Kansas City-Style Barbecue and Craft Beer Takes Over in Orange County

Left Coast moves

San Clemente-based Left Coast Brewing has officially expanded up to Irvine, landing a big new taproom and restaurant inside the larger Sand Canyon Plaza. Beyond beer, the place will be focusing on lesser-seen (at least on the West Coast) Kansas City-style barbecue, particularly the region’s well-sauced pork ribs. The new Left Coast restaurant joins other Orange County options like Texas-style Jav’s BBQ in Anaheim in catering to a new, more modern barbecue clientele in Southern California — complete with beer. The new Left Coast is now open at 6652 Irvine Center Drive; expect hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. most nights, or 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Unlimited tacos

Speaking of beer, Downtown LA’s Boomtown Brewery is starting up a fun new all-you-can-eat Taco Tuesday, where $15 nets endless plates of tacos and a free beer, spread out over two hours. And yes, they’ll have Dodger games on.

East Coast living

There’s a seafood party going down tonight at ETA in Highland Park. Expect lots of freshly-shucked oysters and crisp wine to go around.

Ice cream connection

Kream Kong is making a name for itself on the local ice cream scene. Now the Hacienda Heights-based company is going mobile with a new food truck, set to launch by the end of the month.

And more

Even more ice cream is coming to Smorgasburg this weekend, with everyone from the CVT Truck to Sweet Rose Creamery to San Francisco’s own Humphry Slocombe in attendance at the so-called Ice Cream Alley event on Sunday.

SOCA’s drinks

Sherman Oaks option SOCA has a new late-night bar menu to know about. The team is going full tiki on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m., and all day on Sunday. Expect lots of rum, coconut, banana, and citrus, complete with funky glassware, of course.

Escala life

Want the inside scoop on how Koreatown hit Escala came to be? Check out the Facebook show What’s Good In Your Hood, which tracks down owner OG Chino to discuss his time working with Chris Oh on the opening menu, his Koreatown-Colombian connection, and a lot more.