Chronic Tacos

Mexican Grill

by Claire Cote

I’m always on the prowl for the perfect taco. Meat or fish marinated to tender perfection, melty cheese, crisp lettuce, fresh avocado, all wrapped inside a fragile tortilla. It’s somehow the perfect food. It’s quick and simple and always a good idea. Lucky for me, Chronic Tacos serves up a mean version. And the best part is… it’s DIY. Another best part? They don’t just have tacos.

A stone’s throw from Doheny State Beach and minutes from the Dana Point Harbor, this taco shop offers authentic-style Mexican food presented as a skeleton menu of tacos, burritos, salads and bowls. It’s the choose-your-own-adventure of food. Want a salad topped with grilled chicken, fresh lettuce and tomato? Go for it. Have a hankering for a burrito bursting with beans, rice and cheese? You got it.

On a recent visit I sampled Chronic Taco’s new meatless option, Carne Vegano, which is completely natural plant proteins seasoned and sautéed. Versatile enough to fill a burrito or top a salad, it’s light and tasty — the perfect option for a meatless diner and delicious enough for even meat-lovers. I also enjoyed the mahi-mahi taco, prepared with creamy Baja sauce, spicy pico de gallo and fresh cabbage. It’s a marvelous mouthful.

One of 25 locations in Southern California, the Dana Point joint also boasts a large patio (pet-friendly!) over-looking PCH, as well as a selection of beer on tap, from Lagunitas IPA to Bud Light. The restaurant’s produce is prepared fresh daily and the mahi-mahi is beer-battered or sautéed to order. With breakfast and lunch served all day, it’s an ideal stop before heading down for a day on the water.

Chronic Tacos dishes out weekday specials that are hard to beat. Monday Madness features a burrito, chips and a drink for a mere $7.99. Taco Tuesday delivers $1.99 tacos and Wednesday Unwrapped offers customers a choice of salad or tostada bowl and a drink for $7.99. They also serve hand-burritos, for smaller appetites, nacho french fries (exactly what it sounds like!) and flaky churro bites for dessert. Chronic Tacos is quick, delicious, and easy on the wallet. Fellow taco hunters, look no further.

El Adobe de Capistrano

El Adobe de Capistrano invites you to stay awhile.

Relax, let the attentive staff take care of you, and enjoy a break from the daily grind with a classic margarita, glass of wine, or your favorite beverage. Wood paneled ceilings, iron railings, and tall, airy windows create a warm, gracious ambience that captures the essence of old world hospitality.

Those familiar with the local area need no introduction to the restaurant’s rich history. El Adobe was a favorite spot of former President Richard Nixon during his administration. It’s said that the Mexican dishes prepared exclusively for him by the chef inspired the restaurant’s transition from continental to Mexican cuisine. Located in the heart of San Juan Capistrano, one block from the Mission and Los Rios Historic District, El Adobe has been recognized as a California State Historical Landmark. The walls forming its cocktail lounge were once part of the original Miguel Yorba Adobe.

Chef Carlos Gutierrez sources only fresh, top quality ingredients, which is evident in his dishes. We started our lunch with light and crispy chips and El Adobe’s irresistible salsa and addictive guacamole. The house guacamole was prepared tableside with whole avocadoes spiced to our liking – mild, medium, or hot – then swirled with a fork and topped with queso fresco. We also sampled the Ceviche, beautifully seasoned to allow its natural ocean flavors to shine through. 

Main course portions are generous and come with tortillas, rice, and either pinto, black, or charro beans, a delicious vegetarian option made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The Fajitas are a customer favorite, served sizzling on a cast iron skillet in a savory marinade that highlights the meat’s flavor and tenderness. The tasty Carne Asada, 8 ounces of mesquite grilled Top Sirloin, came drizzled with zesty Argentinian chimichurri sauce, a colorful assortment of crisp, steamed vegetables, and fluffy Mexican rice.

For dessert, the Sweet Plantains in bourbon caramel sauce was the height of decadence. The Caramel Churros, always a big hit with kids, were a sweet, crunchy treat filled with creamy caramel, coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a scoop of ice cream. 

Along with its extensive menu, El Adobe features catering and banquet options that can be customized to meet your individual needs. Multiple private dining rooms and an inviting covered courtyard make it a preferred venue for special events and weddings.

31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
(949) 493-1163 | ElAdobeDeCapistrano.com

Jade China Chinese Cuisine

by Roxanne Holland

What a delightful surprise to discover the recently opened Jade China Chinese Cuisine restaurant located in San Juan Capistrano’s Plaza Del Obispo.

You’ll feel as if you’ve entered an oasis of serenity at Jade. The restaurant is beautifully appointed with stacked rock walls, art-element mirrors and tastefully positioned chrome trim that meshes seamlessly to create a calm, cool vibe. The food is the best Chinese I’ve experienced outside of China and is comparable in flavor and presentation to a famous Beverly Hills destination (that shall go unmentioned) at a fraction of the price!

Once you’re seated, the table is served a generous portion of fried wonton noodles and sweet sauce. Jade China’s tasty variety was the perfect beginning to a pleasurable dining experience.

We started with the Minced Chicken in Lettuce, but elected to substitute tofu in place of the chicken. The beautifully seasoned tofu was topped with a delicious plum sauce which paired nicely with the cold, crisp lettuce. For the main course we sampled Twinkle Walnut Shrimp, which we were told by the restaurant’s manager, Jeff, is one of its most popular dishes. After biting into the lightly battered sensations, I wanted to have them 7 days a week. I’m not privy to what goes into the “Chef’s Special Sauce,” but it’s nothing short of spectacular. Next up was the Black Pepper Beef Tenderloin, presented tableside with crunchy-fresh green beans. The beef was melt-in-your-mouth tender with just the right amount of kick!

Jade China Chinese Cuisine has also made an effort to cater to guests with special dietary needs and those seeking healthier choices. All dishes can be made gluten free and the restaurant offers plenty of options for both vegetarians and vegans. For the health conscious set, a variety of menu items are made available without oil or sodium. Parents will also be happy to know that there’s a kids menu geared just toward the little ones.

Jade serves up a selection of sake, beer, wine, champagne, tea and fruit smoothies to complement your meal. The restaurant offers take-out, delivery and catering for parties of 10 or more. Stop by for a delicious dining experience anytime from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily and til 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Food&Drink

Broken Yolk Cafe

A fresh start to your day awaits at the Broken Yolk Cafe. As the Mission Viejo location celebrates its one-year anniversary this month, south Orange County folks have come to learn what San Diegans have known since 1979 — that  the Broken Yolk definitely has huevos! Having served more than 20,000 eggs each month and over 110,000 customers during the past year at the Mission Viejo location alone, the restaurant’s undeniable success can be attributed to its fresh fare, generous portions, reasonable prices, and family-friendly (and pet-friendly) atmosphere.

Owner German Fabregas explains that the Broken Yolk Cafe strives to provide guests with the best possible experience — from the moment they arrive at the front door until they’ve finished their last bites. Every detail has been considered, including complimentary coffee while you wait on weekends to a willingness to accommodate special dietary requests without hesitation. The restaurant’s cozy vibe feels more like a small town diner that welcomes its customers by name than a chain with 17 locations. The upbeat and attentive wait staff is genuinely happy to serve you and the menu caters to customers from toddlers to seniors.

The Broken Yolk’s commitment to fresh, flavorful food at a great value was apparent as my husband and I recently sampled several of the restaurant’s most popular breakfast dishes. Everything from juices to sauces and potatoes to gravy are squeezed, mixed, boiled and prepared from scratch daily. Each of the menu’s thirteen omelets is made with four eggs to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites and the homefries and hashbrowns are made on-site each morning.

As an eggs benedict fan, I’ve enjoyed some tasty renditions in my day and the Broken Yolk’s updated twists on this classic dish are no exception. For a sinfully decadent version of French toast, I’d highly recommend the restaurant’s Tiki Toast, boasting three mountain high slices of golden Hawaiian sweet bread topped with strawberries, blueberries, caramel drizzle and coconut. The Mom Omelete is a great choice for vegetarians and a hit with the ladies, packed full of avocado, mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, alfalfa sprouts and finished with sour cream and housemade salsa.  For a light and healthy option that’s equally satisfying, the Wellness Wraps will not disappoint. These spinach tortillas filled with scrambled egg whites, sautéed spinach, roasted red bell peppers and feta cheese are a restaurant favorite for both breakfast and lunch.

The Broken Yolk Cafe serves breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7-days-a-week. Be sure to inquire about the loyalty program because once you’ve eaten there, you’ll certainly be coming back!

28621 Marguerite Pkwy.  | Mission Viejo  | 949.388.0292  | TheBrokenYolkCafe.com 

The Legendary Swallow’s Inn

TLD: How long have you been associated with Swallow’s Inn?
Grimes: I started out here as a doorman back in 1994. I love it here. I have poured my heart and soul into this place for more than 20 years and worked my way up to GM a few years back.

TLD: Congratulations on Swallow’s Inn being recognized as the “2015 Best Dive Bar in OC!” What sets you apart?
Grimes: It’s our atmosphere. Anyone who walks into Swallow’s can feel right at home. Our laid back bar appeals to such a wide variety of clientele, from cowboys to bikers, surfers to professionals. You never know who might walk in the door or be sitting on the next barstool. That keeps things interesting!

TLD: Live entertainment has always been a big draw for patrons of the Swallow’s Inn. How do you maintain a fresh and relevant lineup that appeals to varying musical tastes?
Grimes: We make sure our entertainment provides a bit of something for everyone. We feature a DJ and Country dancing on Mondays. On Tuesdays, we roll in an entirely different crowd with our Top 40 DJ. Wednesdays have been the Swallow’s Karaoke night for over 20 years now. Thursday and Friday nights we have Country bands playing live. Saturday afternoons from 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., we have live Rock and Roll bands and a Country Western band that hits the stage after 8:30 p.m.

TLD: Can you share a little about your food service options?
Grimes: Most people don’t know we offer Mexican fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner most days. On Monday nights, we feature a delicious $12, 8 oz. Top Sirloin steak dinner. Tuesday nights are Taco Tuesdays with $1 street tacos and $2 Macho Tacos. Lisa’s Burgers are served Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons.

TLD: What does being part of the iconic Swallow’s Inn mean to you?
Grimes: I love the people. I am still amazed by locals, many of whom are middle-aged, who walk into Swallow’s for the first time. Their eyes get big and their smile gets wide as they take in their first view of Swallow’s Inn. They’ll say, “I’ve lived here all of my life, but have never been in.” They’ll say,“I don’t know why I’ve waited so long.” It’s satisfying to watch people have such a good time at our place. It makes me feel grateful!

Swallow’s Inn
31786 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA
949.493.3188 | SwallowsInn.com

Los Patios Mexican Cocina
By Donia Moore

Escape south of the border without ever having to leave Orange County! Your ticket to authentic Mexican cuisine is just minutes away at Los Patios Mexican Cocina in the Historic Old City Plaza in San Clemente.

Carlos Frutos opened Los Patios in 2002. Born and raised in the restaurant industry in Mexico City, he’s honed a talent for matching the rich flavors of fresh ingredients with piquant spices. Carlos has traveled from Guadalajara to Ensenada and Cancun to Mazatlan to bring customers delightful and subtly sophisticated dishes that are representative of his native country.

Los Patios has received the honor of having been voted “Best Mexican Food” in San Clemente by local newspapers… and for good reason. During my recent visit, I enjoyed the traditional Aztecan Molcajete of grilled pork, steak, chicken, and shrimp served steaming hot on a lava rock plate. The dish was both delicious and satisfying. I also sampled the vegetarian Spinach Enchiladas which combined sautéed fresh spinach and tomatillos, garnished with poblano peppers in a creamy pesto sauce — divine.

I highly recommend trying Alida’s Favorite, named after Carlos’s lovely wife, and of the most popular dishes on the menu. This grilled chicken breast and shrimp entrée is sautéed in a flavorful garlic chipotle sauce. For a twist on the traditional, Los Patios offers Rellenos Del Mar, with two poblano chiles stuffed with crab, scallops, shrimp and cheese — a fantastic choice for seafood lovers.

The friendly, knowledgeable staff made my experience at Los Patios that much more enjoyable. Carlos encourages customer suggestions and feedback from diners and has even collaborated with them to create new dishes. The Queso Fundido with shrimp and scallops, for example, was born of a joint effort between servers and patrons and remains one of the most popular appetizers at the restaurant.

Los Patios features $1 street tacos on Taco Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and all-you-can-eat Endless Enchiladas for just $9.99 on Thursdays. Happy Hour food and drink specials are available from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The kiddos can also get in on the action with full meals for only $5.95 on the Amiguitos menu. Los Patios also offers a completely customizable catering menu for your next gathering or special event.

The Point – Dana Point
By Shelley Hudson

Looking for a spot to meet for dinner and catch up? Well, a few weeks back, a girlfriend and I decided to do just that at The Point. Crowning Dana Point’s Blue Lantern-PCH hilltop for over three years now, this restaurant and bar is the perfect family-friendly, live music venue with fantastic food, reasonable prices and a coastal casual vibe.

My friend arrived first and scored a banquette on the patio surrounding a cozy fire pit where we could enjoy the music from Tuesday’s Open Mic Night. With the balmy evening and great company, skinny margaritas were in order. We were delighted that the cocktails arrived in icy pint glasses and were well-measured and citrus-heavy.

We took our friendly server’s recommendation and ordered the Endless Summer Vegetable Pizza along with the Lumpia, Seared Ahi and Sliders appetizers. The ahi dish was a meal unto itself with a generous portion of seared tuna rolled in Cajun spices served alongside a fresh cucumber and avocado salad. The pairing was the ideal combination of spicy and cool. The sliders were well-seasoned and tucked inside soft Hawaiian mini rolls with aged cheddar. Note: these are offered in pick-your-size portions—a fine choice for a large or small party to share.

The lumpia was a fun surprise. The Point’s Filipino chef, Ronald Canaveral, has this traditional Filipino eggroll-type food hand-rolled by his uncle, who supplies restaurants throughout Los Angeles. Made from shredded pork, shrimp, carrots, water chestnuts, green onion, and a little soy and sesame seed, these delights were crunchy, zesty and satisfying. Our brick oven-cooked pizza was piled high with fresh veggies; the menu describes this option as “the garden on a pizza,” and I have to concur with this assessment. The sooty flour on the crust’s edges from the brick oven gave the pie the street cred it deserves. My leftover slices were just as delish at lunch the following day.

The Point’s rock-solid commitment to patrons having an enjoyable experience is perhaps the most impressive part of the restaurant’s mission. Every day is a party—with daily happy hours, swing dancing and country nights, a sports fan’s dream game-watching venue, and extensive craft beer and local wine selections. The dedicated Kid Cave also offers maximum distraction for the little ones so that parents have the opportunity to dine with perhaps less interruption and a bit longer.

Check out ThePointRestaurantandBar.com for daily specials, theme nights, menus and more. Be sure to note the kids-eat-free times, too!

The Point
34085 Pacific Coast Hwy
Dana Point, CA
(949) 464-5700

Hennessey’s – San Juan Capistrano
By Krissy V.

With locations from San Diego to the South Bay, Hennessey’s has grown from its first casual coastal location in Hermosa Beach to an expansive chain of ten taverns throughout California’s beach cities and into Las Vegas. Its successful recipe is now being served up atHennessey’s Tavern in historic San Juan Capistrano to an enthusiastic crowd of newcomers and loyal followers.

Hennessey’s take on the traditional Irish pub is the brainchild of its founder and namesake Paul Hennessey. This former stock trader has definitely enjoyed the luck o’ the Irish when it comes to the restaurant industry. Paul opened the company’s first location back in 1976 on Hermosa Beach’s Pier Avenue at a time when the beach enclave was much more sleepy and laid-back. Hennessey’s Tavern, Inc. now includes ten taverns, H.T. Grill, The Wine Bistro, Mickie Finnz, LVCS, and the legendary Lighthouse Café — located a few doors down from the original tavern’s footprint.

In August of this year, Hennessey’s Tavern San Juan Capistrano opened doors across from the Mission on Camino Capistrano. The brand’s newest restaurant has that expectedly familiar pub atmosphere along with a spacious outdoor patio — complete with full bar, flat screen TVs and plenty of cozy seating.

Having had the pleasure of sipping a pint or two at several of its properties, I’m no stranger to what keeps guests coming back. The warm and friendly staff, consistently delicious and reasonably priced fare, and flowing drinks have certainly contributed to its success, but Paul Hennessey has brilliantly managed to create an inviting gathering place where friends and families can simply relax. Hennessey’s perfect blend of ingredients that draws customers in for an unhurried breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks have stood the test of time for close to 40 years.

One thing’s for certain, there’s always something happening at Hennessey’s. $5 freshly squeezed juice cocktails, early bird dinners for $10.95 (served all day), and $15 tasting flights are all offered daily. Monday through Friday happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. includes too many fantastic $5 food and drink specials to list. Stop in for 2-4-1 burgers and breakfast entrées on Two Timin’ Tuesdays and 50% off bottles of wine on Wine Up Wednesdays. Visit on Saturdays and Sundays for Hennessey’s famous $4 hand-made Bloody Mary’s until 1 p.m. and $20 champagne buckets with freshly squeezed juices ‘til 5 p.m.

180blũ – Decked Out
By Shelley Hudson

Perched above Salt Creek Beach at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel is an oceanfront paradise that’s difficult to beat in South Orange County. Named for the 180° view of the Pacific, 180blũ is the summer spot for locals, jetsetters, families, and tourists alike. Although you may come across the occasional begowned bride traipsing through the hotel lobby, you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to visit. 180blu is an any-day-of-the-week destination for business meetings, leisurely lunches, relaxing happy hours or romantic dinners. As you drink in the multi-million dollar view and a beverage or two, it’s evident that life rarely gets much better.

180blu’s creative slate of craft cocktails, extensive wine list and mouth-watering menu options add to the lounge’s already near-perfect vibe and spectacular views. It’s easy to get swept away by the surf and sun while casually chatting with friends on a comfy sofa or as you gaze out at the coastline with that special someone. Before you know it, you’re clearing your calendar for the rest of the day and watching a breathtaking sunset while listening to live music.

I met a girlfriend at 180blũ to enjoy a long-overdue chatfest over cocktails and crashing waves. We sipped a fresh Peach Bellini and an Ultimate Margarita (served iced-cold and straight up) while we decided on a few small plates to sample. We took our delightful server Niki’s recommendation and went with Lobster Tacos, Spicy Tuna and Wild Mushroom Huarache.

The tacos were as adorable as they were delicious. Served in little tortilla envelopes secured with tiny clothespins and generously stuffed with fresh lobster, black bean purée, chile salsa, avocado and cilantro, the serving of four was easily shareable and hearty. The Spicy Tuna was also a hit. The ahi was drizzled with wasabi-pea aioli and eel sauce and served atop a crispy sushi rice round. The result was crunchy, spicy and salty goodness.

My hands-down favorite was the Wild Mushroom Huarache, which took the form of a decadent flatbread. The cornmeal crust was layered with a variety of nutty, earthy mushrooms, caramelized onions, black beans, creamy goat cheese and truffle oil. The combination blended seamlessly, but each flavor was distinct. This one is sized for sharing, too, if you can stand it.

180blũ is the perfect place to be on Friday and Saturday evenings, with high-quality, rolled-to-order sushi on the deck with acoustic guitar to sweeten the scene. Taco Tuesday is just plain better here, too. Chef Steve Wan elevates the classic street taco to a gourmet level—think tequila chicken, cojita cheese and pumpkin seed pesto. Add Partida tequila flights to the mix, and what could go wrong?

180blũ even caters to your canines! A monthly Yappy Hour cocktail party for dogs and their best friends on the Dana Lawn benefits theWounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions. Be sure to watch The Local Dish calendar for doggie-friendly holiday events at 180blũ also.

One Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point
949.240.2000
RitzCarlton.com/Laguna180blu

Juice It Up – San Clemente
By Shelley Hudson

When Sandy Elliott set out to explore health-minded career opportunities, she made a list of interests and passions. She wanted to start her own business and began investigating juice companies as a potential franchise opportunity. Her due diligence and impeccable timing led her to a prime Juice It Up location that had just become available in San Clemente.

In November 2013, Sandy purchased the thriving Juice It Up store that had been open for ten years near San Clemente High School. The built-in customer base, a growing awareness of the benefits of fresh fruit and vegetable juices and the ideal location were just what Sandy was looking for in her new venture. With the brand new gym next door, San Clemente High School across the street, a bustling school catering schedule and a loyal following of local surfers and other athletes, the biggest challenge for Sandy has been keeping up!

Sandy has made it her goal to educate the community about the fresh fare she offers. Her Juice It Up store serves up much more than just fruit smoothies. Raw juice combinations, ginger and wheat grass shots, fruit and veggie fusions (blended with ice to retain all the cruciferous fiber) and “super fruit” acai and pitaya-based bowls of crunchy, fruity, nutty goodness are a mere sampling of what you’ll find there. At the request of her customers, Sandy successfully lobbied corporate headquarters to add chia seeds and almond milk to the ingredient options as well. Juice It Up smoothies, fusions and bowls are hearty and 100% fresh—healthy enough for breakfast or post-workout, but yummy enough to replace dessert!

Juice It Up’s catering program makes it easy to offer refreshing smoothies at corporate functions, sporting events, summer camps and private parties of all kinds with only a phone call or email. Fundraising opportunities—even in-house events—allows guests to enjoy fresh, healthy treats while the organization or team raises money. Portable party boxes are a breeze to pick up and transport, or customers can even have a catering order delivered right to the front door (or soccer field!).

Sandy’s commitment to the local community shines through partnerships with Relay For Life, Casa Romantica, the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and a multitude of area schools. Her on-site programs at nine elementary and middle schools bring healthy choices to students, and a 25% share of proceeds goes back to the school.

Check out Juice It Up’s daily deals and monthly specials on Facebook and Instagram @juiceitupsanclemente and its VIP treatment for military, seniors, Yelp users and students.

802 Avenida Pico, Suite J • San Clemente • 949.542.7979 • JuiceItUp.com