Explore Orange County’s Little Arabia By Crawling These 10 Delicious Destinations

"Samir Elshahed hails from Egypt and named his patio-centric restaurant and hookah lounge for the world’s oldest active yacht, built in his home country over 150 years ago. Egyptian culture permeates El Mahroosa, from the framed photos and paintings to the music. Elshahed serves standout haman mahshy, a bronzed roasted pigeon stuffed with glutinous rice pilaf and served with aromatic molokhia. El Mahroosa also makes notable mombar and provides another notable take on koshari that combines macaroni, lentils, rice, fried onions, and tomato sauce. Hawawshi stars ground beef and lamb blended with onions and spices then baked in pita bread. For dessert, om ali is a remarkably light, custardy bread pudding topped with powdered coconut, crushed pistachios and walnuts, toasted almonds, and sultanas." - Joshua Lurie