Downtown Fullerton and SanTana have no shortage of independently-owned, trendy dining concepts. Yet we gravitate to all of them, because supporting local businesses is how we show respect. Some of the newest spots can be found a couple of blocks from the main road–you just gotta know where to look.
]
Santa Ana-based A Bite Café opened its doors a couple of weeks ago. Formerly A Bite Truck, this former lonchera starts with breakfast from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., then lunch service until 5 p.m. We recognize his simple steak bite in blue cheese sauce ($9) and an all-American bacon cheeseburger ($8) with LTO (lettuce, tomato and onion). His Simple is Sexy motto seems to be working, as their coveted patio was full at lunch hour. When we stopped by, Chef Keba Parker was busy butchering beef upstairs.
Look out for his specials, like a turkey burger with house dressing on brioche. His relaxed spot can be found at 1002 West 3rd Street. Parallel parking is an option, but if you're released from jury duty before lunch, get off that lazy bum and walk already!
The corner of Commonwealth and Lemon in Fullerton houses cheeky Pie Dog. Their tagline: The perfect place for imperfect people. Think modern-day Cheers. Diverse beer selection on tap (we dug Anderson Valley Brewing's Blood Orange Ale), plus rows of communal tables equals shop owners mingling with families. Check your ego at the door of 229 East Commonwealth, because we didn't spot any around us.
Open since last Friday, the core of their meaty menu contains burgers and meat tubes. Steak burgers are a blend of sirloin and rib eye ($7-10); sausages are made in-house. Their namesake dog is a Northern Italian-style pork sausage patty with sautéed peppers and onions ($9). Saucy personalities can request a slew of dips, from garlic aioli 'G$auce', to buttermilk ranch based on Thomas Keller's recipe. In addition to fries, rings and tots, wings are now part of the snacking roster. We're almost certain that covers our major food groups.
Follow Stick a Fork in It on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!
