Los Angeles/Orange County Area Restaurants

In-N-Out Burgers
Various locations throughout Southern California, a few in Northern California and Las Vegas, NV. $
Long a Southern California institution, In-N-Out grills everything to order so your food is hot and fresh. Fresh is one of their biggest pitches - supposedly, everything in the refrigerator is replenished on a daily basis. They claim to have no freezers. True or not, they do make one of the best burgers anywhere. Order the Double-Double with grilled onions - double patties, double cheese. The fries are quite different since they slice their fries straight from fresh washed potatoes to order as well! Taste great but you got to eat them hot or they'll lose their taste just as quickly. Go for the experience!

The Loft
Gardena Plaza Hotel, Third Floor. 15607 S. Normandie Avenue, Gardena, CA 90247. 310.523.4191. CC, $
Really, really good Hawaiian food. Really inexpensive too. Where can you find prepared Spam musubi for a buck? But the must have here is the Island Fried Chicken. If that isn't your style, there's lots of standard Japanese style dishes too. Portions are large too. You will not leave this place hungry.

Misto Caffe and Bakery
24558 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505. 310.375.3608. CC, $$
Before going up the hill to PV, Misto is tucked into your standard business complex in the corner. The fare is typically Italian but the prices are surprisingly good for what they offer. I highly recommend the fusili as it's the entree I'll typically order if nothing else catches my eye on the menu. Save room for dessert; they have a full spread at the bakery next door. Closed on Mondays.

Pasta Connection
1902 Harbor Boulevard, Costa Mesa, CA. 949.646.3484 CC, $
2145 W. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 714.541.0053 CC, $
Not your typical Italian eatery; they *make* their pasta fresh daily on the premises. Chosen by Elmer Dills, L.A. food critic as one of the best restaurants for under $10. I agree. About the only thing over $10 is the tuto mare, a smorgasbord of seafood in a wine sauce over linguini that is quite tasty. If you're wondering what everything on the menu looks like, they have Polaroid photos of most of the dishes under the glass tabletop. Order by picture if you want. The place is small so reservations are suggested.

Shiro
1505 Mission Street, Pasadena, CA. 626.799.4774. CC, $$$
Shiro is a relatively small place right off of Fair Oaks near South Pasadena. The seafood here is excellent for the most part. We started off with shrimp ravioli in mushroom sauce and carpaccio of snapper as appetizers. Then for entrees, the spread went from a spectacular Mexican grilled shrimp with curry that was subtle, yet mouthwatering; Alaskan halibut sauteed with a tempura batter served in a tomato tarragon sauce which I found light but flavorful; the fried catfish was a bit overpowering for the palate and the scallops in saffron didn't have much character, by contrast. Dessert was quite an experience from chocolate souffle with coffee ice cream to the ubiquitous creme brulee, among others.

Tokyo Lobby
13951 Carroll Way, Tustin, CA 92680. 714.731.6980. CC, $
Other locations in San Gabriel, CA and Hacienda Heights, CA.
Pretty much a favorite among Asian circles, this icon of Japanese cuisine isn't the best, but they serve terrific portions and the price just can't be beat. Most of the entrees are under $10 and that usually includes miso soup, pickled cabbage, and sometimes dessert too. Sushi or sashimi, teriyaki or tempura, they have it all. If seeing is believing, the menu is a tightly packed photo album. I'm actually surprised when you order by number, combo, etc., the waitstaff knows what they are (and there's over 100 variations!). Reservations for large groups recommended.

Tommy's Burgers
Various locations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, CA. $
Another Southern California institution. You'll die from the chili they slap onto the burgers, fries, hot dogs, and tamales, but you'll die happy. The chili is such a messy experience that they don't give you napkins with your order, they issue industrial paper towels! They claim to be world famous and there's an awful lot of evidence to support that claim: people used to line up around the corner at the original location and wait times to order and get your food would approach 30-45 minutes at peak hours.

Tortilla Flats
27792 Vista Del Lago, Mission Viejo, CA. 949.830.9980 $
1740 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA. 949.494.6588 $
This place is the place to be for their Taco Tuesday special 12 noon to 9pm. Of course, you gotta be 21. Talk about great tacos using shredded beef or chicken (not the ground stuff) hand made for 50 cents each! That's cheaper than Taco Bell! The only real requirement is that you order a drink. So, 3-6 tacos plus a drink or two comes out to $5-7 including tips to the waitress. You can't beat that. Also, if the good wasn't good enough, the Mission Viejo restaurant is situated next to Lake Mission Viejo, offering a relaxing view out the windows of the water and homes across the pond and the Laguna Beach one sits high enough above PCH to offer breathtaking ocean views. The place fills up quickly after 5pm for the happy hour goers.

Key: CC=Credit cards accepted; Typical per person: $=Less than $10, $$=$10-$20, $$$=$20-$40 $$$$=$40-$60, $$$$$=$60+

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