Happy Tuesday, North OC Digest!
We’re barely into the week and… yeah…
Still processing Sunday.
Even though we’re technically North OC, let’s be honest…
A lot of us are Rams fans. Whether it’s out of proximity or “we’re pretty much LA”, our team is sadly out.
Looks like I’ll be watching the Super Bowl for the commercials again this year…
If I’m being totally honest, I guess I’m rooting for the Seahawks out of sheer West Coast pride, but I’m not happy about it.
Either way, Super Bowl Sunday is officially less about football and more about snacks, good company, and arguing over which commercial was the best.
Here’s what’s inside today:
The most authentic Thai food in North OC
Coffee flights for all you indecisive folks out there
An adoptable dog named after my favorite fruit
And 20+ events to round out the week
Now let’s get into this week’s picks 👇
— Mark Yi
Attention, North OC Digest homeowners!
We want to make sure we’re actually supporting the people who make up this community, and we’ve heard loud and clear that many of you own your homes (and everything that comes with that 😅).
Homeownership means there’s always something to fix, upgrade, maintain, or plan for — and our goal is to partner with local, trusted home service providers that are genuinely useful to you (and ideally come with perks or discounts).
So help us out for a second 👇
Which home services would you actually be interested in us partnering with?
Your answers help shape who we reach out to and what kinds of deals, recommendations, or resources we bring back to the Digest.
Thanks for helping us build this with you.
Restaurant of the Week: Manon
The most authentic Thai food in North OC
Yes, really.
If you’ve been craving real Thai cuisine (not just the usual Americanized basics), Manon delivers in a way that feels genuinely rooted in tradition. This isn’t just “Thai-inspired”. It’s food that tastes like the classic dishes you’d actually find in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, made with intention and real flavor depth.
The vibe is casual but polished, with a menu that covers lots of authentic bases. From bold, aromatic curries to noodle dishes with real punch. It’s the kind of place where people go back again and again because the spice, the balance, and the ingredients all feel true to Thai cooking.
Here’s what people keep coming back for:
Pad Thai — perfectly balanced sweet-savory noodles that actually taste real
Khao Soi — rich, creamy curry noodle soup with tons of depth
Pad See Ew — bold wok-seared noodles with classic Thai char
Roasted Duck Curry — fragrant, spicy, and authentically hit-the-spot
Tom Kha — creamy coconut soup with lemongrass and galangal warmth
Thai Tea & Specialty Drinks — sweet, creamy, and true to classic Bangkok café style
📍 3250 Yorba Linda Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92831
🕓 Mon–Sun: 11:00AM – 9:00PM
Click Here: To view the full menu and plan your visit!
Cafe of the Week: Contra Coffee & Tea
If you’re indecisive, you’ll love this coffee spot…
And honestly…
Contra Coffee & Tea gets it.
Located right in the heart of Old Towne Orange, this is one of those places that naturally turns into more than just a coffee stop. You grab your drink, step outside, and suddenly you’re strolling past antique shops, boutiques, and historic streets. The whole area is incredibly walkable and easy to make a morning out of.
The coffee itself is clean, smooth, and thoughtfully crafted, but the real standout is the coffee flight. It’s what everyone talks about for a reason. Instead of committing to just one drink, you get to try a few at once, which makes it perfect for anyone who likes options or just wants to sample their way through the menu.
It’s relaxed, welcoming, and the kind of spot you’ll want to build into a longer Old Towne Orange walk.
Here’s what people keep coming back for:
Coffee flights — a sampler of their signature drinks in one order
Honey Lavender Latte — lightly floral, smooth, and not overpowering
Rose Vanilla Latte — subtle, aromatic, and surprisingly balanced
Strawberry Matcha — creamy, earthy, and naturally sweet
Ube Latte — nutty, vibrant, and a standout if you want something different
Old Towne Orange location — perfect for grabbing coffee and walking the circle after
📍 115 N Orange St, Orange, CA 92866
🕓 Mon–Sat: 8:00AM – 8:00PM
🕓 Sun: 9:00AM – 7:00PM
Click Here: To view the full menu and plan your visit!
🐶 Adoptable Dog of the Week: Mango
Meet Mango: 1-year-and-8-month-old Husky mix with a gentle heart and a sweet, curious soul.
Mango might be a little shy when you first meet him, but give him a moment (and a few pets) and you’ll quickly earn some kisses in return. He’s the kind of dog who warms up fast once he knows he’s safe — leaning into you for affection and quietly soaking up the love.
At 56 pounds, Mango enjoys exploring his surroundings and heading out for walks, making him a great companion for relaxed adventures and daily strolls. He’s curious, affectionate, and ready to keep growing more confident with the right person by his side.
Mango is currently at OC Animal Care and is available as a foster-to-adopt, so you can see if he’s the perfect fit for your home. His Pet ID is A1916871 (search by Pet ID on the OC Animal Care site), and you can also catch him on YouTube.
If you’re looking for a sweet, loyal companion who just needs a little love to truly shine, Mango might be the one. 🥭🐾
Want to e-meet Mango right now? You can watch a video of him here!
By the way…
If you like our newsletter, we’ve gone out and found a few newsletters that readers of the North OC Digest enjoy reading themselves!
Here’s the list of what readers just like yourselves are also reading:
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Exciting Events:
Music 🎵
Collective Soul with Special Guest Max Gomez | Varies, January 29 (Tickets)
Location: City National Grove of Anaheim
Description: Rock concert featuring Collective Soul and Max Gomez.
Stayin’ Alive – One Night of the Bee Gees | Varies, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: City National Grove of Anaheim
Description: Bee Gees tribute show featuring Stayin’ Alive.
Priscilla Block – Things You Didn’t See Tour | 7:00 PM, January 29 (Tickets)
Location: Music Hall at House of Blues Anaheim
Description: Country music concert featuring Priscilla Block.
ERNEST: Live From the South Tour | 7:00 PM, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: Music Hall at House of Blues Anaheim
Description: Country music concert featuring ERNEST.
Thomas Erak & The Ouroboros / Murals | 6:00 PM, January 27 (Tickets)
Location: The Parish at House of Blues Anaheim
Description: Concert featuring Thomas Erak & The Ouroboros with Murals.
British Rock Royalty Starring Brody Dolyniuk | 8:00 PM, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: A tribute to classic British rock legends.
Seong-jin Cho, Piano | Evening performance, January 28 (Tickets)
Location: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Description: A solo piano recital by internationally acclaimed pianist Seong-jin Cho.
Minería Symphony Orchestra of Mexico | 8PM, January 29 (Tickets)
Location: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Description: Symphonic works exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Latin America.
Tchaikovsky & Strauss | Varies, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: Long Beach Convention Center
Description: Long Beach Symphony performance featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Strauss.
Community Fun🎆
Michael Yo | 8:00 PM, January 28 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live stand-up comedy with Michael Yo.
Drew and Deison Afualo: Two Idiot Girls Live | 8:00 PM, January 29 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live podcast and comedy show with Drew and Deison Afualo.
Kevin Smith | 7:30 PM, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: An evening with filmmaker and comedian Kevin Smith.
Tacarra Williams | 9:45 PM, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live stand-up comedy with Tacarra Williams.
Ashley Gavin | Show times vary, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: Brea Improv
Description: Live stand-up comedy with Ashley Gavin.
Spanglish with Paul Rodriguez | 7:45 PM, January 28 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: Comedy in Spanish and English hosted by Paul Rodriguez.
All Star Comedy Thurs | 7:45 PM, January 29 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: A lineup of all-star comedians.
All-Star Comedy | 7:30 PM, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: A lineup of all-star comedians.
Saturday Night Slam | 7:00 PM, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: Laugh Factory Long Beach
Description: The laughs don’t stop all night long.
All Your Friends – Indie Dance Party (18+) | 8:00 PM, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: The Parish at House of Blues Anaheim
Description: Indie dance party for ages 18+.
The Orange Home Grown Farmers & Artisans Market | 9AM-1PM, January 31 (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 31 (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🥂
The Simon & Garfunkel Story | 7:30 PM, January 29 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: A concert-style theater show about the legendary folk-rock duo.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story | 8:00 PM, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Description: A concert-style theater show about the legendary folk-rock duo.
The Notebook | Show times vary, January 27 - Feb 8 (Tickets)
Location: Segerstrom Hall
Description: The new musical based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks.
Sweeney Todd | Show times vary, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Description: The dark, witty, Tony Award–winning musical thriller.
Sweeney Todd | Show times vary, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
Description: The dark, witty, Tony Award–winning musical thriller.
The Great Race | Family performance, January 31 (Tickets)
Location: Samueli Theater
Description: A family-friendly performance celebrating Chinese New Year.
Los Angeles Boat Show | Varies, January 30 (Tickets)
Location: Long Beach Convention Center
Description: Large-scale boat show featuring various vessels and exhibitors.
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