MONTE CRISTOS

[LuluBleu]

Does anyone know where I can get a stellar monte cristo sandwich? The key here is that they MUST be battered and deep fried, a true monte cristo, not grilled. I've tried the one at the HMS Bounty - was good but unbelievably greasy.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

[bduke]

Try The Glenwood in east atlanta for a monte cristo..

[bluemonster]

The House of Pies on Vermont has one... it's far from the best in town, but it is battered and fried.

[ns1]

I had a tasty monte cristo at THE LITTLE CAFE in Tarzana.

[oddasiangirl]

Definitely try Brent's Deli in Northridge. Their Monte Cristo is the best! The rest of their food is pretty great too if you're into deli food.

[ducattipilot]

had a great version of a monte cristo at Grace. it was served as the side with a tomato soup starter and i will have to say it was sooo good, it was deep fried goat cheese monte cristo that really was to die for.

Ducati pilot

[waxfondler]

Yeah Bennigans makes a good Monte Cristo sandwich.

[another_adam]

I have no opinion on what the "right" style should be, but it's deep-fried at Brent's Deli in Northridge. If you're looking for delicious excess, I'd definitely recommend adding Brent's to your list :)

[yotimbo]

Well, the problem is that just like French toast should not be deep fried, neither should a Monte Cristo be deep fried. The greatest ones are pan fried, just like French toast. The reader above who mentions Art's Deli has it pretty correct - they are pretty good - although Art's uses sourdough and I'd recommend getting egg bread.

[AdamFoodie]

I know its far away, but jack's deli in westlake village has amazing monte cristo

[Cheesepuffs2006]

Martha's 22nd Street Grill on 22nd & The Strand in Hermosa Beach (open breakfast & lunch only) makes a great one....and you get a fab view of the beach to boot!

[Hughlipton]

I have been enjoying the wonders of the Monte Cristo sndwich for 52 years. The best one's that ever came down the pike were at the Tail of The Cock Restaurants in Studio city and Los Angeles on La Cienega. Believe it or not, the closest you will get to the best is at Art's deli in Studio City. Almost is an immediate transport to my childhood. I don't think most people even know it is on the menu.

[Oh Robin]

Katella Deli is Los Alamitos has a deep fried one.

I know you said deep fried only but the more french-toasty one at Cafe Bixby in Long Beach is brunch defined. They fresh roast their turkey too. On Atlantic & Roosevelt I believe. Off the subject but they make homeade pizza with gyros and feta on it too that is to die for.

[Paliman]

It is on the menu at the Farmers Market DuPar's

[LuluBleu]

Thanks for all the great suggestions - i have a slew of place to try! :)

[frietjemet]

Cafe Verde on Green street in Pasadena has a good deep-fried Monte Cristo although I prefer the non-deep fried version at Green Street restaurant, which is around the corner, and serves it with Mango Chutney.

[missbrusselsprout]

Try Jan's on Beverly Blvd.

[Snackish]

I haven't been there for many, many years, but DuPar's seems like the place for a Monte Cristo - anyone?

[yotimbo]

One of the WORST Monte Christo's I've ever had was at DuPar's recently. Made by people that have never had one before, clearly. Soggy, fried in too-cold oil. Not classic ingredients (American cheese, anyone?)... just awful.

[Paliman]

The newly re-opened Dupar's at the Farmers Market has one on the menu. I have only been there for breakfast since it re-opened. Breakfast was amazing.

I look forward to trying the Monte Cristo on my return next week, and I shall report.

[Monkeybrains2]

.

[Curt the Soi Hound]

If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, Disney shares it's recipes:

BATTER
1 1/2 Cups - All-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 Teaspoon - Salt
1 Tablespoon - Baking powder
1 1/3 cups - Water
1 - Egg

Sift flour, salt and baking powder together. Add water to beaten egg, then
add to flour mixture and mix well. Set aside.

SANDWICH
1 Ounce - Sliced white meat of turkey
1 Ounce - Sliced Swiss cheese
1 Ounce - Sliced ham
2 Slices - Egg Bread

Make a sandwich using turkey first, then Swiss cheese, and then ham. Cut sandwich into quarters using toothpicks to hold sandwich together. Dip sandwich in egg batter and fry in 360 degrees canola oil until golden brown. Remove toothpicks and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with raspberry jelly.

[dtud]

THANK YOU!

[belladre]

At Monsieur Marcel's at the Farmer's Market on 3rd and Fairfax!!!

[Big Eatin Lil Girl]

There is a deli that my grandparents got to all the time in Northridge/North Hills (possibly on Reseda?) that has a great Monte Cristo. Totally deep fried, served with your choice of side and pickles.
Can't think of the name but I know that it has been there F-O-R-E-V-E-R if that rings any bells.
Will investigate this further.

[luv2bake]

The first time I ever tasted a Monte Cristo, a friend of mine ordered one at ... Bennigan's! I had never heard of such a sandwich. Having abnormal weight-obsessive issues, I only ordered one once on my own, but it was wonderful to me at the time.

So I can't say you'll get a perfect one at Bennigan's, but you can get a fried one. I just went to look at their menu online before posting to be sure they still had them.

[Dommy]

I love the Monte Cristo at Luna Park for Brunch... perfect mixture of savory and sweet! :)

--Dommy!

[purplescout]

Blue Bayou at Disneyland is definitely the place for a Monte Cristo.

There is a stand at the LA County Fair in Pomona that also makes a pretty good Monte Cristo. I can't remember the name of the stand, but it's the one that makes a deep fried version of just about anything you can think of (the fried artichokes were fabulous). Trouble is they are only in business (around here at least) for the three weeks a year that the fair runs.

I concur that Jerry's Deli makes a lousy version.

[dtud]

I don't exactly know how a monte cristo can't be greasy but. . .

The best one I've ever had was at the Pirates of the Carribean restaurant in Disneyland. SO GOOD!!!

There is a so/so one at the Cellar in Century City - it's pretty good.

The one at Jerry's Deli is AWFUL (but everything at Jerry's is awful).

[JudiAU]

I haven't had a monte cristo at the Blue Bayou in at least 15 years but just thinking about it makes me want to go now.

[AlwayzHungry]

What about the Monte Cristo at the restaurant across the way from Blue Bayou? How does that Monte Cristo compare?

[kingkong5]

They make them in the same kitchen, so the one you get at the French Market is the same as at The Blue Bayou, except without the sides. However, Disneyland recently raised the prices on everything at the Blue Bayou, so you'll be in for a sticker shock when you go get your Monte Cristo now (it's a little over $18 now, if I remember correctly, but it comes with a side dish).

[brattenheimer]

CrepeVine Bistro in Old Town Pasadena. FABULOUS. Not greasy. Homemade strawberry compote served w/ it.

It's a lovely little French bistro located on 36 W. Colorado Blvd (in Mills Place alley in between Colorado and Green Streets - behind Jakes). My husband and I stumbled upon it this past summer; we live nearby in SoPas.

They also have a to die for ementhal and gruyere macaroni and cheese.

[slacker]

Yikes, I hated the monte cristo at Crepe Vine. Way too eggy, too much batter, too bready and definitely too greasy. Afterwards I felt like I ate a big gloppy mess.
But I do compare it to the first and best monte cristo I've had, in the restaurant of the now long-defunct Buffum's department store.

[BabyLitigator]

The monte cristo at French 75 is pretty good, though not deep fried.

And I hate to say it, but the one at the Blue Bayou at disneyland is decent, and VERY deep fried. I have no idea how one person can consume more than half of one.

[RoxyGrl]

I 2nd the Disneyland rec. That was the 1st monte cristo I ever had way back in my jr high days and nothing has ever come close since.

[silvana]

I ate one whole one, it was to good not to...mmm

[OCAnn]

I had the Monte Cristo for lunch @ the Blue Bayou last month ($18). They let you keep the menu as a souvenir. So filling...the sandwich is too much for 1 person.

[therealbigtasty]

Let me know if anyone tells you, Monte Cristos rule!