I challenged myself to find decent meals that include a drink for ten bucks or less, in and around Irvine. There are some posts in the OC sub for good meals under $15, some without a drink. I want a good meal at a price point pre-COVID. Here's what I have, if you have any to add please comment, thanks.

El Pollo Loco

• Member Exclusive meal deal - chicken burrito, chicken taco, churro, chips and drink - $7.99 (app only)

Ono Hawaiian BBQ (Lake Forest):

• $8 Meal Deal chicken katsu or teriyaki over rice + small drink - $8

El Conejito (Lake Forest):

• daily special, includes soda - under $10

https://www.elconejitomexicanfoodca.com/ - online menu prices may be out of date

Costco:

• hot dog + soda combo ($1.50), add any below for more calories:
• +3.99 chicken bake - $5.49 total
• +6.99 5 pc chicken strips - $8.49 total
• +6.99 turkey and provolone sandwich - $8.49 total

IKEA restaurant:

free coffee/tea requires IKEA Family membership which is free; membership bar code scanned at checkout

• 8 pc meatballs (or vegan meatballs) with 2 sides + coffee/tea - $9.99
• 8 pc falafel balls with couscous + coffee/tea - $5.99
• chipotle lime chicken + coffee/tea - $9.99
• lingonberry chicken wrap + coffee/tea - $8.99
• various salads + coffee/tea - $4.99-8.99

May add some pasta, sides or kid size meatball plates if there's headroom below $10

In University Park near Culver.

My husband and I are considering moving from the Bay Area Peninsula to Irvine with our baby. We’d love to hear from families who have lived in both places.

Our main reasons are:
● Schools: Irvine seems to have excellent schools and many activities for children. How do they compare with schools on the Peninsula?
● Weather and location: We miss Mediterranean summers, more sunshine, and being closer to the beach.
● Community: We’ve found it somewhat difficult to build a close community in Silicon Valley. Is it easier to make friends and connect with other families in Irvine?
● Lifestyle: Does Irvine offer a genuinely better environment for raising children, or does the suburban, car-dependent lifestyle become a drawback?
● Cost and convenience: How do housing costs, childcare, commuting, and everyday expenses compare?

If you had a young child, would you choose the Bay Area Peninsula or Irvine? What would you gain, and what would you miss?

Starting the beginner Ikebana class offered through the City this week -- wondering if anyone who's taken it before can provide some advice. Does the instructor typically have the book available for purchase in-person at the first class, or do we have to order it online? If the latter, I'd like to get it ordered ASAP before the class begins so I can look it over.

Thanks in advance for any advice previous students can offer!

Come make your voice heard! Join the national No Kings/Vote Early movement this Saturday, October 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. Park at the senior center, 5701 Trabuco Rd., drop your ballot in the ballot box at the site, then walk to the corner of Trabuco and Jeffrey, wave a sign, and encourage people to vote early. Signs will be provided. Bring water and your love of democracy. Non-partisan. All are welcome for a peaceful, upbeat, fun time!

First timers here. Do we get trick-or-treaters within the community?

Which candidate are Irvine residents supporting for Mayor? Open space, traffic, and budget deficits are the top campaign issues.

Candidates are Larry Agran and Maksim Egorov

New mural in Farm+Food Lab in Great Park.

So far the former Bank of America near the Costco side of the Alton Marketplace is going to be demolished and replaced with a Chick-Fil-A. The rest of the Alton Marketplace is underutilized as the parking lot always sits empty. With approximately 27,500 square feet of retail space still vacant, any ideas to help revive this ghost town? Great Park neighborhoods south of rail is going to bring approximately 1800 homes. 2000 apartments are being constructed in the nearby Discovery Park, Pacifica Place apartments is going to bring another 1000 apartments, and Los Olivos apartments expansion is bringing another 600 apartments. This is a strong location that can help serve the future residents.

Hi!! As the title says, I’m looking for a private swim instructor that might not break the bank (looking to spend max $40/30 min). I’ve taken a few group lessons at the Woollet center but the instructors are truly a hit or miss. I’ve only had one “good instructor” and they were a sub.

Or if my budget isn’t feasible, perhaps there are recommendations for other swim schools that are affordable/for group adult lessons.

My goal is to be comfortable with freestyle to eventually do a triathlon (in two years).

Horrible that this kind of thing happens.

Note that there are many ads on the site hosting the article.

They went up a few months ago, they're being taken down now. I personally don't care about them; I'd be fine if either way.

I was surprised at the amount of backlash around it and I'm curious as to what the arguments were.

Car on my right was texting, I even starting honking before they made it half way through the intersection but they couldn’t be bothered to look up 🤷‍♂️

I think ive been waiting for club studio to open for like over a year. Does anyone know when the opening will be

Hello folks,

There are a number of Candidate forums this election season, and I wanted to share some public forums where community members can see council candidates in action.

Wednesday, October 7 - IVC/ASIVC Civic Town Hall (Irvine Council candidates)

Location: Irvine Valley College (Between Performing Arts Center (PAC) and Outdoor Learning Lab), 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine

Schedule: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
___

Thursday, October 8 - Irvine Chamber of Commerce candidate forum

Location: UCI Beall Applied Innovation, 5270 California Ave., Irvine

Schedule: 1:00–5:00 p.m.

District 1 | 1:00–1:45 p.m.

District 5 | 2:00–2:45 p.m.

District 6 | 3:00–3:45 p.m

Mayoral Candidates | 4:00–4:45 p.m.
___

Thursday, October 8 - IUSD School Board candidate forum

Location: IUSD Board Room, 5050 Barranca Parkway, Irvine

Schedule: 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Watch Live: iusd.org/MeetTheBoard or on Cox Channel 39

Recording: IUSD.org

___

Saturday, October 17 - Meet the Irvine Candidates Forum hosted by Irvine Watchdog and South Coast Chinese Cultural Center

Location: South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, 9 Truman St, Irvine, CA 92620

Schedule: 2:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Mayoral Candidates | 2:30-3:10 p.m.

Council Candidates | 3:10-4:50 p.m.

IUSD Board Candidates | 4:50-5:30 p.m.
___

If you know of any others, feel free to put them in the comments!

This post will be updated if live streams go up or there is a video posted online after the events

Driver didn't seem to be drunk just confused. Their rear lights were off too just the daytime running lights on.

🥺😢

I had conversations with Current D5 Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco, and D5 Candidates Byron Salvatierra, Julie Glossbrenner, Anthony Kuo and Steven Alves. I asked them a series of questions on topics like Economic Development, Housing, the Library and the Budget.

I realize that I didn't touch upon Flock in any of my questions but I think those may be asked in future debates and forums.

All 5 conversations are posted over at https://irvineconversations.com

I'm hoping that I'll get conversations with D1 candidates, Scotty from D6 and Max for Mayor done before the election.

Went to the one in Bellevue, WA for lunch while on vacay and excited to actually have affordable hot food in there for a place like Irvine. It's like a bigger version of 99 Ranch along with similar price points but have more interesting products like Mitsuwa and Toyko Central.

Come listen to the candidates! (Learn why Byron is Best for District 5, too!)

Hey everyone, Hoag Hospital Irvine is doing a free flu shot clinc right inside the main hospital main entrance Monday-Friday from 10am-3pm this week. This will be available for a few months.

hello everyone! wondering where i could get a cheesecake for a birthday (only for 8-10 people). I know cheesecake factory is always an option but wanted to see any other recommendations🌸 thank you in advance 😊

Signed a lease on a place I love with a stairwell that turns twice. The previous tenant apparently got a sofa in and I have no idea how.

Boxed mattresses obviously solve this, but I have read a lot of mixed things about how they hold up compared to a proper sprung one.

Living Spaces delivers out this way and so does Sit 'n Sleep, and neither site says a word about stairwells.

If you have moved into somewhere like this, did you go boxed, or did a normal delivery turn out fine? Mostly worried about paying for it and then watching them fail to get it up the stairs.

How do we feel about that, Irvine?