Orange County has seen another spate of closures this summer. On the heels of news that Driftwood Kitchen and The Deck in Laguna Beach will close after Labor Day and Playa Mesa in Costa Mesa served its final meal on Aug. 1, three more restaurants have recently called it quits.
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Rancho Capistrano Winery (San Clemente)
While its San Juan Capistrano and Ladera Ranch locations remain open, Rancho Capistrano Winery recently shuttered its San Clemente outpost on Avenida Del Mar.
“Today is an emotional day as we say goodbye to our San Clemente location after nearly 10 incredible years,” read a message from owners Kyle and Sylvia Franson posted to the restaurant’s Instagram page. “San Clemente will always hold a special place in our hearts. Thank you for ten wonderful years and for being part of the RCW family.”
The current Avenida Del Mar restaurant opened in October 2019, though the owners’ farewell noted a nearly decade-long presence in San Clemente.
While they closed their southernmost location, the husband-wife team also scored a cameo on Real Housewives of Orange County this month. The Fransons appeared on this season’s fifth episode, which aired Aug. 6, when their San Juan Capistrano location hosted the titular housewives for dinner.
Zinc Cafe (Orange)
The Old Town Orange location of Zinc Cafe closed in early August, as first reported by There’s No Place Like Orange. The vegetarian eatery, which still has locations in Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar and Los Angeles’ Arts District, lasted a little more than two and a half years on Glassell Street.
Zinc opened its Orange outpost in January 2024 inside the circa-1922 “Sunkist Building,” formerly the Orange County Fruit Exchange, a building that once served as headquarters for the county’s citrus industry.
No reason for the Orange location’s closure has been announced.
Pollo Campero (Santa Ana)
Guatemalan fast-food chain Pollo Campero, known for its citrus-marinated fried and grilled chicken, recently closed its north Santa Ana spot at 1325 E. 17th St. The closure was announced to customers by email, according to New Santa Ana.
The company has not provided a reason for shuttering the 17th Street spot.
Pollo Campero still has three locations operating in Orange County on Bristol Street in Santa Ana, as well as venues in Anaheim and Garden Grove.
Dining and Cooking