Top Ten Breakfast Places in Orange County, California

My husband and I love to go out to breakfast. We even call it our weekly date. Orange County California has an abundance of different types to fun places to try. There are some that, quite honestly, I would have loved to have tried and included, but didn't quite get the chance. Hopefully I will be able to have another chance to write another article about one of my favorite meals out and include them. For now, here are some of our favorite restaurants to start our day:

Plum's Cafe: Costa Mesa. Located in a strip mall, this place is so popular that even during the weekdays you need to allow for a long wait. But it' well worth it! The owner is an Oregon transplant who brings wonderful produce, coffee and artwork into her establishment. The menu has some very interesting items-my husband loves the coconut french toast, served with tropical fruit. I love the greek omelet. We both have trouble resisting the Oregon boysenberry muffins! My mom says the lamb/feta burgers served with field greens salad is the best. For my father-the dutch baby reigns supreme.

The Omelet Bar: Just a block up from Plum's in yet another strip mall is this rather quirky little place. The wait staff dresses like Cyndi Lauper, but are very good. Lots of very good egg dishes, but good lunch menu also abounds. Lots of old Orange County memorabilia abounds on the wooden walls. The homemade apple butter is really terrific on the english muffins.

Las Brisas: Laguna Beach. Honestly, for us the food is highly over-rated, but the view of the Pacific is what makes this place a destination spot. Plus you can walk the beach trails and shop all over the city, providing you find a parking space!

The Cottage: Laguna Beach. Another local classic spot. Literally a cottage. Sometimes, this place has a dicey reputation, but all the same, it somehow remains a must try spot for vacationers.

Cafe Zinc: Laguna Beach. For the most part-vegetarian, but food is hearty enough that even a meat-lover like my husband doesn't mind starting out the day here. Also has a cute little market attached to it, so you can try out a few of their goodies at home.

All the Ruby's diners: It's a chain, but popular with families. What can I say? Even my infant grandson loves the noise and the trains, planes, bikes (depending on the unit) and cars that glide on tracks along the ceiling.

Alice's in the Park: Central Park in Huntington Beach. If you love tiny little family run places and huge out-of-this-world cinnamon rolls-you have to go to Alice's. Believe me, you will need to walk the park several times to walk off the calories, but the place is terrific and worth every bite.

Cafe Neff: Laguna Niguel Design Center. Only open during this To The Trade areas hours of operation, but it's staff and food is a favorite, not only with the designers and their clients, but with anyone who wants to do a more relaxed version of "the ladies who lunch", plus I've never had anything but absolutely delicious food. They have daily specials and scones of the morning. Maple bacon aroma is too die for! Coffee is quite good.

Ted's Burgers: Just across the street from Cafe Neff in a strip mall, Ted's is a local hangout. Everyone from families, to biker's, senior citizens and law enforcement loves Ted's breakfasts. Nothing to look at, but it's all comfort food based. Portions are so large that even my husband doesn't mind sharing a meal with me!

Pacific Whey Baking Company: four locations. Trendy, but excellent breakfasts and bakery choices. We love to share and ABC omelet and a chocolate pinwheel. While they do have an interesting lunch and dinner menu-trust me, stick to breakfast and desserts.

Corner Bakery: again, it's a chain, but good food and choices. The outdoor seating at most locations make it perfect for one of our typical sunny California mornings. Ours is close enough and allows pooches on the patio, so we take our labrador mix for a walk there and back!

Hopefully, if you live close by you'll seek out some of these breakfast treasures. And if you visit in the future, you look them up and give them a try