Costume Connection
Costume Connection is the perfect place to go when you need a costume for any occasion. They recently moved into a bigger store, so it's not as crowded as their old one. They have TONS of different costumes. Their prices are really reasonable and they have lots of unique and fun costumes available. The customer service there has always been good; the employees know their inventory and are very helpful at finding you the right costume.
Angels Auto Spa
We used Angels Auto Spa to fix our car's air conditioning when it went out last summer. At first they said it just needed a minor repair and we were charged accordingly. When it turned out that it needed more than that, they didn't charge us for the original minor repair. They fixed the problem quickly and within their quoted price. It would have been nice if the problem had been diagnosed properly the first time, but I did appreciate how they went out of their way to fix the problem. I was very satisfied with their service.
Mc Charles House Restaurant
This is a wonderful little tea room to go to for a special occasion. They serve a variety of different teas; my favorites are the dessert tea (no explanation needed!) and the high tea, which includes a variety of sandwiches, fruits, and desserts. The atmosphere is charming and the food is delicious. It is slightly expensive and you don't get a lot of food for your money, but it's a different experience and quite enjoyable.
Yuen Lui Studio
I've used Yuen Lui Studio a number of times and have been satisfied with their portraits. They do very standard, classic photos which are especially good for senior pictures. Usually 2 or 3 outfit changes are included, which is nice. Nothing too exceptional, but if you want good-looking, basic photos this is a good place to go to.
Auto Insurance Specialists Inc
My first price quote on insurance from AIS was fantastic. Signing up with them was a little complicated as I actually had to go to their office in Irvine to fill out paperwork and have pictures of my car taken. The service was so-so. Everyone was professional and knew what they were talking about. However, AIS was only open business hours, and they didn't always return calls promptly. When we bought a second car, I checked around and found that Geico was much cheaper for the two cars, and they had much better customer service.
Avalon Dentistry
Avalon Dentistry is an extremely nice dental facility. The waiting room is beautifully decorated and quite relaxing. The staff are very professional, polite, and accommodating. The dentists are very gentle and totally baby you. My husband loves the fact that they will give you nitrous oxide even for simple procedures such as a regular cleaning. Of course, all of this comfort comes with a price, but if you have any type of phobia about dentists, it's well worth it.
Hong Kong Express
If you like Pick Up Stix but don't like their prices, Hong Kong Express is a satisfactory alternative. Their food isn't quite as good as more pricey Chinese places, but their orange chicken and mongolian beef are pretty good. You can get a HUGE amount of food for $12 -- 3 entrees, chow mein, fortune cookies, rice, and egg rolls. It's a great alternative for when you're broke but craving chinese food.
Frank's Philadelphia
Frank's is a great little hole-in-the-wall restaurant where you can go to get an awesome sandwich. Their steak sandwiches are fantastic -- they pile on the steak, cheese, and onions -- and so are their meatball sandwiches. They make all of their sandwiches fresh when you order. Great prices too; for about $7 you can get a sandwich, fries or chips, and a drink.
Nick's Pizza Ristorante
Nick's Pizza has been a staple restaurant in my life for the last 15 years -- my dad used to take me here when I was younger. The place is the epitome of an Italian restaurant. It's owned by a wonderful local couple and all of the employees are incredibly friendly. The food is excellent, especially their pizzas and calzones. The prices are good -- about $10 a person -- and the atmosphere is welcoming. The only con to this place is that sometimes the service is slow.
Selma's Chicago Pizzeria
Selma's Chicago Pizzeria is the place to go to get an authentic chicago pizza in Orange County. Their pizzas are thick and delicious without being greasy. They also have a great selection of pastas, calzones, and salads. The prices are very reasonable -- we have fed a party of 11 for about $70. The service can be a bit slow, but you can't beat the food and the price.