I’m one of the lucky ones--I eat and drink and explore restaurants for a living. I’ve been writing professionally about food for the last eleven years, contributing to print media like old newspapers and shiny magazines to now digital-only outlets. And though these days I’m based in San Francisco, I grew up in good ‘ole Orange County: I was born in Anaheim, raised in Fullerton, and spent plenty of time in The Golden City (but if I’m being honest, I’ve never once called it that).  Santana has always been a special city to me, especially culinarily—there’s just so much to explore. Every time I come down there’s something new. See below for a few of my favorite dining destinations, from the shiny and new to the old tried and true.

 

Taqueria De Anda

Taqueria De Anda is what ignited my passion for food—I’ve been going since I was a little kid in the 90s. Started by Rafael “Don Rafa” De Anda, who originally started off his business as a taco truck before opening the original brick-and-mortar in Fullerton. There are now locations all over Orange County, and the Santa Ana one is as good as the original. I’ve eaten more tacos in my life at Taqueria De Anda—carne asada con todo specifically, salsa roja always. Finish with a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of salt is optional but encouraged. If you’re extra hungry, the burritos hit hard as well. 

Address: 2610 W. Edinger Ave B, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Instagram: @taqueriadeanda

Plates of carne asada tacos topped with chopped onions, cilantro, and red salsa, served on corn tortillas with a side of lime wedges and sliced jalapeños on a red cafeteria tray at Taqueria De Anda in Santa Ana, California.

 

Darkroom

Darkroom opened at the end of 2024, and is the best new restaurant in Santa Ana, hands down. From co-chefs Drew Adams and Zach Scherer (who was the former chef-de-cuisine at Playground back in the day), the food is fun and funky and interesting and innovative. You’ll find interesting and unique flavor combinations and ideas, like Castelvetrano olives wrapped in merguez sausage before being breaded and deep-fried (a superb snack and start to a meal). Come with a few friends and order as much as possible from the menu.

Address: 3751 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite C, Santa Ana, CA 92704

Instagram: @we.are.darkroom

Olives wrapped in merquez breaded and deep-fried like little scotch eggs.

 

Brodard Express

Brodard Chateau is a restaurant in Garden Grove that specializes in central Vietnamese cuisine. The late great food critic Jonathan Gold turned me onto this place, which I’ve been frequenting for the past decade, specifically for its nem nuong cuon (grilled pork spring rolls). So when I learned they opened a small outpost in John Wayne Airport near gate 17 in Terminal B/C, I was floored. This is now my first and last bite when coming to Santa Ana.

Instagram: @brodard_express

Address: 18601 N. Airport Way #205, Santa Ana, CA 92707

Grilled Pork Spring Rolls

 

Alta Baja Market

Delilah Snell’s Alta Baja Market inside the 4th Street Market is one part grocery and one part café. You can come here to procure provisions for your next dinner party, from heirloom beans to salsas to Mexican wines. But if you can, try and come the last Sunday of the month where Snell does pozole for the people. Crimson red and served piping hot, this will cure the heaviest of hangovers. A hair-of-the-dog michelada could also help. 

Address: 201 E. 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Instagram: @altabajamarket

Close-up of a bowl of crimson red pozole rojo with hominy and tender pork in rich broth, served with a side of lime wedges, sliced radishes, shredded purple cabbage, jalapeños, and tostadas at Alta Baja Market in Santa Ana, California.

 

Burritos La Palma

In San Francisco, you’ll find the Mission burrito, which are large and hefty missiles, oftentimes clocking in at two pounds and filled with meat, beans, rice, and more. The Zacatecan burritos at Burritos La Palma are the foil to the foil-wrapped missiles up north: they’re small and slender, using soft and chewy handmade tortillas and are simply filled--refried beans and cheese is my favorite option. I can easily eat two or three (or five) of these in one sitting.

Address: 410 N. Bristol St. Unit D, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Instagram: @burritoslapalma

Three slender Zacatecan-style burritos wrapped in soft flour tortillas, served in a red basket lined with Burritos La Palma-branded paper, accompanied by a fresh green chile pepper and two small cups of red salsa.

 

Le Hut Dinette 

Le Hut Dinette is a cool Texas-inspired diner comes care of Brenda and Daniel Castillo of the famed Heritage Barbecue, one of The Best New-Wave Texas-Style Barbecue Joints in America according to Esquire Magazine. They’ve brought on chef Ryan Garlitos, the former chef-de-cuisine at the lauded  Taco Maria to run the kitchen—expect diner style favorites done up and done right, like patty melts made with prime brisket and fries cooked in beef fat. 

Address: 730 Poinsettia St. N Unit A, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Instagram: @lehutdinette

Grilled patty melt served with seasoned fries topped with melted cheese, sliced onions, and pickled peppers at Le Hut Dinette in Santa Ana, California.

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