Ever go to a restaurant just to wait out the traffic?

[SauceSupreme]

Rather than the usual "In Search Of" or "Trying to make dinner plans" or "where is the best" type of topics that float around, I thought I'd mix it up and post something that while isn't wholly unique to LA, but is certainly an element of life in Southern California:

The traffic.

I'm wondering if anyone's ever decided "Screw it, I'm just getting something to eat instead" rather than sitting in traffic. On surface streets, the temptation is more immediate, but on freeways, the alternatives are more far reaching.

Here are my traffic pit stops:

405/22 interchange - Brodard behind the 99c store.

101 near Encino - Chili My Soul

Robertson near Beverly Hills - Natalee Thai

Wilshire near Westwood - Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf

405/University - Pho Bac Ky

[llmoser]

Take the 605 to Arrow Highway to avoid 210 West through Pasadena. Go to Las Tunas/Mission for Vietnamese at Golden Deli.

134 at Pass Ave exit - Bistro Provence in Von's strip mall
134 Hollywood Ave exit Porto's Deli in Burbank

[BabyLitigator]

We went to Sushi Zo for the first time because of traffic. The president's motorcade was essentially eliminating westbound traffic from Century City, so we went for sushi. Of course, we've been back.

[glutton]

Finally, someone can report on a positive thing that president bush has done for them! you see, he can't be all that bad...

[AquaW]

not a restaurant, but many a times back when I worked in the Westside I've pit-stopped at Susina's... yea, I had to loosen a belthole (or three) after a while.

~AquaW
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[OCAnn]

When driving from east Fullerton to west Fullerton on my way home, I stop and get a boba drink.

[blackbookali]

SF Saloon and Father's Office when Im stuck in Santa Monica.

[diningdivala]

When I worked in Westwood but lived in Pasadena, I found myself many a 5pm-7pms at Napa Valley Grill because of the bar and TVs. My favorite was needing to kill time, not wanting to drive home yet, wanting a TV for a Red Sox-Yankees playoff game, another for the presidential debate, and a much-needed martini. NVG was the perfect choice. Expensive... but it had all three elements and I was in heaven.

Now, I just try not to drive when there's traffic!!!

[glutton]

If I am stuck on the 10 downtown, I will sometimes swing by the Chinatown farmers market or Philippe's to kill two birds with one stone -- I fill my belly/refrigerator and wait out the traffic.

[Das Ubergeek]

Tacos Baja Ensenada, which is right off the 5/Atlantic, really helps to steel myself for the drive through the ELA interchange or the route around it!

[Obessed]

My BF and I stopped at Duke's in Malibu on our way to a cousins high school graduation in Oxford...the traffic on PCH was horrible! We stopped more for the drinks and view than the food though.

[ChinoWayne]

Domenico's or Wang's Palace in Monrovia, just off the 210 and Myrtle Avenue. But we go there regardless if it is to avoid traffic or not.