The Tastiest Cajun/Creole in Santa Ana

Campus JAX

★★★★☆ 4.3 (427) • $$

"*****Wow!*****Shame on me for not finding CJs (Campus Jax) sooner! The ambiance reminds me of the old Jazz clubs but newer, updated and clean. Another difference is the food. Don't expect dishes you would find on cooking shows but they have a decent menu with food that is good. They also have happy hour prices.If you know where SNA (John Wayne Airport) is, this is a minute down the road. Easy parking and a relaxed vibe makes me a fan. What makes this place "as good as it gets" is the people running the place. Everyone here is a class act in my book. Everyone is super nice and friendly. Seating here is intimate and cozy but not too cozy where you don't have breathing room. I was super comfortable. Bathrooms are clean. The other customers are friendly. The live bands and music...wow. Thank God for social media because if all those addicted to the screen realized listening to real music in person is this good, I would never find a seat here. Leave your 'tude at the door, pull up a chair, sit back and then relax.... this is THE spot.My new favorite place."

The Dive Oyster Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (388) • $$

"Located inside the Irvine Spectrum, you can find the dive near the movie theaters. The space is open and clean. I love a good outdoor seating, there was a bar-like seating with heater above to keep you warm. Came on a weekday so it was not too busy. We ordered the soft shell crab and pan roast. The soft shell crab had a nice fry, only came with 2 pieces, 2 crabs cut in half with an aioli sauce. The pan roast was creamy and lush, but needed more spice. We had the spice on the side, they use chopped habeneros. The dish typically comes with one scoop of rice or pasta (your choice), but you can always request a second scoop with the server.I was hoping it would be like Ritter's but the flavor is diffeeent. Overall, I'd still suggest coming to try their pan roast or oysters during happy hour (3-6)."

Royal Street Veranda

★★★★☆ 3.8 (378) • $$

"With so many places to eat around Disneyland, Royal Street Veranda can sometimes be overlooked. This quick-service spot offers clam chowder, plant-based chili, and unique seasonal snacks--solid 3.75 star, a-ok rating for me. As of February 2025, the breakfast menu includes the popular Waffle Cristo (in full and half orders), seasonal snacks, and beverages. For lunch and dinner, entrées include clam chowder or plant-based chili in a sourdough bread bowl, seasonal items, kids' meals, and non-alcoholic beverages. The snack-size Mardi Gras Monte Cristo was delicious and comforting, perfect for one person or to share with a friend. The sourdough bread bowls can be a hit or miss. Although I have had fresh bread in the past, the bread in my recent order was cold and stale. Also, the price is the same whether you get the chowder or chili with or without the bread bowl. I think you'd get more soup in a regular bowl. I'll have to verify that next time. They sometimes charge extra for the little dipping sauce or extra jam cups. It would have been nice to include it with the items.There is one window for walk-up ordering and one for pickup, including mobile orders. Mobile ordering is the way to go and save time. Magic Key discounts also apply.There are a few tables available at RSV but they can be crowded. You can also walk over to Tiana's Palace, Harbour Galley, or Stage Door Cafe (next to River Belle Terrace) for additional tables and breathing room.Note: I prefer the clam chowder at Aunt Cass's in DCA. ;)"

The Boil Daddy - Stanton

★★★★☆ 4.3 (154) • $$

"My babygirl promoted today and wanted seafood. The place we originally planned for said they open at 11am but in reality it wouldn't till 2pm, and the other popular one would open even later! We were already famished and I'm glad I found this place on Yelp. They open early enough and it was more intimate cause we were the only, if not the FIRST ones in. Don't get the wrong impression that no patrons means bad business though! Food was so delicious!!! And we were even given cream puffs for dessert I also like the location."

The Boil Daddy

★★★★★ 4.7 (121)

"Soft opening special 50% off ends on 12/1. Read the fine print it is a max of $25 off per adult. They ran out of crawfish when I visited but they said a new delivery would come tonight. Wish there was a sign that told us that ahead of time. I only tried their shrimp this time. Located in the same plaza as Popeyes. The parking lot is small. There are only 6 tables available when I went so I would say it's a small restaurant. They surprisingly didn't have Cajun fries. I paid the extra to upgrade to daddy fries but it was pretty much their sauce on top of the fries, which made my fries soggy after a while. The daddy wings is pretty much the same thing, fried wings with the Cajun sauce on top. Of course it's soft opening so they were working out some kinks. Would've loved it more if they had crawfish available."

Crispy Pork Gang

★★★★☆ 3.5 (148) • $$

"My Review for this restaurant is long overdue as in long overdue. When I was about to review this CRISPY PORK GANG in the WESTMINSTER location this place had closed, and when I saw just now that they are open back up again, I called the restaurant to confirm and the lady on the phone said they were closed due to their Chef went to a vacation or something and now the chef is back and they are open back up again. I feel reviewing this place even though its already long overdue coz the food here is good and the service here is excellent. From time to time I treat my son and his friends by bringing them to Theme Parks and their favorite one to go to is Six Flags Magic Mountain . But as always, we end up going home around 4 or 6 in the morning because they still want to hang out more, even though they have already eaten multiple times at Six Flags and spent lots of hours together at 6 flags While we are still driving back home they will still find a reason to stay longer together by looking at where to eat and hang out more.While driving back home, YELP search is always my SAVIOR for where more to bring six teenagers ! On my Yelp search this CRISPY PORK GANG in WESTMINSTER popped up, saying it was open until 4:00 am !!!!!!!When we arrived I was surprised that there were still lots of people dining there when we arrive and surprisingly this Restaurant was still offering a good amount of options by the time we came at 3:00 am.I told my Son and his friends to order what they wanted, here are the ones we had:* CHICKEN SATAY *TOM YUM SOUP SHRIMP *YELLOW CHICKEN * JOM PON * FRIED RICE with CHICKEN WINGS * CHOW MEIN with BBQ BEEF *FRIED RICE with BBQ PORK *FRIED RICE with ORANGE CHICKEN All of the food are good and the most amazing part is how fast the food all came out.Before my Son and his friends started to eat or put their utensils in their mouths, I told them to put a little bit of their food in one extra plate so that I could Taste test each of what they had, and when i tasted them , surprisingly everything was still good on their cooking at 3:00 am. I love their Fried rice here, it's very tasty, and most of the food that we ordered had fried rice. My Son FRIED RICE with BBQ PORK was delicious , especially the PORK BBQ on it , its well seasoned . My Husband's meal was the JOM PON and mine was the YELLOW CURRY CHICKEN and white rice. Among the dishes that we ordered, I love the one that my husband got, it has 3 different kinds of meats and it's very yummy, even the noodles are perfectly cooked. My YELLOW CURRY CHICKEN was delicious too, there were lots of chicken in it. Oh, before I forget: their TOM YUM SOUP here is so good. As in good. Don't forget to order their Tom Yum here when you have a chance to try them. The service we received from Hien & Sunny was excellent and the food was all good, but the only thing I didn't like was when our food was served, I had to wipe off all the plates coz there were excess smudges of food on the sides of the plates from the food that we ordered. But other than that small issue, I really love that they are open until 4:00 am !!!!!! And I will be eating here again when I'm in the area ."

The Boil Daddy

★★★★☆ 4.2 (36)

"Went through the reviews and seems the lower ratings may have expected more than an old taco stand. Anyway, here's my take on this place...Been coming here on and off since they opened. Have to say, wasn't initially impressed, seemed expensive and wasn't crazy about the portion. Since then have figured out the menu, get a half pound peeled off shrimp with daddy sauce, potatoes,Corn and sausage, side of rice. Price isn't too bad when you think about Joe's crabs, or boiling shrimp, it is seafood after all. I don't use the outside self order computer, just say hi and someone comes up as soon as they aren't busy getting someone else's food, never had to wait too long.Overall I'm happy with this place, yea it was a taco stand, yea no indoor seating, yea, the round tables are on the small side, yea it can be pricy...Take your time, figure out the menu and I think you'll be satisfied if not happy and you don't have to spend a couple hundred for a shrimp boil..."

Camarones Picositos

★★★★★ 4.5 (30) • $

"Tried the three fish taco plate at the Laguna Hills, Farmers' Market. By far the best fish tacos, I've ever eaten. Hot and crunchy and delicious. Don't be scared of Chucky give it a try."

The Wild Crab

★★★★☆ 4 (31) • $$

"Great food and good prices. We came here specifically to try their raw shrimp salad. It was amazing!! Spacious dining area and awesome customer service! Highly recommended"

Mlem Mlem Crab

★★★★★ 4.9 (16)

"Closest thing to Asian Cajun style seafood in Santa Ana/tustin area. Loved all the options on the menu! Good food without a crazy wait. I like the mlem mlem sauce w/ shrimp"

On The Hook

★★★★☆ 4.3 • $$

"Service was good, food was even better. Loved the on the hooked wings for happy hour! Fried fish tacos were chef kiss good! Not pictured is the oyster I devoured."

Blue Bayou Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$$

"Dining here has been a family tradition since I was a child. The adults would stand in line and book a table for lunch and us kids would run off to the rides with the promise to be there or suffer going home early. Heaven forbid! I was worried I would not be able to continue the tradition without having booked early but luckily this time, we got there as they opened and were able to get a walk-in table. We were seated after 15 minutes. The ambiance was still the same which we enjoyed but the menu has definitely been updated. The delicious Mint Julip was an amazing start to our meal. I loved the Rosemary and Sea Salt Brioche, the Chicken Gumbo and the Sunchoke & Pistachio Pesto Pasta. My wife really liked her crab cakes. Our waiter was attentive and entertaining. He stopped by our table often with many Disney jokes. Why could Snow White enter the bar but the Dwarves couldn't? ;-)"

The Kickin Crab - Santa Ana

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"I can't believe I've never written a review for this Kickin Crab. I've been coming for years, and this place deserves a review.I used to (over a decade ago) go to Boiling Crab, but the long lines and decline in food quality made me search for a new shrimp boil place. Kickin Crab became my new go-to! Their Kickin Sauce is not quite the same as Boiling Crab, but I like it nonetheless! It has a slightly sweeter taste, which I don't mind. The shrimp here is almost always plump where the shells come off easily. There have been a handful of times where this wasn't the case, and we had shrimps that were overcooked or not fresh, and the shells were difficult to peel. Prices for the seafood are all market price... which is annoying because I like knowing how much things cost before ordering. Cajun fries and sweet potato fries are solid here!Service is always friendly and attentive. The interior has an almost identical vibe to Boiling Crab, seashore dock with writings on the wood panel walls. I did a lot of comparison to Boiling Crab because I was looking for an alternative, and I've found it with Kickin Crab. I highly recommend this place!"

Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio

★★★★☆ 3.8 • $$

"We came here for the first time to celebrate a birthday, and it was one of the most memorable meals I've ever had. When we arrived, there was a huge crowd outside waiting, but we were seated inside within minutes. Our server, Josh, was outstanding. He made great recommendations, was super attentive and friendly. We had the Gumbo Yaya, BBQ Shrimp & Grits, Creole Pasta Jambalaya, and Blackened Salmon.We enjoyed our meal immensely. Portions were generous, so we all got to taste each dish. Everything was well-seasoned, flavorful, and absolutely delicious! The live piano music and singing made the evening even more special."

Cafe Orleans

★★★★☆ 3.7 • $$

"First time visit at Cafe Orleans. Our server was Alfonso. He, along with the entire serving staff CMs were fantastic!The outdoor ambience was very easygoing and peaceful. A lot of eye candy for youngsters. Now for the cuisine. 1) The Cajun chicken was very, very delicious and tender. The skin was thin and crispy. The meat was juicy!!!!! 2) Beef Bourginon or short rib was fall-off the bone delicious. A bit dry but that's expected from short rib meats. 3) Shrimp Alfredo was a really good combination. It would be better if the shrimps were not overcooked being dry at times. 4). Cesar Salad, a good starter but can find better for the price. Overall a 4-Star experience."