Culinary Dropout Executive Chef Lewis Chan displays the wide range of the restaurant’s food and beverage options. This is the chain’s 16th location nationwide, but only the second in California, with the company looking to expand to new spots that feel intentional and connected to the communities they are in.

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Culinary Dropout

If the winter months make you crave comfort food, a new restaurant has made its way to Orange just in time.  Culinary Dropout, an American gastropub, opened in Old Towne in October as the chain’s 16th location.

“There is a lot of history in Old Towne and we want to complement the great places here and become a standout,” says Amanda Muszynski, Regional Manager.  “We love connecting with communities that we’re in and honoring the neighborhoods.”

Culinary Dropout was founded in 2012 in Scottsdale, Arizona, by Sam Fox, who created a lively but relaxing atmosphere for customers.

“Culinary Dropout flipped the hospitality rulebook by leaning into music, energy, irreverence, and not taking ourselves too seriously,” says Elisa Cordova, Director of Marketing at Culinary Dropout.  “No two visits feel exactly the same."

The Orange location holds more than 250 indoor seats, with additional patio seating.  Inside, the decor features artwork honoring the professional skateboarder Ellen O’Neal and shots from well-known photographer Slim Aarons.

Muszynski describes the menu as elevated comfort food with a strong attention to quality and flavor.  The most popular dish is the soft pretzel with provolone fondue, but diners have a wide variety of options, like steak frites, fried chicken, burgers, or even a handful of sushi rolls.

“We have a little bit of something for everyone,” says Muszynski.  “There’s not a palette that we can’t appease, in my opinion.”

The restaurant also has a carefully curated beverage program, serving classic cocktails alongside custom drinks like the Campfire Vibes with whiskey, chai-jacked apple cider, Spanish vanilla, and spices.

“There are also a lot of local beers on tap, something that the neighbors will know and love, or people out of town can tour the beer scene through our tap list,” says Muszynski.

The Culinary Dropout team says they chose Old Towne as its latest location because of the rich community bonds, which align with the restaurant’s mission and values.

“Orange has such a strong sense of community, and we’re excited for Culinary Dropout to become part of that fabric.  This location gives us the opportunity to connect with a new audience while staying true to who we are,” says Cordova.

Culinary Dropout
191 North Orange St., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  714-439-5566