ORANGE, CA - The Orange County Mining Company is the place to go when you want the view, but can't afford its neighbor Orange Hill Restaurant next door. It's kind of like choosing Knott's Berry Farm over Disneyland, but no matter how many times you try to convince yourself that it's just as good, you always leave wishing you went to the other place.
When you first walk in, you almost think you're getting on the log ride at Knott's. As the name implies, it has a gold miners theme. According to Wikipedia, mining for gold dates back to 4200 BC, indicating that gold mining could be at least 7000 years old. Which is ironic, as that also appears to be the last time this place was cleaned. But I digress.
Admittedly, the mining theme here is fun. The tin roof, the red lanterns, the employees dressed like Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. It's enough to make you wish you had a blind sister named Mary.
The all you can eat salad bar - which is included with any entrée purchase - is the highlight of this place. Which is probably why so many overweight people dine here. Any time you have an all you can eat anything, the cows show up. I'm surprised they don't hold auditions for The Biggest Loser in the parking lot between lunch and dinner.
But whatever you do, don't forget to order the mud pie for dessert. It's outstanding. It will knock a week off your life, but let's face it, you don't want to be around for that last week anyway.
-Shady
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