Here’s a roundup of restaurant and retail news from across Orange County. Take a look at the slideshow for more details on each.
In-N-Out Burger: Nearly six years after entering Texas, Irvine-based In-N-Out Burger has 32 restaurants in three big Lone Star markets: Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin. Now the Southern California burger institution has its eye on Houston. Citing a local real estate firm, the Houston Chronicle said In-N-Out is exploring a Houston location. No other details were offered.
Smashburger: The better burger chain out of Denver entered the Orange County market in 2012. Last year, a Smashburger in Irvine closed. It is being replaced by The Cut, a gourmet burger eatery that started out as a food truck.
Cinnamon Productions: Locations in Rancho Santa Margarita and San Clemente closed over the past two weeks. Owner Randy Farah said in a statement on Facebook that the bakery cafe was unable to negotiate a new lease in Rancho Santa Margarita. He recently closed a Ladera Ranch cafe. A location in Foothill Ranch closed last year. Attempts to reach Farah have been unsuccessful.
Cafe Lucca: The boutique bakery is known for its elegant freshly baked pastries and all-day breakfast. It’s unclear when Pandor will open. Stay tuned.
Mrs Bea’s Louisiana Chicken and Waffles: The La Habra eatery, around since 2012, closed its La Habra location. “We are currently looking for another, smaller location,” a representative for the restaurant told the Register in an email. The Harbor Boulevard eatery sold 15 different infused waffle flavors, as well as waffle burgers and waffle sandwiches.
Bistro Bleu: The owner of Bistro Bleu in Anaheim closed the French bistro in December after nearly five years in business. Owner David Kesler said he is only “pausing” the business as he needs to take a break to have back surgery. Once he’s recovered, he said he plans to find a new home for Bistro Blue. “I will be focusing mainly on the North Orange County area,” he said. Chew Noodle Bar, an Asian fusion restaurant, took over the Anaheim location.
Wild Birds Unlimited: The store, which carries a variety of bird-related food and accessories, has opened a location in Huntington Beach. Address: 7171 Warner Ave. #H
Huntington Learning Center: Owner Bill Hamm has opened the Huntington Learning Center, a tutoring center, at Plaza Antonio, 22411 Antonio Parkway in Rancho Santa Margarita.
San Diego County Credit Union: The credit union celebrated its grand opening at 27280 Alicia Parkway in Laguna Niguel with a ribbon cutting by the Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel chambers of commerce on Jan. 18. The credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution owned and operated by its members. If offers free checking with eStatements, direct deposit, credit and free debit cards, certificate and money market accounts, auto and home mortgage loans.
Pino’s Cucina: The traditional Italian restaurant has opened at the Mercantile East shopping center, 27522 Antonio Parkway in Ladera Ranch. It replaces Loving Hut. The menu features a variety of appetizers, including bruschetta al pomodoro and calamari fritti, and over a dozen pasta dishes including ravioli di casa, fettuccine alla primavera, linguini mare, gnocchi, lasagna casalinga and linguini con vongole o’cozze.
Häagen-Dazs: The ice cream shop’s location at The Shops at Mission Viejo held a grand reopening this month after a complete remodel of its store. The shop, owned by Nawied and Sousan Eshaqzai, got a facelift with new exterior features and improvements.
Marie Ekberg Padilla contributed to this report.
Send any retail updates to hmadans@ocregister.com and any restaurant news to nluna@ocregister.com.
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