If there’s one thing many Irvine residents have in common over the past year, it’s an increase in food delivery. Yet, despite the circumstances, many restaurants in Irvine adapted seamlessly to the challenge of transitioning their working kitchens into prep spaces for to-go and delivery orders. While some of our favorites were unable to keep their doors open during these difficult times, new concepts have arrived, introducing the idea of to-go and delivery-only establishments. Here’s what’s been working.  

A Cup of Sushi

A Cup Of Sushi 

Subconsciously inspired by the novelty and trend of boba-style beverages, the Irvine-based Cup of Sushi, a new Japanese take-out concept, serves delicately layered, culinary mosaics of Japanese-inspired cuisine – in a clear plastic cup. Another concept spawned by the limitations of the pandemic, Cup of Sushi opened its first location in October 2020 as a takeout and delivery-only concept in Irvine. Using an Irvine-based cloud kitchen, Cup of Sushi allows customers to visit the store in person, but all the food is served to-go. Sushi fans can get their fix by ordering directly from Cup of Sushi, and can also use third party delivery apps like Yelp and Postmates.    

17951 Sky Park Circle, Unit F, Irvine

Flaky Apple Pie Co.

Flaky Apple Pie Co.

Coming from a family of pie makers, Irvine resident Brooke Cazier, AKA the Irvine Pie Lady, is the owner of the Flaky Apple Pie Co., a unique, web-based pie shop that specializes in homemade, ready-to-bake pies. Cazier is helping pie lovers everywhere slice through the pandemic. The Flaky Apple Pie Co. began to attract attention over the summer, as the COVID-19 pandemic forced non-essential travel restrictions, and the closure of many services in Irvine. On most days, the Irvine pie lady can be found working inside the Hood Kitchen, a commissary kitchen space in Costa Mesa, where she spends hours constructing edible experiences for her pie-loving patrons.

Clay Oven Indian Cuisine

After more than 30 years in Irvine, Clay Oven Indian Cuisine has relocated to Costa Mesa, now operating as a to-go or delivery only establishment, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. For decades, Clay Oven has provided the residents of Irvine and Orange County authentic Indian specialties like tumerican Tandoori chicken, chicken tikka masala, along with several varieties of bread, known as naan, which include garlic, rosemary and sourdough. Now, through a new delivery model, Clay Oven hopes to continue this tradition with Clay Oven At Home, a never-before-offered family-style meal delivered every Sunday and Monday to large portions of Orange County, including as far south as Laguna Beach. Contact Clay Oven Irvine for more information on Clay Oven At Home Delivery.

350 Clinton Street, Costa Mesa

HiroNori Craft Ramen

Recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2019, HiroNori has needed to transition from a fully functioning establishment to take-out and delivery only. However, despite the pandemic, HiroNori Craft Ramen has effortlessly transitioned its gourmet food experience to cater to the local health ordinance – without sacrificing flavor or quality. By utilizing the impeccable attention to detail, HiroNori wanted to maintain the same quality of service for their to-go format. Fumi Nagatsuka, manager of HiroNori Craft Ramen, said everything from to-go containers, to the cooking time for the noodles has been impacted in this new format. “We bought different packaging, to better accommodate the togo experience, wider bowls, better containers,” said Nagatsuka. “Cooking time for noodles for people getting it delivered to their home, or being picked up – they time it to go, so it will be perfectly cooked.”

TRADE Food Hall: 2222 Michelson Drive #234, Irvine.

Sand Canyon: 6626 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine.

Poultry Gram 

With locations in San Jose, Brea, Hollywood and Irvine, this unique, delivery-only fried chicken establishment has popped up at the Irvine Spectrum. With a test kitchen at the Spectrum, Poultry Gram offers their doubled battered chicken sandwich – original and Nashville Hot – along with a variety of snacks that range from spicy wings to and tenders to season fries to cinnamon cayenne snickerdoodle cookies. Currently, users can access Poultry Gram eats through Postmates, GrubHub and DoorDash.

527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine

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