Hot Plates

From best breakfasts to those ill-timed 2 a.m. hunger pangs – and all kinds of eating in between – here’s everything you need to know to stay well-fed this summer.

photo by Ralph Palumbo Dean Lindsay and his dogs at Fashion Island

Hot Dog!

Hot dogs are a microcosm of the restaurant world: They’re everywhere, and most are average at best. Forget scouring the county for that perfect frank. Here are our three favorites:

1. Portillo’s Hot Dogs What began in 1963 as a small hot dog trailer in Chicago has resulted in a nationwide restaurant phenomenon known for some of the best dogs anywhere. Fortunately for OC eaters, Portillo’s location in Buena Park serves up a true Chicago-style hot dog on a perfectly steamed poppy seed bun. 8390 La Palma Ave., Buena Park, (714) 220-6400; www.portillos.com

2. Jerry’s Wood-Fired Hot Dogs The secret to Ohio native Jerry O’Connell’s hot dogs are in his secret recipe for the meat, which is custom-made by a sausage maker. Cooked over a mesquite wood-fired grill for that unmistakable snap to the skin, Jerry’s dogs are best served with the shop’s homemade potato chips. 2276 E. 17th St., Santa Ana, (714) 245-0200; 1701 Corporate Dr., Ste. C8, Ladera Ranch, (949) 364-7080; www.jerrysdogs.com

3. Dean Lindsay’s Gourmet Hot Dog kiosk There’s a reason Dean Lindsay and his cart have been parked by the carousel at Fashion Island since 1991: Patrons have long called his hot dogs the best in Orange County. Plus, there’s no hoopla to overcome – toppings are simple and classic, preparation is quick and the price is right.

For Starters…

Alice’s Breakfast in the Park

Warm, homemade cinnamon rolls dripping with icing, delectable huevos rancheros and muffins fresh from the oven (blueberry, pumpkin, orange pecan, and apple streusel) are what draw the crowds to Alice’s Breakfast in the Park in Huntington Beach, but they stay for country charm and the lakeside scenery. 6622 Lakeview Dr., Huntington Beach, (714) 848-0690; www.breakfastinthepark.com

And the hottest breakfast in the OC goes to… the açaî energy bowl at Kéan Coffee?! Made with Sambazon Brazilian açai, banana, apple juice, strawberries, and hemp granola, the açai bowl at Kean has a near cult-like following due its health-packed contents and tasty flavors. The açai berry is known as one of the healthiest foods on the planet for its extreme antioxidant content, while hemp granola contains complete omega fats that combat heart disease. So have some açai with your latte and forget about that triple brownie sundae you ate last night for dinner. 2043 Westcliff Dr., Newport Beach, (949) 642-5326; www.keancoffee.com

Photo by Ralph Palumbo Valet Girls

A Hot Meal

Hot cars sell. Hot girls sell. Put the two together and you get hot girls who drive hot cars, otherwise known as Valet Girls, a concept that uses attractive women to get your car into those tight spots at the most happening locales. The recently opened A Restaurant in Newport Beach is the first business in Orange County to use Valet Girls, and we have to admit: The feminine touch was as sexy as it sounds. Sorry, valet guys. Visit www.valetgirls.com for more information.

Yogurt, Yogurt Everywhere!

Yogurtland’s fro-yo

Not since the unforgettable Heidi’s Frogen Yozurt of the 1980s has there been such a resurgence in interest in the nonfat frozen dessert. Frozen yogurt shops have been sprouting up all over OC with all variety of appeal – from basic flavors (plain and tart) and fresh fruit toppings with minimal calories at Pinkberry at Fashion Island to the self-serve style at Yogurtland, with four OC locations including Irvine and Rancho Santa Margarita, which offers 16 rotating flavors and 33 toppings ranging from blueberries to crumbled candy bars. The newly opened Red Mango at Crystal Cove Promenade gives an even healthier spin on its fro-yo: millions of live and active cultures are great for your digestive system and the ingredients are all-natural. Here’s to some healthy summer snacking!

Late-Night Bites

One of our county’s greatest restaurant shortcomings is the dearth of late-night spots to grab a decent bite – one that satisfies the deep cravings and appetites that seem to crop up at the most inconvenient of times. Thankfully, there are a few options. The Crow Bar and Kitchen in Corona del Mar (949-675-0070; www.thecrowbarcdm.com) keeps the kitchen open until midnight on the weekends, serving their signature gastropub fare and international brews. In Costa Mesa, The Rooster Café (714-754-1944) serves up one of the finest French dips in the OC until 3 a.m. every day of the week – unless, of course, at that hour, you’re feeling more like one of their egg-, bacon- and hash brown-stuffed breakfast burritos. The Camp in Costa Mesa is home to Mesa (714-557-6700), the biggest anti-scene scene in Orange County. But despite attempts to stay under the radar (unlisted phone number, no Web site, virtually no press) and to keep out the crashers of cool, Mesa has become something of a congregating spot for those looking for an organic cocktail, upscale bar food and a cooler-than-thou crowd that sticks around until the wee hours.

Photo By Ed Olen Javier’s at Crystal Cove Promenade

Remodels, Hangouts and Openings

Orange County is big on makeovers of any kind, and restaurants are no exception. Tommy Bahama’s Island Grille at Corona del Mar Plaza (949-760-8686; www.tommybahama.com) has recently undergone a major renovation to heighten the restaurant’s exotic feel and island-inspired menu, which – don’t worry – still has the world-famous coconut shrimp. Corona del Mar’s Landmark Steakhouse (949-675-5556; www.landmarknewport.com) has also received a new moniker. Now simply known as Landmark, the restaurant has remodeled dining rooms, patio and lounge with new nightly entertainment. You can’t beat the people-watching at the new Javier’s at Crystal Cove Promenade (949-494-1239; www.javiers-cantina.com), a megatropolis with a who’s-who crowd and – oh, yeah – fresh, regional Mexican food with a huge selection of premium tequilas. Downtown Fullerton is home to newly opened Lizarran Tapas Restaurant (714-879-9009; www.lizarrantapas.com), the first of its kind in the U.S. Traditional Spanish tapas, as well as sangria and a distinctive atmosphere are just as attractive as the reasonable prices. Bistro K in Laguna Niguel (949-495-9101; www.thebistrok.com) brings neighborhood atmosphere and Old World Italian flavors to the forefront.

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