Best Upcoming Food Events In OC
Orange County has no shortage of food events, particularly at this time of year when we have returned to our standard days of 70 (or more) degrees. Some events are good for individuals or couples and others are good for the entire family. From a night of unique tacos to a microbrew festival, Orange County has some show-stopping food events in the next few months.
Wild And Crazy Taco Night
Share Our Selves
1550 Superior Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 270-2137
Date: April 11
www.shareourselves.com
From Taco Tuesday at your local Mexican restaurant/watering hole to trucks dedicated to them, tacos are a pretty good draw in Orange County. For the 20th year, Wild and Crazy Taco Night brings together 25 Orange County chefs to create an unusual taco for this event. Margaritas (an essential beverage to wash those tacos down) are provided by Tres Sietes Tequila. Admission is $70 and benefits Share Our Selves, an organization that helps feed families across the county.
San Clemente Micro-Brew Festival
Left Coast Brewing Company
1245 Puerta Del Sol
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 218-3964
Date: April 20
www.scchamber.com
Okay, so this isn't a food event necessarily, unless you consider beer liquid food. Still, nothing goes better with food than a beverage. Left Coast Brewing Company is putting on the third annual micro-brew festival. This event brings in 15 brewers to sample along with some special brews from Left Coast. Admission gets you 12 four-ounce samples. The micro-brew fest, which benefits celebrations to welcome veterans home, is held at Left Coast Brewing Company. Tickets for this event are $25 in advance, $30 the day of the event and $35 for VIP passes.
Related: Best Pasta Places In Orange County
Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off
El Camino Real and E. Main St.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 573-3326
Date: June 2
www.tustinchilicookoff.com
If you're looking for a food event for the entire family, the Tustin Street Fair is the place to go. Even if June isn't an ideal time for chili, that is the big draw for food if your tongue and stomach are up to the challenge. The Tustin Street Fair also has wine booths, contests, and activities for the kids. The best part about this event is that it's free. Check the website for parking locations.
A Taste Of Greece
4949 Alton Parkway
Irvine, CA 92604
(949) 733-2366
Dates: June 21-23
www.irvinegreekfest.com
The Taste of Greece festival is another event that is good for the whole family. This of course features Greek food, desserts and wine. However, it goes beyond just food and beverages. You can also check out cooking demonstrations to learn how to make Greek food at home, and also learn some Greek folk dancing. This is not just a celebration of food. It is a celebration of all things Greek. A Taste of Greece takes place at St. Paul's Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine.
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Orange County Fair
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-1500
Dates: July 12 to August 11
www.ocfair.com
Technically, this isn't just a food event. However, it is an event where you can enjoy rides, live music and more fried foods than you could possibly imagine including deep-fried Oreos, deep-fried Kool-Aid (yes, that is a real thing) and a chicken sandwich that uses Krispy Kreme doughnuts instead of bread. That is in addition to all the other fair favorites like churros and funnel cakes. The OC Fair runs for a full month, so you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy your favorite fried treats.
Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
