food was amazing. Entertainment was great, service out of site. The only challenge for us is a little bit pricey. Recommend for that special night out. added benefit making it special, it's veteran owned. read more

Came back for another visit, this time with my buddy and his son, and happy to report the first experience definitely wasn't a fluke. Tried the gumbo this time and it was absolutely delicious. Rich, flavorful, and one of those dishes where you're already thinking about ordering it again before you're finished Service was great again too. Friendly, attentive, and everything came out exactly as it should. Really cool seeing this place up and running after getting to experience it early on. Two visits in and they're 2-for-2. I'll definitely be back because there's still plenty on the menu I need to work my way through. read more

LJ's Lounge - Blackened catfish with mac n cheese + candied yams - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I went to LJ's for the second time, and unfortunately, I wasn't as pleased with my experience this time around. The catfish wasn't available until 12 PM. I waited until noon specifically because I had my heart set on catfish and cheesy grits for breakfast. When I finally received the catfish, it was extremely overcooked and burned on certain sides. I also asked if the grits were the same creamy cheese grits that come with the shrimp and grits entrée. She told me yes, but when my food arrived, I was given regular grits instead. When I brought it to her attention, there wasn't really a response or an attempt to correct it. I was already halfway through my meal before she mentioned that she would ask the kitchen. At that point, it was too late, which was frustrating because I had specifically been looking forward to that meal all morning. The scrambled eggs were also overcooked. Overall, I just wasn't happy with my experience this time. I really wanted to enjoy my meal, but several things were disappointing from the food preparation to the communication and lack of follow-up. I may take a break from LJ's for a while. Hopefully, my next experience will be better. read more

Free parking is available on the lower level of Triangle Square in Costa Mesa. LJ's is located on the top level with several other restaurants. The restaurant is decorated well. There is seating inside and on a patio. There is a large bar for seating and a stage for the band/DJ. Love the touches of purple. The playlist was quite enjoyable. A DJ was set up around 9 PM, we left before his set. The owner and all staff were friendly and attentive. Our servers were Troy and Zara, a trainee. My only issue with services is that our table was not bussed after we finished eating. Dessert arrived and there were still empty/dirty dishes that needed to be removed. Food and drinks arrived in a timely manner. We enjoyed the catfish, greens, mac n cheese and oxtails. By 7, they were out of pork chops, which is understandable. Chocolate cake was OK, I just didn't care for orange flavored sauce in the plate. My table-mates prefer a peach cobbler with a crust rather than a moist "crumble". Waitress was able to split the bill in three...which we appreciated! We all enjoyed the restaurant and dinner and all agreed we would come back on other occasions. Give them a try! read more

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Phenomenal service and food! Happy to see a unique restaurant move into Triangle Square and I have high hopes for LJ's Lounge. Not only are they specializing in fantastic southern food, but they also have INCREDIBLE live performances during your meal on the weekends. We came for an earlier dinner and got to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous and talented woman (who I did not catch the name of - so sorry!) shine like a star on stage. It was hard to not be blown away through every bite because the food was delish but also because her talent was genuinely shocking. Highly recommend their fried chicken and lemon pepper wings. Their cornbread is a MUST as well, genuinely some of the best cornbread I've ever had. Perfectly moist but also the right amount of corn flavor in the bread. We will be back! read more

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New restaurant in the triangle square! Great service, love the music ( the dj is the owner) , and the inside is beautiful with pictures of historical representation of African American culture. The food was good! If you're looking for a soul food spot that plays real good hip hop and rnb music this is your spot. Definitely want to come back for brunch! I highly recommend the cornbread! It's delicious. Order 2 of them! read more

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Came for bday breakfast. Nice ambience, sat in the patio. Live vocalist was a nice touch, she sounded great and performed several current hits. Food was good, portions are a bit scarce for the price, and service timing was way off, so I couldn't give 5 stars. We ordered our drinks well before ordering our meals. We didn't get our drinks until we FINISHED our meals. Like, seriously. No apology, no shave a little cost off, no courtesy offerings, no explanation, nothing, just 3 cocktails served at the same time our empty plates were being cleaned off the table. We didn't complain or make a fuss. It is what it is. They knew better. But I guess if the customer doesn't point out an issue no one assumes accountability for it, idk. It was disappointing. read more

We absolutely loved this establishment, from the ambience, service & food, everything was top tier!! We'll definitely be dining here again very soon!! read more

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My husband and I met Kenny,Cheryl and Ramsey last year when they were doing their Soul to Sole Sunday 's in Laguna beach. We followed them to Tustin and now to Our New HOME, LJs!!!! We could not be happier with their delicious FOOD, genuine TEAM members, AMBIANCE, Beautiful tributes to our CULTURE and overall AMAZING SPACE they have made for the community! Thank you for welcoming us HOME read more

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Been seeing this restaurant on instagram so made a reservation to try it out for date night. The customer service was great! Everyone was attentive. Out of all of the items ordered, the lemon pepper wings were our favorite along with the gumbo. The rice was crunchy in both the red beans & rice and the rice and gravy. I wish the macaroni and cheese was seasoned along with the roasted chicken. The entertainment was great! I would recommend changing the height of the toilet tissue holder in the first stall of the ladies restroom because I did bump my head since it was so high read more

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This restaurant was everything we needed here in OC! From the moment we walked in, the customer service was amazing. The food was incredibly hearty , flavorful and the drinks were sooooo good! The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, with great music and plenty of good lighting. I also thought it was really cool that they displayed the Wi-Fi password on the TV screen, such a simple but thoughtful touch that made things easy. My biggest takeaway was the hospitality. The owner, co-owners, and chefs actually came to our table to chat, share a few stories, and genuinely ask how everything was. That personal connection means a lot to me and made us feel so welcome. We were there for almost two hours and didn't have a single bad experience. Great food, great drinks, amazing service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I generally do not enjoy leaving negative reviews, but I believe thoughtful feedback is important, especially for a newly opened business. Our 7:30 p.m. reservation was honored, and we received a warm, unique welcome. The lounge itself had a cool, relaxing atmosphere, great music, and a vibe that reminded me of an upscale jazz/RnB lounge. Unfortunately, the dining experience did not meet the same standard. Several menu items, including fried green tomatoes and a few entrées, were already unavailable. My friend's catfish arrived promptly, while my sides were served well before my entrée with no explanation, leaving them to cool. The catfish appeared undercooked, with an unpleasant gelatinous texture and unusually thick cuts. The staff graciously took it back. When my fried chicken arrived, I cut into it and found it to be undercooked as well. I brought this to the staff's attention. I also sampled the sides and gumbo. The yams were bland/puréed and lacked the candied caramelized sweetness and warm buttery spices I expected, the macaroni and cheese was not as rich with no cheesiness or creaminess as I prefer. The greens were quite bitter and left an unusual after taste. The rice was undercooked and the gravy flavor was dominated by thyme. The cornmeal muffins had a texture more akin to bread than to traditional cornbread. The gumbo was thick and floury with a slightly fishy undertone with too much thyme rather than having the darker roux- or stew-based w/ fresh seafood flavor I associate with the dish. I truly appreciated how attentive and kind the owners and staff were throughout the evening. They listened to our concerns, adjusted the bill, and even offered an additional glass of prosecco. Although we took some leftovers home out of courtesy and appreciation for their hospitality, we ultimately chose not to eat them. The lemon condensed pie was delicious and ended the meal on a positive note alongside the complimentary prosecco. I am sharing this experience in the hope that it helps the restaurant strengthen its kitchen consistency and food safety practices. The hospitality, music, and ambiance show tremendous promise, and I wish the team success as they continue to grow. read more

LJ's Lounge - Lemon Pie Dessert and Prosecco - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Always a great time when I get to come to LJ's. Love the hospitality of the staff and attentiveness we receive. Food & drinks are always delectable and the entertainment vibes are unparalleled! Thanks for always welcoming us back home time and time again. read more

LJ's Lounge - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I had the pleasure of dining at LJ's Lounge today. It was FANTASTIC!!! The food was excellent and the vibes were amazing! I loved the music too. Great food, football on the TVs with incredible music in the background. Now that's a trifecta!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!! read more

I loved this place soooooo much ! I can't wait to go back and get the catch The service was great and I love to see the diversity in my community. read more

EVERY DAMN THING WENT WELL! Met the owner Kenny, was welcomed like family and thanked for coming even BEFORE meal landed! Let me tell you bout that! Ordered Carlos Big Breakfast with Chicken Sausage and wife had the Catfish breakfast. Eggs, PERFECT! Hash browns, lemme tell you as many BAD ones are out there these are worth the drive, flight, voyage, Stagecoach or simply walking in 100 deg heat to order these. Seasoned PERFECTLY and browned as though God himself cooked them they are practically a new food group! The chicken sausage is home made and also seasoned perfectly. Didn't see the chef but think Big Momma or your family Matriarch that outcooked everyone no matter what time you arrived! Food here is that good! Tried some of wife's Catfish and it was also anointed. Sweet tea is great just right ratio (REALLY GOOD tea x sugar x water) and has just enough sweetness so its not like some that are basically diabetes in a cup! Drop in a lemon and YEAHHHHH! Atmosphere here is upscale elegance trimmed in distinctive Royal Purple but never pretentious or unwelcoming. Check out the celebrity pics in hallway and bathrooms. Everything here is intentional and designed to welcome you home with great ambiance and even better food. Looking forward to going back soon for dinner! Will post review of that then! YOU can definitely put pretty much ANYTHING from here at LJ's Lounge on a rubber boot and it would be great! DEFINITELY RUBBER BOOT CERTIFIED! Cheers Fam! read more

Amazing Amazing Amazing! The food, the people, the music, the vibes; everything you hope for in an establishment! The owners are not only genuinely, beautiful people, they make you part of the family! Don't sleep on LJ's Lounge, go visit your new family! You won't be disappointed!! read more

Was super excited to come for brunch . Beautiful decor ! Loved the art on the walls and color scheme of the venue. After ordering we waited 15 minutes for our drinks. Had to flag down a waiter ( ours was no where to be seen ) to remind them we were still waiting for our drinks. Drinks finally arrived. But arrived wrong . We asked for champagne with a splash of OJ. Instead we got the opposite. Food arrives. Mine came first. My girlfriend's came out a few minutes later . Strange they couldn't be served at the same time . We ordered a second round of drinks. Again they never came. Had to alert a different server again ! The owner was apologetic at least. But we did feel somewhat unseen . Hopefully these are just kinks this new establishment can work out . read more

You guyssss . . . This is THEE R&B spot in Orange County! The only other place we found a lounge, restaurant, and music like this is in Vegas! The vibe is dope, the music is on point, and the food is delicious! Come throughhhhhh so this place makes it in Triangle Square! read more

Phenomenal experience! Food, drinks, Live entertainment. Perfect ambience for an adult night out. Met the owner , Kenny Jackson, very personable made us the feel welcomed. Definitely will return in the near future. looking forward to trying brunch with entertainment provided soul, reggae and DJ. Tonight our guests enjoyed oxtails, ribeye, blackened salmon, greens, mac & cheese, red beans, and rice yams thankful for the soulful experience in Orange County read more

Visited LJ's for the first time on 8/7/26, and had the best experience. The hospitality was on point. Our server Ida was super sweet; thorough, detailed, and genuine. The entertainment was great - vocalist then DJ. The Salmon, Mac n Cheese, Smash Burger, greens, and Ribeye - all were delicious. Not to mention, where can you get a ribeye for under $50?! Value for price-paid . We had an excellent time - we will return to LJ's! read more

LJ's Lounge is definitely what Costa Mesa needed. I had the Fried Chicken Entree with Mac n Cheese & Corn Bread with Honey Butter, and the flavors were amazing! I had to end it with the Peach Cobbler which I would highly recommend. The restaurant's vibe in general feels so homey and comforting. A special shout out to Shaleen the bartender whose service & Espresso Martini's were phenomenal! read more

We were welcomed home and got seated timely and treated like family. Comfort food with big flavor and loved the singer. Perfect date night. read more

The old black Knight Gasto Pub is now LJ's Lounge. My wife and I stumbled in on a Monday night not knowing it was the soft opening. The environment still reminded me of Black Knight yet the lights were turned up something I disliked about Black Knight it was way too dark. But the lighting highlighted a clean restaurant with very comforting decor. Tables are perfect for a family dinner or a date night. I like how they use the stage area for podcast and performers. Music was excellent my wife adored the R&B. No going to lie it was a vibe! Now LJ came up to us and conversed with my wife and I very nice gentleman! Staff were very professional and on their game! They noticed when our water was low and paid attention to our table precisely. Excellent service!! We started off with a bowl of gumbo and honey butter cornbread. The soup could have been hotter but overall flavor was amazing. The cornbread was magnificent! Overall the food was great I had the fried chicken Mac and cheese and collard greens! A+ My wife had the Salmon Mac & Cheese and puréed Yams. She didn't like the Yams but enjoyed everything else. Overall great experience! Food Service and Ambience Excellent!! I want to try the Ribeye next! read more

LJ's Lounge - Gumbo and Honey Butter Cornbread - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great little new cozy spot in Costa Mesa the staff is great. The owners are great. Food is different for the area which should bring in lots of new people to the area. The catfish is incredible wasn't too happy with the portion of the fried chicken however it was good tender very juicy peach cobbler wasn't what I'm used to still good but the other dessert can't remember what the name something with a lemon in it was very very tasty. Congrats guys welcome to the neighborhood. read more

Go check this place out! We saw a matinee @ Triangle Square Friday, then a bite to eat @ Sevilla - and as we're leaving we passed this new place we'd never seen before- and wow! So glad we found it! It's warm & fun & lively. We were lucky to be there on a Friday bc they have live entertainment & the young woman singing was fantastic. Covering Etta James, Nina Simone, RB, jazz, soul, some funk. The owner was working the room - in a good way. Very welcoming. Can't comment on the food bc we didn't eat, but they described it as soul food. Wine was good but they tack on some additional fee we didn't understand (?) On nights wo live entertainment it seems more like a sports bar w 10+ TV screens . ( inside & on patio) We'll definitely go again on a Friday or Saturday for the music. A great addition to the neighborhood! read more

This was my third visit and I brought my daughter this time to join me! We savored the chicken and waffles and the shrimp and grits! Both were delicious. The entertainment was great for a Sunday brunch. Cheryl, the general manager greeted me and was quite personable as always. My server Ida was very accommodating and professional. I loved bringing my daughter here to see what I'd been raving about. She totally understood the hype! Strongly recommended. read more

LJ's Lounge - Catfish from the Delta, scrambled eggs and grits..... frozen strawberry puree - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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LJ Lounge in Costa Mesa was an absolute 5-star experience! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Mr. Kenny, whose hospitality made us feel right at home. Our server, Kristin, was exceptional--attentive, friendly, and made sure every detail of our dining experience was perfect. The food was outstanding. I enjoyed the tender, flavorful oxtails served with perfectly seasoned collard greens and sweet potatoes. My husband ordered the shrimp and grits, and they were rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. We started with the fried green tomatoes, and they were one of the best appetizers we've ever had crispy, fresh, and bursting with flavor. To top it all off, the live entertainment was incredible. A beautiful young lady performed, and she was absolutely amazing. Her talent, energy, and stage presence created the perfect atmosphere and made the evening even more memorable. Great food, outstanding service, wonderful hospitality, and fantastic entertainment,LJ Lounge has it all. We can't wait to return and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience! read more

LJ's Lounge - Shrimp and Grits!!!! - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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After following on instagram for a while, I was SO excited to try this new spot when they opened....and it was amazing! From Kenny's greeting and introduction, the music, decor, to our delicious meal- everything was fantastic. We had the fried chicken (perfection), best collard greens I ever had, the sweet potato's were like dessert and so creamy. The gumbo was super flavorful, but not overly spicy. Corn bread was fluffy, light and perfectly complimented with the honey butter. Not sure why anyone has left a negative review here, because 11/10 our experience was great! Especially for being brand new and working out the kinks. We will definitely be back!!! read more

Went to a soft opening brunch and ohhhh my!!! A much needed soul food spot, with great ambiance, great music, great service, and the food was soooo good!!! We had chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy. Flavor was definitely delivering! Crispy chicken with the waffles was on point! Biscuits and gravy was yummmm, loved the gravy. My favorite was the shrimp and grits, it had a little kick, which I loved, the shrimp had so much flavor it was delicious! Staff was friendly and attentive! Great experience, if you're craving soul food, and you're looking for a place to chill and listen to good music, this is your spot!!!! read more

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This is a new place, beautiful place, amazing music, delicious food, and good drinks! Everyone has good vibes especially Annette, and there's great customer service. I highly recommend read more

The one and only best soul food restaurant in all of Orange County I absolutely love it. I ordered the greens. I ordered the gumbo. It is absolutely delicious authentic authentic homemade soul food Costa Mesa at Newport and Harbor. Excellent parking. The ambience is amazing Big screens everywhere they have brunch. They have music, not too far from the beach, but the food is absolutely amazing. If you love soul food you must come visit. they have karaoke they have DJs special nights they have brunch read more

Our new spot! I'm so elated LJ's opened in Costa Mesa, what a perfect new (and much needed) addition. Everything we ordered was perfection. The fried chicken was delectable, collared greens were flavorful, and I could've eaten ten pieces of cornbread to myself. We were touched that the owner, Kenny, stopped by our table to chat and tell us more about his space. We're so excited for all the live music and events he has planned! The energy was lively, service was impeccable and music was perfect all night. read more

Atmosphere, owner is welcoming & checks in to be sure that customers are happy! The food is delicious& hardy. Returning to try brunch very soon! read more

Had dinner at LJ's and it was fantastic! The food, ambiance, service and music were all exceptional! Highly recommend you check it out!!

Excellent in every way. The ambiance, friendliness and food knowledge by our server, Royale. The bar made my friend a delicious mocktail, the food was excellent. Can't wait to go again! Kenny, the owner made us feel so welcome. Lots of personal touches. Love this place! read more

Went on Saturday night for an early bday celebration and had the best dinner! The service, food, and ambience were all 5 stars. Everyone working was very welcoming and nice, and our waiter was hilarious. We got the cornbread, chicken, Mac n cheese and candied yams. Had a delicious lemon drop martini, and also got the peach cobbler as a free bday dessert which was so nice :) I loved the live singer, whole time was a vibe! Can't wait to come back! read more

LJ's Lounge - Comfort Food Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The establishment is amazing. The food is awesome and Emily is the most precious individual

What a great new restaurant. It has it all. Great food, service and atmosphere. The staff were as friendly as if you were family. The Soulful Southern vibe is almost intoxicating. We will be back...and soon. read more

Came here last night with my family and friends.. food was mediocre. Service was good up until we wanted to stay for the performance or dj that was arriving . The owner sent his girlfriend or wife to tell use we exceeded our 2 our maximum, after we had spent over $500 in their establishment. What establishment turns away patrons after continuously spending money! Black ppl can't run businesses. It always them targeting other blacks!!! Then as a man could come speak to us himself! What a coward ! Anywho we went to the Mexican spot around the corner and were treated amazing ! We will be contacting the Bette business bureau for cold food and to be inspected to make sure they reach all Codes.... Coming from the hospitality business yall need to do better !!!!! Wish we could have been treated better for the amount of money we've spent at your establishment ! read more