Nothing like drinkin' up a few beers and then slinging a leg over your bike and gettin' on the road! The place is a dive! But a great dive bar, the food is so so (with the exception of breakfast), the drinks are so so, but the people are great, and it's a great place to meet up with friends (and not give a s**t about anything, and just have fun) that have bikes, and to watch others.
Review Source:Great place to go if you are a hick and OK with less then decent customer service ;) The few times I have visited this spot is only because my fellow rider friends want to eat after doing some "calm" riding in live oak (short but always sweet). The food isn't terrible, but slightly pricey for its mediocre quality. Their taco Tuesday deal is totally overrated. Del Taco is the place to go for that, unless you like dry meat and bite sized tacos - then stick with cooks.
Most of the riders that hang at cooks are in the older crowd, rolling in on cruisers or harleys (and there is nothing wrong with that. but im in a sport bike club, and am far from middle aged). So the atmosphere is not quite the style for the younger generation. They have live bands that play a lot, but not quite my taste of music... There is plenty of outdoor seating, and a pretty variety on the menu. Full bar (though I don't drink), and on weekends they tend to have various merchandise for sale (relevant for cruisers and harleys).
In all, its a decent spot to stop at for a break or a drink. Since there is nothing else around really, its your only choice for a quick stop. While I wouldn't call it one of the better places, its still a decent spot  to come around once in a while and see some cool bikes and meet some cool people.
After the beau talking about taking me here for the last few months we finally made the trip about 6 weeks ago one Sunday. If your into Harley's, its worth a visit.
It was quite a windy ride from Whittier to the top of Santiago Canyon, but a great experience. Lovely day, sunny, not too hot. Beautiful Harley's and great music and a cool atmosphere. Nothing special about the food or drinks, it's all about the bikes, atmosphere, people watching, fun and live music. We'll be back I'm sure!
Once you get through from the yuppie neighborhoods of Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, you drop down into Trabuco Canyon which is a little gem of Orange County that includes Cook's Corner.
Here you will have great live music, descent food at a descent price and cheap drinks. Â All things that makes Cook's Corner probably one of the best dive bars in the OC. Â
Yes, it's a biker bar, but that's what makes more interesting. Â People are totally cool, even to those who come in wearing cargo shorts, sandals and a t-shirt.
The phrase that sums it up is, "sure, why the hell not?"
This here is a biker bar. Now, I don't quite understand the notion of drinkin' up them beers and then slinging a leg over a motorbike, but maybe after I've been riding more than 2 years things will click. In the meantime, I'll stop here for an O'douls anytime I'm passing by.
I like this one because it doesn't try too hard like that other biker bar on the far side of the Ortega. Been a few fond memories made here. I suppose if you're into American food, this place will strike you as "pretty good." If you're into American food and riding motorcycles, it'll be more like "excellent."
Cook's corner is old time OC. Â Get away from the snooty crowd in the beach towns and head to the hills; at least the few horsey hills left in OC. Â The bartenders are awesome and the food is very good. Â They accommodate to what you want to eat. Â Definitely a chill place to hang out with out feeling like you need break out the Gucci and Prada.
Review Source:i was kinda feeling a little weird going here with my parents. Didn't think they would like the atmosphere at all. They ended loving it and so did I. Parking was fine, thanks to dp parking lol. Everyone seemed to know each other which was pretty nice. Â We ordered some brews and some buffalo hot wings. I have to say the hot wings were the best wings Ive had in along time. Perfect flavor and not to much heat. The service her was amazing as well i will add. I will be back for more good times .
Review Source:Fun Place to go and have lunch and enjoy the great music outside
Food - is not bad for burgers etc
Service - be patient and place your order and listen up for your  number to be called then go get it.
Drinks - always good and bartenders are buy but always get to you .
Atmosphere - casual - dont be intimidated by all the bikes - you can bring the kids n your dog and even your date without worries, Never saw any problems or issues - instead you see a great mix of old school bikers , weekend worriors, bicycle riders, off road bikers ,Whatever your thing is you will have fun  and tourist from europe in groups touring the USA , Young n Old alike enjoy themselves. Great to watch the people.
you wont go wrong coming here for lunch on a weekend
What more can you ask for......cold beer, live music (both inside and out), and bad ass bikes all in a beautiful canyon setting. Â It may look rough from the outside, but everyone here is super friendly and all just here enjoying being outside. Â Great place to stop in the middle of a ride......or ending a ride. Â They have THE BEST bike wash on most weekends.....only $40!!!! Â
Food is really good......Breakfast is the way to go.....come get your bike washed and eat some hash.....
Great place to hang even if you aren't a biker.....
My absolute favorite bar around town. Don't be scared by the biker image, I've met nothing but great people there, always fun and friendly.
A small place, it's got pretty good food for a good, low price. As soon as you walk in you see the bar, and the bartenders are great. They've never watered down my drinks and they even remember you when you come around again.
Love the live music they have here, always a classic rock flavor. Room for dancing and small tables everywhere, but people who are willing to share. Every time I go in, I end up making conversation with some great people.
There's also a punching machine that's pretty popular. Always fun to watch the guys try and beat the high score.
If you like out of the way hole in the walls with a ton of bikes and beer drinking bikers, this is it! Â Food is just fair but cheap. Â I go for the ride there and back and just to hang out and look at some bikes. You have all kinds here, from Yuppie wanna be's to toothless, drunken ol geezers that have been riding since the beginning of time. Â I'm somewhere in between...
Review Source:Cook's has been a destination for my biker, running, and bicycling friends for years. Â If you want to see a million dollars of great Harleys any weekend morning at Cook's your will find them.
The food is good bar food, but don't expect any finesse.
The bands are great Liquor Bach is my favorite. Â If you want to dance all night bring your gang.
Dress is jeans, leather, tight shirts and boots. Â Tattoos if you have them.
You can even find that missing piece of your biker outfit if you come on the weekends. Â There is a boutique in the parking lot.
Last night did it.  My BFF and I decided to head over to Cook's for some beer and music.  We had searched local cities to find some rock and were limited in our choices.  For the past couple of months we have hung at Cook's, enjoying the over all  real people, music and over all laid back atmosphere.  Cook's is tucked away in the a remote little area off El Toro road and is known for its established rep as a "Biker Bar,"  and though I would say yes it is a biker bar, but all are welcomed and everyone is friendly.  By all means you do not feel out of place.  I did learn early on the standard for dress is jeans - don't go in a little purple dress and dressy sandals, then you may feel like you stand out like a sore thumb. lol. Â
Anyway, last night as I was saying, my BFF and I went to listen to some Rock, which is what is prompting my review. Â The band killed it. Â So it is my pleasure to introduce to you "Liqour Bachs." Â Mike, Dean and Salvatore. Â A cover band that has been in existence for 8 years. Â I was impressed with their ability to pull off the 70's, 80's and 90's music and pull in some of their own style with out taking away from the originals. Â Mike pulled off some great vocals in all octaves. Â Everytime we went to sit down from dancing to one song, they pulled out another that just made you want to get up "one more time." Â Â Keep it going guys! Â this will definitely keep me coming back. Â
So peeps, if you want to enjoy some great music and a band that can pull the house down - "Cooks and Liquor Bachs" is the place I want to be... Â Cheers
Honorable Mention...BOYZZZ...If the band is Playing then you want to be sure to attend, "Karina" is the dance floor queen and kills it! Â She is a lot of fun and totally enjoyed dancing with her!
I come here almost every Tuesday night for Taco Tuesday. A popular place for bikers, and the nearby locals, it's nestled just outside of the Irvine area, kind of between Orange and Lake Forest.
The tacos on tuesday are delicious, and there's plenty of outdoor seating and fresh air.
On Sundays, they have a gigantic bike day, with vendors, bike washes, bands, and it's usually standing room only and bikes packed in as tight as you can get them. Great place to go get some culture, and meet some riders if you ride.
This place is simple, with lots of character and style. As a Wyoming boy, it reminds me just a little bit of all the things I miss the most about 'back home'.
Definitely go. Go now.
Being that I'm spending a lot of time camping and driving around the area for thesis-related reasons, I appreciate heartily the fact that they open at 8 or 9 am on the weekends, and SERVE BREAKFAST.
This place truly is full service :)
The food may be standard diner grub (if not a step below), but that may not go for the barbequed offerings (which I haven't had the privilege of sampling yet).
Cooks is . . . Cooks! Â A great place to ride to, have some food and ride home. Â Bands on the weekends both inside and out, daytime and night. Â When I come on 4 wheels (or better yet get a ride) they have pitchers of decent beer. Â Pitchers stop after a certain time, so be warned.
The people watching and bike watching are fantastic and everyone is friendly (actually, some are too friendly if ya know what I mean).
We had to ride here, because it is what you do on a motorcycle. There are some very scenic roads to ride in the area, and I loved that. The place is a typical biker bar. sawdust on the floor, tons of room outside for all of the many events that are held here.
I had a gyro special - it was decent. The fries & onion rings with it, I had to pass on, but admit is good biker bar fare. I just don't do fried food these days.The staff was not friendly in any way - but not rude. I was here on a Monday afternoon and there were 3 tables of people - no one at the bar, and a few people outside. The 2 girls behind the bar were fighting and mad at each other.
Funniest pool table I ever played on - Monday's you play for free, but there is only one table. We had to clean all the sawdust off before we could use it. It is crooked, no chalk available, hard to hit the corners - and fun to play on!
It's always fun to visit a legend. Glad we came.
This place is RAD!
I initially was terrified at the IDEA of going there. Then, as we got closer, I got even MORE terrified. All these bikers and I'm anything but. However, my adventurous friend was going in with or without me so on a crazy Sunday we wandered in among throngs of bikers.
The place was hopping. Good thing they have outdoor seating and a couple of bars outside, too, because this place was a madhouse (a good kind).
They know how to move you through, too. On their grill outside they were barbequing up some delicious meats and inside you could get anything from burgers to veggie burgers, fried zucchini to french fries that should've always had chili on 'em (they're already soggy to begin with).
If I wasn't driving I would've gladly had a beer. They did have mixed drinks, but c'mon, mixed drinks and one of the most well-known biker joins in the Nation?
I'd come back with a hearty appetite and a designated driver ;)
OC's biker bar deluxe!! Â This place is great to experience on the weekends and see how close you can come to the bikes without breathing on them and getting them dirty and then punched in the face.
A large outdoor terrace is a great place to hang on a summer night. Â I suggest you wear something like denim, leather and a handkerchief or head band as this seems to be the preferred style for the season. Â
***Note to self: Â even people here who wear Ed Hardy stuff are assholes, so the rule applies world wide I guess***
Anyhow, the beer is nicely cold and served in a plastic beer glass that seems very upmarket for such a dive bar. Â We got pitchers but none the less, no gripes about the beer, it was as it should be. Â
About the menu, well, who doesn't love fried onion rings?? Â Much of the menu is coming out of the fryer so definitely a place to bring your cholesterol medication with you if you're dining here. Â Haven't tried the breakfast yet but on a morning crawl home sometime, I'll make the point to pass by with my roll of tums and give it a try. Â The prices are cheap for the food and my only guess is that it should be used to soak up the alcohol before the drive home. Â Let it soak up because the cops that sit in the Canyon will know where you are coming from, especially if you're sporting that $500.00 Ed Hardy t-shirt. Â In which case you deserve the ticket for that alone.
As for babes, I've seen  a couple but not many.  The ones that are noteworthy usually show up with some heavy-set bearded guys who use the tanks of their bikes as belly supporters and underbelly massagers/warmers and some of the women look like they are carrying their dual sided bike saddle bags in the back pockets of their jeans.  The live music I can put up with as it tends to draw newer and freakier people into the joint.  If you're needing a safety pin on a Saturday night,  just look around, I'm sure someone can manage to pull one out of their nostril or ear to help you out, just ask.
One odd thing. Â Every time someone went to get a new pitcher of beer, mind you I wasn't drinking alone, we paid different prices for the same pitcher of beer. Â Found this kind of strange. Â Didn't want to make a scene, as I wasn't sporting my Ed Hardy "look at me I'm an asshole t-shirt", but if I were the owner, I'd be looking into this. Â Oh, and teach the bartender how to get a hockey game on one of your tv's. Â Not everyone wants to watch UFC or WWF's Battle Royal again and again.
Oh, one other thing, dont sit at the table by the bathrooms. Â That sanitizer smell from the little urinal pellets tends to waft and is a bitch to get out of your Ed Hardy t-shirt. Â Not to mention it makes for an odd cologne to be wearing when you're trying to chat up some skanky, er, skinny chick with your beer goggles.
Go for the gawking as there is plenty to gawk at and laugh at. Â It's a fun place and I'm sure on a summer night it's even more entertaining, especially when the asshole, er, Ed Hardy fashion show is in full swing.
Basically ... we've got a shack in the middle of no where here.
A shack that attracts the bikers.
A shack with a stage for bands on Saturdays.
A shack with a happy bartender serving $5 captain n cokes.
A shack with a whole crap-load of outdoor seating.
For some reason I was thinking Cook's was on a hill. Nope, it's like, in a ditch. It all works though. I could have easily spent all day there.
Every generation some pretty boy in Hollywood emerges on the cover of beauty magazines to the adulation of screaming 13 yr old girls and the bitter contempt of every he-man alive. Whether it be New Kids, Jonas, Bieber or the young Dicaprio, the red blooded male must do all he can to resist the urge to bash the teen idol's face in. Perhaps deep down inside every he-man values strength and power and resents the accolades pretty boys enjoy from their armies of fawning followers. It's the reason the knee-jerk reaction is to hold up Tupac and Tony Soprano as heroes on a pedestal. It's the reason he-men cheered when De Niro said about his pretty boy opponent, "I don't know whether to fight him or f#ck him."
And it's the reason he-men relish in biker bars like Cook's Corners where warriors and vikings on steel horses may gather and trade war stories. Next Saturday, The Whiskey Jack Band will be headlining the main stage as you enjoy your cold brew. Pull up a barstool at the corner of Live Oak and Santiago Canyon.
Waaaay up in the boonies and in the middle of whoop-whoop, sits this messy scattering of motor bikes and timber and shrubbery. Â Passing by many times I never thought to stop unless I grew a beard and slapped on some chaps. Â Other times I would think how funny it would be to dress up to the nines and saunter in, tip toe over the sawdust and ask to see their martini menu.
OR - you could show up in the middle of a Saturday afternoon, sip beer out of plastic cups ($4.50) and mingle amongst the scruffy looking crowd.
Bar - small but clean. Â Bartender was nice, beer selection was your usual American brews and Hef, Newcastle etc.
Restroom - surprisingly well maintained.
Band - A great group showed up and an ageing rock chick started belting out tunes. Â They were good but my only complaint was that they were much too loud for the tiny space and we had to move outside to be able to talk.
Outside - Huge! Â Hundreds of picnic tables sprawling everywhere. Â I'd love to be here mid-summer when it's packed and chaotic. Â They also sell biker gear, so if the mood strikes you, you really CAN pick up a fringed leather jacket and studded belt. Â
Cool lil "biker bar" type place.
Best biker bar in all of California. Live music every weekend.
Tons of bikes on saturday and sunday, lots of biker events. A great riding destination because its tucked away deep into the canyons of Orange County. Take Santiago Canyon Road from Orange, or Plano Trabuco from Rancho Santa Margarita for the full canyon experience.
There is a mix of bikers, country folk, locals and typical OCers that show up. Tuesday is taco tuesday, wednesday is bike night and during the hot summer days the party is till 2am.
The bands are usually pretty good.
This place still has the grit and rawness of a real biker bar, and not some themed bar. It dates back to 1926 and is still pretty much a shack in the woods. They did upgrade the bathrooms a few years ago, so you don't have to pee into a horse trough anymore ;)
The patio is big beer garden under several trees with a great view of the hills, bikes and stars.
I went on a date yesterday on a motorcycle and our first stop was this bar. I heard about this place before, but hadn't been.
Super divey- biker bar, makes for a great experience, everyone is decked out in leather and biker bars- there are wood rinds on the floor, a little stage, a pool table, and outside seating which is great on a sunny day like yesterday.
It was nice to see families with small children, as well as women enjoying food there.
We got a couple decently priced beers, played some pool and people watched.
definitely a spot worth checking out, ONLY if you come on a motorcycle!
I'm kinda stumped on how to rate Cook's Corner ... sometimes its great and sometimes it sucks. It has a lot to do with the patrons. You can meet some really cool people, and you can also definitely meet some "idjits" who you would love to staple their mouth shut, and then just the middle of those two extremes.
Cook's Corner has a long biker bar history and, hole in the wall ambiance, but they have their own edifice and property, which is cool. The food is just straight-up fast food, burgers, sandwiches, fries... priced very reasonably, don't expect much.
Cook's is a stop for bikers cruising the Santiago / Trabuco Canyon area if you're thirsty, hungry or just want to stop. It's cool, no matter kind of bike you got, cruiser or sportbike or dual-sport or scooter even ... no one will give you a hard time about what you ride, some people might even admire it.
I ride alone and don't really like riding with crowds, I ride by myself, and so I stop there on the "quiet times" like weekdays during work hours, when not many people are around, I get a burger (tastes good), fries and a Coke... and then I have a cigarette, maybe sit for a while and text with people. Apart from ocassionally meeting someone to have a simple chat with, no one bothers me, I enjoy the brief time away from my hectic life, and then I leave.
Otherwise, during "non-quiet" hours, especially weekend, it's full packed with too many kind of people I don't like dealing with!!!! (loud, rowdy) , and the music is definitely not my taste, loud overly done rock - I just don't deal with that, and ride through.
So... if you're a biker and like hanging with A LOT of people, kind of a "party" atmosphere, then this place is for you, especially weekend time!!!
Otherwise, if you're like me and you like your space, quiet, introverted and you don't like being surrounded by bullshit, then just visit there during the quiet periods and you might enjoy it, Cook's is beautifully located after all, otherwise, just ride through. And.... if you're NOT a biker, don't even go!
Don't go here to eat, go here for drinks and  to soak up some genuine OC history. Great spot to hang out on warm non-summer afternoons for some country relaxation. Summer weekends are waaay too crowded unless you arrive in the morning.
As Al L states it is now weekend warrior hell and is no longer a "real dive bar" but at least you wont have to worry about yours and your loved ones personal safety. Â And I enjoy checking out all the new shiny $30k+ machines, all with very low mileage of course.
I returned here a few weeks ago to see a friends band play out on the patio and had a blast. Â Everyone was friendly and having a great time, with some hilarious local color; burned out meth head dancing in front of the stage singing along and doing his best David Lee moves. Â
So get on your bad motorscooter and ride, or load up the SUV with some friends and party up the country.
Cook's is pretty dope. Any reason to go for a ride and get some beers if fine by me. Food is decent, i'm fond of their breakfast.
I pretty much agree with what everyone else is saying, but i didn't see anyone mention the nutter biker broad with all the daggers and leather?! You can't miss her, she's been there everytime i've ever been. You shall know her by her cancer inducing tan, skin that is just as leathery as her assless chaps, and a fondness for D&D style fantasy weaponry. :D ...and i bet she could suck a golf ball through a garden hose. She looks 80, but she's probably in her 50's i'd guess!?
There's also always some old Cowboy lad hanging out smoking a sweet tabaccy pipe. Talk to him if you get a chance, he's cool as shite. Ask to see his magazine articles he always has with him.
Anyways, if you're looking for a nice ride, def hit up Cook's, it's a fun ride getting there and they have nice ice cold Newie's.
Yeah I ride...a mountain bike... Â You'll actually have a much easier time parking your bicycle at Cook's Corner on the weekend, than a motorcycle or car.
Every few weeks my friends and I, or sometimes just the wife and I, pedal our bikes up the Aliso Creek Bikeway from Lake Forest to the end of the Live Oak trail, which puts you just a hop skip and a jump away from Cook's Corner. Â It's a steady incline for about 5 miles with your reward being ice cold beer, some grub, and maybe some music. Â
Cook's Corner is awesome. Â Go on a weekend and check out all of the bikes...errr motorcycles that show up. Â It's not just Harelys. Â It's just mostly Harleys. Â You'll also see plenty of other nice bikes, some pretty tricked out. Â They even set up a store that sells biker gear for the crowd.
If you're not into bikes, people watch. Â That's fun too. Â You'll be sure to see a few ladies wearing leather vests and nothing else on top. Â Some can get away with it, some think that they can. Â It's a totally friendly crowd just out having a good time. Â
There's a kitchen that serves up breakfast items until 11AM and also serves up standard bar fare like burgers, sandwiches, a little Mexican food, and heart stopping artery clogging chili cheese fries...mmmmm.
And don't forget that there is a full friggin bar to handle your beverage needs. Â Note that in the evenings when the band starts playing they stop serving pitchers and bump up prices a little, "since there's no cover charge." Â
They also have live music that starts in the afternoon. Â The last time I was there the band was covering songs from The Doors to The Cult. Â People were dancing and having a great time. Â Check it out.
My husband and I actually ride. Â My husband is an avid rider and an all around motorcycle enthusiast, and we've been to our share of places like this. Â We went on a Sunday for breakfast...at noon. Â You would think on a weekend, breakfast would be served until around 1 or 2, but no, they werent serving breakfast anymore. Â Thus, I docked them 1 star. Â I was imagining this place would be like Alice's, if any of you have been there? Â It was close, but not exactly the same. Â They have a counter where you go up and order your food. Â They call your number and you go grab it and cop a squat at a table and take in the ambiance or just people watch. Â
I can see that it would be a great place to stop for a drink and hang out and chat with your friends, either in the bar, or outside. Â I think maybe I was a little let down because I had a hankering for eggs and coffee, but ended up with fries and a veggie burger. Â The food was good, but I'll have to go back for breakfast and see what I come back with.
They had a chili cook off going out back, so the place was really crowded outside, but inside there were plenty of tables available. Â Definitely do not be intimidated by this place. Â Inside was everyone from hardcore Harley riders to an 80 year old couple sitting behind us that were so adorable.
It's definitely worth the trip out to experience this place and check out all of the motorcycles lined up outside! Â The live music is worth hanging out for too!
I am relatively new to the bikers' culture, but I know enough to know that this place is historic in its own right.
I was advised to order something non-alcoholic by the friendly bikers outside who pointed out spots where they saw other riders "eat it" while attempting to ride inebriated. I had a hot chocolate and some french fries while I was here... the breakfast of champions.
Everyone is so friendly, especially to a newbie (I stood out like a sore thumb in my flimsy white Triple 5 Soul windbreaker in a majority of black-leather-clad riders, and I'm not even trying to be stereotypical here). The inside is bustling and everyone who wants to have a smoke or to just enjoy the cold air hangs out in the parking lot and checks out each others' bikes. My Kuyas had a Harley and a Ducati, so they had plenty of conversation to make.
They also sell leather chaps here, if you're so inclined.
Next time I'm in town.
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