#66. The Hash Browns of Pop's Cafe

Photo by the Elmo Monster, and the corned beef hash to the right is pretty tasty, too...

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Because ustedes gentle readers love lists, behold the latest entry in our Top 100 dishes list that continues until Best Of--at which point, we'll give you MORE lists! Now, on with the show...

Look at those hash browns to the left, above this sentence! It'll never be a dish unto its own--breakfast eaters in America, even the world, demand more than mere potatoes for their first meal--but what Pop's Cafe in SanTana does with hash browns approaches the soft, gooey beauty of the best mac-'n'-cheese.


I reviewed Pop's just last week, but have eaten here for years, and no matter the meal, I must get the hash browns. Look at the picture! The outside is as crispy as Edwin's photo suggests, nearly to the point of carbonizing; the insides, piping hot but slipping through your fork. I like to order two eggs over easy and country ham with the meal, split the yolk so it cooks inside the hash browns, chop up the ham, and have an impromptu scramble, but any way will do with the hash browns. Especially French toast--let the jam and the syrup flow, and expect the heartiest sweetness since a good 'cue.

Pop's Cafe, 112 E. Ninth St., Santa Ana, (714) 543-2772.

The rest of the list:

#100. Jerk Carnitas Torta at The Crosby
#99. Nem Nuong Cuon at Brodard
#98. Pork Chop Anything at Nice Time Deli
#97. Flying Saucer at Alberto's
#96. Frozen Custard at Marc Burger's in Macy's Signature Kitchen
#95. Collard Greens at Johnny Reb's
#94. Strawberry Shortcake from Job's Daughters
#93. Cuban Sandwich at DeSimone's Deli
#92. Lamb with Preserved Cabbage at Mas Islamic Chinese
#91. Baked Rice at Luc Dinh Ky
#90. Beans on Toast at The Olde Ship
#89. Midnight Al Pastor Burrito or Taco at Taqueria Tapatia
#88. Budino di Cioccolato, Pizzeria Ortica
#87. Beef Teriyaki Bowl, Teriyami
#86. Salmon Onigiri at Cream Pan
#85. Beef Fat Fries at SideDoor
#84. Silken Tofu & Thousand Year Old Egg at Asian Tapas
#83. Cambodian Beef Jerky at Sophy's
#82. Com Tam at Com Tam Tran Quy Cap
#81. Chipotle-Piloncillo Goat Cheese at SOL Cocina
#80. Nem Nuong Cuon at Au Lac Restaurant
#79. Blackened Mushroom & Tofu Burger at Taco Loco
#78. Fried Veggie Fish Fillet at Dong Phuong Tofu
#77. Tofu Vegetable Salad at BCD Tofu House
#76. Che Ba Mau at Thach Che Hien Khanh
#75. Barracuda Sushi at Ohshima
#74. Whole Lamb with Kabsa at Olive Tree
#73. 5 a.m. Chitterlings at Tri-Village
#72. Spinach Empanadas at El Gaucho #2
#71. Croissants at Molinos Bakery
#70. Beso de Monja at El Rincón del Sabor
#69. Fatteh at Kareem's
#68. Korean Beef Rib Sandwich at Kaffa
#67. Rice Flour Pupusas at Pupusería San Sivar