Costa Mesa News: The Orange County Register

Woman who died in Santa Ana River in Fountain Valley was Tustin mother of 2 girls

Sydney Barragan — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 23:50:40 +0000

The woman whose body was pulled from the Santa Ana River in Fountain Valley on New Year’s Day was the mother of two girls, family members say.

The woman, identiifed by relatives as 39-year-old Alejandra Ramirez Torres, was first reported in the water near Warner Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa shortly before noon. Authorities said she was hollering for help, according to Fox11.

About 60 firefighters from Orange County, Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa fire departments responded to the scene, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Swift-water rescue teams later recovered Torres near Ellis Avenue, after she was carried approximately two miles in fast-moving water.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials said Torres was homeless at the time of her death. The circumstances that led to her entering the river were not known.

Torres had lived in Tustin, and leaves behind two daughters, ages 11 and 16, her family said on a GoFundMe established to help cover funeral expenses and provide support for the girls. The family could not be reached for comment Saturday.

“This sudden and heartbreaking loss has deeply affected our family, and we are doing everything we can to support Alejandra’s girls as they face an uncertain future without their mother,” the fundraiser, organized by Michelle Flores Norman, states.

Victor Torres, Alejandra’s cousin, said her daughters were involved in a bus crash in Running Springs in November, when a bus carrying 32 children overturned, CBS News reported.

“Her two girls have been through a lot recently,” Torres told the station. “Right now, they’re with the family. They’re pretty devastated. We’re trying to be there as much as we can for them in the future as well.”

Trading cards and connections in Orange County

Kaitlyn Schallhorn — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 23:31:34 +0000

Some of the biggest names in sports and collectible gaming are out in Orange County this weekend — in card form, that is.

The OC Card Show has taken over at the OC Fair & Event Center, bringing sports and popular gaming card enthusiasts together to connect and swap cards and memorabilia.

For many who have gathered at the OC Card Show event during the first weekend of January — or any of the more than a dozen previous similar events held in 2025 — card trading is more than just a hobby, said Robby Sanchez, the organizer and founder of OC Card Show.

Lamdon Yu organizes Pokemon cards he plans on selling at the OC Card Show, while his 4-month old son, Luka, watches in Costa Mesa on Saturday, January 3, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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“They’re looking at (cards) as an asset, too, ” said Sanchez, an Anaheim resident.

The OC Card Show launched in early 2025 and has already expanded to similar groups in San Diego and Portland, Sanchez said. Its events are for everyone — from those who have amassed gigantic collections over several years to those who are card-curious — and oftentimes, people travel from out of state to attend and browse the collections, he said.

“It’s more of the networking. You meet really wonderful people, and a lot of vendors come to us because we’ve established relationships, and we look at them like friends and family,” said Sanchez, who said he enjoys helping people find particular cards to add to their personal collection, or “PC” as it’s known in the card trading world.

Aside from cards, some vendors also bring memorabilia, such as signed baseball jerseys or Pokémon shirts.

For more information about OC Card Show, and to find information about future events, check out its social media: @occardshow on Instagram and OC Card Show on Facebook.

The card show continues Sunday, Jan. 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with $5 general admission and parking is $15.

Costa Mesa man charged with manslaughter in 2022 crash that killed a woman

City News Service — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 04:29:39 +0000

SANTA ANA — A 31-year-old Costa Mesa man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection with an alleged alcohol-fueled crash that killed a woman in March 2022.

Ramiro Rodriguezsegura was charged March 5 with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol level at or above the legal limit of .08%, all felonies. He also faces sentencing enhancement for allegedly inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.

Rodriguezsegura was arrested by Costa Mesa police on Monday, according to court records. The defendant is next due in court Jan. 14 for a pretrial hearing in the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

Rodriguezsegura is accused of killing 65-year-old Paula Ramirez in the collision on March 6, 2022, according to court records. His blood-alcohol level was .15, or nearly twice the legal limit, the criminal complaint alleges.

Further details about the collision and the victim were not immediately available from prosecutors or the California Highway Patrol.

Santa visits top holiday to-do lists for many OC families

Heather McRea — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 22:19:03 +0000

Looking angelic in Santa’s arms, 6-week-old Lottie Leurentop gets her first picture with Santa at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Sunday, December 21, 2025.(Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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At 6 weeks old, little Lottie Leurentop might not remember her visit with Santa Claus on Sunday at South Coast Plaza. But her parents will.

A photo and maybe a few minutes going over wishlists with Santa is a tradition for so many families, and plenty of them have been squeezing in visits with the big guy at Orange County’s malls ahead of Christmas Day.

South Coast Plaza has two elaborately decorated Santa experiences, one in the Carousel Court in the main section of the mall and one across Bear Street in the Macy’s Home Store Wing.

He’ll be in residence through Christmas Eve at several of the area’s shopping centers — we don’t ask questions about how that is possible, just be sure to check local websites for times and more information.

Toast Kitchen closes after more than seven years in Costa Mesa

Brock Keeling — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:28:06 +0000

After seven and a half years on Harbor Boulevard, Toast Kitchen and Bakery has permanently closed its doors. The Costa Mesa staple held its final service on Tuesday Dec. 16.

In a heartfelt announcement posted to its social media platforms, the owners shared that the decision was “incredibly heartbreaking” and “not taken lightly.”

Hungry? Sign up for The Eat Index, our weekly food newsletter, and find out where to eat and get the latest restaurant happenings in Orange County. Subscribe here.

While they didn’t provide a specific reason for the closure, they expressed gratitude to the community, stating, “It has been an honor to serve you, and we are deeply grateful for your support, your loyalty and the wonderful memories you have shared with us throughout the years.”

ALSO READ: After nearly 25 years, Gemmell’s in Dana Point announces closure

Opening in July 2019 with John Park as its inaugural chef (he’s now chef-owner of the new Rise Bagels in Irvine), it turned into a popular place for brunch along Harbor Boulevard over the last few years. Recent menu items had included avocado toast, soba noodle salad, grille cheese and tomato soup, Korean fried chicken sandwich, pork belly bowls, sisig burrito and more.

In 2022, Toast opened a Tustin location, which is still open for business.

Snoopy House tradition continues in Costa Mesa

Heather McRea — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:53:09 +0000

Diego Alonzo, 3, and his brother, Tomas Alonzo, 2, have their family photo taken with Santa and their mother, Dulce Alonzo, and her husband, Agustin Alonzo of Santa Ana during Costa Mesa’s Snoopy House Christmas display at the city’s Civic Center, December 14, 2025. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)

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In Costa Mesa this holiday season, the doghouse has been the place to be.

Families have been visiting the city’s beloved Snoopy House, a display of characters from the storied cartoon strip that has been part of the city’s holiday celebrations for decades.

Along with the festive tableau, there has been entertainment and writing letters to Santa Claus, who makes an appearance to check in and take photos.

The nightly events wrap up Dec. 19 at City Hall.

Status Update: Manolo Blahnik is one of several new stores open at South Coast Plaza

Samantha Gowen — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:00:55 +0000

Manolo Blahnik is newly open at South Coast Plaza. The boutique — which features the brand’s luxury stilettos and classy mules — is a West Coast exclusive, mall reps said. Find it at Level 1, between the Jewel and Carousel courts. (Photo courtesy of South Coast Plaza)

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South Coast Plaza is sending out “come shop here” vibes with a host of shops newly opened and more coming next year.

The Costa Mesa retail center recently welcomed Manolo Blahnik. The boutique — which features the brand’s luxury stilettos and classy mules — is a West Coast exclusive, reps said. (Find it at Level 1, between Jewel and Carousel courts.)

Also newly opened are Stone Island, Mango and Alo.

Los Angeles-based Alo sells studio-to-street apparel and “wellness essentials.” (Level 1, Macy’s Home store wing)

The Italian-born Stone Island carries “cult-favorite menswear,” SCP says. The boutique showcases the brand’s “textile innovation, garment dyeing and performance-driven design.” (Level 2, Din Tai Fung wing)

Mango sells contemporary apparel, shoes and accessories with a Mediterranean flair. (Level 1, Din Tai Fung wing)

Also at South Coast, the remodeled Harry Winston boutique is again open for customers.

In the weeks ahead, shoppers can also look for:

—Venchi: the Italian chocolatier features sweets, chocolates and gelato.

—Collegium Café: an Orange County footwear brand.

Coming next year:

—Heytea: A cult favorite Chinese tea house that features creamy concoctions.

—Pura Vida Miami: health-conscious meals with fruit, vegetables and proteins.

—Fueguia 1833 Patagonia: the West Coast’s first shop for the Argentinian fragrance house.

Last month, South Coast added Zara Man, which made its U.S. debut in Orange County, and Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and clothing brand, Skims.

Eichholtz, a European furniture and lighting retailer, is open at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa. (Photo courtesy of Eichholtz and Continental Realty Corp.)

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Eichholtz, a European furniture and lighting retailer, is open at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa. (Photo courtesy of Eichholtz and Continental Realty Corp.)

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Eichholtz opens at SoCo in Costa Mesa

European furniture and lighting store Eichholtz is open at South Coast Collection in Costa Mesa.

The retailer signed an 8,423-square-foot lease with property owner Continental Realty Corp.

Eichholtz Orange County considers the Costa Mesa store a flagship showroom, carrying a furniture for bedroom, living room and office spaces, as well as cabinetry, wall art and accessories.

Address: 3303-3323 Hyland Ave.

Lydia and John Clarke, owners of LJ’s Lil’ Cafe in Orange, are giving back to the hospital that helped save their son’s life. The Clarkes are setting aside $1 for every seasonal drink purchased at their cafe in December. Proceeds will go to Rady CHOC in Orange. (Photo courtesy of the LJ’s Lil’ Cafe)

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Cafe giving back to CHOC

The owners of LJ’s Lil’ Cafe in Orange are giving back to the hospital that helped save their infant son.

Lydia and John Clarke are setting aside $1 for every seasonal drink purchased in December at their cafe. Proceeds will go to Rady CHOC in Orange.

LJ’s Lil’ Cafe opened in late November at 3070 W. Chapman Ave., Suite C, in the small shopping center tucked against the 5 freeway and across the street from the Renaissance Uptown Orange apartment complex. The cafe got its start in a shed outside a Home Depot in Cypress. The Clarkes now operate that coffee stand and the cafe in Orange.

The Clarkes said they wanted to give back to CHOC, where their son, Jack, spent the earliest months of his life, first in the neonatal intensive care unit and then with followup care for a rare liver disease.

The cafe serves scratch-made breakfast burritos and salsas, sandwiches and a variety of beverages.

For more information, email orange@ljslilcafe.com or call 657-282-0027.

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union has opened its annual Member Education Award scholarships program. The applicant portal will be open until Jan. 31, 2026. (Photo courtesy of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union)

Scholarship applications open at credit union

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in Tustin has opened its annual Member Education Award scholarships program.

The applicant portal is open until Jan. 31, 2026.

SchoolsFirst FCU awards scholarships annually to eligible high school seniors, college freshmen and college sophomores to help offset the cost of books, tuition and other educational expenses.

Applicants must be SchoolsFirst FCU members and enrolled in an accredited college or university for the fall term and have completed no more than 60 college credits.

In 2025, SchoolsFirst FCU awarded $210,500 in scholarships to 248 students.

For more information or to apply, go to schoolsfirstfcu.org/about-us/member-education-award.

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California opened its Orange County headquarters and community space on Tuesday, Dec. 2 in Anaheim. (Chad Salvador for AJSOCAL)

New HQ for AJSOCAL

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California opened its Orange County headquarters and community space on Tuesday, Dec. 2 in Anaheim.

The new offices mark “a significant expansion of AJSOCAL’s footprint and services,” the organization said.

The facility will serve as a community hub for AJSOCAL’s ongoing immigration support, housing assistance, domestic violence resources, legal services and multilingual hotlines.

The hotlines are offered in eight languages: English (888-349-9695), Chinese (800-520-2356), Korean (800-867-3640), Khmer (800-867-3126), Tagalog (855-300-2552), Hindi (855-971-2552), Thai (800-914-9583) and Vietnamese (714-477-2958).

The organization said Orange County is home to 431,955 foreign-born Asian Americans with 70% of them speaking a non-English language at home.

For more information, call 213-977-7500 or go to ajsocal.org

Toy drive launches for kids

Nuvision Credit Union is nearly done with its annual NuvisionCares Holiday Toy Drive, which ends today, Dec. 15. The toy drive supports the annual Toys for Tots event, which serves families throughout Southern California. Nuvision is collecting toy donations at its 13 branch locations in Southern California. For more go to nuvisionfederal.com/event/nuvisioncares-toys-for-tots-drive-ca

Mentors sought

The Dragon Kim Fellowship is looking for experienced adult mentors from the community to work with high school students for its annual fellowship program.

Projects topics typically include musical and visual arts, academics, business, environment, mental and physical health, STEM and robotics.

Mentors will be asked to attend an orientation, three leadership trainings, participate in weekly check-in sessions and visit projects in action from March through August. The total time commitment is about 25 hours over six months.

In 2025, the foundation hosted a record 63 fellowship projects run by 138 high school students in three states. In 10 years, more than 300 adults have mentored 600 Dragon Kim fellows.

To apply, go to bit.ly/4qJw6Rk. The deadline to apply is Feb. 9.

Larry D. Dick is the newly elected board president for the Municipal Water District of Orange County. (Photo courtesy of MWDOC)

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Larry D. Dick is the newly elected board president for the Municipal Water District of Orange County. (Photo courtesy of MWDOC)

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On board

Larry D. Dick is the new board president for the Municipal Water District of Orange County. The board also re-elected Jeff Thomas to continue serving as vice president. Dick’s priorities include advancing regional water supply projects and enhancing emergency preparedness programs, according to a board statement. Their two-year terms started Dec. 11.

Orange County United Way and BMO employees worked together on Giving Tuesday to craft seven no-sew blankets and write encouragement cards for people in Orange County experiencing homelessness. (Photo courtesy of OC United Way)

Good works

The second annual “No lunch” Lunch raised $303,402 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. The event, attended by nearly 400 guests, featured a simple meal of soup and bread provided by Antonella’s Ristorante. The money raised will go toward providing food to community members facing food insecurity in the county. To contribute to the cause, go to feedoc.org/donate

Orange County United Way and BMO employees worked together on Giving Tuesday to craft seven no-sew blankets and write encouragement cards. The blankets and cards will be shared with people in Orange County experiencing homelessness. According to the most recent Point in Time Count, more than 7,300 people are experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com . Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.

Arrest made in drive-thru stabbing death in Santa Ana

City News Service — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:31:31 +0000

A 35-year-old man suspected of a fatal stabbing in the drive-thru lane of a Santa Ana restaurant was arrested, authorities said on Thursday, Dec 11.

Homicide detectives identified Diego Sartori of Anaheim as the suspect and found him Wednesday, Dec. 10, at a motel in Costa Mesa.

He was booked at the city jail on suspicion of murder, police said.

Officers were dispatched about 4:40 p.m. Saturday, Ded. 6, to Pollo Campero at 2330 S. Bristol St. to investigate a report of a man down and bleeding.

Christopher Abrego, 43, of Bakersfield was found on the ground in the eatery’s drive-thru lane, police said.

“The investigation revealed that Sartori and the victim … were involved in an altercation before the victim was stabbed and killed,” Santa Ana police said.

MAP: Forget coffee, these 5 hot chocolates deserve the spotlight this winter

Charlie Vargas — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:35:37 +0000

Let’s face it, winter in Southern California isn’t as chilly as the rest of the country, but that doesn’t mean we don’t want that cozy, warm feeling we get from sipping a hot beverage this season.

Coffee may get all the hype for its caffeinated boost, but hot chocolate deserves its own high praise.

The hot chocolate we know today didn’t appear overnight; it evolved over centuries. Mesoamericans such as the Mayans and Aztecs believed that chocolate was a divine gift from the gods, and they may have been onto something.

The chocolate that early Ingenious tribes drank wasn’t served sweet or hot. It was drunk as a cold, bitter, energizing beverage spiced with chili peppers known as xocolatl, which the Aztecs used for rituals, to prepare for war, and as medicine for ailments such as coughs and muscle pain.

The exact arrival of chocolate in Spain is disputed, but by the late 1500s, the Spanish experienced a chocolate craze that led to their version of hot chocolate. The drink was served hot, sweetened, mixed with cinnamon and other common spices and flavorings, and without chili peppers. Then, in the 1700s, Sir Hans Sloane, an 18th-century Irish physician, while in Jamaica, adapted the beverage by adding milk and sugar, paving the way for the hot chocolate we drink today.

Twists on this ancient beverage are still happening at coffee shops and restaurants across the world, including in Southern California. Some shops are still serving spicy hot chocolates, while others innovate the beverage by adding ingredients such as lavender, caramel and chocolate from other regions of the world.

Here are five unique hot chocolates to keep you cozy throughout the winter in Southern California.

The Raymond served at Amara Cafe & Restaurant in Pasadena. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Amara Café & Restaurant

7:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 55 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena. 626-744-1765. amaracafe.com.

Amara Café & Restaurant in Pasadena is not only a must-try for its Venezuelan cuisine, known for its cachapas, the savory-sweet corn pancakes, but it also has an excellent hot chocolate. The shop serves a couple of hot chocolates made with Chef Amara Barroeta’s own recipe, which includes Criollo cacao beans, organic cocoa powder, and cane sugar. Amara Café & Restaurant serves a few hot chocolates, including a spicy Mexican one that packs a serious kick, but the one that stole the spotlight was the Raymond. This Venezuelan hot chocolate blend has a dark, thick caramel texture with a s’mores-style marshmallow that melts into the cup and your mouth with every sip. The Raymond is ultra chocolatey, so if you’re not a certified chocolate lover, beware. The restaurant also sells a pack for you to make at home when it’s too cold or gloomy to venture out.

A vanilla hot chocolate served at Arcade Downtown in Riverside. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Arcade Downtown

7 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily. 3870 Main St #101, Riverside, CA 92501. 951-394-3809. arcadecoffeeroasters.com.

Some hot chocolate recipes experiment with how much chocolate richness can be packed into a cup, but what happens when the beverage is devoid of chocolate altogether? Before you pick up your pitchforks and gather an angry mob with banners exclaiming, “I thought this was a hot chocolate round up!” hear me out. Arcade Downtown in Riverside serves hot chocolate with vanilla only and your choice of milk, crafting a beverage that tastes like cookies and cream, but with slightly less of the cookie flavor. The result is a beautiful white beverage that resembles a warm cup of melted snow and is a twist on a classic that usually centers on chocolate, making it a rarity in its own right. Are we ready to move on from hot chocolate altogether? Of course not, but expanding our taste buds while staying cozy never hurt anyone.

The sipping hot chocolate served at Chocovivo in Los Angeles. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register/SCNG)

ChocoVivo

Noon- 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Noon- 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 12469 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles. 310-845-6259. chocovivo.com.

Chocovivo in Los Angeles serves a hot chocolate that is closer to the beverage’s indigenous roots, sourcing its cacao beans from a family-owned farm in Tabasco, Mexico. The shop’s chocolate beverages, along with its other products, are bean-to-bar, meaning the cacao beans are stone-ground using lava stones, just as they were over 2,000 years ago. Because the chocolate is minimally processed, it maintains its purity and nutrients and is made fresh every week. The shop does not use any flavorings, extracts or additional cacao butter, so you can really taste the natural flavors. Chocovivo customers go through three steps when ordering, beginning with choosing their drink, which ranges from American- or European-style hot chocolate to frozen or iced chocolate. Then they can choose the cacao percentage they want, and for the last step, their milk choice. The Sipping Hot Chocolate on the menu is a European iteration made with a thick shot of hot chocolate. I went with a 58% cacao level chocolate dubbed the Mayan, made with cinnamon, almonds and chiles, giving it thickness and spicy cinnamon taste reminiscent of champurrado.

The Español hot chocolate served at El Moro in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register/SCNG)

El Moro Churrería

6 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. northgatemarket.com.

El Moro Churrería originated in Mexico City and has been in the region since 1935. It opened its first U.S. location at the Mercado González Northgate Market in Costa Mesa late in 2023 and plans to open another in Echo Park. The Churrería, which serves hot chocolates made with organic Tabasco cocoa alongside vegan churros, has its origins in Spain. In 1933, Francisco Iriarte, who arrived in Mexico with his churro recipe featuring cinnamon sugar, elevated the snack throughout the region and the country. The Español is a sweet and thick hot chocolate made to be the perfect dipping beverage for the shop’s churros. Top the beverage with marshmallows for that extra layer of decadence.

The lavender hot chocolate served at Pandor Artisan Bakery and Café in Irvine. (Photo by Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Pandor Artisan Bakery and Café

7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.13124 Jamboree Road, Irvine. 949-535-0777. pandorbakery.com.

Pandor Artisan Bakery and Café has a few locations in Orange County, serving French fare and pastries. Among the tasty beverages are the cafe’s hot chocolates. While the shop sells a killer hot chocolate truffle, the most unique iteration of the beverage is the lavender hot chocolate. The beverage offers subtle hints of lavender, the fragrant flowering evergreen plant in the mint family, but lets the chocolate flavor do all the work. Pair it with one of the shop’s pastries for the best sweet tooth satisfaction.

9 Orange County restaurants serving peak cozy comfort food

Brock Keeling — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 18:00:04 +0000

While Orange County might not exactly have what the rest of the country calls sweater weather — let’s go with long-pants season or closed-toe shoe weather — that slight chill in the air is enough to shift cravings. It reminds our palates that even here in the sun, winter has arrived, and with it a desire for hearty, bone-warming foods.

From spots serving steaming congee and classic chicken pot pie to tender meatballs and fragrant bowls of pho, here are nine restaurants in Orange County that will get you in the cozy mood, be it 65 or 75 degrees outside.

The cassoulet at Butcher’s House in Costa Mesa. (Photo courtesy of Butcher’s House)

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The cassoulet at Butcher’s House in Costa Mesa. (Photo courtesy of Butcher’s House)

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Butcher’s House

3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa; butchershouse.com

Highlights at this French brasserie include onion soup topped with an emmental granite, a Toulouse sausage dish with mashed potatoes and au jus, a beef cheek paired with mustard seed mashed potatoes.

But if there was a heavyweight champ of French comfort fare, it would be the cassoulet, and this Costa Mesa spot treats it with the care and reverence it deserves. It’s not just a stew; it’s a slow-simmered mélange of house-made sausage, duck confit and pork loin, all of it resting in a bed of Tarbais beans. True to the tradition of southern France, the hearty dish is twice baked in order to create that essential, shattering golden crust to unleash the savory warmth hiding within.

Caldo de res at El Maguey in San Juan Capistrano. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)

El Maguey

31481 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano; elmagueysjc.com

This Mexican restaurant has been serving comforting fare since 1986. Guests can look forward to burritos galore, an adobada plate with chorizo and potatoes, enchiladas de mole and fajitas served with chicken, steak and shrimp.

But the soups are where this spot shines brightest during the chillier months. My favorite is the albondigas, a meatball soup that, due to demand, sells out quickly. When it’s snapped up, I opt for the equally tasty caldo de res. It comes to the table steaming and stacked with fatty, tender chunks of beef swimming in a savory broth, alongside carrots, chayote and half a corn cob. Use the accompanying tortillas (corn or flour) to sop up every drop or build your own juicy taco right there at the table.

Le Hut Dinette’s patty melt with tallow fries. (Photo by Brock Keeling, SCNG)

Le Hut Dinette

730 Poinsettia St., Santa Ana; lehutdinette.com

Few eateries are as synonymous with coziness as the American diner. This one, conceived by the folks behind Heritage Barbecue, features fare by chef Ryan Garlitos who uses his Filipino-American heritage to influence his work with phenomenal results. Coconut creamed corn with chile oil and aged gouda, eggplant lasagna with smoked brisket bolognese and beef rib for two are a few rib-sticking highlights.

Of most importance, Garlitos’ patty melt, one of America’s greatest achievements, is the real star. It’s made with juicy ground brisket, caramelized onions, American cheese, pickles and a special sauce, all sandwiched between toasted milk bread baked next door from its neighbor, 61 Hundred Bread. Don’t miss out on the Japanese milk bread pudding for dessert.

ALSO SEE: Here are 10 places to warm up with comfort food in LA County

Lasagna classica at Oliver’s Osteria and Oliver’s Trattoria in Laguna Beach and Irvine, respectively. (Photo by Brock Keeling, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Oliver’s Osteria

853 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach; olivers-osteria.com

For those who want to go above and beyond the classic red-sauce joint, chef Erik De Marchi’s Oliver’s Osteria (and Oliver’s Trattoria, his 2023 Irvine spinoff) hits the mark. The parmigiana, a dish of baked eggplant layered with mozzarella, fontina and tomato sauce, is top-notch. And his pappardelle al mascarpone featuring a creamy mascarpone sauce with porcini and shiitake mushrooms, is an ideal cure for the winter blues.

However, the bechamel-based lasagna takes the humble dish to stratospheric levels. In lieu of the tomato-based meat sauce dolloped with ricotta lasagna found at many an Italian-American restaurant, the one here layers creamy bechamel with bolognese for a traditional Emilia-Romagna interpretation of the dish. The crisped spinach gives the lasagna the faint hint of lightness, but make no mistake: this is one deeply comforting meal.

“Chicken parm” at Ospi in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Brock Keeling, SCNG)

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“Chicken parm” at Ospi in Costa Mesa. (Photo by Brock Keeling, SCNG)

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Ospi

234 E 17th St., Costa Mesa; ospi.com/costamesa

With eight different types of pizza on the menu, ranging from the sweet-and-spicy soppressata with honey and chili to the deeply savory mushroom pie with smoked scamorza, taleggio, maitake mushroom and caramelized onion, Ospi, a relative newcomer to Orange County from a “Top Chef” alum, offers homey Southern Italian fare.

But for something truly memorable, I recommend the chicken parm. It’s essentially a butter chicken prepared in the “parm” style. It features a pounded chicken breast that gets fried golden-brown in a butter frier, then brushed with browned butter, followed by layers of mozzarella, a dusting of parmesan and a spicy vodka sauce. Also worth noting are the Neapolitan meatballs, spherical wonders of beef and pork highlighted with ricotta and pine nuts.

James Beard Foundation recognizes Pho 79 on May 6. (Photography by Leonard Ortiz)

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James Beard Foundation recognizes Pho 79 on May 6. (Photography by Leonard Ortiz)

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Pho 79

9941 Hazard Ave., Garden Grove; pho79.com

Noted as the first Orange County restaurant to win a James Beard Foundation award, this Little Saigon eatery is known for its pho. The lauded spot offers a variety of steaming bowls of its titular fare, including beef meatballs, chicken, shrimp and meat-free iterations.

Yet its oxtail pho, in particular, remains a standout. As food critic Brad A. Johnson wrote in 2017, “The oxtail is a massive bone with lots and lots of tender slow-cooked meat, more than enough to share.” What’s more, the lauded eatery’s famously complex broth adds even more rich, beefy flavor. Word to the wise: Get in line early, if possible. Pho 79’s oxtail has been known to sell out daily.

Chicken pot pie and kale salad at Pop Pie in Costa Mesa (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

ALSO SEE: Where to find warming comfort foods in the Inland Empire

Pop Pie Co.

270 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa; poppieco.com

For bone-warming food on the go, this spot is a must-visit. Specializing in sweet pies and savory pocket pies, it’s the perfect answer when a leisurely, sit-down meal isn’t what you’re looking for. The menu is overall fantastic, but the savory highlights really shine. Try the steak and ale, red chili pork pie, a sausage roll (a criminally underrated snack) and the excellent chicken pot pie.

What makes its chicken iteration so good is its golden, two-pronged crust. As Johnson noted in 2019, this pie is “masterful ” because it technically has two crusts: “a sturdy short crust on the bottom to contain the fillings and a flaky butter crust on top.” Sweet pies, prepared like traditional round pies, include a salted caramel apple crumble and a chocolate chess pecan pie, to name two.

House Congee; beef rib with sweet pork floss, fried garlic, crispy onions, shimeji mushrooms, scallions and egg yolk at Vox Kitchen in Fountain Valley, CA, on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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The Vox Kitchen

3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa; 16161 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley; eatvox.com

Part of the Kei Concepts roster of restaurants, the Vox Kitchen offers such warming fare as a mushroom and beef stir fry, house garlic noodles with garlic butter and scallions, rib-bone soup with potatoes, mushrooms and glass noodles. If you really want maximum comfort, its congee sets the bar for cozy, hearty fare. The savory rice porridge, ideal for sick days at home or particularly chilly nights, can come with either bone-in beef rib or crab. Additional accouterments include pork floss, fried garlic, onions, shimeji mushrooms, scallions and an egg yolk.

Seolleongtang, a Korean ox-bone noodle soup, from Yuk Dae Jang in Irvine (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Seolleongtang, a Korean ox-bone noodle soup, from Yuk Dae Jang in Irvine (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Yuk Dae Jang

3851 Alton Parkway, Irvine; instagram.com/yukdaejangusa

Pork-rib kimchi hot pot. Bulgogi. Purple rice. Dumplings. This Irvine spot offers Korean comfort food galore. Three notable dishes include seolleongtang, a rich beef noodle soup wherein Yuk Dae Jang simmers its bones until every bit of collagen and flavor surrenders to the broth. The result is both unctuous and milky, yet surprisingly light thanks to a sharp tangle of scallions cutting through the beefiness. The spicy beef noodle soup, or yukgaejang, is also a winner.

If you’re dining with a crowd, I would be remiss not to demand that you also order the budae jjigae (Army base stew), a bubbling, spicy hot pot packed with kimchi, spam, sausages, mushrooms, instant ramen noodles and cheese.