OC Restaurants Open Christmas Eve & Day, Plus Takeout Specials 2023

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — To keep your holidays merry, bright and hassle-free, while still indulging in a Christmas feast, check out the variety of offers from Orange County restaurants.

We've rounded up some of the best — festive restaurant dining and easy takeout specials — in our annual guide with something for all tastes and budgets.

So peruse the list, scroll through the images above for visual inspiration, and find the offers and sweet treats near you.

Enjoy, and Happy Holidays, from Patch!

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ACAPULCO: Dine out Christmas Day with all-you-can-eat buffet brunch, 9 a.m. -2 p.m., featuring tri-tip & ham carving station, made to-order omelets, taco station, Mexican favorites, soups, salads, desserts & unlimited Champagne, $5 margaritas & beers. (Regular menu available 2 p.m. - 8 p.m.) $36/adults & $12/kids. Plus, holiday tamales can be ordered online or at restaurants with 24-hour notice through Jan. 1. One dozen is $26 with chicken, carnitas, sweet corn or mix & match in increments of six. Website. Find locale in Costa Mesa.

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APPLEBEE'S: Keep feasting easy with newly launched Holiday Combos, starting at $13.99 & available for limited time for dine-in, to-go & delivery. Meals include two proteins, plus garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli & crispy onions. Options include: Honey BBQ Chicken Breast & Double Crunch Shrimp; Blackened Cajun Salmon & Double Crunch Shrimp; Sirloin & Double Crunch Shrimp; & Riblets & Honey BBQ Grilled Chicken. Plus, the holiday $5 Mucho Cocktails are back, along with $6 Stella Artois Brewtus draft beers. Details. Location finder here.

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BLACK ANGUS STEAKHOUSE: Dine-in & takeout options offered for Christmas Eve festivities. Along with holiday-centric drinks, specials include: Lobster & Potato Fritter starter ($12.99), with lemon aioli, hot honey & microgreens; and entree Steak Oscar ($49.99) — NY Strip, bearnaise sauce, lobster, asparagus, microgreens & two sidekicks. Also available from to-go Meat Market to cook at home: four-pound, raw prime rib ($110), with au jus, horseradish, creamy horseradish sauce & seasoning. New Year’s Eve in-restaurant dining deal planned, too, for Dec. 31: Surf 'n' Turf Dinner for Two ($115), with two filet mignons, two lobster tails, a starter, sides, molasses bread, dessert & two Prosecco splits. Info/ordering/reservations. Find locales in Buena Park, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana.

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BLAZE PIZZA: Here's a don't-miss holiday deal: an 11-inch, original dough Double Pepperoni pizza (approximately 32 slices of pepperoni!) for $8.99 through Dec. 31. Purchase online, via app or in store & no code needed. Website. Locations areawide.
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BOSTON MARKET: Deck the halls with to-go holiday options starting at $11.99 per person. Pre-order heat & serve meals for up to 12 people, with choice of turkey, honey-glazed ham, a combo, plus sides, rolls & pies from Dec. 17 through Jan. 1. On-site Christmas Day dining ($15.99) features ham, two sides, dinner roll & slice of apple or pumpkin pie. Order info. Locations areawide.

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CALACA MAMAS CANTINA: Limited-time, holiday menu at the Día de los Muertos-themed eatery, across from Disneyland, includes such traditional Mexican Christmas cuisine as: Atole de Coco $8 (Add Grand Marnier or Hennessey – $16); Crema de Calabaza pumpkin soup with Mexican squash $14; and Gorditas de Platano (banana plantain, black beans, condensed milk, mint) $14. Calaca Mamas closes Dec. 24 at 3 p.m., but resumes regular hours Christmas Day. Special menu offered through Jan. 7. Info. At 1550 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim.

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CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN: Two new dishes & festive cocktail on CPK holiday menus through Dec. 31. The innovative Neapolitan Burrata Pizza features creamy burrata & slow-roasted cherry tomatoes. Shaking Beef Pasta is hot, savory dish with seared filet & garlic-sesame soy sauce. And this year's specialty cocktail is Hand-Shaken Espresso Martini. Details here. Find locales here.

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DICKEY'S BARBECUE PIT: Holiday heat-and-serve meals make for hassle-free, at-home feasts. Takeout options: Complete Feast (serves 10–12) with smoked or Cajun turkey, prime rib or ham, with sides of cornbread dressing, gravy, baked potato casserole, green beans & rolls; Dinner Feast (for 8–10) with ham, turkey or prime rib, dressing, gravy & rolls; Holiday Big Yellow Box (for 10-12) 4 pounds of sliced turkey & large sides; or À La Carte Menu for individual meats & sides. New to this year's menu is Classic Sweet Potato Casserole. Find shops near you.
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EL POLLO LOCO: Festive Family Meals start at $24, with eight pieces of chicken, three sides & tortillas. Also launched is limited-time, pork carnitas holiday menu. With nod to Mexican heritage, options include: Carnitas Tacos (corn-blend tortillas, pork carnitas, avocado salsa, cabbage, cilantro, onion & fresh avocado) ; Carnitas Wet Burrito covered in green enchilada sauce & cheese; and Carnitas Stuffed Quesadilla. Plus, two items available only via Loco Rewards app: Pork Carnitas Nachos & Pork Carnitas Tostadas. Ordering links. Find locales.
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EL TORITO: Dine Christmas Day with all-you-can-eat brunch, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., with tri-tip & ham carving station, made-to-order omelets, taco station, other Mexican faves, dessert bar, unlimited champagne & $5 margaritas & beers. Regular menu available 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. $38/adults & $12/kids, (excluding Redondo Beach, Monterey & Marina del Rey, where buffet pricing is $40/adults & $12/kids. Plus, holiday tamales can be ordered online or at restaurants with 24-hour notice through Jan. 1. One dozen is $26 with chicken, carnitas, sweet corn or mix & match in increments of six. Website. Eateries in OC.

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FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & BAR: Celebrate with three-course, limited-time, winter menu of salmon poke wonton amuse bouche, followed by citrus frisée salad, filet mignon, lobster tail & espresso martini chocolate mousse. And new to menu: Chilled Shellfish Tower of East & West coast oysters, crab legs, lobster & shrimp, with cocktail, creamy mustard & brandy mustard sauces. Reservations. Locations listed here in Anaheim, Newport Beach.
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FOGO DE CHAO: Reservations underway at the Brazilian restaurant for Christmas Eve & Day or New Year's Eve & Day dining. Prix-fixe feasts offer continual service of meats, carved tableside by gaucho chefs, along with salads, soup, vegetables, charcuterie & more. Locations in Brea, Huntington Beach, Irvine.

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GELSON'S MARKETS: Takeout orders are due by Dec. 23 for Christmas dinners, with Dec. 21-24 pick-up, and by Dec. 29 for New Year's with pick-up Dec. 30-Jan. 1. Pre-cooked, to-go options include roasted turkey, prime rib, brisket, salmon, ham & plant-based celebration and hazelnut cranberry roasts, with such festive sides as mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole & rolls. Also offered are seafood selections, à la carte dishes, wines & Champagnes. See ordering info here. Find stores near you.

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GOLDEN CORRAL: Multiple options at this buffet-style chain. Dine-in for Holiday Buffet, featuring seasonal specials of turkey, ham, beef roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, rolls, pie & more. Or select Holiday Feasts To-Go for six to eight with turkey, ham or beef roast, trimmings, sides, rolls & pie. Pre-order online or via app. Holiday A La Carte Items To Go offer individual options. Plus, get $10 bonus card with $50+ purchase. Details. Location finder here.
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HOLE SMOKES: Place your orders for limited-time Christmas offerings. Packages serve eight to 10 with choice of smoked ham ($240) or prime rib ($325) with sides of rosemary roasted potatoes, honey-glazed Brussels sprouts, baked mac & cheese and cream corn. A la carte sides, other meats like tri-tip & brisket, by the pound or whole also available. Orders due Wednesday Dec. 20. for Christmas Eve pick-up. Details. At 1500 Adams Ave., Costa Mesa.

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HYATT REGENCY HUNTINGTON BEACH: Dine out Christmas Eve & Day, with unparalleled oceanside views, at resort’s signature Watertable restaurant. Served Dec. 24-25 from 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Menu highlights: hamachi crudo; lamb chops; butternut squash soup; grapefruit salad; tiger prawns; petite filet; elk loin; & "Six Degrees of Chocolate" dessert. $95/person. And don't miss lobby, holiday tradition— 9-ton, sand sculpture by artist Lucinda Wierenga. Reservations. At 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.

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KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN: Unique, holiday-themed buckets are back — a tradition since the 1960s — with 2023 theme of “Secret Recipe of Joy.” Plus, two items on menus: Mac & Cheese Wrap & Colonel’s Homestyle Brownie. Info/website.

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KHAN SAAB DESI CRAFT KITCHEN: Asian Christmas specials offered at this Michelin-Bib Gourmand-winning restaurant on Christmas Eve & Day. Among highlighted Indian-Chinese fusion dishes: General Khan’s cauliflower (garbanzo battered-curry leaf-tangy jaggery glaze); chicken lo mein; chow mein, & Sweet & Chili Tiger Shrimp (garlic-chili-jaggery-battered prawns). Offered dine-in only, alongside regular menu of 100% Halal favorites. Reservations. At 229 East Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton.

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KRISPY KREME: To commemorate 20th anniversary of holiday classic “Elf,” the chain unveils its first-ever “Elf” Doughnut Collection. Offered for limited time at participating shops, the line includes: "Buddy Snow Globe Doughnut" with chocolate “Elf” piece; "Buddy Makes Breakfast Doughnut," cake batter spaghetti buttercreme, candies, sprinkles & maple drizzle; "Christmas Lights Doughnut," with icing, sprinkles & chocolate “Elf”; plus return of popular "Santa Belly Doughnut," with Cookies & Kreme filling & Santa belt buckle candy piece. Details here.

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LAS BRISAS: Treat the family Christmas Day & New Year's Eve to elegant, prix-fixe brunches & dinners at the iconic cliffside eatery. On Dec. 25, four-course brunch planned ($85/person), with three-course dinner ($120/person) from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. On Dec. 31, brunch is four courses, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($85/person), with three-course NYE dinner menu & Champagne toast 3 p.m. - 11 p.m. ($130/person). Menu highlights: seared sea scallops; smoked salmon or spicy tuna tostadas; barramundi; prime rib with mole-potato purée; lamb chops; & tres leches cake with toasted coconut. Upgrades offered for "Ocean Front Champagne Experience" with oceanfront table, keepsake champagne flute & chilled bottle of bubbly. Menus/reservations. At 361 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

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MARCO'S PIZZA: Keep this deal in mind for post-Christmas dining! Take 30% off regularly priced pizzas Dec. 26-30, when ordering via mobile or online using code GIFT30 — no limit on toppings. Website. Locales in OC.

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MAYOR'S TABLE: Celebrate the season with brunch & dinners. Christmas Eve brunch (Dec. 24, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.) offers festive buffet of morning breads, Granny’s Figgy Pudding Monkey Bread, Frosty’s Corner Yogurt Parfait Bar, plus bacon, biscuits & gravy, breakfast hash, a macaron bar, cookie station & more. ($129/person; $40/children 12 & under; free for under 6.) Christmas dinners served Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. & Dec. 25, 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Among highlights: Japanese Kurobuta ham; venison Wellington; umami salt-baked cauliflower; beetroot salad; maple bourbon-roasted Brussels sprouts, plus extravagen holiday desserts. ($95/adult; $40/children 12 & under; free under 6. Reservations. At Lido House, 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach.
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MIGUEL'S JR.: The holiday-fave tamales are back! Featuring co-founder Mary Vasquez’s secret family recipe for chicken or chile rojo pork, they are $3.59 a la carte, or $37.99 for dozen. Offered through Dec. 31. And while they're here, go off-menu with one of these tamale hacks: Order burrito with tamale inside; "Mexican Flag" it up & dress tamale in enchilada sauce, sour cream & guacamole; "Wet Style" douse tamale in enchilada sauce & cheddar cheese; or ask for "Deep Fried" & dipping sauce. See menu/ordering info. Find locales in Orange County.
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MIX RESTAURANT AT HILTON ANAHEIM: Open Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, the eatery will offer an a la carte, dinner menu, crafted by Executive Chef Juan Lopez, from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Highlights: butternut squash soup; lobster bisque; roasted beet salad; lamb chops; rib eye; Chilean sea bass; sirloin steak; & dessert array. Bookings. At 777 W Convention Way, Anaheim.

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MORTON'S THE STEAKHOUSE: Make it a memorable holiday with "Chateaubriand Dinner for Two" offered only Dec. 24-31. Three-course, prix-fixe menu with winter salad, tableside-sliced Chateaubriand, deluxe sides, plus dessert. $179 for two. Add-on options include lobster tails & mini crab cakes. Reservations. Also through Dec. 31, limited-time "Best Steak Anywhere" promo allows guests to try steaks from Japan, Australia & U.S. (like A5 Niigata Snow Wagyu Filet Mignon from Japan) to learn of various flavors & aging processes. See locales here in Anaheim, Santa Ana.

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NORMS: Keep holiday prep simple with “Gobble-Gobble on the Go-Go”— takeout family meal that feeds four for $69.99. Included are turkey breast or brown sugar-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, chicken & sausage gumbo soup, salad & whole pumpkin or apple pie. Ordering details. Find diner sites throughout Orange County.
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PIEOLOGY PIZZERIA: Here's a gift that keeps on giving for Pie Life Rewards members! Order a "Craft Your Own Pizza" by Dec. 31 & you'll be eligible to unlock "Pies and Perks" offer, which sends a daily "Perk" of choice (such as side salad, cookie, or non-alcoholic beverage), alongside pizza purchases through 2024. Details. Locations statewide.
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RANDY'S DONUTS: Keep the holidays sweet with two, new box dozens, featuring the iconic chain's Christmas Tree, Snowman & Holiday Sprinkles doughnuts. Offered in "Classic" or "Premium Holiday" box sets. Available through Dec. 31. See shops throughout Southern California.

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RED LOBSTER: Locations will be open Christmas Day for a shellfish holiday with limited-time, shrimp & lobster specials. Choose: Lobster & Shrimp Holiday Feast (lobster & shrimp in orange-rosemary sauce); Lobster & Cheddar Bay-Stuffed Shrimp; or Lobster & Shrimp Overboard (lobster tail, linguini & shrimp skewer). Cheddar Bay Stuffing is new this year. Plus, new seasonal cocktails: Snowglobe Sangria; Seaside S'mores Martini; Cinnamon Whiskey Sour. For hosting at home, see to-go Holiday Side Bundles, Party Platters & Family Meals. Purchase Holiday Side Bundle with five sides & two dozen, free Cheddar Bay Biscuits. Find restaurants in Orange County.
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RUTH'S CHRIS STEAK HOUSE: "Celebration Surf & Turf" holiday dinner, filet & twin tails, served Dec. 22–24 & Dec. 29-31. Plus, festive, family-sized salads & sides can be ordered for takeout until Dec. 23, with 48-hour notice. See sites in Anaheim, Irvine.

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SEASONS 52: Keep New Year's simple with Green Box to-go dinners, serving four to six. With choices for wood-grilled tenderloin or cedar plank-roasted salmon, plus marble potatoes, French green beans, salad & six Mini Indulgence desserts. Pre-orders required 24 hours in advance. Plus, two, new low-calorie mocktails on seasonal menus: Citrus Sparkling Refresher – Seedlip Grove 42 (citrus blend), blood orange puree, soda water & rosemary; and Botanical Smash – Seedlip Garden 108 (herbal blend), white cranberry juice, cucumber, lime & soda water. Website. See locale in Costa Mesa.
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7-ELEVEN: Don't miss these holiday deals: Whole pizzas are $6 for 7Rewards members on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day. And rewards members also can score a large coffee & doughnut for $2 for a limited time. Rewards info here.

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TOUS LES JOURS: French-Asian bakery café chain offers festive, “Merry Wiggle Christmas” collection of holiday cakes, including playful treats from partnership with Korean lifestyle brand Wiggle Wiggle. Set a Christmas table with such creations as the Winter Tree Cake, Snowman Cake, Rudolph Cake or classic Buche de Noel, chocolate log roll cake filled with rich chocolate ganache cream. Order details. Find shops.

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VEA NEWPORT BEACH: Prix-fixe menus planned for Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($110/person.) Three courses to be served, with entree selections of rib eye, rack of lamb or halibut. Reservations via OpenTable. At 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

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VEGGIE GRILL: Vegetarian, holiday-dining alert! Check out two, limited-edition specials offered through New Year's Eve: the Turk’y Cranwich; and Harvest Mushroom Stew. Sandwich features Prime Roots’ Cracked Black Pepper Koji-Turkey, cranberry aioli, “turkey” gravy, cranberry stuffing, lettuce, tomato on grilled sourdough. Stew is hearty with Fable mushrooms, potatoes, carrots, onion, celery, rosemary & thyme. Info. Find locale in Irvine.

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FOR REGION-SPECIFIC HOLIDAY DINING:

• Christmas Brunch & Dinner: Los Angeles Restaurant & Takeout Specials
• Christmas Brunch & Dinner: San Diego Restaurant & To-Go Specials
• Christmas Brunch & Dinner: San Francisco Bay Area Restaurant & To-Go Offers
• Christmas Brunch & Dinner: Inland Empire Restaurant & Takeout Specials

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ALSO SEE: OC Guide To Outdoor, Ice Skating Rinks: Holidays 2023-24