With the first customer arriving around 10 p.m the night before, coffee zealots came from as far away as Arizona to try out the chain’s latest store on Magnolia Street in the Village Shopping Center. A line of cars snaked out of the shopping plaza and down the street by 8.a.m. An employee, decked out in hues of pink with butterfly-winged shoes, carried a large sign with rainbow felt lettering that read, “Questions? I can recommend a drink.” A gaggle of employees from the Lancaster Dutch Bros came to support the new store. The mass anticipation was palpable, giving credence to the company’s cult-like status.

“I was here at 5 a.m. with my kid, but left to drop him off at school, then came back to wait in line again,” sad Pilar Vidal of Huntington Beach, who eschewed the line of cars to wait in the queue of people lined up outside the walk-up window. “I love the different options they give you, and they make any coffee to your liking,” she adds.

Vidal added that she had planned on driving to Las Vegas this week specifically to go to Dutch Bros, but after hearing about the Fountain Valley opening, she stuck close to home. “This is going to get me addicted, being so close.”

After waiting in line, customers carried their caffeine-spiked hauls back to their cars. Some sat in SUVs with the back doors open in order to enjoy their very first Dutch Bros. The shopping plaza resembled a pre-game outside SoFi stadium.

Colleagues and friends Jocelyn Ortizano and Ally Cruz, who hail from Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa, respectively, arrived at 6 a.m. and waited in line roughly an hour before getting their drinks. Ortizano opted for the Golden Eagle Chai Tea while Cruz enjoyed the Kicker, a blend of espresso, half and half and Irish cream syrup.

“It has such a cult following, we had to come. We will definitely be back,” Ortizano said.

The secret to Dutch Bros’ success, in addition to its dizzying array of espresso beverages, energy drinks, smoothies and muffin tops, is its focus on sweetening relationships with customers. Oscar Moreno, Dutch Bros corporate trainer — or, as he clarified, “a mobster,” the sobriquet given to all Dutch Bros employees — said, “This is the biggest Dutch Bros opening in my history with the company.”

Lance Risser, vice president of field operations for Dutch Bros, concurred, saying, “This is unlike anything I’ve seen before in my 17 years with the company.” He notes that Friday’s opening marks the company’s 856th location.

“People are attracted to our hospitality and our service,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of companies that want to fill cups besides coffee; we’re going after relationships with our customers. Don’t get me wrong, our drinks are fantastic, but if people aren’t leaving here without a smile on their faces, then our job isn’t done.”

Risser revealed that a second Dutch Bros, which will be located a stone’s throw from its latest one at Magnolia and Warner, is tentatively set to open in fall of 2024. Another location will open in La Habra either in late 2024 or early 2025.

SEE ALSO: Cult-favorite coffee shop Dutch Bros opening first OC location this week

Why is Dutch Bros is so beloved with such intensity, especially in the midst of a third-wave coffee movement that’s seen both chains and independent coffee shops sprout up in nearly every American neighborhood? Moreno says it boils down to human connection.

“People can go anywhere, but they don’t get the kind of customer service that we have,” he said. “We ask every single customer how their day is going. It can throw them off, not being used to it, but it helps us understand who we’re serving. I can learn who might have, say, a diabetic condition and offer them something suitable. I can learn who might prefer oat milk to dairy. It’s a way to set the bar and go above and beyond it.”

Inside the 950-square-foot space, employees brimmed with energy due in large part to the EDM music filing the room. The “green beans,” the company’s affectionate term for new employees, helped customers through the drive-through and walk-up windows, with Moreno conducting all of the day-one action.

The long line of drivers, who began queuing up late the night before and stretched down to Oak and Talbert Streets by mid-morning, were monitored by both Dutch Bros staff (armed with tablets to take orders from drivers à la In-N-Out) using company-branded cones, as well a a handful of police officers standing by.  This kind of frenzied reception is nothing new to Dutch Bros, where people come from all over to taste the company’s goods.

SEE ALSO: 15 Southern California coffee shops with creative, quirky themes

“We were expecting it to be busy, but this is even bigger than I had expected,” said Tiara Loville, who recently moved from Denver to Fountain Valley in order to operate the Fountain Valley shop. “In fact, we did our morning dub shot with the first 10 customers at around 4 a.m.” For the uninitiated, the dub-shot ritual is a morning practice Dutch Bros bro-istas (the preferred term Dutch Bros employees use in lieu of “barista”) wherein they drink two shots of espresso in unison to get the day going and the energy bumped up.

Wait times from when cars pulled up to the window, got their order, and drove away varied from two to five minutes. Within that time, employees chatted with their new customer base, inquiring about their jobs, general preferences and overall mood.

Dutch Bros, conceived in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in Grants Pass, Ore., features beverages that are whimsical in name and flavor profile. A few examples? The Caramelizer, featuring espresso, chocolate milk, caramel sauce and whipped cream; the Double Torture, a double shot of espresso laced with vanilla syrup, chocolate milk and whipped cream; and the company’s signature brand of fizzy Rebel energy drinks in such iterations as Aftershock with strawberry, blackberry, raspberry and lime or the Golden Gate Rebel, featuring passion fruit and a strawberry float topping it off.[

The 9-1-1, a beverage that comes spiked with six shots of espresso, proved to be a strong yet smooth drink despite its ingredient list that, as its name suggests, might have some reaching for the defibrillator.

Clarisse Banci, who first fell in love with Dutch Bros while living in Northern California, arrived with her two dogs to wait in line at 7:30 a.m. to try the Salted Caramel Protein Latte. When asked why she wanted to wait in line at Dutch Bros when a handful of other cafes are nearby, she explained, “I like the prices here, especially when compared to Starbucks. There’s also more variety. And I like the positive vibe here. They know how to make it a good experience.”

Dutch Bros in Fountain Valley will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Find it: 17954 Magnolia St., Fountain Valley

Some spots will offer Valentine’s Day menu specials (like tacos with red tortillas made with beet juice or truffle-laced lobster rolls), while others will keep their menus as-is. Wherever your palate, there’s something here for everyone, even the lonelyhearts (see: 24-hour doughnut shop). Here are a handful of the most romantic date-night spots in Orange County.

4th Street Market (Santa Ana): For a casual date night, head to one of OC’s greatest food arenas. With so much to see and so much to do, you won’t feel nearly as much pressure for conversation as you might at typical sit-down restaurants. And you’ll have so much from which to choose: Mexican-Californian specialty grocery store Alta Baja Market, which also serves breakfast and lunch from its cafe; Zacatecas taqueria Burrito La Palma; sandwiches from Deli Station; contemporary Hawaiian comfort food by Faka’s Island Grill, Gina’s Crepes and Waffles; plant-based, vegan and gluten-free taqueria La Vegana Mexicana, which specializes in tamales; Loose Leaf Boba Co.; build-your-own burrito or bowl Mix N’ Bowl Co., Recess by Playground for cocktails, sodas, beers and wines; sushi care of ShariNori; smashburgers and Nashville-style hot chicken at Golden Eatery; Thai-style chicken comfort food from the Chicken Rice; and chef-founder Toto Limsombat’s sublime Tuk Tuk Thai Street Food. 201 E. Fourth St. (at North Bush Street), Santa Ana.

B&B Donuts (Fullerton): No, stay with me: A doughnut shop is, and will always be, at least for me, a romantic pitstop, especially B&B Donuts in Fullerton. Why? Because a) doughnuts and b) it’s open 24 hours. Among the more underrated swoon-worthy gifts one should receive in life is a box of maple bars at 2 a.m. after a late-night date or a lover’s spat. The midcentury design of this dessert spot also makes for a nice backdrop for any first-date photos. 925 Harbor Blvd., Fullerton.

The Cellar (Fullerton): This subterranean restaurant designed by a former Disney Imagineer who helped create the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a choice spot for setting a romantic tone.  The semi-private banquettes, circular booth seating, and red velvet all work in unison to help create an intimate yet enchanting vibe. Menu highlights include chateaubriand steak tartare, escargot, shrimp cocktail, duck breast, bouillabaisse, chocolate or vanilla souffle, champagne floats and other white-tablecloth fare. 305 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton.

SEE ALSO: Valentine’s Day 2024: What restaurants are offering, from steak to chocolate

Chaak Kitchen (Tustin): Chef Gabbi Patrick uses her Yucatàn roots to create her modern Mexican cuisine. Highlights here include  an 11-hour Yucatecan-style cochinita pibil, tacos stuffed with pork confit and an entire branzino rubbed with achiote. Playing a strong supporting role is the warm decor with a dramatically draped skylight and the wraparound bar. Stunning all around. 215 El Camino Real, Tustin.

The Chart House (Dana Point): Both the views and the modernist architecture at this cliffside restaurant nestled along the Dana Point Bluffs are hard to beat when it comes to picturesque vibes. Although its main dining area features views of the Pacific, opt for the more intimate booth-style seating for dates that require more intimate moments. The Chart House, one of several located throughout the country, specializes in seafood fare and steaks galore. 34442 Green Lantern, Dana Point.

Driftwood Kitchen (Laguna Beach): One of many seaside dining spots in Laguna Beach, this one offers seafood, burgers, oysters, parker house rolls, lobster flautas, wagyu beef potstickers and other fusion comfort fare. But the main draw here is the view of the ocean while you eat. If you can swing it, try to grab a reservation around sundown to bear witness to a glorious sunset over the Pacific while as you feast. 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach.

Fable & Spirit (Newport Beach): This contemporary restaurant on Balboa Island features intimate two-seat tables for sidewalk dining. A Michelin Guide-recognized spot, Fable & Spirit is known for its elegant setting. The 12-hour Kurobuta porchetta with polenta, romanesco, Calabrian chili and chimichurri is a don’t-miss item. For Valentine’s Day, executive chef David Shofner will offer a 32-day dry-aged prime rib-eye, as well as seared scallops. 3441 Via Lido, Newport Beach.

Gema (San Clemente): For a refreshing break from chips-and-guac rowdiness, Gema offers some of the best Mexican cuisine in town under the care of executive chef Juan Pablo Cruz. His seasonal menu features mole verde, halibut en pipian, a sublime birria de res and an infladita with beef birria, cheese foam and arbol salsa. The bar program whips up craft cocktails (as well as nonalcoholic concoctions made with house-made syrups and purees) with more than100 mezcals with 32 varietals of agaves. Potted plants, floral arrangements and wooden accents give this place an earthy, contemporary charm. An ideal spot for gastronomes seeking a night out on the town. 110 S. El Camino Real (at Avenida Del Mar), San Clemente.

SEE ALSO: These chocolate bars are perfect treats to serve for Valentine’s Day

Knife Pleat (Costa Mesa): Founded by couple Tony Esnault and Yassmin Sarmadi, this Costa Mesa spot is one of three Michelin-starred restaurants in Orange County. The acclaimed eatery will feature a three-course Valentine’s lunch menu and six-course dinner menu with Tsar Nicoulai Golden Osetra Caviar, black truffle risotto, and American wagyu ribeye cap. Every couple enjoying dinner will leave with a box of macarons. South Coast Plaza, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Las Brisas (Laguna Beach): An exceedingly elegant beachside restaurant that offers views of the Pacific, Las Brisas features a menu of oysters, bone marrow, corn mousse tostada, seared scallops, butter squash tamales, beef filet, butter-poached lobster and more. From Feb. 15 through Feb. 18, it will also have a five-course prix fixe menu featuring grilled lamb chops, Maine lobster, tomahawk steak or beef filet. After dinner, be sure to take a stroll along Heisler Park, a walk that features a wooden gazebo overlooking the waves. 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

Marché Moderne (Newport Beach): Located in the Crystal Cove enclave, this modern French affair will have a special La Saint-Valentin prix-fixe menu for the heart-throbbing holiday. Look forward to lobster bisque, oysters, sashimi hamachi, sauteed sepia, steak tartare, bone-in short rib, a pavlova/vacherin with grapefruit mousseline and more. Outside of Valentine’s Day, Amelia Marneau’s glamorous bistro is sure to impress any other day of the year. 7862 Pacific Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

Mayfield (San Juan Capistrano): With plates designed to be shared, as well as being located a stone’s throw from a cinema across the street, Mayfield is the place to go for dinner-and-a-movie nights out. For starters, Mayfield has some of the best interiors in South County, with soaring ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows that somehow manage to keep the vibe lively yet intimate. There’s also a heated back patio (with blanket service to boot) for diners seeking a quieter dining experience. Also of note: Mayfield serves some of the best food in Orange County, from roasted lamb with minted peas, pomegranate and harissa glazed pork chop and twice-cooked sweet potatoes with yuzu kosho and preserved lemon tahini. 31761 Camino Capistrano, suite 5-6, San Juan Capistrano.

Nok’s Kitchen (Westminster): The Laotian food (please get the Lao sausage and sticky rice), the cozy space, the food arriving on wicker platters to the table. Chef/owner Nokmaniphone Sayavong’s spot is a must for anyone who yearns to bond with someone over complex flavors. 9378 Westminster Blvd., Westminster.

Orange Hill (Orange): An upscale, hilltop restaurant with koi ponds, waterfalls and outdoor seating is perfect when paired with a menu of New American dishes like caviar fries, wedge salad with pickled shallots, wine-braised short ribs, caviar and truffle baked potato and more. Look for a four-course prix fixe menu on Valentine’s Day. 6410 E. Chapman Ave., Orange.

Puesto (Anaheim, Irvine): For Valentine’s Day, this contemporary Mexican restaurant will serve its tacos on red tortillas made in-house and naturally colored with beet juice. Guests can also add octane to their Valentine’s Day fete with beverages from Puesto’s craft bar program, which features freshly-squeezed juices, house-made sodas, and an impressive list of agave spirits sourced from Mexico. 1040 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim; 3311 Michelson Drive, Irvine.

Sushi Roku (Newport Beach): The rich and decadent truffle lobster roll with champagne butter is worth paying this sushi spot a visit. In addition to its regular sushi fare, this Fashion Island spot will also have special menu items for Valentine’s Day. 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

“After 29 years, our family is ready to pass the banana (pun intended) to the next family to carry on the tradition of serving smiles and memories,” said Courtney Alovis, who, along with her husband, Will, have owned and operated Sugar ‘n Spice for the last eight and a half years. “We look forward to coming back many, many times as customers, to continue to enjoy our favorite treats. May Sugar ’n Spice bring as much joy to their family as it has to ours.”

SEE ALSO: ‘Arrested Development’ dipped in humor of creator’s O.C. upbringing

To mark the occasion, Courtney and Will Alovis will host a free frozen banana giveaway on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Free bananas will be handed out on a first-come-first-served basis. It will be a chance for banana fans to grab a sweet treat while also luring potential buyers of the primo real estate.

The approximately 400-square-foot stand has served sweet treats and frozen bananas for more than seven decades from its blue Dutch doors. Legend has it that it all began as a mistake care of the son of original owners, Bob and Dorothy Cook, who opened Dot & Bob Candies on July 4, 1945. One day, after asking their 11-year-old son, Don, to put a bunch of bananas in the refrigerator, he accidentally placed them in the freezer. Instead of tossing the glacial bananas in the garbage, the family had the idea to dip them in fudge and cover them with various toppings and — voila! — the frozen banana was born. The then-owners changed the name of the shop to Sugar ’n Spice in 1959.

In 2003, Sugar ’n Spice received an unexpected boost in sales after the Emmy Award-winning Fox comedy “Arrested Development” gave it new life; show creator Mitch Hurwitz based the show on a fictitious Newport Beach family that owns a frozen banana business, modeled after Sugar ’n Spice. (“It’s one banana, Michael, what could it cost, 10 dollars?” quipped the Lucille Bluth, played to perfection by the late Jessica Walter.) Hurwitz, an Orange County native, was inspired by his teenage years hawking cookies on the island. However, eagle-eyed fans of the show will note that scenes of the stand were actually filmed at Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey.

“Growing up, everyone has that iconic memory of what made them cherish their childhood,” said Annie Clougherty, Compass real estate agent listing 310 Marine Ave. “If you want to own an iconic piece of Newport Beach that reminds not only you but the world of Balboa Island, now is your time.” The Sugar ‘n Spice space will be listed alongside its adjoining residential unit featuring 1,166 square feet, three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths.

While one cannot say for sure whether or not Sugar ‘n Spice’s future owners will keep the business running — so iconic to Balboa Island’s culinary landscape, it would be a shame to shutter operations — the current owners hope that the beloved banana stand stays open for years to come.

“It is our hope that somebody continues on with it,” said Courtney. “After all, it’s been there since 1945.”

“I am so very excited Fountain Valley will welcome the first Dutch Bros for Southern California,” said Kim Constantine, Fountain Valley councilperson and former mayor. “While I haven’t yet indulged in their delicious offerings, I am really looking forward to doing so this week. I’ve been putting out information on social media for quite some time now, and can tell you this first location for Fountain Valley will be busy.”

For the uninitiated, Dutch Bros, conceived in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in Grants Pass, Ore., features an extensive menu of espresso drinks, teas, smoothies and other beverages, most of which can be customizable with an impressive list of syrups and milks.

Such brews as the Caramelizer, featuring espresso, chocolate milk, caramel sauce and whipped cream; the Double Torture, a double shot of espresso laced with vanilla syrup, chocolate milk and whipped cream; or the 9-1-1 that features a staggering six shots of espresso with Irish cream syrup and half and half have, in part, helped turn this onetime pushcart enterprise into a multimillion-dollar public company with approximately 500 stores across 12 states.

SEE ALSO: Tustin’s Googie-style Alta Dena Dairy becoming a Starbucks

For those who prefer their caffeine in classic form, mochas, lattes, cold brews, nitro and americanos can be found here. However, the chain does not sell drip-style coffee, primarily espresso-based drinks. Most of the offerings can be made hot, cold or blended. And similar to another popular drive-through chain, Dutch Bros. has if-you-know-you-know style of orders, like “mafia style,” which means extra sweet with two additional shots of espresso. The company also sells energy drinks in sundry flavors, sodas, shakes and more.

The limited snack menu includes muffin tops (hat tip to proselytizer Elaine Benes) in lemon poppyseed, chocolate chip and orange-cranberry flavors, as well as a granola bar.

SEE ALSO: Dutch Bros. drive-through coffee shop plots first OC locations

In addition to its expansive menu, Dutch Bros. baristas, known as “bro-istas,” are known for their friendly disposition and chummy connection with customers. Memorizing patron preferences, inquiring about family members, and even handing out free drinks to customers dealing with difficult lives have helped bring people back again and again.

The new 950-square foot Dutch Bros building with a double drive-through at the northeast corner of Magnolia Street and Talbert Avenue in Fountain Valley will be the first of two stores planned for Orange County. Later this year, Dutch Bros plans on opening a La Habra store; the project is still in its early stages.

Dutch Bros in Fountain Valley will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Find it: 17954 Magnolia St.., Fountain Valley

“It is with heavy hearts that we must inform you of the permanent closure of Corazon. This decision was not made lightly, and we are truly saddened to share this news with you,” Romero said in an emailed statement. “While this chapter may be closing, we are excited to embark on a new adventure.”

Romero went on to say he will pivot into catering, noting, “We will be shifting our focus to full-service catering and private chef experiences for any events you may have. We are dedicated to bringing the same level of passion, quality, and flavor to your special occasions, creating unforgettable culinary experiences for you and your guests.”

SEE ALSO: After 27 years, Salt Creek Grille in Dana Point to close its doors

Opening in 2019 in downtown Fullerton, Romero moved his eatery to Brea in 2021. In addition to landing on Yelp’s Top 100 Restaurants of 2023, Corazon received a rave review from Orange County Register food critic Brad Johnson.. In his review, Johnson noted, among other things, the horchata (“It will likely be the best horchata you ever drink,” he beamed), the fish and shrimp ceviche, mole enchiladas, chicken taquitos and carne asada tacos (“all of which are excellent”).

Although the Yelp page reads that Corozon is “scheduled to reopen on June 1, 2024,” the restaurant has closed indefinitely.

A new monthly vegan market, straightforwardly called Vegan Food Popup, will come to San Clemente on Saturday, March 2. The open-air market will feature more than 50 vendors, including such cuisines as Thai, Mexican, Mozambican, Italian, Pacific Islander, Turkish, Chinese and more.

Vegan Food Popup, which also pops up in San Diego’s Vista and North Park, is the brainchild Michelle May, who created Seva Foods, a line of plant-based snacks.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer the San Clemente community the opportunity to experience foods and cultures that are not currently available in the area,” May said. “This event is definitely not just for vegans, but rather anyone that’s interested in eating healthier and trying something new. The growing interest in plant-based foods among omnivores has been driven not only by health and environmental concerns but also by an appreciation for all of the innovative, vegan culinary offerings that are now available.”

Some of the vendors appearing at the inaugural event include Element Vegan Cuisine, Gourmet Tamales, La Boocha Kombucha, The Donuttery, Little Thai Cottage, Asian comfort food purveyors Man Eating Plant, Maya’s Cookies, Teif’s Pacific Island Grill, soul food from We Be Grubbin’, Yuseong Mandu and more.

Vegan dishes will run the gamut from burgers, hot wings and donuts to smoothies, salads and curries. No cost for entry and, by all means, bring your pooch as it’s a dog-friendly event.

Vegan Food Popup goes from noon to 4 p.m.

Find it: North Beach, 1832 N. El Camino Real, San Clemente

After In-N-Out Burger opened California’s first drive-thru in 1948, Alta Dena Dairy followed suit with a similar concept, opening express shops throughout the region.

Built in the early 1950s, the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it store in Tustin — situated between DK’s Donuts and a Walgreens between Old Irvine Road and Irvine Boulevard — was once one of many Alta Dena Dairy drive-throughs in Southern California. In addition to milk, cheese and other Alta Dena-related fare, customers could purchase sundry items like flour, eggs, meats and paper goods inside the store without having to leave their vehicles.

As Nancy Keefe, daughter of Alta Dena Dairy’s co-founder/owner Harold Stueve, told the Los Angeles Times in her father’s 2006 obituary, “My dad saw that in California, cars were becoming more and more important. He thought it would be a good service to give people a place to get their basics without having to get out of their cars.” For better and for worse, such business savvy helped further cement Southern California’s automobile-driven reputation.

The Alta Dena Express turned into an unofficial landmark over the following decades, one that denizens cherished as much for its diminutive charm as they did for its convenience. Tustin artist Daniel Thomas captured the drive-through’s weathered appeal in his carefully crafted miniature. His small-scale replica paid homage to the shop, which closed in 2021, featuring the same rough-hewn yellow facade and lilliputian reach-in refrigerators with tiny cans of Mello Yello, cartons of milk and cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon. “It’s interesting to get the urban decay and some of the stuff that people just walk past,” Thomas told the Orange County Register in 2018. “I just like the building.”

In 2021, the building achieved official status after it was identified as a historic resource in the city’s 2021 Historic Resource Survey “as a rare example of an important automobile-oriented historic property type,” explained Stephanie Najera, communications manager for the city of Tustin.

SEE ALSO: 15 Southern California coffee shops with creative, quirky themes

While most the the Alta Dena Express’s later-era embellishment, like the slightly rusted metal sign reading “ALTA DENA MILK 2 GAL SPECIAL” bolted to the side of the building or its butter-yellow facade, will no longer be seen, the Googie-style structure will still sport the same design flair as it did when it first opened. “The existing drive-thru building … is of the Googie architectural style born in Southern California,” said Najera. “The style was a modern architectural style that began in the 1950s and was frequently used for coffee shops, gas stations along with other types of buildings.”

When Starbucks came knocking to open shop in the historic space, the city of Tustin required the coffee chain to keep some, if not most, of its original architectural elements. Such adaptive reuse ordinance allows for preservation of older buildings that, due to historic significance or utter beauty, deserve to survive the wrecking ball. “The city asked us to keep the barn sign and the wall-in cooler door, and to leave the wings intact,” said Ed Carlson, superintendent of KDC Construction, the team behind the renovation.

The towering barn sign, noted for its shingled ornamentation and A-frame peak, a design used at several other Southern California Alta Dena drive-throughs, was spruced up with little more than a new Starbucks logo. Midcentury-modern touches, like the two wings that spread from each side of the building (i.e., cantilevered) will remain as-is. And the zig-zag metal rods that hold up the wings, now decked out in a minty hue, keep the midcentury vibe going. The wall-in cooler doors will also stay put.

SEE ALSO: Blue Scoop Creamery, Southern-style ice cream shop, opens second OC location

Although the former convenience store did have space for customers to breeze in and out, the new Starbucks is drive-thru only, with the same menu found at most of its stand-alone stores. The coffee chain’s employees will take orders and prepare drinks from inside the cozy space, handing them off to drivers idling outside. The parking lot area has been configured to handle the flow and circulation of traffic. Drivers may enter and exit via Old Irvine Boulevard.

Find it: 1062 Irvine Blvd., Tustin

“When we moved here, Baskin-Robbins was the show in town. And then there was a Pinkberry and a Golden Spoon. I couldn’t find the kind of ice cream I grew up eating.”

Spurred by her love of ice cream, as well as a mid-life escape from the corporate grind, Kim and her husband, Chris, opened Blue Scoop Creamery, named in tribute to the Bluegrass State, in Yorba Linda in 2020. “I went to college, got my master’s degree in business, and then worked in corporate marketing for over 20 years,” she said. “I joke that ice cream might be my midlife crisis, but I was working really, really hard for someone else — and I wanted to work really hard for myself.”

After their first store proved a success despite opening in the midst of a roaring pandemic — and due in large part to the couple’s focus on making quality, housemade ice creams and desserts with a Southern bent (think banana pudding) — the Rhodes officially opened their second location in Brea on Wednesday, Jan 24.

Nearly everything at Blue Scoop Creamery, from the ice cream and cakes to the cookies and sauces, are made from scratch in-house. Menu highlights at Blue Scoop Creamery include such dairy-laced divinity as Twin Mint, PB Situation (peanut butter ice cream with chocolate and peanut butter-covered feuilletine flakes), Peppermint Stick, Movie Munchies (packed with sundry snacks you’d find at your nearest cinema), Grape Nuts, Candy Cane Cookie Cheesecake and Almond Chip (vegan).

Of course, such stalwart flavors as vanilla, strawberry, mint chip and chocolate are featured (given the high-quality of ingredients used at Blue Scoop Creamery, returning to the classics is worth it), but other flavors like Nana’s banana pudding, blueberry cheesecake, salted caramel, lemon sorbet and cookie butter are worth a second and third return visit.

“A lot of our stuff is inspired by my background like our bourbon ball ice cream. I grew up in Kentucky and every holiday there was a plate of bourbon ball candy,” she said. ‘”We also do specialty sundaes every now and then like banana pudding or Kentucky butter cake. We really lean into that Southern flair.”

Most notable  is the Honey Almond Brittle ice cream that uses honey sourced from a Yorba Linda beekeeper. Since landing on the menu, the flavor has amassed a loyal following. Keeping the locally-sourced theme going, the milk and cream used for their ice creams are sourced from cows in the San Jacinto Valley, which aren’t treated with bovine growth hormones like rBST.

As for vegan flavors, Blue Scoop Creamery always has Cookie Butter on its menu, with three other flavors that rotate every two to four weeks.

“We’ve gotten great feedback on our dairy-free ice cream at our Yorba Linda location, which has become a nice destination for people who can’t or choose not to eat dairy,” she said.

In addition to churning out choice ice cream, the Rhodeses want Blue Scoop Creamery to be more than just a brick-and-mortar space where customers robotically get in, grab grub and go like so many big-chain eateries as of late. Kim hopes the Brea location, like the Yorba Linda one, becomes a viable third space — i.e., a social area that is separate from home and work.

“For us, we’re really into making really great ice cream but just as important to us is bringing community together. One thing that kind of distinguishes us from our competition is that we have a welcoming dining room. And there’s actually space for people to come in and hang out — a third space, if you will,” she explained.

Kim Rhoes goes on to note that maintaining a family-friendly atmosphere is also a priority for her Brea shop. “We just had really good success integrating with the community. And Brea is also very community driven. [Chris and I] live in between the two cities because it’s important for us to be able to see, touch, feel and be really involved with our two shops.”

Find it: 391 S State College Blvd Suite O, Brea

Aiming to be a more casual affair compared to Paseo and Céntrico, “Tiendita will offer guests an expedited dining choice,” said Frank Moreno, vice president of operations at Patina Restaurant Group, in an emailed statement. Patina Restaurant Group owns and operates restaurants at Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center, as well as nearby eateries like Naples Ristorante e Bar in Downtown Disney and Leatherby’s Café Rouge at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

SEE ALSO: Earl of Sandwich rooftop bar coming to Downtown Disney

Menu highlights at Tiendita will include esquites, similar to elote but served off the cob; tacos al pastor, which includes thin slices of pork, pineapple juices and roasted onions; and arroz con leche, a cinnamon and vanilla treat topped with raisins that’s billed as a twist on a nostalgic treat from chef Gaytán’s childhood.

Gaytán made a name for himself outside the food world after appearing as a contestant on “Top Chef” in 2013, placing third. His Chicago restaurant Mexique, which shuttered in 2019 after a 10-year run, won consecutive Michelin sparklers in 2013 and 2014, making Gaytán the first Mexican-born chef with a Michelin-starred restaurant.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland files construction permits for $8 million food hall

Tiendita, Paseo and Céntrico are anticipated to open this spring. Twenty-year stalwart Tortilla Jo’s (also owned by the Patina Restaurant Group) will close on March 31 to make way for the trio of new eateries.

Downtown Disney’s Parkside Market, an $8 million food hall-style concept with a top-floor outdoor bar, is expected to open by late 2024.

That is, except for Orange County.

Out of the 100 best places to eat, according to Yelp reviews, 18 can be found in the Golden State. The company’s 2023’s rankings had featured nine Orange County restaurants, including Anaheim’s Sunbliss Cafe, Sababa Falafel Shop in Garden Grove and Hanuman Thai Eatery in Costa Mesa. This year O.C. has zilch.

Riverside and Ventura counties, which had two and one appearances in 2023, respectively, didn’t make the cut this year, either.

Los Angeles County has four restaurants on this year’s list (down from six). Downtown L.A.’s Broken Mouth, Yelp’s No. 1 restaurant in the nation last year, fell to No. 6. (Latin American vegetarian restaurant Tumerico in Tucson, Arizona, came in at the top spot for 2024.)

Asian cuisines were the most represented in 2024, with Asian, Asian-fusion, and Southeast Asian restaurants making up 25% of the list. More than 85% of the eateries are priced under $30 per person.

Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States, released Tuesday, Jan 23, is determined by the company’s data team who use community submissions to determine restaurants by ratings, number of reviews and volume of submissions, according to Yelp. Food trucks, delis and cafés are also taken into consideration.

Here are the other Southern California eateries that made the list and their rankings:

Los Angeles County

4. GS Cafe and Ethiopian Cuisine (Covina)

6. Broken Mouth/Lee’s Homestyle (Los Angeles)

10. Uncle Af’s (Agoura Hills)

81. Zamorales Grill (Woodland Hills)

San Diego County

3. Sunnyside Kitchen (Escondido)

16. Crafted Greens (El Cajon)

40. Rosemarie’s Burgers (San Diego)

53. Peace Pies (San Diego)

The state with the second-most appearances was Florida with 13 restaurants, Arizona and Texas both have eight spots each and Nevada finished the top five most represented states with six eateries.