Splurge or Save: All the Hot Spots for Dining in Buena Park

With so many outstanding dining opportunities in Buena Park, choosing the perfect spot can be overwhelming. Whether you are looking to go all out to celebrate a big promotion or birthday, or you want to save your pennies for a (rare) rainy day, there are excellent eating options all over town. Here are a few of our favorites from high-end steak joints to their equally delicious but less expensive counterparts.

Breakfast Sandwiches

SPLURGE: Broken Yolk Cafe—Sit down and relax as coffee is poured for you in anticipation of the arrival of your Sun-Up Breakfast Sandwich. Grilled sourdough bread is the base with two fried eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, and American cheese on top. The perfect way to start the day!

SAVE: Eggslice—Counter service at the newly opened Grange Hall is where you'll grab your Double Egg & Cheese from Eggslice. Two locally sourced over medium eggs are served on a local artisan brioche bun that is buttered and toasted to a golden brown. Holding it all together is a slice of cheese and an ounce of slow-simmered house-made Chili Jam.

Burgers

SPLURGE: Burger Monster—Make this spot your go-to for over-the-top burgers like the Mighty Melt. A cheddar cheese-skirted bun is loaded with more cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, beer-battered onion rings, BBQ sauce, and a creamy vinegar slaw. Messy and totally worth it!

SAVE: Portillo's—Order the hamburger at the counter and you'll enjoy a ⅓-pound char-broiled burger with mayo, crisp lettuce, a red ripe tomato slice, sliced red onion, pickles, and ketchup on a freshly toasted old-fashioned style bun. They've been making them since 1963 and certainly know how to do it right.

Sushi

SPLURGE: Sapporo Sushi & Grill—When you want the best of the best, order up the super dragon roll at Sapporo and you'll get crabmeat, avocado, cucumber, eel, and eel sauce. Pretty much the perfect bite!

SAVE: Aburi Sushi—Fans of this all-you-can-eat sushi joint know that the eel roll is one not to be missed as they keep coming back for it again and again.

Korean BBQ

SPLURGE: Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ—When you are really looking to impress, order up the Beef Special Grill Course at Kyung Bok Kung Korean BBQ. It comes with your choice of beef short rib, marinated beef short rib, rib eye, and boneless short rib.

SAVE: Miss Shabu—Get the full all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ experience at Miss Shabu where the servers are known to be attentive and the food is both a great value and high quality.

Empanadas

SPLURGE: Gaucho Grill—When the empanada cravings hit, you'll want to head to this Argentinian steakhouse that really knows how to make them. Take our word for it and go for the smoked short rib empanadas that are loaded with meat, onions, and tomato.

SAVE: Porto's Bakery & Cafe—Traditional Cuban pastries are the name of the game at Porto's and the chicken empanada is one of our favorites. It's filled with Rosa's original recipe of Cuban-style chicken fricassee—a slow-cooked chicken breast, carrot, peas, onion, tomato sauce, and Spanish seasonings.

Salad

SPLURGE: Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner—When you want a salad that's a meal unto itself, go for the Tri-Berry “Boysenberry” Salad with Loganberry Dressing. Fresh field greens and chopped romaine lettuce, red raspberries, blackberries, toasted almonds and Feta cheese are served with a loganberry vinaigrette. Perfect for all you berry lovers out there who want a taste of Buena Park's hometown berry.

SAVE: California Pita Grill—The Greek Salad is always a favorite and California Pita Grill knows how to serve it up just the way you like it with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese, and olives.

Fries

SPLURGE: Sup Noodle Bar—When you are craving a meal of just fries, there's nothing quite like the Lomo Saltado. French fries are topped with tomatoes, charred sweet red onions, white wine soy, and home-made aji verde aioli, that's served with steamed white rice and filet mignon. No skimpy side dish fries here!

SAVE: Tacos la Calle—Equally filling are the Asada Fries at Tacos la Calle where you'll get fries loaded with mozzarella cheese, nacho cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and carne asada. Don't skip the salsa for some extra heat!

Cocktails

SPLURGE: The Cauldron—Bewitchingingly fun, you'll love the ambiance at The Cauldron and their signature cocktails as well. When you want a drink that's both delicious and fun, go for the Knotty Kid Martini. You'll get Smirnoff Vodka and lemon juice that's topped with Boysenberry Cotton Candy that melts right before your eyes (like magic!).

SAVE: La Huasteca—The classic Blue Hawaiian at La Huasteca brings you back to the islands with its coconut-forward flavors. It pairs well with the fish tacos and camarones a la diabla.

Ice Cream

SPLURGE: Don Melt —Bring your appetite (and a friend) and order up the 12 oz ice cream cone. Stacked almost a mile high, the cone comes in strawberry, vanilla or swirl options. An ice cream lover's dream! Did we mention its vegan friendly?

SAVE: Baskin Robbins—You know you won't be able to stop yourself at just one scoop when you head to Baskin Robbins. With 31 flavors to choose from, there's bound to be a few that call out to you.