The Eat Index: OC is a weekly newsletter that lands in your inbox on Wednesdays. Subscribe here.

Main Course

Quesadillas fritas at Los Dorados BBQ in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Brad A. Johnson found mind-blowing quesadillas fritas at Los Dorados BBQ in Santa Ana.

Brad says these unique fried quesadillas are like “a cross between a crispy taco and a very sophisticated empanada.”

Fourteen-day, dry-aged white sea bass at Detention in Santa Ana (Photo by Brad A. Johnson, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fish out of water

Brad has started to notice a new trend in fresh seafood at Orange County restaurants. Could dry-aged fish be the next big thing? He has recently sampled it in Santa Ana at Detention and at Omakase by Gino.

Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell at 7126 Firestone Boulevard in Downey, California in 1962. (Photo courtesy of Taco Bell)

Taco Bell turns 60

Taco Bell celebrated its 60th anniversary this week. The original location opened in 1962 in Downey. Reporter Fielding Buck has that fact and more in his list of interesting trivia about the chain.

Bristol Farms Newfound Market at the Irvine Spectrum carries all of the grocery items customers are accustomed to seeing and more in Irvine on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

Not just for groceries

Bristol Farms Newfound Market opened its doors at the Irvine Spectrum last week and it’s not just a place to grab gourmet groceries. It’s also a dining destination with a mini food hall, a full-service pizzeria, a European café and craft cocktails.

Snoopy the Easter Beagle and Charlie Brown meet fans during the Boysenberry Festival at Knott’s Berry Farm. (Courtesy of Knott’s Berry Farm).

Berry delicious

Knott’s Berry Farm has brought back its popular Boysenberry Festival in its full berry glory for the first time in three years. The event runs through April 24 at the Buena Park theme park.

Chef’s Table, a lavish feast for foodies to benefit the Illumination Foundation, will welcome diners on March 27 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Seen here, participating chefs with Mickey Mouse. (Courtesy of Werkit Photo)

At the chef’s table

Celebrity chef Jet Tila is everywhere. His new cookbook, “101 Thai Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die,” just came out, and he’s making two appearances in Anaheim. Fans can find him presenting a chef’s demo at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival on April 17 and he’s a headliner at the Illumination Foundation’s Chef’s Table gala on March 27 at the Disneyland Hotel.

This Week’s Recipes

Asaparagus is served with bacon croutons and a soft-boiled egg. (Photo by Cathy Thomas)

Get a spring in your step with these  recipes showcasing fresh spring vegetables including asparagus and artichokes. Cathy Thomas shares some tried-and-true recipes showcasing the veggies.

Kale with Cannelini Beans and Sausage is a hearty main course that is easy to make. (Photo by Cathy Thomas)

Kale isn’t just for salads. Cathy Thomas has a quick and easy recipe for a one-course meal featuring the green, cannellini beans and crumbled sausage.

Related Articles