A few years ago when Del Frisco first opened, I had a less than stellar experience which leads me to not return for quite some time. Recently, I am invited to try their weekend brunch offerings, and I take this opportunity to give them another go.
We begin with Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary ($8/$21 carafe) which is great to share. The house-made Bloody Mary Mix consists of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and a plate of fixin’s including bacon, celery, pickled green beans for you to garnish your drink with.
Most people I know are not fans of Bloody Marys, so for those there is White Sangria ($8/$21 carafe) with Pinot Grigio, white peach puree, peach schnapps, and a novel strawberry-peach popsicle which you can stir into the sangria and enjoy as it melts into your cocktail.
I’ve heard a lot about the Cheesesteak Eggrolls ($13) which I have never tried. They are crispy on the outside and the meat filling is seasoned well. Dip into the sweet and spicy chile sauce, or honey mustard as you wish.
The Ahi Tacos ($17) uses a crispy wonton shell as a vessel to hold chunks of tuna tartare and avocado, drizzled with spicy citrus mayo. There is a little too much of mayo for me, but otherwise, decent.
Wild Mushroom Flatbread ($15) is a thin crust pizza topped with fontina cheese, caramelized onion, baby arugula, and truffle oil. This vegetarian offering is lovely, and I like how the truffle oil does not overwhelm.
Brunch items – served on Saturdays and Sundays only – include a stellar Crabcake Benedict ($17.50) with chunks of real crab on toasted focaccia with perfectly poached eggs, asparagus, and Cajun lobster sauce. There are no fillers here, only plump crabmeat, so in reality, it is not so much a crabcake, as it is a mound of crab over your eggs Benedict.
I’m totally into fried chicken and the Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles ($17.50) does not disappoint. Adding thick cut hickory smoked bacon to this dish might be a bit of an overkill, but who says no to bacon, right? If you are addicted to spicy foods, then definitely drizzle some of the maple syrup on your chicken and waffles because there is a kick to it.
Chicken Fried Steak & Eggs ($17.50) is a little heavy for me, but those of you who love this sort of thing should definitely order it. A whopping portion of battered steak smothered in chorizo gravy topped with sunny side up eggs, is served with biscuit. It will definitely put you into a food coma, but I really enjoyed the chorizo gravy!
If you have a sweet tooth, there is Red Velvet Belgian Waffle ($14) drizzled with whipped vanilla bean spiked cream cheese sauce, accompanied with fresh strawberries, and thick cut hickory smoked bacon.
However, I much preferred the Bananas Foster French Toast ($13.50) which isn’t overly sweet even with the banana rum sauce. Take a piece of the thick cut hickory smoked bacon and eat it together for a salty sweet bite.
The brunch items are good, especially the crabcake Benedict, chicken and waffles, and banana Foster French toast. I am also a fan of Bloody Marys and the one here is solid. Brunch starts at 11am on weekends and reservations are recommended.
I have $50 worth of dining cards to give away to one lucky reader. Please note that dining cards are only good on food and not valid for alcohol, tax or gratuity. Please leave me a comment and tell me why you’d like to visit Del Frisco Grille. Entries close Friday, July 1st, 2016
Del Frisco Grille
772 Spectrum Center Dr
Irvine, CA 92618
Tel: 949-341-0376
You got me at build you own bloody mary! Those Red Velvet Belgian Waffles would make a delicious brunch. I like that the menu is so varied, there is something for anyone.
We’ve always scoped and have Del Frisco on our Must try list whenever we go to the spectrum. Unfortunately our little boy prefers the carousels and ferris wheels so this would be an awesome chance to taste their epic food while enjoying time with my lovely wife.
I love trying new places.
I’ve never been here and would love to try it. The brunch sounds great.
Hello Mad Hungry Woman,
Meet another mad hungry woman. Actually, let’s go with hangry homegirl. As a native SoCalite, I’m always on the hunt for amazing brunch spots. People always say Los Angeles has the best of the best which makes me that much more determined in finding restaurants in the OC that shuts down that “LA is the best” theory. Sad to say, I haven’t frequented many places. Usually when I find a place I like, I stick to it (which is currently Plums Cafe). I love food. I love trying new restaurants. I would love to try Del Frisco Grille. Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Yours Truly,
Hangry Homegirl’s Belly
I want to visit because the food looks delicious and I would love to try
Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles! Bananas Foster French Toast! It all looks good though. I like that you mentioned the white sangria option because I don’t do bloody marys!
We went to Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House for hubby’s birthday one year (it was the first steak I ever ordered at a fancy steakhouse) so I’m interested in trying their closer, sister restaurant as well!
The bananas foster looks amazing, this would be a great date spot
I live right down the street from Irvine Spectrum and need to find a good brunch location. I think O might jave found one now.
Thanks
Man
Brunch is lunch that’s better because you can enjoy a drink before noon! I’d love the chance to treat the woman I love to a better-lunch one day soon!
Congratulations, you are the winner!
I would love to go here for brunch. I want to try the chicken and waffles!
Hi Anita, that banana foster looks delicious! I must try…the $50GC would help. Thanks for sharing.
This has been on my hit list for a long time. I would get the bloody Mary and chicken fried steak and eggs.
Dying to try that bananas foster French toast.
The Ahi Tacos look delish!
i love mexican food!
I’d love to try the Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles, and the build your own Bloody Mary also looks delicious – especially with bacon! Hubby loves breakfast, and we’d love to try Del Frisco Grille!
I would love to take my husband there for brunch, he’d go mad over the build your own bloody mary!!
Such tantalizing dishes. I can’t wait to savor them. Please choose me!
I’m usually at gym in the Spectrum on weekends, but never had brunch there. I would love to try their banana fosters french toast, looks heavenly.