HOME > Chowhound > Los Angeles Area >


costa mesa


  1. Click to Upload a photo (10 MB limit)
  1. Crab Cooker in Newport Beach, next to CM. They also have a branch in Tustin (easier parking).

    1. For breakfast you want to head to Pasta Connection on Newport Blvd, not far from CM. THE KILLER breakfast potatoes. Good Italian sausage with marinara in an omelette usually hits the spot, as do their empanadas (It's an Argentine/Italian place). Great place for a bargain Italian dinner as well.

      1. i love costa mesa for breakfast.....how about Omelette Parlor off Newport/17th?

        if you do Crab Cooker, Tustin is too far inland (even though parking will be better)

        6 Replies
        1. re: brekkie_fan

          thanks so much everyone--itll help me alot

          1. re: brekkie_fan

            Sorry... please dont go to the Omelette Parlour, its filthy, the food was not even edible, the waitress showed us pictures of herself in her underwear, then her biker boyfriend came in and she freaked out.... It was frightening. We almost didn't even want to pay the bill. 2 of the 4 of us would not touch our plates after the first bite... and that was before the photo episode.

            Mutt Lynch's is great for a beer and breakfast by the beach... bloodies are bland, stay away.

            Or, my personal fave, hidden in the harbor, is The Galley. Their Chili Cheese Omelet is legendary and their malts, shakes and real sodas are superb.

            1. re: Mr. S

              That's cause Mutt Lynch's doesn't have a liquor license, just a beer and wine license. So their bloody marys and all other "cocktails" are made with sake or soju. Definitely stick to ordering a schooner of your favorite beer and try to snag a seat facing out the window onto the boardwalk. I've spent many enjoyable sunday afternoons there.

              1. re: Mr. S

                I don't know what Mr.s S is talking about. I think The Omelette Parlor is great. I probably haven't been there for a few months, but every time I've gone over the last ten years I've really enjoyed it. I've never seen anything filthy. The servers are very nice. The food has always been very good, with large portions.

                Back to the OP's question about NY-style delis. The obvious is Jerry's, right by South Coast Plaza and the Performing Arts complex. Huge menu, great matzo ball soup. Most items are ok. Service can be glacial and parking is a joke. Unfortunately, the other local delis (Arnie's and Kaplan's) closed a while back. The only other one I know of, although I haven't been there in at least a couple of years, is P.J. Bernstein's, in Laguna Hills. In just off the 5 on Alicia. They used to be pretty good, although I remember very slow service there, too.

                1. re: unfrostedpoptart

                  Omelete Parlour is gross. Hands down. The meats smelled, the water smelled, tha table and floors were sticky and the food was bad. It was packed, on a Sunday morning, so maybe it was an off day. But it was so bad that I will never give a it a second chance.

                  1. re: Mr. S

                    Ok, round three: I wanted to make sure the place hadn't gone bad since my last visit, so I went there this morning. I just got back a few minutes ago. I have no clue what Mr. S is talking about. the place was very clean (floor, tables, silverware, plates), the food was served pretty quickly (especially since it was a crowded Sunday morning), all the food was very good (scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, potatoes, toast), and the servers were quick and attentive. I did have to remind our waitress that I had asked for water, but that was it.

                    I'd be glad to meet anyone there so they can see for themselves that it's a great place for breakfast. It's on 17th street, right off Newport Blvd.

            2. Head over to Mutt Lynch's on the beachfront in the Newport pier area. Good sandwiches and cold beer; they also serve breakfast. Walking distance from there to the Crab Cooker.

              3 Replies
              1. re: Philly

                Try Arnie's Manhattan Deli over by John Wayne Airport. It's on Dove St.

                1. re: ricomon

                  Arnie's is long-since closed, unfortunately.

                  Mutt Lynch's on the boardwalk in Newport Beach is great for the people-watching alone. Have fun !

                  1. re: mikester

                    The Arnies on Bristol ( it is now Ontorio ) closed years ago but i thought the Dove st one was still open.
                    Newport Beach has limited places with ocean views but most of the bars let you take in food and have menus on hand. Order food from the crab cooker and go sit in the Stag ( or District as it will soon be ) . Beach Ball also has an elevated view of the ocean. Even Sharkees may be a fun atmosphere. You could also go to the Harborside at the Pavilion down by Balboa pier or even Newport Landing in the Oyster bar upstairs. They have harbor views rather than ocean views.

                    How abput places on 19th st for mexican breakfasts. Taco Mesa, El Campeon, Cucina de Isabel, El Granjenal.

              2. I highly suggest Plum's for brunch on 17th street. You can pick up some great crab at Santa Monica Seafood Co. also on 17th street in Costa Mesa. There is also a little place called Haute Cakes on 17th near Irvine Avenue but call first for their hours on the weekend. Everything homemade and yummy.

                3 Replies
                1. re: Kaisgraham

                  thanks again--im getting hungry already.were staying at the wyndham---hope we can walk to these spots rather than drive

                  1. re: bobstripower

                    The Wyndham across from OCPAC on Ave of the Arts? I don't think you could walk to any of the above mentioned places, unless an hour or more each way is in your timeframe?

                    1. re: haydn1796

                      thats the one--guess ill bring the old GPS with me and find them by car