Fullerton Restaurants

In the heart of Fullerton is the so-called biggest sushi joint in So Cal! What? Little Fullerton is the king of sushi, dwarfing Los Angeles? yes!

It is really three restaurants in one, headed by executive chefs. The place rocks each night but it's especially festive on the weekend of course. It looks unassuming from the outside (I swear I 'll have a pic of it soon) but it's a whole lot of fun inside.

The locals may be peeved about me revealing this but on Thursdays, from 8:30-11pm, there is $20 all-you-can-eat sushi night! Also, on Sunday there is Calypso music with a big buffet served.

Favorite Dish: I always recommened any sushi with salmon!

Old Spaghetti Factory - a huge chain of eateries, but near the train station, decorated with antique train, building & church wood paneling & decor, and cheap & always decent.

The Hub cafe - right across the way. This place is a cool venue for music, for 15-20's kids, with okay sandwiches, pasta salad that could burn a hole through your stomach (it's a good thing!), and outdoor tables and good drinks. Try an Italian soda....delish! My old high school haunt.

Behind the Hub Cafe is the Reagan Years, a cool place to play old 1980s video games for more than they cost in the 80s. yeah?

I've heard that Heroes is great for sandwiches, in downtown Fullerton, off of Harbor on Wilshire. Near that is also a nice British store, and a place called The Cellar. The Cellar was designed originally by the Disney team who brought you the Pirates of the Carribean ride. It looks cool, but I'm too broke to eat there. I'd rather travel! Also try the Olde Ship, a British pub that has HUGE fish & chips...and they're great and always have Brits there too - on Harbor Blvd.

There are some good restaurants in Brea, like the Marketplace and all the ones in that little downtown area near the new movie complexes.

Favorite Dish: I like red meat. We have good meat here in CA. I can't help it. But when I move to the UK, I'll be a veggie, I'm afraid.

Here is a lovely local restaurant perfect for a date or for any occasion calling for sophistication. Cafe Hidalgo, along the tree-lit Harbor Blvd in downtown Fullerton, is an upscale restaurant featuring the wine bar, La Bodega. Expect up to par servic and a beautiful rustic dining room for visual candy.

Judging by the tapas menu alone, Hidalgo is a culinary hit, seving up popular Mexican/Spanish delights, such as quesadillas, canape, ceviche and pisto manchego (vegeatable tapa). There is a full lunch and dinner menu, as well as a well-diversified wine list.

Hidalgo is best suited for nighttime venturing. On Wednesday evenings, there is an open house of sorts for wine tasting at La Bodega, adjoined with the restaurant. Often, there is live music with Latin flair or folky acoustic throughout the night.

Favorite Dish: quesadilla- either with black bean and corn or regular

Don Carlos is a favorite Mex-American joint in Fullerton. I've been here during breaks from college or waiting for the train. The looks of the place, inside or out is nothing to write about but this is no place seeking to fancy with eyes peeled. Rather, it's all about the grub. I recommend this place simply as a quick bite from morning to night, while waiting for the train at the Fullerton Station.

Favorite Dish: huevos rancheros-very flavorful!

bean burrito-- very filling, not greasy. Catch the 99 cent or just over $1 deal. Have it "wet", with red or green sauce and cheese for a $1 or so more.

4 more images

If you got a craving for British food or you just want to try something new... this is a great place to go. Here you can try genuine british food and some of their brews as well.

Favorite Dish: So far I've only had the Great British Breakfast... which consists of fried bread, bacon, eggs, sausage, tomatoes, mushroom and baked beans... so good!

Basically, I come here for simple cheese slice pizza done in the Ny style- flat, thin saucy slice with just enough cheese- yeah! However, there is a good variety of toppings for ordering full pizzas.

Other items are typical pizza parlor- salads, meatball and chicken parmigana sandwiches, various appetizers, beer, yada yada...

Cool rock and roll ambience. Usually rock music, classic 70s-80s-90s is played in the parlor. TV is usually on for major sporting events, especially for Anaheim Angel games.

There is indoor and outdoor seating. Capacity is for a few dozen at most.

Mostly young people, especially from nearby Fullerton College and Full High School stop by for a quick slice or for eating in.

Come by and stop in. You may catch me there one time.

3 more images

Near Fullerton College, along Chapman Ave, is Cali Fire, an upstart eaterie that focuses on fresh ingredients and an eco-friendly approach. Opened in 2011, the casual California with a flair of Greece, India and the Middle-East joint is, as of now, an only-in-Fullerton experience but the dining concept here may just expand catching "Fire" in towns nearby and further away.

Kabob is the staple CaliFire meat offered up either in a pita sandwich, in a salad or in a bowl. For vegetarians, skip the kabob for the always satisfying alternative- portobello mushroom. For beverage, CF prides itself on its unique watermelon juice, a Tikki iced tea, and custom bottled and all-natural CaliPop soda.

From my first experience at CF, I was well informed of the CaliFire concept by a friendly staff member who thoroughly went over every entree option.

Favorite Dish: Calimoo- beef kabob in a salad with a red (tomato based) and white sauce (yogurt based), pickled sauce (a little spicy, not a lot carmelized onions and lettuce)

Mint CaliPop soda- no sugar added. Definitely not sweet, but nice and light with a hint of mint.

Mexican restaurants, taco stands and other outfits are everywhere in the greater L.A. area Some are average, others good, a few absolutely excellent and some, well, that should shut down. Molca Salsa will not be included with the latter.

This is one of my favorite local eateries, which is open all the time! 24/7! It's fast food but done well, rather slow, among other fast food standards. The extra time means that food is actually cooked fresh. What a concept!

Molca Salsa has a few locations, including one in my hometown of very nearby La Habra. The Fullerton location is a cute little drive-thru place that is tricky to get into off Imperial. The cutesy white building is also more convenient, off the busy Imperial Hwy and Harbor Blvd. These two are good for L.A. and O.C. road trips.

ATM accepted here, Phone order friendly

Favorite Dish: Fish Taco (taco pescado)- yummy! tender battered fish with lettuce, creamy sauce and a touch of lime. Fun, fast and filling !