Favorite LA Dishes

[Ndelible]

As a native, I've built up some favorite choices of dishes at joints and some items that aren't from restaurants, but my memories of them would be hard to duplicate.

slippery shrimp at Yang Chow's
fried chicken at the original Golden Bird
roasted chicken and garlic paste at Zankou
cake - one chocolate layer & one white layer, moca chip filing & white icing at Hansen's
sweet potato pie & peach cobbler at 27th Street Bakery
baked beans at Porky's
apple pancakes at Fred 62
pumpkin ravioli at CaBrea
garlic noodles at Crustacean
lunch or dinner at Fogo de Chao
tempura sushi with soft shell crab at Cafe del Rey
pretzel burger at Rockenwagner
cuban fried chicken salad at Kokomo's
chicken and waffles at Roscoe's
fondue with chorizo & fresch guacamole at La Parilla
melauah and the salad combination plate at Shula & Esther's
tortilla crusted chicken at The Authentic Cafe
german chocolate cake ice cream at Baskin Robbins
oreo shakes at Johnny Rockets
turkey panini sandwiches at Ralph's deli counter
chinese chicken salad & sesame chicken at Feast from the East
jamacian jerk chicken pizza at CPK
vegetarian plate at Cha Cha Cha
croissants at Maison du Pain

I'm sure my memory will be jogged after folks pipe up with their favorites (here or gone).

[jonahlee]

Barbequed beef with Lime an Garlic, spicy at Palm Thai
Thom Yum Mushroom soup at Palm Thai in Hollywood
Morning Glory at Palm Thai in Hollywood
Swordfish at Hungry Cat in Hollywood
Chicken Katsu Curry Extra Hot with Rice at Curry House in Little Tokyo
Phó Tai at Noodle City in San Gabriel
A whole chicken and a Fallafel plate at Zankou Chicken in Hollywood
Chicken Dumplings at Dumpling House in Temple City
Hot Sichuan Beef and Fish in Oil at Yungui Garden in Monterey Park
Corn Tamales at Corn Maiden at the Hollywood Farmers Market on Sunday Mornings
Corned Beef Rueben at Victor's in Hollywood
Espresso Gellato at Creme De La Creme in Burbank
Margaritas at Cuidad in Downtown
Tacos at El Mexicano in Burbank

[Tacomato]

Some are repeats I'm sure but here are some of my current notables:

Rotisserie chicken with Hummus and Garlic paste on the side..no pickles =p -Zankou Chicken. If this chain ever went public, I'd buy stock in it...

Roast Beef Hash-Pacific Dining Car. I can't think of a better way to start the day....

Fennel Sausage Pizza and the Baby squash with Mascarpone-Mozza. Lard schmard, these 2 are my faves!...

Butterscotch Pudding-Mozza-Among the most complex desserts I've ever had in my life. An orgasm of the taste buds ensued after taking one bite. Been hooker ever since...

Oaxacan Chile Relleno's with the the spicy tomato sauce-Guelaguetza People come for the mole which are great but these are the best Relleno's I've had.

Hard shelled tacos with extra cheese-Tito's Taco's-Almost as good my grandmothers but not quite since she used 2 cheeses and cabbage...mmm...

Oysters/Stone Crab Legs with a glass of wine/champagne-Water Grill. Kumamoto's, Hama Hama's. They consistly have the freshest/tastiest seafood in the city.

Chicken and Waffles-Roscoes. oddest pairing but of so good.

Blue Cheese Burger-Father's Office. Pompous attitude with the worst service anywhere is easily offset by providing Great beers with the best burger in the world...

Chopped Salad with dry salami- Emilio's (Encino). La Scala Boutique may be the thing of the past but it's nice to know you can still find some old school faves...

Grilled Shrimp Plate. Fisherman's Inn on Central. Lobster size shrimp at a great price.

Grand Marnier Souffle. Moustache Cafe. Still the best although Bistro Garden makes a good one as well.

Scallops with Garlic Stems- 4 on 6. ex Nobu/Malibu chefs doing it right while the clueless ones dine across the street at Katsu-ya which isn't the same as the old Katsu.

Chasu Ramen-Kyushu Ramen/Van Nuys. Best chasu that melts in your mouth with the best textured ramen in the city.

Panini with a luscious at Giuliani's/Gardena. It's a rare fare thats off the menu but if you're lucky, you'll experience one of the best sandwiches created...

Spaghetti-Spoon House/Gardena. Japanese Style Spaghetti better than their Italian counterparts? Blasphemous you say? Go check it out and get back to me...

Prix fixe dinner at Valentino-If you catch Pierro Selvaggio there and have him pick a wine for you, you will have the chefs their come up with a meal that will complement it. Still among the best Italian restaurants in the world.

Baby Backs from Philips/Crenshaw. Best BBQ this side of the Mississippi.

Pork Side-Park's BBQ/Koreatown. Now that's what I call bacon and with panchun to boot!

Sushi-Old Sushi-ko before Urosawa back when they were in mid Wilshire. Now that was when it was worth the $$ per person...

Culotte Cut Steak. Taylor's. Still the best steak bargain in the city. Love the salad on the super chilled plates too....

Garlic Fries- People go for the dogs but I come for the fries in the plastic dodger helm. Nothing at the stadium goes better with a few beers. =p

Strawberries-Tapia Brothers on Hayvenhurst and the 101. They are picked daily and are in season. Go....NOW...

[nyfoodjoe]

Grilled octopus salad at Petros in Manhattan Beach

[amandine]

I'll give you two unique standouts:

Baker's Muffin at City Bakery
-- cross btw muffin and dry bread pudding with raisins and apple bits... not too sweet, great crispy top. haven't found anything like it anywhere
Saladang Salad at Saladang
-- shaved green apple, tart peanut dressing, with or without chicken. did i mention apples and peanut butter?

[Dommy]

There are SO many... Here's a quick list from those that haven't been mentioned... I don't eat at many places twice, but these are dishes that keep me wanting to come back...

* Chilaquilles @ Pepy's Galley in Mar Vista
* Chile Relleno @ Jar Mozzerlla Mondays
* Boat Noodle Soup @ Sapp Coffee House in Thai Town
* Black Mole Tamales and Champurado @ Mama's Hot Tamales
* Carnita Gorditas @ Ana Marias in Grand Central Market
* Cabeza Mamela @ La Oxacaquena Taco Truck on Lincoln and Rose
* Chicken Hollenbeck and Taquitos and Guac @ El Tepayac in ELA
* Chiles en Nogada @ Babita in San Gabriel
* Cochinita Torta and Panuchos @ Chichen Itza at Mercado la Paloma
* Gnoochi @ La Buca on Melrose
* Little Coconut Cakes @ Wat Thai Temple
* Any Quiche @ Europane in Pasadena
* Sausage Quesadilla @ Sausage Stand at Hollywood Farmer's Market and Santa Monica on Sundays.
* Sausage, Mushroom and Onion Pizza @ Vitos

--Dommy!

[bulavinaka]

D'oh! I was just at Grand Central Market walking around while waiting for my wife to finish up some business close by - walked right by Ana Maria's wondering, "Hmmm... lots of folks lined up to order here - meats look really good - onions and cilantro going on..." My wife calls me and wants a bowl of ramen at Daikokuya in JTown... Not a bad consolation, but carnita and gordita together trumps most foods! I'll know next time! Stupid cell phones!

[mollyomormon]

I have to try those chilaquiles soon! I keep meaning to based on your recommendation, but still haven't made it over there. Maybe over the long weekend...

[hrhboo]

Oh my...I just had chilaquiles from Pepy's today. Unbelievably good - I'm a little embarrassed to admit I ate the WHOLE thing.

Mr Boo's breakfast burrito was disappointing. It was the usual flour tortilla filled with egg, bacon and, inexplicably, a ton of iceberg lettuce. The accompanying salsa was delicious though. Next time (and there will certainly be a next time) he's going with the machaca.

[tony michaels]

Ask them for a little side of their "chunky" salsa next time. Absolutely delicious and addictive.

[hrhboo]

I did try the salsa, and couldn't agree more. Great stuff.

I have to add that this place is run by the NICEST people. We weren't aware that it is cash only and tried to pay with a credit card. The owner came back and told us not to worry about it and to pay him next time we ate there. I thought this was extremely trusting of him, considering we had never been there before today. Luckily we had enough cash to cover the bill and a healthy tip, but I was pretty blown away by his generosity.

[tony michaels]

They get a big LAPD turnout most Saturday mornings at 6:15. Nice folks and the sort of great dive I gravitate to.

[ecaitlin]

Gyosa (pork dumplings) at Ashi Ramen on Sawtelle
Caesar salad at Mastro's Beverly Hills
Pork ribeye (special) at Figaro Bistrot on Vermont
Fresh pea soup (seasonal special) Spago in Beverly Hills
Pizza ala checca (fresh tomatoes, sliced garlic, fresh basil) at Angeli Caffe on Melrose
Dirty triple-olive marinti at Musso and Franks on Hollywood Blvd.
Cheeseburger (sold at lunch, only) at Molly Malone's on Fairax (avoid the ketchup...or bring packets from a fast food joint...the ketchup will make you ill) but ohhhhh, what a juicy burger!
Cashew chicken at Hunan on Broadway downtown...spicy and tender (hmmm, Hunan appears to have vanished. Ah well)
Spicy chicken burrito at Poquito Mas on Ventura near Lankershim (they used to use steamed chicken, now just charbroiled...not quite as tender, but still great)

[kermit]

the grilled tofu sandwich at erewhon (on beverly blvd)...perfection.

[LisaStitch]

Chicken Chipotle Pasta - 26 Beach
Plantain Fried Rice w/ Avocado - Asia de Cuba
Turkey Pesto w/ Cranberries Sandwich - Starbucks
Barbacoa - Chipotle
Chucho's Chicken Club w/ fries - Bossa Nova
Thai Chicken Salad - CPK

P.S. The Slippery Chicken at Yang Chow is also divine!

[Ndelible]

The one time I tried the Slippery Chicken, I was very disappointed and have never ordered again. Perhaps it was a bad day at the kitchen. I'll try it again one day.

[vinosnob]

Yuca's - Cochinita pibil
Tama - scallop sushi
Josie - Short rib tagine
Rite Aid (thrifty) - pistachio ice cream
Tlaopazola - any mole
Baby Blues BBQ - corn on the cob, BBQ shrimp
Le Saigon - Nem Nuong
Bay Cities - sausage and peppers sandwich
Trader Vic's - mai tai

[teach]

Oh, and potato balls and guava pastries from Porto's

[teach]

Kafta from Open Sesame in Long Beach
Turkey Hummus melt from Aroma Cafe in Studio City
Greek Salad from Sydney's Cafe in Fullerton (spinach + tofu + kalamata olives = a very stereotypical what-the-rest-of-the-country-thinks-we-eat-all-the-time meal)
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs from the guys with the carts after a concert

[mollyomormon]

Some of mine are duplicates, but oh well.

Pork belly at Musha
godmother sandwhich from Bay Cities
roasted duck at Warszawa
blue crab handroll at Sushi Zo
eggs benedict at Pacific Dining Car
burger at Father's Office
salsa flight with chips and shrimp diablo at Malo
huevos rancheros at Bloom Cafe
lentil soup from Mrs. Winston's
shrimp scampi at Mercedes' Grill
mushroom quiche at Joise
Fernando's burrito at Gilbert's El Indio
magaritas at El Conquistador
pizza bread at Angeli
moules frites at Cafe Stella
cheese plate at Melisse
rock shrimp gnocchi at Jiraffe

[Ndelible]

Do you know if Mercede's Grill still has those killer jerk enchiladas on the menu?

[mollyomormon]

I'm pretty sure they do, but not completely positive. I also looove their mojitos and the addictive herb butter they bring out with the bread basket.

[mollyomormon]

Oh, I forgot to add the grilled romaine at Orris and the soft-boiled egg course at Opus!

[Dommy]

Your first two make me SWOON!!! :)

--Dommy!

[hrhboo]

A few of mine:

Mac n' cheese at Violet
Wild mushroom slice at Abbot's Pizza
Penny's poached eggs at Meditirina
House-smoked salmon croquettes at Orris
Chocolate souffle at Lilly's
Polenta cake at Ford's
Burrata with speck at La Buca
Pork belly/carnitas baco at Opus
Chorizo and Cheese taco at Pacos Por Favor
Seafood cocktail at La Playita
Tater Tots at BLD
Chicken pesto panini at La Tramezzino
Bacon cheese twist at Rockenwagner
Amusing burger at Beechwood
Queso Fundido at Sabor a Mexico
Spaghetti Mare at Toscana
Lardo pizza at Mozza
Pig candy at Lou
Tiger shrimp at Primitivo
Toro hand rolls at Sushi Zo
Kalua pig quesadilla at Rutts
Foie Gras 4 ways at Abode
Slow Roasted pork at Wilson
Potato fig tortelli at Piccolo
Tamal de rajas at Guelaguetza
Clyuda con chorizo from La Oaxaquena truck

[Feed_me]

Okay, I'll bite....what is "pig candy"? Thanks!

[tony michaels]

When you Google you strike Gold.

http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/ask...

[SauceSupreme]

I feel like such a 'tard for never ordering the tater tots at BLD. Now I have a new goal in life.

[Dommy]

Second, as well as that Canitas Pork Baco... It's ON the list!!

--Dommy!

[Tony Miller]

Fried spinach served with lobster at Chinois on Main

[Emme]

Wholey Moly or Apple Cobbler French Toast at The Griddle Cafe
Tuna cornets at Spago
Natas at Nata's Pastries
Croissant at Amandine
Apple and Peach Bran muffins straight from Zen Bakery
Green Corn Tamales at... gasp! El Cholo (May - Oct)
Chicken Nachos and Potato Taquitos at Loteria
Blackberry Cobbler at Cynthia's (she's gone now and I LOVE it! so sue me!)
Korean BBQ at Soot Bull Jeep
Blue Collar Special Pizza at Joe Peep's
Chopped Salad w/ Chicken, Eggplant, and Hearts of Palm at Sisley
Make-Your-Own-Salad at The Dressing Room
Custard Tart at The Tudor House
Grilled Veggie Salad at the Ivy
Grilled Veggie Salad at 26 Beach
Omelettes at (don't shoot!) Jerry's
Omakase at Echigo and Zo
Omakase at Urasawa (SOOO worth the 275)
Charbroiled Chicken w/ a massive side of salsa at Eduardo's
Rotisserie Chicken from Costco and Ralphs

[Ndelible]

Oh Cynthia's - I adored their Mississippi Mud Pie - so amazing!
I love El Cholo - the peach margaritas (in season) are fantabulous.

[Densible]

I forgot about those green corn tamales! Yum

[miffy]

and I heard CaBrea is gone- so long raviolis..

[SauceSupreme]

The dates and arroz negro at AOC
Blue crab hand roll at Sushi Zo
After school special at Doughboys. Also the hummingbird
Braised short ribs w/ hearts of palm at Grace
Toro at Sushi Ike
Lobster roll and pug burger at Hungry Cat.
Bacon and cheddar scone at Milk.
Pho dac biet at Pho So 1
Nem nuong cuon at Brodard
Kobe sliders at Red White + Bluezz
Tuna tartare cornets at Spago. Also the agnolotti.
Tamal con mole negro at Monte Alban
Club sandwich at Joans on Third
Marinated shrimp at Soot Bull Jeep.
Soon tofu at Beverly Soon Tofu.
Mindy Remix at Chili My Soul

[Dommy]

ITA with you about the dates and Blue Crab!

--Dommy!

[Densible]

Some of my favs:

Eggplant Parmesan at Little Taste of Hoboken
Baked Ziti at Mazzarino's
Pizza at Antica (Margarita), Valentino's in Manhattan Beach (by the slice at the counter)
crab cakes at Gulf Stream
Sweet Potato Fries and Spinach/Feta/Apricot Salad at Double Dutch Diner
Lobster Taquitos at Ocean Seafood
Veggie Burger at Tip Top in Pacoima
Margaritas at Lucy's El Adobe made by Frank (God rest!)
Winter White Chocolate Ice Cream at 31 Flavors (although have to check out the german choc cake)
sushi at Katsu
grilled giant prawns at Caffe Penguini
shrimp burrito at Paquito Mas
Quesadilla at Sabor a Mexico
Oatmeal Blueberry Bar at Starbucks
Gua Coin (mispelled I am sure) Vietnamese Rice Paper rolls and Shrimp Shu Mai at Typhoon

[Dommy]

Hurrah! I also love the Quesadilla at Sabor! :D

--Dommy!