Yard House

Yard House was my final stop on my happy hour tour. Yard House is one of my go to spots when I cannot decide what I want to eat, the menu has a little bit of everything and something for everyone. Their happy hour menu does not disappoint. They offer most of their staple appetizers and drinks at half the price. The Yard House in Costa Mesa has a large outside patio and has one of the best beer selections in town. I love trying different kinds of brews and Yard House is the perfect place especially during happy hour since the drinks are discounted you do not have to feel guilty for having more than one.

I started with the Pomegranate Press which has Skyy infusions citrus vodka, dekuyper pomegranate, dekuyper razzmatazz, monin pomegranate syrup and sweet and sour. This cocktail was a little on the sweet side for me but for only $6.25, I was satisfied. 

I love Yard House for their variety. The happy hour drinks are priced between $2.25 and $10 which go great with half priced appetizers and pizzas. 

Next was a Hemp Ale, a California dark beer brewed in Humboldt. I tried the beer simply for the name of it and was so happy I think it is a new favorite of mine! This beer went perfect with the onion ring tower which is served with buttermilk ranch and chipotle dipping sauce. The beer was $4.25 because it is classified as a craft beer. 

I will definitely be back to Yard House for their happy hour. It is the perfect place to grab a tasty beer and get your fried food fix. The service is usually spot on and it is casual enough to come in after work or school for a quick bite and a drink. The cocktails are yummy and you really can't beat the selection of craft beers on draft. I also noticed they have a late night happy hour which i would not mind checking out.

Location: 1875 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa

Time: Monday to Friday 3 p.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday to Wednesday 10 p.m.- close

Yard House

La Capilla

My fourth stop on my happy hour hunt was a Huntington Beach staple, La Capilla Mexican restaurant. La Capilla is a local neighborhood favorite. They pour some of the best margaritas in town and for happy hour they are half off! Their chips and salsa are delicious and it is a great place to hang out on a sunny afternoon on their large bar patio. This time I brought along my friend Christa to share a post work cocktail with.

La Capilla's happy hour cocktail menu is the best bargain in town. Their 12 oz. margaritas are only $2.99 and you can get any flavor or style, we chose blended strawberry.

These bad boys hit the spot. Not too sweet with the perfect amount of booze. 

Although not very extensive the happy hour food menu features the basics at only $1.49! For this price it is nice to be able to mix and match to make your own sampler platter. They do not skimp on the portions here either. The tacos, flautas and taquitos are still the original menu size at a fraction of the price. The cheese quesadilla and chips and cheese are perfect little bar snacks.

La Capilla has some of the best chips n' salsa in Huntington Beach. The spicy salsa goes perfect with the tangy blended strawberry margaritas.

La Capilla is the perfect Friday afternoon local hangout spot. No matter the day or time you are bound to run into at least one person you know. The service can be spotty at times especially on Summer afternoons. Overall we always leave La Capilla satisfied with cash in our pockets.

Location: 807 E Adams Ave., Huntington Beach

Time: 2 p.m.-5:50 p.m.

La Capilla - Yelp

El Torito

My third stop on my happy hour tour was good ol' El Torito. El Torito has always been a favorite of mine. Their Mexican food doesn't disappoint and their happy hour is tasty and affordable. The restaurant features happy hour between 2 p.m.- 8 p.m. Monday to Friday. Their drink menu is the best part for only $3 you can get and original gold margarita, domestic draft, well drink and wine. Their happy hour food menu has a wide variety and ranges from $3-$12.

Eliot and I started with original gold margaritas on the rocks with salt. Tasty and refreshing for only $3.

Happy hour menu! This menu has a wide variety and can satisfy anyones hunger or drink needs.

For only $1 more you can upgrade the liquor in your cocktail.

For dinner I had the shrimp tacos which consisted of 3 grilled shrimp each, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, tartar sauce and queso fresco. The tacos definitely satisfied my taco craving but to me were a little expensive at $2.99 per taco.

Eliot had the cantina combo which consisted of crispy chicken flautas, jumbo chicken buffalo wings and boneless chicken buffalo tenders for $6.75. These seemed to be more of a steal. The combo had more food than my 2 tacos for nearly the same price.

Overall we both left satisfied. Who doesn't love margaritas and Mexican food! Dinner for 2 and a drink each and the bill was around $25. El Torito is average Mexican food at an average price. The chips and salsa are fresh and delicious and for the price the happy hour food and cocktails are worth it. I will definitely be back for happy hour next time maybe for just cocktails and free chips and salsa. I also would like to check out their $.99 taco Tuesday which features a build your own taco bar. Until then, the happy hour hunt continues!

Location: 15042 Goldenwest Ave., Westminster

Time: Monday-Friday 2p.m.-8p.m.

El Torito

Memphis Cafe

Memphis Cafe was my second stop on my happy hour tour. Memphis is a southern style casual cafe with an extensive happy hour with drinks ranging from $4-$6 and small portion tapa style food from $4-$9. The restaurant is warm and cozy with a small intimate bar and exposed kitchen. The place definitely has a younger hip vibe considering it is located right next to the LAB.

Drink Menu

Food Menu

We decided to just have drinks and skip the food. From left to right- Tequila Buck- Zapopan silver tequila, ginger syrup, lime juice and soda water whipped and served over ice. $6 Brown Derby- Evan Williams bourbon, fresh grapefruit and honey syrup shaken and served over ice. $6 Classic whiskey sour- $4.

My friend Susan sipping on her Brown Derby. 

My friend Adam enjoying his whiskey sour.

Mmm tequila!

Happy hour means cocktails, good times and friends.

Being a tequila lover, the Tequila Buck was tasty but almost had a little too much going on flavor wise. The lime was a little overpowering. We all agreed the drinks could have had a tad bit more booze.

Ready for round 2! Susan and Adam each had a Jameson and ginger beer (not HH). I had a classic Moscow Mule- Vodka, ginger beer and lime. one of my favorites and a bargain during happy hour. $4

Overall we were all satisfied. Two drinks each and the bill was around $30. The service was average not too memorable and the drinks were decent. For the price it is quite the steal. If I was in the area I would stop in for drinks but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to Memphis. Since we didn't eat I can't say anything about the food but the happy hour food menu seemed quite extensive. The cafe does offer a late night happy hour on Wednesday and Thursday nights which I wouldn't mind checking out and seeing what the night time vibe is like. Memphis seems to be hit or miss. Check it out if you feel like something low key. The happy hour hunt continues!

Location: 2920 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa

Time: 7 Days a Week 3 p.m.-6:30 p.m. & Late Night Wednesday and Thursday 10 p.m.-close

Memphis Cafe

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant

RA was my first stop on my happy hour tour. There happy hour is killer with drinks ranging from $3-$7 and tasty food from $2-$7. The restaurant has a lounge type vibe with high tables, red lanterns and dim lighting. The place is geared toward a younger crowd with trendy music and a laid back cool vibe right on PCH. 

Drink Menu

Food Menu

We started with drinks- a 22 oz. Kirin for $5 and a Pamatini- Svedka citrus vodka, Pama liquer & fresh 

grapefruit juice hit the spot. $7

My boyfriend Eliot is my happy hour hunting partner in crime.

Shishito Peppers- Shishito peppers sauteed in asian spices. These bad boys are spicy but not overpowering. My favorite. $5

California Roll- Standard, simple and delicious. $4

Dengaku Tofu: Crispy tofu served with tempura sauce, lightly fried eggplant & snow peas finished with a red mis ginger glaze. OKAY; not my favorite. $4

Pineapple Cheese Wontons: Lightly fried wontons filled with cream cheese, scallions & pineapple. Served with a roasted pineapple dipping sauce. These were yummy I wish the order came with more than four. $4

Viva Las Vegas Roll: Kani kama crab meat & cream cheese rolled in rice and seaweed, lightly tempura battered and topped with spicy tuna, kani kama crab mix & sliced lotus root; finished with a sweet eel sauce & spinach tempura bits. Sounds very complicated but this was my favorite! $7

Spicy Yellowtail Roll: Spicy yellowtail, cucumber & rice. Probably my least favorite of the night but my boyfriend's favorite. The roll had a fishy taste to me. $5

Instead of dessert, I ended my meal with a cocktail. Mango Martini: Absolut mango vodka, mango puree & fresh mango juice. I liked the Pamatini way more. $7

The damage! Not bad at all considering we feasted and each had two drinks. The service was up to par and we left stuffed. The happy hour selection is totally affordable and high quality. Overall the Shishito Peppers and Viva Las Vegas Roll were my two favorites. The Pamatini was my favorite cocktail; refreshing and not too sweet. We left satisfied with cash still in our pockets. RA is definitely a killer happy hour spot. I can't wait to go back but until then, the happy hour hunt continues.

Location: 155 5th Street Suite 183, Huntington Beach

Time: Monday-Friday 3p.m.-7p.m.

RA Sushi Bar Restaurant