Best of OC Awards 2019: Food

Best Overall Family Restaurant

Ruby’s Diner
A 15th-year winner, this diner offers the best in breakfast, lunch and dinner in a comfortable, fun atmosphere. Red-and-white vinyl abound while the staff dons candy-striped uniforms or paper hats for retro fun. But don’t worry — the menu isn’t stuck in the ’50s. You’ll find buffalo cauliflower and crispy fried green beans alongside classic burgers and fries. And don’t forget to leave room for an impressive shakes and desserts menu.

rubys.com | Multiple Locations

Best Themed Family Restaurant

Rainforest Cafe
The Rainforest Cafe offers food and fun for the whole family in a wild setting. Faux jungle animals look on as you and your kiddos dig into dishes like Jurassic Chicken Tidbits and Amazon Fajitas. There is often a balloon artist touring the dining room on weekends and even a gift shop full of cuddly rainforest critters and gear. Your kids won’t want to miss out on the Volcano Brownie Sundae, and you won’t want to miss out on Happy Hour.

rainforestcafe.com | Ontario, Calif.

Best Healthy Casual Dining

Wahoo’s Fish Taco
Surfing, skating and fish tacos are synonymous with OC counter-culture thanks to Wahoo’s. The Lee brothers opened the first location in 1988 in Costa Mesa, and Orange County has been riding the wave ever since. Besides fresh fish tacos, burritos and enchiladas, there are many healthy options too — from the Kale Kai Salad to the Banzai Bowl. So wether you are hitting the street or the sand, Wahoo’s is here to feed you.

wahoos.com | Multiple Locations

Best Build-Your-Own Pizza

Blaze Pizza
For the fifth year in a row, Blaze Pizza stands out as your go-to build-your-own pizza concept. It could be the chef-driven, all-clean-ingredients philosophy or the fact that their dough is made from scratch daily and never frozen. Maybe it’s the eco-friendly packaging that demonstrates Blaze’s dedication to saving the earth. Whatever brings you through the door, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more pleasing pizza pie.

blazepizza.com | Multiple Locations

Best Healthy Snack

Jamba
It’s easy to fall in love with all the plant-based goodness at Jamba Juice. Choose from delicious smoothies, nutritious bowls, shots of wheatgrass and fresh-squeezed juices. The Jamba Kids menu is made up of pint-sized smoothies that contain a full serving of fruit for your little one. New smoothie flavors include Vanilla Blue Sky made with almond milk, coconut milk, vanilla, bananas, pineapple and a blue spirulina boost.

jamba.com | Multiple Locations

Best Place to Satisfy a Sweet Tooth

Yogurtland
Yogurtland has everything to create the best frozen dessert experience. Among the options are non-fat and low-fat yogurt flavors, ice cream and non-dairy and even no-sugar-added choices. They also recently added “Drinkable Creations” in classic vanilla milkshake and real Cold Brrrrew Coffee Frappe, which can be customized with toppings. Instead of a cup, try your fro-yo in their new waffle cones for a dessert that’s extra sweet.

yogurt-land.com | Multiple Locations

Best Birthday Cakes

Baskin-Robbins
Baskin-Robbins takes the cake for best birthday cakes this year. They offer a gallery of festive cakes, polar pies and options for custom ice cream cakes. Plus, PhotoCakes are now officially offered at every location nationwide. Take cake customization to a whole new level by adding one of their licensed images, a hand-drawn picture by your little artist or your own full-color photography to a cake.

baskinrobbins.com | Multiple Locations