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Taco Factory
Category:
Mexican Restaurants
14455 Newport Ave
Tustin,
California 92780
Delicious! Seriously, forget La Salsa and Baja Fresh, this is the best Mexica hands down. The...
More 1 year ago
Delicious! Seriously, forget La Salsa and Baja Fresh, this is the best Mexica hands down. The salsa bar is delicious and the service is friendly and swift. Everything is fresh and tasty.
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I expected a satisfying meal (as I'm almost never disappointed with Mediterranean food), but...
More 1 year ago
I expected a satisfying meal (as I'm almost never disappointed with Mediterranean food), but Christaki's succeeded in not only being far and away the best Greek I've ever had, but one of the best restaurants I've ever been to. The calamari was light and crispy, not too heavy with a batter that didn't overwhelm the calamari. Also started with the lemon-chicken soup which was outstanding. I love lamb, so I tried the grilled lamb chops and I have to say, they were the most perfectly prepared lamb chops I have ever had. My wife had salmon, which was also quite good (though you'd have to try pretty hard to mess up salmon).
The restaurant was surprisingly empty for a weekend evening, though on the way out I realized that many tables were seated outside. They had a classical/spanish style guitarist playing inside which added to the cozy authenticity of the place, and it was clear that it was family run as the owner was our server and voices were raised when he went back into the kitchen.
Bottom line, I've only been there once (I live in the Bay Area) but it was one of the best overall restaurant experiences I've ever had.
Pros: Incredible food, atmosphere/music, authentic feel
Cons: Not "cheap" (though not incredibly expensive)
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I would highly recommend the McCharles House. My sister took me here for a luncheon and I was in...
More 1 year ago
I would highly recommend the McCharles House. My sister took me here for a luncheon and I was in awe of it all. Vivian and Audrey have made everything so very welcoming. An old house that is decorated lovely. The food is prepared fresh daily, using herbs and flowers from their garden. I can't tell you how wonderful it is. I would visit daily if I lived nearby.
AWESOME!
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I've been to Kobe's twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The steak and chicken combo is...
More 1 year ago
I've been to Kobe's twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. The steak and chicken combo is amazing...one thousand times better than Benihana's. Our chef (Solo) was A LOT of fun...after our meal, he joined us in the bar to continue the good time. I will definitely go back! Kobe's has Benihana's beat, hands down. Higher quality food, better chefs and the prices are comparable.
Pros: Great food, Great Chefs
Cons: No cons!
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Sandwich Box
Category:
Soup & Salad
139 W 1ST St Ste A
Tustin,
California 92780
The Sandwich Box (the locals call it "Box") is the perfect Tustin lunchtime option for...
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The Sandwich Box (the locals call it "Box") is the perfect Tustin lunchtime option for those who are true fans of box. The clean look of both the interior as well as those that prepare your sandwiches is appealing to even the most stuck-up connoisseurs of box-munching. There are sandwich options from around the world, such the Mexican Box, Italian Box, Texan Box, and the incredibly popular Cuban Box. Those that get a piece of the Cuban Box regularly will tell you it is best to do it dry ? mayo is an unwelcome substance in the Cuban Box.
Perhaps the most popular option is the Sloppy Box (the menu calls it ?sloppy joe?). Sloppy Box is always served piping hot and extra sloppy. You can expect a significant amount of clean-up after chowing Sloppy Box, so I recommend that you keep a towel nearby. Box could enhance the dining experience by providing box-wipes for the clean up. The Sloppy Box is particularly prized as leftovers, which are referred to as Sloppy Seconds. There is no need to re-heat the Sloppy Seconds as it is already primed and ready to go. Tasting somebody else?s Sloppy Seconds is not something that everybody enjoys, so one should be careful not to mix up their Box with another's.
A few might desire the Tuna Box, or the Grandma?s Egg Salad Box. But really, who wants a box that smells like tuna or eggs? Seriously?
There are plenty of Vegetarian Box options for those of hippie origins that do not enjoy the unlimited pleasures of consuming flesh. However, these people are likely too frail to venture beyond the door of the health food store they work, so they just usually munch on some granola box for lunch.
In summary, The Box is an incredible lunch choice if you are in the mood to put some variety in your box-eating activities. Give it a try, there is a box for everybody!
Pros: BOX!
Cons: Bock! Eeehoo. Bock!
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They have great mexican food and an amazing salsa bar. The pico de gallo is the best. They have...
More 1 year ago
They have great mexican food and an amazing salsa bar. The pico de gallo is the best. They have a veggie wrap that is so good! The prices are fairly inexpensive. There has never been a wait when I have gone in and the service is fast.
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Pina's Bistro
Category:
French Restaurants
640 W 1st St Ste C
Tustin,
California 92780
I do have some bias in my statements because I'm Italian. That said, let me say that being Italian...
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I do have some bias in my statements because I'm Italian. That said, let me say that being Italian gives me the ability to tell the difference between Italian food prepared by an Italian chef vs. a trained chef -- for that matter the difference between homemade or freshly made Italian food vs. Italian foods that contain pre-prepared, previously frozen or otherwise "not fresh" ingredients. Pina's it truly homemade "fresh" Italian food, prepared by a true Italian chef. I've been going there for about three months now (about once a week) and have tried almost everything on the menu. The greatest part of all of Pina's homemade dishes is the true presence of authentic central and southern Italian recipies. The prosciutto is by far the best, as are all the parmessian dishes (always tender, never too much breading to hide the flavor of the meat/vegetable and always properly seasoned). I've had two of her specials now, one being sea-bass and the other being clams, both of which were exceptional. You truly do get what you pay for - premium quality home cooked meals - as if I was in my grandmother's kitchen. If you're someone who can appreciate the flavor and texture of fresh handmade sausage (meaning that you don't even by grocery store packaged sausages in an emergency), then Pina's will be a very special treat for you. When you go, be sure to ask Pina how she makes her sausage (she won't mind telling you). In fact, if you've ever wanted to taste something you've never had before, she'll be more than happy to give you a sample as well as explain how it was prepared. The only shame - although maybe it is a blessing - is that Pina's is not open everyday and is a very small restaurant (hense "Bistro"). It is best to go early or late for lunch (by 11:30 AM or after 1:30 PM) and always make reservations for dinner.
Pros: All meals are prepared fresh/homemade on site
Cons: Small/Limited parking and not open everyday
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I love this place. The people (servers, chefs) are so incredibly warm and friendly. So much so...
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I love this place. The people (servers, chefs) are so incredibly warm and friendly. So much so that I think nothing of going in there to dine by myself. I often make new friends with the regulars that seem to be ever present. I also see quite a few families with children there. The sushi is top notch and very fresh and is a great, great value for the money.
Pros: Great sushi and wonderful value!
Cons: It's a little on the small side and gets incredibly busy on weekend nights.
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my brother is going back to college-- to the land of BBQ, aka Texas. Before he left, my family...
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my brother is going back to college-- to the land of BBQ, aka Texas. Before he left, my family went out to dinner. what my brother really wanted was salmon. We decided to go to the crab cooker. they serve everything on paper plates with plastic utensils and cubs, but it is still fantastic. very laid back and very tasty. they don't always have the halibut, but when they do, get it! it is so good! my dad always gets the scallops. but pretty much everything is good. each dinner entree comes with rice or potatoes and cole slaw or tomatoes. i got the tomatoes and potatoes. they were great. i highly recommend this place when you are hungry for some good seafood. the servers are always friendly.
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i don't come here too often, but i do enjoy eating here when i do. the pizza selection is wide and...
More 1 year ago
i don't come here too often, but i do enjoy eating here when i do. the pizza selection is wide and varied enough to satisfy all palates, and the am...
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