OC Sandwich spots that deliver during Covid-19
Yeah guys, I know. Everyone’s sick of dealing with the shit storm that is the Covid-19 pandemic (we’re all certainly sick of hearing about it). Speaking as a restaurant worker, I can tell you that it has been devastating to the people in the field, but we must soldier on and wash our goddamn hands. With hours of operations changing and uncertainty about whether or not you should leave the house abound, I’ve tried to compile a list of my favorites places that deliver in Orange County.
If there is a restaurant you want on the list, feel free to DM me on my instagram, I’ll also try to keep a list of places saved on my story.
If you decide you need to leave the house for a bit, consider ordering take-out and picking up from these places. The restaurant saves a little money that way and it may help your sanity. Just make sure you take the necessary precautions (I wear an inflatable T-rex suit that covers my whole body and scares away muggers).
Sandwich Spots that Deliver during Covid-19
Buttermilk Fried Chicken – Orange
Fried chicken is easy to find, but interesting fried chicken sandwiches is a little but harder. Buttermilk FC has a small menu, but it does some Southern Classics well. Their spicy ketchup and spicy honey is stellar, so give them a try. If you want something a little more interesting, the Southern Samurai is a interesting mix of Asian and Southern flavors. Don’t sleep on those bacon braised greens either.
Address: 238 W Chapman Ave #100, Orange, CA 92866
Phone: (714) 941-9124
Deliver: PostMates / DoorDash
Holdaak – Fullerton/Orange
Buttermilk Fried Chicken does Southern Style chicken excellently, if you’re looking for If you haven’t tried Korean style fried chicken before, do it here and thank me later. The menu is small, but I haven’t had a meal here that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy, grab some extra comeback sauce for the spicy chicken sandwich.
Address [Fullerton]:1201 S Euclid St Ste B, Fullerton, CA 92832
Phone:(714) 519-3433
Deliver: Postmates
Cortina’s Italian market – Anaheim/Orange
Cortina’s Italian Market is easily my favorite sandwich place in Anaheim and the first thing I suggest when friends and family visit Disneyland. Everything I’ve had on their menu has been stellar and the market is stocked with plenty of goods to keep you eating well for the rest of the week. You can’t go wrong with their housemade meatballs, Porchetta, or roast beef. Check out their pizza menu too, it’s great.
They also have a location in Orange, I haven’t tried it, but if it’s anything like their original location then it’s probably stellar.
Address [Anaheim]: 2175 W Orange Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
Phone: (714) 535-1741
Deliver: Postmates/Doordash
Bronx Sandwich Co – Tustin/Anaheim/Costa Mesa
You can’t get much better than Bronx Sandwich Co. their bread is great (they just got Dutch Crunch too) and their portions are generous. The menu is probably one of the bigger ones on this list too, so you can accommodate the whole family. If you’re trying to get full indulgence out of social distancing, check out their Philly cheese fries wit steak, fried onion, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese.
Click here to see other locations
Address [Tustin]:13041 Newport Ave Tustin, CA 92780
Phone[Tustin]:(714)505-9100
Deliver: Seamless/Doordash/Grubhub/Postmates
Nguyen’s Kitchen – Orange/Costa Mesa/Chino
If you live outside of Westminster/Garden Grove or the surrounding areas, you may have to search for a good Vietnamese sandwich. Nguyen’s Kitchen is a very modern Vietnamese fusion with some flavorful personal favorites such as the crawfish pasta or grilled pork sandwich. Everything on their menu is pretty indulgent, especially for Vietnamese food, luckily you’ll be near your bed when the noodle food coma comes. They’re also open late so if you get hungry after hours and hours of playing Animal Crossing, they’ll be there for you.
Address [Costa Mesa]:488 E 17th St b102, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Phone [Costa Mesa]:(949)873-5069
Deliver: Postmates/DoorDash/UberEats/GrubHub
LOLA GASPAR – Santa Ana
Lola Gaspar isn’t really known for their sandwiches (although they do have them on their seasonal menu) but Chef Luis has some amazing food and he’s a damn good guy. Everything on the menu is good, but in terms of value and flavor, order the tacos. The jerk chicken taco and lamb barbacoa tacos are my go to, If I’m REALLY hungry I love their avocado cornbread and chili-coconut smoked corn as well.
Address: 211 W 2nd St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone:(714)972-1172
Deliver:GrubHub/UBEReats/Postmates
Session’s West Coast Deli – Irvine/Newport/HB
Session’s was an early favorite of this blog and that hasn’t changed in several years. Their menu is decent in selection and with locations in Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Newport Beach there’s a good chance you can try their food. Give their Summer Zephyr a try if you want something on the lighter side or their Meddock Melee for some spice.
Click here to see their other locations.
Address [Irvine]:4736 Barranca Parkway Irvine, CA 92604
Phone[Irvine]:(949)333-3949
Deliver: GrubHub/DoorDash/PostMates/Seamless
Deemer’s American Grill – Laguna Niguel
I love In-N-Out like any Native Californian does, but if you’re in Laguna Niguel and you haven’t tried Deemer’s burgers yet, skip the drive thru and give them a try. They have sandwiches too, but I can’t get passed burgers, especially on their “Old Favorites” menu. My go to? Thee Gouda burger, with herb mayo, arugula, tomato, and bacon onion jam.
Address: 27221 La Paz Rd, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Phone:(949)425-8770
Deliver: GrubHub/Seamless/Postmates
Second Reef Deli – Laguna Hills
I haven’t been to Second Reef Deli in awhile but if you’re looking for some solid go-to sandwiches in Laguna Hills, they’re always a good bet. The portions are good and you can find something for anyone on their Surfer themed menu. My favorite is the Padang Padang: Rotisserie chicken mixed with aioli, provolone, and tomato on crispy griddle sourdough bread.
Address:25292 McIntyre St #T, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Phone:(949)600-7713
Deliver:Postmates/Grubhub/Seamless/Doordash
New York Deli Case – Mission Viejo
When it comes to no frills delis in South Orange County, there are few that can hold a candle to New York Deli Case. I Imagine it’s one of the closest things you can find to and old school deli from the East Coast. Order a sandwich on their housemade roll, it’s like a 25 cent up charge but I guarantee it’ll be worth it.
Address: 28570 Marguerite Pkwy # 102, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Phone:(949)364-0321
Deliver: DoorDash/Postmates
Tutor & Spunky’s – Dana Point
Another “No-Frills” sandwich place in Coastal Dana Point that is worth your time for lunch. Normally I would say go and eat here and enjoy the view of the harbor down the street, but obviously that’s out of the question right now. Partly because of the quarantine, but mostly because my heart hurt because of the sinking of the Historic tall-ship known as the Pilgrim. I consider this my make shift eulogy to the ship of my childhood and a tribute to a sandwich place that I loved when I was in High School. Grab a Derek’s special on a hard roll and ask them to be generous on the Special Tutor and Spunky’s olive oil sauce.
I’ve also been told that some Vietnamese people have taken over management of the shop and there are some Vietnamese favorite now being served there. Looks like I may have to go back again once things get back to normal!
Address: 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy UNIT 116, Dana Point, CA 92629
Phone:(949)248-9008
Deliver: DoorDash/Seamless/GrubHub
It’s crazy to think that our lifestyles are going to completely change when things begin to go back to normal. I don’t think anyone knows what the long lasting ramifications of Covid-19 are going to be, what I do know is that my brothers and sister in the Food & Beverage industry are hurting. We can’t save them all, but we can certainly try to keep them afloat and give them a chance to survive. As someone who has relied on income from F&B all my adult life, it hits a little harder knowing that my friends in the industry are hurting. Either way, I hope you and your families stay safe and keep those hands washed.
-Vy