The Pan — Restaurant in Santa Ana

It's a burger joint... it's a pizza parlor... it's a breakfast place...it's The Pan! Tucked away in a little triangle plaza where Tustin and Santa Ana merge by N Tustin Ave and 17th St, you can have breakfast and lunch all day in a cute little square diner.

There is plenty of seating on a slower weekday, with metal chairs mixed in with chic and comfortable diner booths along the walls of the restaurant. The kitchen is hidden behind a stylish blonde wooden panel.

The staff are friendly and happy to guide you through the epic adventure of a menu. The only minor note on service is that it's a little hard to get staff attention because of the wooden panel if they're behind the scenes so service can be slightly slower. With that said, food is prepared very quickly and nice and hot.

For my first visit, I explored the breakfast side of the menu with my friend, and we ordered: Shrimp and Grits, Pitas Chilaquiles with Green Sauce and Soyrizo, Peach's Georgia Peach Corn Cakes, and a Horchata.

Shrimp and Grits were velvety and creamy, with plump and perfectly cooked shrimp and andouille sausage. While not quite the heat of your typical Cajun faire, the red pepper and tomato cream sauce were bursting with sweet and acidic notes. A very nice dish if you're looking for hearty, comforting warmth on a cold day.

The Pitas Chilaquiles held some texture with a generous serving of green salsa layered throughout the corn tortillas. A good classic executed well with bonus points for being vegetarian friendly (but you can add meat).

The Peach's Georgia Peach Corn Cakes were a peachy delight. While the many variety of pancakes were enticing, the corn cakes called to us this visit. The corn cakes were soft, fluffy, and swimming in sweet peaches and cream. It's delicious and although on the sweeter side because of the peach juices, the corn cakes held its own. Like the child of a delicate corn bread and a pancake, this was a decadent treat and a great indication that the pancakes are likely solid here as well.

Finally, the Horchata, made specially by our server, had a perfect balance of milky notes with a nice cinnamon rim. While I prefer mine slightly thicker and with more cinnamon, the sweet and creamy notes were well balanced. Bottom line - it tastes great!

Overall, all of the food and drinks were solid, and we are enticed to try more food here. I'm looking forward to exploring the pizza and burger (lunch) side of the menu next time. And I have a special eye on Yoshi's Cheesesteak, which felt specially named after yours truly :). Also, pro tip, they offer an unlimited toast side for the bread lovers.

The Pan delivers a fresh take on your everything-diner. You'll find something tasty for everyone here, but I warn you... you may not be able to choose...

Restaurant Review: The Pan – A New Gem in Santa Ana

Nestled in Santa Ana, “The Pan” is a new café that opened just a month ago and has already made a remarkable impression. My recent visit exceeded all expectations, from the food to the service, making it clear this spot is destined to become a local favorite.

First, the service was absolutely stellar. Roxy, our server, went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. She was attentive, friendly, and genuinely cared about making our experience memorable. The manager also stopped by several times to check on us, demonstrating their commitment to excellent customer service.

As for the food, it was nothing short of exceptional. I started with the chili featuring ground beef, which was an easy 10 out of 10. When I mentioned it wasn’t quite hot enough for me, they didn’t just reheat it—they brought me an entirely new bowl, piping hot and bursting with flavor. The crispy tacos were another highlight. The shells struck the perfect balance: firm and crunchy but still pliable, just like the ones you’d make at home.

We also decided to try their pancakes as a dessert. While we didn’t have room for three, the staff happily accommodated us by selling individual pancakes for just $4 each. My friend’s banana pancake and my blueberry pancake were both light, fluffy, and delicious—a perfect sweet ending to our meal.

The menu at The Pan is impressively diverse, offering a range of comfort foods made with fresh, healthy ingredients. This small café has a cozy, welcoming vibe, and its location—just down the street from the iconic Benji’s Deli—makes it easy to find.

Overall, The Pan is a delightful addition to Santa Ana’s dining scene. With its excellent service, flavorful dishes, and thoughtful attention to detail, it’s clear this café will become a regular spot for me. I’ll definitely be visiting a couple of times a month from now on. If you’re in the area, give it a try—you won’t be disappointed! A big thanks to Roxy and the team for making this dining experience so...

WOW!! My server Roxana was amazing. She had a new drink refill for me before I finished my drink. She even offered me a togo cup when 8 asked for a box. I ordered the shrimp & grits 😋 I have been thinking about them since my Husband told me about this new restaurant about a month ago & they did NOT disappoint at all. They were creamy, a tiny bit spicy, & had all of the perfect flavors. Sausage & shrimp were big pieces. The portion was big so it could definitely be shared with someone but, let's be real why would you when you can finish it later in the day. I will definitely be back, & maybe even bring the...