Do you know of a deal that should be included in this list? Tell us about it.
The other night we did what felt like a safe, budget-friendly move: dinner at a national chain that’s supposed to be a good value. Five people, two kids ordering kids meals, nothing fancy. The bill still cleared $200. We sat there staring at the receipt like it had personally betrayed us.
Everyone is feeling it. Families are eating out less, restaurants have tighter margins, and every week there seems to be another “we’re closing our doors” post. This inspired us to hunt for the best deals in South Orange County.
The goal of this list is simple: help you get out of the house without blowing your budget, and at the same time, send business to local restaurants.
Here are a few of the stand out deals that we know about:
📍 ALISO VIEJO
Monday–Friday
Webb’s Distillery & Brewery
Lunch 11am-3pm
Any burger and a large pour of your fave beer with choice of soup, salad or fries. $20
Monday–Thursday
Luna Grill
Kids eat free with adult entrée.
Think grilled chicken, bowls, pita, and sides. Join their club for the deal.
📍 DANA POINT
Tuesday
Hennessey’s Tavern
Buy 1 burger, get 1 free (all day).
Classic pub burgers, big portions, solid fries. Go with a friend!
Weekdays (Mon–Fri)
Wind & Sea Restaurant
Happy hour 4–7pm
$5 beer, $7 wine & maitais, $7 sliders, rotating $9–$12 apps, all with an ocean view!The Point
Happy hour 3–6pm
Discounted cocktails, shareable apps, plus a weekday lunch special that’s cheaper.
Monday–Thursday
Luna Grill
Kids eat free with adult entrée.
Think grilled chicken, bowls, pita, and sides. Join their club for the deal.
📍 FOOTHILL RANCH / LAKE FOREST
Monday
Burgertown Lake Forest
Gyro, fries & drink $8.95
Old-school counter spot, generous portions, zero frills.Avila’s El Ranchito Foothill Ranch & Lake Forest
Kids eat free.
Tuesday
La Casita Olvera
$1 tacos with margarita purchase.
Carne asada, chicken, carnitas, shrimp, fish, even birria. Not fancy.
Wednesday
Burgertown Lake Forest
BBQ chicken sandwich combo $9.95
Sandwich, fries, drink.
Thursday
Burgertown Lake Forest
Shrimp basket combo $8.95
Fried shrimp, fries, drink. Feels like a throwback deal because it is.
Monday–Thursday
Luna Grill
Kids eat free with adult entrée.
Think grilled chicken, bowls, pita, and sides. Join their club for the deal.
📍 LADERA RANCH
Monday
The Counter
All-day happy hour (Mondays)
Loyalty program earns free fries, rewards, and periodic discounts.
There could be discounted burgers, fries, and drinks depending on current HH menu.
📍 LAGUNA HILLS
Tuesday
Romano Cucina
Buy 1 pasta, get 2nd pasta ½ off.
Classic Italian dishes.Famous Franco’s
Taco Tuesday + happy hour.
$3 tacos, $6 beer, $9 margaritas, plus discounted apps.
📍 LAGUNA NIGUEL
Monday
Avila’s El Ranchito
Kids eat free (10 & under, with adult entrée + drink).
Mon–Fri
Seasurf Fish Co
Happy hour 3–5pm
$1.50 oysters, $3 fish tacos, $7 ceviche or poke, $6 beer & wine. Shockingly good value for seafood.
Every Day
Brooklyn City Market
2 huge slices + large drink under $10
One of the best “I’m starving and broke” meals in South OC.Costco Food Court
Slice + soda under $4. Still undefeated.
📍 MISSION VIEJO
Monday
Bushfire Kitchen
Happy hour 2–5pm
50% off beer & wine, plus email deals like $5 off $35 and occasional kids-eat-free promos.
Tuesday
Perla’s Taqueria
Taco Tuesday $1.75–$1.99
Street tacos, crispy potato tacos, free chips & salsa.Pub Thirty-Two
2 entrées for $32
Solid gastropub food
Sunday & Thursday
Pub Thirty-Two
Kids eat free after 4pm (kids of any age, even big kids- they assured us they don’t card kids!)
Every Day
Mediterranean Guys
Half roasted chicken + two sides — easily 2 meals, sometimes 3.Bahar Persian Cuisine
Huge kabobs, rice, and sides. Order once, eat all week.L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
$20 plates that can feed 3–4. Chicken katsu + mac salad is the move.Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Company
Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3-6pm $1 off well drinks, wine and all beers. 50% off popular appetizers.
Plus Big Deal Monday, Tequilla Tuesday & Wow Wednesday.Samurai Sushi
Mon–Thurs sushi roll BOGO, beer BOGO for $1.Aloha BBQ
Family pack $54 feeds 4–5 with multiple meats and sides.
📍 RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Monday
Todos Santos
$5 margaritas all day. And they’re really good.
Tuesday
Spike’s Fish House
Taco Tuesday: $2.50 tacos, $4 poke
Casual seafoodTutto Fresco
Half-off pasta (bar only, 3pm–close)
Wednesday
Great American Craft Bar
Cocktail BOGO. Buy one, second for $1, all night.
Mon–Fri
Spike’s Fish House
Happy hour 3–5pm
Discounted ceviche, drinks, and small plates.
Monday–Thursday
Luna Grill
Kids eat free with adult entrée
Think grilled chicken, bowls, pita, and sides. Join their club for the deal.
Every Day
Pho Oh Tasty
Massive bowls of pho that usually mean leftovers.
📍 SAN CLEMENTE
Monday
Sonny’s Pizza & Pasta
Spaghetti $8.99 with garlic bread. Add a salad if you’re feeling virtuous.
Tuesday
Asada Cantina + Kitchen
$4–$7 apps, $8 margaritas, $4 beer
Carnitas, tacos, and shareablesFamous Franco’s
Taco Tuesday + happy hour
$3 tacos, $6 beer, $9 margaritas, plus discounted apps.The Riders Club Cafe
Half-off burgers after 4pm. Big, messy, worth it.Station Craft
Half off large pizzas all day.Primo Foods
69¢ tacos. This is not a typo.
Friday
Fisherman’s Restaurant
2 fried fish tacos for $8, $9 Long Island Iced Teas.
Mon–Fri
Seasurf Fish Co
Happy hour 3–5pm
$1.50 oysters, $3 fish tacos, $7 ceviche or poke, $6 beer & wine. Shockingly good value for seafood.
Every Day
Super Bowl Express
Teriyaki, sushi rolls, big portions, fair prices.San Clemente Ranch Market
~$2 tacos, $8 quart-size beans or rice for takeout nights.IHOP
$7 breakfast all day, kids eat free after 4pm.
📍 SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Tuesday
Tavern at the Mission
30% off with email signup.Hennessey’s Tavern
Buy 1 burger, get 1 free (all day)
Classic pub burgers, big portions, solid fries. Go with a friend!
Thursday
Tavern at the Mission
Wear a cowboy hat, get half-price beer & wine.
📍 TRABUCO CANYON
Wednesday
Cook’s Corner
All-you-can-eat $8 spaghetti night
Includes salad and garlic bread. Old-school, filling, and one of the longest-running dinner deals in South OC.