Best experience I've had in the area from service , cocktails, delicious apps, steaks, & made in house desserts! Life changing chocolate cake! read more

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The staff was great, casual, friendly, and welcoming. We stopped in for a quick bite and drinks before heading to a high school football game. The chicken bites were fresh and delicious (homemade ranch, yes please), and the hot honey whip is an absolute must-try. We also appreciated being offered extra bread without having to ask. Overall, it's a super cool, cozy spot with a great atmosphere. We'll definitely be back--and have already told our friends and family to check it out. read more

Very enthusiastic servers/bartenders who are all in on what they're building here at Bardega. Why shouldn't they be? The food was great! The beef dip might be one of the best beef dip sandwiches I've ever had. It's their best seller for reason and well deserved. The onions are caramelized to perfection and very flavorful. Their Ruben is one of, if not the best Ruben I've ever tasted. The only knock I had with it was one piece of tough fat that somehow found its way into the middle of a bite. The pastrami was seasoned and cook well. The slaw was a perfect companion to the meat and rye bread/toast. Excellent sandwich over all, even taking the tough bit into consideration. It happens. Had a Trader Vic's Mai Tai from their "classics" drink menu. It was good. I will admit that I'm somewhat of a Mai Tai snob, and you call something a Trader Vic's Mai Tai it better be made correctly. They miss the mark in my opinion by not using a Jamaican rum. Their base is Bacardi, which in average customers eyes I'm sure is fine and they don't know or care. But the base of a TV MT is definitely not Bacardi. I'd recommend using Appleton Signature over Bacardi all day everyday day. If you want to call it a Bardega Mai Tai then use what you want, but this isn't a Trader Vics. It's still good and I was not disappointed entirely, mostly in name and the use of Bacardi. Ok, stepping down from my soapbox... The Pineapple Elixir from their house crafted cocktails was great. Highly recommend. The service is top notch. Food is excellent. The drinks are really really good. Seriously, my hangup on the Mai Tai is nitpicking. It is what it is, and it's still a good drink. I love the whole feel of the place. The bodega walking in, the music, the decor, the whole place is a vibe and I'm here for it. I'll be back for sure. Hope to see you there. It's a great local spot that earns your heart and deserves your business. Cheers to "old farts" (their words) running the place. Well done boys. read more

I'll confess that I did not know (until now) that "bodega" is a small grocery store in an urban area. It's interesting entering the bar through the little market. We enjoyed sitting at the bar top, where we received friendly-&-attentive service. We ordered the following: Classic Negroni ($12) The Old Fashioned ($14) Wedge Salad ($20) California Onion Dip ($14), chunky dip served with large, potato chips and colorful variety of vegetables. We were impressed with our strong classic cocktails -- and the clear ice cubes. Our food orders were attractively presented, and while fine, nothing that stood out as needing/wanting to order, again; our thoughts, a bit steep. We enjoyed the fun, nostalgic details in the bar: nostalgic music, 8-track, lava lamps, and Nostalgic X'er playing commercials (Hawaiian Punch, Krazy Nails)! read more

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Great service! Tasty bar food. We had ricotta with hot honey... savory, sweet, salty creamy goodness with fresh garlic bread pillowy soft inside with a crunchy exterior. This was a winner! Beef dip and fries followed and did NOT disappoint. Over all is an experience worth repeating. Bar has a cozy 70 - 80s theme fun for a casual lunch, hang with friends or casual date night. read more

I felt like I was transported back to an old school diner in the Midwest. Service was great. Very attentive staff. Hot dog of the month was tasty but I imagined it more... constructed. The hot dog itself was good so maybe next time I'll come back for their chili cheese dog. Hot honey whipped ricotta was good but not for me. Another item that wasn't for me was the Pineapple Elixir but the lollipop was a nice touch. Midori Sour was pretty good, and Happy Accident was great! I'd come back for the Happy Accident and Wake Me Up. read more

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When you enter, you'll see why it's called Bardega. The entrance is styled like a bodega and I assume it also functions as one? I thought I walked into the wrong place at first but as you keep going down you'll enter the restaurant portion. I only have good things to say about the servers. Very nice and attentive. I love the overall decor of the place. Whoever designed and curated the space do a great job - nostalgic but updated in the right way. On to the food, my husband got the fish sandwich and said it was great. If we both got that we would have been happy campers. Unfortunately, the tv dinners are outrageously overpriced. I can't even justify the price point. I could have seen their meatloaf being priced at $25 but not $38. Mac and cheese was good but not great, meatloaf ok, cookie was dry and cold, and the salad wasn't to my taste either. The meal at best was okay if not subpar which was disappointing. We really liked this place overall but whenever we think about going we are seriously dissuaded by the high prices. I know the economy is pretty rough for everyone right now but it's hard to justify $38 for meatloaf. read more

Bardega - Meatloaf - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

I love how the entrance to this place is the bodega small shop and youre enthusiastically greeted by the staff at the counter. Similar to that downstairs basement bar in the man cave of the dad of your friend from elementary school. That 70s/80s vibe with old school commercials playing on their old tv. I lowkey love it. We came here for drinks and small bites and loved everything. We ordered the Wake Me Up Cocktail (cold brew and bourbon) and Grasshopper cocktail (similar to chocolate chip ice cream but in martini form. Kinda frothy but a lot of fun flavor) for drinks and egg sandwich and pickled veggies for snacks. I am still dreaming about the flavors I experienced. read more

Bardega - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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Another great meal at Bardega. Love the ambiance, food and service. Must try the pecan pie! read more

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You enter through a Bodega, which becomes a bar/restaurant (family friendly) as you turn right. There is so much nostalgia throughout. I was really surprised by how much we enjoyed the food, and even more so that we shared an entree and left stuffed. Entree (Intentionally listed first) - Pan Roasted Porck Chop 5/5: It seemed like a balsamic reduction that was elevated by grilled shallots and grape tomatoes; it would make an old shoe taste great. Luckily it was a tender pork chop with a beautiful sear. We spent half of tje car ride home talking about wanted to go back for this. - Old School Mac n Cheese 4/5: The pasta had the aldenate chew and the cheese sauce we rich, but also tasted like it was a quality cheddar and cream Appetizer - Crispy Chicken Bites 4/5: They were freshly made, tender and juicy, and we could taste the buttermilk. The dill forward ranch was perfect with lemon juice. The only knock was that we wanted more. Drinks - The Royal Wednesday 5/5: Super freshing, floral and light, yet packs a punch at the end Dessert - Chocolate chip cookie 4.5/5: Served warm; brown butter forward, with a sweet chew and savory finish. It was included with the TV Dinner, and we are glad thst it was. *Receiving Andes mints with the bill 10/5! The server was attentive throughout, and made sure that we were taken care of. Considering how fresh and hot everything was, the wait times were very reasonable, and well worth it. It is a fun concept that is well executed. Next time, we are going to try one of their Bardega Dogs and start putting a dent in the drink menu. read more

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I finally got to try this place tonight! I waited about 15 minutes for a table for two on a Friday night. We got to order drinks while we waited. There was a free Photo Booth to take pictures and a seating area while you wait. The host was friendly and chatty. I met who I think is the owner and he was also friendly. When we got seated, our server was also great. I ordered the pineapple elixir for my cocktail and it was delicious. It came with a little lollipop to pair with it. For our meal, we got onion dip, the wedge salad, and the Chicago dog. Everything was delicious, but the Chicago dog was the best. The vibes are amazing. It's very nostalgic and takes you back in time. Such a cool place to visit! read more

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Initially wasn't sure whether we got to the right place because the entrance was like a provision store. Until we went in further. Place was quite nice, no fuss with a bar. The Fried Fish Sandwich was great. Crunchy on the outside and fresh Pacific Cod on the inside. It came with coleslaw, pickles served on a potato bun. One thing though it was pricey. Service was engaging and friendly. read more

Bardega - Fried Fish Sandwich - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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Yep. This is a must stop for anyone looking for a little piece of nostalgia. You walk in and it looks like a cool little convenience store. Pop around the corner and you're sent into a time warp. Great cocktail selection and good beer selection (would love to see coors banquet or coors light on draft though). Just an all around great spot. Got the hot dog of the month which was delicious. Pulled pork pickles, fried Mac and cheese balls? Yes please. Loved the drinks we got but don't miss out on the desserts. Banana pudding was amazing! We also split a Caesar salad with chicken and got the hot honey whipped ricotta. Will be back to enjoy some other cool menu items that looked delicious. Meatloaf, pickled eggs and beef dip. Service was fantastic walked us through the menu and helped direct what we should be ordering. Can't wait to come back. read more

Bardega - Pineapple Elixir and banana pudding - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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One of my best lunch experiences I've had lately. Great customer service, they clearly care about the menu and vibes. The food was great- I split the egg sandwich, and the French dip with a buddy. Fries were good too. I liked the fresh made chips too. Riblets for the app also hit hard. Very impressive and will be back. read more

Great hobo hipster 70s vibe! If you grew up in the 70s, whose parent didn't have a wood paneled den to hang out in? Well then... This is your place! They have small eclectic menu, we had the fried fish sandwich which was excellent and the Chicago dog. Craft cocktails are the name of the game though. The menu pricing is weird, it's all over the map... The pork chop was 42 and chicken cordon bleu was 36/38... Too pricey. But then their craft cocktails are only 14 Vs the usual 24 martini at steakhouses. It's nice to have a place like this in the neighborhood. One thing to note, there are no TVs so can't catch the game on Sunday. Give me a try read more

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We've been a few times and they've remembered us each time. Really amazing owners and staff who are so welcoming, making it feel like you're visiting an old friend's basement. The cocktails are amazing! Obsessed with their take on midori sours! They make their own melon shrub and finish with fresh citrus! So light and refreshing! We also love the Wake me Up their frozen cocktail with bourbon and coffee. Food is also tasty! Had a few things from the menu and liked each one. Super cute inside! They did an amazing job with finding vintage pieces making it feel like a 70/80's neighborhood bar or neighbor's basement. read more

Bardega - Midori sours - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Enjoyed the hell out of this spot that serves as part bodega, part retro 80s neighborhood bar and part chef-driven restaurant serving elevated bar grub/comfort food! This is the kind of spot where the quality of food is on par with the overall atmosphere and that's always a great time. read more

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We stopped here with friends and found a new yummy restaurant. Super quirky decor - old commercials running....really fun. Apparently, I was too hungry to take many pictures. We loved the Pickled eggs and got 2 orders. We also loved the Pecan Pie, not too sweet with lots of pecan flavor. I enjoyed my Beef Dip sandwich with fries. Fish Sandwiches and Hot Dog were also really good. Our server was friendly and stopped by regularly. Nice bar menu - but they didn't seem to have many Bourbon options. Parking was plentiful in lot. read more

Bardega - Pecan Pie - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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Bodega in the front... but hang a right at the back counter and it opens up into a full on restaurant; a love letter to the 70's, complete with wood paneling, old school knickknacks, and "TV Dinners" served on those iconic orange-colored cafeteria lunch trays. The nostalgia is real over here, just with better food than you remember. THE FOOD. - Hot Honey Whipped Ricotta. Creamy, mildly sweet ricotta spread with a kick of chili oil on top. Smear that stuff all over the warm, fluffy bread that comes with this dish for a simple, but addictive bite! - Pan Roasted Pork Chop. Impressively tender, glazed with a slightly tangy balsamic reduction that paired well with the sweet grapes and mellow pearl onions on top. It came with creamy, mashed red skin potatoes, a side salad (I had Catalina dressing... it's tomato-based, sweet & tangy), and a salty-sweet chocolate chip cookie. Highly recommend! - Italian Chop Sandwich. Layered with a generous mix of meats, this sandwich was rich, savory, and satisfyingly filling. Their housemade chips were crispy and lightly salted for that perfect enhanced potato flavor that really shined through. THE DRINKS. - Bardega Margarita. Bright and citrusy with a refreshing finish. It's not going for flashy, just reliably good. - The Royal Wednesday. Lightly sweet and citrusy with floral and herbal notes. - Vanilla Cream Soda. Sweet, fizzy drink that tastes like melted vanilla ice cream. And that's about the best description I can come up with. THE PARKING. Free surface lot parking in the shopping plaza. We were able to park right up front with no issues. THE VERDICT. This literal hidden gem is truly worth checking out. The food isn't meant to look fancy, but its flavor complexities are surprisingly elevated beyond what one would expect. As far as service goes, we had a great server who dropped by to make sure we had everything we needed and even gave me a to go cup for my vanilla cream soda (it's the small details that matter the most). We're definitely returning to try other menu items! read more

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Old fashions rock. Riblets rock. Come visit. The best vibe. I brought my friend from the SF Bay Area...and she was rocked by the positivity and knowledge and execution of the bar staff and the food. Thank you for an amazing shared experience. read more

Bardega - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

So cool that such spots are opening up in Laguna hills, the quieter more sombre side of Irvine/OC. They have great drinks - tried their classics like the midori sour and their specials like spiked root beer and the spiced pear G&T variant. Also tried their chicken bites and house salad. Everything tastes fresh and good, drinks obviously steal the show. But the best part of the experience is the service. I did not feel rushed and felt extremely tended to. The person who helped me guided me through the menu, made accomodations for my allergies, and suggested vegan/veg options. When I spilled my drink immediately upon receiving, she got me one on the house. It just feels like dining in an establishment that knows what service means but also makes it feel like a neighborhood hang out spot. read more

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Such a fun and unique spot to check out in Orange County! You walk in to what looks like a little bodega with cases of drinks and snacks you can purchase at a counter, but when you round the corner you see an 80s styled, wood-paneled restaurant and bar with old school beer signs and kitschy 80s decor like a little Pee Wee Herman doll behind the bar. We sat at the long bar and got a couple of beers on draft - a hazy IPA and a Guinness on nitro. The Guinness was superb. They've got an extensive nostalgic cocktail menu - including a grasshopper- with a price point that averages around $14 a drink. We got the hot honey whipped ricotta with a bread loaf snack and it was good. Lots of ricotta vs the amount of bread given, so load up those bites. My favorite part was the nostalgia and the attentive bartenders. Love that they give you Andes mints with your check - another 80s throwback that reminded me of my childhood. This is a fun spot in a large shopping center in Laguna Hills with plenty of parking. Highly recommend checking it out. read more

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Looks like a hidden speak easy in Laguna Hills. When you first walk in, it looks like liquor store. When you turn the corner at the end you see this inviting fun bar. The presentation was the key here. The drinks looked delicious and nicely crafted. The server was amazing. So attentive and nice. HAPPY BARRING!! read more

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New place in the neighborhood. Staff are welcoming & accommodating. It's a perfect place to bring ypur family or have a girls' night out. Very nostalgic & menu is very creative. One section has to dinners & you can create your own. Would definitely come back and bring other friends to this local joint read more

Bardega - Onion Dip with potato chips & variety of veggies - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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What a fun spot! We came here midday for a date night. The front of the place looks like a store but further in, you're transported to, like, the 70's. Lots of classic decor all around. I love the booths. We had a couple drinks and food. Our server (and rest of the servers) were very attentive and checked up on us several times during our stay. The food was pretty good. The only feedback was the tomato soup wasn't our jam; it tasted very acidic, and we were expecting a much more sweeter, maybe even creamier soup... that doesn't mean it's lot your jam, though. So, no worries at all. The bread used for both sandwiches we got tasted homemade. We never confirmed. The best drink we got was the spiked root beer. The Mai Tai wasn't my favorite, but the other two drinks we got (Joyride and Pineapple Elixir) were pretty good! Overall, enjoyed our time here! read more

Bardega - Egg Sandi - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

My wife and I decided to drop by here for a light lunch. It was a little confusing at first as we entered what looked like a convenience store/bodega with drinks in a fridge on the left and items on the right, such True Love coffee. Then we turned the corner and entered the restaurant, which looked like a bar out of the past. My wife and I ordered a fish sandwich to split and it was outstanding. Inside a fresh, fluffy brioche bun was a thick piece of fresh cod with Alabama slaw that was crisp and well-made. The pickles served with the dish were tart and delicious. Our server (who may have been the owner or manager) was very friendly and welcoming and he created a nice vibe in the place. The retro decor was very well done. It did have that 70's bar feel, and it worked. The reason for the 4 vs. 5 star rating was the prices on the menu. They are practically Ritz Carlton high and my wife and I nearly didn't step into the restaurant because of them. While the fish sandwich was excellent, for $20 it was just a sandwich. No sides. On the menu, you are given the option to add fries or chips, but no price is given. And the price for add-ons really should be stated. Some of the items on the menu were under the heading of "TV dinners": $38 for a "meatloaf TV dinner". That's a lot. $15 for hot dogs. The high prices continued with the desserts: $18 for Death by Chocolate cake; $14 for Key Lime pie, $12 for Banana Pudding. I'm sure they taste great, but for a place that communicates a diner/comfort food vibe, they're very high. read more

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I had such a fun time. First visit. Bartenders made me and my friend Troy feel like we're regulars. Amazing French Dip. It's a nice slightly thick slab of roast beef. The au jus goes so well with pickles and crinkle cut fries. The horseradish sauce. My Moscow mule was amazing. Clean finish. Balanced. Easy to find parking and bathrooms were clean! I will be back. Thank you to everyone who made my birthday feel special! read more

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What a cool place. Will definitely be back to frequent. The decorations were so thoughtful, our drinks were immaculate, and we loved our food. Highly recommend the spike root beer and the dog of the month, the morning glory our server was also so engaged and clearly cared about our experience 10/10 read more

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this spot is fantastic- really unique and chill atmosphere that balances personality, quality, and authenticity. i appreciate the story of the spot too, which can be found on their website (longtime friends who are all from OC opened this spot with their own concept and design). and finally, a spot in OC that actually feels cozy and real, if i do say so myself. the cocktails were so good, and so was the food! service was great too. great place to go with friends or on a date, anytime of the day. PS i always get distracted if a restaurant or bar has too many TVs and this place does NOT have that problem. read more

Bardega - Cubano sandwich (bomb) - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

I randomly stumbled across this place today and can't believe it's been so close to my house this whole time. I think I may have found my new go-to spot. The drinks were great, and everyone was super friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere was really nice--not loud or sketchy like some dive bars, just comfortable and relaxed. It felt very family-friendly, and they have a great menu too. One thing I thought was really cool was that they had a Vietnamese drink I'd never seen before. I gave it a try and it was actually really good. Overall, such a lovely place. I'm glad I found it and will definitely be back! read more

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Love my bardega, love talking to the staff here, and love the warmth their food brings. I've sat at the bar and booths and it has a vibe unlike anything in LH. Looking forward to the patio when summer arrives and coming back again and again for a hotdog special. read more

Bardega - onion dip w veg and house made chips. - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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Everything was really good! Service, food, and atmosphere. The only complaint was the Trader Vic's, Mia Tia. It was a Trader Vic's. It was average at best. Wrong ingredients. read more

My motivation for dining here was for the vibe, which I loved! The overall concept is so cool, the music is excellent and the retro cartoons and commercials on the TV bring me back in time. The food and cocktails were excellent! I LOVED the Mac & Cheese, and the Beef Dip was great! The bartender made perfect cocktails and they tasted perfect, but they are small and expensive. Overall, this is my kind of place and I will be back to try more of the menu and other retro cocktails! read more

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​So glad we finally made it into Bardega! Honestly, my only regret is that I don't live closer--I'd be here all the time if I could. ​The vintage vibe here is incredible, and I absolutely love the mini shop as you first enter--it adds such a unique touch to the whole experience. ​The Food & Drinks: * Riblets: We started with these as an appetizer and they were incredible--literally falling off the bone. ​Main Eats: The Seoul Dog is a total must-try and lived up to the hype! The Beef Dip was also absolutely amazing. ​The Drinks: Perfectly crafted and totally hit the spot. Everything was on point. ​The Service: Huge shoutout to Austin! He was an awesome server--super attentive and made our visit even better. ​Can't wait to come back next time we're in the area! read more

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My husband and I were looking for something low-key but "different" for a casual date night, and Bardega definitely fit the bill. It has a great 1970s living room vibe that manages to feel cool without being pretentious. The layout is pretty unique--part market, part bar. We grabbed a few items from the bodega side and then sat down for drinks. One of the highlights for us was the food menu; we tried the pickled eggs, which were surprisingly unique and tasty. It's a simple snack, but they did them right. The drink menu is also worth noting because they have "three octanes" for their cocktails. It made it easy to stay for a second round without overdoing it. It was busy for a weeknight, but the service was steady. If you're in Laguna Hills and tired of the usual chain restaurants, this is a solid, soulful alternative. Just a great neighborhood "third space." read more

Bardega - Pickled Eggs - oddly satisfying - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

Finally something with a little character around here! Service was so friendly an attentive, decor very nostalgia-chic, and the cocktail I had was out of this world (the Amaretto Sour, yowzahhhh). I got the beef dip sandwich, which I felt lacked just a TOUCH of salt, but really really enjoyed the fries I added for $5 and horseradish sauce it came with. My husband lovedddd the pork chop. My kids loved the shrimp cocktail and the mac and cheese. Overall wonderful vibes and a cocktail list that's really well done and not prohibitively expensive. Win win win. read more

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Well, this was fun! We came for an early dinner after seeing this on Instagram a few days beforehand. there is a cute "bodega" as you enter the location with unique beverages and snack snacks from all over. And then you are greeted by a host who will take you to the dining area just behind the entrance. It's got funky 70s vibes and a good selection of beer to match. there are also special specialty and old-fashioned/vintage cocktails. The menu varies from salads, sandwiches, to TV dinner entrées. We opted for the California onion dip to start that came with both homemade potato chips and fresh vegetables. And then we opted to share the beef dip with a side of mac & cheese. The beef dip does not come with a side so you would have to order french fries or something else. Price is overall or just OK. I think $12 for a side of mac & cheese was a little pricey. We enjoyed the beef dip sandwich and the onion dip with the crunchy fried onions on top. Good choices again for nostalgic desserts. We were too full to have any, but we'll definitely come back and try one. We will definitely order those items again and probably come back to try the Italian chopped salad. Service from Dana was fun and she's super nice. There's plenty of parking out front. Good vibes all around we would definitely come back. read more

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Big fan of Bardega, this place is an experience, not just a meal. From the moment you walk in, you can tell there's real intention behind everything they do. The cocktails are handcrafted to perfection. They're balanced, creative, and honestly some of the best I've had in a long time. You can tell the bartenders actually care about the craft. The food? Just as impressive. Every dish comes out looking like a piece of art, but it's not just for show. It absolutely delivers on flavor. Bold, creative, and genuinely memorable. It's one of those spots where you keep talking about the meal the next day. If you're looking for a place that feels elevated without being pretentious, Bardega absolutely nails it. Already looking forward to my next visit. read more

Bardega - Amareto Sour - Restaurants Near Me - Laguna Hills, California

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This was such a fun experience! Walking up to it and seeing the "convenience store" at first threw us off, but then we realized what the name meant! you turn the corner and you're transported to another era! The service was great! Everyone was super friendly and attentive. We ordered the caramelized onion dip, the beef dip, and the danger dog. Everything was yummy! For dessert we ordered coffee (True Love drip in the biggest mugs haha) and the pecan pie. We loved the pie (just wish it was a little warmer). Walking out and finding the Photo Booth at the end was such a fun end to the night! Can't wait to come back and try more things!!! read more

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Lots of 60's and 70's decor clean and fresh. Bar service seemed a little slow for the 5:00 hour. Bar tender was busy talking. Had the Jamaica jerk hot dog of the month $18 plus $5 for fries and $9 for pickled eggs. Hot dog was good but pricey (Costco a better value). Best food was the fries. read more