Happy Tuesday, North OC Digest!
The New Year energy is officially settling in.
Routines are back, calendars are filling up, and suddenly it’s way too easy to fall back into the same old weeknight dinners and weekend plans.
So consider this your reminder: North OC is still packed with great food, great coffee, and plenty of reasons to get out of the house.
Now, in today’s edition:
Chicago-Style Pizza, No Plane Ticket Required
One of OC’s favorite coffee roasters just opened in North OC
A golden retriever with the sweetest smile ready to find her new home
And a 15+ events to kick off this year right!
One quick favor before we dive in 👇
If you enjoy this newsletter, share it with someone you think would love it.
If three people sign up through your link, you’ll get the North OC Starter Pack — a curated list of 30+ of the best restaurants, cafes, and things to do in North OC. If you’ve been to most of these spots, congratulations… you’re officially a true North OC local.
Let’s get to it!
— Mark Yi
Restaurant of the Week: Tony’s “Little Italy” Pizza
Chicago-Style Pizza, No Plane Ticket Required
If you’ve been craving real Chicago-style pizza and don’t feel like hopping on a flight, Tony’s Little Italy Pizza in Placentia is the move. This spot is all about authentic deep dish. Thick, buttery crust, layers of cheese, hearty toppings, and rich tomato sauce on top.
If you’re tired of the boring old Domino’s and Papa John’s, you HAVE to try Tony’s. It’s life changing.
Here’s what people keep coming back for:
Authentic Chicago-style deep dish with a thick, buttery crust and stacked layers of cheese, sauce, and toppings
Generous portions — one pizza can easily feed a group (and leftovers hit just as hard the next day)
Old-school, no-frills vibe that lets the pizza do all the talking
📍 1808 N Placentia Ave Unit B Placentia, CA 92870
🕓 Wed–Sat: 11:00AM – 10:00PM
🕓 Sun: 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Click Here: To view the full menu and plan your visit!
Cafe of the Week: Lion And Lamb Coffee Roasters
One of OC’s favorite coffee roasters just opened in North OC
If you’ve been around the OC coffee scene for a while, Lion & Lamb needs no introduction. Their Costa Mesa location has been a long-time favorite and a true staple for people who care about good coffee done right. So when I found out they opened a new location in Fullerton, it honestly felt like a win for North OC.
Lion & Lamb opening in Fullerton feels like one of those quiet upgrades to the North OC coffee scene. If you’ve loved their Costa Mesa location, this one delivers exactly what you’d expect. And if you’re new to them, this is a great place to understand why they’ve been an OC favorite for years.
Here’s what people keep coming back for (straight from what reviews consistently mention):
Cookie Butter Latte is easily one of the most talked-about drinks. Rich, sweet, and indulgent without being over the top.
Bananas Foster is a specialty drink that stands out for being different. It’s dessert-forward and so good.
The Vanilla Matcha Latte is smooth, approachable, and balanced.
The Fullerton location gets attention for its open, comfortable layout. The new spot for hanging out, chatting, or getting some work done without feeling rushed.
📍 2801 N Brea Blvd Bldg C Fullerton, CA 92835
🕓 Mon - Fri: 7:00AM – 4:00PM
🕓 Sat - Sun: 8:00AM – 4:00PM
Click Here: To view the full menu and plan your visit!
🐶 Adoptable Dog of the Week: Goldie
Meet Goldie — a 3-year-old German Shepherd mix with the sweetest smile and a heart that’s still learning how big it can be.
Goldie is the kind of pup who likes to take things slow. She can be a little shy at first, but with patience, gentle encouragement, and a loving home, she’s ready to blossom into her best self. Once she warms up, she absolutely loves pets and being your one-and-only.
At 79 pounds, Goldie has that classic German Shepherd presence — loyal, thoughtful, and eager to bond — paired with a soft, sensitive soul.
Goldie is currently at OC Animal Care and waiting for the family who will help her write her next chapter. Her Pet ID is A1895441 (search by Pet ID on the OC Animal Care site).
Want to e-meet Goldie right now? You can watch a video of her here!
Exciting Events:
Music 🎵
Duran Duran | 7:30 PM, January 8 (Tickets)
Location: Honda Center
Description: A live concert performance by the legendary band Duran Duran.
Thursday Night Jazz: Bruce Friedman Quartet | 7:00–9:00 PM, January 8
Location: Anaheim Packing House
Description: Live jazz performance featuring the Bruce Friedman Quartet.
Locals Vocals | 7:00 PM, January 8
Location: House of Blues Anaheim – Foundation Room
Description: A showcase highlighting local vocal talent.
DJ Crisanto Santa Ana (Live Set) | 6:00–9:00 PM, January 9
Location: Anaheim Packing House
Description: An evening live DJ set with laid-back vibes.
David Spitzfaden (Rock) | 7:00–9:00 PM, January 10
Location: Anaheim Packing House
Description: Live rock performance.
Vintage Vibes: DJ Cranky Bobby (Gramophone Set) | 7:00–9:00 PM, January 10
Location: Anaheim MAKE
Description: A unique vintage DJ experience using a gramophone.
Moustafa Amar & Disco Misr | 6:30 PM, January 11 (Tickets)
Location: House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall
Description: Live musical performance featuring Moustafa Amar and Disco Misr.
Community Fun🎆
The Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market | 9AM-1PM, January 3 (Free)
Location: 303 West Palm Avenue, Orange, CA 92866
Description: The Certified Orange Home Grown Farmers and Artisans Market sources farmers from the Southern California region who hold a California Certified Producers Certificate (CPC), keeping produce local and fresh.
Buena Park Farmers Market | 9AM-2PM, January 3 (Free)
Location: 8000-8092 La Palma Ave, Buena Park, CA
Description: This busy farmers market runs year-round every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. They offer everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to flowers and leather goods.
Special Events🥂
Comedy Juice | 8:00 PM, January 6 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: A rotating stand-up comedy showcase featuring Dan Dononhue, Felicia Folkes, Eric Schwartz, and more.
Louis Katz | 8:00 PM, January 7 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live stand-up comedy performance.
Spanglish with Paul Rodriguez | 7:45 PM, January 7 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: A comedy showcase featuring Paul Rodriguez. Two-drink minimum applies.
Ms. Pat | 8:00 PM, January 8 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live stand-up comedy performance.
All-Star Comedy (Multiple Shows) | January 8–9 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: High-energy comedy showcases featuring rotating all-star lineups across multiple showtimes.
Saturday Night Slam (2 Shows) | 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM, January 10 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: Back-to-back comedy showcases packed with nonstop laughs.
Sunday Funnies | 7:00 PM, January 11 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: A Sunday night wrap-up featuring some of the funniest comics in the world.
Dusty Slay | January 9–10 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: A series of stand-up comedy performances from Dusty Slay.
Harry Potter Drag Brunch | 2:00 PM, January 11 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: A Harry Potter-themed drag show paired with brunch.
Alvin Kuai | 6:00 PM, January 11 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live stand-up comedy performance.
The Screwtape Letters (2 Performances) | 4:00 PM & 8:00 PM, January 10 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: A theatrical performance presented by Fellowship for Performing Arts.
The My Generation Tour | 7:00 PM, January 11 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: A classic hits concert featuring The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Hollies, and Gary Lewis & the Playboys.
GOLDN: K-Pop + Pop Dance Party | 4:30 PM, January 10 (Tickets)
Location: House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall
Description: A high-energy K-pop and pop dance party.
Justin Bieber Night (18+) | 8:30 PM, January 10 (Tickets)
Location: House of Blues Anaheim – Music Hall
Description: A themed dance night celebrating the music of Justin Bieber.
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