One of the best things about living in Southern California is the unbelievable diversity of dining options. From spectacular seafood spots to marvelously authentic Mexican menus, great food is never far away. Providing workers with the outstanding meals is what we do at Fooda, and every year we like to give our customers an opportunity to sound off about their favorites with the Best of Fooda awards. The votes have been tallied, and the people have spoken! Here are the Best of Fooda SoCal 2023 winners.

Popup Awards

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Best Popup Entree of 2023 – Smokehouse Tri Tip Sandwich from Harry’s Oklahoma Style Smokehouse BBQ

homeofharrysbbq.com

You can’t beat the classics. With three generously carved slices of certified Angus beef brisket, smoked “low and slow” in the classic Oklahoma barbecue style, the Tri Tip Sandwich is an instant favorite at any workplace popup. Take just one bite of this melt-in-your-mouth delicacy and you’ll understand why Harry’s has become one of Southern California’s iconic barbecue joints. Just remember to keep a healthy supply of napkins and wet-wipes nearby, as even the best barbecue tends to be a bit on the messy side.

Runner Up: Chicken Tikka Masala Bowl – Rangeen

Best Customer Service – BIBIBOP Asian Grill

bibibop.com

It’s not hard to tell when a restaurant genuinely cares about providing customers with exceptional service. Founded with a mission to provide healthy, high-quality, and affordable Asian food to an audience that craves both a wholesome menu and a sense of wellbeing, BIBIBOP Asian Grill obviously cares a great deal about the customer experience. It’s a core part of the company culture, with locations across the country having similarly excellent reports of responsive and helpful workers going the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. Winning more than a third of the votes in this category, BIBIBOP’s dedication is clearly appreciated by Fooda’s customers.

Runner Up: Tacos and Co

Most Likely To Visit Outside Of Work – Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill

sharkys.com

If you’re looking for a great place to have a reliably satisfying meal, go to Sharky’s. Founded in 1992 as a culinary love letter to traditional Mexican dishes and flavors, Sharky’s has since flourished into one of the most popular regional restaurant chains in Southern California. It’s the kind of place that everyone can feel good about visiting, with an always-innovative menu making use of the freshest natural and organic ingredients available. This makes Sharky’s an ideal option for a company popup event, and the perfect place to grab a bite outside of work.

Runner Up: Oke Poke

Best Overall Popup – Harry’s Oklahoma Style Smokehouse BBQ

homeofharrysbbq.com

There’s nothing like the smell of fresh-from-the-smoker barbeque, saturating the air with the succulently savory scents of beef, pork, and chicken. If you’re on the omnivore side of the dietary spectrum, you immediately understand that something memorably delicious is about to happen. Founded by Oklahoma native and barbeque pitmaster Harry Bayouth, Harry’s Oklahoma Style Smokehouse BBQ absolutely understands how to make a workplace popup into a truly appetizing cookout event.

Runner Up: BIBIBOP Asian Grill

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Delivery Awards

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Best Delivery Entree of 2023 – Spicy Tuna Signature Bowl from Sweetfin

sweetfin.com

Combining the fresh deliciousness of Hawaiian poké with the inventiveness of California cuisine, Sweetfin was always going to be in the running for this year’s Best of Fooda awards. Their delivery menu is packed with “naturally craveable” options, and their Spicy Tuna Signature Bowl was the undisputed favorite among this year’s voters. Featuring a hearty portion of wild-caught tuna and a perfectly balanced mix of spicy mayo sauce, hijiki, avocado, edamame, cucumber, and crispy onion over a bed of sticky rice, it’s the very definition of a reinvigorating workplace meal.

Runner Up: Chicken Bowl from BIBIBOP Asian Grill

Most Likely To Visit Outside Of Work – Lobster & Beer

ilovelobsterandbeer.com

If you’ve only sampled Lobster & Beer’s delectable delivery menu, you’re only getting part of the experience. Founded as a “neighborhood lobster joint,” Lobster & Beer delivers a stellar fast-casual seafood menu in a relaxed and friendly setting. It’s an ideal spot for an after-hours get together with work pals, a no-stress lunch meeting, or just a fun meal out. While the menu is definitely lobster-centric, there’s also plenty of satisfying options for both pub-grub lovers and vegetarians.

Runner Up: Tuk Tuk Thai & Fresh Corn Grill (Tie)

Best Overall for Fooda Delivery – Sweetfin & Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill (Tie)

sweetfin.com & sharkys.com

As you may have gathered from the two-way tie for first place, competition for this category was intense. Voters just couldn’t decide on a favorite between Sweetfin’s enticing poké options and the flavorful goodness of Sharky’s always-innovative Mexican dishes. Both restaurants have mouth-watering delivery menus, so can you really blame our voters for wanting to give the prize to both? The contest for the runner-up spot was also quite heated, with vote totals from no less than five area favorites falling within the margin of error. With so many excellent delivery options, it’s clear that Fooda’s SoCal customers are real winners here. 

Runner Up: Too close to call!