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The best chicken tortilla soup in O.C.
December 17th, 2008, 5:17 am · 61 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
Lazy Dog Cafe's Tortilla Soup
All this rainy weather has me craving my favorite kind of soup: chicken tortilla.
Whenever I spot tortilla soup on any restaurant menu, I make a point to order it because I like to see how different chefs, and short-order cooks, prepare it. Some are broth-based like a chicken noodle soup, while others have a thicker, creamier base.
I love both.
So here’s a list of my Favorite Tortilla Soups served in O.C.:
I’ve included casual and fast-food dining in my list.
El Pollo Loco's Chicken Tortilla Soup. (click on image to enlarge)
El Pollo Loco: I am addicted to this broth-based soup every winter. It is hearty, healthy and filling. For lunch, I often order one small soup and a Loco salad from the Value Menu. I think the total is less than $5 for a complete, good-for-you meal. I swear, this soup can also offer some medicinal value when you have a bad cold. Its spicy kick can clear any sinus problem.
Note: A couple of years ago, The Register printed a “copycat” version of the soup due to popular demand for the recipe.
Yard House: This soup is new to the Irvine chain’s menu. And wow did it blow me away when I first tried it in the fall. The key ingredient: the pasilla pepper and white cheddar soup base. It also comes with chunks of roasted chicken breast, pico de gallo and avocado. Yum. (Yard House locations)
Taco Mesa: The tortilla soup served at this chain closely resembles the texture of a pureed tomato bisque soup. It bursts with flavor, and is perfect drizzled with the chain’s colorful tortilla strips. (Taco Mesa locations)
Lazy Dog Cafe: I order this soup every single time I eat at Lazy Dog Cafe. The soup is spicy, full of flavor and served with my second favorite food item on Lazy Dog’s menu: flat bread. Here’s what local food blogger, Dan of Eat in O.C., had to say about the dish: “The soup is to die for and one of the best I’ve had in Orange County, the flavors of tomato, cheese, spices, and tortilla all come together to perfection.” (More on Lazy Dog here, also read Food Frenzy’s review of Lazy Dog Cafe, which posted today.)
Why only four? These are the only ones I could give a strong recommendation for. Honorary mentions go to Baja Fresh’s tortilla soup (tasty, but too salty) and Wahoo’s Fish Taco (hearty & healthy, but lacking in spicy flavor.)
Tell us: What restaurant did I miss? Whose tortilla soup do you recommend?
(Lazy Dog photo courtesy of Eat in O.C. blog.)
More stories:
- The latest O.C. Restaurant Menu Updates
- Yard House and Baja Fresh step up online ordering
- Lazy Dog Cafe in Orange makes curbside pick up easy
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The best chicken toritlla soup can be found at la Serena in Laguna Beach. The absolute best ever.
ISLANDS!!!! No question.
The Tortilla Soup at Marie Callendar’s is very good. Chunks of chicken and spice, it’s creamy, and you can add cheese and tortilla strips from the salad bar. Another excellent close choice is the Chicken Enchilada at Tortilla…it is just as wonderful, creamy and cheesey with spice with tortilla chips and pico de gallo on the top. MMMM
Wahoo’s has my favorite tortilla soup…
I just had some over the weekend at Don Jose in Orange on Katella, they just added it to the menu. It was good, a tad spicey for a gringo like me but it warmed me up nicely on a cold rainy night.
You’ve got to try Chili’s chicken tortilla soup. It’s the best!
My mother-in-law turned me on to the tortilla soup at El Pollo Loco and I agree with you Nancy, it is really good.
By far the best tortilla soup is at the Coyote Grill in Laguna Beach. Not to mention the view is beautiful. Give it a try, it won’t disappoint. Oh, go hungry as the portions are big.
http://www.coyotegrill-lagunabeach.com/
You forgot Islands!!
I also like El Torito’s…
I love Red Robin’s chicken tortilla soup…mmmmm. Also, Panera just started serving chicken tortilla soup and it is really good too!
I’m with you Lisa. it’s the only tortilla soup I will eat, every one else’s taste like chili.
OK, a few replies to you all:
on Cally: Are you sure that’s a Don Jose you are talking about? Or , do you mean Ricardo’s on Katella? Either way, I’ll have to try it.
On Red Robin — I do now recall that they make a decent Tortilla Soup. Thanks for the reminder, Lisa-Lisa.
On Chili’s soup: I’ve tried it, and it wasn’t as good as the above mentioned. I do give the restaurant points for its Chicken Enchilada Soup. It’s really good. Here’s a copycat recipe for it: http://www.recipezaar.com/Chilis-Chicken-Enchilada-Soup-59630
Hey Nancy, I know Islands has been mentioned. I just wanted to add my two cents. There Tortilla soup has unlimited refills if you order the big bowl my son and his girl usually share the bowl with me…
I like the El Pollo Loco soup too. The separate corn strips and simple toppings to add just take it all the way up.
My favorite is Islands. I love it so much that my wife found the recipe online. Now I get huge pots of it. Yum.
The best EVER (and I have tasted A LOT of them…)
Houstons in Irvine!. Unbelievable delicious….
LAZY DOG CAFE!!!
The best tortilla soup in Orange County comes from the kitchen of Virginia “Madre” Thomas. Best I’ve ever had. Tastes like love.
Houston’s is the best
and CA. pizza kitchen is pretty good as well
The El Pollo Loco soup is certainly better than you would expect and people are searching my blog all the time for its recipe. I did find out though that the Register’s copycat version is not the same as El Pollo Loco’s recipe.
I do love Red Robins as well, and On the Border has a good cheesy and VERY chicken filled tortilla soup. YUM!
Nancy you’re right, it is Ricardos, I always get those mixed up.
Plus I agree with you on Pollo Loco’s version, good in a pinch and easiest to get if you have a craving and want something quick to oick up at a drive thru …tonight actually seems like a great night to do just that……
Wahoo’s soup is bland, lacking chicken, and overall just terrible. I like many things on their menu, but someone needs to redo that one from the ground up.
Island Hotel’s is amazing. At lunch they put chicken in it, for dinner, they add dungenous crab.
Noway: maybe I should have said “;leave suggestions everyone can afford.”…But, at the same time, it’s fun to know that this luxury resort is serving this fun dish.
On Wahoo’s: I agree. I was probably too generous in giving it an Honorary Mention. Some revamping is needed.
Nothing wrong with at least mentioning places that have chicken tortilla soup.
Sharkey’s Woodfired
Blue Agave Southwestern Grill in Yorba Linda has a very good chicken tortilla soup….
I like the El Pollo Loco torilla soup, too! There is a coupon on their website for a 99 cent small soup when you buy a combo - not bad!
I’ve tried a lot myself but it looks like I have a lot more to try. Have even tried it from Red Robin. Keep the recommendations coming. Personally, I’m going to make a note of all of them.
on the border has my vote! cheese cake factory on wednesday is good too
Houstons and what use to be the Tommy Bahama in Newport Beach
If El Torito didnt invent the Tortillia Soup, they at least perfected it. As for fast food, Albertos has the best Tortillia soup around. Might I suggest when having this to go asking for the chips on the side so they do not become soggy duing transit.
I love Fresca’s…great chicken and avacado!
Oh I totally forgot about Islands tortilla soup it’s pretty good too, but I still like Lazy Dog’s a bit more. Los Cabos in Orange is also tasty.
Thanks for the mention of my site Nancy!
I’m really disappointed that you didn’t mention CPK’s tortilla soup. It’s so so so good. Thick, creamy, and a little spicy - yumm!
The BEST Tortilla soup was made by Mexican immigrants for Walmart.
Its back on the shelves there- check it out!
Keno’s, and Hof’s Hut, both are yummy.
Did someone mention Los Cabos in Orange…Tustin st/Collins??? Wow that brought back fond memories of great food. The tortilla soup was great I had it there the first time…even great fish tacos and the carne asada especial was to die for…but then again that was in the 90’s and the place lost it’s zest for food…so lets get back to reality. I tried the soup at pollo loco tonight and It did well in jojos’ tummy than you and good night
Avila’s on First Street/N. Tustin.
Tastes like someone stopped whatever they were doing and made it special just for me.
Eating Fool: I’ve tasted Avila’s, and I did not like it at all. Sorry. That being said, the chain’s chips and salsa are great. Among the best. And the margaritas? Watch out. Nothing watered down here!
I’ve been given the tortilla soup smackdown! Maybe it tasted so good because I had some of those margaritas. Chips and salsa are very good however.
The great thing about Island’s tortilla soup is that they offer an endless bowl for a great price around $6.99
OK, Honorable Mention to Islands. I have tasted the chain’s soup, and it is pretty good for the price. And, the “free refills” is a big bonus..though the bowl is so big, anyway, I’ve never had to refill. But, good value gimmick!
Eating Fool: Sorry, didn’t mean to give you the smack down. But, I bet you were drinking those great margaritas! If we ever run into each other there, I’ll buy you a drink.
Nancy, are you a fan of albondigas soup?…if you get a chance would you do a “The best Albondigas soup in O.C.??
Yes, to a Albondigas blog!
Eating fool……..where is your favorite Albondigas?
Mine would have to be Ricardo’s on Katella at Tustin St. in Orange……..
Yes, that is very good. I also like Moreno’s on Chapman. I don’t care at all for Don Jose’s. It taste like it came out of a Campbell’s can. Chili Peppers on Main St. also works for me. Regardless of the restaurant, I like a good spicy broth but sometimes if it has too much fat it just sits there like an oil slick and seems like it sits in my stomach the same way. Bad Albondigas ruins the rest of the meal.
This is to all the Meat ball soup lovers, this is the address to a great Mexican restaurant that will not kill the pocket book. Nancy this goes for you too, check it out… oh yeah Eric and Eating Fool, check out the Abondigas soup they always sell out here.
El Cantarito Restaurant
(714) 528-6090
120 W Santa Fe Ave, Placentia, CA 92870
Albondigas, best ever was my Mommas. If you are ever in fountain valley, try the Albondigas soup at Silky Sullivans. I think they only serve it once per week, i forgot which day. I am kinda shocked that the soups at this sport bar are so delicious. Give it a try.
I do like Albondigas (meatball) soup, but haven’t tasted enough in restaurants to give any recommendations. I kind of agree with Mike. My mom’s A-soup is the best, so I tend not to order it anywhere else, because I know I’d be disappointed.
Exactly Nancy, I tend never to order it cause I am biased towards homemade. Tortilla soup is different cause Momma didn’t make it, more of a restaurant creation I think. Tortilla soup to mexicans is just chicken soup.
Since I was chastised for my Avila’s pick, last night I went to El Pollo and had a large bowl of soup. Dang, that’s some good stuff. I’ll give Lazy Dog a whirl although El Pollo will be hard to beat.
Now if we want to talk about pozole I nominate Gabbi’s.
I can’t believe no one has yet to mention Flamingos in Laguna Hills…their tortilla soup is top-notch in my opinion.
I too would love to see a “Best of Albondigas” survey…my recommendations would have to be Tia Juana’s over in Irvine (you can see it from the 5) and most definitely Casa Gamino on Newport Ave. in Tustin. I’m in there almost weekly and just can’t get enough of those perfect little meatballs and that amazing broth!!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Eating Fool, I’m with you.l I love the tortilla soup at Avilas. It has avocado and fresh cilantro and lemon for squeezing. Fabuloso!
Last night I had the chicken tortilla soup at Taco Adobe in Orange. Very good although it didn’t have much chicken. It had a nice masa taste.
Thanks Eating Fool. Hint of masa? Now, that’s interesting… I’ll have to try it.
The best EVER if you venture south to San Diego County is at La Especial Norte on Coast Hwy in Leucadia. I have been searching for a better bowl for 8 years now and have yet to find one. You can even order it with extra chicken if you want a juicy chunk of chicken in each bite. Tons of avocado, cheese and a slightly spicy rich red broth. I drive 25 miles for it.
I agree with Jennifer. Its AMAZING! she brought me there and now that Im living in Chicago, I am craving it!