Best Caesar Salads In Orange County

(credit: Brent Hofacker/shutterstock)

A Caesar salad is a great option for either lunch or dinner because it's pretty light and healthy, but substantive enough to satisfy and to keep you from snacking between meals. While there is a classic recipe simply with croutons and parmesan, there are also some great variations such as those made with chicken or even tortilla chips. If you enjoy a Caesar salad - particularly if you like one that varies from the traditional - try these great places.

(credit: Gary Schwind)

C4 Deli
200 N Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 263-1555
c4deli.com

A chicken Caesar salad is easy to find, but there are ways to make it stand out from others. The chicken Caesar at C4 Deli in Santa Ana stands out because the chicken is marinated in herbs before it is cooked. Then it is placed on top of the lettuce, croutons and topped with Parmesan. It is a satisfying salad, although it's light enough that it won't weigh you down. The salad here is also available without meat and as a wrap.

(credit: Gary Schwind)

Rutabegorz
158 W Main St.
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 731-9807
rutabegorz.com

Tustin's Rutabegorz is a terrific place to visit if you're looking for a Caesar salad with a twist. The Mexican Caesar here is definitely not like the salads you'll find elsewhere. This salad here has tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, pepitas and tortilla chips mixed with the romaine lettuce, and the whole salad is topped with a Mexican Caesar dressing. It is definitely big enough to share. Rutabegorz also has a regular Caesar salad in both large and small sizes.

(credit: Gary Schwind)

Bruxie
292 N Glassell St.
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 633-3900
bruxie.com

If you're looking for a Caesar salad with a twist, Bruxie is definitely a place you should try. The salad here is topped with hot pastrami and it is as delicious as you'd think. The pastrami adds a rich and salty flavor to the salad, which is very fresh and crisp. A regular Caesar salad is also available here, and to make it even better, you can add either grilled chicken or buttermilk fried chicken for a few dollars more.

(credit: Will L./Yelp)

Fly-n-Fish Oyster Bar
2304 West Oceanfront
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(714) 673-8400
www.flynfishoysterbar.com

There are lots of great reasons to go to Fly-n-Fish - not the least of which is that it is right by the Newport Pier. The Caesar salad here is another great reason to visit. It is a fairly classic recipe, but you can add either Skuna Bay salmon or chicken to it to make it even better. The croutons and the dressing are both made in-house, and the view at this place only helps improve the experience.

(credit: Moxxe PR)

Driftwood Kitchen
619 Sleepy Hollow Lane
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 715-7700
driftwoodkitchen.com

Driftwood Kitchen, located in Laguna Beach, is a hidden little gem right on the beach with great views. Along with a beautiful nautical theme, which suits the location, they offer great eats here. The caesar salad here has some touches that make it both unique and great. In addition to the lettuce and Parmesan, this salad also has breakfast radishes and white anchovies. The salad is then topped with Focaccia croutons. Add to that the fact that you can enjoy some amazing views while you eat, and this is definitely a destination for a great experience.

Gary Schwind is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. His work can be found on Examiner.com.