Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Bars

This week’s Cochino List includes La Rinconada and Little Caesars Pizza

Posted on by Posted in Bars, Food, Food & Health, OC Health Care, Orange County, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The OC Health Care Agency has released a list of the eateries (including restaurants, caterers and even school kitchens) that they inspected and shut down for the week of Feb. 28 to March 8 . Most of these eateries reopen pretty quickly after the health inspectors determine their issues have been resolved. Here is the list:

  • La Rinconada, 300 W. 5th St., Santa Ana, Closed: March 5, Reason: Rodent infestation.
  • Little Caesars, 1730 E. 17th St., Suite A1, Santa Ana, Closed: Feb. 28, Reason: Insufficient hot water, Reopened: Feb. 28
  • La Siesta, 1010 N. Batavia, St., Suite A, Orange, Closed: March 7, Reason: Cockroach infestation.
  • El Buen Sabor, 14141 Red Hill Ave., Tustin, Closed: March 5, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • Yummy Bakery & Restaurant, 9550 Bolsa Ave., Suite 115-E1, Westminster, Closed: March 5, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March 6
  • Mariscos Nayarit, 135 W. Ball Road, Suite D, Anaheim, Closed: March 4, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: March 5
  • Chronic Tacos, 7520 E. Chapman Ave., Suite A, Orange, Closed: March 1, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 1.
  • 50 Stars Donuts Shop, 514 N. Magnolia Ave., Anaheim, Closed: March 6, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 7.
  • Tasty Chicken & Banh Mi, 2117 Ball Road, Anaheim, Closed: March 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation
  • My Brother, 341 S. State College Blvd., Fullerton, Closed: March 6, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 7
  • La Cocina de Pedro, 699 S. State College Blve., Suite L, Fullerton, Closed: March 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March 7
  • Kareem, 1208 S. Brookhurst St., Anaheim, Closed: March 5, Reason: Operating without a valid health permit, Reopened: March 5
  • CaliMex Family Market, 318 N. Brookhurst St., Anaheim, Closed: March 5, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March
  • Dolce Monachelli’s, 699 S. State College, Suite L, Fullerton, Closed: March 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation.
  • Waterman’s Harbor, 34661 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, Closed: March 6, Reason: Cockroach infestation, Reopened: March 7.
  • Choy’s, 2801 W. Ball Road, Suite 15-A, Anaheim, Closed: March 4, Reason: Cockroach infestation.
  • Buca di Beppo, 7979 Center Ave., Huntington Beach, Closed: March 4, Reason: Sewage overflow, Reopened: March 5
  • Bowlmor, 321 W. Katella Ave., Suite 85, Anaheim, Closed: March 1, Reason: Rodent infestation, Reopened: March 2
  • Las Brisas, 1734 S. Euclid St., Anaheim, Closed: March 1, Reason: Insufficient hot water
  • Update: Dey’s Donuts & Croissants at 6494 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, closed Feb. 28 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened March 1.
  • Update: The Loft at 7862 Warner Ave., Suite 105, Huntington Beach, closed Feb. 28 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened March 1.
  • Update: Bagels & Brew, 26601 Aliso Creek Road, Suite D, Aliso Viejo, closed Feb. 26 because of a cockroach infestation, reopened March 1.

Sample DTSA’s food and drinks at return of Savor Santa Ana on July 23

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Entertainment, Food, Restaurants, Santa Ana 3 Comments

Savor Santa Ana

Downtown Inc. presents Savor Santa Ana on Thursday, July 23, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Spurgeon St. (between 3rd and 4th), in Downtown Santa Ana.

Savor Santa Ana lets you sample dozens of OC’s hottest restaurants in the walkable urban DTSA restaurant district all in one evening and at a great price – $10 for 5 tastings, buy online or at the event.

At Savor Santa Ana pick up a booklet of 5 taste tickets for ONLY $10 or upgrade to the FOODIE FAST PASS and take advantage of shorter lines, more tastings, drink tickets and a VIP experience for only $45. With your booklet and a route map in hand, you will traverse downtown, devouring your most-wanted food tastings at local eateries. Continue reading→

Woman crashes into the Mama Franz bar in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Accidents, Bars, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Woman crashes into Santa Ana Bar

Photo courtesy of CBS

A woman accidentally put her foot on the gas pedal and plowed into the Mama Franz Bar, located in the 2600 block of West Edinger Avenue near Fairview, in Santa Ana, just before 11 pm, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2015, causing the structure to be red-tagged, according to ABC News.

Once on scene, a preliminary investigation revealed the woman was driving westbound on West Edinger Avenue, when she lost control of her vehicle, and landed on the front deck of the bar, as reported by CBS. Continue reading→

Local Santa Ana brewery crafts the official “Anteater Ale”

Posted on by Posted in Bars, irvine, Planning, Santa Ana, Sean Mill Leave a comment

Brandon Fender, owner of the Good Beer Company

Brandon Fender, owner of the Good Beer Company

When Sean Mill heard that the UCI Alumni Association was trying to find a local craft brewery to develop an “Anteater Ale” he immediately thought of a new business that had been approved by the Santa Ana Planning Commission he serves on.

Mill is himself an anteater and as it turns out so is Brandon Fender, the owner and founder of the Good Beer Company – a craft brewery that has opened in Downtown Santa Ana.

Fender started brewing his own beer, at home, as a hobby but he grew to love the process so much that he opened The Good Beer Company, in Downtown Santa Ana, on September 2014.  He has a degree in Sociology from UCI but taught himself how to make great beer. Continue reading→

Benavides fundraiser now to be held at the cochinero that is the Yost Theatre

Posted on by Posted in 2014 Elections, Alcohol, Bars, David Benavides, Health and Medical, Politics, Public Safety, Restaurants, Santa Ana 6 Comments

Yost chorro

Poor Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides had to switch the location of his upcoming fundraising reception from Ketri Cafe to the Yost Theatre after we let the people of Santa Ana know about Ketri’s unfortunate record of health violations.  However perhaps Benavides should have checked out the Yost Theatre’s health record before he selected them as the new location of his fundraiser, which is set for Oct 16, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  It turns out the Yost is a real cochinero!

On July 10, 2014, the Yost received these health violations after a health inspection by the OC Health Care Agency:

  • Uncleanliness of Premises/Trash Storage
  • Facility not Fully Enclosed/Open Door/Air Curtain
  • Inoperable/Lack of Food Thermometer
  • Water Temp (100F-119F)/Wash Temp <100F/Cross Con
  • Unsanitary Equipment/Utensil/Linen/Plumbing
  • Lack of/Unsanitary/Condition Walls/Floors/Ceilings
  • Improper Food Storage/Receiving
  • Change Room Improper Use/Lack of

Continue reading→

The owner of American Barbershop is opening a German sausage restaurant in DTSA

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Carlos Bustamante, Food, George Mendoza, Restaurants, Santa Ana 16 Comments

Wurst Haus

By now you have surely read about the racial fracas that occurred near the American Barbershop, in Downtown Santa Ana, last Friday.  But did you know that the owner of that enterprise, George Mendoza, is also working on opening a new restaurant called Wursthaus, across the street from his barber shop, at 305 E. 4th St., #106?

The Wursthaus restaurant plans to open at 305 E. Fourth St., near the Frida Cinema. Gabriel Ruiz and George Mendoza plan to serve gourmet sausages, side dishes, wine and craft beers at the German-themed eatery. The 2,000-square-foot space will seat 85 and operate from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Thursday and until 4 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, according to the O.C. Register.

What you may not know is that reportedly disgraced former Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante is an investor in this new business.  That could lead to some odd marketing – come try Bustamante’s hot sausage!  No bueno… Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for Friday night, August 8, at 800 E. First St.

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, August 8th, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 800 E First Street, Santa Ana, CA.

For some unknown reason the SAPD did not release notice of this DUI Checkpoint via the City of Santa Ana’s Nixle service.  Instead the press release was announced on the SAPD’s Facebook Page.

The SAPD barely catches any drunks at these checkpoints.  The truth is that select police officers are chosen to work the checkpoints where they earn a huge overtime bonus.  The money for this comes from the State of California.  Think of this as a gift to the police unions.  It is not however effective policing. Continue reading→

Could the One Broadway Plaza Tower save the DTSA food and arts scene?

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Bars, Development, Mike Harrah, Planning, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Restaurants, Santa Ana 25 Comments

OBP

The Calacas Cafe recently relaunched after changing from a coffee shop to a Mexican cafeteria to compete in the changing downtown atmosphere, labeled by some as one of the hippest scenes in Orange County, according to the O.C. Register.

With a new bar or restaurant opening downtown just about every other month, the owner of Calacas, Rudy Cordova, said he felt he just couldn’t keep up.

No one can keep up.  There are only so many hipsters around and the only way that Downtown Santa Ana’s hipster food and drinking – and arts – scene is going to survive is with a massive influx of new customers.   Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for August 1 at 500 W. First St.

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: Police Department conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint Friday, August 1st, 2014, 9:00PM – 3:00AM, 500 W. First Street

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Friday, August 1st, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 500 W. First Street, Santa Ana, CA.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI checkpoint set for July 26 at 2500 W. 5th St.

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

Santa Ana Police Department

Advisory: SAPD will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, July 26th, 2014, 9:00PM -3:00AM, 2500 W. 5th.

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, July 26th, 2014. It will begin at 9:00PM and is scheduled to conclude at 3:00AM. It will be conducted in the area of 2500 W. 5th Street, Santa Ana, CA.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI/Drivers License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver. Continue reading→

Original Mike’s to host a cigar event on August 2

Posted on by Posted in Bars, Cigars, Entertainment, Food, music, Restaurants, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Cigar event at Original Mike's

A Cigar Event will be hosted on August 2, 2014 at Original Mike’s, located at 100 S. Main St. in Santa Ana.

The event will include Cigars, Live Music, Scotch Tasting, Rum Tasting, a live DJ, and Dancing.

The event will be held on their beautiful 6,000 sq. ft. outdoor patio.  There is also a private Smoking Lounge inside and a fully stocked Premium Bar. Continue reading→

The OC DUI Task Force will be looking for drunk drivers on St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

OC DUI Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 623-8940

Designate a Sober Driver on St. Patrick’s Day

SANTA ANA, Calif. – (March 15, 2014) — With St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Orange County “Avoid the 38” DUI Task Force are reminding drivers not to get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 269 people were senselessly killed nationwide in crashes involving drunk drivers during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday from 2007 to 2011. Those fatalities were preventable. Continue reading→

DTSA’s Memphis closes with a scare as a guy pulls a knife

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, David Benavides, Phil Bacerra, Santa Ana Leave a comment

20140206_204845

The Memphis at the Santora partied one last time last night, as they are closing down.  But the night ended ominously as a suspect pulled a knife on David Hastie, a partner at the Memphis, which is located in Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA).

David wrote about this on his Facebook page – see the comments in the pictures below.  Apparently David manned up and took the knife away from the suspect.  David called the SAPD and he is pressing charges against the miscreant.  And good news – David wasn’t hurt although I am sure his nerves were frazzled. Continue reading→

SAPD DUI Checkpoint set for Feb. 8 at 800 W. First St.

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Bars, Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SAPD DUI Checkpoint

Santa Ana Police Department Advisory:  Police Department conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on February 8th, 7:30PM to 1:30AM in the area of 800 W. First

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Saturday, February 8th, 2014. It will begin at 7:30PM and is scheduled to conclude at 1:30AM. It will be conducted in the area of 800 W. First Street, Santa Ana, CA. Continue reading→

DTSA imploding as restaurants close and artists are evicted

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Arts and Culture, Bars, Crime, Santa Ana 28 Comments

The party is over at The Crosby

The party is over at The Crosby

The hipsters and gentrifiers are trying to argue that all is well in Downtown Santa Ana, in the wake of the brutal murder of Kim Pham, who was literally kicked in the head until she went into a coma, in front of The Crosby, a bar/restaurant.  She later died in the hospital.

The Crosby is done.  According to the OC Weekly they are not going to reopen.  And the Memphis at the Santora is also done.  They will apparently be replaced by a “High End Mexican Restaurant,” whatever the heck that is.  Imagine the limo liberals from Irvine and Long Beach holding Drinking Liberally in a Mexican restaurant!  LOL!

And Jack Jakosky, the owner of the Santora building served eviction notices yesterday on the Studio del Sotano and the Green Door Gallery, weeks after whitewashing a mural at the Santora and painting over the Studio del Sotano’s marquee. Continue reading→