Seeing as I’m going to be spending the next couple weeks in Los Angeles (with a brief respite in San Francisco) I wanna know: what are your favorite low-key spots in town? The locals-only haunts? The hidden gems, a la Sapp Coffee Shop from yesterday’s post? I’m gonna pick a few of your recs to visit!
Saffron and Rose Ice Cream! It’s in Little Tehran, near Sawtelle (also a must). It’s some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had with such unique Middle Eastern flavors. It’s been around since the seventies and is truly a staple. I’d go at least three times a week because of its proximity to UCLA. Must try!!
Taco zone is an amazing taco truck (in echo park) and for Ktown definitely go to to SSAM for KBBQ, omg so good, super authentic and the quality is amazing! Don't go to any AYCs (all you can eat) the quality is never great.
Also my Dad and I have a spot in Venice. TOTAL DIVE BAR. Hinano Cafe. You can get a burger made right in front of you with a aide of bagged chips. Their moto on the selection of chips? You get what you get. It’s always been a solid when I want something non fussy and simple, and good memories to look back on with my Dad.
Visit the Getty Center off the 405 and the Getty Villa in Malibu. You can do it in one day. Start early at the Getty Center and you can end the day with a beautiful sunset in Malibu!! 🙏🙏🙏
- Tacos El Patron for Birria style tacos; there’s bound to be a line but it’s well worth it
- The Coffee Movement is the best coffee shop in the whole wide world
- Sam Wo’s for an absolute establishment in Chinatown (early 1900s)
- 15 Romelo for low key, delicious cocktails
- Hook Fish Co (Outer Sunset) for straight off the boat fish tacos
- Tommy’s for a local haunt Mexican spot serving up big, perfect margs and hearty tex-mex
- Dad’s Luncheonette down the peninsula for to die for patty melts (mushroom veggi option also available) in an old caboose amidst some of the best surf spots
- Nyum Bai (Fruitvale) for the rare authentic and excellently done Cambodian spot (in a neat shipping container)
The Win - Dow LA (an extension of American Beauty Steakhouse) offers a smaller-but mighty menu of classic smash burgers (beef or impossible burger), fried chicken sandwiches, grain bowls, fries, and salad. You order at a window beside the main restaurant and can eat it in the parking lot or take with you. (So good!) if you did want to check out American Beauty Steakhouse, although not so low key, I highly recommend. It was one of the best steak dinners I’ve had in LA with the coolest, non-stuffy ambiance. The stuffed hasnrown is heavenly!
The Apple Pan - another burger restaurant but this one has some history. The Apple Pan opened in 1947 and has been serving diner classics like burgers and pie ever since. You can also order other classics, or get something as simple as a ham and cheese, all from a small counter in the center of the restaurant.
Bay Cities Deli - a Santa Monica staple. I found it hard to find a solid sub shop when living in LA (being from the east coast all my life) and Bay Cities always hit the spot. Everyone loves their Godmother sub, but you cant fo wrong with anything from Bay Cities.
Ayara Thai (in Westchester) is my favorite Thai restaurant. Skinny Dave's right across the street recently opened and they have so many different banh mi sandwich options - delish!
Homestate Tacos is a go-to for fantastic breakfast tacos and definitely do not pass up on the queso! They've grown recently and have multiple locations now, but all still family/female owned - YES!!!
Check out Joliet in Playa Vista for some amazing evening cocktails and an aperitivo hour with great snacks.
I second the vote on Jame Enoteca, but their sister restaurant in Venice (Ospi) is just as amazing with an addition of pizzas. Don't pass up the Kale salad... the dressing makes it!
You have to try a Los Angeles favorite since 1946! It’s the world famous Tommy’s Hamburgers on Rampart Blvd and Beverly Blvd. it’s the best Chili Burgers in the nation! I currently live in Texas but travelled for a living and so I’ve tried many burgers throughout the nation. Tommy’s World Famous chili burgers is by far the best in the nation! However, I might be a little biased since I grew up by the original Tommy’s on Ramprt and Beverly ☺️☺️☺️
California Grill in East Hollywood/Virgil village for the besttt pupusas 💥, The Gangjung in Ktown for Korean fried chicken, Birria Los Socios for the quesataco in East LA
Rice & Nori -- THE best onigiri and it's in a shopping center in Little Tokyo with so many great places to check out. Such a good place for a yummy lunch!
Dudley Market in Venice. Amazing fish and natural wine spot 1/2 block off the Venice boardwalk. They catch all the fish they sell themselves and all your natural wine desires will be found here. Great sunset spot too.
Lady and larder on pico in Santa Monica. Charcuterie boards made them known but they are a cheese, wine, meat, tinned fish spot. Get a “yes honey” sandwich among the other items.
Misuwa Marketplace on Centinela in Mar Vista. Out of this world Japanese full supermarket that also has a food court. Kewpie heaven for you as well.
You can always find me at Augustine Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks. Amazing vintage (and non!) By the Glass wine selection, killer food (the pork chop with fermented chili rice is unreal, so are the steak frites and if they have the little gem salad it’s always amazing) and the best vibe. Pro tip - sit at the bar! Also if you’re feeling a little Japanese, but not necessarily sushi, head over to Daichan in Studio City for some Japanese Soul Food
Open Market in koreatown for some truly excellent sandwiches. Also in the sandwich realm check out Jeff’s Table in highland park (hot kimcheezy and yuzu kosho turkey are my faves) and ggiata.
Birria is really blowing up in LA right now so if you’re thinking tacos on the Westside get the deluxe plate from Teddy Red’s you will not regret it. Birrerria San Marcos and Birria and Pozole to go are totally worth the drive to the valley.
holy guacamole for the best bean and cheese burrito
Jame Enoteca in El Segundo - right by the airport so amazing meal pre-flight!
LA:
Soot Bull Jeep Korean BBQ
Zankou Chicken - order roast chicken, pickle turnips, baba ganoush
SF:
Dinosaur for Banh Mi or springs rolls
Marcella’s Lasagneria - open for lunch only
Garden Creamery
El Castillito Taqueria - best nachos I’ve ever had
Z&Y - best Sichuan in the city. Order chicken w/ explosive chili pepper, cumin lamb, Sichuan green beans
Yamo - tiny Burmese restaurant run by mother daughter duo. Order coconut chicken noodle soup
Saffron and Rose Ice Cream! It’s in Little Tehran, near Sawtelle (also a must). It’s some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had with such unique Middle Eastern flavors. It’s been around since the seventies and is truly a staple. I’d go at least three times a week because of its proximity to UCLA. Must try!!
Milano Cafe in Burbank recently opened. Italian cafe and market. Great for breakfast and lunch
Taco zone is an amazing taco truck (in echo park) and for Ktown definitely go to to SSAM for KBBQ, omg so good, super authentic and the quality is amazing! Don't go to any AYCs (all you can eat) the quality is never great.
Playa Baja in Montebello has the best carne asada plate! I’ve been going there as long as I can remember
Tsubaki in Echo Park
Also my Dad and I have a spot in Venice. TOTAL DIVE BAR. Hinano Cafe. You can get a burger made right in front of you with a aide of bagged chips. Their moto on the selection of chips? You get what you get. It’s always been a solid when I want something non fussy and simple, and good memories to look back on with my Dad.
Visit the Getty Center off the 405 and the Getty Villa in Malibu. You can do it in one day. Start early at the Getty Center and you can end the day with a beautiful sunset in Malibu!! 🙏🙏🙏
For SF:
- Tacos El Patron for Birria style tacos; there’s bound to be a line but it’s well worth it
- The Coffee Movement is the best coffee shop in the whole wide world
- Sam Wo’s for an absolute establishment in Chinatown (early 1900s)
- 15 Romelo for low key, delicious cocktails
- Hook Fish Co (Outer Sunset) for straight off the boat fish tacos
- Tommy’s for a local haunt Mexican spot serving up big, perfect margs and hearty tex-mex
- Dad’s Luncheonette down the peninsula for to die for patty melts (mushroom veggi option also available) in an old caboose amidst some of the best surf spots
- Nyum Bai (Fruitvale) for the rare authentic and excellently done Cambodian spot (in a neat shipping container)
- La Paz for low key Salvadoran pupusas
I’ll be in LA this weekend visiting a friend who I trust his food recommendations!
Gamboge
All day baby/ sqirl (ratings for these two aren't high but he thinks they're amazing)
Pearl River Deli
X'tiosu
Mini kabob
Destroyer
Clark Street
Katsu Sando
shrimp tacos at mariscos Jalisco
Damian
Bestia
I'll get things started here - I feel like my taco experiences are sorely lacking. Maybe some taco truck recs? OO and K-Town - it's been a while!
The Win - Dow LA (an extension of American Beauty Steakhouse) offers a smaller-but mighty menu of classic smash burgers (beef or impossible burger), fried chicken sandwiches, grain bowls, fries, and salad. You order at a window beside the main restaurant and can eat it in the parking lot or take with you. (So good!) if you did want to check out American Beauty Steakhouse, although not so low key, I highly recommend. It was one of the best steak dinners I’ve had in LA with the coolest, non-stuffy ambiance. The stuffed hasnrown is heavenly!
The Apple Pan - another burger restaurant but this one has some history. The Apple Pan opened in 1947 and has been serving diner classics like burgers and pie ever since. You can also order other classics, or get something as simple as a ham and cheese, all from a small counter in the center of the restaurant.
Bay Cities Deli - a Santa Monica staple. I found it hard to find a solid sub shop when living in LA (being from the east coast all my life) and Bay Cities always hit the spot. Everyone loves their Godmother sub, but you cant fo wrong with anything from Bay Cities.
Ayara Thai (in Westchester) is my favorite Thai restaurant. Skinny Dave's right across the street recently opened and they have so many different banh mi sandwich options - delish!
Homestate Tacos is a go-to for fantastic breakfast tacos and definitely do not pass up on the queso! They've grown recently and have multiple locations now, but all still family/female owned - YES!!!
Check out Joliet in Playa Vista for some amazing evening cocktails and an aperitivo hour with great snacks.
I second the vote on Jame Enoteca, but their sister restaurant in Venice (Ospi) is just as amazing with an addition of pizzas. Don't pass up the Kale salad... the dressing makes it!
The Kogi truck has a perm space on overland ave now - I dream about the short rib tacos when I’m home.
You have to try a Los Angeles favorite since 1946! It’s the world famous Tommy’s Hamburgers on Rampart Blvd and Beverly Blvd. it’s the best Chili Burgers in the nation! I currently live in Texas but travelled for a living and so I’ve tried many burgers throughout the nation. Tommy’s World Famous chili burgers is by far the best in the nation! However, I might be a little biased since I grew up by the original Tommy’s on Ramprt and Beverly ☺️☺️☺️
California Grill in East Hollywood/Virgil village for the besttt pupusas 💥, The Gangjung in Ktown for Korean fried chicken, Birria Los Socios for the quesataco in East LA
Rice & Nori -- THE best onigiri and it's in a shopping center in Little Tokyo with so many great places to check out. Such a good place for a yummy lunch!
I’ll start with these..
Dudley Market in Venice. Amazing fish and natural wine spot 1/2 block off the Venice boardwalk. They catch all the fish they sell themselves and all your natural wine desires will be found here. Great sunset spot too.
Lady and larder on pico in Santa Monica. Charcuterie boards made them known but they are a cheese, wine, meat, tinned fish spot. Get a “yes honey” sandwich among the other items.
Misuwa Marketplace on Centinela in Mar Vista. Out of this world Japanese full supermarket that also has a food court. Kewpie heaven for you as well.
You can always find me at Augustine Wine Bar in Sherman Oaks. Amazing vintage (and non!) By the Glass wine selection, killer food (the pork chop with fermented chili rice is unreal, so are the steak frites and if they have the little gem salad it’s always amazing) and the best vibe. Pro tip - sit at the bar! Also if you’re feeling a little Japanese, but not necessarily sushi, head over to Daichan in Studio City for some Japanese Soul Food
Open Market in koreatown for some truly excellent sandwiches. Also in the sandwich realm check out Jeff’s Table in highland park (hot kimcheezy and yuzu kosho turkey are my faves) and ggiata.
Birria is really blowing up in LA right now so if you’re thinking tacos on the Westside get the deluxe plate from Teddy Red’s you will not regret it. Birrerria San Marcos and Birria and Pozole to go are totally worth the drive to the valley.
Other low key (and low key-ish) favorites:
Woodspoon (Downtown, homey Brazilian)
Lasita (Chinatown, Filipino rotisserie, natural wine)
Mayura (West LA, must get the dosa here)
Crudo e nudo (Santa Monica, crudo obvi)
Jasmine Market (Culver City, Pakistani but if you go on the weekends they do Burmese khawswe and mohinga!)
https://www.milletcrepe.com/
For the best creme brulee crepe!
https://baodimsum.com/