GrubGirl.

Looks like Ruby’s has taken over management of the beloved Crystal Cove Shake Shack on PCH. I headed there today and was told this happened about a month ago.

Some changes that I noticed:

• Shakes prices have gone up to $4.29
• The shack’s gotten a new paint job
• They’ve installed a POS (point-of-sale) system at the order counter — no more orders written on a scrap of paper in pencil!
• Burgers and other food are served on liners with the Ruby’s logo plastered all over it – I can handle a little corporate sponsorship I suppose…

Los Primos Cantina
488 E. 17th Street A-106
(at Irvine Ave. & 17th St.)
Huntington Beach, CA
949-650-1486

In a strip mall lies this non-descript “order at the counter” restaurant. But for $4.49 their Burrito Especial is huge, and their $2.49 Tacos are also a hit.

Chips & salsa are free – just pile on as many chips as you can when you’re ordering at the line.

This place happens to be near a fancy private elementary school in a nearby residential neighborhood (The Pegasus School)…but the location here is definitely down home, and so are the diners.

Crystal Cove Shake Shack
7703 E. Coasts Highway
Newport Beach, CA

Right off the freeway, near Crystal Cove State Park (a beautiful state beach) is a non-descript lunch spot that serves great shakes.

For $3.25 you can get 1 of several flavors…their famous flavor is supposedly Date, but I didn’t know that until later.

You can also blend up to 3 flavors, for $3.75… and you get one free powder addition: malt, or soy protein.

Check it out and drink it while watching the waves hit the sand below.

Taco Mesa
Costa Mesa
949-642-0629

Dollar Days on Tuesdays at Taco Mesa means good al pastor, carnitas, veggie, shredded beef, or shredded chicken tacos for $1 each! Mmmm mmm.

They also serve a soup of the day for $1 for 8 ounces.

As I reviewed earlier, it’s a casual “order at the window” joint with good salsas, and fairly decent-sized legit tacos. The chips are a little odd — dark red, perhaps a roasted tomato. If you’re in the OC, definitely hit this spot!