Mini Cafe - Santa Ana
I visited the Mini Cafe in Santa Ana this morning for the first time and I’m already impressed. Tucked away in the corner of the Stater Bros. parking lot at Tustin Ave. and Santa Clara, right next to The Fling is the unassuming little cafe with its unassuming name.
Outside Mini Cafe
Ask just about anyone that has lived in Orange County for the last 30 years to name their 10 favorite OC restaurants of all time and you are bound to hear the name Belisle’s come up more often than not, well Chef and I’m assuming owner Mario Gutierrez was once a chef at the famous OC restaurant. Of course Belisle’s closed many years ago, but it’s cool to see one of their cooks now runs his own little place.
Inside Mini Cafe
When I say little, I’m not joking, there are only 6 tables, but size does not make a restaurant good I’m glad to say.
It was breakfast time and I was on my way to one of my normal haunts when I decided to give some local love to a place I’d never visited, my only hope was that Mini Cafe would not disappoint. And not disappoint it did. First off the prices seem to be stuck in 2000, since I don’t know any other place you can get a
Mini Cafe breakfast burrito with potatoes and salsa
breakfast burrito with bacon cheese and potatoes for 3 bucks. The burrito wasn’t much different than the usual fare; grill toasted tortilla filled with 2 light and fluffy eggs 1 salty piece of bacon broken up, along with some melted cheese. On the side were some grill fried potatoes and a little cup full of salsa. The burrito wasn’t huge; it was perfect in size for what a normal person should really be eating. Too many times I run across a huge burrito that has no reason to be ate by one person that stuff my stomach with. But the star of the meal was the salsa, if I had to guess I would believe it was made from scratch because I’ve never tasted such a salsa from any restaurant, it rivaled the salsa (sorry chile) made by one of my friends moms. Even the peppers were roasted!
Mini Cafe roasted pepper!
I’ll have to do more research on their salsa and ask about it next time.
I’m almost hesitant to review Mini Cafe since I don’t want to let the secret out about how good it might actually be. Expect some updates soon, when I’m able to visit them for lunch and dinner and breakfast and lunch and dinner. I think this might actually end up being another one of my favorites, but only time will tell. And as Chef Mario sez: “CHOW DOWN!”
Chef Mario from Belisle runs Mini Cafe
Most of Mini Cafe
Visit on 10/04/08 @8:30 AM
Rating: 
Mini Cafe
2370 N. Tustin Ave. Unit #C
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-648-0891
Where should I go?
It’s not that I’ve run out of reviews, it’s just I’d like to get some new suggestions on places to try. I have a long list of places to go already, but tell me some of your favorites. Maybe I can cut them in line. Tell me what you like, why you like it, your favorite dish, and where it’s located. I’ll see if I can get there soon.
Also tell me about yourself. I’m always looking for new people to follow on the internet, share your website with me, and maybe we can exchange links to help each other out and spread the word about the great food that can be found in Orange County!
-Daniel
Harbor House Cafe - Sunset Beach
Inside Harbor House Cafe
Harbor House Cafe in Sunset Beach is what places like Dennys and Norms strive to be. It’s the quintessential greasy spoon that made America what it is today. Harbor House is located just North from Huntington Beach on Pacific Coast Highway, right before you reach Seal Beach, it’s right next to the Water Tower House. There is another Harbor House Cafe located in Dana Point, but I’ve only ever been to the original in Sunset Beach that’s been around since 1939. The first thing you will notice when you enter Harbor House are all the old movie posters that adorn not only the walls but also the ceiling. Next you’ll think it’s a pretty small place, until you realize that hidden behind the front part of the restaurant is closed in patio that seats as many if not more then the front!
Inside Harbor House Cafe
We’ve ate here a number of times, especially on some late night occasions after quenching our thirsts with numerous libations, and they have never failed to hit the spot. On this visit it was Sunday at around 2:00 PM when we arrived and it wasn’t too busy which was nice because we got to sit in the front at a window seat. They have a huge menu, with well over 100 items to choose from, so it should be able to appease all of those in your party.
Both myself and the Mrs. were starving but didn’t want anything too heavy since we were having a late lunch so we both decided on sandwiches. Mrs. DanGarion ordered the
Harbor House Avocado and Bacon Sandwich
Avocado Sandwich ($9.95), which had a whole avocado on it that was perfectly fresh, along with 4 thick slices of bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, and 2 slices of cheese. There was so much bacon the Mrs. took off half of it, which I happily ate for her! I always have a difficult time choosing what to order when there are more then 10 items on a menu, especially since I like to order different things from time to time, so I can review more then what I always order on a menu. I went with something I’d never had before at any restaurant; a
Harbor House Hot Crab Meat Sandwich
Hot Crab Meat Sandwich ($10.95), it came with 100% crab meat, that was topped with a whole avocado, along with a bunch of melted Monterey jack cheese, lettuce and tomato on grilled sourdough. The crab meat was great, it had a very good steamed crab taste and you could tell it wasn’t from a can or fake, it was delicious real fresh crab. Their was a little more cheese then it probably needed, so I took some of it off, but others might love the overflow of Monterey jack cheese. Along with both the sandwiches we had our choice of fries, onion rings, or cole slaw. We went with the onion rings, which were just the normal fare you get from a burger join, but they were huge and crunchy, plus they have a nice somewhat spicy BBQ sauce to drench dip them in.
Harbor House Hot Crab Meat Sandwich
Service was average, nothing out of the ordinary, nothing bad or exceptionally good. On other occasions service has been average to good as well. This is definitely a place to bring a big appetite, they have a huge menu that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desserts. Talking about desserts they have some killer malts and shakes ( Handmade Choice of Oreo Cookie Bits, Blueberry, Chocolate, Pineapple, Strawberry, Fresh Banana, French Vanilla, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter, and Orange Juice); peanut butter shakes are my favorite! If you go in the morning on Saturdays or Sundays be prepared to wait if you get there after 8:00 AM, since they will be busy, but aren’t all the great places like that?
Visited on Sunday 09/28/08 @ 2:00 PM for lunch.
Rating:
Harbor House Cafe
16341 Pacific Coast Highway
Sunset Beach, 9074
Blake’s Place - Anaheim
Another day another short review. Blake’s Place in Anaheim is one of the best BBQ spots in Orange County. I work down the street and am able to visit there a couple times a month and every meal is just about top notch. Lunch, dinner, ribs, sandwiches, salads, everything is good.
If you like your BBQ smoked Blake’s is the place to get it and the amazing thing is I don’t think most people know they exist and even if they do, they have a hard time locating it because of them being in an unassuming industrial location. It is worth the drive and adventuring to get some of the best smoked meat in the OC.
I actually took pictures on two separate occasions but forgot to download them from my iPhone before I did firmware updates, that’s part of the reason as to why this review had been sitting around for me to complete. I promise to do a more professional review soon!
(Multiple visits for both lunch and dinner throughout August and September)
Rating:
Blake’s Place
2901 E Miraloma Ave
Anaheim, CA, 92806
(714) 630-8574
Taco Adobe - Santa Ana
I went to Taco Adobe in Santa Ana last month. I took pictures and had every intention on posting my review quickly, but then I got side tracked and never got around to getting the post online. I honestly can’t remember exactly what I ordered. I think I got some type of chicken taco along with rice. Overall the food was average, but since I didn’t get much in my one experience there, I have added them back to my list of places I need to check out again.
Service was good as the wait staff was very attentive to my needs. I got in and out in about 20 minutes.
Rating:
Taco Adobe (link to OC Mexican Restaurant Blogs review)
1319 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 543-2411
Wings ‘n Things - Huntington Beach
Here is a quick review from Wings n’ Things in Huntington Beach from last month. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures, but just imagine some wings along with some fries and you will pretty much have a picture of what we ate here. I ordered the 10 piece medium buffalo wings ($7.25) served with bleu cheese dressing; were spicy and not too hot, I probably should have got the next step up. Mrs. DanGarion ordered the 10 piece BBQ wings ($7.25) and they were slightly overcooked. Along with our wings we got a regular order of Curly Cue Fries ($2.25), they were great. Overall everything was average. The staff was really nice and checked on us as we ate our meal.
They have a bunch of other really tasty sounding items on their menu in addition to wings.
Visit 08/10/08 or 08/11/08 for dinner (can’t remember exact date).
Rating:
Wings ‘n Things
18302 Beach Blvd.
Huntington Beach, CA, 92648
(714) 848-2767
Mama D’s Italian Kitchen (Review #2) - Newport Beach
Plain and simple there is no better service in Newport Beach than at Mama D’s Italian Kitchen. Ever since that fateful day when the Spaghetti Factory was packed and we discovered Mama D’s, it has been on the top of our list as the best restaurant in all of Orange County. After gleefully reading that Kat from the Orange County Register’s food blog Gluttonista went there for her birthday after a recommendation from me, I knew we needed to go there soon as well. Unfortunately we hadn’t made our way there for quite some time, but I’m glad we took the time to go there last night!
Everything was just as great as I remember it. The bread was absolutely mouthwatering, especially with the olive oil garlic mix that they serve it with, I could dip every piece of bread I eat for the rest of my life into that delicious mixture. We ordered a Caesar Salad ($7.99) that is made with homemade dressing, which they lightly toss with romaine, croutons and fresh parm. Mrs. DanGarion went with her normal order of their pillow perfect ravioli in marinara sauce ($10.99), which includes 6 large homemade raviolis sitting atop a slightly sweet marinara sauce. I usually order something with their pink sauce, but I went more traditional today by ordering spaghetti with meat sauce ($10.99) along with one of their humongous 3 inch meatballs ($2.99)! The meat sauce is much like the marinara but with just enough meat to make me happy. The meatball was moist throughout and had a very mild taste. To top it all off they give you free cookies to finish your meal.
It was a perfect meal to wrap up what was a very busy week, and I’m glad that we were able to go there. It’s always a pleasure revisiting one of your favorite restaurants when you feel as though you have been cheating on them! Service was exceptional as always as our waiter Ruben dedicatedly visited our table a number of times and made sure everything was good throughout our meal.
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- Mama D's Caesar Salad
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- Mama D's Bread and Oil
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- Mama D's Bread
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- Mama D's Ravioli
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- Mama D's Spaghetti
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- Mama D's Meatball
Rating:
Mama D’s Italy Kitchen
3012 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 675-6262
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