12 GOOD PLACES TO EAT IN LOS ANGELES
1. El Cholo ($10 to $25 per person)
1025 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401 (and other locations)
http://elcholo.com/
Los Angeles is known for its Mexican food, and El
Cholo is the most famous Mexican restaurant in
town, having been in business since the 1920s. It’s
very good (try the green corn tamales), but note it’s
Americanized Mexican food. If you want really authentic, head to East LA and eat at any taco stand.
2. Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles ($10 to $20 a person)
5006 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019 (and other locations)
http://www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com/
This may seem a strange combination, but it’s a
classic pairing in “soul food,” the cuisine that is
associated with African American culture in the
United States. The food is delicious, but also very
heavy and very filling. You probably won’t need to
eat again for about a day after you visit.
3. The Original Pantry Cafe ($10 to $20 a person)
877 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
http://www.pantrycafe.com/
This restaurant, owned by our former mayor, may
be the most famous eatery in Los Angeles. It’s
a “time machine” restaurant­—enter the Pantry’s
doors, and you’re transported back to the 1920s.
Like Roscoe’s the food is heavy, but very filling. The
steaks, in particular, are excellent.
4. Langer’s Deli ($10 to $25 a person)
704 S. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, CA 90057
http://www.langersdeli.com/
Los Angeles is home to one of the largest Jewish
populations of any city in the world, and so we
have a lot of excellent Jewish delis. The best of
these is Langer’s. It’s not a great neighborhood, so
they’re only open during the day, when it’s safe.
Note: EVERYONE gets the #19 (pastrami on rye).
5. Pink’s Hot Dogs ($5 to $10 a person)
709 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039
http://www.pinkshollywood.com/
Pink’s is also a contender for the title of “most
famous restaurant in L.A.” They make hot dogs the
old-fashioned (1920s) way, and they always have a
line around the block. Their signature item is their
chili dog. Not everyone loves Pink’s the first time
they eat there, but it’s definitely an experience.
6. Mama’s Secret ($10 to $20 a person)
8314 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048
http://www.mamassecretbakery.com/
The Turkish community in Los Angeles is not
especially large, so we don’t have as many Turkish
restaurants as we might like. The best one we do
have is Mama’s Secret, which isn’t quite as good as
you would get in Istanbul, but isn’t far off, either. If
you’re a meat eater, consider the Döner Dürüm.
7. Philippe’s The Original ($5 to $15 a person)
1001 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
http://www.philippes.com/
Philippe’s The Original is another “time machine”
restaurant, taking you back to the 1920s and
1930s. They claim to have invented the French Dip
sandwich, and so that is essentially the only thing
they serve (besides chips and side orders). Make
sure to bring cash; they don’t take credit cards.
8. Chinatown ($5 to $50 a person)
988 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
http://www.chinatownla.com/
Chinatown has dozens of restaurants, and they are
all good; Yang Chow is particularly solid for lunch
and dinner, CBS Seafood is excellent for dim sum.
The food is about 80% authentic, and 20% adjusted
to suit American tastes. If you want 100% authentic, go 20 miles further east to Monterey Park.
9. Providence ($100 to $300 a person)
5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038
http://providencela.com/
If price is no object, and you just want the absolute
best food in Los Angeles, this is the place to go. It’s
been named our #1 restaurant by the L.A. Times for
six years straight. You’ll need to make a reservation,
dress fancy, and bring lots of money, but if you do
the food is amazing.
10. Musso & Frank Grill ($20 to $50 a person)
6667 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
http://mussoandfrank.com/
This is yet another time machine restaurant, with this
one taking you back to the food and the glamour
of “golden age” Hollywood in the 1940s. Many
celebrities still eat there, and many deals are still
made there. It’s next to the Walk of Fame, so if you’re
visiting that, that’s a good time to try Musso & Frank.
11. Lawry’s The Prime Rib ($30 to $60 a person)
100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211
http://www.lawrysonline.com/lawrys-primerib/beverly-hills
If you want something fancy, but Providence is
out of your budget, you might consider Lawry’s.
They serve the best beef in Los Angeles, and—like
Musso & Frank—often host celebrities and important businesspeople. A reservation is a wise idea,
particularly on weekends and at night.
12. Yamashiro ($30 to $80 a person)
Hollywood Hills Hotel, 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90068
http://www.yamashirohollywood.com/
Los Angeles has hundreds of sushi restaurants,
nearly all of them good. The most famous of these
is Yamashiro. While the sushi there is certainly
good, much of what you’re paying for are the traditional Japanese decor and the spectacular views of
Los Angeles (particularly at night).
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