4th Street Market is a dining mecca in Downtown Santa Ana, California

4^th Street Market is an upscale food court of sorts where chefs, food artisans, and small business entrepreneurs can showcase their creativity and products. There are 15 curated vendors, 10 incubator kitchens (including 3 gluten free and 1 confectionary), seating for 300 guests, craft cocktail / beer garden, living wall, and a specialty food shop.

Food artisans have the opportunity to showcase and test market their products in Honor Roll , 4^th Street Market’s on-site specialty food shop.

Electric City Butcher is a small European inspired butcher shop focusing on high quality, responsibly sourced meats and custom cut to order craftsmanship. They receive fresh whole animal meats from as far north as Dixon to as far south as Julian, only a few hours away from Santa Ana. Beef comes from Novy Ranches. Pork comes from Cooks Ranch. Duck comes from Mary’s. Eggs and chicken come from La Bahn Farms. Lamb comes from Superior Farms. They also craft a good amount of cured meats as well to make the perfect charcuterie platter. Rating: 5/5

Inc. Waffles is owned by Chef Daniel Godinez, of Anepalco’s fame, and serves meals in a waffle taco.

• Waffles Taco ($8.99) with fish, cabbage, corn, avocado, and chile aioli. It is beautifully presented with purple cabbage, yellow corn, red tomato pico de gallo, and green guacamole. The vegetable flavors work really well together, but it over shadowed the flavor of the fish. The fish on its own is succulent and very flavorful. Rating: 3/5
• Gyro Waffle ($9.50) contains Greek style lamb, fries, tomato, and tzatziki. It is another beautifully presented dish with red tomatoes and dark green fresh dill. The lamb is perfectly braised and is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The fries add a crispy texture. The tzatziki sauce is creamy, flavorful, and brings the whole waffle taco together. Rating: 4.8/5

Dos Chinos is owned by Hop Phan and Viet Tran. Chef Hop and Dos Chinos have been featured on Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen Season 6 “S'Mortal Combat” episode and Cooking Channel’s Eat St “Lip Smackin’ Delights” episode. All the great food that you can find on the truck is now available at their 4^th Street Market location.

• The Stoner is served three ways. The Stoner Papas ($13.50) is French fries topped with cotija cheese, chorizo fried rice, Dos Chinos’ Asada, Bolsa Pork Belly, onion, cilantro, crema, and fried egg. The pork belly is tender and flavorful with Chinese Five Spice. The fries are crispy and are the perfect element to make as a base for this dish. The chorizo fried rice adds the spicy Mexican influence. The egg just makes it all good – break that yolk and let the feeding frenzy begin. Rating: 5/5 The Stoner Bowl ($12) is chimichurri rice & chorizo fried rice with Dos Chinos Asada, Bolsa Pork Belly, cotija cheese, onion, cilantro, verde, and fried egg. It’s like the Asian-Mexican version of a Loco Moco. You can also have it as a burrito ($12) too.
• Dulce de Leche Walnut Shrimp is masa crusted fried shrimp, cabbage, dulce de leche, and chili-lime walnuts. This walks the border of savory and sweet. The shrimp is fried to perfection with crispy exterior and tasty shrimp inside. The dulce de leche sauce takes this taco to a whole other dimension with its creamy texture and sweet caramel flavor. If you love Honey Walnut Shrimp in Chinese cooking, you’ll absolutely love this! Rating: 4.5/5
• Bolsa Pork Belly Taco is 5 spiced pork belly, pickled daikon & carrots, cabbage, and verde. This is a banh mi in taco form. From the tender pork belly to the pickled vegetables, it just screams Vietnam. In taco form, you are able to enjoy the flavors without so much bread. Rating: 4.5/5

KTCHN DTSA specializes in breakfast and barbecue fair.

• The Basic is an olive ciabatta stuffed with heirloom tomato, sundried tomato aioli, burrata, and lemon vinaigrette arugula (with fried egg and smoked pork belly, $12.50). This sandwich is HUGE! The smoked pork belly is almost an inch thick and is absolutely scrumptious with melt-in-your-mouth texture and smoky flavor. The fried eggs add a richness once the yolk breaks. Yes, it’s messy; but who cares. All that matters is that it tastes great. The tomatoes are also thick cut and sweet. The arugula tossed in lemon vinaigrette gives it a refreshing flavor with slight bitterness and acidity that balances nicely with the fatty pork and rich egg yolk. The ciabatta is also the perfect bread choice with its crunchy exterior and spongy, chewy interior. Rating: 4.5/5

Chunk-N-Chip is one of my favorites of the food truck world. In 2011, I had the pleasure of meeting owner, Claudia Gonzalez, at the OC Foodie Fest, and have been following Chunk-N-Chip ever since. Here are some cookie combinations to try:

• Red Velvet cookies with Mocha Espresso ice cream – The Red Velvet cookies have a beautiful bright red color with all of the red velvet cake flavor. The Mocha Espresso ice cream has a good balance of chocolate and espresso flavor. Rating: 5/5
• White Chocolate with Macadamia Nut & Pineapple cookie with Pina Colada ice cream – The White Chocolate with Macadamia Nut & Pineapple cookie is just the beginning of your tropical trip. The white chocolate works well with the buttery macadamia nuts and sweet pineapple. Pina Colada ice cream has a great balance of coconut and pineapple flavors to round out your tropical adventure. Rating: 5/5
• Hazelnut + Oatmeal cookie with Fresh Mint with Dark Chocolate Shavings ice cream – The Hazelnut + Oatmeal cookie reminds me of grandma. The hazelnuts give the cookies a roasted nut flavor. The Fresh Mint with Dark Chocolate Shavings ice cream is fantastic! Unlike mint chip that you see in the store or at some chain ice cream shops, Chunk-N-Chip uses fresh mint which makes it even better. The fresh mint has a refreshing greenness to it. Rating: 5/5

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the choice is very clear. Make 4^th Street Market your next stop with your family and friends!

Service: 5 out of 5 stars

Food: 5 out of 5 stars

For more information:

4^th Street Market

201 East 4^th Street

Santa Ana, CA 92701, United States

+1.714.486.0700

Hours: Sunday through Wednesday from 7am to 9pm, Thursday from 7am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 7am to 11pm

Parking: Parking structure off 5^th Street, metered parking lot off 3^rd Street and Bush, and metered street parking throughout East End and Downtown Santa Ana