There are coffee shops, and then there are places that make you want to slow down. Ake Larry is firmly the latter. Walking in, you feel it instantly -- that rare combination of cozy and intentional that so many cafés try to manufacture but so few actually achieve. The space is genuinely charming. The kind of place where you settle in, exhale, and stop thinking about whatever was on your mind five minutes ago. Whether you're coming in solo with a book or just need a quiet corner to exist for a while, Ake Larry holds that space beautifully. But the real story here is the owner. I don't throw around the phrase "best owner ever" lightly -- but this one earned it. They checked in on me personally, asked how I wanted my coffee made, and actually listened. Not in a transactional way, but in the way someone does when they genuinely care about the experience they're putting in front of you. That level of attentiveness is vanishingly rare and it transformed what could have been a standard café visit into something that actually felt personal. The coffee itself delivered on that promise. You could taste the intention behind it -- well-extracted, balanced, and made exactly to spec. No guessing, no inconsistency. Just a really good cup of coffee crafted by someone who clearly takes their craft seriously. The pastries and food rounded it all out perfectly. Nothing felt like an afterthought -- everything on the menu seemed to belong there. Ake Larry is a regular rotation spot. Full stop. read more

We are visiting from San Jose. I somehow found Ake'Larry and saw all the amazing reviews - told my husband we had to try it. It sure did not disappoint! Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. You can tell everything is made with care. The focaccia so light, pasta very chewy. Service very friendly. Definitely want to go back. read more

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Ake'Larry may not have the best curb appeal but the hospitality of the staff and all of the special touches inside totally make up for it! The store front is small and so unassuming that it's easy to miss if you're not paying attention. All of that changes once you step thru the door. While the dining area is small, Larry went out of his way to make sure your dining experience is special. Comprised mostly of 2 person tables, each table has a small vase of fresh flowers and an actual wick burning candle. Although orders are placed at the counter, once your order has been prepared it's delivered to your table. Before you go to choose your table you're given a complimentary pastry sample to whet your appetite. Very nice touch and a delicious little bonus! Today I tried their portobello mushroom sandwich (added chicken) and a tres quesos empanada to eat there. For later I took a chicken curry empanada and ricotta and spinach empanada to go. The sandwich is served on homemade focaccia which is very fluffy and tasty. Some uncommon but very nice surprises were the addition of sprouts and pickled radishes ~ they added that little extra boost to the whole sandwich that bumped it up to something more special. Larry's twist on the empanadas is delicious! Using puff pastry instead of the typical empanada dough was a very nice switch that made them very flaky and buttery. All of them were great, but my absolute favorite was the chicken curry. The flavor was so good, it is crave-worthy! The ricotta spinach came in as a very close second. Also, the dipping sauce was not the usual chimichurri sauce, but rather more of a mayo-based sauce. Whatever it's made of, it went beautifully with the puff pastry empanadas! Go check them out ~ you'll be happy you did! read more

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I've tried their mushroom, tuna, and chicken sandwiches. They are all great, and everything has been fresh. No complaints. I would give them 5 stars. The reason I didn't is their prices. $15 for a sandwich is steep. I get it. Everything is fresh, but it makes it hard to go as often as I wish I could. read more

Found this place with great review while I was in the neighborhood and looking for lunch. What a great find! Classic definition of hidden gem. Located in a weird small strip of business offices across from the Anaheim trash service. Don't be discouraged by the trash smell outside and sketchy looking front door, the food is worth it! The sandwich is EXCELLENT. The focaccia bread is outrageously good, full of flavor with crispy texture, the pickled radish really makes the flavor pops more and balance out the oil in the bread. So far, I've tried the pork chop and Portobello mushroom sandwiches, both are great. Also tried the homemade fettuccine pasta, which is also excellent, but I would say sandwich is certainly better. Very tiny place, six small tables, can probably only fit up to 12 people max. Will need to come back and try their weekly special. Friendly staff. Chef Larry also comes out to chat with customer as well. Just heard today that they are opening up a new place closer to Anaheim old town, taking over the previous Rolling Sushi Café place, but will still keep this place open. read more

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What a surprise! Thought I was coming here for a 10$ deli sandwich, instead I had the most amazing entree style dish I've had in a long time. The flavors and textures of the food were shocking, I loved every bite! I had the green curry short rib My buddy had the Panko Salmon Both were delicious! The veggies had an amazing garlic lemon flavor, tasty! The thin sliced potatoes so intricate, sliced super thin and then layered, cut into rectangles- perfect texture! Talked with Larry for a long time, he is knowledgeable and definitely an asset to Anaheim! Very excited to hear they will be opening on Center Street!!! The space on Bluegum is quite strange, but the food will blow you away! read more

This place maybe a hole in the wall but don't let its appearance fool you. They serve gourmet near fine dining quality dishes including pastas, salmon, and sandwiches. Bread is baked in the restaurant and pastas are all made in house as well. The green curry short rib was one of our favorites as well as the empanadas. Highly recommended if you are in the area and will definitely return! read more

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It was our first time visiting Ake' Larry's. We ordered the mushroom sandwich with chicken & a cheese empanada. Both were good. I took a Tres Leche home with me and it was also very good. The restaurant is very small - only a few tables and the menu is limited. The owners are Kind and friendly read more

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Amazing sandwiches, I really love their focaccia bread. The rotisserie chicken and tuna are my favorites. Any place that has sprouts gets extra points in my book. If you happen to be in the area and are craving a something a little different, give them a try. read more

This place is absolutely beautiful! From the moment I walked in, I felt so welcomed and comfortable. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and it really makes you want to stay for hours. The food was a perfect 10/10 everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and made with care. The service was just as wonderful! so kind, attentive, and friendly, which made the whole experience even better. The only thing I wish is that they stayed open later, because it's such a lovely spot that you just don't want to leave. I would love to visit in the evenings and enjoy it even more. Still, I can't wait to come back soon and keep trying more dishes. Truly a gem that I'm so happy I found! read more

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Ake'Larry is located in a small building in a bit of an industrial area in Placentia. They are open pretty early in the morning and close in the early afternoon, which makes this spot great for a quick breakfast of pastries and lunch. I usually call in my orders because during the lunch hour, it gets busy. Vi works the counter and the phones, but does so with finesse and warmth. I cannot stress enough how flavorful and delicious everything is here! They make everything from scratch, and they make everything to order. I almost always order their sandwich combos, especially their rotisserie chicken sando with portobello mushroom added in (texture bomb!!!), and grab a bag of chips and an aranciata rossa sparkling water. Their focaccia is the perfect foundation for their sandwiches, and the amount of fillings is substantial. They have a small chef's special menu that features unique dishes, like the green curry short ribs. I believe this menu is dine-in only, so it's highly recommended to call ahead of time so that it's ready for you to sit and eat when you get there. The short ribs were so tender and melted in my mouth. The crispy potatoes that came with it had amazing texture as well. They also give little freebies sometimes like their truffles and little almond pastry bites with your meal. Definitely a must-go spot when you're looking for a cozy hole in the wall for amazing lunch fare, fresh pasta, and pastries! read more

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Ake'Larry is the definition of a hidden gem. Larry and his team make everything homemade -- the focaccia, the pasta, probably even the oxygen in the building. The focaccia sandwiches are so good I considered canceling all my life plans just to keep eating them. I get the pastrami 10/10. The pasta? Soft enough to make you question every "Italian" place you've been to before I complimented him on his Focaccia and he gave me a huge piece free of charge it was the such a nice gesture. Thank you Larry. read more

Delicious food made by a chef who cares about everything from start to finish. The ingredients are fresh and well prepared. Service is efficient, minimally invasive, and helpful. There are but 4 or 5 tables inside, so to go is most people's usual route. Don't expect to be waited on hand and foot here, thats not what they do. Come here if you want amazing food without all the fuss. read more

Located next to Republic Trash Services, this gem is nestled between small businesses. The staff make sure you get a sweet sample as you order and are extremely kind. Everything is made in house and it really shows in the food. Filling to bread proportion is perfect, not too much, not too little. Highly recommend the chicken rotisserie with portobello mushroom, other sandwiches are delicious as well. I have yet to try to pasta or specials but I plan on making time to do so in the near future! read more

My coworker and I are from San Diego and had some business up in LA and picked this spot for lunch... feel like we found a hidden gem. As soon as we walked in, the owner knew where we knew and gave us small bite sized cakes as we looked over the menu. Super nice family. Small cozy atmosphere. You sort of feel like ur in Europe for a few minutes. :) we got the turkey and Portobello mushroom sandwiches. They were 10/10. Focaccia was perfect. Flavor was great. And the PRICE was great. Only like 10 bucks a sandwich. We left a good tip. Definitely coming back. read more

Ake'Larry - Turkey Sandwich - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

This place is an absolute "hidden gem"! It is tucked in with some other businesses, but you will easily figure out which door is the correct one to the restaurant. Larry is very personable and interesting. He is a pastry chef and makes everything. His focaccia is handmade by him and is used in his sandwiches. We ordered the Turkey, Portobello Mushroom, and Pastrami sandwiches. All were fantastic! He did let us know that the pastrami may be different than what we may have had in the fact that the meat is not piled high like some delis. He keeps his fillings at the right ratio so it works well with the delicious focaccia. While we were waiting for our dine in order he came out to chat with my mom and me. What a genuinely nice friendly person! There are a few small tables if you want to eat your food there. We were the only ones at the time, but there were many pick-ups and to go orders while we were there. We enjoyed our lunch and shared bites of each other's sandwich. My mom said she was going to take my vegetarian aunt here for the portobello sandwich. I personally enjoyed the turkey and would get either sandwich again. We did a to go for my brother with the pastrami sandwich and a curry chicken empanada. I got a bite of the empanada and we both give it a thumbs up. However, I was not fast enough to take a picture of his sandwich or try it. We ended with a piece of pear tart w/a red wine reduction which was fabulous. We will be back, there is so much more we want to try on the menu! read more

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We discovered this hole in the wall a few weeks ago and I have already eaten here multiple times. They go above and beyond with their service, giving little almond blueberry pastries while we waited for our food. Last week I ordered the Lemon Beurre Blanc seared salmon. This was cooked to perfection, restaurant quality food. The layered potatoes were similar to scalloped potatoes but a bit more crisp and cooked to perfection. Today I ordered the tuna melt on foccacia, another winner! The tuna wasn't overwhelmed by mayo and I believe there was a pickled radish that really helped cut the richness. They accidentally forgot to include one of our salads in our meal when we picked up and they graciously delivered it to me after I called! Now that is service. 10/10 would come back every week read more

Wow talk about hidden gem! This restaurant is a great example of "don't judge a book by its cover" or rather... don't judge a restaurant by the initial scent of the surrounding area due to the waste management center that's across the street so you literally smell garbage when you get out of your car. Our friend who lives close by recommended this spot to us and we were excited to check it out. We ordered the shredded beef empanada, portobello mushroom sandwich, and fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. All three dishes were so delicious. I think especially because I'm pregnant I swear I could have ordered two more sandwiches and eaten them on the spot because it was that good. As soon as my husband had a bite of the fettuccine Alfredo he said "better than Italy" haha! He also couldn't get his hands off of my sandwich! Next time we will order our own sandwiches... We had the pleasure of meeting Vee and she was so friendly, outgoing, and very informative regarding the back story of the restaurant. We learned that Larry used to be a pastry chef for famous establishments like Terranea, Hilton, and Disney but due to COVID he decided to switch avenues and open up this establishment! She made sure to check in on us and even gave us a complimentary chocolate ganache at the end of the meal. Also the inside decor is so cozy and cute and it's the perfect place for a low key dining experience that's guaranteed to be delicious. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Been wanting to try this place for a while, but was kinda scared to go myself since I thought it was in sketch area. It's actually more low key industrial rather than sketch, so don't let it deter you from going. Solid sandwich made with the best focaccia ever and thickkkkkkk turkey. The beef empanada was good too. Crust was so flaky and filling was savory. Didn't get to try desserts or pasta, but guess I'll just have to go back to try them read more

Ake'Larry - Beef empanada. Flaky buttery savory goodness - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

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Amazing experience here at Ake'Larry. The service was very quick and the food was amazing. All ingredients were fresh. The friendly owner of the restaurant also let us know that everything is made in house. I will make definitely be returning! read more

Ake'Larry - Chocolate ganache - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

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While delivering a trailer load on my Rig next door, I stumbled on this hole in the wall, and it blew me away that such a place can exist in such a rough industrial blue collared neighborhood. The sharp contrast between the smell of garbage outside and the smell of decadent gourmet foods inside makes this tiny establishment all the more a great escape for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle. I ordered several sandwiches, empanadas, and their pesto Alfredo fusion pasta. What a delight, **chef's kiss** Really want to thank the owner for showcasing his culinary passion in this bakery, cafe, and strongly recommend anyone if ever in the neighborhood to splurge at this restaurant, because it's just well worth it! My honest opinion, the pasta was better than the vodka sauce rigatoni I ordered at North Italia, Irvine. The sandwiches were above and beyond gourmet sandwiches you'd get from say Whole foods or even Earls. Definitely coming back! And the owner was top notch with service ! read more

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A co-worker recommended this restaurant to me, and from my very first visit, I've had nothing but excellent experiences -- from the attentive customer service to the outstanding quality of the food. The restaurant also offers a charming dine-in area with small tables and candlelight, creating a warm, romantic atmosphere. The food is exceptional. I've enjoyed several of their freshly made pastas that are made from scratch, a few sandwiches, and their signature caprese salad -- all absolutely delicious. I recommend calling ahead to check the daily specials, as they change frequently. Each time I've ordered, the chef has personally shared his pastries with me, which adds a thoughtful and personal touch to the experience!! There is a small menu that I have added. But some items like I mentioned above you have to call ahead to see what's special for the day they have. read more

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A tiny little eatery with fresh pasta, an ambiguous name, and located across the street from Republic Services (garbage collection facility). This is the kind of place you would never find without Yelp! The first thing we noticed on the way in was a large board showcasing over a dozen types of fresh pasta made at the shop. Daily pastas vary, but when available, you can eat them freshly prepared in the restaurant, or you can order to-go uncooked or parcooked pasta (only requiring heating/cooking for a few minutes). The store is small, with 4 - two tops, so we spread out our family across two tables. We ordered: Fettuccine with Pesto - simple but tasty - fresh pasta makes this dish Roasted Chicken Salad - there are a ton of textures and flavors going on in here with the grapes, pecans, and sunflower seeds. Another winner and kids approved. While we waited, the staff brought out 2 almond cakes and 2 pieces of chocolate to try. All-in-all, the food is great and unique due to fresh ingredients and the combination of ingredients. A great place to get a quick, casual bite to eat. They also have weekly specials that sound amazing, if you are craving something fancier. read more

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The chocolate truffle is amazing! Great crunch from the chocolate coating and the truffle inside is rich and smooth 10 out of 10! I loved this mushroom sandwich too. It was hearty and filling. The ciabatta bread is soft and the sandwich is very flavorful. Would definitely recommend read more

Ake'Larry - Portobello mushroom sandwich - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

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Tucked in a small industry location, this adorable restaurant has a romantic Italian restaurant vibe with limited tables. Many workers around the area stopped by for not only quick bite but also company/team meeting during lunch. The line was never ending and despite of the crowd, people were eager to find a seat. The service is excellent as the clerk greets you with a smile and suggests their amazing day of the baked goods while you're waiting for you order. He gave me a heads up on the cooking time, which was about 30 minutes due to ordering from the weekly special's and I was gladly to wait for their amazing dishes while watching them cook, mesmerizing the tray of freshly made pastas and listening to the soothing music. I ordered three fettuccines with chicken, three (shredded beef, yellow curry chicken and 3 quesos) different empanadas and chicken confit in duck fat. The pasta was overcooked so my friends were a little bit disappointed but the empanadas were to die for. The shell is not the ordinary thick crust but flaky and buttery crust, which felt so light. And, the fillings were such a divine! Chicken confit in duck fat came with lama beans and potato square of domino dauphinoise and they all were perfect. read more

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Delicious sandwiches, generous and friendly service. Chef Larry served me a complimentary delicious chocolate truffle while waiting for my order. The seating area is small with just 4 tables but very cozy, nicely decorated and clean with calming music playing in the background. I ordered the gluten free tuna melt. They use Arepas for gluten free option and was very delicious and not oily. They offer pastries and desserts and weekly special dishes. Just make sure you call ahead of time. read more

Ake'Larry - Tuna melt arepa - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

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If you haven't been to Ake'Larry in Anaheim yet, drop what you're doing and go! I stumbled into this place and ended up having one of the best food experiences I've had in a long time. I ordered all four of their empanadas--4 cheese, shredded beef, chicken curry, and spinach feta--and each one was a hit. The pastry dough was incredibly flaky, golden, and crisp on the outside while perfectly holding in the rich, flavorful fillings. The chicken curry and spinach feta were the standouts for me--unique, bold, and absolutely delicious. I also tried the tres leches parfait, and wow--easily one of the best I've ever had. It was rich, moist, and had just the right amount of sweetness. What really made this place special, though, was the owner, Larry. He might be the nicest person I've ever met in a restaurant. His warmth and passion for the food shine through in everything here. It may look like a small Mediterranean deli, but the food has Michelin star quality. I'm telling everyone I know about this place. Highly, highly recommend. read more

Fresh and amazing sandwich! the inside was very minimal but very nice and staff was friendly! recommend the portobello mushroom !!

What can I say that hasn't already been said in the countless other 5 star reviews? Unassuming little place in an off the beaten path part of town. Pasta, baked goods, and incredible specials. The gnocchi is the best in town and probably the best I've had. I just finished eating the Green Curry Short Rib special with garlic green beans and corn, and an exquisite potato terrine. It's the type of food that is so balanced and full of flavor, yet eats lighter than expected and doesn't leave you feeling weighed down. Larry is truly a master of technique and also just a seriously nice and attentive dude. Stay to dine in, and I'm sure he will bring something special to your table to try. Speaking of tables, there are only 4, but the several times I've been in, I haven't struggled to get one. I wish I did because I feel this place is under appreciated in the pantheon of OC food. Those that know, know. read more

Came here this morning after dropping my car at the dealership for maintenance. And so happy i stumbled upon this place! The moment i walked in the owner was so nice! He gave me a sample of his blueberry almond pastry, so good that i purchased three more! Out of the food i purchased my FAVORITE had to be their almond blueberry croissant! It's literally what I imagined France croissant would taste like but without going to France! Love the little chocolate chips inside, so good!! Definitely coming back to try more goodies! read more

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I cannot rave enough about this gem of a restaurant! From dining in to corporate catering, the food is consistently exceptional. Every dish bursts with flavor, clearly made with fresh ingredients and serious culinary skill. I've hosted lunch events for my office with their catering, and it's been nothing but rave reviews from coworkers--people literally ask me when we'll order from here again. The restaurant itself is warm, welcoming, and truly feels like a place where food is crafted with passion. Service is prompt and friendly, and there's an attention to detail that you just don't find in bigger chains. Whether you're grabbing a bite solo or feeding a crowd, this place delivers--literally and figuratively. Highly recommend ! read more

UPDATE: I've tried more items of the menu and it's only gotten better. - PORTABELO MUSHROOM SANDWICH , ADD CHICKEN - I don't even care for mushroom and I've never tried the chicken sandwich on its own, but the two together are full of flavor! I can't eat any other sandwich on the menu after this. - FOCACCIA BREAD - I walked in last week and they had some fresh loaves and was lucky enough to take one home and get a brief overview from Virginia on how to store, toast and eat this. I ended up making avocado toast with it and now I can't eat avocado toast on regular bread. - TRES LECHES CAKE - This tastes like it should be illegal. I kept questioning if there was rum in it because it was too good and my brain wanted it to be happy hour at 3 p.m. on a Wednesday. I've had Tres Leches Cake before and this is not your regular Tres Leches Cake, it's the elevated version. I tasted vanilla bean and not the regular sweet milk flavor. I drank the remnants of the cup that's how good it was. Still haven't tried the pasta as I'm afraid of going into a coma, but that's next! I actually wanted the tiramisu for dessert but they were out and suggested the Tres Leches Cake and I'm glad I had this because it's to die for! read more

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5-stars. Must try. Sophisticated food in an easy-to-miss space. Highly refined flavors and exceptional customer service. The owner went above and beyond and even had me sample other items. Terrific restaurant. read more

Finally made our way to this hidden gem today and so glad we did! Ake'Larry is tucked away in a little industrial area, but is very clean and quaint inside! Hubs ordered the portobello mushroom sandwich, turkey sando for me, and we shared the house salad. So flavorful and delicious! Everything was light and tasted very healthy and fresh! Definitely will be back and recommend 100%!! read more

Ake'Larry - Turkey sandwich, portobello mushroom sandwich, and house salad - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

Great food but the pork sandwich was a little saltier than expected. Going back to try some more.

I came upon this place scrolling through yelp and was skeptical about the sky high reviews. Having just visited, I must admit, I am absolutely blown away. I ordered a plate of the speciality short ribs. The meat was flavorful and tender. The potatoes on the side were extraordinarily delicate; crispy on the outside but shockingly tender inside. The empanadas were also a pastry marvel. You can tell the chef takes care in the most minute detail and takes great pride in what he creates. Perhaps I am just hungry today but this is what I envision fine dining without breaking your wallet to be like. read more

Ake'Larry - Shortrib speciality plate. - Pasta Shops Near Me - Anaheim, California

For anyone that knows me the fact I am saying his chicken sandwich was so amazing it blew my socks off knows thats insane. Larry made me the BEST sandwich I have ever had. The bread was perfectly soft and crispy and the chicken was moist, tender, and full of flavor. The toppings were perfection. Simple and perfectly complimentary. The interior was cool, was inviting but felt a lil exclusive. Like you had to get there early if you wanted to eat there. The service was paramount. Larry hooked up a perfect almond croissant then made a little pasta dish for us to try. The dishes reminded me of a Cacio e Pepe with a sauce the reminded me of a Romesco. The kicker was the hit of lemon juice over the top. The acidity made all the flavors pop when i tried the first bite read more

This unassuming kitchen and storefront has some incredibly delicious, high quality, and good value food! You would never guess that they serve such a large assortment of food from sandwiches and salads to daily baked goods and desserts and even fresh pasta! Larry is such a friendly business owner and chef. My friends and I had a wonderful time learning more about his business and vast career working in the food industry while waiting for our food. As a result, I was super excited to try his Thai-inspired Yellow Chicken Curry Empanada. The filling was so unique and I really enjoyed the southeast Asian flavors in the flaky, puff pastry. I also ordered the Portobello Mushroom Sandwich which I was blown away by! The portobello was soo juicy and deliciously seasoned. The sandwich tastes incredibly fresh with the micro greens and tomato. I absolutely loved the pickled radish, and I wish there were more in the sandwich. I am definitely planning to return because I want to try cooking with Larry's fresh pasta next! Support and enjoy the delicious food at this local and small business in Anaheim. read more

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This tiny restaurant is one of the major go tos for the employees at my job. Whenever someone mentions sandwiches, Ake Larry is the first one that comes to mind. Their turkey on ciabatta is outstanding, particularly with the vegetables they put on it. One of which is a pickled watermelon radish. Absolutely delicious. Their portobello mushroom sandwich is another must try. The large portobello mushroom is very meaty. They also offer other dishes, like a green curry, short rib, but we haven't been able to get away from the sandwiches long enough to try anything else. read more

Food was good, but it took 10 minutes to get my order taken and it is very small and warm inside. Room for 4-6 inside. Seems like they are short staffed. read more