| Let's face it, somedays you just want a meal like | | | | covered! Bagels and lox, homemade corned beef |
| mom used to make (or dad, depending on your | | | | hash, pastrami or corned beef on homemade |
| upbringing). But that doesn't necessarily translate | | | | rye-it's all here and fresh since the early 1960's. |
| into wanting to whip up the dish for yourself. | | | | You came from an Italian background? Home |
| After all, part of eating a "comforting" memory is | | | | cooked recipes abound at Spasso's in Laguna Hills, |
| that someone we love served it too us. Whether | | | | Cosmos in Aliso Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita |
| it was because we were suffering from an awful | | | | and the Peppino's chain. The reason-all are family |
| head cold, the flu, got fired from a job or were | | | | owned and operated and recipes came, where |
| dumped by a person we thought was our | | | | else, from their families kitchens. Although, |
| soulmate, having a person who cared serve us | | | | Peppino's has sold several of their venues to |
| something soothing helped-alot. | | | | others, so you might want to check out the |
| With this in mind, I began my search of | | | | restaurant near you and ask, if it's important to |
| comforting dishes in Orange County. Here were | | | | helping you overcome the disappointment you |
| some of the more popular places and the dishes | | | | need the dish to help. |
| that made them so: | | | | Now you would think that finding some excellent |
| Have a craving for meatloaf? Go to any of the | | | | homemade Mexican comfort food would be a |
| Claim Jumper Restaurants throughout the county. | | | | cinch here in Orange County-when I canvassed |
| The portions are huge, enough to satisfy the | | | | co-workers, neighbors and friends, many said |
| current need for something nostalgic and take | | | | they'd just go home and ask. But some |
| home at least one if not two extra servings for | | | | mentioned the tacos and menu at the Taco Mesa |
| more warming later on. They have several side | | | | restaurants. |
| dishes to chose from, but if it's comforting you | | | | Asian cuisine had several suggestions since there |
| need, go all the way and have the garlic mashed | | | | are so many different types to chose from! Jade |
| potatoes! This wonderful chain has many other | | | | Palace II in Aliso Viejo serves excellent Pho and |
| "comfort" offerings as well-cobblers, roasted | | | | Bun soup bowls (I love the tofu bun, hubby goes |
| chicken, even potpies. Can't go wrong with | | | | for the pork chop). Also Nalu's in Laguna Hills |
| whatever you need to make a smile reappear on | | | | serves excellent Pho. To be honest, if you check |
| your face from CJ's. | | | | out Nalu's, it's been our experience-stick with the |
| Matzo Ball soup more your speed when you | | | | Pho-for some reason other dishes here take |
| crave comfort? Where else would you go in | | | | forever and are just mediocre. |
| Orange County but Katella Deli and Bakery? The | | | | I'm sure there are many other great comfort |
| soup is clear and simple, matzo balls are the size | | | | food places that I'd love to here about and check |
| of softballs and light, chose your bowl with or | | | | out, but these are the ones that many of the |
| without chicken and noodles. Added bonus-if deli | | | | people I asked suggested and I've personally tried, |
| means comfort to you in any way-you are | | | | so give them a try. It couldn't hurt. |
