Chapter One: the modern local

4.6

583 Reviews

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

Great for happy hour
Neighborhood gem

Our eclectic food and spirits fuse the exotic with the traditional, always created with our own playful twist. Our kitchen, led by executive chef Tony Castaneda, features local, sustainable, seasonal and all-natural ingredients. The atmosphere blends the pleasures of elegant dining with the relaxed conviviality of a local pub. Our cocktail list, highlighted by our award-winning fresh ginger Moscow Mules, also features over 200 whiskeys from around the world.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Gastro Pub, Cocktail Bar, American
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Bar Mon–Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–12:30 am Sat 10:00 am–12:30 am Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
Phone number
(714) 352-2225
Website
https://chapteronetml.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Luis Perez
Catering
We offer many options for larger parties in our private event space, The Red Room. We offer party platters, drink ticket options, and customized menus. Please email sales@chapteronetml.com for more details.
Private party facilities
A beautifully decorated private dinning room with multimedia capabilities. Parties, meetings, luncheons, entertainment venue; endless possibilities.

Location
227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Neighborhood
Santa Ana
Cross street
Broadway & 3rd
Parking details
Street parking, a large parking garage located directly across the street, and a pay lot directly behind the restaurant.
Public transit
Minutes away from the Santa Ana Train Station and Regional Transportation Center. Downtown Santa Ana is located in the center of Orange County, so it's never too far from anybody!
Entertainment
Follow us on Facebook for our event schedule!
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 583 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.9Service
4.5Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

North Orange County
Best Service
North Orange County
Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Chapter One: the modern local offers "great service" and "delicious" food, featuring creative dishes like elevated vegan tacos and literary-themed cocktails. The cozy atmosphere, influenced by its past as a bookstore, provides a unique dining experience. With friendly staff and a convenient location, it's a "fun and worthy destination."

583 Reviews

R
Robert
VIP
Puerto Vallarta
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Really kind people with exceptional food!! We would absolutely return.
Is this helpful?
J
Jacinda
Los Angeles
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service, great food and easy parking! We will definitely be back. Great spot!
Is this helpful?
J
Joanie
VIP
Los Angeles
14 reviews
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on January 23, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Nice booth by the window. Had a few cold draft beers, very smooth. Ordered the sliders and french fries. Order came out quick and was just enough to get us through to our event down the street. Live music playing just as we left but had a great vibe. We'd go back!
Is this helpful?
W
Whitty
VIP
Orange County
19 reviews
4.0
19 reviews
Dined on December 7, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Chapter One feels like stepping into a scene in a novel. A converted bookstore, the menu often contains fun literary allusions and the simple fare is well crafted and cooked perfectly. They also make fun variations of moscow mules. The menu changes but there always seem to be mac and cheese, elevated vegan tacos, other tacos, steak and there is always something delicious. A fun and worthy destination that will not break the bank!
Is this helpful?
C
Chris
Orange County
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The empanadas are amazing! Everything is quality and fresh! Staff is friendly service was excellent! I will definitely be back!!
Is this helpful?
T
THEODORE
VIP
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Delicious! We had the steak salad, meatloaf sandwich and the chicken bacon ranch sandwich. Cant wait to go back.
Is this helpful?
K
Kristin
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Food was very good. Service excellent. Branson was really on top of it. The service is why I would come back again.
Is this helpful?
S
Susan
Orange County
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 25, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Very difficult time with traffic and parking! Passed up building because no visible address. Food good. Service good. Very loud.
Is this helpful?
M
Marc
Orange County
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 19, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had a great time as always. The owner JJ came up and said hello which is always nice. I will be coming back. Thank you, Chapter One
Is this helpful?
S
Stanford
VIP
Los Angeles
43 reviews
5.0
43 reviews
Dined on October 6, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We ate outside and had wonderful service, the food was yummy, including the lumpia, cheese filled empanadas, and chicken Caesar salad.
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FAQs

Chapter One: the modern local does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates. Chapter One: the modern local also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (714) 352-2225.

Chapter One: the modern local is rated 4.6 stars by 583 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Chapter One: the modern local

227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Additional information

Cross street
Broadway & 3rd
Neighborhood
Santa Ana
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Bar Mon–Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–12:30 am Sat 10:00 am–12:30 am Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Gastro Pub, Cocktail Bar, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street parking, a large parking garage located directly across the street, and a pay lot directly behind the restaurant.
Public transit
Minutes away from the Santa Ana Train Station and Regional Transportation Center. Downtown Santa Ana is located in the center of Orange County, so it's never too far from anybody!
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Luis Perez
Entertainment
Follow us on Facebook for our event schedule!
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://chapteronetml.com/
Phone number
(714) 352-2225
Catering
We offer many options for larger parties in our private event space, The Red Room. We offer party platters, drink ticket options, and customized menus. Please email sales@chapteronetml.com for more details.
Private party facilities
A beautifully decorated private dinning room with multimedia capabilities. Parties, meetings, luncheons, entertainment venue; endless possibilities.

Chapter One: the modern local

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Menu

What 583 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Chapter One: the modern local offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Chapter One: the modern local restaurant rated?

Is Chapter One: the modern local currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information