The Best Comfort Food in Irvine

Green Street Café

★★★★☆ 4.1 (803) • $$

"Great food so far... I have only had the country fried steak. REAL country fried steak (not that premade frozen crap) with fried chicken style breading, nice and thick. I don't know how they manage to keep the crispy breading from falling off when they plate it. Gravy is also the real deal; just sausage, flour, salt and pepper. If someone complains in their review that it tastes too plain or doesn't taste like gravy, ignore them... they're from California and are expecting it to also include chicken broth and maybe pieces of bacon too. Eggs, hash browns, and biscuit were also goodThe house potatoes looked awesome. I need to try those next time. Prices were decent Eggs Benedict had several options and looked good too."

SEN Vietnamese Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4.4 (641) • $$

"Let's get to it. Yum and yum. I stopped by for lunch and tried their phở Bắc đặc biệt & bánh mi que pate. Bánh mi que - try it with or without the lemon grass chili sate on the table! One of my 2 top bánh mi que in the area. The other spot that wins my tastebuds is Trung Nguyên E-Legend's. You've got better ones in mind? Please do share--I'm dying to hear about them! Pho - fresh wide noodles with the perfect softness! Broth well-balanced not as fatty and meat very tender. 10/10 would visit again and again!"

Jong Ro Shul Lung Tang

★★★★☆ 4.1 (476) • $$

"It has been a while since I've been back to Jong Ro Shul Lung Tang. We stopped coming since prices were creeping up. However, since prices have skyrocketed everywhere, we decided to give it a try. The service is the same - friendly and helpful. They serve delicious ban chans (side dishes) with your food order. My hubby and I shared #14. Chicken Soup ($22.99). It was more than enough food between the two of us. This is a great soup to get if you want something that is clean and comforting. The ginseng is mild and the chicken is not dry. Prices are comparable to other Korean restaurants in the area so I will likely be coming back to Jong Ro Shul Lung Tang as I love their soups!"

Soup Shop

★★★★★ 4.6 (301) • $$

"Cute small shop in a big shopping center. I've gone twice and service was always great. They were always attentive and quick.I've had the pho brisket both times and both times it was amazing. The broth is so flavorful and fresh tasting. The brisket was tender and delicious.I could honestly just drink their broth and be happy.I also tried the fried bao, it was really good, I just wish it had some type of sauce or chili oil for it, it can be a bit dry. But the flavor was great."

Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge

★★★★☆ 4 (369) • $$$

"I met AR for an early, Wednesday evening dinner at the Sendero Marketplace, but we hadn't yet decided where to eat. We were limited to the nicer, sit-down restaurants, skipping over the casual spots like Jersey Mike's and In-N-Out. The two upscale options were Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge and Morena's Mexican Cuisine, both on the pricier side ($$$). Scarlet Kitchen, however, boasts a great Happy Hour, with a new "Reverse Happy Hour" every Friday from 8:30-9:30 PM. (AR mentioned it's usually packed here on Fridays. My guess is the evening Happy Hour.)Last time at the marketplace, AR & I dined at Morena's, where we had a fantastic evening of great food and service. So naturally, I assumed we'd be returning there. But AR surprised me with a curveball: she suggested trying Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge instead. Being the adventurous foodie I am, I was all in!We were greeted warmly by two hostesses and offered a choice of indoor or outdoor seating. The evening was cool, and outdoor dining seemed perfect, especially when the hostess brought out cozy throw blankets for us. AR quickly bundled up, and we chose a table away from another family dining outside, sitting side by side. It was a nice evening.Soon after, our waiter Nathan appeared with waters and an impressive spread of menus: Happy Hour menu, regular dinner menu, "Winesday" specials, and another drink menu - at least four or five menus in total.The menu is a creative fusion of American classics with a sophisticated twist. The variety of dishes showcase the chef's creativity and attention to detail. Decisions, decisions... With so many tempting Happy Hour choices, AR and I were both hungry, and everything looked amazing. After some deliberation, we finally placed our order but kept a few menus on hand - just in case we wanted to add more to our meal!Our order:Heart of Scarlet ($10) Happy Hour drink menuGluten free organic vodka, pomegranate juice, hibiscus, limeChefs Old Spirit ($11) Happy Hour drink menuBourbon, spiced apple syrup, cardamon bitters, dehydrated apple & cinnamon stick (Seasonal cocktail)Rueban Tacos ($17) Happy Hour menuSlow cooked pulled pork, sauerkraut, irish white cheddar, romaine, scarlet sauce, choice of corn or flour tortillaMediterranean Shrimp Risotto ($31.50) Standard menu; split orderWild jumbo shrimp, spicy white wine tomato sauce, portuguese linguica, parmesan risotto, parsleyChocolate Souflee ($12) Dessert menuRich chocolate cake, vanilla bean ice cream, fresh berriesGrand total: $88 (+tip)*See uploaded photosThe drinks were well-made. AR enjoyed her floral, Heart of Scarlet, describing it as both tasty and strong. I opted for the Chef's Old Spirit, a seasonal cocktail. It had good flavor but was a bit sweet for my taste (though the Spiked Apple Cider looked tempting as another fall option). The Reuben Tacos were a hit with both of us - great, smoky flavor and nice portions. AR & I also split the Mediterranean Shrimp Risotto. Our server, Nathan, kindly offered to have the dish split in the kitchen and brought out on two separate plates, to which we eagerly agreed. It saved us from the hassle of dividing it at the table - always a good thing for me, as I tend to make a mess. Truth. The risotto was creamy & delicious! I'm not sure if I've ever had risotto before, though I've certainly seen Chef Ramsey yelling about it on TV. AR was in the mood for it, and I'm always up for trying something new! I was pleasantly surprised to find linguica, a flavorful Portuguese sausage, in the dish. (Linguica is a staple in Hawaii, usually served for breakfast alongside eggs.)As we sipped our drinks, AR and I browsed the dessert menu and decided to split the Chocolate Soufflé - a perfect end to the meal.Overall, it was a fantastic dinner date with exceptional service. However, be prepared for a slightly higher price point, but for the level of service, atmosphere, and food, it's well worth it. (In all fairness, it seems the average lunch/dinner for two runs around $100 nowadays.) Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a night out, Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a fantastic choice in Mission Viejo. The staff was friendly, attentive and accommodating, frequently stopping by the table to check on the food, refill water glasses, and clear away empty plates.Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge in Mission Viejo is a hidden gem that balances modern flair with comfort. The ambiance strikes a perfect blend of cozy and upscale, with warm lighting and chic décor that set the stage for a great time. AR and I are already planning our return visit. She's eyeing the Lobster Mac & Cheese, while I'm keeping it simple--I just want to try a little bit of everything, especially the Eggs Benedict on their Sunday Brunch menu.Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just indulging in a night out, Scarlet Kitchen & Lounge is a great choice!- Big Aloha!Food: 4Ambiance: 4Service: 5Value: 3+ (Good Happy Hour menu)"

Tavern at the Mission

★★★★☆ 4.2 (288) • $$

"Beautiful remodel of one of my favorites Cedat Creek Inn across from the mission.Lovely menu a variety of everything, cozy with a roaring fire. Full bar. Nice wine selection. Great service.Cozy, comfortable, very nice!"

Brazuca Cafe

★★★★★ 4.8 (179) • $$

"Visited again the other day with my parents, and again the most wonderful time.We got the order of cheese balls, the steak sandwich, as well as a steak platter. I had their orange juice this time! It was so fresh and delicious (and very sweet, in a good way).The cheese balls came out cold at first, and Giseli was so sweet and replaced them for us without a hassle. The service of Brazuca truly feels so unmatched. I feel so welcome both time I've visited.Can't wait to come back again!"

Furiwa Togo

★★★★☆ 4.1 (175) • $$

"TIP: my husband and I decided on dim sum last minute and was able to order with a person but there was 25 min wait due to them being busy, to avoid any wait order online is the easiest way to go.Located at Twenty Eight restaurant, park in the Google/ Twenty Eight Parking structure.. don't worry about paying as you will get validation at the restaurant EATS: Shu Mai Flight : (2) shu mai, (2) shu mai w. quail egg,(2) shu mai w. lobster, (2) chicken shu mai with house chili oil - this was probably the best dish for us and I liked that we were able to get a taste of the different shu mai that they offered, my favorite was with the quail egg which gave it more richness in each bite Rice Roll with ShrimpGai Lan-(steamed chinese broccoli) - both these dishes were tasty and traditional dim sum items Turnip Cake - I was a bit let down that the outside was burnt, you can definitely tell in my picture lolShrimp Chili Noodles- these were flat noodles with house chili oil and shrimp... the noodles were on the dryer side and overcooked, it also came with an old lime and cilantro that looked like it was going bad. Overall the food was decent, I give this place a 3.5 out of 5. Spending over $70 on 5 dishes is kinda steep in my opinion and there were some areas where they missed the mark in quality. FYI we didn't get any soy sauce thinking they would provide that to us and we only got hot mustard because we asked, so make sure if you try this place to ask for both! If I were to try this place again I would only come back for the shu mai."

Pocha Eats

★★★★★ 4.7 (118) • $$

"Very easy to find restaurant with tons of parking. Sadly parking is plentiful because most of the businesses in this plaza seem to be gone. After awkwardly trying to get through their magnetic screen door curtain we were greeted by very friendly employees. Menu has a large variety of items and most seemed meant to be shared and accompanied by booze. Lots of pub style dishes. What brought us here was the "Pocha Bossam" which is soy glazed pork belly served with a delicious vinegary dipping sauce, raw green onion, daikon radish, and kimchi. We got the regular portion which was plentiful for two people to share. More than two people you'll want to get the larger size because this stuff is so good you'll want a big enough portion so you won't be fighting for slices. The employee made sure to let us know you want to grab a piece and eat it with the garnishes after dipping in the sauce. My wife and I both loved every bite and devoured it. The pork belly was braised or steamed so it wasn't crispy, just melt in your mouth tender. Just know they do not serves these with wraps like other Korean restaurants. You eat it with the garnish. I noticed some reviews are disappointed in this serving style so figured I'd mention it.We also ordered a serving of boneless chicken. What came out was a mountain of fried goodness. There's several flavors to choose from and we picked the soy garlic. It was more on the sweet side than I expected and I didn't taste much soy flavor but it was definitely heavy on the garlic. We ate a large amount but ended up tapping out and taking some home due to the enormous portion size. It tasted great the next day straight out of the fridge. Super crispy batter yet maintained moist tender chicken.To drink my wife and I shared a bottle of Green Grape Sochu. For $10 I was expecting this to be wine cooler strength but my wife and I had a pretty good buzz after polishing off the bottle. They had a lot of interesting sochu flavors so we'll definitely try another next visit. They gave us some pretzels with the drink.All the customers here seemed to be in a good mood. Service was so friendly you couldn't help but be in a good mood. Another employee was in the corner staging food for photos I assume for social media. He was taking pictures of bento boxes that I now see on yelp. Looks like they've expanded the menu since I was here a month or so ago. Can't wait to return!"

Potadoh

★★★★★ 4.7 (89) • $$

"A very fun new place with generous portions. We went around 6:30pm on a Friday night and there was one other party, but they were dining outside. When we went through the door, the person working behind the counter was extremely friendly and guided us through the different menu options. We ordered through the screen and were told the food would be ready in a few minutes. It's nice that you're able to see the food being put together and it was ready fairly quickly. We ordered the Dirty Dawg and Loco Moco potatoes and they both came in heaping portions. These were loaded with delicious toppings and the boxes were pretty heavy from all of the food inside. I appreciated that there were enough toppings so that you wouldn't end up with bites of just plain potato at the end. The toppings were fresh and one potato would have definitely been enough for two people. We were checked on a couple of times by the people working there and walked out of the restaurant very satisfied with plenty of leftovers for the next day."

Fritters

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Food was so good! Fritters Eatery is a gem for comfort food lovers, especially if you enjoy Mexican and Filipino cuisine. The excellent service and delicious food make it a place worth visiting. I definitely recommend giving it a try if you're in the area."

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 • $$

"Stopped by for lunch the other day with mom. I had been on a liquid diet for a couple days and was craving a pot roast sandwich and this place popped up when I searched Yelp. I ordered the pot roast beef sandwich with onion rings and mom ordered the Cobb salad. Mom didn't like her salad but I have never been out to eat with her where she didn't complain so that was expected. lol My sandwich was great. Onion rings were great. I can't wait to get off work today to eat my leftovers!! $66.36 includes tip but ugh. A little much for a sandwich and salad maybe.. idk anymore."

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"This place was a better listener than I was a communicater, waiter set drinks down as requested, but I misspoke when I said we will have two more when she's done... just not two more of these. He was great, but one of those boozy cocktails was enough. Edit: we drank the other two cocktails and they were fabulous, you can see from the picture served Neat and Strong.Food here is awesome, we ubered to the circle specifically to have drinks and eat at Bosscat, did not disappoint!"

Mama's Comfort Food & Cocktails

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"I'm surprised I haven't reviewed this place yet. I guess since it's been a while since the last time I went I will have to review the most recent visit but I do remember them having great happy hour menu and drinks so I will have to go back for that one day! Anyway, brunch at mamas was great! Katie our server was awesome also. I guess we had a miscommunication with which Mac and cheese I wanted that she gave me the children's price for the adult Mac that we got. That adult Mac was great btw! Bacon and I can taste the flavors too! It was def good! We all enjoyed it. I loved my bobs breakfast bomb also. All the meats in one bun..... how can you go wrong? And the breakfast potato's !!! Wow! MySon devoured his chicken and waffles and my husband loved his skillet! All in all a great visit to mamas! And we will def be back! Their prices are decent for the size you are getting. What can we do right? It's 2025! Haha prices just keep going up but mamas is def not going anywhere! Will be back for more"

Kaju Soft Tofu - Garden Grove

★★★★☆ 3.9 • $$

"Food: 5 out of 5Hot stone rice and side dishes are good along with soon tofu. Service: 2 out of 5It is always packed and the place always lack of servers. They are too busy to check on you and plus most of them are not nice. Ambiance: nah... the place is old and loud. Nothing to complain though. Recommend to get your name on yelp wait list before you head out."

Mama's On 39

★★★★☆ 4.4 • $$

"My husband took me here for a quick little celebration brunch and I had the most wonderful experience! Service was exceptional- everyone was so friendly and so accommodating. They really make you feel right at home.Menu has a ton of options - great comfort food! Best part is that the food is delicious, very generous portions IMO and cooked well! I got Mama's chicken and waffle along with Melissa's steak Benny and both were delicious from the sauces down to the way they cooked it all.We didn't even know kids eat free on Thursday's, so next time we will definitely come back with the kids! Definitely a great place for anyone to try!"