
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Mission Viejo, California, United States
1. Chicken Marbella, Zest Restaurant
A tangy, sweet and savory dish made with prunes, olives, capers, and oregano. A popular choice for special occasions in Mission Viejo.
- Unique Ingredients: Incorporates prunes, olives, and capers to create a flavor combination unique to Chicken Marbella.
- Cultural Influence: Originates from an Argentine-Jewish recipe, showcasing the cultural melting pot of Mission Viejo.
- Special Event Favorite: Popular at family gatherings and celebrations due to its bold flavors.
2. Phở Ga, Pho 88
A traditional Vietnamese dish made with chicken broth, rice noodles, and various herbs. Perfect for a hearty meal in Mission Viejo.
- Authentic Taste: Serves an authentic version of Phở Ga, which is difficult to find outside of Vietnam.
- Healthy Option: Offers a nutritious meal with lean protein and various vegetables in a flavorful broth.
- Customizable: Allows customers to customize their bowl with added ingredients such as chicken, tofu, or beef.
3. Vietnamese Banh Mi, Saigon Deli
A classic Vietnamese sandwich made with a crispy baguette, pickled vegetables, and flavorful meats. A must-try in Mission Viejo.
- Crispy Baguette: Uses a crispy baguette that adds a delightful texture to the sandwich.
- Flavorful Meats: Includes various meats, such as grilled pork, chicken liver pâté, and head cheese.
- Fusion Elements: Offers fusion options like Korean-style banh mi with kimchi and bulgogi.
4. Seafood Paella, La Venta Mexican Restaurant
A Spanish dish made with saffron-infused rice and various seafood. A delicious option in Mission Viejo.
- Spanish Influence: Serves a traditional Spanish dish that showcases Mission Viejo's rich cultural heritage.
- Seafood Variety: Includes a variety of seafood, such as shrimp, mussels, clams, and calamari.
- Saffron Infused Flavor: Infuses the rice with saffron for an aromatic and distinct flavor.
5. California Burrito, Las Palmas Mexican Grill
A Mission Viejo staple: a large burrito filled with carne asada, french fries, cheese, and guacamole.
- Local Favorite: One of the most popular dishes in Mission Viejo, showcasing California's unique fusion food culture.
- California Style: Features carne asada, french fries, and guacamole - a twist on traditional Mexican cuisine.
- Generous Portions: Offers generous portions that satisfy even the biggest appetites.
6. BBQ Baby Back Ribs, BackYard BBQ & Grill
Tender and juicy baby back ribs smoked to perfection. A must-try barbecue dish in Mission Viejo.
- Perfectly Smoked: Uses a slow-smoking process for tender, juicy ribs with an unforgettable smoky flavor.
- Variety of Sauces: Offers different sauces to customize the taste of your ribs, from tangy to spicy.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Provides a welcoming and fun atmosphere for families to enjoy a meal together.
7. Salmon Teriyaki, Sushi House
Grilled salmon glazed with a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. A tasty Japanese dish in Mission Viejo.
- Fresh Salmon: Uses fresh, high-quality salmon for an excellent texture and flavor.
- Teriyaki Glaze: Coats the salmon in a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze that enhances its natural flavors.
- Sushi Bar Available: Offers a sushi bar for customers who want to try other Japanese dishes as well.
8. Tacos al Pastor, Taco Mezcal
Traditional Mexican tacos made with spit-grilled pork marinated in pineapple juice and adobo seasoning.
- Spit-Grilled Flavor: Cooks the pork on a spit for an authentic flavor that's hard to find elsewhere.
- Pineapple Juice Marinade: Marinates the pork in pineapple juice, giving it a sweet and tangy taste.
- Authentic Recipe: Follows an authentic Mexican recipe for tacos al pastor.
9. Clam Chowder, The Crab Cooker
A hearty and creamy New England-style clam chowder. A comforting dish in Mission Viejo.
- New England Style: Serves a classic New England-style clam chowder with potatoes, onions, and bacon.
- Hearty Portion: Offers a generous portion that's perfect for sharing or enjoying as a meal on its own.
- Iconic Restaurant: Located in a historic building, The Crab Cooker is an iconic Mission Viejo restaurant.
10. Vegetarian Burrito, Freebirds World Burrito
A customizable vegetarian burrito filled with rice, beans, guacamole, and various vegetables.
- Customizable: Allows customers to customize their vegetarian burrito with a variety of vegetables.
- Vegetarian Option: Provides a delicious and filling vegetarian option for those who prefer plant-based meals.
- Quick Service: Offers quick service, making it convenient for travelers with tight schedules.
11. Cheese Pizza, Vito's Pizzeria
A classic New York-style cheese pizza with a thin crust and flavorful tomato sauce.
- New York Style: Follows the traditional New York-style pizza recipe with a thin, foldable crust.
- Quality Ingredients: Uses high-quality cheese and tomato sauce for an excellent flavor.
- Authentic Atmosphere: Provides an authentic New York pizzeria atmosphere, complete with checkered tablecloths.
12. Fish Tacos, Taco Loco
Crispy fish tacos served with cabbage slaw and a spicy salsa roja. A refreshing dish in Mission Viejo.
- Crispy Fish: Fries the fish to perfection for a crispy texture.
- Spicy Salsa Roja: Includes a spicy salsa roja that adds a kick to the tacos.
- Authentic Mexican Recipe: Follows an authentic Mexican recipe for fish tacos.
13. Sushi Rolls, Sushi Yum Yum
A variety of colorful sushi rolls made with fresh fish, vegetables, and rice.
- Fresh Ingredients: Uses high-quality, fresh ingredients for an excellent taste.
- Colorful Presentation: Creates visually appealing sushi rolls that are also delicious.
- Vegetarian Options: Offers vegetarian sushi rolls for customers who prefer plant-based meals.
14. Pork Adobo, The Filipino Kitchen
Tender pork cooked in a garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar marinade. A flavorful dish in Mission Viejo.
- Unique Marinade: Uses a unique marinade of garlic, soy sauce, and vinegar to create a distinctive taste.
- Tender Pork: Cooks the pork until it's tender and flavorful.
- Authentic Filipino Recipe: Follows an authentic Filipino recipe for Pork Adobo.
15. Steak Diane, Le Rendez-Vous
A classic French dish made with tender steak flambeed with cognac and served on a bed of mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce.
- Flambeed Presentation: Cooks the steak flambeed with cognac, creating a visually impressive dish.
- Tender Steak: Uses tender steak for an excellent flavor and texture.
- Authentic French Recipe: Follows an authentic French recipe for Steak Diane.