Costa Mesa (restaurant, best, Cuban)

[Vinsanity]

Originally Posted by jackie100

I didn't go on MacArthur much and I don't know which condos you're talking about. I mainly stayed indoors because I am self-employed and I don't go out very much. I never ate at In n Out in public, only the drive through all my life, no matter what city I'm in. I'm too anti-social to eat alone in public among people I don't know. I usually go to In N out when by myself and I'm too self conscious to eat alone in public. I like to bring it home and read message board while eating! I always stayed in my car, ate my burger at home and never had any problems. I don't eat at home because it's unsafe, but because I don't like to eat in public!

The only ghetto area I knew of was when you start going on Bristol towards Santa Ana it gets pretty ghetto looking, so I never went that way.

the only ones on MacArthur I know are Pinnacle, Californian, and Adagio. Californian and Adagio are toward the working-class side of the scale, but I wouldn't call them dumps by any stretch of the imagination. Pinnacle is actually pretty nice, same style as those urban-style apartments along Jamboree in Irvine, and almost as nice as those and 3400.

but I guess it gets worse when you go west of Harbor, and north of MacArthur

[Sam.A]

Hello Guys, thanks for all the info, have you guys gone to the CAMP or the LAB, I found those places nice to hang out and have some good food .

[Vinsanity]

yeah, those places are interesting, and pretty cool. Although I don't really do any of my shopping there; for the same price or cheaper, I'd rather check out the clearance racks at South Coast Plaza

[jackie100]

Originally Posted by Sam.A

Hello Guys, thanks for all the info, have you guys gone to the CAMP or the LAB, I found those places nice to hang out and have some good food .

Nope. The only place that is worth going to me is South Coast Plaza.

[888BAILMAN]

I'm 888BAILMAN of Costa Mesa. There are good neighborhoods and some stay away from neighborhoods. The area around Bristol and Baker is a nice area and is just down the street from the South Coast Plaza shopping and entertainment complex. Neighborhoods north of the 405 are good. Costa Mesa has some major streets which are excellent for a business location. Of course, in this economy, the type of business is very important. As businesses fail, more and more commercial space is becoming available. Therefore, terms for an office or storefront should be in your favor. The city has an excellent and professional police department. The police department even has their on jail.

[DiscoTex]

Originally Posted by jackie100

I love In N out so much I find it delicious even hours after purchase. I have even refrigerated leftovers once and nuked it in the microwave many hours later and it was even yummier.

Man - I LOVE reheating In-N-Out burgers and fries in the microwave!
Seriously. Soggy reheated fries are the perfect hangover food.

[Mr. Fantastic]

Costa Mesa has two sides, one that is slightly dirty and hard to look at, and one that is fairly upper class.

[ElevateMeLater]

If you can afford it, try renting a room or house in one of the neighborhoods. Mesa Del Mar (behind the fairgrounds) and Paularino (between the 405 and Baker) are fairly nice areas. Also, Newport Heights (between the Back Bay and the 55) is really nice if you can afford it.

Word of advice: OC is boring. If you're not completely occupied by york work and family you should be bored to tears. There is a severe dearth of culture here. I bailed as soon as I graduated from HS and the closest I'll ever come to going back is moving to LA.

[BVitamin]

I've shopped at the LAB, it's more of a young (some aging) hipster joint; you know, skinny jeans and messy hair. Urban Outfitters is there, say what you want but I like that place. There's a cafe, forgot what it was called, didn't care for it, Gypsy Lounge or something rather.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by BVitamin

I've shopped at the LAB, it's more of a young (some aging) hipster joint; you know, skinny jeans and messy hair. Urban Outfitters is there, say what you want but I like that place. There's a cafe, forgot what it was called, didn't care for it, Gypsy Lounge or something rather.

Gypsy Den. My wife drags me there from time time. I get the turkey sandwich, which I believe is just about the only meat on the menu.