P-Town Pulse Podcast

Jordan Harris

Local podcast featuring Placentia, California businesses!

Episodes

  1. Aug 29

    The Untold Story of Placentia's The Donut Chain: Family, Community & Fresh Donuts

    In this episode of The P-Town Pulse, we sit down with local owners Nate and Yara Cadena, the husband-and-wife family team behind The Donut Chain, a family-owned donut shop in Placentia, California. What started as a completely unplanned opportunity turned into one of the most community-loved small businesses in town and they walk us through exactly how that happened.We talk about the shop's surprising origin story, what it took to turn the space around in just days, and why staying true to the neighborhood mattered more than expanding fast. Nate and Yara also open up about running a family business alongside their other ventures, building a staff of local college kids who keep coming back, working with their original baker to preserve the shop's recipes, and the small touches, from seasonal window art to free donuts for kids, that keep customers coming back every morning.This is a conversation about small business ownership, family, and what it really means to be a community-first shop in Placentia. Whether you're a longtime regular or just discovering The Donut Chain for the first time, this episode gives you the full story behind the counter.📍 Donut Chain: 901 E Yorba Linda Ave, Placentia, CA 🕐 Hours: Mon–Thu 5:30am–1pm | Fri–Sun 5:30am–2pmFollow along for more local business stories on The P-Town Pulse, spotlighting the small businesses and families that make Placentia feel like home.

  2. Aug 14

    The Real Story Behind La Cova: Placentia's Hidden Mexican Seafood Gem

    Most people driving down Kraemer in Placentia still think this spot is Taco's Way. It's not — and the story of how it became La Cova is way better than you'd expect. In this episode of P-Town Pulse, I sit down with cousins Jorge and Ramon, the new owners of La Cova (formerly Taco's Way) in Placentia, CA. We talk about taking over a restaurant with zero staff and zero connections, why they walked away from the Taco's Way name and rebuilt everything from scratch, and how the restaurant got its name from both their grandmothers back in Culiacán, Sinaloa. We get into the food — Sinaloa-style seafood, aguachiles, house-made everything (yes, even the tomato paste), Taco Tuesdays, all-you-can-eat wing Thursdays, and their popular weekend brunch. We also talk about the DJ nights, the patio, private party bookings (no charge, no deposit), and what it's really taken to build a neighborhood spot people keep coming back to. If you've been skeptical of this place because of its past, this episode is your reason to give it another shot. 📍 La Cova1390 N Kraemer Blvd, Placentia, CA (entrance around back off Kraemer) 🌮 What's covered in this episode: – The real story behind the Taco's Way to La Cova rebrand – Why the name La Cova comes from their grandmother – Sinaloa-style seafood and the from-scratch menu – Daily specials: Taco Tuesday, Wing Thursday, weekend brunch – DJ nights, patio vibes, and free private party bookings – Lessons learned running a restaurant from day one Part of the P-Town Pulse series, spotlighting the people and small businesses that make Placentia what it is.

  3. Jun 19

    Smashed with Grit: How El Brewjo Turned a Front Yard Pop-Up Into a Burger Legend

    What does it take to launch a business during a global pandemic, and turn a simple front yard pop-up into one of Southern California’s most celebrated smash burger legends? In this episode of the P-Town Pulse, we sit down with Cesar Cortez, the mastermind behind El Brewjo Burgers, to break down his incredible journey of culinary alchemy, hustle, and community. From his roots as the grandson of a local neighborhood "bruja" in Orange, California, to taking home top honors at the legendary Smorgasburg Tournament of Cheeseburgers, Cesar shares the true grit it takes to build a thriving food brand from scratch. If you are a foodie, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just obsessed with the perfect smash burger, this deep dive is for you! 🔍 In This Episode, We Discuss: The Leap of Faith: Why Cesar walked away from property management to chase his true passion. The Science of the Smash: Ditching the Blackstone and mastering the perfect, authentic lacy edge crust. American Fare with a Mexican Flair: The secrets behind El Brewjo's signature sweet and spicy mayo, freshly baked potato buns, and their viral smash-burger-on-a-tortilla special. Building a Community: Cesar’s mission to establish a safe, inclusive "gayborhood" space for the queer Latino community in Orange County. Street-Smart Business Advice: The reality of managing wait times, building customer loyalty, and why standing out is better than copying the competition. 📍 Connect with El Brewjo Burgers:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elbrewjo/ Where to find them: Catch them weekly at home bases across Orange County, including Everywhere Beer, Green Cheek Beer Co., and Chapman Crafted Beer! 🔔 Support the Channel!If you loved this inspiring story of local business hustle, make sure to LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode of local legends doing big things! Drop a comment below: Are you a classic lacy smash burger fan, or are you dying to try the smash tortilla burger? 👇

  4. Apr 29

    From Cleaning Pools to Owning a Legend: The Wild Story Behind Kelly’s Korner Tavern

    We’re hanging out at Placentia’s own Kelly’s Korner Tavern to chat with owner Jim Rafferty about how he went from cleaning pools to running a local legend. Jim gets real about the chaos of buying a bar with zero experience and the literal "growing pains" of turning a former real estate office into a top tier neighborhood spot. We get into how the tavern survived the craziness of the pandemic, their dedication to supporting local high school sports, and the secret behind that scratch kitchen menu that puts typical frozen bar food to shame. Whether it’s a deep dive into the perfect (funny named)  chicken sandwich or a look at how new health trends are changing the way we drink beer, this episode is a lighthearted tribute to the community spirit that keeps the taps flowing Kelly's Korner Tavern is located at 907 E Yorba Linda Blvd, Placentia, CA 92870. See their menu: https://www.kellys92870.com/ #KellysKornerTavern #PlacentiaCA #PTownPulse #OrangeCountyFood #OCBars #SmallBusinessStories #BarOwner #NeighborhoodSpot #PlacentiaCalifornia #OrangeCountyNightlife #SportsBar #ScratchKitchen #BestBurgers #PrimeRibDip #LocalLegend #DiveBarVibes #TavernLife #BarBusiness #RestaurantReality #CommunityStrong #SupportLocal #OCFoodies #PlacentiaDining #HospitalityIndustry #BarHistory #GrownUpBar #HiddenGems #OrangeCountyCA #SocialDrinking #BarVlog #PlacentiaPulse #TavernFood #BurgerLovers #OrangeCountyEvents #CaliforniaBars #SmallBizOwner #LocalHangout #OrangeCountyDining #PlacentiaFood #BarLife #PubCulture #HospitalityLife #CommunityImpact #LocalBusinessOwner #OCRestaurants #BarSpecial #EatLocal #DrinkLocal #PTown #OrangeCounty

  5. Feb 27

    The Secret Sauce Behind OC's Most Popular Trivia Nights

    In this episode of the P-Town Pulse, Jordan sits down with Dougie Craig, the mastermind behind some of the what the LA Times called "the best pub trivia in SoCal". From his roots in the Philadelphia college bar scene to building a trivia empire in here in Orange County, Dougie shares the "secret sauce" of what makes a great trivia night and why it’s really about building community—not just knowing obscure facts. We cover the history of trivia, the transition from East Coast pub culture to the West Coast, and Dougie’s journey from a 2007 transplant to becoming a local fixture at spots like Kelly’s Korner in Placentia. DOUGIE’S WEEKLY TRIVIA LINEUP: If you're looking for the best trivia in OC, here is where you can find Dougie and his team: ● MONDAYS: Brewery X (Anaheim) ● WEDNESDAYS: Kraft Burger (Placentia) ● THURSDAYS: Kelly’s Corner (Placentia) w/ Dougie Craig (Since 2013!) LOCAL GEMS MENTIONED: ● Food: Navarro’s (Fullerton) for incredible tacos, ● Craft Burger (Placentia) ● Tony’s (Placentia, also Episode 2). "It’s not about me, it’s about bringing people together... If I can ask a question that the person on their phone is the only one at the table who knows, she’s coming back to play again." — Dougie Craig Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more stories from the P-Town Pulse! #OrangeCounty #TriviaNight #Placentia #Fullerton #BreweryX #PubQuiz #LocalBusiness #PTownPulse #KellysCorner #TriviaHistory

  6. Jan 23

    EP01: Mustache Mike's and Stefano's

    In the debut episode of the P-Town Pulse, local host Jordan welcomes two community legends to discuss the heart and hustle of small business ownership in Placentia and Yorba Linda. Mike, the man behind the iconic Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice, shares his journey from coaching youth soccer to building a nationwide brand born out of the 2008 recession. Alongside him is Frank Stefano of Stefano’s Golden Baked Hams, who reveals how his family transformed a seasonal ham shop into a beloved year-round dining destination. Together, they reflect on the importance of quality, the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and how local businesses supported one another through the challenges of recent years. The conversation highlights the unique "small town feel" of the North Orange County area, where business owners are more than just service providers—they are neighbors and friends. From stories about the July 4th Hamer Parade to secrets about underground parking in Yorba Linda, this episode is a celebration of community roots. Whether you are looking for the best creamy Italian ice or a world-class panini, Frank and Mike offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to thrive for over two decades. Visit these locations: Mustache Mike's: 1837 E Orangethorpe Ave, Placentia, CA 92870 Stefano's Golden Baked Hams: 8220 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886 Tune in to discover new hidden gems and learn why supporting local ventures is the key to keeping the community pulse strong.

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Local podcast featuring Placentia, California businesses!