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Hidden Menu Favorites to Try Around Irvine From Din Tai Fung to In-N-Out

Issue # 0634

Author

Joshua Tjia
18 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌷💐🌷 City of Irvine to Hold Memorial Day Tribute Honoring U.S. Service Members on May 25

🚔💥 Irvine Police Seek Information After Fatal Collision at Irvine Boulevard and Groveland

🍔🥟 Hidden Menu Favorites to Try Around Irvine From Din Tai Fung to In-N-Out

🚌✨ IUSD Leads Orange County with Eight National Merit Scholarship Winners

💧 Healthy Hydration Tips to Help You Feel More Energized Every Day

🌅🌳 Enjoy Fresh Air, Exercise, and Sunset Views at Limestone Canyon’s Weekly Fitness Hike

🍴🍰 From Cookies to Cakes: Kids Dessert Camp Returns to Woodbridge

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐕🛌 Help Comfort Irvine Shelter Pets With Cozy Blanket Donations

🏃🏾‍♀️ UC Irvine Women’s Track & Field Wins Back-to-Back Big West Titles

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Women’s Volleyball Releases 2026 Schedule

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Irvine Baseball Defeats Moreno Valley 4-2 in CIF Division 5 Playoff Opener

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you give a sick lemon?

Lemon-aid.

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

City of Irvine to Hold Memorial Day Tribute Honoring U.S. Service Members on May 25

The City of Irvine will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m. at Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park to honor U.S. military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony, held in the Formal Garden, will feature remarks from a Commanding Officer of Irvine’s adopted 2/11 Marine Battalion, and attendees can also write messages of appreciation to the battalion.

Irvine Police Seek Information After Fatal Collision at Irvine Boulevard and Groveland

Irvine Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic collision that occurred May 14 around 8:30 p.m. at Irvine Boulevard and Groveland involving a Tesla SUV and an 87-year-old man using a mobility scooter. Despite life-saving efforts by police and Orange County Fire Authority, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Tesla driver suffered minor injuries and is cooperating with investigators. Preliminary information indicates the Tesla was traveling westbound with a green light while the man was crossing northbound in the crosswalk. DUI is not believed to be a factor, and the cause of the collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Hank Gallegos.

Hidden Menu Favorites to Try Around Irvine From Din Tai Fung to In-N-Out

Many restaurants in Irvine have hidden menu items, secret sauces, and fun custom food combinations that regular customers love to order. Spots like Din Tai Fung, Little Sister, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, and In-N-Out Burger offer special items and custom orders that may not appear on the menu.

IUSD Leads Orange County with Eight National Merit Scholarship Winners

Eight students from the Irvine Unified School District earned National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, the most awarded to any school district in Orange County. The scholarships recognize top students nationwide for outstanding academics, leadership, extracurricular involvement, essays, and strong PSAT performance. Recipients came from Woodbridge High School, Northwood High School, University High School, and Portola High School, with students planning careers in fields including computer science, medicine, physics, psychology, healthcare, academia, and engineering.

Healthy Hydration Tips to Help You Feel More Energized Every Day

Water plays an important role in keeping the body healthy and energized every day. From supporting brain and muscle function to aiding digestion and skin health, staying hydrated can make a noticeable difference in overall wellness and daily energy levels.

Hydration Tips

  • Carrying a reusable water bottle can make it easier to drink water consistently throughout the day.

  • Adding lemon, cucumber, mint, or berries can make water more refreshing and enjoyable.

  • Replacing sugary drinks with water may help reduce added sugar intake while improving hydration.

  • Checking urine color can help monitor hydration levels — pale yellow usually indicates good hydration.

  • Increasing water intake during hot weather or physical activity can help prevent dehydration.

  • Watching for signs like fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, or headaches may help identify dehydration early.

Enjoy Fresh Air, Exercise, and Sunset Views at Limestone Canyon’s Weekly Fitness Hike

Join the “After Work Fitness Hike” from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve for a 3.5-mile paved evening hike with scenic sunset views from Loma Ridge. The level-3 hike lasts about an hour at a brisk pace, and participants may walk, jog, or run based on their comfort level.

From Cookies to Cakes: Kids Dessert Camp Returns to Woodbridge

Young bakers can have fun learning how to make cookies, cakes, and other sweet treats at Woodbridge’s “Top Chef Desserts” camp June 8–12 at the Woodbridge Community Center. Kids will practice baking, decorating, and creative dessert-making in hands-on sessions for ages 5–7 from 9 a.m. to noon and ages 8–12 from 1–4 p.m.

Find more information here

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 20-21, 7:00-8:30 PM: Instrumental Pops Concert, NHS Theater

  2. May 29, 7:00-8:30 PM: Pops Gala Concert, NHS Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00 PM: ​Broadway Rocks Concert, WHS Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. May 29-30, 7:00 PM: Voices 2026, Irvine High PAC

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. May 29, 7:00 – 9:00 PM: Portola High School Pop Concert, PHS Performing Arts Center

  2. May 30, 6:30 – 9:00 PM: Portola High School Spring Instrumental Concert, Portola High School Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

Help Comfort Irvine Shelter Pets With Cozy Blanket Donations

The Irvine Animal Care Center is inviting the community to help make shelter pets feel more comfortable by donating blankets and other much-needed items through its wish lists. Even a simple donation can provide warmth, comfort, and a sense of security for animals waiting for their forever homes.

Learn more and view the wish lists at cityofirvine.org/animals.

UC Irvine Women’s Track & Field Wins Back-to-Back Big West Titles

UC Irvine women’s track & field team made program history by winning its second straight Big West Championship with a record-breaking 187.5 points, finishing 61.5 points ahead of second-place Cal State Fullerton. The Anteaters earned multiple event wins and standout performances, including victories in the 4x100 relay, 1500m, and 200m, while several athletes set personal and school records to cap off another championship season after also winning the 2026 MPSF Indoor title.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

No further upcoming home games for this month.

IVC Women’s Volleyball Releases 2026 Schedule

Irvine Valley College women’s volleyball has released its 2026 schedule as the Lasers look to build on last season’s 11-10 overall record and strong finish under head coach Kari Hemmerling. IVC opens the season Aug. 28 at Moorpark after a preseason scrimmage tournament on Aug. 21, with conference play beginning Sept. 16 against Fullerton.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No further upcoming home games for this month.

Irvine Baseball Defeats Moreno Valley 4-2 in CIF Division 5 Playoff Opener

Irvine baseball opened the CIF Division 5 playoffs with a 4-2 win over Moreno Valley after scoring four runs in the first inning. Roshan Patel pitched a complete-game one-hitter with 11 strikeouts, while Owen Song, Ethan Kim, and Patel helped lead the offense as Irvine advances to host Citrus Valley in the next round.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

No further upcoming varsity home games for this month.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

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