The Most Scrumptious Specialty Food in Santa Ana

African Hut

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (49) • $$

"Hooray!! I'm so glad I found this store. I've been meaning to go and I finally made my way down Saturday so I could prep for a South African dinner I'm serving next weekend.I felt like I was back in the aisles of Checkers in Paarl, South Africa.Aisles had an array of British and South African staples--all of which had flags under to denote origin. I bought a bottle of pinotage, Mrs. Balls chutney, Nando's peri peri, Spar Letta soda, ginger beer, and peppadews. Oh, and rooibos tea and rusks. In the past, I had heard several items were past the expiration date so I checked all of the ones I picked up and none were close. The selection was impressive for a small store in southern California."

Portugal Imports

★★★★☆ 4.3 (267) • $

"Found myself in the area and have had Portugal Imports for quite some time. I looked around their shop and ended up purchasing two tins of fish which I am looking foward to having! I also ordered the two pastel de nata which was worth every bite! i had my second one hours later and the crust was still super flaky!The staff was really friendly and I hope to make my way back for another visit!"

Fresh Nuts

★★★★★ 4.7 (19)

"Always love this place. I get the same few items every couple months and haven't been disappointed by their selection and quality."

Medmix Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (305) • $$

"Medmix is a place where you can get some Hookah, Mediterranean food and drinks all at once. They have a good sized outside seating area and a good variety of items to select for. While the selection and area looked good, the food, hookah and everything was just ok as well. I had ordered the Al Fakher Mint, and a Beef Shawerma which comes with fries as well and a pot of Mint Tea. They also have heaters outside during the cold season. The Hookah was fine but there was a little bit of an after taste from the previous hookah which just means they don't wash inside the stem or change the water but it was still better than some of the other places. The Shawerma was good in flavor but the meat was a little too dry. Now I believe the reason is also because on a Thursday at around 9pm we were the only people sitting there so things may not have been fresh as nothing was being ordered. But at the end of the day everything was just good, so around the industry average mark in my opinion."

The Tray Fusion Grill

★★★★☆ 4.3 (201) • $$

"I've been here a few times and I have to say that the food is damn good! Of course, I discovered it via my trusty Yelp app, as I was craving something healthy, but equally as tasty. This place popped up and my coworkers and I decided to head over for lunch. One thing I would suggest outright is to call your order in. We didn't realize how popular this place was the first time we went. We got in and placed our order and it was about a 30 minute wait for all of our plates. Granted, a few of us ordered for dinner, too. We have no complaints about the wait, because everything is cooked to order and it is totally worth the wait. But if you are crunched for time, you might want to call in your order at 10:00am when they open and give them the time to have it ready for you. We subsequently did that with future orders and it was always ready on time. I always order the plates. My favorite is the BBQ and Angus beef. It comes with rice and veggies. They give you one sauce, but you have to pay for extra. You can tell that the sauce is house made, so I understand the charge...I just wish it was filled up more. That sauce gives those plates life! I have also ordered the Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken plate and the Spicy Lemongrass Plate. Both delicious! My coworkers have had the Teriyaki Chicken, Mango Habanero, and BBQ Shrimp plate. No one had any complaints. I've wanted to try their Garlic Noodles for quite some time, but when I try to order it, I'm told that the cook isn't available until after 1pm and by then I have to get back to work. I'm also anxious to try their shrimp ceviche! They have their own beef jerky, that I have yet to try, as well and from looking at their store, they have a good selection of them, too.They also have several different drinks from your basic sodas to specialty drinks like the iced sparkling pineapple chili mango with mango jelly, the iced sparkling lemon with aloe vera, or the iced sparkling dragon fruit with aloe vera. They also have Thai iced tea, strawberry iced tea, and various espresso drinks."

Big D’s Ono Foods

★★★★★ 5 (5)

"Family-owned catering company that specializes in good home cooking. They cater different types of foods, however our fundraiser was Hawaiian themed so decided on traditional "Hawaiian plate lunch" - rice, Mac salad and protein. Big D's Ono Food worked with our budget and helped us select 3 proteins (island style chicken, kalua pork and cabbage, garlic shrimp) with their signature Mac salad, rice and Haupia dessert. We received high marks from our attendees. They are easy to work with and we are happy we selected them to cater our fundraiser for approximately 120 people. The food was authentic and yummy. The catering team showed up 2 hrs before the event to setup and cleaned up within 1 hr.Mahalo Big D's Ono Foods for sharing your food and hospitality! We worked with Kristy, Operations Manager and appreciate her flexibility and quick response."

Wooltari - Irvine

★★★★☆ 3.8 (10)

"We are lucky to live in a state in the USA where we have Zion, H Mart, and now the most famous Wooltari Mall of LA, Torrance and now in Irvine! If you are not a KOREAN or a fan of the new wave of truly fantastic and authentic Korean cuisine, stop reading this review now!!!! Once you enter this hidden mall, you are entering a new fifth dimension of entirely new world made up of the utmost highest quality of goods only available in South Korea right this moment. You are transformed immediately into the Basement Shopping Center of KangNam Hyundai BackHwaJeom. (Probably the most famous department store In Seoul equivalent to Herod's of London or Southcoast Plaza or Niemann Marcus) Nowhere in the USA can you truly find some of these items all with the highest quality. Probably the best stuffs that I've ever seen anywhere. Actually you can't find them in Zion or H Market or anywhere else in that matter. Please, don't go if you are not experienced or interested in highest quality Korean Cuisine!"

Ochoa's Chorizo

★★★★★ 4.5 (122) • $

"Another visit, another trip to Ochoas. A staple that can't be missed, and now they also have medium Al pastor chorizo! Worth the drive every single time--yum!"

Mealsdotkom

★★★★★ 4.9 (51) • $

"So good! The meals are delicious and good -size portions. It's our first time trying them and we couldn't be happier. Perfectly seasoned. Delivery on time too."

Cookie Stop

★★★★★ 5 (28)

"I discovered Baked by A.K. a few months back as I was aimlessly wandering around the Great Parks Farmers Market. I was intrigued by her Keto and Vegan offerings, my in-laws eat Keto and have difficulty finding pre-made items - especially desserts. She has a really cute set up and has clearly marked offerings for the day of which are Keto and which are Vegan. I think my first dessert I purchased from her was her Keto coffee cake. I couldn't tell you what it tasted like because for 1, it was scarfed down by my in-laws before I had a chance to try. And from then they were hooked - I am now instructed to head out to the farmers market to bring home some new goodies each weekend. Each of the dessert is sold in a single serving in a nicely packaged container. She really stands by her product offering samples to ensure her customers are happy with their product. I remember one instance where she was telling me about a new donut she had just created but she wasn't happy about how they looked and so she didn't want to sell them just yet. I have also special ordered items from her in the past. She is super easy to get a hold of - I generally communicate with her via IG and you can place orders to be picked up at the Farmers Market. She is super responsive and very easy to work with.I believe she also sells at other locations throughout the week - I stay updated with her via IG. A few things to note:- She accepts a variety of payment methods - cash, credit and Venmo! Which is key especially since I could not tell you where my wallet with cash is if my life depended on it..- She has seasonal items (pumpkin pie around the holiday was a huge hit with my in-laws!)"

The Hood Kitchen Space

★★★★☆ 4.4 (26) • $$

"It has the ghost kitchen concept. They have about 2 or 3 tables outside but that's it for dining. Most of the "restaurants" you order online and pick up or they bring it to your car. I did the Kokonut and a boba tea. Both were great flavors, tastes and so refreshing during the heat. Plenty of parking in the area. It looks like an office building, but once you enter, you have many restaurant stations."

Almud Cocina Oaxaquena

★★★★★ 5 (10)

"This restaurant took over the La Flor Taqueria spot that sadly went out of business. This though is a great replacement so I hope it lasts. A single friendly lady was the cashier, cook, and waitress. I love Oaxacan cuisine so wanted to try a few things I've never had before.For my entree I went with the "molotes" which are deep fried masa fritters stuffed with potatoes and chorizo and topped with black bean paste, lettuce, guacamole sauce, and cheese. It also came with a side of spicy red hot sauce. The portion was huge for the price and extremely filling. I loved the texture of the masa and all the ingredients were so flavorful. I cleaned my plate to the last bite and would highly recommend the dish.For my drink I went with the "atole blanco" which was a hot masa porridge which was sweetened. It was super hot and never cooled down thanks to the thick terra cotta bowl it was served in. I really enjoyed it and found it very comforting. It paired up with the entree perfectly. The texture might not be for everybody but I think you should give it a try.My only real complaint is it was 100 degrees in the place just like the last restaurant which was causing me to drip sweat. It's 60's outside so can't imagine the summer. During the last 10 minutes or so I think the a/c kicked on though since it started to get more comfortable. Also I noticed I got a small charge for using credit instead of cash which seems to be the norm these days. I didn't notice any warning sign about it.Great place, friendly service, delicious food. I can't wait to try it again and I recommend you try it too!"

Superior Jerky

★★★★★ 4.6 (37) • $

"A friend of mine brought me some Superior Jerky to try and they are SO good!These are not your regular beef jerky where it is chewy in texture. No, these are best described as beef chips. They are paper thin and very crispy. It's definitely worth trying if you've never had them before. I tried the Flaming Spicy as well as the Sweet and Spicy flavors and they were both really good. It's $12 a bag and I find it a bit pricey because you don't get a lot in one bag. Despite the price, I am a fan and will be returning to purchase some in the future!"

Bristol Farms: Newport Beach

★★★★☆ 3.8 (432) • $$$

"I forgot how delicious this place was!! Stopped today and grabbed a couple "Chocolate Chip" and "Peanut Butter" Cookies. The absolute best I've ever had, also got a delicious wedge salad. As usual the service here is amazing and the vibe is very chill."

Brodard Express

★★★★★ 4.6 (150) • $$

"This restaurant is a stop and go tucked away to the very end of the airport. It was a bit of a trek to get there from my gate but once there the food was easy to grab and go! Perfectly sized for eating on the plane."

Seoul Do Soon Yi Kimchi Company

★★★★★ 4.7 (146) • $$

"Wow, this is how kimchi should taste! Just got the jar of their whole "baek" kimchi -- meaning white. I've recently had baek kimchi from another kimchi spot in Buena Park and it was too sweet and filled with other additives. I was very disappointed until a friend told me about this place. Based on the picture, I'm almost halfway done with this full jar. It's so refreshing and doesn't taste "factory made". It's definitely homemade and the owner definitely put a lot of time and effort into this one. Can't wait until I try their other types of kimchi!"

Brothers Products

★★★★★ 4.8 (381) • $

"If you try nothing else, try the Kitchen Dip! This thing has me in a chokehold . For me that says a lot for something that's vegan. It's deliciousss and goes great with just about anything savory. Love it!"

Surf City Gourmet Pot Pies

★★★★★ 4.7 (27) • $$

"Yes, 5 stars, as good as it gets. The waves may not be great but chowing down on one of Colin's fantastic $5 pot pies after 3 hours in the surf is about as close to heaven as one could get. And you don't have to get all gussied up either. He delivers right to your surf-mobile! I was a little skeptical, seeing this kinda-cute gentleman handing out his business flyers but I'm game for almost anything after a surf and the "Surfer's Breakfast Pie" caught my eye. After my first taste, I knew my Martha Stewart pot pies were but a fading memory, lost to the man from England where pot pies are a cultural norm*. The semi-sweet salsa provides just the right snap to make a mouth-watering taste delight in a freshly-baked, hot breakfast in your wetsuit or street clothes. *We shared the "Sweeny Todd" joke but I was assured of his personal selection of only top-quality meat and vegetables."

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!"

SongHak Korean BBQ - Artesia

★★★★☆ 4.2 (568) • $$

"The lord said "let there be good marinated intestines." And Song Hak heard God's plea.Come here if you want to experience the light.We were experiencing Song Hak withdrawal, and on the off chance it was closed on a Sunday, we decided to look it up to see if it was open.As we got to the Yelp page, our eyes sunk as they met the two words... "TEMPORARILY CLOSED.""Why?" we asked. "How can this be?" It was here that we realized that Song Hak has forsaken us (until Feb 28). It must be a grand punishment for having used their light too much.Cold sweats started. We decided to take out our trusty cellphones and use the flashlight feature, to experience an artificial light for our vitamin-D deficient bodies while we wait for the return of our savior.Until another day, Song Hak, for your excellent intestines, fried rice, tartare, and cold noodles."

Slavko's

★★★★☆ 4.2 (192) • $

"Friendly service. I was excited to see the cevapcici dinner on the windows and missed the full Croatian plate at the counter. Everything was delicious and super filling. My partner and I could've split one plate but we wanted to try everything. Dining room was adorable and food took a second because they made it fresh. Nuggets are always ready to go it looks like.We'll be back to try the full Croatian plate, lamb shanks and maybe a fresh spiny lobster?"

Maison Fox

★★★★★ 4.9 (34)

"Stopped by after a spa day & had a few hours to relax. This location is truly a hidden gem. I had visited the storefront a few times to grab goodies for gifts but I was finally able to check out the outdoor/courtyard area. I had a few glasses of wine & their burrata. Everything was so good & high quality. Service was impeccable, the owner was hospitable & his attention to detail was just *chefs kiss*. This is the first natural wine bar in North OC & I am so glad it's in our neighborhood. I can't wait for more date nights + girls nights at this location!"

Bristol Farms: Yorba Linda

★★★★☆ 4 (324)

"Bristol Farmers Supermarket located inside the YBL Townsqaure is occupied by a dozen other trendy businesses.I been visiting several dozen times, often after receiving coupons or promotional healthy savings emails. I also enjoy special events, usually taste test of new food or products offerings, are pretty much welcomed. Bristol Farms offers a wide selection of gourmet and high-quality products, but it's hard to justify their premium prices in some areas. For example, a bag of basic salad greens or a carton of milk might be priced far higher than at chain supermarkets, without a significant difference in quality. The good side, BF's food court and sushi bar, like prepared meals or specialty cheeses, can make it feel like a luxury shopping experience, but at the end of the day, many shoppers may find the prices difficult to justify for their regular grocery needs.Now, what I do love and continue to return is The big COOKIE (always warm) and the fresh juices -- to build my collection of BF glasses!! The Morning Burst juice is my favorite. I love the Hot Bar (but $13.99/lb) is starting to scare me away. I also like looking at the canned kombuchas, tea and coffee ---endless variety!!! That said, if you're looking for high-end or unique items for a special occasion, Bristol Farms is a great place to explore. But if you're just looking to stock up on essentials, it might not always be the most budget-friendly option."