I am so happy to see you got a response to your query; I was desperately looking at Christmas time and fortunately did have 2 responses; neither of which were these.
Please post your favorites when you have time; I'd love to know what you found.
Thanks in advance!

If none of them work out; you can do what I did and choose from the LA board favs -
then drop them $100 and spend your day off learning to make them from scratch.
It is well worth it; a phenomenal experience.

Wow.
In the times I have been to some of these; it never occurred to me to get my tamales at them.
Are they "off menu" items? :)

hyacinthgirl -
Just ran across your post while looking for something else.
I have found the fix to that craving for the frozen pizza from your childhood (if it was near the 70's).
Don't BLAST me (because I would blast me) until you try it - then blast away if I am not right on this.
I cringe with embarrassment as I write it . . .
Gulp; it is the 99 cent Banquet Pepperoni Pizza Meal in the red box, found in any chain grocer's freezer.
The pizza is "pop-tart-ish" in size; and the pepperoni nibs are the size of a pea and sprinkled on top. It is accompanied by chocolate pudding; and it comes out warm!
I cook it longer than it states so the edges are crusty.
It really fulfills some bizarre childhood frozen pizza need I have.

When the need for childhood delivery pizza arises; I make a drive to Barro's Pizza on Golden Springs in Walnut (usually on the way to the VanBuren Drive-In in the summer; where I am whisked back in time - dragging as many with me as I can convert to the old ways)!
In a world where NOTHING is like it used to be . . . Barro's Pizza is - exactly as it's always been. I still love it; and with the new FM Tuning and NO clipping onto ANYTHING; the Drive-in is actually better!
Now, if I could just find a Naugles. :)

I do not like fried chicken. That is my story and I'm sticking to it!
I do however have a sister in Lakewood who is the I Ching of all things fried or BBQ'd. When visiting her over the years, it was her duty in life to show me the error of my ways. Eventually I would come to throw out an enthusiastic, "YAH!" when it came to an occasional great fried chicken thigh. So here would be my picks for you . . .

I know the first isn't in OC; but it is the only store of this chain that is edible - it is a drive-though - always busy- and I don't know how - but it's delicious (last visit - 10-09)

*Church's Chicken
5801 Cherry Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
(kind of a scary area - use drive-thru)

*Johnny Rebs (this location only)
2940 E. Chapman Ave
Orange, Ca 92869
(This place is evil; the chicken thighs now call to me if I'm anywhere nearby - they are even available at breakfast!)

*Pittsburgh Broaster Chicken & Taters (does broasted count? is this OC? i never know)
3671 Katella Ave
Los Alamitos, CA 92833
562-594-0140 (To go only- and it's a dive- across from Mustards)

Disclaimer:
I do not like heavy pepper or cajun spice. If that is your preference my choices will not satisfy what you are looking to find.

WARNING on Johnny Reb's:

I DO NOT LIKE FRIED CHICKEN; yet I have to consciously take a different street when in Orange to keep from wheeling into the driveway of the evil Johnny Rebs for a crispy juicy chicken thigh and their sweet potato fries!
They even have a warm welcoming staff; that is just how evil this place is.

Oooh - there's a thought. Do they still have the "Club Room"? That was her and my dad's favorite haunt. Great rec. I'll check into it. Thanks!
. . . yeah; it's not every year you can count n your Mom forgetting your birthday (hee hee).
I think I'll try and get a pair of Louboutin's out of it too! Got to have shoes to wear to dinner - right?

ANYWHERE in OC I want ; dinner is on her (and she can afford it).

The Caveats :
1. Mom recoils at fish of any kind (yet it is my favorite).
2. Mom does not go t o LA - it is SOOO Far! That is ridiculous!
3. There must be music (think high end - dark lounge -y Rat-Pack vibe - and all it entails).

My picks would be:
1. M Moderne (frogs legs & sweetbreads) music?
2. Stonehill (Osetra and food was always good in past visits) music?
3. Mastro's Ocean Club (because I think they may have music & mom pleasing atmosphere)

I have never been to the 3rd - but thought it may be a nice compromise.
I was wondering if any of you may know of other places that fit this bill???
Trust me - Mom can afford it!
The music requirement really throws me - its just been a while since I have been anywhere like that. Sort of a nice nostalgia though . . . in the 70's - that's what my parents did on Friday or Sat nights - they went OUT.
OUT was a high end place where there was great food and music. I still remember my 1st trip to the "Velvet Turtle" for my 10th birthday. Very "swank".

Are there still places like that around? If so - will you post?
Thanks in advance . . .

I just realized these are 2 different places. I have never been to either. Thank you for the recs! Both are the same distance more or less. Looking for the really fattening carnitas. :)
If I'm going to eat fried pork, it should be the "good stuff". Maybe need to do a trial taco run on each. (hee hee)!

FIRST CLASS pizza in Villa Park (also in Orange, Tustin, etc).
Unbelievably good for a delivery place; and better than most here that do not deliver.
A tad high in price compared to chain delivery, but OH SO worth every extra penny.
Great cheese, and lots of it. Their Italian sausage has a great flavor. The combination Pizza has fresh crunchy veggies , and they have some truly interesting specialty pizzas for the adventurous.
They have other locations (often teamed up with Bagel Me), but have not patronized them. While Villa Park has limited items (but a slightly better pizza), the Orange Bagel Me location also delivers an interesting menu that includes "smoothies" and a nice "Philly Tri-Tip".
Not sure if I think it is so good, because I wasn't expecting anything decent, or because it really is good. I continue to order from them, so assume it is the latter!
I cannot recommend the bagels, as I was not a fan of the one I had (but I am very picky about Bagels).

View their menu and locations:
http://blog.bagelme.com/first-class-p...

wow. Not one? They don't even have to be the same place; just do not have time to drive all over LA. Seriously ? Not one decent place in this county?

for a Christmas party this Saturday.
I have poured over older posts, but have not found these specific items raved about anywhere in the Orange County area.
I also love sweet green corn tamales (but haven't seen one since the Levinsons packed up their tortillas and fled Laguna Beach years ago).
With all of the great places in Santa Ana,Orange, and surrounding area -
there must be at least ONE standout for these two items. I personally am found of the Carnitas tacos at La Siesta on Batavia in Orange, but have been told that there are many better places by those more traveled than myself.
I figure this is the place to find out where those places are.

Any favorites ?

Taco Mesa . . . Orange . . . REALLY???

I have something wrong with me. They did have a great Veggie Quesadilla on part Blue corn tortilla that was stuffed that i Liked. Last time I tried to order it; I got the Blank stare. I guess it was a special a ways back.
I don't get it (from toy Story . . . slowly becoming a staple).

Very cute!
I could actually do the green eggs and ham. But the others . . . uh; No.
You know you cannot tolerate it when you were raised by the :
"If you throw it up; you have to eat it anyway DAD".
That is how I knew.

Put me down for the sea Urchin as well; nothing to prove here. For those that do; Wasa in Tustin Ca not so harsh.

Read your posts here . . . what part of Missouri are you from? :)

If things do not change quickly; this could be the route. Of course you are right; but last time I stumbled into an unknown gem . . . it ended up being a biker bar. That split second decision made during terror; to run for your vehicle or to Bluff. I bluffed with a miniscule knowledge of pan-handles from my "Jay Leno Harley junkie of a dad". It ended up being great! Great boneless rib eye sandwich with "the minnetonka suede laced up boys, and scary girls in need of reassurance that you are not interested in a lifetime of bugs in your teeth. . . how gross. Then they are good too.
Seriously? Never again. Too much work for the safety.
Now; I look for Bikes before hitting "Unknown Gems".

Sorry last reply to you did not post.
I am sorry that I wasn't clear. I LOVE the food in Reno; even this great chicken wing Hole-in-the-wall with risque Tshirts from there. Something like Charlie's or Old Someone's; shoot I will look it up. BEST WINGS I HAVE EVER HAD. Have not ordered in the year and a half I have been back from my visit. There is a Bar under same roof; but other side. It was great; and had that great yellow chicken gravy we all want to deny we love!
No; it is the entire Family under same roof for a week I was dreading. Really dreading. Like Ray Barone and the in-laws all staying together. Lol!

Thank you Susan. One of the family was just in an accident on that pass. They are fine; but vehicle not so much I guess. Sadly; they are "seasoned" in that particular drive, while others are not.

If I get stuck at home alone (sorry, I mean with Storm); the only thing local open is not so great Chinese place. Well; and maybe the Montage or Ritz & RC; but no doubt full (yes yes; be careful what you wish for). Not to mention Storm unfriendly. The recommendations are so very appreciated. I will keep them with all of the others. I am doing a balancing act with the predicted weather as well as current road conditions.

Thank you; what a helpful link to have!

See . . . you have created a following. By the time I get there . . . there will be one of those 2 hour waits! Lol! Good for them!

Thanks Janet.
Convict Lake . . . romantic. Got it!
Convict Lake romantic (?). No; you all always know where of you speak. If you say romantic (despite the name); it must be romantic.
Thanks Janet.

route: 99 (58) 80 . . . route: 395 . . . route 101?

It appears that Stormy Weather and I can only travel two of the three.
If wrong; please advise.
So . . . Overwhelming Preferences?

SEASONS sounds like it might be the romantic place with the fireplace; I had heard about.
Does this sound right NV?

Susan;
I live on "Sleepy Hollow Lane in Laguna Beach"; we get the really scary fog here as well .So bad at times; especially on the toll road coming in that although you cannot see in front of you; you do not dare stop, in fear of being struck from behind.
Not at all familiar with Merced.
Will look for "Storm friendly" hotel.
Thanks!
Wait. Favorite of the 3 ???

According to the Wack'd Fam; I should reiterate that I am traveling alone; and (despite that ridiculous, intimidating yet useless dog that you cannot even carry in your purse); should not be led into any seedy or shady places of unquestionable character.

I tried desperately to explain that may well reduce my travel experience to NIL . . . but as usual;
they were unyielding.
So for the sake of argument; I will be renaming my stops along the OC-RENO Route.
I simply have to add the words "Four Seasons" or "Marriott" to their title.
I.e. The Still Life Cafe Marriott;
Schats or Alebrijes Four Seasons; and of course can just call Pasionfish or other "in area" favorites their name and add "Carmel".
Not being deliberately deceitful; but rather sparing gasps and pretend fainting.
I am jealous; I never mastered the pretend fainting. I still laugh hysterically every time.

Should I have phrased original post differently?

"Where is the best location between Here and Reno (with all the other specifics) to fake a break down"?

Kidding. I love and adore my tradition rich family; and wouldn't trade them. I just seriously need to enjoy the trip
"To and From" in my own relaxed way.
Often; upon hearing all of the amazing possibilities; I become selfish; tending to want to dismiss familial responsibilities; and just delve into the trip itself.

But that would be WRONG . . . Right?

Reading your post out loud under my breath.
Storm likes you!

and "I" have to leave the beach more often.

Thanks for these. Good to know on Imperial. Also JT's; another reco on that one. I will definitely choose this for a Basque introduction.

Oh. Pacific Grove? Really?

Can one of you give me a definitive; and elaborate on "Passionfish"? Fish. Yes? That is my preference always. Well; Fish or Mexican; or BOTH; or a really great "anything".
My Escalade has a Navigation device to program my trip; and put me back on track if I stray.
I stray.
Then I must listen to the Navigation voice sound so very increasingly irritated as it reminds me that I have strayed; and to return to my route.
I have however; figured out how to let it know when I want to "RESUME".

Carmel; Really?
Sounds good!

Thanks for the heads up on the Margaritas. Don't do Beer. No particular reason; I just never cared for it.
The food alone sounds like a "Must Try". If I had to make the trip often; I would have addictive stops too. No doubt.
I think I already have the TACO addiction; and haven't yet tried them. The Duck Burrito thing has me imagining only good things!

ou can have your "all you can eat" buffet on the corner; I would rather drive the distance for one perfect "Anything".

On the flip side . . . I will also frequent places that go crazy when they see "Storm"; and will patronize them simply because the waiters there bring her water and raw beef; while I search desperately for anything that might be edible.
Cannot believe it myself at times.

Currently; I am trying to figure out a France/Italy trip (probably from Spain). The hard part is factoring in the oversized "Newf".
Not as do-able.

Wow Nancy. So many cool sounding suggestions.
Apologies if I mislead; It's not the city itself I am dreading. Moreover; it is the over abundance of opinionated family members all crammed under one roof for 5 days over Christmas :)
It was the newest newlywed's turn; and my nephew was transferred to Reno.

I flew in to visit them shortly after their move. They took me out every meal, and I have to say; I have never had such great "one after the other" experiences. The food in that town is amazing. Even this nothing looking "Chicken Wing" place - that had a name like Charlie's or Old Henry's or the like (they have Risque T-shirts with their name on them too).
Everything from that end to the opposite was really wonderful (to THAT I am looking forward)!

Thanks for the suggestions; I have written them on the appropriate list.

Thank you Jane!
I LOVE the idea of the scenic 395 that others have posted here. My concerns now with all of the wet weather here; is certain areas being snowed in or closed. Also; the possible need for chains?
First trip; so somewhat uncertain.
LOL. While I do not do chain Drive- thrus as a general rule; I do love a great hole in the wall "greasy spoon" upon occasion. I also remember a friend talking about a romantic place she and her husband stopped ( on the scenic route) that had a great fireplace and wonderful soup. She felt it was upscale; but not certain of her definition of same.
Will heed your advice on keeping something on hand "Just In Case".
Thanks again.

1. Venison
2. Coleslaw (traditional type)
3. Rabbit

Not for $5 . . . Not for $500

Not in a box . . . Not with a fox

99 cent best ever tacos AND a Margarita? In Bakersfield?

That will have to become a permanent note.