We just got back from our bi-annual trip to Orange County.  This time, as usual, we mostly prepared our own foods but we did make it out to a couple of restaurants.   OC isn’t nearly as Paleo as Portland but there are options out there and still quite a bit to explore on our next visit.

Provisions

Paleo section at Whole Foods

Finding Paleo groceries is pretty easy, the Whole Foods in Newport Beach is better stocked in Paleo goods than any of the ones in Seattle and the Laguna Beach location is also good though smaller.  They have most products by Paleo Chef, Julian Bakery and others plus locally made grass-fed Paleo jerky.    Add to that a complete seafood and meat department where we got wild salmon, organic chicken, bison steaks and grass fed ground beef.   Of course we also stocked up on organic fruits and vegetables.  The only thing missing was guar-gum free coconut milk.  I made up for that by making my own from Nutiva Coconut Manna and a blender.    I was excited to see the Julian Bakery Coconut Flakes, I’d been craving cereal lately and most Paleo cereals have almonds or almond flour which is one of my few allergies.  The Coconut Flakes are nothing but coconut so are OK for me and were great with strawberries and coconut milk.

Cafe Zoolu

Zoolu Combo

We’ve been eating at Cafe Zoolu for the last 15 years when we visit OC.  It is a small place in Laguna Beach that is kind of off the radar but they make great food at a reasonable price.   The menu is simple – swordfish, lobster, steaks and lamb shanks all served with sautéed mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes.  I just nix the potatoes and double the veggies.  The last few trips I’ve done the Zoolu combo with a filet and a piece of swordfish, both grilled to perfection.

Slater’s 50/50

50/50 burger Paleo style

This seems to be the one Paleo friendly place on the radar, I found out about them from doing a quick search.  Slater’s 50/50 was recommended by the local California Paleo Kitchens caterer and Julie from PaleOMG and is known for their 50/50 burger made with local 100% grass-fed beef and pastured bacon.  We hit the location in Huntington Beach on Friday night and it was a popular spot complete with free valet parking.   They have a standard menu plus a design a burger menu where you can pick your size of burger from 1/3 to 1 lbs (seriously???), type of burger, type of bun including lettuce wrapped and a host of toppings and sauces.   I did a lettuce wrapped 50/50 burger with mayo, tomato, pickles, avocado and even more bacon.  Catherine got the turkey burger also lettuce wrapped and a salad.  That and an order of sweet potato fries made for a great meal.  If you are a bread eater the buns looked amazing, Marshall got a 2/3 lbs burger in a bun and the thing was massive.   Other designer burger places are cropping up all over the place but non had a GF menu as extensive as Slater’s and I really doubt any place could beat it for taste and quality plus they have a good relationship with a local farm so it is good to support them.