Gotta Eat Here

California

All the restaurants with an asterisk (*) after the name and the text "Looking forward to eating here." at the end of the note are places I would like to visit that friends, blog posts, articles, TV shows, etc. recommend I eat.

Note: All restaurant addresses link to Google maps.

• 10 Speed Coffee *

  23504 Calabasas Rd
  Calabasas, CA 91302

  (818) 225-8231

  From their website, 'The first 10 Speed Coffee opened up next to a bike shop in Hood River Oregon, and was a social hub for the cycling and coffee community. The interplay between cycling / active lifestyle communities, and cafe culture, has always been at the core of 10 Speed Coffee and is what makes it truly unique. Whether coming or going, beginning or ending an adventure, or getting a little work done in a dynamic and inviting environment, 10 Speed Coffee is your personal local base camp. Responsible sourcing practices and micro batch roasting ensure that we are always producing the highest quality cup of coffee. We are dedicated to growing cycling culture through sponsorship of local riders, events, national races. A percentage of every purchase goes back into the pursuit of growing cycling culture. NOTE: They have multiple locations.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• 24th Street Cafe *

  1415 24th St
  Bakersfield, CA 93301

  (661) 323-8801

  24th Street Cafe is a neighborhood hangout for budget-friendly diner eats like burgers and hearty breakfasts since 1987. From their website, 'A happy place for hungry people! The building that is now known as 24th Street Cafe was originally opened as Cy's Coffee Shop in 1950. 24th street Cafe was established in 1987 by Mark Huggs, a local third-generation restaurateur. 24th Street Cafe has always been a happy place for hungry people!'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• 4505 Burger and BBQ *

  705 Divisadero St
  San Francisco, CA 94117

  (415) 231-6993

  4505 Burger and BBQ is a BBQ spot run by a butcher, with smoked meats, sides, and burgers, to stay on the patio or to-go. If you have a small group, you need to order the Presidential platter which contains a little bit of everything on their menu. From their website, ‘Welcome to 4505 Burgers and BBQ. 4505 Meats began as a whole animal meat company in San Francisco, founded by Ryan Farr with immeasurable help from family and friends in 2009. Here at 4505 Burgers and BBQ, we partner with farmers and ranchers to produce the highest quality BBQ from animals raised humanely and with care. Equipped with one of the area’s last remaining historic wood-fired barbecue pits, we are informed by the traditions and styles that have come before us, and we honor the greats who have stoked the pits in the wee hours of the night.‘

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Anthony Bourdain

• Ad Hoc

  6476 Washington St
  Yountville, CA 94599

  (707) 944-2487

  Ad Hoc is an informal, comfortable eatery serving American fare with a set menu, created by chef Thomas Keller. I went for Sunday brunch, and it was wonderful. We had the best pancakes I have ever eaten there. From their website, ‘In September 2006, Chef Thomas Keller opened the doors to Ad Hoc, his casual dining venue for showcasing the American comfort food of his childhood. The name Ad Hoc, literally meaning “for this purpose,” derives from the restaurant’s original purpose: to temporarily fill a space while Chef Keller’s team developed a different restaurant concept. From the beginning, Ad Hoc was loved by both Napa Valley locals and visitors to the wine country alike, and so this “temporary” restaurant joined Chef Keller’s other Yountville, CA properties as a permanent fixture of Washington Street. The daily-changing four-course menu, featuring classic American dishes like fried chicken, pot roast, and barbeque, is handwritten nightly on chalkboards throughout the restaurant. All courses are served family-style to increase both the conviviality of the Ad Hoc experience and to further recreate the casual comfort of home.’

  Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

• Alfred Coffee Melrose Place *

  8428 Melrose Pl
  Los Angeles, CA 90069

  (323) 944-0811

  Alfred Coffee Melrose Place is a stylish yet whimsical coffee shop serving coffee and juice, along with salads, sandwiches, and pastries. From Timeout website, 'It may be devastatingly hip in both attitude and décor, but Alfred Coffee and Kitchen wears its handlebar mustache well. Swing by this West Hollywood java shop to witness a young, tanned (and invariably Rag and Bone-clad) barista fashion you a mean Americano. The Wi-Fi is free, the coffee is courtesy Stumptown, the pastries are tasty, and the experience is irresistibly Instagram-able.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedian in Cars Getting Coffee

• Alforon Mediterranean *

  5965 El Cajon Blvd
  San Diego, CA 92115

  (619) 269-9904

  Alforon Mediterranean is a homey Lebanese restaurant and bakery specializing in flatbread and meze with old-world decor. From their website, 'We make everything in house from original ingredients, We take pride in our Lebanese Mediterranean rich food preparations, with the promise to keep our kitchen free of preservatives and commercial additives in every way.' From the San Diego Eater website, 'Noteworthy items at this Lebanese restaurant and bakery include soujouk, or spiced beef sausage, tomato, and cheese served on flatbread and the restaurant’s signature Chicken Tawook, a flatbread dish topped with chicken, garlic, and pickles.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• American Beauty *

  425 Rose Ave
  Venice, CA 90291

  (310) 412-0075

  American Beauty serves classic sandwiches, salads, and cheeseburgers all ordered to-go through a storefront window. Casey Niestat recommends ordering their Impossible burger. From the American Beauty website, 'American Beauty is a neighborhood steakhouse located on Rose Avenue in Venice, Ca. Open seven nights a week; the menu features wood-grilled steaks, seafood, and creative and chef-driven takes on a variety of vegetable-forward dishes. The bar at American Beauty takes a craftsman’s approach to cocktails, and boasts a wine list of over 200 selections from around the world.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Casey Niestat

• The Apple Pan *

  10801 W Pico Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90064

  (310) 475-3585

  The Apple Pan is a lively diner dishing up classic American fare from burgers to pies from its tiny counter since 1947. From their website, 'THE APPLE PAN is the result of the effort to do simple things exceedingly well. Into every detail of our food goes that essential ingredient, which is composed of quality, fine flavor, and painstaking preparation. If we win your approval and repeated patronage, we shall have succeeded in making The Apple Pan…“Quality Forver”.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by David Chang's Netflix show Ugly Delicious

• Art's Delicatessen and Restaurant *

  12224 Ventura Blvd
  Studio City, CA 91604

  (818) 762-1221

  Art's Delicatessen and Restaurant serves blintzes, corned beef sandwiches, and matzo-ball soup are menu highlights at this old-fashioned deli. From their website, 'We are a second-generation family-owned business, serving traditional Jewish deli fare. We consider every customer a member of our family. Most of our menu items have been created from old family recipes dating back to the early 1900's.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Backhaus Bakery *

  32 E 3rd Ave
  San Mateo, CA 94401

  From their website, 'Backhaus started out as a Cottage Food Operation, meaning all of our breads and pastries were baked in our home kitchen. A couple of months after we started out, we moved our production to KitchenTown, a local commercial kitchen and food startup incubator in San Mateo.' From the San Fransico Eater website, ‘Anne Moser moved from Germany to California in 2013 and started baking bread with a cottage license before finally opening her bakery in July of 2019. Today, she’s putting out bread, pretzels, and other sweet pastries.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by J. Kenji López-Alt

• Bakesale Bette's *

  5098 Telegraph Ave
  Oakland, CA 94609

  (510) 985-1213

  Bakesale Bette's is a lunchtime bakery is a popular take-out stop for hefty fried chicken sandwiches and classic desserts. You need to order the fried chicken sandwich with home-made coke slaw. From the San Fransico Eater website, ‘Alison Barakat is the Bay Area’s original fried chicken sandwich lady, rocking a blue wig and courting a line down the block in Temescal. Her sandwich is an Oakland urban legend that precedes the latest fried chicken sandwich hype, made with buttermilk-brined breast meat and a jalapeño slaw. Use both hands, and don’t forget to grab napkins. Don’t skip out on a cookie or a pie slice if you’ve still got room.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Cloaed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

• Bangkok West Thai *

  606 Santa Monica Blvd
  Santa Monica, CA 90401

  (310) 395-9658

  Bangkok West Thai serves Thai standards (plus a few Chinese dishes) in a serene space with gold walls and white tablecloths. From their website, ‘In Thai culture, traditional dishes are prepared with a specific balance of ingredients that taste great and promote health and well-being. Beyond that foundation, there’s also a strong belief that food should provide a sense of “sanuk” -- the feeling of joy associated with great times, good friends, and a homey atmosphere. At Bangkok Thai West, we take both to heart as we prepare a wide variety of authentic and fusion Thai cuisine in our luxurious Santa Monica restaurant.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Bavel *

  500 Mateo St
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 232-4966

  From the Eater website about Bavel, 'Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis turned the high beams on Los Angeles’s Arts District with Bestia, an eternal flame of an Italian restaurant that opened in 2012 and still never sees a slow night. For years, they’ve been planning a second place to present both the foods of their heritage (Menashe grew up in Israel, with Turkish and Moroccan ancestry, and Gergis’s family has Egyptian origins) and the roots they’ve put down in Southern California. In Bavel, they realize their goal. Nubbly duck ’nduja gilds some of the smoothest, most purely earthen hummus in America. Chermoula, preserved orange, smoked anchovy, and herbs wrap grilled dorade in a pleasing surround-sound of flavors. The flatbreads, the roasted lamb neck, the walnut and apricot variation on baklava from Gergis (who is a pastry chef): all sensational. The airy space is totally LA, featuring a suspended garden where vines tumble down from the ceiling. Israel’s melting-pot cuisine has proliferated in Southern California — and across the country — since the couple started planning the restaurant half a decade ago. But Bavel, instantly one of the finest in the genre, has arrived right on time.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Eater's 18 Best New Restaurants in America - 2018

• Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery *

  1517 Lincoln Blvd
  Santa Monica, CA 90401

  (310) 395-8279

  Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery is a local staple known for its signature overstuffed sandwiches, Italian deli fare, and gourmet groceries. From their website, 'When you dine at our Italian deli and bakery in Santa Monica, California, you can expect the highest quality food made with the freshest ingredients, along with friendly, personal customer service. Since 1925, we have specialized in homemade, authentic Italian specialties, like our freshly made pasta, bread, and rolls. You can choose from all of our delicious menu items to cater your next big event. Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery is also a gourmet market, where you can find all types of domestic and imported groceries, including cheese, wine, and even housewares.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Beachwood Cafe *

  2695 N Beachwood Dr,
  Los Angeles, CA 90068

  (323) 871-1717

  Beachwood Cafe is a made-from-scratch American eatery with vegan and vegetarian options, plus wine and craft brews. From their website, ‘Beachwood Cafe, which first opened its doors on March 1, 2012, serves modern American cuisine laced with Asian, Scandinavian, and Mediterranean influences, all made with the highest quality, in-season ingredients. The cafe serves fresh farm-to-table fare in the historic Beachwood Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles (internationally recognizable for the iconic Hollywood sign). Our creations strive to honor and frame the fresh ingredients we utilize for clean, layered, and often surprising flavors. Everything is made from scratch on the premises, including handmade bread ‘n’ butter pickles, fennel ketchup, jams, hot sauces, and, of course, baked goods. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Benu *

  22 Hawthorne St
  San Francisco, CA 94105

  (415) 685-4860

  Benu is a minimalist SoMa spot featuring innovative, ultra-pricey American cuisine, and renowned tasting menu. Order dumplings, especially the Foie gras soup dumpling (Xiao long bao). From the San Francisco Eater website, ‘For very special occasions, one of San Francisco’s three-Michelin-starred jewels is tucked away on the short tree-lined street of Hawthorne. The muted white dining room offers a tasting menu that takes you through a selection of chef Cory Lee’s French- and Asian-inspired cuisine, such as the well-loved lobster coral xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings).

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

• BeShock Ramen and Sake Bar

  1288 Market St
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 501-9612

  BeShock Ramen and Sake Bar's light yet flavorful meals are quickly becoming a neighborhood hit. The broth is made from scratch and full of delicious vegetables - perfect for those looking to stay on the healthier side of dining out. Ramen, sushi roll, and even fried chicken and they have something that you need to satisfy any craving. Make sure to order the edamame and the pan-fried pork dumplings or any of the Ramens. From their website, 'Award winning Ramen restaurant in San Diego! BESHOCK brought in flavors of Japan in a heart of East Village from ramen, sushi, wide varieties of sake to Japanese whiskies. Come and dine with us as we are ready to share our soul foods, drinks and stories.'

• Best Fish Taco In Ensenada *

  1650 Hillhurst Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90027

  (323) 466-5552

  Best Fish Taco In Ensenada serves Baja-style shrimp and fish tacos, plus housemade salsas, in a tiny, eclectic space with patio seating. From their website, ‘The Baja style fish taco was invented historically in the sleepy little fishing village of Ensenada. In Ensenada, there is one fish taco stand that is considered the favorite by all the people who live there. And that is what we proudly bring to you. The closest thing to standing on a beach in Baja, munching on mariscos with sand between your toes, is biting into a Best Fish Taco in Ensenada. Only you don’t have to drive to Mexico for this taco – just the heart of Los Feliz. What you put in your belly is made right before your eyes. Soft, crispy crust surrounds tender morsels of fish and shrimp.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• BiergartenLA *

  206 N Western Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90004

  (323) 466-4860

  BiergartenLA is a contemporary beer hall with multiple TVs, offering craft brews, and an American-Korean fusion menu. Order the Koran burger with kimchi and Spam or the any of their sausages. From their website, ‘We are a neighborhood spot where anyone who loves good food and great beers can get a taste of Korean-infused flavors and be part of the community in Koreatown. Come feel the warmth, friendliness, and good cheer. Kick back, have fun, and join in and be a part of our community. Other qualities encompassed by the term include coziness, peace of mind, and a sense of belonging and well-being springing from social acceptance.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Bill's Burgers *

  14742 Oxnard St
  Van Nuys, CA 91411

  (818) 785-4086

  From the Los Angles Eater website about Bill's Burgers,'The lunch crowd starts to build around noon at this seemingly far-flung burger stand in an industrial district in San Fernando Valley's Van Nuys. Contractors, police officers, office denizens, and students congregate for the siren call of burgers grilling on a steel flattop that's almost ninety years old. Thankfully, Bill Elwell of Bill and Hiroko's, isn't quite that old, just a mere 86 years, and the continuous proprietor of this burger stand since the mid 1960's. This Van Nuys staple continues to impress with its roadside flair and lovable crank-of-an-owner, Bill Elwell, though recently a For Sale sign has been spotted on the historic stand. Until the place is no more, expect Elwell to turn out freshly-griddled burgers himself.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

• Bing's Dumplings *

  34360 Fremont Blvd
  Fremont, CA 94555

  (510) 320-5360

  Bing's Dumplings specializes in noodles and dumplings and specialize in Xiao Long Bao. Try their soup dumpling along with their hand-pulled noodles with scallion and dried shrimp, and their lamb and pumpkin dumplings. From the San Fransico Eaerwebsite, 'The Fremont restaurant is mostly known for its soup dumplings, which it sells frozen — $22 for a bag of 30 — along with a variety of other frozen dumplings, wontons, and buns. The restaurant also sells hot food for takeout Friday–Sunday.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• Bludso's Bar & Que *

  609 N La Brea Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90036

  (323) 931-2583

  Bludso's Bar and Que is a sit-down outpost of a local Texas BBQ joint offering classic meats and sides, plus creative cocktails. From tehir website, 'Bludso’s is an institution at this point, turning out reliable Texas-style smoked meats in a sports bar-like environment along La Brea. Co-founder Kevin Bludso is Los Angeles barbecue royalty, so it’s no surprise this place still holds up.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Blue Star Donuts

  1142 Abbot Kinney Blvd
  Venice, CA 90291

  (310) 450-5630

  Blue Star Donuts is a minimalist cafe for grab-and-go brioche donuts in grown-up flavors such as blueberry-bourbon-basil and the best apple fritter I have ever had in my life and I'm in my mid 50's. Couldn't believe there is now a few Blue Star Donuts in the Los Angles area. You need to try one of their apple fritters, but any of their donuts will not steer you wrong. NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill *

  3667 India St
  San Diego, CA 92103

  (619) 497-0914

  Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill is an authentic Mexican-style seafood taco's with special sauce, served with house-made tortillas. The items to order are the Sea Bass Taco or the Halibut Sandwich. From their website, 'Our menu is how we share those experiences with you. Every day we start with the freshest fish we can get, and carefully prepare it to enhance its flavor. Every plate, every sandwich, every fish taco is an expression of fresh and local. Whenever possible, we buy local fish directly from the fishermen who catch them – or we catch them ourselves. Ask the guy behind the counter “what looks good?” He might cut you a piece of Yellowtail he caught off La Jolla himself – early this morning.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Bouchon Bakery

  6528 Washington St
  Yountville, CA 94599

  (707) 944-2253

  Bouchon Bakery is a French-style bakery where Chef Thomas Keller is offering pastries plus sandwiches, coffee, and a courtyard. Their pastries are some of the best I have ever had. From their website, ‘In July 2003, Chef Thomas Keller opened the doors of his first Bouchon Bakery. Located in Yountville, California, alongside Keller’s Bouchon Bistro and just down the road from The French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery was first conceived as a way to provide these restaurants with one-of-a-kind breads. Quickly, the bakery blossomed into an important establishment in its own right. In the style of classic French boulangeries, the bakery features a wide selection of artisanal breads and classic desserts inspired by Chef Keller’s memories of life in France, as well as his own childhood in the United States.’

• Brent's Deli Northridge *

  19565 Parthenia St
  Northridge, CA 91324

  (818) 886-5679

  Brent's Deli Northridge is a bustling deli that doles out sizable sandwiches and other classics along with an all-day breakfast menu. From their website, 'Brent’s Delicatessen & Restaurant is a family-owned deli in Southern California dedicated to serving guests quality meals--from traditional recipes to premium cuts. Established in 1967, Brent’s Deli has earned acclaim for its mile-high Reuben sandwich and has been voted the #1 delicatessen and restaurant in Los Angeles...'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Burritos La Palma *

  5120 Peck Rd
  El Monte, CA 91732

  (626) 350-8286

  Burritos La Palma serves what Jonathan Gold has called its birria de res one of his five favorite burritos. They also serve a goat version from what I read, but I could be wrong. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'Northern Mexican burritos (a regional style of taco) filled with savory stews were as much an innovation when the Bañuelos family opened Burritos La Palma in Jerez, Zacatecas in 1980 as they were when the first U.S. branch launched in El Monte five years ago. The beef birria burrito drips with simply seasoned meat juices and a light smear of refried beans, whose fragrant flavors permeate the fresh flour tortilla, staining through in a reddish-brown.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• The Butcher's Daughter

  1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd,
  Venice, CA 90291

  (310) 981-3004

  The Butcher's Daughter is a bright, bleached-wood outpost offering vegetarian (mostly vegan) fare, and juices in a relaxed space. I'm not a big eggs Benedict person but enjoyed their Avocado Eggs Benedict with hash browns and a side of Impossible Burger maple and sage pork sausage. Even saw film producer Brian Grazer and his wife there. From their website, ‘The Butcher’s Daughter is a plant-based restaurant, cafe, juice bar, and “vegetable slaughterhouse.” We treat fruits and vegetables as a butcher would meat: We chop, fillet, and carve fresh produce into healthy vegetarian dishes and press them into pretty juices.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Cafe 247 *

  32866 Old Woman Springs Rd
  Lucerne Valley, CA 92356

  (760) 248-6088

  Cafe 247 serves chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and a steamed vegetable medley. Reasonably priced and the portions are enormous, so you get more than you pay for. They also have eggs, potatoes, waffles, sausage, and biscuits and gravy. The atmosphere is modern and very comfortable. The staff is very attentive, professional and friendly. You need to order the BBQ.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Cafe Gratitude *

  512 Rose Ave
  Venice, CA 90291

  (424) 231-8000

  Cafe Gratitude uses locally sourced, organic vegan food and drinks served in a bright, spacious cafe with patio seating. From their website, 'Cafe Gratitude is our expression of a world of plenty. Our food and people are a celebration of our aliveness. We select the finest ingredients to honor the earth and ourselves, as we are one and the same. We support local farmers, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and environmentally friendly products. Our food is prepared with love. We invite you to step inside and enjoy being someone that chooses: loving your life, adoring yourself, accepting the world, being generous and grateful every day, and experiencing being provided for.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Cafe Nooner *

  409 Opera Alley
  Eureka, CA 95501

  (707) 443-4663

  Cafe Nooner serves Mediterranean fare with gourmet flair in an old-world setting with a small patio. You need to order the pulled pork sandwich. From the Food Network website, 'Joe and Lorrena Filgas quit their corporate jobs to start Cafe Nooner, a Creole-Mediterranean fusion restaurant. Local, organic ingredients are used here to create tantalizingly fresh dishes. Guy can’t get enough of the Creole-seasoned pulled pork sandwich that is crispy, tender, and full of flavor.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Caffe Luxxe *

  925 Montana Ave
  Santa Monica, CA 90403

  (310) 394-2222

  Caffe Luxxe is part of a Euro-style coffeehouse chain with artisanal brews, pastries, and other light bites. From their website, 'Established to bring a unique luxury to coffee and culinary experience, Caffe Luxxe was the first caffe in Los Angeles to champion a move towards handcrafted artisanal espresso and brewed coffee. Our dedication to serving the best, individually crafted beverages has helped LA drinkers discover what fine coffees can taste like, earning us numerous accolades by customers and journalists alike. Handcrafting every single drink is our daily passion, and we strive to make each drink better than the last.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Canter's Deli *

  419 N Fairfax Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90036

  (323) 651-2030

  Canter's Deli is a landmark deli offering a huge variety of hearty sandwiches and baked goods around the clock. From their website, 'Canter's Deli offers an authentic deli-style experience unparalleled anywhere on the West Coast. Our endless menu is full of breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items available 24 hours a day. Fresh baked goods are available from our bakery. A full bar and Cocktail Lounge is open 10:30 AM - 1:40 AM.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  24 hrs

• Carnitas el Momo *

  2411 Fairmount St
  Los Angeles, CA 90033

  (323) 627-8540

  Carnitas el Momo is in a tarp-covered courtyard near 61st and Avalon where Carnitas El Momo sets up on Saturday mornings is tough to spy from the street, but the thud of meat cleaver against wood acts as a homing beacon. From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘The best way to have carnitas at Romulo Acosta’s shrine to Mexican confit-style pork cuts is to skip the onions and cilantro and squeeze in some juices from a pickled jalapeño, chasing each bite of moist pork with some of the chile. That’s the way it’s done in Salamanca, Guanajuato. For more than half-century, “Momo” has been making artisanal carnitas, a trade he’s passed onto his children, ensuring the best carnitas in the U.S. are here to stay. Decades after serving carnitas to garment factory workers at 60th and Avalon in South Park, Carnitas El Momo ascended to become one of LA’s most popular street food operations, debuting a trailer in Boyle Heights in 2015. Now, the 82-year-old taquero, a recent heart attack and stroke survivor, is realizing a dream that he formed after leaving his family behind years ago in Salamanca. “I wanted the carnitas business to provide a living for my children and their children,” he says.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

• Carousel Restaurant *

  304 N Brand Blvd
  Glendale, CA 91203

  (818) 246-7775

  Carousel Restaurant serves Middle Eastern fare at this no-frills spot that has dancing and live music on weekends. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'It’s all about the mezze, a serious spread of hot and cold appetizers, at this three-decade-old Lebanese institution. Greg and Rose Tcholakian opened the original Carousel in a Hollywood strip mall in 1984 serving kebabs, vegetarian specialties, and traditional dishes. In 1998, the couple’s son opened the swankier Glendale outlet, which allowed for an expanded menu, live entertainment on weekends, and a moodier ambiance.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by David Chang's Netflix show Ugly Delicious

• Cassell's Hamburgers *

  3600 W 6th St
  Los Angeles, CA 90020

  (213) 387-5502

  Cassell's Hamburgers is a burger joint in the Hotel Normandie offering breakfast and classic American fare in a diner setting. You need to order the patty melt or the breakfast sandwich which is between two hash brown patties with avocado. From their website, ‘Our story began in 1948 when Al Cassell opened Cassell’s Hamburgers, which became an iconic lunch counter in Los Angeles. Famously known for grinding fresh beef every day and making his own mayonnaise, his passion for the hamburger lives on. Cassell’s Hamburgers now resides in the historic Hotel Normandie in Los Angeles. We’ve added to the original hamburger stand with classic milkshakes and malts, a classic 50s breakfast menu, a coffee bar, house-made pies, and a fully stocked bar.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Cassia *

  1314 7th St
  Santa Monica, CA 90401

  (310) 393-6699

  Cassia is a casual spot for upscale French-Asian fare and seafood served indoors or on the patio. Order the Spice Table cheeseburger, which was formerly from the Spice Table before it became part of a new subway station from what the Los Angles Times said. From their website, 'Cassia is a member of the Rustic Canyon Family and is a partnership between husband-and-wife duos Bryant and Kim Ng along with Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan. Taking its roots from Bryant and Kim’s culinary heritage and experiences, Cassia celebrates the fresh, vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia, striking a unique balance of soulful, ancestral cuisine and a California sensibility, utilizing the best quality ingredients from local farmers.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Catelli's Restaurant *

  21047 Geyserville Ave
  Geyserville, CA 95441

  (707) 857-3471

  Catelli's Restaurant is a longtime family-style spot serves locally sourced Italian cuisine in a charming space with a patio. They are known for their meatball slides that come as three mini sliders with tomato sauce, free-range beef, House-made pork sausage and a bit of Parmesan or order the ravioli which come with Classic 3-Meat filling or Cheese filling made with Bellweather Farms fresh ricotta. You can choose butter garlic, Richard’s meat sauce or DC’s sauce. Or get the lasagna which is truly Italian style with ten paper-thin layers of hand-made pasta, organic tomato sauce, ricotta, and herb cheese filling and surprisingly light and hearty at the same time.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Cerveteca *

  9418 Venice Blvd
  Culver City, CA 90232

  (310) 837-3836

  Cerveteca is a counter-service stand for traditional Mexico City-style eats plus a few stray tables and chairs. From their website, 'Cerveteca is a family-owned Mexican joint. Chef Mama prepares traditional family recipes that have been handed down for generations from her hometown, Veracruz, Mexico, known for its rich culinary history. At Cerveteca, our tortillas are handmade, our sauces are made from scratch, in-house, and our food is flame-grilled and prepared daily. Try our Breakfast Burrito, awarded “Best Breakfast Burrito in LA,” or stop by for some amazing Tacos, Burritos, Tortas, or Bowls. If that doesn’t hit the spot, an LA Street Dog or our almost famous Drunken Fries will.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Chavez Taqueria

  666 N Fair Oaks Ave
  Chavez Supermarket
  Sunnyvale, CA 94085

  (408) 736-3793

  The Chavez Taqueria is an outpost of a chain of full-service Mexican grocery stores known for baked goods, meat and takeout. You need to go to one of their stores to order tacos from the Chavez Taqueria. When you walk into this small grocery store, you can smell the tacos/Mexican foods as soon as you walk in the door. I remember ordering the Al Pastor and Lengua and a few other Super Tacos. From their website, 'Chavez Supermarkets is a family-owned and operated Hispanic supermarket chain located in the San Francisco Bay Area. We take pride in offering the highest quality meats, produce, baked goods, and Taquerias. Established in 1984, Chavez Supermarket continues to grow.' NOTE: They have multiple locations and not sure if all have tacos.

• chi SPACCA *

  6610 Melrose Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90038

  (323) 297-1133

  chi SPACCA serves meaty, upscale Italian fare from a trio of star chefs in a Tuscan atmosphere with worn-wood tables. From their website, 'Heralded as a “meat Speakeasy” by Food and Wine Magazine, and One of The Best Restaurant Openings by Angeleno Magazine, Bon Appetit and La Weekly, Chi Spacca Is Nancy Silverton's Small, Intimate restaurant on The Corner of Melrose and Highland. Nestled between Mozza2Go and Osteria Mozza, Chi SPACCA– Italian for “she (or he) who cleaves” – has come to represent the quintessential new Italian dining experience. Chi SPACCA was borne of the wildly-popular family-style salumi night dinners hosted weekly at Scuola di Pizza, the previous occupant of the chi SPACCA space. Enchanted by the artistry of Italian salumi culture, we built the first “dry cure” program in LA so that we could experiment and perfect Italian charcuterie techniques in-house. Open daily for dinner, chi SPACCA is an “ode to meat, beautiful meat,” as well as boldly seasoned fish dishes, an ever-changing array of caramelized farmers' market vegetables, and beautiful salads.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Clove and Hoof *

  4001 Broadway
  Oakland, CA 94611

  (510) 547-1446

  Clove and Hoof is a hip butcher shop displaying daily meats in a modern setting with cafe seating for bistro dishes. Order their version of a Philly cheesesteak or the fried chicken sandwich with fish sauce caramel. From the San Fransico Eater website, ‘This restaurant and butcher’s shop sources from local ranches to serve the best cuts around. As one would expect, there’s lots of meat on their prepared food menu, and a burger is a popular choice. But the fried chicken sandwich is a hot take, covered in caramelized fish sauce, with fresh pineapple, herb salad, and green curry mayo.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Commonwealth *

  1022 11th St
  Modesto, CA 95354

  (209) 248-7451

  Commonwealth is an urban haunt with seasonal grub, many West Coast beers, and global wines, along with a weekend brunch and a patio. You should order the taco trio of grilled Buffalo chicken, pulled pork, and the Banh Mi or the waffle sandwich with egg, ham, and cheese with a side of potatoes. From their website, ‘Commonwealth began its journey in downtown Modesto, CA, in 2014 with the idea of having a casual lunch and dinner spot, with an extensive offering of craft beer, in a fun atmosphere. Commonwealth quickly became popular with Modesto’s restaurant and beer lovers, landing us with a coveted spot on Food Network’s, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2016.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Crossroads Cafe

  61715 Twentynine Palms Highway
  Joshua Tree, CA 92252

  (760) 366-5414

  Crossroads Cafe is a creative spin on diner classics, including vegan options, served in a chill, quirky setting. Order Mike’s Mess which is scrambled eggs with mushrooms, bacon, potatoes, two types of cheese, and chive. Also, get the rye toast, pork sausage, and even try the seitan. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'Crossroads Cafe serves diner food inspired by southwest and California tastes. In other words, there are good old-fashioned hamburgers made with beef, but there are also ahi tuna burgers with jalapeno-lime aioli and Impossible burgers on brioche. The menu also includes tacos, quesadillas, sandwiches, salads, housemade pastries, and beer and wine.'

• D's Original Take Out Grill *

  7873 S Western Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90047

  (323) 971-3663

  D's Original Take Out Grill is a petite mom-and-pop restaurant with Western decor specializing in grilled BBQ food and classic sides. From their website, 'Damon and Wendy Stalworth, a husband and wife team opened their very first Family owned restaurant, D's Original Take Out Grill in 2009, and it's still going strong. Their passion, hard work, dedication, and love for what they do and the clients they serve make it all worth it while on the road to success.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

• Dandelion Chocolate *

  740 Valencia St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 349-0942

  Dandelion Chocolate is a small-batch chocolatier offering handmade candy bars and brownies, cocoa beans, and educational classes. They serve hot chocolates, espresso drinks, frozen drinks, and a full line of pastries made in-house by our Executive Pastry Chef, Lisa Vega. To catch a view of their production process, grab a seat along the chalkboard corridor with a hot chocolate and watch their chocolate makers make cocoa beans into chocolate bars. From their website, 'We're Dandelion Chocolate, a bean-to-bar chocolate maker in San Francisco's Mission District. For over 10 years, we've been turning cocoa beans and organic sugar into single-origin dark chocolate. We travel and build lasting relationships with cocoa farmers and producers, then craft small batches of chocolate back home in our San Francisco factory. With a minimal approach, we aim to highlight different cocoa beans' distinctive flavor notes—from classic fudge to tangy fruit.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Dinah's Family Restaurant *

  6521 S Sepulveda Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90045

  (310) 645-0456

  Dinah's Family Restaurant is a comfortable, retro restaurant serving diner-style comfort fare, including acclaimed fried chicken. From their website, 'Dinah’s Family Restaurant first opened its doors in 1959. Great food, competitive prices, exceptional service, in a most enjoyable atmosphere; was the expectation of Dinah’s Family Restaurants’ original owners. Forty-eight years later and still family-owned, Dinah’s delicious homemade food specialties like “Oven Baked Pancakes” and “Famous Fried Chicken” are just two examples of why a dining experience at Dinah’s is a step above all others.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Dynamo Donuts *

  2760 24th St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 920-1978

  Dynamo Donuts' owner, Sara Spearin's menu, changes all the time, with inspired flavors like vanilla-orange zest and chocolate star anise sprinkled with cocoa nibs. The bacon-maple doughnut, with smoky sautéed apples, is now available every day. It's a hip, compact stop for donuts and coffee. Phil of Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix) and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt recommends getting the apple fritter. From their website, 'Established in July 2008 by pastry chef Sara Spearin, Dynamo Donut and Coffee is the original local artisan donut shop. Using seasonal, local, and organic ingredients wherever possible, Dynamo Donuts are the tastiest, lightest, and fluffiest cake and classic donuts in San Francisco. Visit the Mission storefront or the Marina Kiosk to enjoy our legendary classic donuts and seasonal varieties.' From the San Fransisco Eater website, 'Dynamo is best known for its Maple Bacon Apple doughnut, but Sara Spearin’s unique and refined flavor pairings make all of Dynamo’s light, chewy (in a good way) handmade doughnuts worth a special trip to their storefront in the Mission or kiosk in the Marina. Other favorites include the Caramel de Sel, Chocolate Rose, and Spiced Chocolate. (Or, just: all of them.)

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Phil of Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix) and J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

• Earle's *

  3864 Crenshaw Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90008

  (323) 299-2867

  Earle's is a storied hot dog stand turned storefront for beef, turkey, and vegan links; all served to go. From Earle's website, 'Every hot dog is grilled to perfection and satisfaction. We are one of the few places where you will see meat-eaters and vegan/veggie eaters, eat together in harmony. The truth is, our meals are so delicious that you'd be more than happy to consume them in a barn. But you don't have to because our attention to detail extends to every facet of our restaurant's décor.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

  Recommended by Roy Chio’s Broken Bread

• Eggslut *

  317 S Broadway
  Grand Central Market
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 625-0292

  Eggslut is a casual, egg-centric food stand in the Grand Central Market offering omelets and other American grub. Get the eggslut which is a poached egg with mashed potatoes in a mason jar. Plus, the Fairfax egg sandwich and the sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. From their website, 'Eggslut is a chef-driven, gourmet food concept founded in 2011. It's inspired by a true love for eggs. The menu is a balance of comfort and innovation, celebrating food that appeals to both novice and extreme foodie through classic comfort fare with a twist, all-encompassing our key ingredient, eggs. Our goal is to share our food with everyone. No longer just a breakfast staple, we make eggs appetizing all day, every day. When patrons dine with Eggslut, we want it to be more than just a meal, we want it to be an experience. Our focus is on the quality and taste of our food, consistent presentation, and great customer service.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• El Gallo Giro Taco Truck *

  23rd St and Treat Ave
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 240-1224

  El Gallo Giro Taco Truck serves some of the crispiest, tastiest carnitas available. Their two daughters now run El Gallo Giro with their parents. From the SF Weekly 'There's nothing fancy at this truck, just the egalitarian pleasure of chunks of pork seared on the grill long enough to get the edges crisp, but not so long that they dry out. A quick splash of a medium-hot salsa, diced onions, and chopped cilantro gets sprinkled on the pork after it's nestled on a couple of corn tortillas.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Saturday and Sunday

• El Indio Mexican Restaurant *

  3695 India S
  San Diego, CA 92103

  (619) 299-0385

  El Indio Mexican Restaurant is a casually decorated and popular spot serving traditional Mexican fare since 1940. Order the tamales, rolled Taquitos, or the corn tortillas. From their website, 'El Indio was founded at the corner of India and Grape as a tortilla factory in August of 1940 by Ralph Pesqueira Sr. Fresh corn tortillas were made by hand. During WWII, customers from Consolidated, Convair and other nearby factories soon began asking for ready to eat lunch items. Ralph Sr. responded by making the “taquito,” a word he coined meaning “little taco.”'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• El Puesto

  789 W Harbor Dr
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 233-8880

  El Puesto is a bi-level eatery with floor-to-ceiling windows serving an innovative, locally sourced Mexican menu. They serve great upscale tacos of which I usually get the fish tacos. Haven't had a bad meal there yet. From the San Diego Eater website, 'Chef Luisteen Gonzalez’s plant-based menu omits the cheese from his popular Mexico City-style tacos, allowing the delicate flavors of vegetables to shine. The Mushroom Taco is a work of art with garlic braised morels and beec, dressed in pink pickled onions, sweet and spicy stone fruit serrano salsa, and delicate hearts on fire leaves. The Verduras Taco—a sautee of rajas, tatume squash, potatoes, corn, and nopales—arrives under a lobe of avocado with a fluttering zucchini blossom.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• El Tonayense *

  1719 Harrison St
  San Francisco, CA 94103

  (415) 559-0404

  El Tonayense has been in the Mission District for over 20 years. They wanted to bring authentic Mexican foods to the United States. You need to order the chicken and tripe tacos. From their website, 'In Mexico are food stands in every corner. We wanted to bring authentic Mexican tacos. El Tonayense decided to share with others our delicious Mexican food. Our Mexican food is fresh, fast, high-quality meats and has reasonable prices. That is why we have had such success in the Bay Area. Our customers enjoy our food during their events. The family comes from the area of Tonaya, Jalisco, Mexico. That is how the name of El Tonayense was born. We are here to serve you, so you can enjoy our secret salsa. Only the family Santana knows how to make the salsa. That is what distinguishes us from the other Taquerias. We will be waiting for you to come and enjoy our authentic food and salsa. Or give us a call as we cater as well.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe *

  17143 N D St
  Victorville, CA 92394

  (760) 243-9938

  Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe is a storied 1947 diner dishing up American comfort classics and big burgers in an old-timey setting. Emma Jean's son and daughter keep the tradition alive with their mother's recipes. This legendary trucker paradise aims for a 'it simple' menu that's stayed true to its roots for more than 60 years. You need to order the homemade biscuits and the all-American Brian Burger. From the Food Network website, 'Emma Jean's son and daughter keep the tradition alive with their mother's recipes. This legendary trucker paradise aims for a “keep it simple&rdqo; menu that's stayed true to its roots for more than 60 years. The result? Guy devoured the homemade biscuits and couldn't resist the all-American Brian Burger. They recommended ordering the Trucker Special Sandwich with Roasted Tri-Tip.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday

• Espresso Profeta *

  1129 Glendon Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90024

  (310) 208-3375

  Espresso Profeta is a cozy brick-walled coffeehouse near UCLA boasting a leafy patio, free WiFi, and light fare. From their website, 'We pride ourselves on delivering the best espresso drinks by using the highest quality ingredients and training. We exclusively use Espresso Vivace beans from Seattle. Our baristas are trained to pull double ristretto shots, extracting the fullest flavor for each coffee.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Factor's Famous Deli *

  9420 W Pico Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90035

  (310) 278-9175

  Factor's Famous Deli is a booth-lined Jewish delicatessen known for its matzo ball soup and corned beef on rye with a patio. You need to order the pastrami sandwich if nothing else from what I've seen. From their website, 'Factor's Famous Deli has been at the same Los Angeles location on Pico Blvd since 1948. The Markowitz Family has owned and operated Factor's since 1969, and from the very beginning, Herman and Lili Markowitz strived to provide quality food, generous portions, and friendly service in a warm family atmosphere. Over the years, we have expanded Factor's, adding a large take-out counter, garden patio, and alfresco dining, preserving our commitment to the original quality and friendly service established by our parents. As a tribute to our parents, we are keeping their commitment alive. To all our friends who continue to enjoy this special establishment, we thank you for your support and hope every visit is a very pleasant one.' From the Food and Wine website, 'Factor’s, an L.A. institution, has become a go-to in the Jewish community for life’s biggest celebrations and also everything else.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Fatted Calf *

  644 1st St
  Suite C
  Napa, CA 94559

  (707) 256-3684

  Fatted Calf is a high-end butcher-plus, with grass-fed beef, house-cured meats, sandwiches, and gourmet items to go. From their website, 'Walk through our doors, and it feels as if you’ve entered a secret world of meaty wonders. The aroma of a crispy-skinned pork roast fills the shop, inviting you to try a bite. Our cases are filled with pâtés, salumi, sausages, roasts, and terrines–and when the meat counter crew offers you a slice of the fennel-flecked Sbriciolona and a piece of headcheese, it’s hard to say no. Walk back into our kitchen, and you’ll smell spices toasting, bones roasting, and broths simmering. A charcuterie is a bit of a strange business, and the Fatted Calf is an unusual charcuterie. More than just a butcher shop, we offer meaty goods and services that are varied and unique. Pick out a duck or a slab of ribs and we’ll cook it up for you.' NOTE: They ahve multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Steve from Rancho Gordo

• Felix Trattoria *

  1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd
  Abbot Kinney Blvd Shopping
  Venice, CA 90291

  (424) 387-8622

  From their website, ‘Latin for “happy” or “lucky,” Felix is inspired by the deeply rooted culinary traditions of regional Italy and enriched with ingredients grown by California’s greatest family farms. Evan Funke and Janet Zuccarini bring the best of Italy to Abbot Kinney. We welcome you in the Italian spirit as honored friends at our table.’ From the Los Angles EAter website, ‘Chef Evan Funke’s dedication to serving some of the best pizza and handmade pasta in the city has yielded tremendous results. Plan on making several return trips to eat through the pasta menu, which is broken down by regions of Italy — and don’t forget to catch the pasta-making action from the main dining room.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Ferry Building Marketplace *

  1 Sausalito
  San Francisco Ferry Bldg #21
  San Francisco, CA 94111

  (415) 983-8030

  The Ferry Building Marketplace has vendors that sell produce, cheese, coffee, candy, cured meats, and prepared food in this soaring, restored 1898 space. If you like charcuterie, you need to get to Boccalone Salumeria. From their website, ‘We are very committed to the artisan food community and to fostering the values of that community here at the Ferry Building. We envision the Ferry Building Marketplace as a vibrant gathering of local farmers, artisan producers, and independently owned and operated food businesses and the customers they serve. We’ve created a community of like-minded people to support our mission and key goals.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Filippi's Pizza Grotto *

  1747 India St
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 232-5094

  Filippi's Pizza Grotto is a chain outpost offering pizza and red-sauce Italian staples in generous portions. NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Flour and Water *

  2401 Harrison St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 826-7000

  Flour and Water create handcrafted Italian grub, including pasta and wood-fired pizza, served in a casual, rustic space. From their website, 'Flour and Water continue to showcase a menu influenced by regional traditions throughout Italy with Northern Californian inspirations led by Executive Chef Thomas McNaughton. Flour and Water serves a daily changing menu of house-made pasta, exposing the regional variety found throughout Italy, Neapolitan-style pizzas prepared in a wood-fired oven and carefully crafted dishes utilizing seasonal ingredients.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Food Fix Truck *

  610 N 9th St
  Modesto, CA 95350

  (209) 525-3663

  Food Fix is dedicated to providing great, from scratch food, utilizing local products. They are a family based company whose goal is to provide home cooked, original food creations that everyone can enjoy. Food Fix supports local farmers and artisan food makers because we know we can trust our family, friends, and neighbors. Order the porkstrami pretzel roll sandwich or the root beer pulled pork with tangy slaw sandwich. From their website, ‘Food Fix is dedicated to providing great, from-scratch food, utilizing local products. We are a family-based company whose goal is to provide home-cooked, original food creations that everyone can enjoy. We support local farmers and artisan food and beer makers because we know we can trust our family, friends, and neighbors. Visit the Food Truck by following our social medias or head to Food Fix Butcher and Baker downtown for a great meal & some local craft beer.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• The Forks Resort *

  39150 Rd 222
  Bass Lake, CA 93604

  (559) 642-3737

  From The Forks Resort website, 'The Forks Restaurant, home of the famous “Forks Burger”, offers the finest in family dining. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring homemade soups, chili, and dressings, served in the original “50’s Diner” setting.' Helen Rosner recommends one of their burgers.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Helen Rosner

• The French Laundry *

  6640 Washington St
  Yountville, CA 94599

  (707) 944-2380

  The French Laundry is Chef Thomas Keller's refined fixed-price meals continually draw food lovers to this stone farmhouse. Have wanted to go here for years and hope to in the future. From their website, ‘Chef Thomas Keller visited Yountville, California, in the early 1990s to find a space to fulfill a longtime culinary dream: to establish a destination for fine French cuisine in the Napa Valley. In his travels, he came across a rustic two-story stone cottage. As he walked into the restaurant’s quaint courtyard, he knew it was where he had been headed throughout his career. The French Laundry, a 1,600-square-foot structure constructed of river rock and timbers, was built as a saloon in 1900 by a Scottish stonemason. The building later served as a residence and, during the 1920s, operated as a French steam laundry. In 1978, town mayor Don Schmitt and his wife Sally renovated the structure into a restaurant, which Keller then purchased in 1994. The menu, which changes daily, commits itself to serving classic French cuisine with the finest quality ingredients, along with a similarly intense focus on impeccable guest service.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

• Frontier Café

  55844 Twentynine Palms Highway
  Yucca Valley, CA 92284

  (760) 820-1360

  Frontier Café serves gourmet coffee, sandwiches, and salads in a relaxing, eclectic space with free WiFi and frequent live music. They have friendly and helpful staff. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'Nestled among antique shops and boutiques, this Yucca Valley cafe serves sandwiches and salads, plus wine, beer, and kombucha. The emphasis is on fresh, desert ingredients (think prickly pear lemonade and arugula salad tossed with pepitas). There are plenty of plant-based options too, including a vegan BLT with housemade tempeh bacon.'

• Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop *

  15707 S Vermont Ave
  Gardena, CA 90247

  (310) 532-0820

  From the LA Weekly magazine website about Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop's food, 'If this type of cuisine is new to you, I recommend diving in head-first. Get the signature dish the restaurant calls the Hawaiian Royal: rice, eggs, green onions, chashu, Portuguese sausage, and teriyaki sauce. You'll know within two bites if you're into Hawaiian food.' From the Los Angles EAter website, ‘The longtime Gardena Bowl coffee shop has been a neighborhood destination for breakfast foods and Hawaiian-inflected dishes like wonton saimin and a Royal fried rice plate topped with roast pork. It’s only open for takeout.’ From the Los Angles EAter website, ‘The longtime Gardena Bowl coffee shop has been a neighborhood destination for breakfast foods and Hawaiian-inflected dishes like wonton saimin and a Royal fried rice plate topped with roast pork. It’s only open for takeout.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by David Change from Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Georges at the Cove *

  1250 Prospect St
  La Jolla, CA 92037

  (858) 454-4244

  Georges at the Cove is renowned chef Trey Foshee's seafood-centric cuisine served in an elegant setting with ocean views. From the San Diego Eater website, 'This three-floor stunner offers choose-your-own-adventure dining. Though its lower- level fine dining restaurant closed during the pandemic, George’s still offers top-notch views and dishes like local tuna crudo and roasted Jidori chicken at its rooftop terrace and craft cocktail-focused gastrobar. As San Diego’s top supporter of Chino Farm, its ingredients are impeccable, while executive chef/partner Trey Foshee is one of the city’s most admired chefs.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Gjusta *

  320 Sunset Ave
  Venice, CA 90291

  (310) 314-0320

  Gjusta is an artisanal bakery in a sprawling, warehouse-like space that offers up special bread's baked on-site. From their website, 'Gjusta began in fall 2014 as a commissary kitchen providing bread and pantry items for our restaurants Gjelina and GTA, but quickly grew to be much more. Gjusta is a California deli, bakery, café, and market created to serve fresh, seasonal food to our community. Our menu, space, and offerings change as we go, evolving with the seasons and the needs of our neighborhood. Gjusta sources nearly all of its fresh produce directly from SoCal farmers and most of the meat and seafood from local ranchers, fishermen, and co-ops. We shop at five farmer’s markets throughout the week and receive deliveries daily, ensuring we always have fresh products. Our relationships with our vendors are paramount in both supporting our local community and working to enact positive change in our contemporary food system.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Los Angles Times

• Golden Deli Restaurant *

  815 W Las Tunas Dr
  Las Tunas Plaza Inc
  San Gabriel, CA 91776

  (626) 308-0803

  Golden Deli Restaurant is a popular eatery that is known for their spring rolls and bowls of pho served with classic Vietnamese fare in a small room. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'Vietnamese food is what you’ll find at this perpetually busy, efficiently run, and solid-as-can-be restaurant. Come for the blistered cha gio stuffed with ground pork and Woodear mushrooms. Then, settle in for a bowl of pho, a platter of broken rice, or a bowl of cool vermicelli noodles.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Wednesday

  Recommended by JC Chang

• Gold Donut

  3460 Adams Ave
  San Diego, CA 92116

  (619) 563-6472

  The Gold Donut bakery specializes in classic glazed and filled donuts and is situated in a small shopping plaza. They make one of my top five favorite apple fritters in the country, but any of their donuts will work depending on what you're in the mood to eat.

  

• Good Stuff Restaurant *

  1286 The Strand
  Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

  (310) 374-2334

  Good Stuff Restaurant is a beachside low-key spot, which serves healthy American standards all day, along with Mexican dishes. From their website, 'Good Stuff has been in Hermosa Beach and on The Strand for over 38 years. We are committed to great service and food quality. We offer healthy choices in a wide variety of food. We’ve taken classic foods and added our own South Bay twist to them. From burgers with avocado to Mexican food, we’ve got you covered. Breakfast and lunch are served all day.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Gott’s Roadside *

  933 Main St
  St Helena, CA 94574

  (707) 963-3486

  Gott’s Roadside is a member of an area fast-food chain with indoor-outdoor seating showcases gourmet burgers and tacos. You need to order the Ahi burger, a cheeseburger, or the fish and chips. From their website, ‘Founded by brothers Joel and Duncan Gott in St. Helena in 1999 and recognized as a James Beard America’s Classic, Gott’s Roadside is known for its modern approach to creating California-inspired dishes using locally sourced ingredients from purveyors such as Niman Ranch beef, Zoe’s bacon, Panorama Bakery breads, and Osprey Seafood. With dishes such as the California Burger with a fried egg, Zoe’s bacon, and balsamic onions, Ahi Poke Crispy Tacos with sushi grade Ahi tuna, Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich with harissa and turmeric spiced mayos, Chicken Kale Caesar, and hand-spun organic shakes, Gott’s modern roadside menu offers something for everyone.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations, and this one was formerly Taylor's Automatic Refresher.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Grand Central Market *

  317 S Broadway
  Homer Laughlin Building
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 624-2378

  Grand Central Market is a grand emporium hosting food vendors and florists, plus game nights, movies and other events, since 1917. From their website, ‘Today, the Market’s 40 stalls are home to an only-in-LA blend of legacy vendors like China Cafe and Roast To Go (Grand Central Market tenants for over half a century), rising stars, and success stories from the city’s buzzing food scene. The Market is a microcosm of the historic immigrant communities that have shaped Los Angeles and a mosaic of the creativity and vision of the people who call this city home.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Grand Harbor *

  1492 Old Bayshore Hwy
  Burlingame, CA 94010

  (650) 347-9888

  Grand Harbor is a bayside Chinese restaurant offering dim sum and close-up views of airliners flying into and out of SFO. You should order the BBQ Pork buns which are a bit on the sweat side or any of their dim sum. From the Food Network website, ‘This San Francisco destination is one of the biggest Triple D joints ever, with seating for more than 450 people. Serving up traditional Chinese fare, Grand Harbor regulars rave about pork buns, dim sum chicken feet, and a selection of fresh seafood. Bonus: The restaurant’s view of the San Francisco Bay is absolutely spectacular. They recommend ordering the Pork Buns, Dim Sum Chicken Feet, and Lobster in Garlic Sauce.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Grand Ole BBQ y Asado *

  3302 32nd St
  San Diego, CA 92104

  (619) 213-3765

  Grand Ole BBQ y Asado serves Texas-style BBQ, and Argentinean grilled meats served in a straightforward outdoor space. Quote from Food Network; 'Andy Harris used to be a tour manager for rock bands, firing up his smoker for the crews. His food was so successful he decided to open a restaurant to bring Texas barbecue to San Diego. He teamed up with Chef Ami Cisneros to elevate barbecue to the next level. Don’t miss the massive El Boracho Beef Rib with house-made queso and pickled red onion relish.' When you're there, you should order the El Boracho Beef Rib or the lamb tacos. From the San Diego Eater website, 'After three years away, Grand Ole BBQ’s original spot in North Park is back and more grand than ever; the soaring space now features a larger patio along with an indoor dining area and bar. In addition to its accomplished Texas-style barbecue (and Argentine specialties on Sundays), the restaurant has expanded its menu to include more vegan options, sides, and desserts.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Guelaguetza *

  3014 W Olympic Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90006

  (213) 427-0608

  Guelaguetza's mole sauce is the star at this kid-friendly Mexican spot featuring Oaxacan fare and colorful decor. You need to order one of the dark moles. You can even order a moles sampler or get the grasshoppers. From their website, 'Guelaguetza first opened its doors in 1994 by immigrant husband and wife Fernando Lopez and Maria Monterrubio. Since then, our goal at Guelaguetza has been to showcase the best of our family recipes and stay true to authentic Oaxacan ingredients. Guelaguetza’s mission is for all of its patrons to live and experience Oaxaca through all of its dishes.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• Hae Jang Chon Korean BBQ Restaurant *

  3821 W 6th St
  Serrano Market Place
  Los Angeles, CA 90020

  (213) 389-8777

  Hae Jang Chon Korean BBQ Restaurant serves Korean BBQ-style pork, and other meats cooked on a stone grill and served inside or on an outdoor patio. From their website,' Hae Jang Chon offers a varied AYCE KBBQ menu with 27 options to choose from, including both unmarinated and marinated meats, seafood, vegetarian selections like kimchi pancakes, and more adventurous options like beef intestines. All dishes are cooked on two-inch-thick Korean stone grills, and because of the perpetually large amount of humans inside, things can get real smoky at Hae Jang Chon, nerve-wracking because the décor is mostly mahogany wood.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday

  Recommended by JC Chang

• Harold and Belle’s *

  2920 W Jefferson Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90018

  (323) 735-9023

  Harold and Belle’s is decorated with white tablecloths and flowers; the eatery features Creole fare like gumbo and Southern hospitality. You need to order the gumbo or the crawfish etouffee from what I have heard. From their website, 'Harold and Belle’s has drawn fans of Creole cuisine to West Jefferson Boulevard for more than 40 years, thanks to beloved family recipes of Creole classics. Another chapter in the restaurant's history has been written by Third-generation owners Ryan and Jessica Legaux, who are thrilled to welcome diners back to the newly remodeled restaurant and lounge.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Hawkins House of Burgers *

  11603 Slater St
  Los Angeles, CA 90059

  (323) 563-1129

  Hawkins House of Burgers is a perennial place providing classic burgers and other American comfort foods in an easygoing atmosphere. “The thing to order at least once is the Whipper Burger, a double-patty burger with pastrami and a hot link” — @piescarcega From their website, 'In the heart of Watts California, Hawkins House of Burgers offers only fresh-never-frozen high quality Angus beef, fresh-never-frozen Jennie O Turkey, and fresh-never-frozen Foster Farms chicken. All of our vegetables are purchased and prepared daily to ensure freshness! You will never find antibiotics or steroids in our meat, and our burger is quite frankly unlike any burger you have ever tasted before... Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back! It's just that simple when you care about your customers and the quality of food sold.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Los Angles Times Food - Twitter

• The Highland Cafe *

  5010 York Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90042

  (323) 259-1000

  The Highland Cafe is a laid-back coffee shop serving inventive egg dishes, sandwiches, and salads in a warm brick interior. From the Timeout Los Angles website, 'Pushing the boundaries of an ordinary coffee shop, the dark and loungy Highland Café is an ideal place to work or meet friends for brunch. Inspired by the surrounding hybrid community, the menu offers vegetarian Mexican eats for breakfast (huevos rancheros, spinach, and cream cheese omelet), lunch (fish tacos), and dinner (soy chorizo burrito). Try local favorite chilaquiles rojos: lightly fried corn tortilla chips in red chili sauce, served with eggs, onions, sour cream, queso fresco, avocado, and cilantro.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Hodad's

  5010 Newport Ave,
  Ocean Beach, CA 92107

  (619) 224-4623

  Hodad's a burger joint where patrons can dine inside restored cars or amid license plate-covered walls. They make one of the best burgers I have ever had which was the 'Blue Jay Burger' a bacon cheeseburger served with their blue cheese and grilled onions along a side of onion rings. From the SanDiego Eater website, 'Byron and Virginia Hardin established Hodad’s in Ocean Beach as a burger stand in 1973. These days, there are two full-fledged restaurant locations operated by their grandchildren. Hodad’s is probably the most famous name in San Diego burgers, thanks in part to national recognition. The burgers are huge; a double bacon cheeseburger ordered “all the way” is half a foot tall and more than a meal for two. Get the best of two worlds and order “frings” — a mix of both the onion rings and wonderful fries with battered exteriors and interiors almost as tender as mashed potatoes.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Homeboy Bakery Grill *

  130 Bruno St
  Los Angeles, CA 90012

  (323) 526-1254

  From their websie, 'The first of Homeboy Industries’ social enterprises, the Bakery started as a training ground for aspiring bakers and now employs dozens of Homeboy Industry trainees in both the bakery itself as well as management of the expanding business. Currently the bakery supplies products for: Homeboy Farmers Markets, Homeboy Diner and Homegirl Catering. Additionally, the business supplies fresh products to restaurants and cafes around Los Angeles through our Homeboy Bakery Wholesale business.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Saturday and Sunday

• Homegirl Cafe *

  130 Bruno St
  Los Angeles, CA 90012

  (213) 617-0380

  Homegirl Cafe is an offshoot of a civic-minded local organization serving baked goods, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Homegirl Café is an experience unlike any other where you enjoy delicious food, connect with dynamic wait staff and leave feeling good that your purchase is impacting lives. From their website, ‘Homegirl Café provides a supportive environment for clients to receive on-the-job training in conjunction with Homeboy Industries’ wraparound services, empowering individuals to undertake what is often their first “real job.” This successful program has developed into a pipeline, creating strong female leaders who, in turn, mentor others and can confidently proclaim, “I’ve been where you are, and I know you can do it.”’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Saturday and Sunday

• Horse Thief BBQ *

  324 Hill St
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 625-0341

  Horse Thief BBQ is located in the Grand Central Market window is offering smoked meats and gourmet sides, plus outdoor seating. You need to order the smoked pork belly or the southern fried chicken sandwich. From the Food Network website, ‘Guy Fieri said the bark is worth every bite at this barbeque joint in Los Angeles. The fried chicken sandwich was so good Guy predicted a line down the street for it and jokingly dubbed the smoked pork belly his favorite salad. They recommend ordering the Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Pork Belly.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• House of Pies *

  1869 N Vermont Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90027

  (323) 666-9961

  House of Pies is a retro coffee shop that serves a huge menu of diner fare, including signature dessert, till the wee hours. Since 1969, House of Pies has been satisfying the appetites of customers in and around Los Angeles, CA. From their website, ‘Since 1969, House of Pies has been satisfying the appetites of customers in and around Los Angeles, Calif. Family owned and operated, we are known by people around the area for our delicious menu and fantastic atmosphere. Customers have been returning to our coffee shop for more than four decades, not just because of our delicious pies but also for our excellence in customer service. We are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Huckleberry Cafe *

  1014 Wilshire Blvd
  Santa Monica, CA 90401

  (310) 451-2311

  Huckleberry Cafe fans line up for the sweets and breakfast treats dished out by this shop's prominent pastry chef. Order the pancakes with the lightly folded in egg whites. From their website, ‘Come by for a lil’ snack, a casual, quick dinner featuring hot and cold prepared foods and dishes made-to-order from the kitchen, lots of desserts, or stock up on gourmet provisions. We’ve got dinner and the dishes! The idea for Huckleberry started in 2008 when Josh and Zoe did a 6-month trial run by hosting Saturday Morning Breakfasts at Rustic Canyon. It was an instant success, with people lining up out the door for Zoe’s morning pastries! From there, they decided to open Huckleberry in 2009, across the street from Rustic.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• ink.sack *

  380 World Way
  Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) - Tom Bradley International Terminal
  Los Angeles, CA 90045

  (310) 646-1770

  Michael Voltaggio’s ink.sack is a sandwich place that is a go-to spot for people. ink.sack is in an airport-terminal outpost of a popular sandwich restaurant offers artisan versions to go. So grab a sack lunch from there and bringing it on board is now pretty much the best way to avoid airplane food on a long flight. The sandwiches aren’t huge, which means you can sample a few of them if you’re a big eater. I have read you should order the cold fried chicken and the spicy tuna, with a bag of their housemade crab chips.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Intelligentsia Coffee

  1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd
  Venice, CA 90291

  (310) 399-1233

  Intelligentsia Coffee is a high-end coffee bar chain is serving daily roasted brews in an industrial-chic setting. They have a great dark chocolate hot chocolate and espresso (four shots). Great atmosphere to have a relaxing cup of coffee, tea, etc. while getting some work done or reading a book. From their website, ‘Intelligentsia is a specialty coffee pioneer, rising from humble Chicago roots to a company driven by curiosity, empowerment, and the never-ending quest for the most extraordinary coffee in the world. But instead of complaining or—even worse—settling for bad coffee, they hunkered down and wrote the original business plan for what would become Intelligentsia Coffee. Their dream was to open a café and roaster in the city’s emerging Lakeview neighborhood, and on October 9, 1995, the dream welcomed its first customers.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Jay Bee's Bar-B-Q *

  15911 S Avalon Blvd
  Gardena, CA 90248

  (310) 532-1064

  Jay Bee's Bar-B-Q's owner Beverly Neely has barbecue in her blood, as both her brother and nephew (Food Network's own Pat Neely) have been doling out delicious barbecued pork, ribs and chicken. You should order the BBQ sandwiches, ribs, or the pulled pork. From the Food Network website, ‘Guy Fieri has been rolling to Jay Bee’s for more than 15 years for “real deal” barbecue. You could say owner Beverly Neely has barbecue in her blood, as both her brother and nephew (Food Network’s own Pat Neely) have been doling out delicious barbecued pork, ribs, and chicken so good Guy’s “stricken.” They recommend ordering BBQ Sandwiches, Ribs, and Pulled Pork.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday

• Jelly Donut

  56153 Twentynine Palms Highway
  Yucca Valley, CA 92284

  (760) 365-9508

  Jelly Donut is a is a tiny shop with a few tables and a great variety of donut options. I enjoyed their apple fritter even though I ate it a few hours later. From their website, ‘Swing into the Twentynine Palms location of Jelly Donut for steaming bowls of Vietnamese beef noodle soup, along with a classic collection of doughnuts. The bowl to get is the #1 with all the trimmings — brisket, meatballs, and tenderloin. A maple bar or apple fritter for dessert is a must.’

• Jitlada Restaurant *

  5233 Sunset Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA, CA 90027

  (323) 667-9809

  Jitlada Restaurant is a modest place in a strip-mall that doesn't stop foodies from flocking there for authentic, spicy Thai fare. Jonathan Gold recommends the southern Thia dishes. Try the Kua Kling (dry curry beef), Khao yam (Songkhia-style rice salad tossed with dried shrimp, toasted coconut, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and a sweet sauce), or the green curry chicken and order a side of rice help cool down the heat or whatever else Jazz recommends. While on the Burger Show (YouTube), Casey Neistat and others recommended getting the super-spicy Thai burger, which had a dried hot pepper in the burger.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• Jo's Diner *

  807 W Washington St
  San Diego, CA 92103

  (619) 323-2035

  From Jo's Diner website, 'Jo’s is a contemporary-style American diner created to complement San Diego's Mission Hills community. We are a casual neighborhood restaurant serving diner-inspired meals. From Biscuits and Gravy to Wine-Braised Short Rib Benedicts to Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf and Chocolate Ganache Milk Shakes, Jo’s offers a subtle modern touch to all the familiar diner classics.' Make sure to order the meatloaf from everything I have seen. From the Food Network website, ‘This unusual diner was once a French bistro, so when owner Ric Libiran decided to switch up the menu, he kept the upscale bistro attitude. Guy Fieri loved the Short Rib French Dip, which is served with decadent jus made from more than four hours of braising: “The only problem with this is that you didn’t serve it in a kiddie pool, so I can get in with the sandwich and the jus,” he said. They recommend ordering the Short Rib French Dip, French Onion Soup, and Jo’s Meatloaf.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• John O'Groats *

  10516 W Pico Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA, CA 90064

  (310) 204-0692

  John O'Groats is a bustling neighborhood eatery offering hearty, old-fashioned daytime grub in a casual setting. From their website, 'We're little family-owned, breakfast and lunch place serving old-fashioned Americana and Biscuits from Heaven. We've been doing this for 33 years, and we thank you for making our restaurant a part of your family.' From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘John O’Groats is one of those longstanding LA stories to love. Robert and Angelica Jacoby opened John O’Groats in 1982. But only during daytime hours so the Jacobys could care for their sons. Robert passed away in 2018, but they’re still making those beloved biscuits, pancakes, eggs, and sandwiches that keep people coming in.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Johnnie's Pastrami *

  4017 Sepulveda Blvd
  Culver City, CA 90230

  (310) 397-6654

  Johnnie's Pastrami is a joint serving meat-packed sandwiches and other diner fare in a retro setting with outdoor seats. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'As for the menu, expect thick-cut pastrami on marbled rye, knishes, matzoh ball soup, a burger, a fried chicken sandwich, loaded fries, and more.' From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘Westsiders have been opting not to make the drive to Langer’s since 1952 when Johnnie’s Pastrami opened its doors along Sepulveda Blvd. Served on a soft white roll (or rye by request) with a side of pickles, this is Jewish deli fare by way of a family diner.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by Casey Neistat

• Jones Coffee Roasters *

  693 S Raymond Ave
  Pasadena, CA 91105

  (626) 564-9291

  Jones Coffee Roasters is a welcoming coffeehouse with global roasts owned by a family that has its own plantation in Guatemala. From their website, 'Finca Dos Marias (“the farm of the two Marias”), is where Mireya Jones’ grandmother and great grandmother began producing one of the highest-grade coffees in the highlands of Guatemala, in the mid-1870s. The farm is recognized by leading specialty coffee organizations for its commitment to the environment and to the welfare of its worker community, including education and medical care.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Joshua Tree Coffee Company

  61738 Twentynine Palms Highway
  Joshua Tree, CA 92252

  (760) 974-9272

  Joshua Tree Coffee Shop started out roasting just two pounds at a time out of our home kitchen for a year and a half on a little tiny roaster. Now they are roasting on a revolutionary Loring Smart Roaster in about a 500 square feet shop which includes storage, coffee counter, packing, and shipping to many cafes and retailers around the world enjoying their meticulously crafted roasts. There is outdoor seating with umbrellas. It’s behind the yoga studio which is next to a wood-fired pizza place.

• Jugos Azteca *

  5213 York Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA, CA 90042

  (323) 254-4555

  From the Los Angles Times website, about Jugos Azteca, 'In a time when cold-press juiceries are relentlessly on-trend, and often relentlessly expensive, Jugos Azteca in Highland Park is keeping juices old-school. For the last 21 years, the tiny juice shop on York Boulevard has been making Mexican-style fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, tortas, tostadas, Mexican-style gelatin and other simple Mexican snacks for the Latinos who’ve lived in the neighborhood for decades, as well as some of the newer residents who appreciate the value and the flavors of the fresh and colorful drinks.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Juniper and Ivy *

  2228 Kettner Blvd
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 269-9036

  Juniper and Ivy is a spacious, modern restaurant serving imaginative New American fare and drinks in woody, arty surrounds. From their website, 'In 2014, owner Michael Rosen saw the potential in an old abandoned warehouse on the northern edge of San Diego's Little Italy and decided it was time to start a serious conversation about food, wine, local ingredients, and what they are all capable of when treated with passion, precision, and inventiveness. What started as a love letter to San Diego, food, and wine has become a catalyst of eclectic west-coast fine dining, a movement defined by fresh, locally sourced ingredients, inventive chef-driven technique, and artful plating designed for sharing.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Karl Strauss Brewery

  1157 Columbia St
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 234-2739

  Karl Strauss Brewery is San Diego's first microbrewery, known for its full-flavored, hand-crafted beer and six brewery restaurants. Their bar food menu is great. You should try their pork chop dish which was huge last time I had one. NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Killer Noodle *

  2030 Sawtelle Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA, CA 90025

  (424) 293-0474

  The Tsujita ramen specialists open a spicy noodle shop called Killer Noodle. The restaurant’s aim is for painful, delicious, and spicy food. Jonathan Gold recommends starting at level three out of six. From their website, ‘Tsujita was founded in 2003 in Tokyo. Since then, the Tsujita restaurant company has expanded to 18 different stores all across Japan. Killer Noodle opened in 2017 as the first American branch of Seito Masamune Tantanmen Tsujita. The American branch has now extended to 3 locations across California and Texas, and we are only just getting started!’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Kismet *

  4648 Hollywood Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90027

  (323) 409-0404

  Kismet is a minimalist communal spot for all-day Mediterranean fare, from breakfast to family-style dinners. From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘It’s a vegetable-focused Mediterranean feast at Kismet, where the dinnertime menu varies from lamb meatballs to Morrocan-spiced carrots, or the fresh squid a la plancha. Chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson make sure to put flavor and detail at the heart of everything they and their team make.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Kogi BBQ - Alibi Room

  12236 W Washington Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90066

  Kogi BBQ food truck first rolled out as the little Korean-taco-truck-that-could, peddling $2.00 Korean barbecue tacos on the streets of L.A. Little did they know that within a few short months, they would become an icon of LA street food, a roving symbol of rebellion, independence and the belief that excellent food can be had on a dime budget. From their website, ‘Kogi started in 2008 when we hit the streets of LA with a humble little Korean short rib taco that met Twitter in the middle of the night in front of a nightclub in Hollywood. We then started to create crowds and cravings across the whole city, transmitting a new form of dialogue and culture between food and technology. Over the years, we’ve gone on to feed almost every street from LA to OC to the South Bay to the Valley to the IE to Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to major music festivals, even worldwide.’ NOTE: They have multiple trucks that move around the city.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

• LA Farmers' Market *

  6333 W 3rd St
  Los Angeles, CA 90036

  The Farmers Market is an area of food stalls, sit-down eateries, prepared food vendors, and produce markets in Los Angeles, California. First opened in July 1934, it is also a historic Los Angeles landmark and it is a very big tourist attraction.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• La Mirage Pastries and Chocolate *

  100 S Brookhurst St
  Anaheim, CA 92804

  (714) 491-3855

  La Mirage Pastries and Chocolate serves exceptional quality Middle Eastern desserts and French pastry, including baklava, Knafeh, and cake. You need to order the Bouza, which is an ice cream made with mastic, a tree resin that’s the essential component of chewing gum, and sahleb, a flour derived from orchid roots. From their website, 'Le Mirage Pastry has been in business for over 20 years. Providing Pastry, Cakes and Middle Eastern sweet to the local community around the Anaheim, California area. As per the current e-Commerce situation and with the need to expansion to reach more markets and customer, it is time to go online and to permit customer worldwide to place purchase products and to expand the business.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• La Super-Rica Taqueria *

  622 N Milpas St
  Santa Barbara, CA 93103

  (805) 963-4940

  La Super-Rica Taqueria is a celebrated Mexican spot for fish tacos, tamales, and more served up in modest digs with patio seating. From the Michelin Guide website, 'This beloved institution has been drawing crowds for decades from near and far with its simple, delicious food—and not just because it was Julia Child’s favorite spot for tacos. The small corner location has a cheerful exterior shaded by ficus and palm trees, as well as covered patio seats. Orders are taken at the window, where you can watch the cooks grilling meats and pressing your tortillas at a steady clip. The menu lists an array of tacos filled with grilled steak, chorizo, rajas, and much more. The tacos de adobado feature perfectly marinated and grilled pork, ready to be embellished with their pico de gallo and choice of green or spicy red salsa. Offerings go on to include supplements and specials, such as Chile Rellenos or tamales.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

• La Tapatia Market *

  504 Brown St
  Napa, CA 94559

  (707) 226-7587

  La Tapatia Market has eat in or take out at any of their locations in Vallejo or Napa. They offer a full menu of authentic Mexican specialties. From the San Fransico Eater website, ‘While La Morenita Market in Napa is bigger, Sando prefers this more community-centric Mexican market. They have a great selection of meats and produce, but what Sando likes is that they carry La Finca tortillas from Oakland — the only commercial tortillas he’s found that are made from whole corn, not masa harina. Selling beans has made Sando very aware of tortillas. “Real tortillas are made from nixtamal: You take the corn, soak it in (calcium hydroxide) and water, rub the skins off, then you grind that, and that’s what makes masa,” says Sando. The masa then gets pressed and cooked into tortillas.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Steve from Rancho Gordo

• La Taqueria *

  2889 Mission St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 285-7117

  La Taqueria is a no-frills taqueria serves Mexican eats, including famed traditional-style, rice-free burritos. If you can only order one item on the menu make sure it's the Carne Asada burrito. From the Michelin Guide website, ‘Everything here is supremely fresh, as exhibited in the open kitchen with its mountains of char-grilled steak alongside vibrant tomato, cilantro, and onion. The carne asada super burrito is everything you dream it should be. It may not be on the menu, but order your taco “Dorado-style,” which begins as a corn tortilla crisped on the plancha, layered with cheese and another tortilla before getting loaded with toppings.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

• Langer's Deli and Restaurant *

  704 S Alvarado St
  Los Angeles, CA 90057

  (213) 483-8050

  Langer's Deli and Restaurant is an old-fashioned deli serving up hot pastrami sandwiches, and other traditional comfort food since 1947. You need to order the #19. From theLos Angles Eater website, 'Serving perhaps the greatest pastrami in America, Langer's is a fantastic diner in Westlake offering everything from reuben sandwiches and corned beef to matzo ball soup and lox. It's easily the best Jewish deli in a city full of great delis.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday

• Las Cuatro Milpas

  1857 Logan Ave
  San Diego, CA 92113

  (619) 234-4460

  Las Cuatro Milpas is an old-school Mexican joint earning fans with its homemade tortillas and picnic-table decor since 1933. Pork tamales with rice and beans are the dish to get and the one every other pork tamale is compared. From the San Diego Eater website, ‘Las Cuatro Milpas is one of San Diego’s most beloved Mexican restaurant for good reason. This Logan Avenue institution cranks out delightful fried tacos and flautas stuffed with pork or chicken along with flour tortillas and refried beans, made the same way they were first made back in 1933 when the Estudillo family opened the doors to this historic restaurant. While lines can get long, your patience will be rewarded at the counter.’ NOTE: Cash only.

  Closed Sunday

  

• Leo's Tacos Truck

  1515 S La Brea Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90019

  (323) 346-2001

  Leo's Tacos Truck has delicious Al Pastor tacos are better than ever with a taste that will leave you wanting more. You can order them by the plate full which most people do. The beef head, tripe, Lengua (tongue), etc. are outstanding too. From their website, 'From East to West of Los Angeles, Leo's Tacos Truck has been around for 10 years. We have opened 9 trucks to give more convenience to our clients. Our famous delicious Al Pastor Tacos are better than ever with a taste that will leave you wanting more. Come visit us and experience for yourself the best food in town. NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Liguria Bakery *

  1700 Stockton St
  San Francisco, CA 94133

  (415) 421-3786

  Liguria Bakery is a classic counter-serve Italian storefront doling out handmade green onion, rosemary, and pizza Foccacia. Mike from Pro Home Cooks (YouTube) recommends getting the pizza Foccacia or any of the other ones they have actually. From the San Fransisco Eater website, 'Fans have to arrive early to get the goods at Liguria, a 106-year-old San Francisco institution. The family-run bakery specializes in Foccacia, and the massive sheets of bread, studded with everything from raisins to olives and even doctored-up, pizza-style, are a wonder of airy, pillowy bread and olive oil richness (their green onion version is what makes the sandwiches at Mario’s so excellent). Grab a piece or 10 to take to the park, or buy it frozen to finish off at home.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

  Recommended by Pro Home Cooks (YouTube)

• Lion's Share

  629 Kettner Blvd
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 564-6924

  Lion's Share is an intimate, moody bar pairing handcrafted drinks with New American plates featuring exotic meats. I have ordered many things here from a mixed sausage platter to pork chop to some Charcuterie, and it's all been great. From their website, ‘Our vision is quite simple: it is our desire to offer food and cocktails with only the best ingredients, prepared meticulously for your enjoyment. We will skip the pretense often associated with an establishment of this nature and instead offer you our undivided attention, knowledge, and appreciation. Please, do not hesitate to ask any questions or make suggestions. It is our assurance that you will not meet a more accommodating staff. So, sit back, dismiss the worries of your day and enjoy your share.’

  Closed Monday

• The Little Jewel of New Orleans *

  207 Ord St
  Los Angeles, CA 90012

  (213) 620-0461

  The Little Jewel of New Orleans is part grocery store, part deli, this laid back spot imports culinary treats from New Orleans located in Los Angles Chinatown. You need to order the pork Po' Boy sandwich or the crawfish mac and cheese. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'In Louisiana, you’ll find two different types of jambalaya: Creole and Cajun. On Fridays, Marcus Christiana-Beniger and Eunah Kang serve the former at Little Jewel of New Orleans in Chinatown. Their spicy Creole-style jambalaya features meats like Andouille sausage, cubed ham, and chicken that are browned with trinity (onions, bell pepper, and celery) and cooked in stock with tomato before rice is added at the very end. On Mondays, they make red beans and rice.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• Longo Seafood Restaurant *

  7540 Garvey Ave
  #A
  Rosemead, CA 91770

  (626) 280-8188

  At Longo Seafood Restaurant Jonathan Gold recommends for dinner the roast pork belly; baked oyster; soy sauce chicken; pork belly with preserved vegetables; ong choy with bean curd paste. For dim sum he recommends the BBQ supreme rice rolls; oatmeal snow cap bun; salt and pepper squid; preserved meat turnip cake.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Los Originales Tacos Arabes de Puebla *

  3549 Olympic Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90023

  (213) 453-0193

  The specialty at Los Originales Tacos Arabes de Puebla is, well, the taco árabe: a large piece of pan árabe (or a handmade flour tortilla; the pan árabe is not always available). Which is like a thin pita bread, is smothered in a generous amount of pork de trompo, or from a rotating spit, like tacos al pastor. Unlike al pastor, however, where the flavors are chile and pineapple-based. Other items worth your while, are cemitas and tacos de cecina. The cemitas are essentially a sandwich version of the taco árabe — a pile of smoking, tender meat on a soft, slightly sweet sesame roll. The cecina, tender and thinly pounded beef, is given a perfect vehicle in two corn tortillas that are stuck together with melted cheese. Ask for some rajitas, tangy strips of pickled pepper, which make a perfect accessory to the tacos.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

• Loteria Grill *

  6627 Hollywood Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90028

  (323) 465-2500

  Loteria Grill serves creative takes on classic Mexican eats plus a full bar keep this bright, airy chain outpost hopping. From their website, ‘Lotería is all about delicious regional foods, prepared the way they are in Mexico; proper ingredients and techniques – no shortcuts. At heart, we are a contemporary rendition of the fabulous stall-restaurant puestos of Mexico’s famous mercados, where we present marketplace and home-style favorites. From our first day in 2002, we saw what we call “El Futuro Antojo,” or “Future Craving,” where our Guests try one or more of our specialties and soon return with a craving for more. We have two menus: Our Taqueria Pick-up Window, La Ventanita de Lotería, and our Marketplace, Heat-and-Serve Kitchen, La Cocina de Lotería. If you’re hungry now, stop by our Taqueria Window, or skip the wait and order online! For ready-made Loteria Meal Kits you can prepare at home, order from our Marketplace menu.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday

• Lucha Libre Taco Shop *

  1810 W Washington St
  San Diego, CA 92103

  (619) 296-8226

  Lucha Libre Taco Shop serves authentic street-style Mexican dishes, plus a salsa bar and old wrestling matches on TV. I was waiting at a light to turn on the highway at 12:30 PM and there was a line out the door so figured it might need to be on the list. From the San Diego Eater website, ‘A California burrito made with juicy steak, thick fries and a chipotle crema quickly became the original Mission Hills location’s calling cards in the brand’s early days. The California burrito, along with a slew of spin-off variations, including birria, al pastor, “surfing” shrimp, and alambres, still bring in customers, with crowds flocking to both the flagship and North Park locations.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Lucky Boy Drive-In *

  531 E Walnut St
  Pasadena, CA 91101

  (626) 793-7079

  Lucky Boy Drive-In is an unpretentious, fast-food joint serving up classic cheeseburgers, Mexican eats, and other standard grub. A guy I met says you have to order the breakfast burrito as many others online do too. From the Los Angles Times website, 'The chili cheese fries ($4.25) at Lucky Boy should actually be called cheese fries with chili if we want to get technical. The fries at this popular late-night Pasadena hangout known for its killer breakfast burritos come smothered in cheese for an ideal post-bar, I-need-something-to-soak-up-all-that-booze treat. And when we say smothered, we mean utterly, totally, completely smothered. The rich chili and fries snuggle with each other underneath, and the cheese blanket makes for an extra gooey snack. If you want to get really crazy, add some of their famous pastrami on top.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by JC Chang

• Lumberyard *

  384 Forest Ave
  #10
  Laguna Beach, CA 92651

  (949) 715-3900

  Lumberyard is a refurbished building with a festive vibe that offers American comfort food plus a variety of cocktails. From their Facebook page, 'Casual yet stylishly contemporary, The Lumberyard Restaurant is the go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. In the historic Lumberyard building in the heart of downtown Laguna Beach, we offer “comfort cuisine” for every taste, from our Signature Lumberyard Burger and Ahi Tartare to our famous oysters, Cedar-Planked Salmon, Ribs, Steaks, and even Chicken Pot Pie. Pull up a seat at our extensive bar and enjoy Chef Armando's decadent specials.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Laguna Beach virtual tour lady (Creative Morning - field trip)

• Lunetta All Day *

  2420 Pico Blvd
  Santa Monica, CA 90405

  (310) 581-4201

  Lunetta All Day is an all-day diner and upscale evening dining room featuring New American eats from chef Raphael Lunetta. From the Lunetta All Day website, 'We buy the freshest ingredients we can find. We cook seasonally because that's what is fresh and best. We support local farmers and businesses whenever we can because the best flavor naturally follows. We buy the freshest ingredients we can find. We cook seasonally because that's what is fresh and best. We support local farmers and businesses whenever we can because the best flavor naturally follows.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Majordomo *

  1725 Naud St
  Los Angeles, CA 90012

  (323) 545-4880

  From the Eater website about Majordomo, 'David Chang arrives in Southern California. This instant blockbuster didn’t need any more of an elevator pitch to create a fevered stampede to its concrete hangar of a dining room, located among a maze of renovated warehouses just north of Chinatown. The restaurant succeeds far beyond mere buzz factor. Momofuku’s chef-auteur relocated to Los Angeles for his first West Coast project; the cooking is his communion with the region. Chang has always exercised a certain fluidity with cuisines — the ways they can stand alone and the ways they might intermingle — but Majordomo shows the chef at his confident prime. His framing of cultures and cuisines triumphs in early standouts like the sausage-stuffed peppers (a Korean-inspired recipe, though the filling is a recipe from Tennessee’s bacon master Allan Benton) and in large-format behemoths like smoked short rib presented with rice wrapping paper and a slew of condiments. This being Chang in the Golden State, there are stunning salads (perhaps tomatoes and stone fruits with sesame and basil) to offset all the overt meatiness.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Eater's 18 Best New Restaurants in America - 2018

• Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe *

  566 Columbus Ave
  San Francisco, CA 94133

  (415) 362-0536

  Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store Cafe is a landmark cafe serving Italian sandwiches, pizzas, pastries, wine, and beer in an old-school space. From the San Francisco Eater website, ‘There are no cigars to be found at this corner cafe, but hot, melty sandwiches on pillowy focaccia abound. A bonafide local joint in the midst of Columbus Avenue’s touristy glut, Mario’s is the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular and inspires you to become one. Skip straight to the focaccia sandwich section of the menu, though the hot, baked dishes like lasagna and cannelloni aren’t half bad. They’re made using olive oil-rich focaccia from Liguria Bakery, just across the park. The meatball is legendary, but the eggplant sandwiches (both breaded and grilled) are worth a taste.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Mario's Peruvian and Seafood *

  5786 Melrose Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90038

  (323) 466-4181

  Mario's Peruvian and Seafood is a no-frills strip-mall spot for Peruvian fare including saltado (Peruvian stir-fry), fish and more. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'Whether it’s the middle of the afternoon or the peak of the dinner rush, there’s always a crowd waiting outside Mario’s for an unfussy Peruvian fix. Even though it’s been well over two decades since the restaurant first came onto the Hollywood scene, the dining room feels as vibrant and vital as ever. Quick and efficient service, coupled with dependably good food, keeps diners coming in year after year.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Mariscos Jalisco *

  3040 E Olympic Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90023

  (323) 528-6701

  Mariscos Jalisco is a no-frills Mexican food truck offering cold seafood dishes, shucked oysters, cocktails, and more. I have heard you need to make sure to order the Taco de Cameron, which is a fish taco. From their website, 'We have been making the best possible fried shrimp tacos in Los Angeles for over a decade now and have a strong following all over Southern California and beyond. We have been tagged as a 'National Treasure' by none other than Mr. Jonathan Gold. We have also garnered attention from food critics, writers, and bloggers across the nation, giving us titles such as: 'Best Food Truck', 'Best Old School Truck', 'L.A. Taco Madness 2012 - Winner' and many other accolades.' From the Los Angles Eater website, 'While there is no shortage of outstanding taco trucks in Los Angeles, Mariscos Jalisco's may very well be the most beloved thanks to Raul Ortega and his crispy shrimp tacos.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Millie's Cafe *

  3524 West Sunset Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90026

  (626) 486-2407

  From Millie's Cafe website, 'Since 1926 Millie’s remains committed to offering the best ingredients prepared by people who actually care. We use real butter to cook our fresh eggs. We use Altadena dairy products because they don’t give their cows that hormone crap. We don’t even like yellow dye in our cheese, so we get white cheddar. We fresh grind each pot of French roast coffee. Our bread is baked fresh daily. Our juices are fresh from Odwalla. We do everything the pain in the ass, Old-fashioned way, by hand, from scratch, because there is a difference.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedian in Cars Getting Coffee

• Milkfarm *

  2106 Colorado Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90041

  (323) 892-1068

  Milkfarm is a rustic-style cheese shop and lunch counter offering sandwiches in addition to its dairy delicacies. From their website, 'We specialize in selling Artisan cheese, charcuterie, and other handmade food products mostly from Los Angeles based, small and independent producers. We love to support Los Angeles small businesses! Each item is taste-tested, hand-selected, and curated to make the perfect gift, cheese platter, picnic, or great everyday purchase. Have our Cheesemongers introduce you to something new!'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Roy Chio's Broken Bread

• Minnie Bell's Soul Movement *

  5959 Shellmound St
  Kiosk 15
  Emeryville, CA 94608

  (510) 879-7199

  Minnie Bell's Soul Movement is a kiosk with fried chicken and Southern comfort food from La Cocina vet and caterer Fernay McPherson. From their website, 'Fernay McPherson grew up steeped in soul. Using traditional family recipes, Minnie Bell’s menu offers up delicious home-style food, combining soulful flavors and warmth of the south. Fernay learned to cook from her great aunt Minnie and late grandmother Lillie Bell. Fernay's family arrived in San Francisco during the Great Migration as part of the relocation of more than 6 million African Americans from the rural South to cities in the North and West. They left in search of better lives, and their culinary spirit traveled right along with them.' From the San Fransisco Eater website, 'Fernay McPherson is serving her rosemary fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, and more at her kiosk in the Emeryville Public Market. The hit of rosemary is what lingers in your memory — an extra pop of flavor you didn’t know every other fried chicken you’ve had was missing. You can also walk in to order, and the Public Market is now open for outdoor dining.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by Southern Foodways Alliance

• Mission Chinese Food *

  2234 Mission St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 863-2800

  Mission Chinese Food is a trendy place where crowds line up for the imaginative Chinese eats at this casual, nationally known destination. Order the Tingling lamb which is lamb and soup or the Mapo Tofu with beef or Kung Pao Pastrami. From the San Francisco Eater website, 'Even though chef Danny Bowien has defected to the East Coast, the spirit remains strong at Mission Chinese, where Kung Pao pastrami has long been a favorite. Crispy pastrami, wok-fried with celery, potatoes, peanuts, and more go into the making of it. Eating at Mission Chinese is sensory overload — the music is too loud, the lights glow too red, and the food is too spicy. All those Ldquo;too's” lead up to just right, though, in a way that only Mission Chinese can seem to successfully pull off. Just submit yourself to the crazy ride, and let delight wash over you.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Anthony Bourdain and Mind of a Chef

• Mitla Cafe *

  602 N Mt Vernon Ave
  San Bernardino, CA 92411

  (909) 888-0460

  Mitla Cafe is an iconic, family-owned fixture since 1937 presenting Mexican classics in an old-fashioned dining room. From their website, 'Mitla Cafe was founded in 1937 by Lucia Rodriguez and her then husband, Vicente Montaño. What started as a simple lunch counter on Route 66, quickly began to grow in popularity. After being widowed, Lucia later remarried to Salvador Rodriguez, and in the mid-1940’s helped expand Mitla Cafe to its current size. Along with help from her children, Theresa, Helen, Vera, and Frank, Lucia turned Mitla Cafe into a community staple on the Westside of San Bernardino, serving celebrities, local dignitaries, politicians and people from all walks of life.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

• Moo Creamery *

  4885 Truxtun Ave,
  Bakersfield, CA 93309

  (661) 861-1130

  Moo Creamery serves gourmet burgers with scratch-made sauces and brioche buns along with creative milkshakes, beer, and wine. From their website, 'Don’t settle for anything less on your plate, especially during this crazy time in our world. We source our quality ingredients from the best producers, farms, and ranchers to bring fresh flavors to every handmade dish. Our craft dine-in and catering menus star hand-ground grass-fed burgers, fresh salads, moo-made ice cream, craft beers, cocktails, and fresh cold-pressed juices. Yeah, you read that right — we’re not your grandparents’ diner. We have food for every mood.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Muguboka *

  401 Balboa St
  San Francisco, CA 94118

  (415) 668-6007

  Muguboka is a homey, no-frills spot known for large portions of banchan (Korean side dishes) and other hearty fare. According to Danny Bowen, you should order number four and 64. From the San Francisco Weekly website, ‘Most people, if they are at all familiar with Korean cooking, know two things: Meals are accompanied by an array of small dishes containing various pickled and fermented foods, known as banchan or panchan; and that the main course they surround is often thinly sliced broiled meat. Muguboka, a modest restaurant in the Inner Richmond, calls itself a “Korean B.B.Q.,” and it indeed serves staples such as kalbi or galbi (short ribs) and bulgogi (marinated beef). But in addition to galbi (here spelled gal bee) and bulgogi (bul go gee), there are many more dishes to explore, including subtly flavored, spicy stews seasoned with the hot red chile paste known as gochujang and soups flavored with fermented soybean paste (doenjang; Dhan Jang at Muguboka).’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Tuesday

• Myung in Dumplings

  3109 W Olympic Blvd
  B
  Los Angeles, CA 90006

  (213) 381-3568

  Myung in Dumplings makes traditional Korean buns and dumplings offered in a simple, subdued eatery with a pictorial menu. They make some of the best dumplings I have ever eaten. My favorites were the spicy steam roll dumpling with pork, the boiled dumpling with pork, and the fried dumpling with shrimp. Fro the Thrillist website, 'This Anthony Bourdain-approved hole-in-the-wall dumpling spot off Olympia Blvd in Koreatown might have the best mandoo in LA. The boiled and fried pork, kimchi, and red bean dumplings are great, as are the few soups on the menu. The real speciality though is Wang Mandoo, giant, hamburger-sized steamed buns filled with a mix of glass noodles, pork, and vegetables.'

  Closed Tuesday

  Recommended by Anthony Bourdain

• n/naka *

  3455 Overland Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90034

  (310) 836-6252

  n/naka is an upscale Japanese restaurant that has a few tasting menus prepared by chef Niki Nakayama and served in a modern setting. From their website, 'The whole of a meal is as important as the sum of its parts. At n/naka, we are devoted to providing a unique and satisfying dining experience through our interpretation of kaiseki. This traditional Japanese culinary art form reflects the ever-changing rhythms of the earth by taking the freshest seasonal ingredients and presenting them in their most natural states. Using the very best ingredients we have access to is true kaiseki; we proudly serve vegetables from our own organic garden built and maintained by our friends at Farmscape Gardens. We take great care in preparing a beautiful plate and believe that the more involvement we put into a meal — no shortcuts — the more connected we feel to the food and to your experience of it. Through a meaningful balance of both traditional and modern techniques, Chef Niki Nakayama is committed to creating a meal that will engage your attention — it's about enjoying the moment, the current offerings of the season, and ultimately, the food in front of you.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday

  Recommended by Snook

• Neptune’s Net *

  42505 Pacific Coast Hwy
  Malibu, CA 90265

  (310) 457-3095

  Neptune’s Net is a longtime spot where fresh catches, burgers, and beer are served at picnic tables overlooking the ocean. Helen Rosner recommends getting their whole Dungeness crab, and yes, it will be unbelievably expensive. From their website, 'For over half a century, Neptune's Net has been a special part of history. In 1956, NASA astronaut, Eastman Jacobs, retired and started the restaurant across beautiful County line beach in Malibu, California. The original building has not changed and is currently the site of the “restaurant side.” Over the decades, the “seafood side” and the outdoor patio area were added, but the place has still kept its historic flare. Come hang out amongst other tourists, locals, celebrities, families, beach-goers, surfers, hikers, foodies, exotic car clubs, motorcycles, and bicyclists! Enjoy some fish and beer and view the epic waves in the Pacific Ocean. You deserve it!'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Helen Rosner

• Night and Market *

  9043 Sunset Blvd
  West Hollywood, CA 90069

  (310) 275-9724

  Night and Market is a small, bustling stop for updates on traditional Thai street foods with beer and ice cream sandwiches. From their website, 'Chef Kris Yenbamroong is the creative force behind the popular Night and MAarket restaurants in Los Angeles, with three locations spanning Venice Beach, the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, and Silverlake. The newest outpost opened at Virgin Hotels and Resorts Las Vegas in 2021. The restaurants are built around the idea of friends coming together over boldly-seasoned food meant to inspire the drinking of natural wine and cocktails.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Wednesday

• Nopalito *

  306 Broderick St
  San Francisco, CA 94117

  (415) 437-0303

  Nopalito is a popular Mexican restaurant serving traditional, organic grub in a casual and bright dining room. Jessica from Roots and Refuge Farm (YouTube) recommends getting the pickled veggies. From their website, 'Vibrant neighborhood Mexican kitchens celebrating the traditional cookery of Mexico and utilizing our philosophy of purchasing local, organic, and sustainable ingredients.' From Eater San Fransisco website, 'One of the city’s best-known destinations for a more upscale sit-down Mexican meal, Nopalito is a showcase for chef Gonzalo Guzman’s cooking, with its emphasis on local, sustainable ingredients and a wide range of regional dishes, including — but not limited to — seafood specialties from his native Veracruz.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by Jessica from Roots and Refuge Farm (YouTube)

• OB Noodle House and Sake Bar *

  2218 Cable St
  San Diego, CA 92107

  (619) 450-6868

  OB Noodle House and Sake Bar is a bustling restaurant and bar specializes in pho, beer on tap and has an extensive variety of sake drinks. Saw this place as we drove by heading to Hodad's and there was a line out the door and figured I needed to add it to the list for later.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Original Pantry Cafe

  877 S Figueroa St
  Los Angeles, CA 90017

  (213) 972-9279

  Original Pantry Cafe is a casual cash-only diner, open since 1924, dishes up ample portions of American eats around the clock. You need to try the chicken fried steak or the pork chop breakfast specials if they have them. From their website, ‘The Original Pantry Café was opened in 1924 and is owned by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. This LA diner has dished up classic American fare since opening. Literally, straight through, 24 hours a day, since 1924. The likes of Marilyn Monroe and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have dined at this iconic diner, and it is proudly reflected in the shop’s prevailing throwback spirit.’ From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘While it’s no longer true that the Pantry never closes, this corner restaurant does still attract a decent daytime clientele comprised of office workers, tourists, and longtime local fans. These days hours are relegated to mornings and lunchtime only. Those who like their pancakes served with a side of nostalgia will find a happy home at The Original Pantry Café. This no-fuss 24/7 diner opened back in 1924 and has probably been serving these straightforward buttermilk pancakes since its opening day. There’s not much that needs to be said about these flapjacks – eating them at the restaurant’s worn counter just feels right.’

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

• Osteria Mozza *

  6602 Melrose Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90038

  (323) 297-0100

  Osteria Mozza is the lauded upscale Italian cuisine from chef Nancy Silverton in a bustling atmosphere. Helen Rosner recommends ordering their burrata, especially on Thursdays, which (rumor has it) is the day it arrives by plane from Italy. from their website, 'The centerpiece of Osteria Mozza is a white Carrara marble Mozzarella Bar where Nancy composes a long list of small dishes featuring fresh imported mozzarella as well as ricotta and cream-filled burrata.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Otafuku Noodle House *

  16525 S Western Ave
  Gardena, CA 90247

  (310) 532-9348

  Otafuku Noodle House is a compact, low-key sushi spot dishing tempura, Japanese entrees, and housemade noodles. From the LA Weekly magazine website, 'What makes Otafuku stand out from other soba spots is the quality of its noodles, all made from flour imported from Japan. The restaurant serves three distinct sobas. First, and most basic, is zaru soba, a light brown noodle made from a mix of buckwheat flour. Next is the unique seiro soba, a white noodle made from flour refined from the first milling. Chewy yet silken, with the slightly earthy flavor of buckwheat, these are the Rolls-Royce of the noodle world.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday and Tuesday

  Recommended by David Chang Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Panchita's #2 Restaurant *

  3091 16th St
  San Francisco, CA 94103

  (415) 431-4232

  Panchita's #2 Restaurant serves pupusas in a variety of flavors offered along with other Latin American staples in a humble space. Adan Savage said to order their fantastic pupusas and said their beans are the best and the 'Mixed Papusa' is KING. From their website, ‘Panchita’s #2 is a low-key family-run restaurant serving Salvadorian food, specializing in pupusas. Proudly serving the Mission District since 1989 with the goal to provide great tasting and high-quality food for all those who visit.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Adan Savage

• Pappy and Harriet's

  53688 Pioneertown Rd
  Pioneertown, CA 92268

  (760) 365-5956

  Pappy and Harriet's serves classic American fare amid rustic decor, plus extras including drinks in mason jars and live music. Didn't get to eat there because it was a two and a half hour wait because I didn't make reservations well in advance. The free Sunday Band with locals and a few special guests was an all-embracing three-hour show with two short breaks. From their website, ‘The legendary Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace has been delighting locals and travelers alike since 1982, with its mesquite barbeque, live music, dancing, and friendly service. There is also a long history here. In 1946, Pioneertown was founded by a group of Hollywood investors with dreams of creating a living movie set — an 1870s frontier town with facades for filming and interiors open to the public. Musicians from Paul McCartney to Lizzo, Lorde, Lucinda Williams, Arctic Monkeys, Robert Plant, Peaches, and many more have graced the Pappy and Harriet’s stage. Pappy and Harriet’s patrons come from all over the world, so you never know who you might have the most fascinating conversation with!’

  Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

  Recommended by Anthony Bourdain

• Park's Barbeque *

  955 S Vermont Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90006

  (213) 380-1717

  Park's Barbeque is a lively, upscale Korean BBQ restaurant with grill-it-yourself Kobe-style beef and marinated short ribs. They have some great Banchan which are small shared dishes with their meals. You should order the spicy braised cod and radish. From their website, ‘We Believe In Korean BBQ That Tastes Incredible. Located in the heart of Los Angeles’ Korea town district, Park’s BBQ is considered by many to be the best of the best. Born in Seoul, Korea, Chef Jenee Kim graduated from Seoul Women’s College with a degree in Culinary Science. After moving to Los Angeles with her two children in 2000, Chef Jenee opened the acclaimed Park’s BBQ in Los Angeles’ Koreatown district in 2003. With its commitment to the highest quality ingredients, “Park’s”, which it has come to be known, quickly became a local favorite and is now widely regarded as the finest authentic Korean BBQ restaurant in Southern California.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Peggy Sue's 50's Diner *

  35654 Yermo Rd
  Yermo, CA 92398

  (760) 254-3370

  Peggy Sue's 50's Diner is a small, 1950s-style diner with American classics such as meatloaf and chicken-fried steak on the menu. I have been told you need to order the pie. From their website, 'Peggy Sue's is an original roadside Diner, built in 1954 with 9 counter stools and 3 booths. It sets in on the shadow of the Calico Mountains and was built from railroad ties and mortar from the nearby Union Pacific Rail yard.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Petit Trois *

  718 N Highland Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90038

  (323) 468-8916

  Petit Trois is a cozy spot with Parisian flare offers classic French fare and a full bar from the team behind Trois Mec. From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘Should a burger ever be eaten with a knife and fork? If anyone is going to challenge the notion of dining simplicity, it’s chef Ludo Lefebvre, whose Valley outpost of popular French bistro Petit Trois is as charming as it is unassuming. Yes, there are tablecloths, and servers seem a bit more starched and pressed than elsewhere; yes, one may ask for silverware when downing the deliciously drowned and sauced Big Mec burger; but no, that does not mean that anything is lost in translation. This burger speaks to LA as an enduring town for burger innovation, where anything (and any flavor) is possible.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Philippe The Original *

  1001 North Alameda
  Los Angeles, CA 90012

  (213) 628-3781

  Philippe The Original is a historic deli serving up signature French dip sandwiches and other comfort fares in busy communal digs. From their website, 'Whether your choice is one of our famous French dip sandwiches, a bowl of chili or a hot cup of coffee, Philippe’s set-up is part of the tradition that has carried on. With the restaurant being family-owned, you’ll find an atmosphere and a menu that can always be counted on to be just like the original.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Roy Chio’s Broken Bread

• Pizzana *

  11712 San Vicente Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90049

  (310) 481-7108

  From the LA Times website, by Jonathan Gold 'When you bite into the pizza — unlike the last Margherita pizza you had, this one is stiff enough to pick up with your hands — there is a crackle, a crunch, and a blast of fresh basil, that licoricey greenness that never quite comes through from a single raw leaf, right before the caramelized tomato acidity kicks in.' Or from Eater LA 'Jonathan Gold Compares the Pies at Pizzana to the Best in The World.' and he also said the “Cacio e Pepe pizza is a small miracle”.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Jonathan Gold and Chef Roy Choi and Jon Favreau's Chef Show

• Pizzeria Mozza *

  641 N. Highland Avenu
  Los Angeles, CA 90036

  (323) 297-0101

  Pizzeria Mozza is the brainchild of Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali turn out acclaimed wood-burning-oven pizzas and antipasti in busy digs. From their website, ‘Widely recognized as one of the best pizzerias in the country, Pizzeria Mozza is known for its California ingredients and a much-talked-about crust. Pizzeria Mozza is an expression of Nancy Silverton’s unique aesthetic and approach to cooking: focused but not fussy, straightforward, and always uncompromising. Committed to the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—our management team aims to make our restaurant as environmentally conscious as possible. From water to waste, disposables to chemicals, locally sourced food to the materials we use to outfit our space, sustainability is always at the forefront of our minds. We are constantly trying to reduce our impact on the environment by taking action on operational efficiency, ingredients, and carbon offsets.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Porto's Bakery and Cafe *

  315 N Brand Blvd
  Glendale, CA 91203

  (818) 956-5996

  Porto's Bakery and Cafe is a bustling Cuban cafe that serves classic offerings include sandwiches, Latin snacks, and specialty desserts. From their website, 'Porto’s Bakery was born out of Rosa Porto's love for sharing her wonderful cakes and pastries with friends and family. When Rosa and her family arrived in California, they had only the clothes on their backs, Raul Sr.’s strong work ethic, Rosa’s exceptional baking skills, and a dream for a better life. Soon after, Rosa began baking and selling cakes to friends and family that had heard of her fabulous cakes back in Cuba. Within a couple of years, it was not uncommon to see a line of customers picking up cakes from Rosa’s small home. In 1976, Rosa opened her first official storefront, Porto’s Bakery, on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, California. NOTE: They have multiple locations.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Los Angeles Times

• Primo's Donuts *

  2918 Sawtelle Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90064

  (310) 478-6930

  Primo's Donuts is a longtime, family-run donut shop offering a variety of flavors, plus muffins, scones, and turnovers. From their website, ‘The Primo family has always been the foundation of Primo’s Donuts. But the one thing that continues to amaze us and what we are so grateful for are our wonderful customers that continue to bring their children, their children’s children, and even their children’s grandchildren to taste that simple joy of a hot freshly made donut.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Radio Africa and Kitchen *

  4800 3rd St
  San Francisco, CA 94124

  (415) 826-9660

  Radio Africa and Kitchen has market-fresh Ethiopian and American dishes which they serve with beer and wine in cheerful surrounds. From the Food Network website, ‘Chef-Owner Eskender Aseged left quite the impression when he appeared on Guy’s Grocery Games — so much so that Guy made sure to check out Aseged’s Ethiopian joint when he was in San Francisco. Follow Guy’s lead and order the seared tuna. It’s topped with chermoula, a Moroccan cilantro and parsley sauce, and served over a bed of sauteed vegetables. “I don’t want this dish to end,” Guy exclaimed. They recommend ordering the Chicken Jambalaya, the Seared Ahi Tuna, and the Saffron Prawns.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Saturday and Sunday

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Rae's Restaurant *

  2901 Pico Blvd
  Santa Monica, CA 90405

  (310) 828-7937

  Rae's Restaurant is an old-school diner serving up American eats such as classic breakfasts and chicken-fried steaks. From Timeout LA's website, 'Rae’s has the feel of a diner that remains oblivious to the passing of time, including the shockingly low prices of its breakfast, lunch and dinner fare, which remain, for the most part, in the single digits throughout the menu. Known for their namesake, ½ pound burger, this is diner food to its core. The Denver Sandwich is an open-faced creation, with toast that holds a pepper-filled omelet and a thick, grilled slice of pineapple; your choice of potato salad or coleslaw comes on the side (get the potato salad). Fries are solid here—thick, lightly crunchy, and without an excessive amount of grease, which is quite possibly the only non-retro thing about this place.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Going for Coffee

• Randy's Donuts *

  805 W Manchester Blvd,
  Inglewood, CA 90301

  (310) 645-4707

  Randy's Donuts is a landmark 24-hour donut shop that lures locals with its selection of homemade classic donuts, bagels, and muffins. From their website, ‘Since starting in 1952, Randy’s Donuts is the most recognized donut shop in the world. Our giant rooftop donut has attracted visitors from all over, making it one of the most iconic locations in Los Angeles. It is also widely known for its numerous appearances in movies, television, and brand advertising. Our fans come for the photo ops but stay for the best donuts they’ve ever tasted. It’s no wonder that Randy’s is consistently named one of the top donut shops in the country and the most reviewed and highest-rated donut shop on Yelp for 70 years! Whether it is your first visit or you are a local, one taste of our donuts will bring you back time and time again. With our expert bakers, secret recipes, proprietary ingredients, and handmade goodness, it is no wonder our donuts are fluffier, airier, larger, and stay fresh longer.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by 24 hours

• Reem's California (Mission) *

  2901 Mission St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 780-1953

  From the Reem's California website, 'Reem's is an Arab street corner bakery that connects people across cultures and experiences through the warmth of bread and hospitality. We believe in the power of food to build strong, resilient community. Our vision is to be an anchor space that provides good jobs, delicious, nourishing food, and a home to many. Reem’s offers the warmth of Arab hospitality through the discovery of flavors, aromas, and techniques of the modern Arab street corner bakery. We create the experience of home through fresh baked bread, using traditional Arab flavors and local ingredients, all prepared with California love.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by David Chang's Netflix (Ugly Delicious)

• Richard Walker's Pancake House *

  520 Front St
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 231-7777

  At Richard Walker's Pancake House diners line up for baked apple pancakes and hearty breakfast staples at this casual daytime eatery. From their website, 'Richard Walker’s Pancake House continues the Walker family tradition by embracing a menu with a multitude of choices and unbeatable service. Our recipes demand only the finest ingredients: USDA 93-score butter, pure heavy whipping cream, the freshest locally sourced Grade AA eggs, and hard wheat unbleached flour. All batters are made fresh on the premises in our on-site commissaries so be assured you’re enjoying the finest breakfast creations possible.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Ritual Coffee Roasters *

  1026 Valencia St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 641-1011

  Ritual Coffee Roasters is an artisanal coffeehouse chain that cultivates relationships with growers and roasts their beans on-site. From their website, 'Ritual has been a pioneer in this delicious shift in coffee consciousness since we opened our doors on Valencia Street in 2005 and started what some call a coffee revolution in San Francisco. Our goal then--and our goal now--is to craft the very best cup of coffee available anywhere. Period. We've learned a lot over the years, but the care and attention we lavish on our process is unchanged, including tasting every coffee several times before it goes out to our coffee bars and into your cup.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Adam Savage

• Rockin' Baja Lobster - Old Town *

  3890 Twiggs St
  San Diego, CA 92110

  (619) 260-0305

  Rockin' Baja Lobster - Old Town serves food inspired by the dishes of Baja's Puerto Nuevo fishing town of fish and lobster taco shop bustles. A bit of history from their website, 'About an hour’s drive south of San Diego along the Baja Mexico coast, lies what was once a small fishing village called Puerto Nuevo. For many years tourist have flocked to the local fisherman’s houses to eat local Pacific lobsters, wrapped in warm flour tortillas along with ranchero beans, Mexican rice, and a hot red chili sauce. Butter was a rarity in the early days, and it was advisable to bring your own. Of course, icy cold Mexican beers and Margaritas were used for “washing it all down”.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Roma Market *

  918 N Lake Ave
  Pasadena, CA 91104

  (626) 797-7748

  From the Los Angles Times website about the Roma Market, 'The sandwich, as the late restaurant critic Jonathan Gold referred to it, is Mazzeo’s life’s work. Wrapped in cotton candy-colored butcher paper, its contents are simple and never change: crusty bread made by a Sicilian baker, a drizzle of good olive oil, a couple of slices each of capicola, mortadella, salami, and provolone. It has taken on legendary status over the years, a necessary stop for anyone who claims to know or love Italian sub sandwiches. He refuses to make substitutions, although he has added a vegetarian option with Provolone, Swiss and marinated artichokes, and now offers a version on ciabatta as well.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Los Angles Times

• Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles - Anaheim

  2110 S Harbor Blvd
  Anaheim, CA 92802

  (714) 823-4130

  Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles is a local soul food chain serving signature chicken and waffles, Southern sides, and more in a casual space. Each time I went I order the dishes in the 20s from their list that had fried chicken with sides such as greens, mac and cheese, red beans and rice (fits on two-thirds of the plate), cornbread, etc. along with a waffle on the side. From their website, 'Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles is a Hollywood, California-based soul food restaurant chain founded by Herb Hudson, a Harlem native, in 1975. It is best known, as the name states, for serving chicken and waffles, both together and separately, although they do offer more traditional menu items as well. Many media outlets, television shows, and movies have filmed at Roscoe's, making it a favorite for everyday diners and celebrities alike. The Los Angeles Times refers to Roscoe's as “such an L.A. institution that people don't even question the strange combo anymore,” while The New York Times refers to it as a “beloved soul food chain.” Visit us at our original location in Hollywood, and you may catch a glimpse of one of our many celebrity diners!' NOTE: They have multiple locations in the Los Angels area.

• Royal Donuts *

  6501 S Sepulveda Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90045

  (310) 641-8456

  Royal Donuts looked like a great old school donut shop when Jerry Seinfeld stopped in during his Netflix show “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Royal India

  329 Market St
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 269-9999

  Royal India is a refined eatery offers a range of Indian classics, including tandoori specialties, plus a full bar. During the week they have an all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s especially great if you’re there at the convention center or large hotel near nearby. From their website, 'Critics rank Royal India as the best Indian restaurants in San Diego. Royal India has multiple locations and specialize in vegetarian restaurants, vegan restaurants, halal food restaurants and provide catering services for corporate events and parties at San Diego's top hotels, cruise and at an elegant banquet hall “Royal Banquet”. You will be utterly pampered with gracious hospitality, plush ambiance and world class food made with authentic Indian ingredients and ancient Indian recipes, that will leave you utterly aglow.' NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Rutt's Hawaiian Cafe *

  11707 Washington Pl
  Los Angeles, CA 90066

  (310) 398-6326

  Rutt's Hawaiian Cafe is a restaurant with sidewalk seating serving traditional comfort eats plus Hawaiian menu options. From their website, ‘You’ll also find breakfast burritos at Rutt’s, omelettes stuffed with Portuguese sausage, and Royales, a kind of mixed-plate tradition that takes the scraps of what’s left and makes something beautiful appear. Spam musubi, teriyaki bowls, and fish — always fish — cater to the same clientele that’s been coming to Rutt’s since the 1970s, and they’re usually happy enough to exclaim every time they walk under the grassy awning that not much has changed. But with a dish like Rutt’s famous Spam and eggs, that’s been true for centuries.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Salt and Straw - San Diego *

  1670 India St
  San Diego, CA 92101

  (619) 542-9394

  Salt and Straw is a popular ice cream chain out of Portland, OR, known for inventive flavors and farm-sourced ingredients. You need to get their Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons. From their website,'Our first San Diego shop joins the city’s historic Little Italy, a vibrant and colorful neighborhood that was once the center of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry in the 1920s. Today, Little Italy’s harborside blocks are home to a fast-growing food and drink scene that we’re honored to be a part of. A few blocks from Waterfront Park and the Embarcadero, our scoop shop adds a little bit of local sweet to India Street, so grab a scoop or three and explore the neighborhood gems, from the Mercato Farmers Market to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Salt and Straw - Venice

  1357 Abbot Kinney Blvd
  Venice, CA 90291

  (310) 310-8429

  Salt and Straw is a the popular ice cream chain out of Oregon known for inventive flavors and farm-sourced ingredients. All their flavors are great it all depends on what you're in the mode to eat. My favorite is their Sea Salt with Caramel Ribbons in a cup. From their website, ‘Our scoop shop is located right on Abbot Kinney, “the coolest block in America,” according to GQ. Venice is one of Los Angeles’ most creative places to live, work, and play, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Scolari's Good Eat’s *

  1303 Park St
  Alameda, CA 94501

  (510) 521-2400

  Scolari's Good Eat’s is a compact go-to for Stromboli, burgers, and Buffalo fries with optional delivery to the bar next door. Order the blue cheese and blueberry burger with scampi fries or the Good Old Boy' Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. From their website, ‘Since opening in 2010, Scolari’s has offered a wide selection of “Good Eats” utilizing ingredients sourced both locally and globally. Our focus on the tasty rather than the territory and the delectable over the dramatic enables us to bring a diverse array of cuisines to your table without the extended pinky finger.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Shan Dong Restaurant *

  328 10th St
  #101
  Oakland, CA 94607

  (510) 839-2299

  Shan Dong Restaurant is a buzzing eatery featuring traditional Chinese staples in a bright, straight-up setting. You should order the Shan Dong dumplings which are the best handmade Dumplings in the Bay Area according to them. From their website, ‘Shan Dong is known for two things: dumplings and handmade noodles — in particular, the “hot and spicy chow mein,” which you should definitely request with those thick, toothsome handmade noodles. The restaurant is open for takeout and delivery (via a third-party app). It’s also selling frozen dumplings, $28 for a bag of 50.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• Sherman's Deli and Bakery *

  401 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
  Palm Springs, CA 92262

  (760) 325-1199

  Sherman's Deli and Bakery is a New York City-style deli serving kosher fare from morning to night, with specialty cakes and other baked goods. My friend had the Monte Christo, and the photo looks great. From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘Swing into the Twentynine Palms location of Jelly Donut for steaming bowls of Vietnamese beef noodle soup, along with a classic collection of doughnuts. The bowl to get is the #1 with all the trimmings — brisket, meatballs, and tenderloin. A maple bar or apple fritter for dessert is a must.’ From their website, ‘Bread and desserts are baked fresh daily. And don’t miss breakfast featuring fresh baked cinnamon bread French toast. We also serve all-American breakfasts like huge 8-egg omelets with thick bacon! Our Famous Sandwich Board offers more than 40 favorites, including Hot Corned Beef piled high on rye bread served with Potato Salad or Cole Slaw. Fine wines and beer are also available. Deluxe dinners really give our chef a chance to show off. Try Rotisserie Chicken – tender and tasty half chicken roasted fresh daily or Roast Brisket of Beef served with potato pancake, or BBQ Baby Back Ribs – the local’s favorite! Be sure to check out our Daily Specials, including our world-renowned Southern-style Fried Chicken. All dinners include a choice of Soup or Garden Salad, Baked Potato, Cottage Fries or Homemade Mashed Potatoes, and Mixed Vegetables.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya *

  370 14th St
  San Francisco, CA 94103

  (415) 678-5767

  Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar and Izakaya serves vegan fare, from faux-sushi, and ramen to meatless small plates, in an inventive, wood-decked space. Adam Savage recommends the vegan sushi. From their website, ‘Shizen is proud to be a fully vegan sushi bar and izakaya. We combine classic shojin and sushi techniques with local, seasonal ingredients to create healthy and flavorful dishes with a light footprint. We believe that the components of honest plant-based cuisine should speak for themselves. Our chefs use tapioca, mountain yam, konjac, bean curd, and other vegan ingredients to form complex and satisfying dishes that stand on their own without the need to imitate animal proteins.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Adam Savage

• Ski Inn

  9596 Avenue A
  Niland, CA 92257

  (760) 354-1285

  Ski Inn is a no-frills bar with dollars adorning the walls and ceilings. They offer burgers, beer, and other staples. Order the patty melt and the Cole Slaw. It’s at the Salton Sea which experience in and of itself. From the Wikipedia website, 'Ski Inn is a bar and restaurant in Bombay Beach, California. The Ski Inn purports to be the “lowest bar in the western hemisphere” at 223 feet or 68 meters below sea level. The name refers to water skiing and not snow skiing. Originally, there were five bars in Bombay Beach. However, it is now one of two bars in town, the other being the local American Legion. The bar has been under the same ownership for more than a quarter of a century. The band Heat Hell and Winter played 1950s cover songs there. At one point, the Ski Inn had a video poker machine. It is popular among local residents.'

  Recommended by Anthony Bourdain

• Souley Vegan *

  301 Broadway
  Oakland, CA 94607

  (510) 922-1615

  Souley Vegan is a warm corner eatery preparing vegan versions of Louisiana-style soul food, plus cocktails and desserts. From the Thrillist website, ‘Souley Vegan chef/owner Tamearra Dyson has been vegan since she was 18 and is on a mission to prove that you can have plant-based soul food without sacrificing the soul—one that we’d say she’s pretty much succeeded in given that she recently became the first plant-based chef to beat Bobby Flay in a blind taste competition. The menu features an extensive selection of authentic Louisiana Creole dishes that are prepared in-house from scratch. The Ain’t Gator Po’ Boy that subs alligator with house-made seitan and battered mushrooms, plus all of the fixins, then tops it off with their savory “swamp sauce” is a favorite, but make sure you add a couple of sides to your order, like the Creole Mac with glazed semolina noodles and house-made cheeze that’s garnished with a zesty gremolata mixture.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

• South Beach Bar and Grill *

  5059 Newport Ave
  San Diego, CA 92107

  (619) 226-4577

  South Beach Bar and Grill is a lively eatery offering ocean views, seafood-focused Mexican fare, and an immense selection of microbrews. Make sure to get the grilled fish tacos. From their website, 'Just a few miles west of downtown San Diego lies Ocean Beach, one of the few remaining classic California beach towns. In the heart of OB, at the end of palm-lined Newport Avenue, just a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean sits the South Beach Bar and Grille. Home of the world-famous Mahi fish taco, South Beach has drawn a lively mix of locals and visitors since opening in 1992. Grab a seat at the long wooden bar and watch the sunset behind the crashing surf as you order from a full bar featuring 22 tequilas and more than 40 beers, including several from award-winning San Diego breweries.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Starling Diner *

  4114 E 3rd St
  Long Beach, CA 90814

  (562) 433-2041

  Starling Diner is a casual and stylish, independent local cafe serving updated diner eats with coffee and wine. Order the pot roast wrap with potato and polenta covered in gravy. From their website, ‘We only use fresh eggs that are cracked by hand. We use unsalted butter and heavy cream in our sauces and scones. Hand-made baguettes are used for signature stuffed French Toast. ​When we offer fruit on our menu, it’s fresh berries that are purchased daily. Not soggy melon or grapes that usually come pre-cut in a bag. You can get that at most other breakfast joints around. But not here. Our chefs actually cook and create, not just warm things up or cut open, boil, and bag pre-cooked junk. It definitely isn’t the most cost-effective way to do things, but we are, after all, in the cooking business. If you are not actually COOKING, then what is the point?’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• SugarFish by Sushi Nozawa *

  212 N Canon Dr,
  Beverly Hills, CA 90210

  (310) 276-6900

  SugarFish by Sushi Nozawa celebrates local sushi chain serving traditional rolls and sake in a chic, intimate space. From their website, ‘At SugarFish, you’ll experience sushi as Nozawa has intended, and you’ll find that we do some things differently. An important point about Nozawa-style sushi is his strict adherence to traditional sushi: You’ll find no California rolls, spicy tuna rolls, or teriyaki at SugarFish. Chef Nozawa believes the sushi experience should be pure and simple. We want to build on that foundation for our guests.’ From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘The spirit of Nozawa lives on at this intimate sushi bar located behind the Sugarfish in Beverly Hills. With fewer than 10 seats, this rarified experience feels very much like a top-level place in Tokyo, with theatrical service and a hushed counter dining experience. The $225 per person meal comes with 20-some courses.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Dusty Wright

• Super Cocina *

  3627 University Ave
  San Diego, CA 92104

  (619) 584-6244

  Super Cocina is a no-frills setting for traditional handmade Mexican favorites like empanadas and enchiladas. Look into ordering some of the offal cuts. From their website, 'Our restaurant was established in 1988 with one main goal in mind, to bring you the most authentic cooking from the Mexican heartland. We change our menu daily in order to bring you more than 180 different culinary delights from different regions of Mexico, all made with the freshest ingredients. Our different dishes are unique and unrivaled anywhere else in San Diego, and our warm atmosphere and friendly staff will make you feel like you are eating with family. We offer free samples of our daily dishes to help you make the best selection.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Super Tortas D.F. *

  1098 E 41st St
  Los Angeles, CA 90011

  (323) 351-8379

  Super Tortas D.F. is a no-frills mobile eatery is doling out Mexican tortas stuffed with layers of meats, cheese, and eggs. Found out about this place while standing line for spit roasted al pastor. From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘This South LA trailer slings meaty options all night long, including their popular Cubano, which squeezes ham, milanesa, chorizo, egg, quesillo and hot dog chunks together inside a telera roll. It’s a delicate task, building a torta cubana. The master sandwich builder is performing a balancing act, stuffing large -- obscene, really -- quantities of meat, egg, and vegetable into a crusty, white telera roll without turning it into an out-and-out freakshow. Anyone can make an absurd, unwieldy, difficult-to-eat sandwich (I’m looking at you, Dagwood Bumstead), but it takes a careful craftsman to make something that is at once immodest yet beautiful to behold, obscene yet eminently edible. A quick sidebar about the initials “D.F.:” it stands for “Distrito Federal.”’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

• Swiss Donut

  555 S Sunrise Way
  #102
  Palm Springs, CA 92264

  (760) 778-3773

  The original Swiss Donut's Sunrise Way location in Palm Springs serves as their boutique shop. All offer a great selection of old school crumb, maple, cinnamon, buttermilk, coconut glaze, old-fashion glaze, apple fritters, and chocolate cake. The apple fritter was great, but a bit too sweet for my liking, while the texture and apples were excellent. The apple fritters texture was perfect, but it's was a bit too sweet for my taste. Still ranks in the top five or so apple fritters I have had in my life, and I'm in my mid-50s. NOTE: They have multiple locations.

• Taco Maria *

  3313 Hyland Ave
  SoCo Collection
  Costa Mesa, CA 92626

  (714) 538-8444

  Taco María serves locally sourced Californian-Mexican fare in casual, open-kitchen quarters with a patio. Taco Maria was listed as the #3 restaurant in the 2019 101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles. Along with receiving one Michelin Star in 2019 from the Michelin Guide. From their website, 'In our family, María is the proper first name of every mother, sister, tía, and abuelita going back generations. Ours are the flavors of their lost kitchens: traditions transplanted into Southern California's multicultural soils, alongside local produce and regional meats and seafood, by a chef trained in Michelin-starred kitchens and raised here in Orange County. When Chef Carlos Salgado opened Taco María in 2013, he made a decision to honor his family’s culture and their hard work by making Mexican-inspired food with a reverence for its provenance. Using the best ingredients available and applying the techniques and values he learned in Michelin-starred restaurants, Salgado works to create a syncretic Alta California cuisine that represents Mexican food by putting real corn at the foundation.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

  Recommended by Snook

• Tacos 1986 *

  609 S Spring St
  Los Angeles, CA 90014

  From “Off Menu” on the LA Times website, 'Just a few months after opening, Tacos 1986 quickly ascended to become one of L.A.’s most popular taco spots. Run by Victor Delgado and charismatic taquero Jorge Alvarez-Tostado, Tacos 1986 became known for its Tijuana-style tacos de adobada — juicy marinated pork sliced from a rotating trompo and served with a dollop of smooth guacamole.' NOTE: They have a taco cart too.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Tacos Oscar *

  420 40th St
  Oakland, CA 94609

  (510) 735-9620

  From the Eater San Francisco website, 'Tacos Oscar has been roaming Oakland’s art and music scene for almost five years now, selling tacos and quesadillas from a propane-fueled plancha in alleys, at bars, and just about anywhere. Now, founders Oscar Michel and Jake Weiss have found themselves a permanent taco haven. The goal is to change the menu once a week, based on what produce is showing up at the markets. There’s always a vegan option, alongside meaty fillings like pork chile Verde with cilantro, onions, and chicharrones, and chorizo con papa frittata tacos with roasted tomato and puya chile salsa, shredded lettuce, queso fresco, and pickled onions.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

  Recommended by Bon Appetit

• Tamales Mi Lupita *

  3340 Foothill Blvd
  Oakland, CA 94601

  (510) 436-3851

  Tamales Mi Lupita is an acclaimed food truck serving Mexican tacos, tamales, Salvadoran pupusas, and empanadas. From the San Fransico Eater website, 'Tucked into a tiny parking lot on Foothill is a permanently parked food truck called Tamales Mi Lupita with three kinds of Mexican tamales — huge in size and full of masa but light on flavorful fillings — in pork, chicken, or rajas y queso. They also make Guatemalan-style tamales, cooked in banana leaves and available in pork or chicken.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Taquería El Farolito *

  2779 Mission St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 824-7877

  Taquería El Farolito is a busy, no-frills Mexican eatery and late-night haunt serving comfort food like tacos and burritos. From the San Fransico Eater website, ‘El Farolito, the name of which nods to purported super burrito inventor El Faro, took the original Mission-style burrito and perfected it. These burritos are grilled to perfectly combine their ingredients, with rice, beans, and meat (carnitas and al pastor recommended), into a messy whole that’s far more than the sum of its parts. There are several Bay Area locations, and two in close proximity in the Mission, with its newest outpost in North Beach. Go for the super — an incredible value — and bring cash.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Dylan Wilbanks

• Taqueria San Bruno *

  1045 San Mateo Ave
  San Bruno, CA 94066

  (650) 873-1752

  Taqueria San Bruno is a tiny eatery that draws crowds with cheap, enormous burritos, and tacos, which has a self-serve salsa bar. When you're there, I heard you need to order the Salvadoran food along with the pupusas. From the San Francisco Eater website, ‘If the Mission-style super burrito is San Francisco’s most iconic original food creation, then Taqueria San Bruno is the closest, most convenient spot where you can snag a truly stellar and truly gigantic version on the way either to or from the airport — with planes literally taking off above your head. It bears repeating: These super burritos are comically oversized and loaded with meats (as are the breakfast burritos, for that matter, if you’ve got an early flight). The charred carne asada is probably the people’s choice, but the taqueria is also known for serving some of the area’s better fish and shrimp tacos.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

• Tartine (Sycamore) *

  911 N Sycamore Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90038

  (323) 552-6054

  From the Tartine (Sycamore) website, 'Bring bread with an old-soul into the lives of our friends in California. Using a wood-fired brick oven, Chad Robertson baked bread, and Elisabeth Prueitt created rustic, elegant pastries using many of the techniques they had learned abroad. Since our founding, we’ve been driven by what we didn’t know and what we wanted to find out. We’ve constantly sought new ways to do the undone in the spirit of always doing it better.' NOTE: They have multiple locations in Los Angles and other places globally.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Chef Show (Netflix)

• Taste of Tehran *

  1915 Westwood Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90025

  (310) 470-0022

  Taste of Tehran is a Persian eatery with small and large plates which offers a few tables for dining in. Order the lamb shank with fragrant and a side of hummus. From the Los Angles Eater website, ‘Saghar Fanisalek hails from Shiraz and brings modern touches to Iranian cuisine at her sleek Westwood restaurant. She and Taste of Tehran even appeared on Top Chef Season 13. Flame-grilled highlights include ground beef koobideh, which is particularly good in a lavash wrap with roasted tomato, fragrant Persian basil, tangy sumac, onion salsa, radishes, iceberg lettuce, and herbaceous house dressing made with yogurt, mayo, and dill. Cornish hen is also notable, marinated in yogurt, saffron, onion, particularly good with zereshk polo (barberry rice). Trout might not technically qualify as a kebab, but this flaky butterflied white fish is marinated with garlic, yogurt, and saffron and sports crispy, savory skin, and is worth ordering.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Taylor's Steak House *

  3361 W 8th St
  Los Angeles, CA 90005

  (213) 382-8449

  Taylor's Steak House, where diners sit in booths order martinis and cuts of red meat at this family-owned steakhouse built-in 1953. From Los Angles Eater website, 'First opened in 1953, Taylor’s Steakhouse moved to their current location on 8th Street in 1970, then watched as the neighborhood completely shifted through the decades. This longtime Koreatown staple still serves their ten-ounce sirloin culotte steaks, and sitting in the red Naugahyde booths is as fun as ever.' NOTE: They have another location.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by David Chang's Netflix show Ugly Delicious

• Tre Lune *

  1151 Coast Village Rd
  Montecito, CA 93108

  (805) 969-2646

  Tre Lune serves pasta, pizzas, antipasti, and other Italian classics in an old-school, festive dining hall. From their website, 'At Tre Lune, you'll find delicious, simple food; reminiscent of your last visit to Italy. A thoughtful menu that isn't afraid of flavor, featuring memorable favorites. Diverse diners come for honest, high-quality Italian cooking.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Trejo's Coffee and Donuts *

  6785 Santa Monica Blvd
  Los Angeles, CA 90038

  (323) 462-4600

  Trejo's Coffee and Donuts is a coffee and donut shop from Mexican-American actor Danny Trejo, with inventive fritter flavors.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Wayne White's Instagram account

• True Laurel *

  753 Alabama St
  San Francisco, CA 94110

  (415) 341-0020

  From the Eater website about True Laurel, 'Muddling the distinction between restaurant and bar isn’t a novel concept these days. Neither is the idea of a fine-dining chef moonlighting to create a more casual menu of brainy small plates. But partners David Barzelay, chef-owner of the supper club-style phenom Lazy Bear, and bar director Nicolas Torres propel these notions to higher national standards with their new joint project. True Laurel feels like an art installation, with walls and dividers set at odd, beautiful angles and an undulating bas-relief sculpture designed as a tribute to midcentury designer Isamu Noguchi. Barzelay and chef de cuisine Geoff Davis bring the smarts with their riffs on Americana bar food: a patty melt crisped in autumnal beef fat, Dungeness, and cheddar fondue potato chips and vegetables for scooping and fried hen-of-the-wood mushrooms with a riff on sour cream and onion dip. Torres’s cocktails similarly quicken the mind. He uses an arsenal of infusions, tonics, obscure spirits, and local fruits to exquisite, unpretentious effect. We’re living through weird, wild times; this is a sanctuary for comfort with unusual wit and style, a welcome model.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by Eater's 18 Best New Restaurants in America - 2018

• Turtle Tower Restaurant *

  645 Larkin St
  San Francisco, CA 94109

  (415) 409-3333

  Turtle Tower Restaurant is simply decorated, cash-only spot serving Vietnamese noodles, soups, and other classic fare. Order the chicken, giblets, gizzards, etc. pho. From their website, ‘On a bustling alley corner in the Tenderloin, Turtle Tower is easily missed – unless you happen to know its chef and owner Steven Nghia Pham, who appears to know everybody walking past. The best way to describe Steven’s take on pho is fresh. He buys produce from farmers’ markets down the street, free-range chickens insists the beef be hand sliced, and buys noodles made fresh that day. The noodles in your bowl were probably made a mere three hours before you take the first bite.’ From the San Francisco Eater website, ‘Turtle Tower, the favorite Vietnamese restaurant of the Tenderloin, hits the spot for chicken pho. The northern-style broth is clear and bright and brimming with tender rice noodles and chicken.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Urth Caffé *

  451 S Hewitt St
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 797-4534

  Urth Caffé is a bustling chain of coffeehouses serves an extensive American menu with counter service and patio seating. From their website, 'Our practice is based on sourcing local, sustainable, and whenever possible organic ingredients. Urth enjoys many direct, special relationships with local farmers. Urth Caffé’s menu offers a fresh, healthy, sustainable way of eating, drinking, and living by using 100% natural ingredients completely free of any artificial ingredients or GMOs.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

• Venice Ramen

  515 Washington Blvd
  Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

  (310) 448-8886

  Venice Ramen is a compact, simple Japanese eatery for house-made noodles in a range of broths, plus other specialties. No need for extra noodles since they give you so many to start with I forced my way through them. The two types of dumplings they serve are great too. From the Los Angles Eater website, 'This diminutive ramen shop is the best place for Japanese noodles on the Westside. With a composed, well-balanced broth that's not too rich, and sporting firm, high-quality noodles, it's a very good Tsujita competitor for Hakata-style tonkotsu. For something a little less heavy, opt for the chuka soba, a Tokyo-style bowl with a lighter broth.'

• Villa Moreliana *

  317 S Broadway St
  Grand Central Market
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 725-0848

  Villa Moreliana serves pork tacos. The pork is slow-cooked as it is prepared in Michoacán, México, the traditional birthplace of carnitas! From their website, 'An authentic carnitas specialist, selling slow-cooked pork as it is prepared in Michoacan, Mexico, the traditional birthplace of carnitas.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Watts Coffee House *

  1827 E 103rd St
  Los Angeles, CA 90002

  (323) 249-4343

  From an LA Weekly article about the Watts Coffee House, 'If you’re in any sort of hurry, even remotely, breakfast at Watts Coffee House isn’t the best idea. Housed in what was once a community rec room, it’s equal parts old-school diner and black culture time capsule, a place where the term “soul food” is stretched to its widest connotation. The walls are plastered with posters and playbills commemorating African-American icons — some local, some international — everyone from Otis Redding to Redd Foxx to Malcolm X, along with hundreds of stickers and signs from local businesses and clubs stuck onto every empty surface. Motown tunes float through the air, while retro sitcoms play on a TV in the corner.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday and Monday

  Recommended by Roy Chio's Broken Bread

• W. E. P. A. Brix 581 *

  581 5th St
  Oakland, CA 94607

  (415) 724-7274

  From the Food Network website about W. E. P. A. Brix 581, 'This Puerto Rican hot spot is known for its bold flavors and (bottomless) brunch bashes. Regulars love the Chicharron Mofongo and Canoa, but the restaurant also offers up some incredible vegan options. They recommend ordering the Chicharron Mofongo and Canoa.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Wexler's Deli *

  317 S Broadway
  Grand Central Market
  Los Angeles, CA 90013

  (213) 620-0633

  Wexler's Deli is a compact old-school, new-wave deli offering bagels and sandwiches filled with house-cured meats and fish. From their website, ‘The only deli in LA that cures, smokes, and hand-slices all meat and fish in-house. Wexler’s Deli stands for three things: tradition, craftsmanship, and quality. Born of a desire to serve classic Jewish deli food made by people who care, Wexler’s uses old-school methods to handcraft our pastrami and smoked salmon. After curing in a special blend of salt and spices, our meats and fish are slowly smoked in-house over apple wood and sliced by hand in front of your eyes.’ NOTE: They have multiple locations.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Wilma and Frieda *

  73575 El Paseo Dr.
  The Gardens on El Paseo - #2310
  Palm Desert, CA 92260

  (760) 773-2807

  Wilma and Frieda is a bustling locale offering updated comfort classics for breakfast and brunch in a simple space. The restaurant is named after their two grandmothers, Wilma and Frieda. From their website, 'Our restaurant is named after our two grandmothers, Wilma and Frieda. Wilma was a character known for always wearing cat-eye glasses, while Frieda was best known for her amazing ability to make dinner for 20 people in a heartbeat. In their honor, Wilma and Frieda serves comfort food with a twist. We offer all of your favorite dishes from childhood with a grown-up flavor profile in our farmhouse café.' A quote from the website: 'Wilma was a character known for always wearing cat-eye glasses while Frieda was best known for her amazing ability to make dinner for 20 people in a heartbeat. In their honor, Wilma and Frieda serves comfort food with a twist. We offer all of your favorite dishes from childhood with a grown-up flavor profile in our farmhouse café.'

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Drives

• Wursthall *

  310 Baldwin Ave,
  San Mateo, CA 94401

  (650) 931-4282

  Wursthall, the hotly anticipated restaurant and Biergarten from internet food guru J. Kenji López-Alt. The restaurant is a German/Austrian-style beer hall, serving California takes on classic fare, beer, and craft cocktails. Order the Impossible Döner kebap which is entirely vegan, cooked in a vertical rotisserie on a Nigella seed bun or the Nürnberger Bratwursts. From their website, ‘Welcome to Wursthall, a German-inspired biergarten with a California point of view. We are a local gathering place featuring house-made sausages and delicious cold pints. Our menu features house-made wursts, sandwiches, and tasty appetizers. We also have vegan renditions of our most popular dishes. We make our sausages in-house and offer varieties ranging from a traditional Bier Bratwurst to the adventurous Chorizo Verde. We’ve also partnered with Impossible Foods to produce an entirely vegan sausage, as well as a vegan Impossible Burger. Quench your thirst with a refreshing craft beer, a glass of wine, or a refined cocktail.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

• X'tiosu Kitchen *

  923 Forest Ave
  Suite 112
  Los Angeles, CA 90033

  (323) 526-8844

  Here is some information about X'tiosu Kitchen from the Los Angles Times website, 'X’tiosu (pronounced “sh-tee-oh-sue”) means “thank you” in Zapotec, the native tongue of Oaxacan-born brothers Felipe and Ignacio Santiago, the co-owners and journeyman cooks (“chef” is too lofty a title for the work they do, Felipe told me) behind the baby-blue brick storefront on Forest Avenue. The restaurant is unassuming in almost every way: Seating is limited to a scattering of industrial-grade patio tables, and the restaurant is tucked into a sleepy mini-mall where there seem to be more tenants than parking spaces. The general mood is one of extreme informality and friendliness. The restaurant’s menu of Oaxacan-inflected, Lebanese-inspired dishes is at its most compelling when it goes full-bore on its vaguely exotic-sounding premise of “Arabesque Oaxacan” cooking.' The Los Angles Times recommends the following dishes: Chicken shawarma taco, tabbouleh Oaxaca salad, Oaxacan hummus, falafel plate, and chorizo kebab.

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Monday

  Recommended by David Chang's Netflix show Ugly Delicious

• Yardbird Southern Table and Bar *

  8500 Beverly Blvd
  Suite 112
  Los Angeles, CA 90048

  (323) 250-8034

  Yardbird Southern Table and Bar is a traditional Southern eatery with themed decor, chicken, and waffles, grits and more, plus craft cocktails. You need to order the deviled eggs and the shrimp and grits. From their website, 'With accolades from James Beard and Bon Appétit, Yardbird pays tribute to the craveable American classics that bring people together. Guests can indulge in brunch, lunch, dinner and a curated cocktail program highlighting a dynamic collection of bourbons. Yardbird takes guests on a culinary journey through a menu of unapologetically indulgent dishes and heady bourbon cocktails. Serving up nationally acclaimed comfort food for more than a decade, it’s no secret our restaurant has garnered global fanfare.' NOTE: They have other locations around the United States.

  Looking forward to eating here.

• Yuca’s Hut *

  2056 Hillhurst Ave
  Los Angeles, CA 90027

  (323) 662-1214

  Yuca’s Hut is a longtime taco shack lures foodies with Mexican fare, including cochinita pibil, and carnitas burritos. Yuca’s Hut is the only James Beard Award-winning taco stand. Order the tamales or the tacos. From their website, ‘When Socorro opened Yuca’s on April 1st, 1976, she didn’t have an elaborate plan in sight, only the dream and need to share the delicious flavors of her Yucatán and bring a little piece of her home to Los Angeles. Today that dream continues, with now 80-year-old Socorro still leading the band together with her daughter Dora, greeting customers from her bar stool as always, taking their orders on paper plates, and passing around delicious Yucatecan staples like tamales, tacos, burritos, and much more. Inspired by the recipes from our family’s traditional Mexican kitchen in Merida, Yuca’s daily servings include delicious Mexican food such as the best authentic Tacos in LA, Mexican Tortas, Quesadillas, Carnitas, award-winning Yucatan-style burritos filled with Cochinita Pibil, Carne Asada and so much more! Our culinary excellence has received a James Beard Award in America’s Classics category, but our greatest joy still comes from our customers saying, “This is the best I have ever tasted!”’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Sunday

• Zoftig Eatery *

  57 Montgomery Dr,
  Santa Rosa, CA 95404

  (707) 521-9554

  The chef and owner Matt Spector of Zoftig Eatery uses his fine-dining background to spice up the menu. Order the Korean Burrito which is packed with marinated, local ground beef, pickled vegetables, kimchi, fresh herbs, avocado, and barbeque sauce. Or order the Maccabi Bowl with is a Mediterranean salad with falafel, etc. From their website, ‘Today, Zoftig Eatery features a curated menu of sandwiches, salads, wraps, bowls, and scratch-made desserts. Their diverse daily specials are highly coveted and tend to sell out shortly after they are announced. The Spectors source many ingredients from local purveyors such as Acme Bread Co., Saint Frank Coffee, Stemple Creek Ranch, and Straus Family Creamery. In addition, they offer local craft beer, wines, kombuchas, and teas. Zoftig Eatery was featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2018 after local celebrity and host Guy Fieri tasted their Korean Burrito while filming Guy’s Grocery Games in Santa Rosa.’

  Looking forward to eating here.

  Closed Saturday and Sunday

  Recommended by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives

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