Dining
Only the Freshest!
06.14.11
When it comes to buying produce in Fountain Valley, Smith Farms is about as old-fashioned as it gets. For a split second, you might even forget that you’re in Orange County. Minus its proximity to tract homes, Smith Farms looks like a rural produce stand with a varied selection of organic produce: tomatoes, potatoes, mangos, avocados, bananas, and a new crop of red, yellow and white onions, as well as extra fancy Haas avocados, Ruby Bliss seedless watermelons, strawberries, corn, lettuce, squash and broccoli. Behind the stand you can also go out into the field and shop from fresh fruits and vegetables, weather and season permitting.
Smith Farms is open 8 a.m. to dusk daily.
It’s at 9736 Ellis Avenue in Fountain Valley. 714.962.3188.
Memphis: Family-Friendly Retro!
06.13.11
Review by Sheryll Alexander
Memphis Costa Mesa is part retro hot spot and a family-friendly Southern-inspired eaterie. Hipsters congregate inside the rather dark space, which gives it some mystery and romance. Memphis is an impressive place to buy a potential lover a drink to sip and savor.
Speaking of drinks, don’t miss ordering up a cocktail at Memphis. We recommend a classic mojito, margarita or hand-shaken martini.
Just remember Memphis is a fusion between classic Southern and fresh California cuisines. You can order fried chicken, meatloaf and jambalaya; and its California bent, means that Memphis is always a good place to dine for fresh ingredients and natural meats. Some of our favorite dishes are the goat cheese and beet salad, popcorn shrimp, buttermilk fried chicken, barbecue beef brisket and a bison burger with cranberry mayonnaise.
Memphis also has a delicious seasonal menu. We tried the sautéed rainbow trout and we loved the thin slices of lightly fried fish, along with wilted baby spinach, a crisp potato cake and a yummy Creole-style charred lemon-and-mustard sauce.
Memphis’ sister restaurant, Memphis at the Santora in Santa Ana’s arts district, is quite the opposite of the Costa Mesa space. It is light, breezy and more family friendly and ideal for large parties.
Memphis has a rather good kid’s menu (for breakfast, lunch and dinner!) with such dishes as chocolate chip pancakes, cheddar cheese burger sliders and macaroni-n-cheese.
Whichever location you choose, the Memphis restaurant chain is always a great place to enjoy OC’s hipster culture with some good and very comforting food and drink.
Memphis Costa Mesa, 2920 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.432.7685.
Memphis at the Santora, 201 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.564.1064.
Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.
More Daily Doses
- 04.30.24 – Peel Craftbar & Kitchen’s Cinco de Mayo Specials: Sophisticated Culinary Cocktails
- 04.17.24 – Earth Day Celebration: Vegan Sushi & Organic Cocktails at Ocean Prime Beverly Hills
- 05.24.23 – Rare Society Steakhouse Opens in San Clemente, Blending Vintage Charm with Modern Flair
- 05.22.23 – The Country Club Debuts Vibrant New Seasonal Menus
- 04.13.23 – Sustainable Beast Feast Dinner at CUCINA enoteca
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 05.07.25 – The Ranch at Laguna Beach Introduces Ceramic Collaboration With Isa Carr
- 05.07.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day with Brunch, Flamenco, and Champagne at Café Sevilla
- 05.06.25 – UCI Opera and Symphony Present Puccini’s Suor Angelica at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 05.04.25 – A Weekend Escape to Catalina Island Just Got Even Better
- 05.02.25 – Bowers Museum Celebrates $500,000 Lead Gift for Terracotta Warriors Exhibition
- 05.02.25 – Hilton Anaheim Debuts Hansen’s Market
- 05.01.25 – Celebrate Mom at Casa Palmero, a Hidden Gem at Pebble Beach
- 04.28.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- 04.25.25 – Play for Gray Charity Pickleball Tournament Returns May 17
- 04.25.25 – Trevor’s at the Tracks Launches Farm-to-Table Program with Two Local Farms
- 04.24.25 – Descanso Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Four Days of Food, Cocktails, and Festivities
- 04.23.25 – 2025 Breeders’ Cup Returns to Del Mar: Tickets On Sale Now
- 04.23.25 – Up to 80% Off at the Beach Riot Warehouse Sale in Tustin
- 04.23.25 – Score Up to 70% Off at the Zumiez Warehouse Sale in Santa Ana
- 04.20.25 – Burger Boss Introduces Halal Poultry, Salmon and Meal Deals
- 04.18.25 – Floral Park’s 32nd Annual Home & Garden Tour Returns April 26–27
- 04.17.25 – Avila’s El Ranchito in Newport Beach Celebrates 50 Years
- 04.17.25 – Easter Fun at VEA Newport Beach
- 04.16.25 – VIP Garden at LAWineFest – A Premier Tasting Experience!
- 04.15.25 – Don’t Miss the First 3rd Thursday in CdM
More Daily Doses
- 05.07.25 – Exciting Additions at Anaheim Hills Festival: Egg Tuck, Story Bar + Kitchen, and More!
- 05.05.25 – Celebrate Mother’s Day in Style Across Orange County
- 04.29.25 – Mother’s Day Dining and Experiences in Orange County
- 04.25.25 – Cozy Earth Opens Flagship Store in Corona del Mar
- 04.24.25 – Monaco Italian Kitchen Brings Neapolitan Pizzas and Housemade Pastas to Irvine
- 04.23.25 – South Coast Plaza Celebrates 35 Years of Southern California’s Premier Garden Show
- 04.20.25 – The District at Tustin Legacy Hosts Earth Day Celebration
- 04.17.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Dana Point
- 04.15.25 – Easter Hoppenings in Orange County
- 04.11.25 – Fashion Island Welcomes a New Season of Style
- 04.10.25 – Celebrate Easter Sunday with Brunch at Top Orange County Resorts
- 04.09.25 – Savor Easter Sunday at These South Coast Plaza Restaurants
- 04.07.25 – Now Open: Vox Kitchen & Bar at South Coast Plaza
- 04.06.25 – Pacific Symphony Premieres Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” in St.Clair’s Final Season
- 04.01.25 – Chef’s Table Friendship Dinner Returns to Tanaka Farms – May 3, 2025
- 03.31.25 – Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Sleeping Beauty at Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 03.30.25 – Pasta Sisters Expands to Costa Mesa Kitchens
- 03.28.25 – Roger’s Gardens Celebrates 50 Years in Corona del Mar with Spring Events
- 03.25.25 – Dr. Jennifer Armstrong: Subtle, Beautiful Results That Make All the Difference
- 03.21.25 – Legendary Ramen Nagi Arrives at South Coast Plaza
