Food and culture are inextricably linked. You can learn much about another’s culture by partaking and enjoying its unique delicacies – a simple bite of an unknown dish can transport you into a world that is not your own. Southern California and its urban centers represent a global population set in pockets of unique cultural communities. In essence, SoCal’s multiethnic and multicultural makeup results in a diverse selection of food that you do not want to miss. For those visiting Southern California for the SBC annual meeting and seeking to experience diverse SoCal culture, I have listed out my top recommendations of restaurants in the greater Los Angeles region, Orange County, and the broader area. I hope this gives you a taste of what SoCal has to offer.

Anaheim | Orange County

Top Recommendations for SBC Visitors Close to the Convention

In n’ Out

Burger | $

1168 S State College Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92806

The Taco Stand

Tacos | $

240 W Chapman Ave, Orange, CA 92866

Mo Ran Gak

Korean | $$

9651 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA

Porto’s Bakery & Cafe

Cuban Bakery | $

7640 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Cortina’s Italian Market

Italian | $

2175 W Orange Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804

Rodeo 39 Public Market

Vibe | $ – $$$

12885 Beach Blvd, Stanton, CA 90680

Pie Hole

Dessert | $$

440 S Anaheim Blvd Unit 206, Anaheim, CA 92805

Anaheim Packing House

Food Court | $$

440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805

Salt & Straw

Ice Cream | $$

1550 Disneyland Dr. E, #103A, Anaheim, CA 92802

Sidecar Donuts

Donuts & Coffee | $$

270 E 17th St #18, Costa Mesa, CA 92627


Los Angeles

Top Recommendations for First Time Visitors and Seasoned Angelenos

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Steak House | $$$$

100 La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Tsujita LA Artisan Noodle

Noodle Shop | $

2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Kobawoo House

Korean | $$

698 S Vermont Ave #109, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Wurstkuche

German | $$

800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Grand Central Market

Food Court | $$

317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

King Taco #2

Tacos | $

4504 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022

Avenue 26 Tacos

Tacos | $

3277 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Mama Lu’s Dumpling House

Chinese | $$

153 E Garvey Ave, Monterey Park, CA 91755

Langer’s Delicatessen

Deli | $$

704 S Alvarado St, Los Angeles, CA 90057

Sul & Beans

Korean Desserts | $$

621 S Western Ave #208-A, Los Angeles, CA 90005


More of SoCal

Top Recommendations Outside of the LA/OC Region

Phil’s BBQ

Barbecue | $$

40830 Winchester Rd, Temecula, CA 92591

Tacos El Gordo

Tacos | $

13236 Paxton St, Pacoima, CA 91331

Santa Barbara Public Market

Food Court | $$

38 W Victoria St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Underwood Family Farms

Strawberry Picking | $

5696 E Los Angeles Ave, Somis, CA 93066

California Citrus State Historic Park

Citrus | $

9400 Dufferin Ave, Riverside, CA 92503


Read More

The Gateway Journal of Theology Inaugural Issue

Read all new articles in the inaugural issue of The Gateway Journal of Theology.

Adam P. Groza
President
Adam is a native Californian and has taught philosophy-related classes at a variety of institutions including California Baptist University, Tarleton State University, Scarborough College, and Korea Baptist Theological Seminary.

Lessons from Twenty-Five Years of Preaching God’s Word

I am unashamedly an expository preacher. My first sermon, however, was not.

Josh Hutchens
Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Missions at Overland Church
Dr. Joshua Caleb Hutchens is a biblical theologian serving as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Missions at Overland Church in Fort Collins, Colorado and leading the Northern Colorado teaching site of Gateway Seminary.

Listen

Jonathan Edwards Center Podcast
December 17, 2025

Jonathan and Sarah Edwards with Nathan Finn

Dr. Nathan Finn came to Gateway to give a talk on Sarah and Jonathan Edwards’s Marriage during a Night Life Event. He joined Tyler Sanders on the podcast to give a brief overview of the meaning of Sarah and Jonathan’s Marriage, the four major interpretations of their

Jonathan Edwards Center Podcast
December 16, 2025

The Blank Bible and Jonathan Edwards’s Biblical Typology with Cameron Schweitzer

Dr. Cameron Schweitzer joins the JEC Podcast to discuss his work on Edward’s Typology and the ‘Blank Bible’ and to talk about his book, “Towards a Clearer Understanding of Jonathan Edwards’s Biblical Typology: A Case Study in the ‘Blank Bible’


Watch

Jonathan Edwards and the Asbury Revival

Chris Chun and Chris Woznicki discuss the signs of true revival, signs of the work of the Holy Spirit, and why it is important to critically assess the characteristics of revival in a spirit of charity.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

Jonathan Edwards and the Baptists | Douglas Sweeney, Nathan Finn and Chris Chun

Dr. Douglas Sweeney and Dr. Nathan Finn joined Dr. Chris Chun for a panel discussion on Jonathan Edwards, recorded live at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

Chris Chun
Professor of Church History | Director, Jonathan Edwards Center
Dr. Chris Chun is the professor of Church History and the director of Jonathan Edwards Center at Gateway Seminary. Chris’ doctoral research at St. Andrews University was focused on the eighteenth-century Edwardsean Baptists in Britain. He also has served as president of The Evangelical Theological Society (Far West Region).

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