I do not like Disneyland.
I do not like its rides. I do not like its lines. I do not like its crowds. I do not like how Disney has tried to influence politics in my hometown of Anaheim for decades. I might be the only person in my life who feels this way.
My sister has an annual pass. My other sister was a regular at Dapper Days before the pandemic. Cousins and friends work for the Mouse; my wife always bugs me about when I’ll take her again.
I try not to go, but I go enough to know that the resort’s food has improved dramatically from the days we’d sneak in burritos. And I also know there’s far better food within minutes of the Happiest Place on Earth.
Disneyland’s location right off Harbor Boulevard and right next to the 5 Freeway means great eats are just a short drive to Little Saigon, to the rest of Orange County and north to Los Angeles. But for this list, I wanted to limit my suggestions to places where I’m a regular — in some cases, for most of my life. None of them are more than 10 minutes away. All exemplify the O.C. that I love.