Good places to eat in Laguna Niguel/Alsio Viejo area.. (Aliso Viejo: home, neighborhood)

[MorningCalm]

What are some tasty/great places to go for lunch in the area? (Besides you chains.)

[NaplesRes]

Originally Posted by MorningCalm

What are some tasty/great places to go for lunch in the area? (Besides you chains.)

I'm sure there have to be a couple of non-chains but really chain places dominate the inland oc area. You'll have to go toward the beach cities for non-chains and more interesting type shops, eateries.

[Fontucky]

Peppinos in AV.

[missionhome]

Some good place to eat:

Opah in Aliso Viejo is delicious
Cedar Creek Inn in Laguna Niguel or San Juan Capistrano are both delicious
For Chinese, China Moon is good in Laguna Niguel
For Italian go for Romeo Cucina or Peppinos in Laguna Niguel
One of the most popular Japanese places is Ichibiri off of Greenfield in Laguna Niguel

[Wurzig]

The absolute best Italian is Mario's, which is on the border of Laguna Niguel and Dana Point....it is on Golden Lantern and Camino del Avion....they don't have pizza, but I can guarantee that you will take out a doggie bag and love it just as much the next day! The prices are reasonable....the service is good....the food is great! It's like places in Italy....the tables are close together, but they do have outside eating if you need a more quiet setting.

[Fontucky]

How could I forget about Mario's? Good suggestion.

[ceeglass]

Ted's is like this little hole in the wall diner place and a hugely popular, wonderful greasy spoon guilty pleasure in Laguna Niguel on the Aliso Viejo border. They are on Aliso Creek between La Paz and Alicia in the Tall Mouse Shopping Center. YUM!

[missionhome]

^^^
Yes, Ted's is very popular and good, especially for breakfast or burritos. A's Burgers is also really good at the Avery Gateway to Laguna Niguel. It serves burgers, burritos, and delicious sides. Its at the Avery/Camino Capistrano intersection near the Metrolink station. S

[Wurzig]

ALSO, Mollie's is a MUST! It is a neighborhood coffee-shop-country-kitchen-type-of-place, but they also have delicious Mexican...it's great for breakfast, has regular lunches and is open for dinner now, too....the salsa isn't super-hot but it's very tasty and you will need to chew gum or breath mints if you go back to work...they've been there forever and we have gone there for over 22 years. (When we moved here, Aliso Viejo didn't even exist and most of the main roads in the area dead-ended. There was no Wal Mart, etc. L.N. was very small, not even a city yet and one could actually see stars at night). Mollie is not a man, but he bought it from Mollie such a long time ago that everybody calls him Mollie. He retired and sold it to his son and daughter-in-law a couple of years ago but 'Mollie' still comes in to help out on occasion..... Mollie's is on La Paz, in a small strip shopping center with Walgreen's, Carl's Jr, carpet/flooring store, tiny pizza take out, and something-or-other-pet-supply-store.....on the corner of La Paz and Aliso Creek....across La Paz from Ralphs. Mollie's is crowded on weekends especially during breakfast time....breakfasts are very good there, including home made biscuits... Try something Mexican....you won't be sorry...or leave hungry.

[ocbird]

Ted's is fantastic! But for a more mellow atmosphere, I love Sarducci's Depot down in San Juan Capistrano (right by the railroad tracks, big parking lot off the main intersection.) The roasted eggplant sandwich is one of the most delectable dishes in the world.

There is also a very lovely little Italian restaurant called Stellas, in the Gelson's shopping center at the intersection of Crown Valley and PCH. Not too pricey and delicious food.