gem. The noodles were nicely coated with the mayo-based dressing and had a subtle flavor. It's one of my better versions of this outside of a Hawaiian joint. 

Webb's was everything I had expected when I walked in. It's easy to see why the funky location will not deter people from visiting and why solid food keeps bringing them back. This is the kind of restaurant that Aliso Viejo has been needing for years now, and from the crowds that descend on it most nights, the people agree. I look forward to trying the Pastrami Sandwich, the Smothered Latkis, and their Chicken Sandwich on return visits. We experienced quick and friendly service, even though we were in no rush to return to work to finish our day. I'm just happy that OC Restaurant Week helped steer me here. 

Out of five paper coffee filters (because I'm not sure what year the Model T is that hangs from the ceiling of this restaurant, but the first year of that iconic car was 1908, the same year as the coffee filter was invented), five being best to zero being worst, Webb's Grainworks gets 4 paper coffee filters. 

For more information about Webb's Grainworks, head to their website by clicking here: https://webbsgrainworks.com/

Squeezing in a Trip to Citrus Fresh Grill for Restaurant Week

 

Citrus Fresh Grill

50 Enterprise 

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

It was day two of OC Restaurant week, and since Mondays are traditionally one of the tougher days at my real job, I did not want to venture too far from home after what I thought would be a rough workday. So, my criteria for picking a spot was based on geography and a place I had never been to before. That's how I ended up at Citrus Fresh Grill. 

Citrus Fresh Grill, not to be confused with Citrus City Grille in Orange, is tucked inside the Renaissance Club Sports Resort in Aliso Viejo. It's part hotel, with 169 rooms on-site, and part fitness club, with amenities like pickleball, a swimming pool, yoga, and other fitness classes, and a gym full of equipment I'd need to learn how to use. I'm sure you are not shocked, but I'm no gym rat. I was probably the only one here whose sole purpose was to eat. 

Compared to the other restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, Citrus Fresh Grill had plenty of menu options available for diners. They had a $15 breakfast, $15 lunch, and a $15, $20, and $25 dinner to pick from. I arrived just after 3pm and found convenient parking in their structure, just steps away from the hotel entrance. The restaurant is right in the middle of their lobby. I opted to sit on their patio, which was populated by just me during my entire visit. 

From what I could glean online about Citrus Fresh Grill, it opened in 2009 and primarily served healthy food with nothing over 485 calories. I'm unsure when that changed, but their lunch menu now features buffalo wings, fish and chips, and pasta dishes, which are uncommon at gym restaurants. Maybe they made their menu less restrictive to attract guests staying at the hotel instead of the people pumping iron. 

The $15 restaurant week menu at Citrus Fresh Grill offered three options: fish tacos, flatbread, or a burger. I predictably chose the ClubSport Burger ($17, not during restaurant week) as my after-work meal. The ClubSport burger came with two strips of bacon, red onion, a charming Vermont cheddar cheese, arugula, tomato, and a smoked pepper cream sauce. The burger patty was underseasoned, but the smokiness of the bacon, the gooey melted cheese, and the pepper cream sauce made up for that. The pepper cream sauce was more like a burger sauce, as I did not detect too much pepper used in it. I liked that they added enough of it to my burger. Most burger spots are afraid to overdo it with condiments, but I want a heavier hand where condiments are concerned. The bun was toasted and did its job of keeping everything together. A satisfying and juicy burger. 

This also came with some Beer Battered Fries, which were fried to perfection. They had a nice crunchy outer layer and a pillowy soft inside. I enjoyed that they were not uniformly cut, so you got some that were crunchier than others. These fries went well with the ranch and ketchup provided. 

Considering that most fast-food combo meals these days cost almost $15, this Restaurant Week meal from Citrus Fresh Grill was a good deal. The burger and fries are better than anything you can get at your local fast-food spot and well worth a visit if you are in the area. My server was friendly and cordial and kept tabs on me during my brief visit. It has got to be tough for hotel restaurants to attract locals inside to try their food. Hopefully, by Citrus Fresh Grill participating in Restaurant Week, maybe they got some locals to try them. 

Out of five dumbbells (not because that was my nickname in high school, but because I'm sure many people use them at the gym here), five being best to zero being worst, Citrus Fresh Grill gets 3 dumbbells. 

For more information about Citrus Fresh Grill, head to their website by clicking here: https://clubsports.com/citrus-fresh-grill-and-market-restaurant/

Setting the Standard at Benchmark?

 

Benchmark

601 East Santa Ana Blvd. 

Santa Ana. CA 92701

Here's a heads-up on my following seven reviews. Back in March (yes, I'm that far behind in writing), I decided to visit seven OC Restaurant Week spots in seven days. For those unaware, OC Restaurant Week is brought to us by OC Foodies, an organization dedicated to highlighting Orange County restaurants and promoting the culinary landscape of our wonderful county. 

Over 150 restaurants participated in the first week of March this year. Each restaurant posts its special Restaurant Week menu online. Tickets are not needed, but reservations at some of the most popular spots are encouraged. The price points for lunch menus are $15 to $25, dinner ranges between $30 to $50, and they also offer luxe menus for 2 guests that go for $60 to $120. I spend way more time than I care to admit studying the menus and what days I will visit which restaurants. I didn't even study this much in school. 

Since restaurant week starts on a Sunday, Katie will join me for this one. I picked a restaurant that has been on my wishlist for the last five years. They landed there because Orage Coast magazine named them one of the best new restaurants of 2020. They get rave reviews for their patio dining and have been featured plenty of times in print and visual media. That's how we found ourselves kicking off Restaurant Week at Benchmark in Santa Ana. 

Benchmark recently celebrated its 5th anniversary, a significant milestone in the restaurant industry. The owners, Duane Greenleaf and Pedro Arizmendi, are very present at the restaurant, as they are there almost every day. They brought Chef Stefano Ciociola aboard in 2021 after stints at many Patina Restaurant Group spots and time spent at some big-name East Coast restaurants. According to their website, their shared vision is "a modern restaurant with an upscale casual menu and seasonal fare."

We arrived at Benchmark at 5 p.m. on a rather chilly Sunday evening. The patio was empty except for the hustle and bustle of the waitstaff getting ready for dinner service and going over the menu. We had our pick of tables. Removed by a mere few blocks from the noisy downtown scene, the patio felt like a park-like setting or maybe the backyard of a friend's house. Very comforting, even as the tables filled up around us during our hour-and-a-half stay.  

Even though Katie and I were going to get the restaurant week menu, we glanced at the regular dinner menu for kicks. The six starters were priced at $20 and below, with the crispy pork belly and Korean tacos catching my eye. The entrees included some sandwiches, a burger that looked amazing in the pictures I have seen, pasta dishes, and a braised short rib that sounded promising. Plates ranged between $16 to $39 for the short rib. We swiftly made our selections off the Restaurant Week menu, priced at $40 per person. 

Although it was not on the Restaurant Week menu, Katie can never resist trying a pretzel once she glimpses one on a menu. This Bavarian Pretzel with Artichoke Fondue ($16) has almost made me a pretzel convert. I've never been a fan of pretzels, but this house-made one from Benchmark was soft, buttery, and salted perfectly. What made this for me was the artichoke fondue, which was earthy and creamy, and I found myself wishing that this was served with a spoon so I could eat it like soup. A delicious start to any meal at Benchmark. 

Now, on to our $40 Restaurant Week three-course menu. We picked the Short Rib Croquettes ($16) as our appetizer to share. These three nicely fried croquettes were filled with potato, gruyere, and a surprising amount of short rib inside. Each was topped with an herb chutney, and the plate was smeared with an addictive red pepper aioli. The outer crust of each croquette had a nice crunch, revealing a creamy mixture of potato, cheese, and beef. A very comforting combo. The pepper aioli added just enough flavor to accentuate the croquette. I'm happy they streaked enough across the plate for all three little barrels of deliciousness.  

Before sitting down at the table, I narrowed my main course to two options, and my mind was made up when Katie selected one of the two plates I had my eye on. Truthfully, I knew I would be having this Shrimp and Broccoli Risotto ($30) because of Katie's shrimp allergy, but she's been known to throw me a curveball, like ordering this without shrimp. It keeps our marriage fresh. This plate popped with color when it was set in front of me, and I hope it does so in the photos, too. The risotto was piled high with parmigiano reggiano, parsley, broccoli, and four large shrimp. The risotto was incredibly creamy and flavorful. The gruyere and the broccoli were a great combination. The shrimp was cooked nicely and was an excellent contrast to the risotto.  

It was a seven-minute wait from when my meal was placed on the table to when Katie's Fusilli Cacio e Pepe ($26) appeared from the kitchen. I don't know what happened there, as our server never really gave us an explanation. This is not a traditional version of the classic pasta, cheese, and pepper dish. I'd describe this as a jazzed-up rendition with the addition of hazelnuts, guanciale, and butternut squash. The pecorino cream and sage butter sauce was delicious, and the hazelnuts added a nice textural element. The pasta was cooked well, and this meal comforted Katie.  

The only disappointment of the night was the Brown Butter Cake ($11). The cake portion reminded me of the Hostess coffee cakes I had as a kid, not in taste but in appearance. This one was topped with a pecan praline, which was nice and gooey. It came with vanilla gelato, and the plate was drizzled with caramel. Maybe because of the plating, this was disjointed to me. The sweetness was muted, and getting the perfect bite of everything was hard. It's not awful, but it's different from what I expected when we ordered this. 

Even with the minor hiccup of Katie's meal being delayed from the kitchen and my thoughts about the lackluster dessert, our initial OC Restaurant Week outing was a success. I was able to scratch a restaurant off of my wishlist. Benchmark's ambiance was excellent, and the food was terrific, too. Our server was friendly, but long lapses where she went MIA turned what should have been an hour-long dinner into an extra 30 minutes of waiting for the bill and finally making payment. Benchmark is still worth a visit, with some seriously good food being served here, and we look forward to a return visit soon. First, we have six more days of OC Restaurant Week to finish. It's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. 

Out of five jars of mustard (because the ground where Santa Ana is now used to be a mustard field before its 1869 purchase), five being best to zero being worst, Benchmark gets 3.5 jars of mustard. 

For more information about Benchmark, head to their website by clicking here: https://benchmarkoc.com/

Elevated Fast Food at Taco Mesiata?

 Taco Mesita

765 El Camino Real

Tustin, CA 92780

There are different ways we find ourselves at restaurants. Most of the time, I'll find out about a place on Instagram, Yelp, magazines, or even on TV. I jot them down on my restaurant wishlist and hopefully get around to visiting them. I also get tips from readers of this blog, followers on my social media channels, and people I meet and talk with once it's revealed that I'm a foodie. This visit to Taco Mesita was about different. 

Back in the heyday of restaurant blogs, I'd get invited to restaurant openings or restaurants that were looking to boost their sales, wanted to highlight new menu items, or wished to showcase seasonal menus. Yes, it was fun to get free meals, and we had a great group of OC bloggers that we got to know well and saw at all these places. It was like having dinner with friends, but a bill would never come to the table. Then, bloggers were replaced with Instagrammers and TikTockers, and they are now getting free meals.   

Every so often, I get an invite to promote a restaurant. I always imagine it's a PR person who is new to the industry and inherited someone's old Rolodex or list of media contacts. Taco Mesita contacted me through Instagram and invited me to their first-anniversary party. We went back and forth, and I said I was in and made sure I knew who to meet up with before we left for the party. 

The place was packed with people, and I made the split-second decision that we'd just pay for our food and write a review for all of you. I saw the person I was supposed to meet with briefly, but he was swamped, and I didn't want to bother him. We stood in line and waited to order. 

Taco Mesita took over the old Alberta's Mexican Food place in Tustin. It's completely unrecognizable from when the former tenant was there. The vibe reminds me of a hip Palm Springs restaurant. The predominant color is white, and the breezeblock wall shuts out what's going on outside the restaurant. There are only six tables, and the kitchen activity is easily seen through huge windows behind where you order. There's also a drive-thru for your convenience. 

Taco Mesiata is the brainchild of Ivan Calderon and his son, Nico. If they sound familiar, it's probably because you've eaten at their other restaurants, Taco Mesa or Taco Rosa. They added a third partner, Nico's childhood friend Max Moriyama, a designer in charge of branding and the restaurant's look and feel. Nico wanted to create high-quality food in a fast-food setting, something that you don't find anywhere. 

The menu at Taco Mesita is smaller than that of other Mexican places, which the owners say helps them provide high-quality items while keeping prices relatively low. They offer a trio of tacos and burritos, snacks, and breakfast items served until noon. Most items hover around the $6 mark, with only the chicken and steak burrito reaching double-digit territory. People looking to save even more can partake in their Taco Tuesday and late-night happy hour offerings. Now that you have the backstory let's check out what we ate this evening. 

We've always enjoyed the Chips and Salsa ($3) and Guacamole ($7.25) at Taco Mesa, and we are happy to report that the same is true at Taco Mesita. In fact, I'm pretty sure these are the same chips that they serve at Taco Mesa. We got more than enough chips for three dollars, and they came with a whipped jalapeno and a smoky tomato salsa. Both salsas were on point and provided an excellent contrast to each other, as I found myself switching back and forth between the two. The guacamole could also be the exact same recipe they use at Taco Mesa. We've eaten there numerous times, and Katie always orders the guacamole. This had the same flavor, freshness, and texture to it. If it's not exactly the same, it's very similar. Katie also tried the Jamaica Palmero ($4.50). This hibiscus beverage also included lime and organic agave. The lime helped subdue the sweetness, which was much appreciated. Very refreshing and one of the better juices that Katie has had in a while. 

The majority of the menu at Taco Mesita is snacks meant for sharing. We decided to share all the ordered items, which is rare because I'm usually a selfish eater. First up was the Quesadilla Dorada ($6) and the Panella Taquitos ($6). The quesadilla was like an empanada filled with corn, vegetables, and Oaxaca cheese. It was too bland for me. The outer shell was crispy, but the inside portion fell flat, with only the corn providing any flavor. The taquitos were a better pick. They are filled with fresh cheese and fried nicely to give a big crunch when bitten into. I would have liked more of the avocado crema, which was promised on the menu but was absent when these came out to our table. 

We finished off our meal with all three tacos on their menu: Pork Shoulder ($5), Rottisserie Pollo ($5.75), and Woodfired Steak ($6.50). I actually liked all of these tacos, but if I had to pick my favorite, the Pork Shoulder would get the gold medal. It came with savory and smoky pork that played well with the pineapple and cascabel adobo. The silver medal goes to the chicken taco, which is rare for me to pick chicken over steak anytime. The chicken was tender and came with a delicious tomatillo corn relish and the avocado crema, which again was used too sparingly but might have pushed this taco to the number one spot if it had more on it. Settling for the bronze medal is the steak taco. I liked the marinade they used on the steak, but too much greenery and a lack of cotija cheese cost them the 2nd position on the taco podium. Yes, I've been watching far too much of the Olympics going on right now. 

Taco Mesita is a fascinating concept, and I feel they are still evolving. The food here is definitely an upgrade in quality to what you'd expect to get at a place with a drive-thru. The price point is manageable, but the portion sizes will not overwhelm you. It's a fine line that restaurants are walking these days regarding portion sizes versus item costs, especially with more quality ingredients. If you like lots of cheese, sauces, and heavier proteins, Taco Mesita might not be the right fit for you. But if you want a more authentic, subdued meal, this place might be what you are looking for. I'm glad they reached out to me, and I look forward to seeing what's ahead for them. 

Out of five digital clocks (because mesita translates to English as a bedside table, and I still have my grandmother's digital clock I inherited from her as a kid over forty years ago), five being best to zero being worst, Taco Mesita gets 3 alarm clocks. 

For more information about Taco Mesita, head to their website by clicking here: https://www.tacomesita.com/

Hitting All the Numbers at Keno’s

Keno's Restaurant

5750 East La Palma Ave. 

Anaheim, CA 92807

This is another long-overdue review. For those unaware, I grew up in Yorba Linda and lived in North OC for the first two decades of my life. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Yorba Linda and the surrounding area were not a hotbed of excellent restaurants. Even today, it still isn't going to rival other parts of OC, but the restaurant scene has gotten a little bit better. Keno's Restaurant is one spot that helped change the restaurant landscape back in the days of yore. 

Keno's has been around since 1983. Back then, just to get to a Denny's or another coffee shop, you had to go to Orange or Brea. Keno's helped cut our drive time in half, and it quickly became a local favorite. The current owner, Steve Cooper, and his father-in-law bought the restaurant in 1993, and locals still flock here for weekend breakfast, karaoke nights in the lounge, early bird breakfast specials on weekdays, and their famous fried chicken special on Tuesdays. 

Walking into Keno's, you feel instantly transported into the past. Every table is a booth, eliminating overcrowding in the dining room. The servers seem to have been here forever, and the darkened lounge brings to mind the Peppermill I visited as a kid in Reno. You can also eat at a counter, which you don't see in many restaurants anymore. 

The menu at Keno's is enormous. Highlights include burgers, melts, sandwiches, steaks, seafood, pasta dishes, Mexican food, and comfort food classics like meatloaf, country fried steak, a turkey dinner, and others. To be honest, I have only had breakfast here. Their breakfast menu is filled with all the classics and served all day. We were meeting our good friends Ozker and Bianca for a long overdue catch-up. We had about a five-minute wait for our party of five at 9 on a Sunday morning, which was way shorter than when we had been here before. Let's take a look at how our breakfast went this particular morning. 

I'm going to spark a little controversy with my following sentence. Chicken fried steak is the most photogenic of all breakfast foods. It's almost impossible to take a bad picture of this delicious dish. Eggs Benedict might be a close second, but then there's a sharp drop-off for third place for the most beautiful breakfast plate. Anyway, Katie chose the Keno's Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs ($17.79). Keno's uses sirloin tri-tip, which is breaded and topped with a country gravy. It was in the fryer just a minute or two too long, but the gravy helped to cover up that mistake. It's not the biggest country fried steak plate she has had, but the inclusion of the three eggs and the mound of crispy hashbrowns more than filled her up/ 

Many people would describe Bianca as special, so it was fitting that she ordered the Special Gourmet Omelet ($16.99). The omelets at Keno's are all made with three eggs, and this one came with mushrooms, tomatoes, bacon, and cheese and was topped with avocado. Bianca was happy with this omelet and even more thrilled that she did not have to do the dishes afterward. Instead of toast, you have the option of getting two pancakes instead. She did that so she could share it with her four-year-old daughter. Both mother and daughter were happy with their breakfasts. 

I'm always partial to skillets; the more meats, the better. That meant the Farm House Skillet ($16.99) would be placed before me. Just like the omelets, the skillets are made with three eggs. This skillet came with the holy trinity of breakfast meats; ham, bacon, and sausage, and was finished with bell pepper, onions, and cheese topping the hashbrowns. This was not heavy on the bell pepper or onions, which allowed the meats and cheese to stand out more. I liked the contrast between the crispiness of the hashbrowns and the eggs. Very filling and satisfying.  

I always try to pair savory and sweet when eating my first meal of the day, so it was no surprise that I opted for pancakes instead of toast. However, I added chocolate chips for an additional $2. From the picture, you probably think I got ripped with the number of chocolate chips they gave me, but they were plentiful in the batter underneath. The pancakes were delicious, and it's easy to see why they are so popular with their guests. 

It's easy to see why Keno's has been such a hit with the people of North OC for the last 40-plus years. There are few coffee shops like this around anymore. The food will not blow you away, but it's a place where you can get a nice and honest breakfast with large portions for a fair price. After having breakfast here, we skipped lunch and ended up having just a light dinner. I wish I remembered our server's name, but she was excellent and ensured our every need was met. With an experience like this, it's easy to see why the people of Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, and other surrounding cities have supported Keno's for so many decades. 

Out of five stone blocks (because the Great Wall of China is believed to have been financed by an early version of the gambling game keno, and they used quite a few blocks for this massive structure), five being best to zero being worst, Keno's Restaurant gets 3 stone blocks.  

For more information about Keno's Restaurant, head to their website by clicking here: https://www.kenosrestaurant.com/

Brining Chicken to Dizzying Heights at a Mall?

 Dizzy Bird

555 The Shops at Mission Viejo

Mission Viejo, CA 92691

This is a first. In my 14 years of writing about restaurants, I am trying to remember writing about a restaurant in a mall food court. In the early days of this blog, I might have written a review about Hot Dog on a Stick, Mrs. Field's, or Cinnabon, but I didn't. Now, there's not one of those places within 15 miles of where I live, and there is no longer any Hot Dog on a Stick in OC. It's not surprising because malls are being bulldozed at an alarming rate. 

I thought my days of mall food were over, except for the occasional visit to redeem a gift certificate at either Island's or the Cheesecake Factory that my mom and dad get me every year. What has brought me to the mall food court? I've seen the glowing reviews for Dizzy Bird, a Mediterranean-inspired chicken rotisserie that opened at the Shops at Mission Viejo almost a year ago. They possess a very impressive 4.8 rating on Yelp and have had some prominent social media influencers visit to try their food.

That was enough to get me moving and plan out the seven-minute drive from my house to give them a try. They are located in between Island's and Blaze Pizza. Park near Dick's Sporting Goods for the closest parking to Dizzy Bird. Predictably, ordering is done at the counter, and they call out your name when your order is ready. I visited here two times, and each time, they seemed to be one of the busier tenants at the food court, with their only competition for the title of most foot traffic at the food court being Paradise Bakery. People really love those cookies. 

It's no surprise that chicken dominates the menu at Dizzy Bird. If you are not a fan of poultry, it would be best for you to move along to another stall nearby. They feature chicken in various forms: a wrap, bowl, salad, plate, or, for larger groups, even a platter. Six sides and nine house-made sauces close out the menu. Plates go anywhere from $14 to $18, while wraps will set you back $12. Let's see how our two trips here went. 

Katie was getting a wrap, which I'd typically get, but I selected the Half Chicken Plate ($18.99) for the sake of diversity.  This comes with a leg, breast, thigh, wing, two sides, pita bread, and garlic sauce. It was a good sized plate of food, but I'm professional, so I finished the whole thing. Truth be told, I'm not the world's biggest fan of chicken because, most of the time, it's as dry as the Sahara Desert. This was one of the juiciest versions I have ever had. Even the breast was juicy, which is very rare. The skin had a crispy texture and was very flavorful. For my two sides, I got lemon garlic potatoes and Mediterranean rice. The rice was bland, but the potatoes were bursting with goodness. A tinge of lemon hung out in the background of each bite while the garlic was front and center. Very tender potatoes also. The pita bread was good, and the garlic sauce was very strong, just as I like it. It might be one of the better garlic sauces we've had in OC. I'd get more next time to help wake up the rice. 

On our first visit to Dizzy Bird, Katie got the Silly Bird ($11.99), one of four wraps available. I also got this one on my second visit several months later. This one contains rotisserie chicken, potatoes, pickled cucumber, garlic sauce, and Dizzy Bird sauce for dipping. As you can see from the pictures above, Katie's wrap was left on the grill a little bit too long, but she enjoyed it. The wrap was filling and satisfied my hunger. The chicken and tender potatoes worked well together. I'd ask for extra garlic sauce the next time I get this, as it was less noticeable than I would have liked. The dizzy bird sauce had a nice tanginess to it, and I found myself using it more and more while I was eating my wraps. 

I also tried the Hot Bird Wrap ($11.99). For this one, they tossed their chicken in a hot sauce mixture and added garlic sauce and pickled jalapenos to the wrap. This woke up my taste buds, but not in an overly violent way. The heat was a slow burn but never really got too intense. I used the provided dizzy bird sauce liberally, which helped mitigate the heat index of my wrap. My wraps were both excellent, but I'd opt for the hot bird the next time I visited. 

Dizzy Bird is a step in the right direction for the food court at the Shops at Mission Viejo. It is an independent concept that offers good-quality food to the six people who still visit malls instead of buying things online. Dizzy Bird is an excellent alternative to this venue's fellow chain tenants: Chipotle, Charley's Cheesesteaks, Panda Express, Smash Burger, and others. This is not my favorite lineup of places to grab a bite. Besides Dizzy Bird, there might be another reason to visit the food court soon, as Shaya Grill will soon open in the old Rubio's spot. They are a lamb restaurant, which might be a tough sell because lamb is not on many people's radar, but I'm a fan. So, there may be another mall review soon. 

Out of five trumpets (in honor of jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, who famously played the trumpet), five being best to zero being worst, Dizzy Bird gets 3 trumpets.  

For more information about Dizzy Bird, head to their website by clicking here: https://www.dizzybird.com/