November is the month when we’re reminded to give thanks for all of life’s blessings. We’ll cherish dinners with our families and treasure moments with loved ones. This month marks the beginning of the holiday festivities. Soon we’ll gather around tables to feast together.
During this time, we’re encouraged to remember the people in our communities who are experiencing hardships and facing their own challenges. Fortunately, when we dine out, we can simultaneously help a good cause. Across The Irvine Ranch® there are several opportunities to eat well and give back at Broken Yolk Café, Levain Bakery, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, Cha for Tea, Puesto, and more.
BROKEN YOLK CAFE
Through December 8, Broken Yolk Cafe at Crossroads is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Project Hope Alliance. The community non-profit organization dedicated to ending the cycle of youth homelessness was founded by a UC Irvine alum who experienced being unhoused herself. Guests who mention the fundraiser to their servers will have 10% of their check donated to Project Hope Alliance. The goal is for the organization to provide gift cards for holiday shopping and food experiences for local children experiencing homelessness. Guests may also donate directly to this fundraiser online.
“Being part of the communities we serve has always been important to Broken Yolk Café, so partnering with Project Hope Alliance felt like a natural fit. Their work supporting local students experiencing homelessness and housing instability really resonated with our team, and we wanted to find a meaningful way to use our restaurants to help amplify that mission,” said Grain & Grit Collective’s CEO Mike DiNorscia. (G&GC owns the few Broken Yolk locations participating in this fundraiser.
“What started as an opportunity to give back has grown into an ongoing partnership that allows our guests and team members to be part of supporting students right here in Orange County. We’re incredibly proud to continue that partnership through the holiday season and help bring greater awareness and support to the work Project Hope Alliance is doing.”
Crossroads
3988 Barranca Pkwy Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92606
LEVAIN BAKERY
Levain Bakery at Fashion Island made a big splash in September when it launched its OC flagship store in Newport Beach. The line on opening day brought a ton of media attention to the quaint bakery known for its big hunkin’ cookies. But, the really sweet part was that Levain donated proceeds from its opening day to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Levain’s donation enabled the organization to provide more than 63,000 pounds of nutritious groceries to people facing food insecurity in our community. This group included families with young children and senior citizens residing alone. Since 2019, Levain has donated proceeds from its bakery openings across the country. The owners made it part of their mission to continuously strive to support each neighborhood they join.
On November 11, Levain’s owners Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald will join The Dish on The Irvine Ranch’s editor Jenn Tanaka for a conversation at Barnes & Nobles Booksellers Fashion Island. The complimentary event and book signing will delve into the inspiration behind Levain’s famous cookies, the bakery’s efforts to give back through baked goods, and more.
Fashion Island
315 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar at The Market Place entices young readers with its Explorer Reading Program. Children are encouraged to devour any 3 books of their choice. Their reward is a free Kids Meal and a custom bookmark. The idea is to keep kids excited about reading beyond the classroom.
Schools, sports teams, PTAs and other community groups looking for fundraising opportunities find allies at local restaurants. To help these organizations, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar hosts fundraisers where 15% of food and drink sales from the group goes directly back to the organization.
The Market Place
13290 Jamboree Road, Irvine, CA 92602
Cha for Tea
Cha for Tea at University Center and Woodbridge Village Center (also listed on The Dish’s Must Try: Boba roundup) is another longstanding community supporter.
For the past two decades, the Irvine tea shops helped local organizations including school PTAs and youth sports teams. Currently, Cha donates 20% of all pre-tax food and boba tea sales for group fundraising efforts.
“So gather your friends, family, and neighbors, and head to Cha For Tea to indulge in our tasty menu. It’s a win-win – you get to satisfy your cravings while also making an impact on our community,” reads its fundraising page. For more information, visit the Cha for Tea website.
Woodbridge Village Center
4740 Barranca Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604
University Center
4187 Campus Dr #M173, Irvine, CA 92612
In-N-Out
Orange County Public Libraries and Irvine Public Library encourage young readers to savor stories. By participating in the Cover to Cover Club, which runs until November 14, 2026, children (ages 4 to 12) who read 5 books (300 minutes) will receive an Achievement Award. This is valid for a free hamburger or cheeseburger at any In-N-Out Burger including locations at The Market Place and University Center.
The Market Place
6376 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA 92620
University Center
4115 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Puesto
Puesto believes that sponsoring Little League teams builds a connection at the ground level. The family-owned restaurant group started small. Then the blue corn tortillas and innovative Parmesan-laced guacamole catapulted Puesto to the higher echelons of Mexico City-style dining in the states. The owners remember being kids who just wanted to hang out, enjoying good food with friends and family.
Los Olivos® Marketplace | Irvine Spectrum®
8577 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine, CA 92618
