Review | Black-owned restaurants you have to visit in Orange County
Photo courtesy of (left to right) Cloud 9 Bakers, Munchies Diner and Naughty Panda.
A major directive in the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has been the increased support of Black-owned businesses. Thus, what easier way to support Black entrepreneurs than a meal in your own backyard? Whether you’re looking for some authentic Southern grill, vegan treats, coffee or pastries, there are plenty of fantastic options from Black-owned restaurants in Orange County to visit.
On-the-go
Protein Lab – Buena Park
Protein Lab, founded in Orange County by Iris Rivera, was inspired by a passion for living a well-balanced life through healthy eating and fitness, pursuant to their website. They strive to promote a lifestyle that enhances body performance and one’s overall well-being. By providing flavorful and convenient ingredients that incorporate a diet of essential vitamins and amino acids, Protein Lab shows their commitment to creating a unique experience for its customers. Their menu offers a multitude of shakes, smoothies, superfood bowls as well as grab-and-go bites.
Aosa Coffee – Huntington Beach
Aosa is not your average coffee shop. Their mission, as claimed by their website, is to enhance not only their community, but also the environment. The staff loves to connect with the people of Huntington Beach; they value friendships amongst themselves, with the guests they serve and with the individuals they partner with, according to their mission statement. They also offer “Camp-In Kits” that are delivered straight to your door for those who are unable to leave their home. As they state on their website, “Each cup of coffee is an expression of our outreach to you and the community that we love.”
Soul food
Georgia’s Restaurant – Anaheim
What exactly is soul food? Differentiating it from Southern food might be complicated at first, but let’s simplify things – not all Southern food is considered soul food, but all soul food is without a doubt Southern. Gretchen Shoemaker, the heart and pioneer of Georgia’s Restaurant, describes soul food as “the food you get when you cook with your whole heart and soul,” according to the website of nearby apartment complex Alexan CTR City. Georgia’s signature dishes include their classic fried chicken, smothered pork chops and St. Louis barbecue ribs. As stated in their website, Shoemaker adopted these comfort foods from her grandmother, who passed the recipe down to her daughters and graciously shares them with family and friends.
Hambone’s BBQ Bar & Grill – Huntington Beach
Hambone’s BBQ Bar & Grill prides themselves on the difference in their details. The restaurant is spearheaded by founder and father of Real California BBQ, Chef Keenan Handy. Handy’s biography is detailed on their website’s “About” page. Handy was born and raised in Compton, California, and holds over 20 years of experience as a pit master and restaurateur. Having learned the art of cooking meat from his parents, Handy continues his practice of smoking meat to perfection in a wood-fired barbecue pit with his secret blend of wood and spices for all his customers. If you don’t eat meat, at least go try one of their three house-made signature barbecue sauces.
Vegan hubs
Munchies Diner – Santa Ana
Originally called Munchies OC, this little eatery began as a humble and passionate pop-up restaurant selling organic vegan breakfast sandwiches out of their backyard over the weekends, as stated on their Yelp page. Eventually, it gained traction and transformed into a vending service on the streets of Orange County and Los Angeles. After eight months of constant vending – even on Easter – the pop-up service turned into the first vegan diner in Orange County, offering customer favorites including VcFlurrys, the ‘VcGriddle’ breakfast sandwich and the Cali Fries De Los Santanero.
Naughty Panda – Santa Ana
Panda and Naughty Boy each began as independent pop-up vegan restaurants in Orange County. Panda focused its cuisine on burgers and bowls, while Naughty Boy perfected rolling alternative sushi for its community, as specified by their website. Following both brands' rapid success, they decided to merge their efforts and collaborate on a united store front to uphold the integrity of their food, progressive culinary creativity and services. Their newest dish on the menu is the Sakura’s Sweet Potato Roll, featuring fried sweet potato tempura, fresh cucumber and avocado, topped with green onions, sesame seeds and their special “naughty glaze.”
For your sweet tooth
Cloud 9 Bakers – San Juan Capistrano
After her son was diagnosed with food allergies to gluten, dairy and soy, Lola Kirya was inspired to change her cooking and baking habits to provide the healthiest, organic fresh-baked gluten free treats for her loved ones. As mentioned on their website, she believes that organic food omitting allergenic ingredients is the key to healthy living. Having originally opened as a wholesale bakery selling products to schools, retail stores and farmer markets, increasing demand of her delicious baked goods led to the inception of her first dedicated gluten-and-dairy-free retail baker in San Juan Capistrano, California. Cloud 9 Bakers is dedicated to creating a safe environment where individuals with specialized dietary needs can truly feel safe, at home and on “cloud nine” all at the same time.