Friday, January 13, 2006

My Favorite Orange County Restaurants

There were several places to eat around Orange County that I would regard as favorites. Some of them are not around anymore.

Chicago Pizza Factory - I don't know if this was the correct name of the place. But it was located in Santa Ana, about a block east from 17th Street and Bristol. They served only chicago style pizza, of course, and some other dishes too. They had saw dust on the floor. (Update: This place was actually the first BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, before they became "BJ's")

Rubino's Pizza - Probably my favorite pizza joint of all time. They had several locations, including one in Santa Ana on the corner of Main & MacArthur. They had also a location in Mission Viejo, at the Portola Plaza off of Marguerite and Rancho Santa Margarita Pkwy.

Goro - For Japanese food, this was my favorite Japanese restaurant of all time. It was located in a shopping center in Irvine, on the corner of Culver and Alton. It had a "jazzy" decor. The food was probably the most authentic I experienced of any US-based Japanese restaurant.

Las Brasas - This was located in Santa Ana, right across the street from the old Zody's on Harbor Blvd, near Edinger. This is was a hole-in-the-wall type of Mexican fare. Quality-wise, it was ok. But for whatever reasons, me and a buddy of mine used to eat here a lot during our college days.

Ricardo's - This is located in Orange, on Katella, about a couple blocks west of Tustin Ave. It's actually part of the Don Jose's chain. My wife and I used to go here an awful lot, and every now and then we'd run into an old co-worker of mine who also loved going there. They have some really good margaritas, and great salsa.

Bob's Big Boy - Before Bob's started shutting down most of its restaurants, my wife and I used to go here for Sunday breakfast buffet. We'd always go to the one in Laguna Hills, right off the 5 freeway, caddy-corner to the Laguna Hills Mall. I think it's a Carrows now.

What were your favorite eateries in Orange County? Post a comment below.

313 comments:

  1. One of mine is The Crazy Horse. The original one off the 55 Freeway in Santa Ana. It's the place I most wanted to go once I turned 21, and I enjoyed the food, dancing, and music there for years. I can't believe this nationally acclaimed legendary club was closed down and relocated to (ugh!)The Irvine Spectrum. I've never set foot in the new Crazy Horse and never will.

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  2. The Original Pizza in New Port Beach. Steve made the best!! Not sure if it is still there.

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  3. My old favorite was,although not a true restaurant, Oscar's drive-in on Garden Grove Blvd. Also I'd cruise to Bob's Big Boy in Santa Ana drive-in and sometimes to Bob's in Whittier, straight up Harbor Blvd to Whittier Blvd. Before the fast food taco joints we had the original taco palace called Taco Lita on GG Blvd near Harbor,late 50's and early 60's. It truly was the good old days before the land rapists like the Irvine Co. ruined it all.

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  4. My favorite was Wimpy's in HB, the tiny hamburger shack across the street from the pier. The best real banana shakes on the planet! I remember surfing the cliffs as a teenager in the 80's and ending my sessions with a snack at Wimpy's before heading home. Too bad they never took my offer to "pay them on Tuesday for a hamburger today." It's also too bad that they tore Wimpy's down and built a mall on top of it. That little shack was a historical landmark in the city of Huntington Beach, a real taste of historical OC; it would have been nice if the city had included it in the "Surf City" marketing plan. 5 Jack's Surfboards, but no Wimpy's hamburgers and shakes. It would have dovetailed perfectly into the Surf City plan--a real 50's drive through across the street from the reconstructed pier, right next to a mall with lots of people spending money. What an attraction it could have been! Oh well, there's always Johnny Rockets or In-N-Out, but the view will never be the same.

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  5. Please, please, someone help me out here! It was the fanciest, priciest restaurant in Santa Ana, just across from Buffin's on Main Street. The women's menu had no prices. Two short words, think they were French. The mind is rotting away, so I really need your memory. Thanks.

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  6. The restaurant is Chez Cary (prounounced shay ka'ree').

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  7. When I was a kid in Huntington Beach, we used to go to Original Sam's for pizza, root beer & old movies on Friday nights....

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  8. A friend of mine who lived in Orange County as a girl (we didn't know each other then) and I recently discovered that our parents took us to the same Mexican restaurant. (We think.) It was in either Newport Beach or Huntington Beach, and the defining factor we both remember is that children could pick a brown paper "goodie bag" upon leaving the restaurant. I also seem to remember they had a fountain indoors. This was in the early 1970s. Any one have a clue what/where it was?

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  9. My favorite was Bob's Big Boy in Santa Ana on Bristol. Went there all the time with my folks as a kid.

    I remember the big statue out front of Bob was stolen all the time. They finally had to bolt him down!

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  10. Chez Cary later became Ambrosia (I think) it was also a very upscale resturant at the time.
    It's pretty recent but I was sorry to see Allegro on Tustin (in Orange go under)and since I grew up in Seal Beach I loved and still miss the tostadas at Casa Castillo (On Los Alamitos Blvd. Los Alamitos).

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  11. Also miss Love's Wood Pit BBQ, Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor, The Pop Shoppe, and Bob's Big Boy. They opened a Bob's out in San Bernardino somewhere recently, we took the kids on the way back from Nevada and it was a blast from the past!

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  12. Can someone tell me the name of the upscale half of the Coco's restaurant in Anaheim,or Santa Ana? It was actually in the same building and had steaks, etc.This would have been in the 60's. Don't remember exact location except it was by El Toro.

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  13. To the above commenter, I think the upscale half of Coco's was called "Reubens". They also operated a restaurant inside the Reuben E. Lee.

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  14. Does anyone remember LaFondas Mexican Restaurant in Santa Ana? They always sponsored local sports teams and served great food. Are they still there? If so, what was their location? If not, when did they close?

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  15. I can smell it now....in front of the Garden Grove Theatre was Zesto's. King of the double patty grilled on that hot grill with onions. I worked across the street at my Dad's surplus store and would crave those burgers. I remember the first time I at McDonalds and told my Mom that it was nothing compared to Zesto's.

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  16. I need a great resturant in Anaheim area that serves steak and lobster. We used to go to charlie brown's, I need some ideas for my son's 14th b-day.

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  17. Anyone remember Fiddler's Three in Tustin off Irvine Blvd....or Shakees in Tustin when they played the banjos....what was the name of the Mexican restaurant in Santa Ana that was more of a home than a restaurant and had great food.....or, dancing at Montezuma's Revenge in the 80's.....yes--born and raised in Tustin in the 60's and 70's....great times...

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  18. I miss Belisle's at Harbor and Chapman in Garden Grove. Everything was home made and the portions were generous. Also Noel's in Sunset beach.

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  19. I too miss Belisle's.... i used to call it the pink restaurant. My mom took me there when i was tiny, and we'd get the chocolate sunday. It was HUGE! Rubino's was also a favorite of mine..but I thought they were long gone. Glad to know they are still around. One of my FAVORITE restaurants of all time is the White House in Anaheim.... I love that place, and if I lived closer, I'd go there weekly. It's so worth the price, and amazing decor and ambiance. Heck, i'd go 5 stars every night if I could. I miss Burrell's.. the location now in Santa Ana has definite personality being in a neighborhood, but it was so nice to have it off Sand Canyon which is now a Denny's. I also loved Easter at Billy Mitchell's Acacia in Garden Grove. That restaurant was grand! I grew up on their omlets on sunday brunch.

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  20. The April 9th writer mentioned a pricy restaurant across from Buffums on Main in Santa Ana. It was Chez Cary, but it was across from what is now Main Place in Orange. The location is now a parking lot. It was owned by Cary Sinclair. The menu was very expensive at the time...around $10-$15 per person...strictly a special occasion place. It was not related to Ambrosia in Newport Beach. Chez Cary also featured a weekly musical showcase. One regular performer was Jennifer Warnes (Time of My Life with Bill Medley). Prior to it becoming the Chez, it was called The Parisiene. Very upscale, dark, and themed like an outdoor Paris Cafe. This would have been in the late 50's or early 60's.
    Some other fond food memories was Kenny's Hamburgers on 17th & Tustin. Great burgers and always about a pound of potato chips. Also in the late 50's, a great coffee shop at 17th & Bristol (a bank building there now) called Yum Yums. Real old-timers will remember Pop's Restaurant on E. 4th near the train station. There was also fine dining on Main near 3rd (can't remember the name). It later became McLean Cadillac.

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  21. So now we know that Chez Cary is not currently Ambrosia, but there IS an Ambrosia restaurant in Santa Ana at the OC Pavillion. Any reviews of that restaurant?

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  22. awwww man.. no one mentioned the buttery or farmhouse resturaunts in buena park. gee whiz. i can't believe it. both of those places were the epitome of mid century kitsch. they were both on the same lot, on beach and manchestr , just before the 91.there was , and amybe still is, a neon windmill that could be seen from the freeway. the farm house was more of a buffet, but it wasn't all you can eat.. more like a cafeteria i guess.. the buttery was more fancy , i guess.. inside the buttery there were quasi antique/lamp mutant decorations, or things like an "antique' cigar lighter turned into a toothpick dispenser, and some wierd murals on the walls of the banquet room.. one word CHEESY. the farm house was just as wierd, and lasted longer than the buttery .. i drove through just for the hell of it and it's all auto dealerships. what i'd give to have sunday dinner at the buttery again, it wasn't my favorite food, but MAN it was wierd..

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  23. waitaminute... noone mentioned the shakeys in anehiem !!!!!!!!!! that huge pipe organ and the "mr. nickelodeon " guy.. please, someone tell me you remember this..

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  24. Does anyone remember the Burger Square Restaurant in Orange? On Katella Ave, one block east of Glassel. My Grandfater opened the restaurant in 1967 and had it for a good 7-10 years. It was a family restaurant that had a huge menu. Fried Catfish every Friday night created lines out the door. It was a hot spot for filling the tummy. No alcohol back then was served in these types of restaurants. However every table had an ashtray.

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  25. I worked for the Chez Cary Restaurant from 1975 to 1979. It was a great time. Daily I cooked real Dover Sole from the English channel, Froglegs, Abalone,Sweetbreads, etc etc. I was 16 when I started there and was trained by Swiss Chef Fred Hossli. One of the best Sauciers that I had ever known.
    Names like Gabby, Henry, Johny Ahn, Hanz, Sean, Ray, Klauss,Doug Cull, James Sly all come to mind. The good old days!

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  26. We grew up in Garden Grove, moving there in 1956. Used to go down Chapman Ave. at Brookhurst to the Pink Spot - anybody remember it? (Wendy's location now) Around 1965 our high school friend, Shorty Conrad, flipped burgers there. He made my brother and I a burger with at least 10 patties each one night! We ate them too! My mom is 88 now - still wants to go to Zody's to shop! Remember White Front? Food Giant? The Akron Store? Remember the small market/candy shop across the street from GGHS? We used to take "Highway 39" to Knotts for a free night of fun. Bob's on Garden Grove Blvd. and Oscar's were cruise spots. Cops drove fast Mopars and wore helmets. Good memories.

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  27. I have forgotten the name of the restaurant that used to be on Adams near Brookhurst in the 1980's. You could make your own hamburgers and my kids used to love it. Does anyone remember the name?

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  28. I don't remember the food quality, but when I was a kid I loved it when my Grandparents would take me to the Kona Hawaii restaurant in Santa Ana on Harbor blvd. I remember it so well because of the jungle theme and the stream running through the restaurant! I believe that it is still standing...

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  29. The Chez Cary was awesome, the bartenders made the best "Pousse Cafe's" - a beverage with leveled colors of alchohol. Unfortunately it was torn down for an ugly parking lot.

    The new Ambrosia is located in the OC Pavilion - it is probably the best/fanciest restaurant in OC right now, even over The Ritz. I was just there and they seem to know you and take care of you as soon as you park the car and walk to the building. The atmosphere is quite nice inside and I love the small trio band that plays while you eat. Be prepared to spend at least $100 per person - easy... but it is worth it.

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  30. there seems to be a lot of confussion over the chez cary and the ambrosia,the chez cary was first opened under the mgt of cary sinclair prior to that sinclair had managed the villa fontana. sinclair left the villa and opened the chez cary for nathan rosental, a big wig I believe in the teamsters . ask guido to be continued

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  31. joeymac this is guido falco I worked with you at the chez Im in woodstock Ga. Im in the book lets talk

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  32. Sinclair left the chez cary under suspicious circumstances, geril and gus muller took over the helm of the chez cary a few years later they openned ambrosia a carbon copy of the chez cary down to the crushed red velvet chairs. I actually worked in both restaurants, the ambrosia in the early seventies and the chez in late 70's . they were the most high end eateries of there time I believe both of the muller brothers are gone now. and by the way cary is pronounced like drew cary the guest were allways changing it to Karee it was never pronounced as a french word. Everything was prepared tabele side or finnished at the table 6 tables and 3 servers the likes of which nyou will rarely see anywhere today. the check average was well into the 60 $ range or more the wine list looked like a bible. more later ask guido any old friends out thier

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  33. the ambrosia was started by geril and gus muller both danes gus was cool geril was a bit of a prussian but if you proved yourself you did ok by him. they had a capitol partner {no idea who} . geril had a son who I believe is still in oc the restaurant was set up just like the chez I think it was just a tad smaller than the chez cary and it had originally held karems an upscale restaurant of similar style both the chez cary and ambrosia catered to the shakers and makers of oc society, on any given sunday or monda y tues... you could run into the duke{john wayne} chuck heston or the reverend shuller with the like of diva beverly sills burl Ives and many more, richard nixon and even the governor {regan} . more later ask guido

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  34. WE TOO MISS BELISLE'S RESTAURANT ESPECIALLY THEIR TRIPLE DECKER CAKE. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE RESTAURANT'S RECIPES!!!! WE MOVED TO NORTHERN CA. 10 YRS. AGO AND WHEN WE VISIT THE O.C. WE USUALLY STAY AT EMBASSY SUITES ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR BELOVED BELISLE'S

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  35. Does anyone remember Guadalara? I went there alot as a kid and couldnt find it when I went back out there. I loved the green sauce over the burritos. Anyone know if they moved?

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  36. I'm so depressed to hear Wimpy's has been replaced by... a MALL. I've been scouring the internet looking for the motel we used to stay at right on the beach and right next to Wimpy's so we could always have a fantastic and greasy late night snack. I guess this explains why I couldn't find it. God I'm so depressed now.

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  37. I've got some old recipes from places like Chez Cary and the Riviera at South Coast Plaza if anyone is interested. Would love to trade and pass on for all.

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  38. I dined regularly at the Ambrosia restaurant in Newport Beach. The Ambrosia was created by brothers Gus and Geril Muller who brought fine dining to Orange County. These two restaurateurs were innovators and created dining experiences which have never been duplicated since it was closed in the mid 80’s. I had many enjoyable evenings at the Ambrosia from Geril’s narrated la Chaine des Rotisseurs dinners to political fund-raisers; every dinner was flawless. Every time we were at the Ambrosia someone interesting was having dinner from politics, film or business. Geril and Gus groomed their nephew Howard Kent to one day take over the restaurant. I recently ran into Howard who still lives in Newport Beach and he told me that Geril doing great. My wife and I wish that the original Ambrosia was still around.

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  39. How about Pepas Pizza in Orange that had the player piano and bench seating. There was also Lucky's Pizza in ornge that had black lights and real dim lighting, they had a pastrami pizza that was out of this world. another favorite of our family was Waynes Steakhouse on Katella in Orange, the were there for years and always had great food.

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  40. There hae been several comments about the Chez Cary & original Ambrosia. They indeed were the creation of Geril & Gus Muller. And yes, Geril is doing well. I just wanted to clarify that the new Ambrosia in Santa Ana is not related to the original Ambrosia as many articles have claimed. The trademark was copied from the original Ambrosia and some of the amenities, but it does not have the creativity or the heart of the Muller brothers in it.

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  41. When you went to Cocos on 17th in Santa Ana, across from Nissan and in the same parking lot as Handyman, you had to wait what seemed like an eternity for them to call your family's name and "party of....", and then they had the best shakes in silver goblets, and the Cocos combo, with the accordian paper, the small salad in a plastic dish, and burger and fries. And for kids, the chocolate sundae in a silver bowl with chocolate sauce. The dinners stayed warm under orange flood lights, and then the cookies in plastic packages and yellows labels at the register where your parents paid.

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  42. POP's STEAK HOUSE in Santa Ana - Does anyone have the recipe for Pop's CHEESE SAUCE they used on their BAKED POTATOES? Ah.... such great memories for my husband and I (we didn't know each other then, but both families frequented Pop's often.)

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  43. Did anyone out there cook at Love's Wood Pit Bar BQ? I have always wanted the recipe for their pork ribs. They were as special as the beans.

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  44. I was married to Cary Sinclair in 1970. I visited the Chez Cary on our honeymoon and met the Rosenthals. I never knew about his wrong-doings in California. Can anyone tell me?
    One day he showed me a newspaper where they quoted: "Drop charges against Sinclair" Not knowing enough English limited me to understand what this meant. He opened a sucessful steak and lobster operation in Acapulco, Mexico where I am from, with his partner Carlos Mendoza. After our divorce in 1977, I moved to Texas. He opened 4-5 more restaurants. His original Black Beards was very sucessful. I remember him welcoming Henry Kissinger, Roger Moore, Johnny Carson (I never knew until later, who they were)... :[

    I learned from friends in Acapulco that he went broke.

    I think he still operates one of the restaurants... I am in contact with him off and on through the Internet... Ex wife, Elvia

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  45. Geril Mueller was a great guy, my Dad supplied both the Chez Cary and the Ambrosia and he and Geril were very good friends, the Muellers were nice enough to have us over to their home one time. Whenever Geril needed an emergency delivery, my mom and sister would ride along with my Dad and I and Geril would bring out a long stemmed, chocolate covered strawberry for each of them as a thank you! My favorite place was the Palms Restaurant at Raymond and Orangethorpe. It was on the corner near where Laura Scudders later stood. It was themed polynesian and I always had the ground beef steak, fries, two or three huge onion rings on top of the meat and they always gave us a cup of pineapple/coconut icecream! And don't forget Sams Seafood in Sunset Beach!!

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  46. I remember the Pink Spot also, the burgers were excellent.

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  47. I miss Chicago Chicago Pizza and Pasta in Irvine University Center. Great food and great people. Sorry to see them go!

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  48. Giorgio's in Aliso Viejo.

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  49. I went to Lathrop Jr. High School. Nothing will ever take the place of the original In and Out. Also (graduating Santa Ana High in '59) we use to cruise Main Street between North and South Halls. Now THOSE were the good 'ol days!!

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  50. I grew up in Irvine in the 70's and 80's, and my family's favorite restaurant was Bob Burns. Going there in December (especially when the Fashion Island Christmas tree was up) was a tradition that spanned a couple of decades for us. We also dearly loved Casa Maria in Dana Point, which sadly became an El Torito.

    When I was a child, my favorites were the Jolly Roger (where you could wear a paper pirate hat!), and of course, Farrell's ice cream parlor.

    In high school our hangout was Hudson's in Irvine, and you knew you were somebody if your birthday party was at Bobby McGee's.

    My very first date took me to the Magic Pan in South Coast Plaza. I felt so grown up. A wonderful memory!

    One beloved restaurant from my childhood that I'm happy to say is still around is Roma d' Italia in Tustin!

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  51. Farrell's on Beach Blvd. was the ultimate dinner destination for kids! My brother, sister and I would BEG to go!! Mario's across from Marina H.S. was a favorite hang out as I got older.
    Later,...my one and only job at a restaurant was at the Jolly Knight on Garden Grove Blvd. Great people and great steaks!

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  52. Here's another closure to add to your collection - Denny's at Adams and Brookhurst, Huntington Beach. It opened in '76? and never closed its doors except for one night to get a lock put on.

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  53. Denny's at Brookhurst and Adams, Huntington Beach is closed after some 30+ years.

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  54. Any one remember "Ham's Country Cookery"? It was one Bristol near Sunflower. The best coffee shop ever.

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  55. Some Responses:

    For ALL you that LOVED "Love's!!

    You can go to the old site fo the Brea LOVE's. A cook from that place opened a place there called RILEY's! Same ribs, same BEANS! Same SAUCE...Its been open for 5+ years! Go there and patronize it...

    For BBQ also go to :

    Blake's Place on Miraloma Street near Blue Gum (east of State College). Wonderful sauce/sandwiches/ribs!

    Website:
    http://www.blakesplacebbq.com/

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  56. I love Pizza but not the crust, most of the time & throw out the hand held part or feed it to my dogs that love Pizza as much as me, because it tastes like cheap bread to me…. Till I tried BJ Grunts in Balboa & It hooked me on the Thick Crust that I love. I’ve had friends out for Pizza & they want Extra Extra Thin Crust. I think that they want a Cracker with a thin slice of processed cheese & a bit of Catsup on top.

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  57. Wow! I was just a sprout in the 80s but I totally loved and remembered several of these... Bob's Big Boy spattered about the OC, still have my Big Boy bank. Bebop Burgers, beyond awesome. I used to be insufferable towards my mother to go there, have my frisbee that looks like a 45 record. Wimpy's by the pier, practically lived there during the summer. I think I just bummed myself out.

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  58. I also remember and loved Ham's restaurant on Bristol. The owners and empoyees were always extra nice.
    I recall a restaurant in La Habra on Harbor Blvd. near Imperial Hwy. It was in the 60's and 70's. I believe it was called Ronardo's. They served Italian country food. It was always dark and the jumbo prawns and wonderful soups were terrific. Whatever happened to it and when?

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  59. The Chart House, Newport Beach,(1967) can ya remember waiting outside for a few mins(usually 45 mins) with the line of people just chomping at the bit for dinner? The menue was posted on huge bottles, the grill was inside the dinning area, steak, lobster, crab, five kinds of hot bread plus huge bowls of fresh green salad, most dinners were about $8.50, drinks extra, nautical, es was al! This place was the old Jerry's coffe shop from the late fifties, across the the street from the Balboa Bay club,Terry Jay and company! you would be very hard pressed to find dinning like this, anywhere today in California!

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  60. Here are some.
    Burger Q, Whittier Blvd., La Habra (later Fullerton, too)
    Beefcutter, San Clemente
    Francois's, Huntington Beach

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  61. oes anyone remember the resturant on pch and mcartur that had a guy in a gorilla suit standing on cornr it was a jungle themed restaurnt or drive in?

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  62. where can i find a loves restarunt?

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  63. anyone remember sir georges, smorgasbord, or hansa house bufet by disneyland?

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  64. yummm, Bobs Big Boy and The Big Boy special. The hot fudge brownie cake was/is to die for. Nothing better then that. Sad day when they closed the one in Anaheim. That was the place to go with friends late at night. I stopped at the one in Baker, Ca. on the way home from Vegas a few months back. Brought back a ton of memories, but just didnt taste like it used to. Sad to say. To the above person who asked what the upscale restaurant was in Garden Grove that Cocos owned..it was called Reuben's Plankhouse. My dad would take us there. My sisters and brother and I would always get Shirley Temples and the fried shrimp plate..Yum!!!

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  65. does anyone remember the restaurant called Delaney's Seafood restaurant? Or Capri Deli? They made the best corned beef sandwich. I also miss Swenson's Ice Cream parlor on Euclid. We would walk down there during the summer and get a scoop of sticky eewy Chocolate.

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  66. Yes! I remember Sir George's Smorgasbord! Both my sisters worked there during high school. They would bring home some of the fried fritters after work, they were so good.

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  67. Anyone remember No-No's chicago style pizza in Orange on Tustin Ave. across from the old K-Mart store?

    Or Daddy-O's in old town Tustin?

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  68. how about jerrys bbq on 17th and sa river,and belisis on chapman

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  69. For the person who asked about PCH & MacArthur restaurant with the guy in the gorillla suit, it was The Zoo drive-in :) I loved the Zoo!

    I also miss Bob Burns in Fashion Island, Miyako (where Tutu Mare is now), the Rigger (a burger place in Fashion Island), Delaney's on the Peninsula, Bouzy Rouge Cafe (where I first met nouveaux Beaujolais), Gustaf Anders, Ham's Country Cookery, Spires by the Airport, Chanteclair, the Snack Shop in Corona del Mar..... so many more from my childhood in OC. Oh! and and the dining rooms at Buffums in Fashion Island and Bullocks at Santa Ana.

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  70. The Cask n' Cleaver in Orange had a good run in the early 90's. Too bad the Keagle's painted it teal and mauve, and changed the concept.

    Also, the old Marri's Pizza (before it changed to Ecco's) next to the Orange Mall - You could write your name/graffiti on the walls/tables/floor. Great sauce on their pies. Miss the smell of that place.

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  71. Ah Marri's Pizza! There was one on Katella near Ball that was a total Disney cast member hang out!

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  72. I remember Fiddlers Three Restarant in Carson Mall,Ca . It had the best Cheddar Cheese Soup,I ever had .Is there somewhere,that they have that soup , or does anyone know how to make it? Nov 2007

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  73. Can anyone remember the name of the hamburger place on the northeast corner of Main and Edinger in Santa Ana from about 1963. It was just north of the Sears store. I remember going there often with my Father. I dont think there were any Mc D s around the area then. It has bugged me for a long time that I cant remember the name of it.

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  74. There was also the Shakeys on 17th ST in Tustin. It is still there I went several years ago...was not quite the fun place as it was in the 60s

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  75. North East corner of Main and Edinger was Hall's, and the Zoo replaced Merle's on the Coast Hwy and McArther. Hot Rod hang out in the '50s. Many a race started from there, and went up the hill onto McArther. (Many a crash too.) How about memories of a small coffee shop squeezed between the Old City Hall and Pep Boys on Main St between 1st and 2nd? I had many a haircut at Hoffman's, and a BLT at this place, but don't remember the name.

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  76. I remember the Fiddlers Three in Tustin. I LOVED the cheese soup. I have an old recipe for it torn out of the LA Times from long, long ago. Never have tried it so don't know if it really tastes like the real thing or not....I should give it a go. If you want it, let me know.

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  77. I worked at the Fiddler's Three in Long Beach near the University and the VA Hospital for 10 years,in the 80's. it was a great place to work, a family atmosphere. Still in touch with about a dozen former employees. Yes! The cheese soup was our specialty, along with the squaw bread or sourdough round loaves. Also popular was the Fiddler Burger,chicken fried steak and great pies.
    I miss Fiddler's,miss the fun of waitressing and miss old friends.

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  78. How about the VELVET TURTLE at Fashion Island? It was alway a great place for lunch or dinner. Not cheap-not expensive, but very good.

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  79. Yeah, I miss the Velvet Turtle chain, they were great :) The restaurant I REALLY miss from Fashion Island is Bob Burns. I LOVED that place! I also miss Yamato's at Fashion Island. And I was a dishwasher at the Estrella Dining Room at Buffum's Fashion Island. My first job when I was 15 years old. There was also a deli in Fashion Island, but it's name escapes me. My sister was a hostess there.

    I think I also mentioned before missing the Rigger Restaurant that was a burger joint in Fashion Island. It was part of the Jolly Roger chain and had a location in Waikiki as well.

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  80. Wow - what memories! not my favorite restaurants, but here's what I remember:
    Near where the main place is now - Hams, Miyako's, the deli/bagel place, The Pizza Store, the original knowlwood's... the smorgasboard place, farrell's, the first Swensen's off of Chapman (with blackberry icecream & hot apple sundaes), Sombrero Street, H Salt Fish & Chips next to the 31 flavors on Tustin, cask and cleaver, La Fiesta at the Orange mall, El Taco, Del taco, the A & W...

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  81. Ah I had forgotten Miyako's in Town & Country center across from Fashion Square. There was also a great Italian place in there that had the best stombolis! There was a smorgasbord place in Corona del Mar called Villa Sweeden where the CdM Kiwanis Club used to meet. I had a lot of lunches there as a Key Clubber. H. Salt Esq. was also in CdM (maybe they still are?). I also remember when Kaplan's was in South Coast Plaza and the cool place for lunch in South Coast was Salmagundi's!

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  82. Yes! Salmagundi's! The best selection of soups and salads. I loved it on a cold day. The casual atmosphere was great. All good things must come to an end. Anyone remember the Trops chocolate shop where you could buy miniature cakes decorated and placed in a gift box? It was the perfect gift for a birthday.

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  83. I grew up in Orange, I do remember the Chez Cary and right next to it was the Marse Inn. I remember the smell of Chinese food from Koo's on Main St. Santa Ana, always a treat. A great little place called The Snack Shop on Chapman in Orange, The Iron Horse which later became La Brasier. How about the old A & W RootBeer on Tustin Ave. in orange,The trick was to swipe a mug out of there, I still have mine. Foster Freeze on Chapman, the best lemonade.The Cape on Tustin Ave. in Santa Ana, great sea food and chowder.All great memories and wonderful food and good times!!!

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  84. I've got the Fiddler's Three Cheese Soup recipe, along with lots of others. How about the Riviera Pepper Steak or the Ono Ono salad dressing from The Royal Hawaiian. Got it! I used to work at a long gone restaurant in Tustin called Spurlocks and also at the Tustin branch of Tony's Sea Landing when Tony still owned it. Been collecting restaurant recipes for years. Post your email and I'll forward to you. My Mom used to save all the SOS recipe sections from LA Times and Ask Your Neighbor from the Register. When she passed away I found hundreds of old local recipes.

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  85. Fiddler's Three Cheese Soup

    1 cup shredded carrots
    1 cup thinly sliced celery
    2/3 cup thinly sliced onion
    2 1/2 T chicken soup base
    2 1/2 cups water
    1/3 cup flour
    3 cups whole milk
    1 pound good quality sharp cheddar cheese, grated (do not use pre-grated)
    salt & fresh pepper to taste

    Add the carrots, celery, and onions to chicken soup base mixed with water. Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
    Blend the flour and 1 1/2 cups of the milk and add to the vegetable mixture, stirring well. Add the remaining milk and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until just melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. It was served with a dark rye or pumpernickle bread and lots of butter. Enjoy SSOINTOYOU@msn.com

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  86. FANTASTIC memories of CrazyHorse, the food, not the men I was with. Abrosia 1979 by the Cannery was THE classiest most elegant place to experience: felt like being in Hello Dolly. Just found out Bob Burns is gone (i'm in NorCal now) and it broke my heart; it was the most elegant next to Ambrosia= not enough space for positive adjectives, being Scot-Irish, very sentimental. Moved to HB in 68 age 12, so very angry and sad at how much has changed, from 25,000 people to -- well, after war in '75OC started changing too much too fast. Remember Mione's on Lido had the best pizza (Two Guys on Warner in HB too) Five Points, Marios? Remember the Surf Theater? Belisles off Ball (anaheim?) was FANTASTIC! How could anyone eat all that wonderful food!? A whole duck? ala orange dinner for $11, Farrell's for our birthday ice cream, THE ZOO! There was this little fish place, began with a "P"? that had the best fish/chips just two doors north of Blackies at Newport Pier and they gave out long balloons that everyone in the small cafe would blow up and end up tying their balloons together! fun! and great fish & chips! Crab Cooker great too, but expensive and long wait and not much food on the plate.. Remember Will Wright's ice cream at the Irvine Ave/PCH signal (down the street from John Wayne's house and across the beach from the Reuben E. Lee boat? The Orange Inn before the entire beautiful landscape was ripped up by the Irvine Ranch was a great place to stop on a bike ride from Laguna back home to HB or after surfing.. I wonder if the Sunset House? is still in Sunset Beach near Superman's sign? Great tuna omlettes! and finally - because i'm so homesick for the early 70's HB, remember Crossroads on Brookhurst, international restaurant where you could get Yugoslavian (dad loved), British, French, Italian, and one other, very very nice....

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  87. In 1970 after going to the Chez Cary restaurant for a Sales Meeting with the President of our company (I went there after work without a coat for which they were were most willing to provide, classy I thought at my young age of 25) I made up my mind that I was going to save my money and take my wife to the restaurant. It had made an life long impression on me. When I went I got a menu that had no prices so I had no idea of the cost. At any rate I saved up almost 40.00 which I thought would probably be enough to buy the restaurant at the time. At any rate I took my wife there and we had a wonderful dinner unlike anything either of us had ever experienced, with the Red Rose, the foot cushion, the deserts flaming at the table. Wow was it great, it came time for the bill and when I saw that it was over $60.00 I mentioned to our waiter Gaby, that I was short, what could I do. He politely said he would send me the bill, now I was really impressed. I became a regular customer until the sad day that it closed. I spent $1000.00's of dollars there in the years that followed and I was always very proud of the Credit Card (my first) from the Chez Cary. In fact I still have the card and anytime I look at it I say that this was the best restaurant I had ever been to. Some polite and trusting people with good quality product made me a happy customer for many years. I was sad to say the least when it closed for reasons I never knew. At any rate thank you for that experience, it made a young man, feel motivated to make something of himself...jamie

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  88. Another restaurant no longer with us - Gorda Liz, a Portuguese restaurant in Newport Beach. Pretty, colorful tiles. Good steaks. Then it became Gladstone's 4 Fish. Is that still there?

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  89. Gladstones is long gone, it was one or two things after that and I can't even remember what happened to the building. In that same center on the opposite end was Sapori, a great little Italian place.

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  90. I recall a restaurant on 17th street in Costa Mesa. It was called "El Pescador. They served the very best king crab legs. Am trying to figure out where it was on 17th. I live very close to there now, and wonder what is in it's place. Anyone know?

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  91. I am trying to find out the name of the restaurant that used to be where Acaculpco Mexican Restaurant on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa is now.

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  92. Here's the one's I remember:

    Rene's pizza (on n. main st. santa ana) to this day, never had pizza like that ever again.
    Peking Duck (on tustin ave)best chinese food, originally opened in Lake forest, then moved to Tustin ave, closed in 1986.
    The Villa Taxco on bristol street in santa ana.
    Guillmo's La Fiesta on main st. in santa ana, the best mexican food and known for the special secret soup!

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  93. Anyone remember Pup n Taco on main street in santa ana? They made a hamburger called the Texas Tomato burger, and the taco's were made with spicey ground beef.

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  94. Anyone remember a small french restaurant across from the Art Festival area in Laguna Canyon? It was there in the mid-60's.

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  95. I grew up in Orange, and there were two neighborhood-style Italian restaurants in the mid-'80s that I used to go to that were basically across the street from one another, neither of whose name I can recall. They were just off of Tustin + Walnut, the first being behind Taco Bell -- and in the same center as H. Salt and Baskin Robbins -- in part of the same space that the infamous Tacos Jalisco now occupies. They had a nice meatball and a nice, cozy atmosphere that was good for families, a bite with some buds, or a meal with your girl.

    The other restaurant was more of a pizza joint and was across the street on Tustin, next to the great/late Fantasia Video. Good sauce, as i remember, and a few obscure arcade games of the time to complete the draw. Opaque red cups, of course.

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  96. Moved to Costa Mesa in 72. Pink's drugstore for phosphates & comics. I was a dishwasher/busboy/host at the Reuben E. Lee...my girlfriend would row me to work from Balboa. Busboy at Reuben's, Janitor/Waiter at Isadore's nightclub next door. My older brother was a bartender/bouncer there. I think the Arches restaurant is still on PCH. I live in Houston now. It's growing like OC but slower. Never forget Naugle's!

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  97. The Arches has moved. Right now there is a fence around the original location on PCH. Looks like it is in pre-demo stage. Very very sad! I always felt like I was in company of Mafioso in that place. Ruben E Lee barge is also gone, completely. Loved Naugle's, great HS lunch escape.

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  98. To the person way up there that asked about the burger place where you could make your own burgers..it was called Fudrucker's.

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  99. WHO is old enough to remember one of the FIRST Buffets? It was called King's I think.. dark, dimly lit inside. Somewhere around Stanton I think.. And, a place called Chubby's, HUGE burgers, in Buena Park.

    WOW. How about, go really far back - Van De Camp's restaurants????!!! Or, where a KMart now stands, at St. College/ Lincoln was Grant's.. they had all-you-can-eat specials every night of the week!

    I miss Spires and Knowlwood's ( I grew up off Ball/Walnut then moved to Imperial Hwy/91)

    Before we left CA in 99, I got to go to the infamous Club 33 inside Disneyland and Ruby's down in Newport/C. Mesa for their prime rib dinner Wed (?) nights for like $6.!

    I went to Betsy Ross Elem, Ball JHS, Loara HS then Esperanza High.. I graduated in 79 - decades ago!

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  100. okay, I'm going to be 47, but omg, it's like yesterday..

    Make your own burgers: Fuddruckers?? If so, they're here in Denver, but I've never been to one.

    REMEMBER:

    First it was Costello's then Mamma Cozza's I think, a pizza place off Cerritos and I think Ball Rd waaay back in the 60's.. heard they always had cockaroach problems.. we loved the pizza there!

    Pasty Kitchen off Los Alamitos I think ??? no, off ?? IN Los Alamitos? I VIVIDLY remember getting them in beef and fruit as a kid..

    Was a good Deli next to the old FedMart at Euclid/ ?? I've been gone a long time from THAT AREA. . HUGE matzoh balls in soup.. and, one of the old Pizza Delights there too.. it's a WMart now I think..

    In the mid 80's an old b/f took me to his Co's Xmas party at The Courthouse.. WOW, fancy to the max! Awesome. hear it's gone now too.

    In Anaheim was another great place I LOVED - Seafood Broiler.. along with my birth hospital down the street (Martin Luther) it sadly has been gone a long time.

    How about up in Fullerton, near the JC, was Rubigona's, or something like that.. VERY funky restaurant, loved it.. Rutabegonia's????

    Ok, I show my age ! lol lol

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  101. I loved ( and still love ) Rutabegorz. It's a blast from the past to go inside. Nothing has changed-the menu is pretty similar to what I remember from 1974 when I first went as a Fullerton College student. An old boyfriend of mine and a couple of his friends opened it in the early 70's. There are a couple other Rutabegorz-one in Orange and another in Tustin. The food is healthy and tasty, but the atmosphere is the big draw, if you have a hankering for the 70's.

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  102. I remember 90% of the restaurents mentioned, brunch at Delaney's, etc. I worked at the JOOLY KNIGHT for 7 years in the late 60's early 70's. larry Foy at the piano bar and owners Lil and Ed Ansel, and David Searle. I would love to kinow what happened to them. Also worked at Bob burns and the Fxfire and The kettle.

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  103. Regarding The Arches Restaurant in Newport on Coast Hwy. and Old Newport Blvd., it is about to re-open as "A Restaurant", one of Tim and Liza Goodell's latest culinary experiences. It will also have a gourmet little market where the gas station used to be years ago. Their previous O.C. restaurants ( Aubergine and Troquet ) were amazing, so we are excited for this one. By the way, the old Arches has relocated to 29th or 30th Street, near The Cannery.

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  104. I miss THE BARN at Redhill and Edinger in Tustin. Can't count how many nights I was there for dinner, sports, a show, or just the friendly people who hung out there.

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  105. I remember a lot of these places from when we used to visit my grandmother, aunt & uncle in the 60's & 70's and from when I lived in Anaheim in the 80's. I haven't thought about Fuddruckers or Rutabegorz in years. We used to eat at Bob's Big Boy and Spires quite often. Does anyone remember Mimi's in Anaheim? I believe it was on Euclid near the 91. Also, the original Carl's restaurant on Harbor near the 91.

    I'm glad someone else remembers The Zoo in Newport Beach. I remember my aunt taking us there when it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. I still have one of their menus.

    I had the opportunity to eat at Club 33 in Disneyland several times.

    I think my favorite place to eat was the Jolly Roger. I don't remember the exact location. I believe there were several. I loved the salad dressing (sort of a sweet tomato/onion as I recall) and I've tried to find a recipe but have had no luck.

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  106. Looking for help verifying something and am hoping somebody could help me.

    I'm remembering a Sir George's Smorgsbord restaurant on Lincoln Ave in Anaheim just east of East Street. Kinda across the street from the Pancake House. Does anybody remember this or am I screwing things up in my head?

    Thanks.

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  107. I remember the Sir George's, but the location is fuzzy for me too :)

    I do remember when smorgesbords were all the rage though!

    Does anyone remember (and mourn as I do) the Bouzy Rouge Cafe on the Newport peninsula? It was where I was first introduced to nouveau beaujolais!

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  108. I grew up in Garden Grove in the 70s and my parents would occasionally take us to the Me-N-Eds, I think it was on Beach Blvd., kind of across from a miniature golf place, the one with the dragon heads. Anyway, the pizza parlor was great, they had a player piano and a large glass window where one could watch them assembling the pizzas. Great pizza too! I understand there is only one Me-N-Eds left here in SoCal, close to me in Long Beach. I also remember the Kona Kai, believe it or not...Mexican restaurant, that was on the same street.

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  109. I have another one. El Burrito Bravo on Valley View in Garden Grove. It was a fast food place. My best friend and I used to stop by for tacos on our way back from riding her horse at the AJ stables in Stanton. Later on a McDonald's opened next to the above mentioned...it was the first one in our neck of the woods and we ate there too.

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  110. Ahh, you guys are making me HUNGRY!

    The burger place on the corner of Brookhurst and Adams was Moochies. It was so good!

    I remember Pup-N-Taco, Salvatores (end of Newland on GG Blvd., Farrels, Bobby McGees, Reubens, The Reuben E. Lee, Francois, Shakeys, Whimpy's (I have a pic of the sign before it was torn down)... Oh man. I miss all these places. Oooh, The Beagle! I have to go eat now. :-)

    Fabulous website, btw. I am loving the memories this is bringing back!

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  111. I miss Chicago-Chicago pizza so much. I can find comparable deep dish, but I have yet to find a thin crust that comes anywhere close. I remember when they changed the format of the restaurant (adding a hostess) and it seems like things went downhill from there. Soon the restaurant closed, and I had to get my fix by visiting the UCI Student Center. Then that closed. If anyone knows the ingredients to that amazing sauce they had, please post.

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  112. Anyone that can answer this is going to be my hero because this is driving me nuts. There was a coffee shop at 17th street and the 55 fwy.in the 70's that is now Mimi's I think.
    They had a great French Toast stuffed with Cream Cheese and Marmalade. Does anyone who knows what I'm talking about remember the name of the place?

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  113. I think that my favorite OC restaurant would have to be Mazzottis in HB. On Walnut or Olive just steps north of Main St. I must have had a thousand meatball sandwiches there when I live on 14th St. in the late 70's

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  114. I remember the place you are talking about, but I forget totally what it's name was.... I am crushed that Walnut Grove is gone from San Juan Capistrano... some of the greatest pecan rolls ever. I think only Bellisle's had better ones.

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  115. The coffee shop in Tustin at 17th St. was called Dupars. It was great. The original is at the LA Farmers Market on Fairfax so you can still enjoy all your favorites.

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  116. Speaking of 17th St. in Tustin.... I also miss Jojo's.... I know they were in other locations in OC too, including Newport Beach off Bristol.

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  117. I was born in Santa Ana, grew up in Anaheim then Orange. I couldn't
    wait to get away.
    There are a few things I miss.
    B.J. Grunt's Pizza among the top.
    I haven't been able to get any
    information about them until this
    site.
    Would anyone here be able to tell me how I might, at least come close to replicating their pizza
    at home?

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  118. Anybody remember Manny's Coffee Shop on 17th in Santa Ana? Got my 1st job there, waitressing graveyard the summer after high school graduation. If I had a time machine, I'd go back to Tony's Sea Landing, the original one in Orange. Worked there, too. Remember the 20th Century Limited restaurant in South Coast Plaza - it was a real train car. Good times. I'm in Ohio now, so I really miss the O.C. restaurants. -Marianne

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  119. Hahaha everytime someone else posts I remember two other places that are long gone.

    My family used to love Delaney's on the water in Newport for Sunday brunch back in the day when VERY FEW places were open on Sundays for breakfast...

    I also miss Kaplan's Deli. I remember when it was in South Coast Plaza before SCP became Rodeo Drive South.

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  120. Regarding the last post, Delaney's just reopened in Lido Village right on the water in Newport. A very small place, but the food is excellent and the prices very reasonable. Not too far from their original location which is now the Bluewater Grill.

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  121. I too remember Manny's Coffee Shop on 17th St. The first salad I ever had was there in 1969. A big Chef Salad. I remember Jojo's coffee shops. They were owned by the people who owned Alpha Beta markets, if I'm not mistaken. The restaurant was named after the daughter, Laurie Jo. I believe her mother also was Jeanne of Jeanne's Yardage fame on Brea Blvd. in Brea.

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  122. I miss the old Sambo's restaurants! Thank goodness the original is still in operation in Santa Barbara. Worth the trip just for the nostalgia alone, though the food is good.

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  123. Does anyone remember the "Greenbriar Inn" on Garden Grove Blvd in the '60s? I used to take friends there for lunch and it was like walking into another time. There were several cottages surrounding it. It had an interesting history I'm told.

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  124. Does anyone remember the Jolly Roger restaurants? There was one in Laguna, one in Newport. Used to love the pirate theme when I was young. When did they go away?

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  125. There is still a Jolly Roger at the Dana Point Marina. Still has great food and view! Anyone remember a Black Beards in Newport Beach off MacArthur? We called it the Devils Triagle-used to be a few good old bars in there. K

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  126. Devil's Triangle was composed of three restaurant/bars, set up in a triangle. They were right around MacArthur and Birch. For certain, there was Blackbeards - great happy hour (back when happy was HAPPY). I believe there was also an El Torito. The third place, though, I'm drawing a blank on............ Help!!!

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  127. Anything before '77 I have no idea of...

    Farrells on Beach in HB loved it as a kid. They have one in Santa Clarita and down near San Diego.

    Naugles yum yum!

    Wimpy's in HB great place to get over 20 different flavored shakes.

    Chez Cary never been but always remembered it as I had relatives that lived down the street.

    Jolly Roger... I think there I one across the street from Disneyland. Just do no confuse it with Capt.Kidds WORST PLACE EVER!!

    Belisle' on Harbor & Chapman...

    The Jolly Knight.. wasn't it on GG Blvd??

    How about the Northwoods Inn.. the place with the fake snow on the roof... There was one in GG..

    A's Burgers in Costa Mesa.. it's now Taco Mesa.. Is the A's Burgers in South County the same place?? You can see it off the 5 near Laguna Nigel...

    Maxwells on the pier in HB...

    There was a fruit stand on PCH near Laguna, they sold fruit smoothies... also I think there was one on the 133 going into Laguna Canyon...

    Pup n Taco... Pioneer Chicken...
    39 cent Hamburger Stand... not a fan but I remember them...

    Godfather's Pizza in CM.. it's now Super Antojitos - which is yummy as well..

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  128. Is Pollo Loco (Main St., Santa Ana, just across from the Bower's Museum) still there? Use to go there after work in the late 80s for a great grilled chicken dinner. Also, Spires (Main & 17th, Santa Ana) was great for late night food runs.

    Austin Cooper
    Decatur, Alabama

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  129. The Wee Capri on Tustin in Orange. It had absolutely the best pizza and meatballs in the whole stinkin' world. Gaetano (Gus) Mazotti owned the place. He sold it and then opened Mazotti's in Huntington by the pier. His sons took it over and I don't know what happened to it after that, but I'll always remember Gus's pizza and meatballs.

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  130. Shame on me! It was "Gus" but "Clyde" Mazzotti. So, Clyde, if you got a bullet with my name on it, rub it off. Thanks.

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  131. Does anyone remember Lancer's restaurant? 2nd and Main in Santa Ana, next door to MacLeans Cadillac dealership, by the OLD city hall. Also La Hacienda on Main and McFadden. You guys are taking me back when. Lotta fun to hear your comments.

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  132. wow there's so many these days

    "Pup And taco" in cerritos
    "Sir georges' on wesminster blvd
    "Pioneer chicken" right down the street
    "Loves" and the lil cart of meat and potatoes.
    "Pinnacle peaks and sambo's" on G.G. blvd.
    "Belisles" late night yums yums on harbor
    "Salvatore's" on GG blvd.
    The "Jolly Night" on the same street.
    "ferrell's" and the trough of ice cream.
    The giant baseball game on the wall at "Shakeys" on westminister
    "Me and Ed's" too!
    "Wimpys" chili cheese fries/onion rings and a peanut butter shake. I might give a year of my life for that...
    The Copper Penny accross from the Zody's and Two Guys? was it?
    "BoBs Big bOy choco shakes and fih and chips.
    Happy Pizza on GG blvd aND Nagles burritos and burgers.
    Man theres so many... if there's a place you like from your child hood frequent it a lot! save it if you can... they all go to some extent but do what you can to save you lil memories.

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  133. 1620 a.d. room on beach and ball. The best food, funny wry stage show, lots of drinking songs, and a lack of checking for id's!!! ahhh the great memories.

    lived right accross the street and stumbled home full and drunk many a night. Great lamb and rice. And they Made your leftovers into a lil aluminum duck!

    anyone remmeber this place i caught it in the end of it shay day!

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  134. From way back in 2006 someone asked what the place next Mclean Cadillac was. It was "Lancers". My folks were in the car business on first street. They had some 1/25th scale AMT models of 50's dodge lancers sitting on a shelf. AS a kid I loved going there to play with the model cars.

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  135. Anyone remember "El Pescador" restaurant on 17th street in Costa Mesa back in the 60's? They had the best King crab legs. Am trying to remember just where it was-near Irvine Blvd. or Newport Blvd. Help anyone.

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  136. In regards to Sir Georges, there was one on 400 South Euclid, a couple blocks from Lincoln Avenue, right next to Magic Bottle Liquor store. Great food !

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  137. The El Pescador was on the corner of 17th St. and Tustin Avenue in Costa Mesa. There is now a beauty supply store there now. The Crazy Horse gets my vote. I went twice to the new one when it moved to Irvine Spectrum and it just wasn't the same at all. Every time I drive down the 55 fwy and see that empty lot with all the weeds growing there, its just so sad. Also Bobby McGee's in Newport Beach is my runner-up. Does anyone remember the bath tub salad bar? And all the very attractive servers?

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  138. I was raised in Redlands beginning in the late 50’s. a transplant from the Northeast via Redondo Beach. We had a smorgasbord in town called Griswold’s. I believe the restaurant started in OC. We also had a Sir George’s “Plantation” which I also believe was the Sir George’s talked about earlier. My parents would drive to Costa Mesa for dinner at El Pescador often as it was a favorite. I believe the same family owned it as well as La Cave across the street (my absolute favorite place for steak) and Hi Times Liquor (which was above La Cave) until it moved down the street. A Blockbuster now sits atop La Cave.

    Laguna Beach – The Ivy house, Ron’s, Victor Hugo’s, Tortilla Flats (when it was in that little house on PCH), Duke’s hamburgers (across from Laguna Village), and my favorite deli – Stotlemeyer’s.

    CDM - Don the Beachcomber.

    Newport Bch – the original Ancient Mariner, Gladstone’s was a favorite for Sunday Brunch (with frozen Stolichnaya vodka – gratis!) and Bob Burns – always a tradition at Christmas, and Anthony’s on the Back Bay.

    Costa Mesa – near the airport – there was an Italian place that had a mini Statue of Liberty on the roof. Anyone remember the name? Great food, but I think it had some nefarious connections.

    Santa Ana – The Riviera at SCP. The Sand Dabs Veronique were the best! And the just now closed Brasserie above 17th on Main, Bennigan’s at SCP, and the chain related to Delaney’s – Dirty Nelly’s.

    Orange – Chaz on Katella.

    As a child travelling with family, I know we ran into a Ca. chain we loved called Moby Dick's. was there one in OC at the beach? Great clam chowder.

    I’m starving now so I have to run!

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  139. Does anyone remember a restaurant in La Habra in the 70's near the intersection of Beach Blvd. and Lambert Road called Mr. Steer's , Mr. Stein's or something similar? They had a statue/mascot in front of the restaurant that was a white steer wearing a cowboy hat...I think.

    I think there's a Del Taco there now, but there was a Taco De Carlos and Naugles there first.

    Anyone remember???

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  140. I really miss Naugles and even Taco de Carlos. They were both good chains as was Del Taco.

    I've bemoaned the lost of Bob Burns before. I had dinner there before Sr. Prom and my father, who ate there for lunch three days a week(he worked in Newport Center) called ahead and paid for dinner. My date was really impressed when the waiter came over and said, "Just sign here Mr. Scott. It is so nice to see you again."

    I also miss Yamato's in Fashion Island. Great Japanese food.

    And I've been wracking my brain to remember the small, local market in Laguna Beach where we used to get the greatest sandwiches for lunch. I think it is Wild Oats now.

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  141. To the person trying to remember what was before the Acapulco's on Bristol in CM. I think the Acapulco's was built there, but you may be remembering the old Volcano House that was just down the street. I think it's a Chinese place now.
    I miss the wonderful breakfasts at Ham's, and sandwiches at Giuliano's Deli at Sunflower and Bristol. I was also very sad when Calentino's on Harbor closed. Their pizza was a Sunday night staple at our house for many years.
    Does anyone remember the name of the steak place at the old Harbor Shopping Center, the one that later became the (gag) Chuck E. Cheese? And there was a weird, very inexpensive steak place at Adams and Magnolia that we used to go to when it was the only steak my folks could afford. $5 for a bacon-wrapped filet. Yum!

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  142. I remember the Greenbrier Inn. It was a very nice place to go on special occasions. Does anyone remember Chris and Pitts BBQ, I use to work there or Priscella's Cake Box (bakery), both in Garden Grove, I think on GG Blvd.

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  143. Giuliano's Deli may be gone from Costa Mesa/Santa Ana, but the original location of Giuliano's Deli is alive and well on Gardena Blvd in Gardena. It is near Bruddah's, which is about the best Hawaiin food in Southern Cal.

    I miss Ham's as well, it was such a comfortable place. And I was sad to see Kaplan's Deli close. It was another place from my childhood gone. It used to be in South Coast Plaza until it moved out to the location near the 405 on Harbor Blvd.

    What was the name of the great Italian place in the Town & Country marketplace across from Santa Ana Fashion Square/Main Place? There was also a Yamato's in there.

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  144. The Ha' Penny Inn in Westminster in the late 60's had the best prime rib with yorkshire pudding and peanuts on the floor for a crude touch with pewter ware and yards of ale served by wenches.

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  145. Roma D'Italia
    DK's Doughnuts
    Swensson's (Home of the Earthquake)
    Shakey's Pizza (with banjos)
    Bob and Jean's

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  146. Mermaid, thank you for the Fiddler's Three cheese soup recipe. Does anyone remember "Salmagundi" at South Coast Plaza? They had wonderful soups and salads,too. It's been gone a long time.

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  147. Bellisle's was the best. I miss it terribly. I used to take all my dates there when I was young. the chocolate cream pie was stacked to the sky. I liked it better before the addition. there was picnic tables and you didn't know who you sat next to, you got to meet new people from all over the US. it was fun.

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  148. To the person who mentioned Kaplan's above..OMG..they had THE BEST cheesecake & it was "mile high" before mile high was the "style."

    Someone else mentioned Sir George's Smorgasboard...I don't remember any for the OC..but there was one in Long Beach. At one point my family had been VERY well off financially, bu then due to some bad investments we were one step from living in a dumpster. Sir George's was a "God" send to my Father. We'd go on Friday nights for the all you could eat crab legs..OMG. The memories you've all brought back.

    And to another person above who asked about Mimi's on Euclid near the 91. It's still there...I go there quite frequently.

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  149. I worked at Fiddler's Three in Long Beach on Anaheim St. in 1969 and loved it! I also worked at Reuben's Plankhouse from 1973 to 1976. It was a great place to work and I really miss the food. They had great scampi and steak and enchiladas and their salad bar was to die for!

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  150. The Reuben's Plankhouse I worked at was in Cerritos---anybody out there that worked there between 1973 and 1976?

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  151. What memories! I now own amnd operate an upscale restaurant in Fishers, Indiana where many of my receipe's came from the finest resturants I worked for in Southern Calif during the early to mid '70's in Orange County--(Chez Cary, Mr. Stox, Earl's Seafood Grotto, Neiuport 17--now on Red Hill Blvd in Tustin)
    Anyone out there remember Tom Jones Resturant on Katella in Orange--(Katella & Tustin Ave). Ran by a great resturanteur Tom Jones. I worked there as a busboy in '75-76

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  152. I remember Delaney's...in fact I recently came across old pictures of me eating there as a kid sometime in the 1980's. I also remember La Fiesta...I'm pretty sure they had a location in Orange County, but I usually ate at the one in La Mirada at the mall. Farrell's...brings back wonderful childhood memories. Most kids went for the ice cream (I remember the clown sundae and The Zoo), but I always thought they had really good french fries. I remember the Big Boy combo and the yummy Hot Fudge Cake at Bob's Big Boy. Does anyone remember The Red Onion? It was a Mexican restaurant, I know they had several locations around southern Cali...I remember my family would order huge platters that came with 4 tacos, 4 enchiladas, etc...and kids would get a choice of either Jello or an Oreo Big Stuff for dessert. I believe they went out of business in the early 1990's. :)

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  153. I remember Delaney's too. I was never a sea food fan but they were really good. I've recently remembered an appetizer that they served in the bar. It was a crab dish. I remember peppers and onions and crab heated under a broiler, served with cheese toast points. It was really something special... If anyone has the recipe I'd gladly trade some of mine..

    I have things like the Magic Pans orange almond salad and cheese fritters.

    Gullivers, creamed corn and spinach...

    Email CAT@myggen.com

    Thanks ...

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  154. Anyone remember Barclays? It was located off the corner MacArthur/Bristol in Santa Ana. I used to go as a kid drng the 80's for sunday brunch until it closed. Food was excellent. They made great breakfast potatoes. A Sir Georges restaurant used to be located off Bristol/Segestrom in Santa Ana. The buffet food was excellent compared to todays local buffet restaurants.

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  155. I remember that place on Beach/Lambert in La Habra we had to stay at a motel in that area in the mid-60s while our house was being finished. I was only in 2nd grade and I can't remember the name
    of the restaurant but I'm going to find out.

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  156. Ruby Bergonias was a restaurant/bar that was located at Griswolds Inn right off Raymond/91fwy. in Fullerton I worked for Griswolds in 1978 doing the cash reports for the coffee shop and restaurant. Foxfires on Imperial/91 in Anaheim was owned by Griswolds then also.

    I will always have fond memories on a certain HOT Bartender/Waiter that worked in Ruby Begonias...sigh...;)

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  157. The restaurant that was in Town & Country was Villa Fontana. Used to go there with my parents whenever my Dad's boss came to town. Very, very expensive. Great flaming presentation food. Scampi In Love, Flaming spinach salad, steak Diane, and crepes Suzette to name a few. This place made me a food snob in the 6th grade. There also was a Stouffers restaurant there and a great little pub. Can't remember the name. I got served my 1st drink there at the tender age of 17. It was very dark. There was another branch near UCLA in Westwood. Anyone remember the name? They served mead wine.

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  158. anyone remember lord jim ,74" squadron,the magic pan,in the years 75/76 ? april 4,2009 20 pm

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  159. I loved the Magic Pan, but isn't the 94th Aero Squadron still in OC? San Diego has a 94th Aero Squadron at Montgomery Field off Balboa Ave & the 805.

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  160. I worked at Tony's Sea Landing from 1980 until 1995 and we had great food and many, many loyal customers. From the early 80's until the early 90's it was not unusual to have a 25-minute wait on a Tuesday night. Does anyone remember Mon. Night Maine Lobster? It started off at $9.95 and people lined up. I worked for the original owner Tony and then for Mike when he bought. It got hurt when we opened a second one and business moved towards Tustin Marketplace but there was a time most of the servers had been there 5 or more years and it was like family. I used to go to my customers weddings and watched kids turn into adults. Many good time and memories.

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  161. I too worked at Tony's Sealanding. I was there when they opened up in 77. Tony used to chase some of the waitresses around at night when his wife Jean was home. Not a happy situation, but GREAT food. Remember the Malaysian prawns? Abalone sandwiches were only $4.95 at lunch. I left before Mike arrived, but I had friends who knew him. Said he followed in Tony's shoes and harrassed some of the girls including my friend who quit because he won't leave her alone.

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  162. How about the italian restaurant that used to be in the Mesa Verde shopping center near the ice skating rink. I think it was called Mioni's?? Sawdust on the floor and red and white checkered tablecloths? Great meatball subs.

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  163. does anyone remember where Red Onion was? I went to one right on the beach, near boats,yachts, etc back in the 80's, somewhere in OC I think. Anyone know where?

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  164. I loved Mione's and I think they had several locations (Huntington? Santa Ana? Costa Mesa?) and there were also lots of Red Onions, Santa Ana, Newport, Huntington Harbor? Manhattan Beach... the last of the original Red Onions is still in Palos Verdes.

    http://www.originalredonion.com/index2.htm

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  165. Ah, who remembers Salmagundi (South Coast Plaza), the Velvet Turtle, Chanteclaire, The Rigger, the Jolly Roger, the Snack Shop, Ruben's, Will Wrights, the Quickie...

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  166. The Red Onion you may be thinking of near the boats could have been at Peter's Landing on PCH in Surfside/Sunset Beach just south of Seal Beach.

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  167. Here are a few from Anaheim and Los Alamitos...I grew up in the 70s and early 80s along the Katella Ave spine...

    Casa Castillo mex near Rossmoor with Nevin's donuts in a strip mall across the street (why hasn't anybody been mentioning DONUTS...a SoCal institution missed sorely by transplants to the East Coast like me)

    The Pasty Kitchen mentioned above was on Katella between Bloomfield and Los Alamitos Blvd.

    Swedish Smorgasbord on Katella b/w Magnolia and Gilbert

    Marri's pizza on Katella and West...still there but they upgraded interior (goodbye carved up booths), menu (frutti di mare), and prices

    Naugles...God bless y'all for remembering the best fast food burrito house ever

    Me 'n Eds....that pizza parlor on Katella and Beach was enormous and seemed to be the only building in the middle of strawberry fields forever. Now gone and replaced by strip malls as far as the eye can see

    Pikes Place in Westminster seemed to be underneath the 22....I remember all the cutoff ties hanging from the ceiling and the COWBOY steak

    Sampan chinese on Brookhurst b/w Orange and Broadway

    Momma Cozza's ... I went to HS with Momma's kids and that was a favorite hangout....they moved from Brookhurst near the 5 down to Ball Rd just off Brookhurst

    Red Baron pizza on Brookhurst north of Ball had the only Space Invaders game in Anaheim outside of Disneyland Hotel until Wizards arcade opened up

    Before there was Casa Gamino on Brookhurst there was the Mayflower Inn.

    whoo-hoo...good memories

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  168. I loved Marri's Pizza it was a big Disney cast member hangout after work.

    The steak place was Pinnacle Peak and they still have locations in southern Cal.

    I loved Me n' Ed's too, but the Costa Mesa location and ditto for Naugles.

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  169. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  170. I used to really enjoy the old themed restaurants in the area. It was in the mid 1970s. One was at the Orange County Airport and it was supposedly set up as a WWI Airbase command center…very realistic. It even had a few of the Tallmantz antique planes on the tarmac and out front. (Nieuport 17???) And one called Hannigan's or something close where it looked like you were sitting in an alley between buildings in a New York Tenement. There were tall buildings with laundry hung out way above the tables. The food was great too. Are restaurants like this still common in OC?
    One of my favorites was Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. I went there on my first wedding anniversary. I love the old English atmosphere and the hard cider you could order with your meal.
    Delaney's Sea Shanty also had at one time a restaurant in Anaheim… they had the best cioppino I have ever had in my life. Man, I miss places like that!

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  171. The air themed restaurant was the 94th Aero Squadron and although it is gone from OC, they do have other locations going strong. I have vague memories of the other restaurant you are talking about, I think it was in where Baxter's Backstreet used to, also a Coco's at one time I think.

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  172. How about those places in L.A. you went to that had been your parent's haunt before they Los Angeles for life behind the Orange Curtain?

    Breakfast at the Pantry before a USC football game, dinner at Julie's, El Cholo or Tom Bergin's (when we beat Notre Dame) afterwards? Going to Philippe's before a Dodger game? Monte's Steakhouse in Pasadena after the Rose Bowl game?

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  173. Thanks Scott...94th Aero Squadron! Yep, that was definitely the name!

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  174. I grew up in Garden Grove, my first job in the early 70s was at a restraunt on Harbor blvd. It was called Silvios, everything was fresh, I remember making pizza dough from scratch. Silvio always talked about Richard Nixon. That has been gone for a long time, last time i was in the area it was a fish store.

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  175. This message is for Anonymous. About 10 years ago I was told by a friend (and I confirmed) that the SHAKE machine from Whimpy's and the copyrights were purchased by Papa Joe's pizza (right next to Jack's on PCH). I took my family in to get them the best shakes ever, (chocolate & peanut butter for me, they even had the original big white sign with all the flavors on it sitting up by the machine. Have not been there in a while but if your in the area it worth finding out if they still have them.

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  176. The place where they cut off your tie was called Pinnacle Peak Steahouse.

    I also remember Salvatore's Italian Food on Garden Grove Blvd. and, depending on the day of the week, Split Pea or Minnestrone soup was served family style.

    What about Belgian Waffle in South Coast Village? Oh, my how I'd love to go back in time for one of those!

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  177. What about The Rusty Scruper in Huntington Beach? I was there the night they caught Richard Ramirez (The Night Stalker) and it was on all the TV's they had in the bar area.

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  178. Here's one I haven't heard mentioned - The Velvet Horn. It was at Marquart and La Palma in, I think, La Palma. There was, and still is, a Marie Callendar's there as well. My parents loved that restaurant when we lived in Cerritos and when I got married, they took our family there for dinner. Great abalone!
    I worked at Pup N Taco in the mid 70's. 29 cent hot dogs and tacos! Boiled burgers and pastrami - yuk.
    Used to go to Delany's with my parents in the late 70's and would sit in the bar, watch the World Series and eat stuffed clams, clam chowder and bread, and drink chablis!

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  179. To the person hwo on July 05, 2008 wrote that they remembered a coffee shop, on 17th and the 55 where the Mimi's now stands, that served French Toast stuffed with Cream Cheese and Marmalade. The restaurant you are asking about was called Cafe on Bristol and it actually occupied the old Van de Camps Restaurant building that was on Bristol near South Coast Plaza. Van de Camps set directly across thae street from where White Front was located in the 1960's and into the early 1970's. The Mimis that you are thinking of did not replace any restaurant. That area was originally a stripmall that had small buisnesses mostly small stores and was the original home of the now famous South Coast Repretory Theater. The entire block was torn down in the early 1980's to make way for a revitalization of the area and the center where Mimis is located along with Triangle Square across the street were built.

    What a shame that so many wonderful small businesses and great people all full of unique character were displaced in the name on revitalization so that the ever changing demographics, as yuppies moved into Orange County like mindless Lemmings dashing to finality in the sea, could feel comfortable. Well as times change so do demographics and with the huge influx of Hispanics to Orange County the buisnesses have changed to match it. Now everything is in Spanish and you can now buy a Torta and a Pinata in the same places that the Yuppies used to drink their Chardonnay and talk about their BMW's they are left reminiscing about the places that they remember in 1980's and 1990's Orange County.

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  180. Was there a restaurant at the 55 fwy. @ 17th street called Manny's? I went there in the summer on '69. I remember it vividly. Anyone else???

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  181. original marri's was downtown long beach; gone now. second located in strip mall palo verde ave and stearns st long beach right off the 405. ecco's came about due to the son of marri ripping off his recipes and starting his own (not nearly as good) restaurant.

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  182. anyone remember snack shack in huntington beach? predessor of coco's. kid's menu was printed on a paper mask that portrayed a martian saying "take me to your leader"

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  183. It was the Snack Shop and it was owned by the McFarland familmy who ran Far West Restaurants that included the Snack Shop, Coco's, Rueben's, the Rueben E. Lee and even an attempt at Chinese called Wu Ben's next to the Ruebens on PCH by the Rueben E. Lee.

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  184. Err, I meant McIntosh Family.... all the kids went to CdM for high school.

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  185. OMG..Sir Greorges Smorgesborg was on 19th and Newport Blvd, behind the old Mesa Theatre. I LOVED that place as a kid and can still taste those fried fritters!!
    The MESA Theater had such sticky floors and it was so easy to sneak in the exit for a free show.

    The Orange Inn on PCH, across from the old Horse stable, in CDM was also a must stop when heading south. I loved to order their date shakes. Huge hippie vibe with a healthy food atmosphere.
    I used to grab a shake and then run across the street to ride the horses on the beach. Fun times in the OC.

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  186. I can't believe how many people remember The Zoo resturaunt! We used to pass it on the way home from my Grandparents house in Corona Del Mar. We ate inside one time, and the guy in the Gorilla suit came to our table, and I crawled under the table. I was terrified.
    My entire family with Aunts, Uncles, and numerous cousins used to have Friday night dinners at "La Fondas" in Santa Ana. I remember dropping pennies in the well outside, and buying bubble gum cigars after dinner. Word has it the people who owned the resturaunt passed it on to their kids, and the siblings fought over control, eventually closing or selling the resturaunt. It is no longer there.
    The El Pescador used to be on the corner of 17th St. and Tustin. The Building was bulldozed, and replaced with a shopping center. There is currently a beauty supply, (Sense of Beauty), Charro Chicken, etc.
    Back in the 90's the El Pescador had one of the last remaining Piano Bars in Costa Mesa.
    When it closed, we used to go across the street to "Gino's on the Hill", which is also now gone.
    The last Piano bar was in "The Stag" behind the Mesa Theater (now Borders), which is comepletely torn down. Before it was the Stag, it was Sir George's Smorgasbord, which my family ate at when I was about 5 years old. I remember a school feild trip to Farrells Ice Cream Parlour - that was one of the best. The resturaunt I miss the most is the Bob's Big Boy on 17th St. in Costa Mesa, where the Santa Monica Seafood Company now resides. Yummy burgers.

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  187. I'm trying to remember the name of an upscale French Restaurant that flourished in NB in the mid-70s to 80s? I had thought it was Chez Cary, but this column has set me straight as to where that was. We lived in Tustin at the time and used to eat at this NB French restaurant quite often. The maitre d' was French and walked with a cane.

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  188. Do you think it may have been Ambrosia?

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  189. When did the Wharehouse restaurant near Lido Isle close? I remember hearing music there back in the 70's.

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  190. The Warehouse Newport Beach closed in 1998, last I heard the Warehouse Marina del Rel was still open.

    The upscale French restaurant was most likely Ambrosia. Last I heard some one had reopened Ambrosia in downtown Santa Ana.

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  191. I found this site while searching for Belisle's Restaurant. What a memory jogger!!

    I was sorry to hear that Belisle's is gone as I loved that place and went there often with my ex-wife and took everyone who came to visit as well. Their Sea Food Platter was unbelievable. If they sat it on the floor you would have had to walk around it because you could not have jumped over it.

    A couple restaurants that I did not see mentioned; Orange Hill Restaurant in Tustin and Charlie's Chili in Newport? Are they still around or does anyone remember them?

    The Five Crowns, Coco's, Rueben's, Rueben E. Lee, Don the Beachcomber, Blackbeard's, Mr. Stox, Chart House, Ancient Mariner, Earl's Seafood Groto, Naugles, El Torito, Marie Calendars, Pioneer Chicken, The Rusty Scruper, Victor Hugo's, JoJo's, H. Salt Fish and Chips, The Red Onion, Charlies Chili, Orange Hill, and Belisles were all at the top of my list. And, I loved Pink's Hotdogs, the Great American Food and Beverage Company, Lawrey's, The original Playboy Club and other up in LA.

    Another qusetion, Does anyone remember Hannah's Mens Store in the City of Orange? If so can you tell me what happened to it or to Bob?

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  192. I remember the Me n' Ed's, the Shakey's Pizzas and the other, but in my opinion the best Pizza was on Tustin Blvd. in Tustin and was named 3 King's Pizza. That was circa early 70's.

    It wasn't a restaurant but there was a night club in Santa Ana that was quite art deco posh with cigarette girls, etc. They had big named entertainment there. I saw Ray Charles, Debbie Reynolds, and I believe Santana and Meatloaf there as well. Anyone remember the name of that place. It wasn't the Club House. That was another place.This was mid to late 70's.

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  193. Gatsby's Rendezvous on Fairview and Warner had Bill Medley perform a time a two but I can't remember a club in Santa Ana that hosted Santana.

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  194. I was mistaken about the Club being in Santa Ana. It was actually in Anaheim on a Road along the west side of the freeway. It had art deco interior like something out of the 30's or 40's.

    The Righteous Brothers jammed one night at the Clubhouse in Santa Ana one night during an extended break by the house band.

    Focus on a Club that would have hosted Ray Charles.

    Thanks for your help.

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  195. I was mistaken about the Club being in Santa Ana. It was actually in Anaheim on a Road along the west side of the freeway. It had art deco interior like something out of the 30's or 40's.

    The Righteous Brothers jammed one night at the Clubhouse in Santa Ana one night during an extended break by the house band.

    Focus on a Club that would have hosted Ray Charles.

    Thanks for your help.

    Maybe the Club you're thinking of was called Crescendo, I think it had an Art Deco style and it was just off the freeway.

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  196. oscars drive-in! in Garden Grove was the best!My dad used to take me there for my b-day, free everything! I loved it. Oh by the way he was also the general manager around 1967-70.

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  197. Does anyone remember Players restaurant in Irvine? On a friday nite they would pack em in that place, Darel Aston was the general manager, He passed away in about 2001. They had the best bread rolls in o.c.

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  198. The popcorn at Rossmoor Theater! Gerraro's Pizza in Rossmoor. Mike's Munchies in Belmont Shore. Mario's in Huntington Beach!

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  199. Food, what a concept! Taco Lita on GG Blvd was great. I know a guy who ate 13 taco's in a row on a bet. Oscar's was the place to cruz and made a killer cheeseburger. Remember the Azterc on GG Blvd by Foster Freeze? It is still around but moved to Old Main St. by Euclid in GG. They have a Friday night cruz with bitchen looking cars I hear.

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  200. Remember, "Don't cook tonight call Chicken-Delight." Fried chicken with french fries delivered to your house on a sturdy paper plate with another stapled on top to keep it warm. Located by Harbor and Chapman. What about Yummy's on 17st and Bristol with outstanding banana cream pie located by Horner Plaza across from Santa Ana Jr. College. And how about the Cape Cod House and Van de Kamps close to Harbor and chapman.

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