If sustenance for a Paleo diet is chicken and broccoli, then for the rest of us it's chicken & rice & gyro & sauce. Plus that hot stuff in the red bottle (if you've got an iron stomach). And if you told us a couple of years ago that a $10 bowl of American Halal food would be trending across California, we'd say you were crazy. Times have changed.
Costa Mesa was the lucky recipient of the first West Coast outpost of The Halal Guys. Which meant that at some point, we'd be standing in line for some take-out. Our first time was a late dinner, debating exactly what to order. We still get the same thing, never straying to try the fries or falafel. Mixing everything up means a forkful of deliciousness every time. And for those of you who haven't figured it out yet, their bbq sauce with the white sauce is a damn good condiment.
The List:
42. Sunflower Salad from PIE-NOT
43. Watermelon Salad from Barley Forge Brewing Company
44. Breakfast Burrito from Pedro's Tacos
45. Salmon Toast from Haven Gastropub
46. Croque Madame Sandwich at Café Beau Soleil
47. Dean's Thai Curry Chicken Pizza
48. Aguas Frescas at Mar and Terra
49. Bocatas at Olé! Spain Delishop
50. Pan Con Pollo at El Divino Salvador Del Mundo
51. Tacos al Vapor at Tito's La Especial
52. Knafeh at Knafeh Cafe
53. Yakiudon Nikkei at Aji Limon
54. Yakitori at Electric City Butcher
55. Tsukemen at Kitakata Ramen Ban Nai
56. Ten Zaru Soba at Tanakaya
57. Pink Cloud Sandwich at Alicia's Cookery
58. Homemade Super Nachos at Taqueria Los Santos
59. Strawberry Banana Croissant at Cream Pan
60. Pla Duk Phat Phet at Vientiane Thai Laos Restaurant
61. Risotto Con Burrata at Taverna
62. Pineapple Float at Jollibee
63. Szechuan Fries at Wok N Tandoor
64. Banh Xeo at Quan Mii
65. Chanko Nabe at
66. Hamshuka from Hummus Bowl
67. The Reuben at A Market
68. Everything Cake from Slice Deli And Cakery
69. Spicy Shrimp And Eggplant from Brio Tuscan Grille
70. Crawfish Mac & Cheese from The Wharf
71. Malasadas from Dough Doughs Hawaiian Cafe
72. Salsas from Salsa Bandolera
73. Chorizo Breakfast Bagel at
74. Whole Chicken Combo at
75. Toothpick Lamb at Sichuan Impression
76. Hainan Chicken Rice at
77. Fruit- and Ice Cream-Topped Waffles at Crave
78. Garlic Shrimp Poke at Costco
79. Chimichurri Fries at
80. Torta Cubana at Cancun Juice
81. Adobo Bowl at
82. Garlic Noodles at Krave Asian Fusion
83. Broccolini at SeaSalt WoodFire Grill
84. Spicy Tuna Roll at Yard House
85. Amber Roll at Orange Roll and Sushi
86. Frito Chili Cheeseburger at Burger Parlor
87. Maui Sunrise at The Original Banzai Bowls
88. Meals from The Performance Kitchen
89. Pizza-Sized Quesadilla at Los Sanchez
90. Filipino Brunch at EATS Kitchen And Bar
91. Mexican Chocolate at the Pie Hole
92. Biscuits at
93. Mushroom Flatbread with Kale and Kumquat Salad at Lemonade
94. Mexican-Style Gelatins from Santa Ana's
95. Hot Pastrami Caesar Salad at Bruxie
96. Jalapeño Pupusas at Las Cazuelas
97. Meatball Sliders at Fresh Brothers
98. Buffalo Cauliflower at Mead's Green Door Cafe
99. Raindrop Cake at
100. Doughrito at Surfin' Donuts
A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.