The Orange County restaurant closures of 2023 that hit the hardest

The Orange County restaurant closures of 2023 that hit the hardest

While Orange County played host to a bonanza of eatery openings in 2023 — most notably, Mercado González in Costa Mesa, Gema in San Clemente and JW Hayes BBQ found inside a liquor store — it also saw a slew of closures, with a handful of cherished restaurants saying farewell after decades in the culinary game. Owning and operating a successful business, especially one that prepares and sells food, is no easy feat. But in California, it can be a …