The dining landscape continues to expand, with three new restaurants just on the horizon: ranging from a Japanese character cafe making its U.S. debut to a nearly 80-year-old barbecue institution marking its first Orange County locale. Also of note, an Irvine favorite will hatch a second spot few miles south in Rancho Santa Margarita.
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Domo Cafe (Buena Park)
Domo (or Domo-Kun), the wide-mouthed, saw-toothed Japanese character who became an internet fixture during the halcyon days of Tumblr and MySpace, will soon have a permanent home in Orange County. Domo Cafe will celebrate its grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, inside Buena Park Downtown, a stone’s throw from Knott’s Berry Farm at 8340 La Palma Ave.
The cafe, which will replace the shuttered Gudetama Cafe, will mark the first permanent Domo eatery in the United States. Its Asian-fusion menu will feature six yet-to-be-revealed entrees, a handful of sides, three desserts and roughly 10 drinks from which to choose, according to Hailey Salamanca, the cafe’s brand manager.
Domo himself — originally a mascot of Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK — will also make an appearance at Saturday’s festivities, which will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Buena Park City council members. The opening arrives amid a bit of a comeback for the character. Last year, Domo made a cameo during Yo Gabba Gabba’s Coachella set. “He kind of took a little bit of a hiatus on the internet,” said Salamanca. “Now he’s coming back with a bigger bang because he has his own restaurant.”
The Goldfinch (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Nearly four years after making its debut in Irvine, The Goldfinch will fly south. The restaurant will open its second location in Rancho Santa Margarita, taking over the former Lulu’s Cafe site.
Partner Todd Miller said the team hopes to open the new eatery sometime this fall, although an exact date has yet to be set. “If everything goes exactly to plan, maybe a little earlier, but there are always some unexpected bumps or turns,” he said. “We had looked for a while to find our next Goldfinch location and we are beyond excited to find it here in Rancho Santa Margarita.”
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Like its Irvine siblings, the upcoming Goldfinch, boasting indoor and patio seating, will feature seasonal American fare alongside a cocktail program. Menu highlights at the new spot will include a spicy tuna crispy rice stack, braised short ribs with garlic-thyme mashed potatoes, the shrimp pho burger on a brioche bun with fries and an ube basque cheesecake.
Gus’s BBQ (Mission Viejo)
South Pasadena staple Gus’s BBQ will make its first foray into Orange County with a new location at The Shops in Mission Viejo. The family-owned restaurant will open inside the mall’s new Outdoor Village space, joining other incoming drink-and-dine options like Oakland-based Blue Bottle and Italian-grub chain North Italia.
Gus’s has served South Pasadena since 1946, making the barbecue pit stop a nearly 80-year-old fixture along historic Route 66. Brothers and co-owners Chris and John Bicos now carry the family business (under Bicos Hospitality, which also operates Magnolia House, the Original Tops and Taco Social), which has since expanded beyond its original location with outposts in Claremont and Porter Ranch.
The menu leans into Southern comfort food standards, like beef brisket, Memphis-style baby back ribs, pulled pork and southern fried chicken. Another favorite is the cast-iron cornbread served with jalapeño jelly and honey butter.
According to John Bicos, the Mission Viejo location will open sometime in late spring/summer of 2027.