Best Birthday Cakes
Porto’s Bakery and Café
Porto’s Bakery is the hotspot to get dessert, and everyone in Orange County can’t get enough of it — even friends and family living in a different state can ship these premium baked goods to their houses with ease. Indulge in savory menu items like meat pies, potato balls, and ham and cheese croissants, or sweet treats like a fresh fruit tart, blueberry cheese croissants or its famous cakes. There are tons of birthday cake flavors to choose from and each cake comes out looking like something served in a Michelin Star restaurant.
portosbakery.com | Buena Park
Best Family Restaurant
Avila’s El Ranchito
Orange County Mexican Cuisine Avila’s El Ranchito is a staple throughout Orange County, and was started by Salvador Avila and his family over 55 years ago. Every location still belongs to the Avila family, with each location run by a different member. The recipes have also remained relatively unchanged over the years, making it the best spot to find quality Mexican cuisine.
avilaselranchito.com | Multiple Locations
Best Healthy Snack
Blue Bowl
Sometimes grabbing food on-the-go can get a bit daunting. You don’t feel special after you spend your hard-earned money, but not at Blue Bowl as one of its core values is to treat people well while having fun. Diners get to build their own healthy bowl starting with a base like blue coconut, acai or matcha, then adding fun mix-ins like granola, fruit, nut butter, and a large array of toppings and flavored powders. Be as creative or as traditional as you want: Sky is the limit with all the options that are offered.
mybluebowl.com | Multiple Locations
Best Ice Cream/Frozen Treat
Handel’s Ice Cream
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt has a well-respected history that spans all the way back to 1945 by founder Alice Handel who opened her shop in Youngstown, Ohio. Today, Handel’s still scoops up both classic and funky flavors that everyone can enjoy. Try one of its famous Hurricanes that is made from its world-famous vanilla ice cream and your choice of mix-ins. If you’d rather have a simple cone, there are many flavors to choose from.
handelsicecream.com | Multiple Locations
Best Pizza Place (TIE)
Truly Pizza
Years ago, California was not known for its pizza, but those days have drastically changed. Enter Truly Pizza in Dana Point where pizza isn’t just pizza but an experience for your tastebuds. Although pizza is the staple here, there are other options including salad, sandwiches and shareable plates. Order a traditional cheese or pepperoni pizza, or try something a little more creative like an Umami Mushroom or the Bella Donna pizza with lemon, zucchini, yellow cherry tomatoes and white sauce. Reservations are recommended as seats fill up very quickly.
trulypizza.com | Dana Point
Best Pizza Place (TIE)
Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store
Are you looking for a place where you can unleash the kids while munching on pizza without the worries of bothering any of the other patrons? Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store is the place for you and your family. Whether you want to dine-in or take-out, this pizza place has all the menu options to appease every palate, including everyone from picky-eaters to vegans, not to mention it also has an array of desserts to choose from.
sgtpepps.com | Multiple Locations
Best Place to Satisfy a Sweet Tooth
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee
No one believes in daily scratch-made donuts more than Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee. When you walk inside this bakery, there is an instant scent of freshly baked donuts lingering in the air. The hardest part about going to Sidecar is the selection as it boasts everything from classics like old-fashioned donuts to fan favorites like Butter and Salt and Huckleberry.
sidecardoughnuts.com | Costa Mesa
Best Dine & Play
Dave & Buster’s
If you are itching to take your kids to play at an arcade that offers quality food (and drinks for you), then check out Dave & Buster’s. Founded in the 1970s, Dave & Buster’s has continued to entertain and feed families for over 50 years. Whether you are looking for a fun day out, a dinner hangout or a place to take the kids while the game is on so you can watch without interruption, Dave & Buster’s is the spot.
daveandbusters.com | Multiple Locations
Best Vegan Food
True Food Kitchen
Farm to table has never been more true than True Food Kitchen as it partners with growers, ranchers and producers to give you the delicious menu items it offers. If you are into fresh vegetables, True Food Kitchen works with the freshest as it offers veggie-packed staples like Lasagna Al Pesto and Spaghetti Squash Casserole as well as a variety of salads, appetizers and vanilla ice cream that are all vegan-friendly.
truefoodkitchen.com | Newport Beach
Best Fast Food
In-N-Out Burger
The appeal of In-N-Out is not only its use of fresh ingredients and delicious classic flavors, but the fact that its menu prices aren’t sky high. Many locals know that In-N-Out offers a “secret” menu consisting of things like Animal-Style burgers and fries and Neapolitan milkshakes. It’s also a great place to bring the whole family (dogs included) as it boasts kid-friendly cheeseburgers as well as puppy patties that are safe for your four-legged companions to eat too.
in-n-out.com | Multiple Locations
Best Food Truck/Stand
Crepes Bonaparte Food Truck
If you love everything about crepes, the Crepes Bonaparte Food Truck will be right up your alley. Established in 2008 by the husband-and-wife duo, Christian and Danielle Murica, this food truck’s vision is to recreate French street food — namely crepes. This nationally famous food truck has been featured on The Food Network’s show “The Great Food Truck Race” and The Cooking Channel’s “Eat Street.” Make sure to check its website to see where it will be serving up crepes when you have the craving. You can also book the truck to make an appearance at events as well.
crepesbonaparte.com | Fullerton
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Best Vegan Food
Seabirds Kitchen
Seabirds started out as a food truck serving local, organic ingredients in dishes made from scratch and without processed junk. It is now one of the top vegan restaurants in the state and continues to cook up nutrient-dense, satisfying, clean dishes. They also have a kids’ menu and provide catering.
seabirdskitchen.com | Costa Mesa
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