Because ustedes gentle readers love lists, behold the latest entry in
our Top 100 dishes list that
continues until Best Of–at which point, we'll give you MORE lists!
Now, on with the show…
Guess what? The Weekly loves, loves, LOVES Memphis. Some staffers have been eating at the Costa Mesa spot since 1995; others have just learned of its Southern-style plates. I eat at their SanTana location at least once a week, often more. And it's not just because their standbys–gumbo, meatloaf, okra–remain great all these years later, but because executive chef Diego Velasco is always pushing, experimenting, and not acting like God.
Take this sandwich.
]
It's not Velasco's creation but rather something once whipped up by his second-in-command, whose nickname is the Cobra. The Cobra used to prepare this sandwich–fried chicken cutlet, raw red onions, mustard greens, Cheddar cheese, some tart mayo or other, and bacon strips–as a lunchtime snack. Velasco suggested he offer it as a special one day; the customer frenzy over it has made the sandwich a regular special.
The flavors: salty with crunchy with umami with hearty with tartness with savoriness with zip with zap with zup. Stop reading and ogling the meal, and eat it now. If it's not on the specials? Order it anyway–tell 'em I sent you.
Memphis at the Santora, 201 N. Broadway, Santa Ana; (714) 564-1064; santora.memphiscafe.com
The rest of the list!
#100.
Jerk Carnitas Torta at The Crosby
#99.
Nem Nuong Cuon at Brodard
#98.
Pork Chop Anything at Nice Time Deli
#97.
Flying Saucer at Alberto's
#96.
Frozen Custard at Marc Burger's in Macy's Signature Kitchen
#95.
Collard Greens at Johnny Reb's
#94.
Strawberry Shortcake from Job's Daughters
#93.
Cuban Sandwich at DeSimone's Deli
#92.
Lamb with Preserved Cabbage at Mas Islamic Chinese
#91.
Baked Rice at Luc Dinh Ky
#90.
Beans on Toast at The Olde Ship
#89.
Midnight Al Pastor Burrito or Taco at Taqueria Tapatia
#88.
Budino di Cioccolato, Pizzeria Ortica
#87.
Beef Teriyaki Bowl, Teriyami
#86.
Salmon Onigiri at Cream Pan
#85.
Beef Fat Fries at SideDoor
#84.
Silken Tofu & Thousand Year Old Egg at Asian Tapas
#83.
Cambodian Beef Jerky at Sophy's
#82.
Com Tam at Com Tam Tran Quy Cap
#81.
Chipotle-Piloncillo Goat Cheese at SOL Cocina
#80.
Nem Nuong Cuon at Au Lac Restaurant
#79.
Blackened Mushroom & Tofu Burger at Taco Loco
#78.
Fried Veggie Fish Fillet at Dong Phuong Tofu
#77.
Tofu Vegetable Salad at BCD Tofu House
#76.
Che Ba Mau at Thach Che Hien Khanh
#75.
Barracuda Sushi at Ohshima
#74.
Whole Lamb with Kabsa at Olive Tree
#73.
5 a.m. Chitterlings at Tri-Village
#72.
Spinach Empanadas at El Gaucho #2
#71.
Croissants at Molinos Bakery
#70.
Beso de Monja at El Rincón del Sabor
#69.
Fatteh at Kareem's
#68.
Korean Beef Rib Sandwich at Kaffa
#67.
Rice Flour Pupusas at Pupusería San Sivar
#66.
The Hash Browns at Pop's Cafe
#65.
Seven Courses of Beef at Thien An
#64.
Baby Back Ribs at Blake's Place
#63.
Fish and Chips at The Chippy
#62.
Roasted Beef Marrow Bones at Brasserie Pascal
#61.
The Lunch Buffet at Tandoor Cuisine of India
#60.
Eggs, Charcuterie and Bread at Uyen Thy Bistro
#59.
Wang Mandoo at Myung In
#58.
Gobi Paratha at Traditions
#57.
Kibbeh at Zait & Zaatar
#56.
Chicago Dog at Portillo's
#55.
Persian Buffet at Irvine's Wholesome Choice
#54.
Anything at night at Joe's Italian Ice
#53.
Salteñas at Rollie's Bakery
#52.
Iskender Kabob at Doner G
#51.
Secret Beer-Battered Fish Burrito at the OG Taco Adobe
#50.
Bun Rieu at Kim Huong
#49.
Truffle Fries at Andrei's
#48.
Monday Night Pizza Special at Pizza Shack
#47.
Corn Dog at Disneyland's The Little Red Wagon
#46.
Linguini with Clams at Franco's Pasta Cucina
#45.
Chamoyada at Natural
#44.
Meatloaf at Memphis
#43.
Paletas at Delicias de México
#42. Omakase at Sushi Shibucho
#41. Odessa Sandwich at Moscow Deli
#40. Tacos de Rajas con Queso at Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen
#39. Crepes con Caramel at Anepalco's Cafe
