| LA eating covers every extreme: whatever you want to eat and however
much you want to spend, you're spoiled for choice. Try to take at least
a few meals in the more acclaimed restaurants, if only to watch the
city's many self-appointed food snobs going through their paces. If you
simply want to fill up quickly and inexpensively, the options are almost
endless, and include terrific burger stands where you can scarf down
mountains of fried favorites, and the many restaurant and bar happy
hours where you can get a range of good, free food available for the
price of a drink. LA is also littered with celebrity-owned outfits -
like Steven Spielberg's submarine-shaped sandwich store Dive ! and
Planet Hollywood (where displays include Forrest Gump's box of
chocolates) in Beverly Hills - but the food is usually unremarkable, as
many visitors soon discover.
Downtown
Buffet Palace 3014 Olympic Blvd tel 213/480-8949. Authentic Korean
restaurant in the heart of Koreatown, good for spicy barbecued beef.
Clifton's Caféteria 648 S Broadway tel 213/627-1673. A cafeteria
complete with redwood trees.
Buffet Palace 3014 Olympic Blvd tel 213/480-8949. Authentic Korean
restaurant in the heart of Koreatown, good for spicy barbecued beef.
Clifton's Caféteria 648 S Broadway tel 213/627-1673. A cafeteria
complete with redwood trees, waterfall and mini-chapel, and serving good,
inexpensive American staples.
El Cholo 1121 S Western Ave tel 323/734-2773. One of LA's first big
Mexican restaurants and still one of the best, despite the drunken frat-rats
from USC.
La Bella Cucina 949 S Figueroa St tel 213/623-0014. Fabulous pizzas and
homemade pastas, with the accent on northern Italian cuisine, and a
predictably high price tag.
Langer's Deli 704 S Alvarado tel 213/483-8050. Over twenty types of hot
pastrami sandwiches draw the crowds to this classic eatery, despite the
grim surroundings.
Ocean Seafood 750 N Hill tel 213/687-3088. Cavernous and often crowded
Chinese restaurant serving low-priced, excellent food - try the abalone,
crab, shrimp or duck.
The Original Pantry 877 S Figueroa St tel 213/972-9279. Mayor Riordan
owns this classic old diner serving huge pork chops and American
breakfasts served 24hrs a day.
Pacific Dining Car 1310 W 6th St tel 213/483-6000. Starched linen and
very expensive steaks in a former railroad carriage styled after the
hushed tones of an English supper club. Good-value breakfasts available.
Open until 2am.
Philippe's Original 1001 N Alameda St tel 213/628-3781. Since 1908, the
home of delicious French dip sandwiches, stuffed with pork, beef and
lamb; invented right here as well.
Hollywood
Casa Carnitas 4067 Beverly Blvd tel 323/667-9953. Tasty, cheap Mexican
food from the Yucatan, with dishes inspired by Cuban and Caribbean
cooking; lots of seafood, too. Citrus 6703 Melrose Ave tel 323/857-0034.
Trendy, upmarket.
Casa Carnitas 4067 Beverly Blvd tel 323/667-9953. Tasty, cheap
Mexican food from the Yucatan, with dishes inspired by Cuban and
Caribbean cooking; lots of seafood, too.
Citrus 6703 Melrose Ave tel 323/857-0034. Trendy, upmarket restaurant,
serving good California cuisine using fish, duck, and rack of lamb.
Reservations are essential; lunch for two will be at least $65.
French Quarter 7985 Santa Monica Blvd tel 323/654-0898. Inside the
French Market Place, a gay-run, New Orleans-themed Cajun restaurant
that's at least as much fun as Disneyland.
Gloria's Café 3603 W Sunset Blvd tel 323/664-5732. Popular, gay-friendly
local hangout that's great for dinner, especially Cajun food.
Hampton's 1342 N Highland Ave tel 323/469-1090. Over fifty styles of
gourmet hamburger on the menu.
Mexico City 2121 Hillhurst Ave tel 323/661-7227. Spinach enchiladas and
other Californian versions of Mexican standards served in red booths,
with a great view of the street from the wall-length window and a young
crowd. You're allowed to smoke in the adjoining bar, a rarity in LA.
Musso and Frank Grill 6667 Hollywood Blvd tel 323/467-7788. Since 1919,
all the Hollywood bigwigs have frequented this landmark restaurant - but
at $15 for bacon and eggs, you're better off having a cocktail in the
bar.
Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles 1514 N Gower St tel 323/466-7453. Mind-blowingly
caloric delights at this always-packed spot, highlighted by hefty
helpings of the eponymous comfort food.
Shibucho 3114 Beverly Blvd tel 323/387-8498. Excellent sushi bar in the
heart of Little Tokyo; go with someone who knows what to order, as the
waiters don't speak English.
Tommy's 2575 Beverly Blvd tel 310/389-9060. Often called LA's best
burgers: loaded with thick beef, toppings and, most importantly, grease.
But watch the dicey neighborhood.
Yukon Mining Co 7328 Santa Monica Blvd tel 323/851-8833. Colorful coffee
shop catering to local drag queens, Russian immigrants, and residents of
the neighboring senior citizens' home. Open 24hr.
West LA
Apple Pan 10801 W Pico Blvd tel 310/475-3585. Grab a spot at the counter
and enjoy great pies and fresh, juicy hamburgers. A much better choice
than the adjacent Westside Pavilion mall's food court. Campanile 624 S
La Brea Ave tel.
Apple Pan 10801 W Pico Blvd tel 310/475-3585. Grab a spot at the
counter and enjoy great pies and fresh, juicy hamburgers. A much better
choice than the adjacent Westside Pavilion mall's food court.
Campanile 624 S La Brea Ave tel 323/938-1447. Expensive Northern Italian
restaurant with indoor fountain and pleasing pastries from La Brea
Bakery next door.
Canter's Deli 419 N Fairfax Ave tel 323/651-2030. Waitresses in pink
uniforms and running shoes serve kosher soup and sandwiches in a kitsch,
white-vinyl setting, featuring its own bizarre cabaret.
Chung King 11538 W Pico Blvd tel 310/477-4917. The best neighborhood
Chinese restaurant in LA, serving spicy Szechuan food: don't miss out on
the bum-bum chicken.
El Coyote 7312 Beverly Blvd tel 323/939-2255. Heavy portions of Mexican
staples in a gloomy setting. Watch soccer and down the legendary cheap
margaritas in the bar.
Georgia 7250 Melrose Ave tel 323/933-8420. Chic and upscale decor, but
authentically downhome, Southern cooking at this celebrity-owned hot
spot.
The Gumbo Pot 6333 W 3rd St in the Farmers' Market tel 323/933-0358.
Delicious and dirt-cheap Cajun cooking amid hordes of tourists; try the
gumbo yaya of chicken, shrimp and sausage, and the fruit-and-potato
salad.
Mishima 8474 W 3rd St tel 323/782-0181. Some of LA's best miso soup and
udon noodles, at surprisingly affordable prices.
Shamshiry 1916 Westwood Blvd tel 310/474-1410. The best of the Iranian
restaurants in town, offering reasonably priced fine kebabs, pilafs and
exotic sauces.
Swingers 8018 Beverly Blvd tel 323/653-5858. Basic and cheap American
food served in a mildly surreal and trendy motel environment, loaded
with hipsters and slackers.
Tail o' the Pup 329 N San Vicente Blvd tel 310/652-4517. A pop
architecture favorite shaped like a hot dog. Munch on savory red hots
before shopping at the nearby Beverly Center mall.
Tommy Tang's 7313 Melrose Ave tel 323/937-5733. Excellent Thai food in a
very popular restaurant. Incongruous biweekly drag nights, with glammed-up
waiters and a few customers as well.
Santa Monica, Venice and Malibu
Café 50s 838 Lincoln Blvd, Venice tel 310/399-1955. No doubts about this
place: Ritchie Valens on the jukebox and hot 'n' juicy burgers on the
tables. Café Montana 1534 Montana Ave, Santa Monica tel 310/829-3990.
Good breakfasts.
Café 50s 838 Lincoln Blvd, Venice tel 310/399-1955. No doubts about
this place: Ritchie Valens on the jukebox and hot 'n' juicy burgers on
the tables.
Café Montana 1534 Montana Ave, Santa Monica tel 310/829-3990. Good
breakfasts, excellent salads and grilled fish in this art gallery-cum-café
on a new upmarket shopping strip.
Chaya 110 Navy St, Venice tel 310/396-1179. Coolly elegant culinary
crossroads serving Japanese and Mediterranean foods to a smart clientele.
Try the huge California roll platter for two.
Chinois on Main 2709 Main St, Santa Monica tel 310/392-9025. One of LA's
most renowned restaurants, run by chef Wolfgang Puck, and serving
nouveau Chinese dishes like fresh fish in garlic and ginger. Very
expensive, with lunches from $25.
Inn of the Seventh Ray 128 Old Topanga Canyon Rd, just off Topanga
Canyon tel 310/455-1311. The ultimate New Age restaurant, serving
vegetarian and wholefood dishes in a relatively secluded environment.
Excellent desserts, too.
Lighthouse Buffet 201 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica tel 310/451-2076. All-you-can-eat
sushi; indulge to your heart's content for $10 at lunchtime or $20 in
the evening.
Norm's 1601 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica tel 310/450-0074. The
prototypical LA diner, with colorful 1950s architecture and ample $4
breakfasts.
Rae's Diner 2901 Pico Blvd tel 310/828-7937. Another classic retro diner
popular with the late-night crowd. Check out the film True Romance for a
better look.
Valentino 3115 Pico Blvd tel 310/829-4313. Some call it the finest
Italian restaurant in the US - and definitely in LA. Expect to max out
your credit card.
Disneyland and around
Angelo's 511 S State College Blvd, Anaheim tel 714/533-1401. Straight
out of Happy Days , a drive-in complete with roller-skating car-hops and
good burgers. Open until 2am at weekends. Belisle's 12001 Harbor Blvd.
Angelo's 511 S State College Blvd, Anaheim tel 714/533-1401. Straight
out of Happy Days , a drive-in complete with roller-skating car-hops and
good burgers. Open until 2am at weekends.
Belisle's 12001 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove tel 714/750-6560. Open late
with sandwiches, sweet and meat pies, and plenty of baked goods.
Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant 8039 Beach Blvd, located just outside
Knott's Berry Farm tel 714/220-5080. Famous for fried chicken long
before Disneyland was around - serving cheap and tasty meals for about
70 years. Park admission not required.
Ruby's 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach tel 949/675-RUBY. A solid spot for
burgers and fries - the only eatery on this popular pier and one of the
few cheap spots in this upscale burg.
San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys
Dr Hogly-Wogly's Tyler Texas Bar-B-Q 8136 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys tel
818/780-6701. Queue up for the chicken, sausages, ribs and beans - some
of the best in LA. Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain 1526 Mission St,
South Pasadena.
Dr Hogly-Wogly's Tyler Texas Bar-B-Q 8136 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys
tel 818/780-6701. Queue up for the chicken, sausages, ribs and beans -
some of the best in LA.
Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain 1526 Mission St, South Pasadena tel
626/799-1414. Serving good fountain drinks and diner food since the
hallowed days of Route 66. Preserved with plenty of period detail.
Genmai Sushi 4454 Van Nuys Blvd, Van Nuys tel 626/986-7060. Japanese-style
vegetarian restaurant with brown rice, sushi and seasonal macrobiotic
dishes.
Merida 20 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena tel 626/792-7371. Mexican restaurant
with dishes from the Yucatan; try the spicy pork wrapped and steamed in
banana leaves.
Sea Star 2000 W Main St, Alhambra tel 626/282-8833. Affordable dim sum
at its best: pork, baos , potstickers and dumplings, and delicious
sweets.
Wolfe Burger 46 N Lake St, Pasadena tel 626/792-7292. A great place for
chili, tamales and burgers, with huevos rancheros served for breakfast.
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