Determining city limits can be tricky when it comes to certain destinations. Take Newport Beach, for example. In this blog post, we've got one new eatery over by Balboa Fun Zone, and the other towards John Wayne Airport. Yet both are considered the same city. Orange County is funny like that.
First up, the group that brought you Rancho Santa Margarita's The Blind Pig recently opened the second outpost of their deli concept. From traditional cheese steak to a “You're kidding, right?” spaghetti bolognese version, The Trough's making diners think twice about what's for lunch. For hungry appetites, we suggest the vice: a hot sammich of carnitas, ham, Swiss, pickled peppers and mustard on a cornmeal roll. Serving breakfast all day is a bonus, as is the one people-watching table out front.
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Quietly launching just over a week ago in a former Burger King spot (they've blocked off the drive-thru), ParkStone offers a surprisingly affordable selection of burgers and entrees. An extensive list of 50 beers on tap, available in three different sizes, is also noteworthy. With locations in Portland (Oregon) and Farmington (Utah), we were a little surprised by their fast casual ordering method. Be sure to specify how you'd like your burger cooked, or they'll make sure it isn't pink. We found out the hard way.
The Trough Sandwich Shop is located at 705 E Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, (949) 673-1029; www.thetroughoc.com.
ParkStone Urban Kitchen + Taps is located at 5180 Birch Street, Newport Beach, (949) 476-3171; www.parkstonerestaurants.com.
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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.