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Where To Find The Best Takeout In Orange County

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Finding good food in Orange County isn’t difficult.

While the city may be best known for its association with the Real Housewives franchise, some culinary critics see it as the next big food scene in California.

An area once well-known for its soulless strips of chain restaurants is developing serious authenticity.

And a lot of that comes down to how much the market is changing. T

he west coast has seen major shifts towards non-traditional restaurants — whether that takes the form of Portland food cart pods, Los Angeles’ food halls, or personality-driven pop-ups.

But some of the most radical changes in the restaurant industry are manifesting through delivery and takeout options.

The virtual restaurant model is allowing those with less capital to get involved in the industry, and it’s allowed those looking to start their own restaurants the ability to be more experimental.

Where To Find The Best Takeout In Orange County

It’s a movement that’s taking the O.C. by storm, and here’s how you can find the best of the best.

Celebrity-Driven Restaurant Concepts

Hulk Hogan’s Pastamania is all the proof you need that celebrity-driven restaurants are nothing new and also aren’t always well-advised.

But the virtual restaurant model is creating a world where celebrity endorsement can be an asset rather than a sure sign of mediocrity.

A big reason for that is that smart entrepreneurs are helping connect big-name celebrities with tremendously talented chefs.

Take Hotbox, for instance.

Wiz Khalifa hand-picked the menu with the assistance of a talented culinary team, and local restaurants essentially lease out their kitchen space.

It’s a win-win situation that lets the specialists take the lead where their specialties really shine.

Local restaurants understand their neighborhood and how to deliver good food effectively.

Culinary specialists understand how to translate raw ideas into truly tasty meals. And Wiz Khalifa? He understands munchies.

It’s a menu that’s as hip as the O.C. but backed by some real credentials.

Other Delivery/Pickup Only Concepts0

The mod employed by Hotbox isn’t reserved exclusively for celebrities.

Where To Find The Best Takeout In Orange County

In fact, many restaurants are moonlighting with third party brands that allow them to expand their reach.

The concept works like this.

A restaurant partners with a third party company that includes their own branding and menus.

This food is then made in-house using the existing kitchen of the restaurant. The result is a whole ecosystem of restaurants that exist solely as virtual spaces in existing kitchens.

That’s a boon for the restaurants — who can leverage their existing resources to reach a whole new market.

It’s also a boon for you and other hungry people in the Orange County looking for a quick bite.

The Advantages of Virtual Concepts

Virtual concepts present you with a world of dining options that are exclusively available for carryout or delivery, and there are quite a few reasons to indulge your curiosity.

Part of that comes down to the specialization of the model.

Concept restaurants like the Grilled Cheese Society can specialize in food that’s designed to transport well and still taste good.

It also means that there are more creative dining options available.

The idea of a dine-in grilled cheese restaurant might not be broad enough to stay in business using a traditional model — but restaurants like the Grilled Cheese Society really can work with the lower overhead involved in a virtual restaurant model.

Where can you find the best carryout options in Orange County? Online.

A drive around the neighborhood won’t offer you a full perspective on what options there are in your area.

And some of the most eclectic and most interesting carryout choices in Orange County can only be found online.

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