If I could have only one meal for the rest of my life, it would be breakfast. I seriously can’t even comprehend when people say thay they don’t like breakfast or (gasp!) just skip it. Not only is it the most important meal of the day, it is arguably the most enjoyable. C’mon, when else is it ok to eat dessert like entrees alongside all the bacon you can handle? In Orange County (or the OC – go ahead, you know you want to start singing ), we are some very serious foodies and hold breakfast to a pretty high standard. And for this foodie, seeking out the best breakfasts in my hometown is one of my favorite things to do. So, start your day off right in the land of sunshine and beaches with a few of my choice morning eats!
If there’s one type of cuisine that Southern California is known for, it’s Mexican. We, as Southern Californians, pride ourselves in finding the best hole-in-the-wall or the best Taco Tuesday. Even more worthy of the local stamp of approval is the breakfast burrito. Everyone claims they know the best place, but only those who have had the breakfast burrito at Nick’s Deli know the truth. With locations in Los Alamitos and Seal Beach, this is a true local favorite that is endorsed by, well, just about everyone! Wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla, it is a perfectly balanced combination of eggs, chorizo, potatoes, bacon, cheese and hot sauce that will cure whatever ails you and leave your stomach happy and full.
Also located in Seal Beach is one of my favorites: the Crema Café. It’s a small eatery and bakery located just a stone’s throw away from the Seal Beach Pier on Main Street. They serve only breakfast and lunch and just recently expanded their bakery next door, where you can get fresh breads and pastries every day. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll grab a cup of coffee and one of their cinnamon apple muffins (seriously, the best muffin on the planet) or if I’m doing Sunday Brunch with the family, I always flip between the Seal Beach Scramble and the Whole Grain French Toast.
A tribute to California and the city namesake, the Seal Beach Scramble combines eggs, avocado, cilantro, bacon, and tomatoes. The result is a scramble filled with different textures and tastes that leaves you wanting more. The Whole Grain French Toast is made with Crema’s freshly baked signature bread and is topped with an orange zest syrup and whipped cream. It’s the perfect sweet treat for any day!
Now that I work in Newport Beach, I’ve started to explore more restaurants in the area. One that I have fallen in love with is Sidecar Doughnuts and Coffee. The storefront is small, but don’t let its size fool you! This place proves that doughnuts can sit right alongside the best handcrafted pastries. Walk in and smell the scents of freshly brewed coffee and dough being prepared through the open kitchen. The menu rotates every few weeks and includes flavors like Huckleberry, Maple Bacon, Blackberry Lavender, and my favorite, the Cinnamon Crumb. And their coffee? Probably one of the best cups I’ve had. Sidecar puts a new twist on the classic coffee and doughnuts combination, making this breakfast standard extraordinary.
Carnation Café inside Disneyland
As an Annual Passholder, Disneyland is more than just a place for me to visit. It’s where I go to hang out with friends, have lunch with my mom, or spend the day with my boyfriend. And as you probably would guess, I love going right when the park opens so that I can have breakfast at Carnation Café. I always get a table outside so that I can have a cup of coffee and watch everyone stream down Main Street, hurrying off to their favorite attractions.
By the time I’m halfway through my coffee, my Mickey Waffle arrives, smiling up at me with its powder sugar and crispy goodness. It’s a basic rule at Disney that you should eat as many Mickey-shaped food items as possible, and there is no better way to start the day than with this light and airy waffle.
There you have it – just a few of my favorite places to eat around Orange County. Do you have a favorite breakfast place in Southern California? Share your suggestions!
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