Senor Big Ed Sampler Plate

By Cathy Diep
After weeks of studying for mid-terms and, most importantly, finishing them, I finally made a quick lunch stop at Senor Big Ed Puerto Rican and Mexican Food.

Can we say, “Holy awesome” here? Because that’s the way to describe the people, the service and best of all - the FOOD! It’s actually a newfound love for me. “The way to a girl’s heart is through her stomach,” and Senor Big Ed has found a way to my heart. Read the rest of this entry »

Another place I finally made it to after months of curiosity: La Choza in Huntington Beach. It’s located in what used to be Artist Restaurant, a Vietnamese crawfish/seafood eatery that went belly up after less than a year or so? I suspect the location is a bit of a black hole.

I was enticed by the large sign for handmade tortillas outside the sprawling restaurant. La Choza was located in Los Angeles for 31 years before moving to O.C., according to a brochure. The interior is well-appointed, with warm colors and iron-wrought furnishings. What greets you immediately as you enter is the tortilla-making stand where a woman is hand-shaping corn tortilla discs …

Read the rest of this entry »

I meant to go to Sapphire for lunch on this day but my friend was running late from L.A. and we literally had 15 minutes to eat before she had to dash off to an interview. We would have to make do with fast-food. Enter Taco Loco, Laguna Beach’s beloved little hippie taco stand on Coast Highway. This is definitely California-influenced fare, with organic and healthy offerings like blackened mushroom and tofu tacos and veggie “phish” tacos, wrapped in blue corn tortillas. Yup, Calixican.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ok, so the seared ahi on top of this mountain of mango is a pink brighter than I’ve ever seen before, which might have been a little alarming. But do you see how thick these strips are? One measured at an inch!

This vibrant pinwheel of spicy mango salsa and tuna atop thin toast — which looks part bruschetta, part Spanish pintxo  — was the $12 appetizer of the day Wednesday at one of Fullerton’s newest restaurants: Cantina Lounge. The generous slices of fish were a little too sinewy to bite off without making a big mess at times, though the peppery chili rub and the salsa’s jalapeno kick was a positive start to what turned out to be a really satisfying meal.

Cantina Lounge opened about a month and a half ago across the street from Cal State Fullerton, in the spot that used to be home to after-class watering hole Off Campus Pub. The new owners completely gutted the place, creating an atmosphere that’s Vegas VIP room meets high-tech sports bar meets high-end chain.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous bringing Grandma Ruth here for dinner this week because we couldn’t make it to the restaurant until after 7 p.m., and the place turns into a night club at 9. I knew Grandma wouldn’t be opposed to watching college kids shake what their grandmas gave them, I just wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it.

Read the rest of this entry »

So I’ve been reluctant to blog about one of my favorite places to eat in Orange County because, frankly, the lines don’t need to get any longer.

But I couldn’t resist gushing about the lengua — yes, as in tongue — I tried for the first time the other day at El Camino Real Mexican Food in Fullerton. So I guess I’ll just prepare to wait 15 minutes to get my food, instead of the usual 10-12.

Don’t be deterred by the, um, frightening appearance of this meat swimming in this green sauce. The thin slices of cow tongue are so tender, they virtually disinigrated on my own tongue. It’s really like eating strips of carne asada, but the texture is less sinewy and the meat is richer.

And this sauce is ridiculously good. It’s is deep, bold and decisive. Not spicy at all, just complex. I could dip corn tortillas in here for days.

You can order a meal — comes with gooey beans and just-right rice — for $7.21.

Pick one of the freshly squeezed fruit waters (today it was mango!) and you’ve got yourself a completely satisfying meal. (A small is $1.50)

Read the rest of this entry »

Walking in flip-flops across a sandy sidewalk to La Palapa in Belmont Shore on a sweltering Saturday night exuded a tropical vacay somewhere far, far away. The sun was already dipping into the ocean but the lingering heat was making us more thirsty than hungry. So we opted for the best of this casual ocean front eatery: cocktails and appetizers.

Read the rest of this entry »

The best way to describe La Sirena Grill in Laguna Beach is to liken it to a gourmet taco stand. The food is mostly grilled and owners use sustainable products (compostable spoons, plates) as well as high-quality meats from humane ranchers (Neiman Ranch beef and pork, Estancia beef, Rosie Petaluma chicken). The dishes are contemporary Mexican but the twist is delivered in the flavor combinations: Tangy with spicy, soft with crunchy and hot over chilled.

But before you order you’ve got to find its obscure location. It’s really just a few hops and skips from the crowded beach and downtown. But because of its squeezed inside a two-story shingled cottage on Mermaid Street (a mostly residential street) it’s congestion free with the exception of the breakfast, lunch and dinner rush crowds.

My usual meal combination consists of a grilled fish taco ($3.75) bowl of tortilla soup ($3.25) and chilled glass of watermelon-strawberry agua frescas ($2.85). First, I have to say, that their version of tortilla soup is the best I’ve ever tasted. Click on the jump to read more … Read the rest of this entry »