The Yummiest Comfort Food in Santa Ana

Element

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Awesome new spot in downtown Santa Ana. Food was amazing. Vibe was on point. Definitely worth checking out"

Taqueria El Triunfo

★★★★☆ 3.5 (82) • $

"Cash only.Small taco shop with limited seating. They have a good variety of meats for your tacos or burritos. I think they make quesadillas too. Canned and bottled sodas available, as well as some Horchata, Jamaica, etc...Carne Asada was ok, but Al Pastor was very good that day. They use double tortillas for tacos. Overall not bad."

Market House

★★★★☆ 4 (111) • $

"Need some Starbucks??? Pssst...check out Market House aka Disney's Starbucks!Located in Main Street, U.S.A., across from Carnation Café.Just like the Starbucks at Universal Studios, this Starbucks has pretty much become the meet up location for whenever my friends and I get together at Disneyland. We meet here before, during and sometimes after to rehydrate, replenish and/or regroup. 15% off discount (on food and drinks as well as Starbucks accessories, I believe) when using your Magic Key Pass.COVID-19 Safety Procedures (based on the latest COVID-19 Regulations): Face masks are required. Hand sanitizers are available and social distancing is practiced amongst some patrons (50/50). Overall, use your best judgment and stay safe! This was my first time checking out this Starbucks and it won't be my last! There's a lot of cute Disney/Starbucks affiliated stuff. Of course, they also have the Starbucks drinks and food. This Starbucks will take your Starbucks card, but just like the ones at Universal Studios and Knott's Berry Farm, they cannot redeem your stars, grrr! The lines can be pretty long here based on what time you're here. There's no seating inside. It's mostly order in here or mobile and take it to go. I was in line no more than 30 mins. In between, I was checking out the merchandise and was thrilled that they have Disney/Starbucks miniature ornaments, sooo cute! I ended up purchasing some.I also got myself a $3.99 Passion Fruit Tango Iced Tea - no sweetener and a $4.49 Smartwater Bottle. Both were refreshing and cold. Even the cups itself have Disney's logo on it, aww!The Cast Members (CMs) here are pretty nice. Teresa was my cashier and she got my order down quickly and wrapped up my ornaments protectively and securely. My drink was ready within less than 10mins and I was happily out the door with my merchandise and drink, yay! Overall, I dig this Market House (Starbucks) for a meet up location and when I need my caffeine fix!"

Golden Eagle Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (547) • $$

"Simple food, but good and large portions. I've only come for breakfast but everyone I've brought here loves it. Service is fast and very friendly. They walk around and refill coffee and clear your plates. Ambiance is simple with a bunch of booths and a patio area too. Great breakfast deals before 11am."

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."

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!"

Cheezeup

★★★★☆ 4.2 (39)

"I have never heard or had cheese ramen before visiting Cheezeup. It was a concept that sounded interesting to me so I gave it a shot and I really enjoyed it! If you never had cheese ramen before, you have to give this a shot.Cheezeup is located inside of the Anaheim Food Co ghost kitchen and they're available for delivery and pickup only! The cheese ramen is brothless Mazemen style ramen and it comes with your choice of protein, veggies and cheese sauce. The cheese sauce is a secret blend of cheeses and ingredients and it's very rich and creamy. They also use high end steak and shrimp for this bowl which I really liked!The ramen noodles were cooked well and had a great texture to it. Adding the cheese sauce and mixing it with everything really gave everything a great cheesy and creamy taste. I would definitely come back for some more cheese ramen!"

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."

Lao Tang Jia

★★★★☆ 4.1 (28)

"The food taste good, but it's very cheap and very expensive. The soups are all water with high prices.So yes, it is good but the business needs to do a better job of providing quality for the price they charge"

Mr. G's Tacos

★★★★★ 4.7 (175)

"IMPRESSED! Just had 6 of their soft tacos in all variety and wow - soo good! They are definitely my new taco spot. Also, their service - 100% the nicest customer service I've experienced in a very long time. Excited for this new taco spot and looking forward to my next visit!"

Open Gate Kitchen

★★★★★ 5 (24)

"Stopped by to visit a friend who's volunteering at this place, and was overwhelmed with the amazing service and the overall mission of this kitchen! Open Gate Kitchen's a nonprofit that supports those who've been affected by human trafficking with job training and workforce integration!Amazing service, amazing food, and amazing mission --I'll surely be back! Ps --do yourself a favor and order the Winter Mix Bowl"

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."

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."

Yuk Dae Jang - Irvine

★★★★☆ 4.2 (432) • $$

"Not only was the yuk gae jang delicious, it was HUGE. They also have a variety of noodle options which is very enjoyable as you get to choose from so many noodle types. You could definitely share one order. The sides are delicious as well, and the staff are very attentive and refill them frequently. I also had the spicy cold noodles which have never failed me. Their pickled veggies that go in the cold noodles are particularly pleasant."

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."

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!"

True Food Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Had been wanting to try this healthy chain and recently was able to enjoy a pretty good causal bite the Newport Fashion Island location. They accommodated me by substituting a grain to make the ancient grain bowl gluten free. We really enjoyed the brussel sprouts and cauliflower sides. Super tasty. And the special butternut squash soup was so yummy. Herbs like sage made it really flavorful. The food here is not fancy but if you're looking for a quick fix that is pretty healthy, TFK should do nicely."

Crack

★★★★★ 4.8 (673) • $$

"The Dirty Burger just became my favorite burger. The balance of flavors between the bacon jam, cheddar cheese, and chipotle mayo is unmatched. Dave and the crew are awesome, super cool, on point with recs, and just the realest people making the best food.The vibes are also on point, sits over the golf course, with indoor and outdoor seating options."

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)"

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."

Kenwood's Kitchen & Tap

★★★★☆ 4.4 (577) • $$

"Great food, great service. Went here for my sister's casual bday dinner. Perfect choice for us."

Delicious Table

★★★★☆ 3.7 (158) • $$

"One of the best kept spots for marinated crabs! Operated by a kind family. Was craving something savory one day and this place got recommended. 10/10 Would come back again :)"

Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

★★★★☆ 4.4 (775) • $$

"This is hands down the best Southern-style food I've had in the OC! The chicken is perfectly crispy with just the right amount of kick. Their baked beans and macaroni and cheese are absolutely delicious. The chicken tenders are massive! You get three, but they're so sizable and filling that you could easily share them.We've also ordered catering from Gus's before, and everything was packaged so neatly, making it super convenient for gatherings. And let me just say, I LOVE their chess pie! I didn't know what it was at first, but after trying it, I decided it's pure heaven.The restaurant has a laid-back vibe with a welcoming touch. Gus's is the ultimate comfort food spot, and I always leave feeling completely satisfied."

Boiling Point

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (180) • $$

"As the Garden Grove location of this local chain was getting to a point where it was reaching capacity almost every day including early weekdays, this "Garden Grove 2" location was a welcomed addition to the hot pot scene in OC.Expect long waits during peak hours, however, pick up orders through the app are prepared promptly and always ready on-time. Ensure to enter your loyalty card ID on your receipt when paying in-store!The ambiance is bright and the staff is attentive and warm, welcoming and friendly, while maintaining effectiveness adding broth and turning off flames.Can't wait to redeem my free bowl soon!"

Brew Hawg BBQ & Root Beer

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"I miss living next to this place. I really come here for the fresh brewed Root Beer. It's great to see someone making root beer ready on tap using fresh natural ingredients during the process. It's flavorful and full bodied. I have had many Root Beers from all over the. Country and this is pretty good. I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5 The food here is great too. I love the BBQ Cone. Looks like ice cream but it's filled with a mini Bbq meal. It's awesome and I'm sure kids will love the novelty of it. If they don't like bbq I think they will now"

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!"

Flights & Irons Urban Kitchen

★★★★★ 4.5 (632) • $$

"So first off... I totally judged this place off the front. So shame on me! This place is a very sexy vibe. In my opinion something out of a movie, where you meet the love of your life....or....you write a really great script because of the ambiance. Lol Now that I have captured your imagination, my husband and I stopped in the day before New Year's Eve. It wasn't too packed (probably due to the time frame), but it was absolutely pleasant! The drinks were fantastic....the food was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. We shared... and kind of wish we didnt...but thank god...cause I would have eaten EVERY FRY!!!! Our bartender was amazing (maybe owner or related), but at the time... we didn't see the other side. And I know they said it was in the works. So from our experience...place was quaint and attractive....food was delicious...but being we didn't see the other side, I leave the open star as a 'I'll be back to fill it in' We aren't from the area...so this is just a view from someone passing through"

ZENTRL Kitchen + Bar - Fashion Island

★★★★★ 4.5 (10)

"Went with some girlfriends for their special Galentines Day Brunch. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and a saxophone player helped set some good vibes. They had an adorable mimosa wall which handed out complimentary mimosa's for the event!Food was pretty decent. We got the smoked salmon eggs benedict, the red velvet pancakes, fried chicken & waffle sandwich, and mimosa special. The red velvet pancakes and chicken & waffle sandwich were items only for the Galentines brunch, but hopefully they will make the sandwich part of their regular menu. The red velvet pancakes were tasty, but the plate only came with two medium-sized pancakes which we didn't think was worth the almost $20 price.Zentrl is located next to the movie theater at Fashion Island. Would be a perfect place if you wanted to do a movie + dinner date."

Lan Hương Quán

★★★★☆ 4.2 (56)

"Been here twice and both amazing experiences. Mi kho dish comes with a gigantic prawn and their pork chop dish is definitely one of the best in town. Also tried their beef stew which was awesome and also their egg rolls. Also the owner and his family was super welcoming and nice, something you dont usually see at vietnamese restaurants."

Country Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (363) • $$

"The food is DELICIOUS. No unnecessary frills or gimmicks, which is the trend at the moment. This place is different. We've tried different menu items, never been disappointed. Very clean. Service is outstanding and very friendly. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."

Aloha Mr Pete's

★★★★☆ 4.3 (157)

"Why there aren't more 5 state blows me away!!! Food is consistently FRESH! Service is ALWAYS OUSTANDING!! SHOUTOUT ROGER, EMILY & the COOKS!!Aloha Stacks ...this place is a "must go to". The food is so fresh & they give you so much of it that you have leftovers x2!! Those pancakes came w/the omelette at no extra charge! The beans & chips came with my burrito... same.So many options to choose from.All this.. drinks included was under $37!! For our town, that's a bargain! As we walked out staff was delivering the largest hot chocolate ever seen! Check it out for yourself. Stay awesome SC."

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!"

Holé Molé

★★★★☆ 3.8 (804) • $

"This place has great food, prices, and friendly staff. Bathrooms were clean. Salsa bar is wonderful with very flavorful sauces. The tacos were small but very tasty. I had 4 crispy tacos and my husband had 8 of them."

Tang Baan

★★★★☆ 4 (6)

"Just mind blowing food. I've had beef bone soup with mixed beef meat twice and the taste was like a rainbow. Taste, quality, price, and freshness."

Lacquered

★★★★☆ 4.4 (412) • $$

"I live down the street from this place and finally was able to try it out. I feel that I've been missing out.We ordered the Garlic Noodles with fried chicken tenders, a chicken salad and two kids meals with fried shrimp and fries. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the noodles were another highlight. The flavor has an Asian flair to it, but not overpowering. The fries are homemade. There also a long list of sauces to choose from. We went with the Fire Sauce which was good and not too spicy.The portions aren't bad either. We got the small order of noodles and it was more than enough to fill you up.We'll be back to try the other offerings."