Food is one of the joys of life and food is a great way for people to come together. Being Filipina-American, I grew up going to large family gatherings, where eating was the main event, as my extended family would spend all day eating around the buffet line full of different Filipino and American dishes. Since then, my culinary tastes have expanded, and I really enjoy all types of cuisine. When it says in Acts that the early disciples broke bread together, not only did it mean that they took communion together, but they literally ate meals together. The communal culture of hospitality was prevalent in the New Testament era, and is still prevalent in many present-day cultures. From the communal cultures of the Eastern and Mediterranean world, to Southern hospitality in America, food is a large part of many cultures. While many cultures invite people into their homes, in Southern California, it seems more common to find people eating meals at local restaurants to share meals together. For you foodies out there, I’m going to provide a few of my recent favorite places to eat in North Orange County.
Mrs. Bea’s Louisiana Chicken and Waffles
La Habra, CA
It’s better than Roscoe’s. The fried chicken has an amazing breading, the meat inside is juicy, and it is fried to perfection. They have a wide variety of waffles, but my favorite is the cornbread waffle. It’s a lovely blend of just enough sweet and salty. Their mac and cheese and collard greens with smoked ham are also very tasty. I like the homey feeling of the restaurant and they have really great, friendly service reflecting true Southern hospitality. Since they make the food when it is ordered, it does take a little more time to get your food, but it is totally worth the wait.
Matiki Island Barbeque
Anaheim, CA
The beef ribs are tender and cooked in an amazing marinade, that fall right off the bone. The chicken and the beef spare ribs are also cooked with their really good hawaiian sauce. They also give a generous portion of food, so get ready to split this meal with others.
Tranquil Tea Lounge
Fullerton, CA
I’m a big fan of tea. Since I don’t drink coffee, I really enjoy all different flavors and kinds of tea. I enjoy Tranquil Tea Lounge because of their wide selection of teas. They steep these teas to maximize their flavors. My favorite tea is the Boracay tea, which is a black tea blend with coconut and mango, making it tropical tasting. Over ice, this tea makes me feel like I’ve been transported to the island of Boracay in the Philippines. They also have really good desserts – especially the salted caramel chocolate cake. The cake melts in your mouth, bringing the salty and sweet flavors of the caramel and chocolate.
Arturo’s Puffy Taco
Whittier, CA
The carne asada puffy tacos are amazing. The taco shells are deep fried, bringing a crispy, puffy outside to a really good meat inside. They are best fresh, since the tacos can get soggy if not eaten right away, and this place is cash only, so be prepared when going.
KoKo Chicken BBQ
Buena Park, CA
This Korean fried chicken place offers really good regular fried chicken. They also have some really good fried soy wings, which is the fried chicken with a sweet soy-based sauce. I like the sauce because it tastes lighter than some of their other more savory sauces, and provides a nice flavor. I also like that they provide pickled radish to eat as a refreshing way to cleanse the palate in between eating the different kinds of chicken.
So, whether you’re local or visiting North Orange County, and are looking for something different, you can try one of these hidden gems.
I also enjoy travelling and trying good food places in different parts of the world. What are some of your favorite local eateries in your area?
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