Orange County Mining Co — Restaurant in North Tustin

My husband and I came to celebrate our anniversary here as we had our reception at this restaurant a year ago. Having our anniversary dinner here only made sense, as well as the sentimental value it held. However, this wasn't the case and we were extremely disappointed.

My husband had booked the reservation like 2 weeks in advance and specified it was for our anniversary, yet that didn't matter. Originally he requested an outdoor table because of the beautiful view, however the rain had been on and off that day, so he assumed we would automatically be switched to an indoor table because everything was soaked but he didn't think to call and confirm, common sense should have kicked in for the restaurant and we thought they would accommodate accordingly...but boy were we in for a surprise.

After checking in, about 5 mins later the hostess escorted us to the slippery and wet patio with the off and on drizzle going on (Mind you I am 7 months pregnant). She led us to a soaked table with literal puddles on the white plastic patio chairs and was like "The server will be right with you" and my husband was like "Umm this is wet, are you seriously going to have us dine out here? It's a slip hazard and my wife is pregnant." And I asked if we could sit inside. The hostess then replied, "We'll have someone come clean this up and there's going to be a long wait if you want to sit inside." We waited for about 2 mins and it started drizzling again and nobody came out to clean the table, so I told my husband let's go inside and check if there's availability inside. We were told it would be an hour wait, despite having a reservation. I understand it gets busy and weather may be unpredictable but really? They really led us to a puddle filled table and expected us to sit there while it was drizzling? Thankfully our wait was only 25-30 mins. While being escorted to our table, I expressed to the new hostess that it was our anniversary dinner and we had our reception there a year ago, so we were looking forward to eating here. Pssh might as well have been talking to myself, it went in one ear out the other... service was so slow. Our silverware and drinks took forever to be given to us. The food was disappointing... no flavor and our baked potato which we both upgraded to, was cold. My husband ordered the prime rib and I had the rib eye. My husband's prime rib, half of it was like all fat, inedible fat too, not like that thin layer of fat that's everyone's guilty pleasure to eat haha, just legit pure fat. The only delicious thing was the artichoke dip appetizer we ordered. Our entrees at the reception last year, blew this years meal out of the water...did not compare, not even close. Again, need I remind you we were there for our anniversary dinner and not once did the server acknowledge this. Most places bring out a little dessert slice or something commemorating that special event you are there celebrating, the table next to us, it was someone's birthday and they brought out a slice of cake and we got zilch.

Overall my experience left a really bitter taste in my mouth. I was really looking forward to our dinner, proud of my husband for having booked it in advance yet the restaurant just totally missed the mark on this. The food, service, atmosphere, lack of common sense and hospitality, just really poorly executed. Needless to say, we definitely won't be booking our next anniversary there, despite the sentimental value that place originally held.

I hope you guys have a better experience...

$$ to $$$. They have the Wow factor!

Orange County Mining Company offers a very unique dining experience. The whole property takes up most of a hill set above the city of Orange. There are many old items and signage as you drive up the long steep driveway to get to the restaurant. The building itself is very reminiscent of the late 1850's Gold Rush mines.

As you enter the front door you are going to hear sounds that begin placing you into the a special mood (almost like a ride at Disneyland). More signs and artifacts add to the whole ambience. You go down a set of wooden stairs to the reception area... the interior has been artistically staged to affect your senses, you begin to feel that you are actually inside a mine ("Mine Shaft" is to the left a sign points out... I joke with the reception gal that I found some gold in the bar area).

We are seated near the window (everyone is) which overlooks all of Orange County (the whole West wall is framed with large windows... so everyone has a view).

Our waitress was great (Liz... I asked her to adopt me and I told the managers to give her a raise... she said she would adopt me!).

We all ordered different and everyone in our group liked the food. Each of us ordered an entree so all you can eat salad and soup comes with that. The Soup Bar is very good. I liked the Clam Chowder (I find very few restaurants that get Clam Chowder right). They had a Chili Steak soup that was also very good. I didn't try the other two soups offered... next time.

The salad bar has so much to offer... Wow! You could just eat from the salad bar and have plenty to satisfy you. The Ranch Dressing was good! Too many different ready-made salads; I believe you will find what you like with this huge salad selection (I prefer creating my own salad... my own masterpiece).

Cheese bread was served with meals (in basket on the table) tasted great. Soft, warm and tasty.

No complaints at our table with the drinks ordered (I am the designated driver... I think someone should always do this for the group). They all ordered a second round and two of our group went to the bar after they finished their meal for yet another round, so they must have liked the drinks.

I talked with quite a few customers, I am loquacious. Most of the friendly people that I talked to have been going here for years. They have stories like, "we were married here", "we visit on special occasions" and "this is our family favorite". (Paraphrased)

Managers were friendly and I noticed they were very active with making sure everything was just right..

By: cmilton111 Google...

This place is a very cozy place, not too laid back but not too formal. The food is very good and the view is just the cherry on top. But of course you wonder: so why not 5 stars? Well I went for a company event at OCMC as the kids know it by (not really) and I really enjoyed it. I took my daughter along and she also really enjoyed the above mentioned... until the dinner service began. We had a choice of chicken or steak and it was going well until I clearly asked for steak, even had a little paper saying steak and got chicken not once but 2 times. When I mentioned it the first time the server said "I'm sorry I can't change it." "Ummm why not?? " I replied and the server said "that's what you are getting." Now obviously I was about to get upset when my co worker says " hey, I'll have the chicken, I don't want steak" at which I figured hey, things are going to work themselves out. So I wait for the other round of plates coming and... chicken AGAIN!? This time I point out to the server and point out my little sign BUT-- he apologizes and makes things right. And so we also get SOME ( because obviously heavens forbid an open bar on company dime right?) drink vouchers and I head over to the bar. SOME mixed drinks, wine or ONE type of beer only. Ok, maybe the company went the cheap way, but what bothered me and everyone else as it turned out later was the attitude of the bartenders. Hey, yeah you probably don't make the same money as you would on a regular day with regular customers, but if you hate being there so much, call out, take the day off, WHATEVER! Don't bring that negativity to a Christmas party! Besides that the hostess at the front were great, welcoming and seemed like they were glad we were there. Can't say the same thing for the rest of crew. And you can see those little details almost made me forget, I had a nice seared steak medium how I like it with a nice sauce that added to the flavor, mushrooms, really tasty mashed potatoes from scratch (you can tell from the texture and the pieces of the skin inside, and crispy vegetables. I would definitely like to come back and see if I get a better experience with a smaller party because another thing that bugged me was how rushed the service seemed to be. I get that we had some sort of time limit, but that's another thing... If we were allowed past a certain time there why would they close the bar earlier than that time?? Like I said, I want to give them another shot because I think the good definitely outweighs the bad and I'm a firm believer in second chances. To be...