Help near the 405 and the 91

[sassille]

We're hoping for some recs. for an area I find myself in on weekdays at lunchtime. Artesia Blvd and the 405. I think it's still Gardena, but I don't know what its called East of the 405. Nor am I familiar with ANYTHING in that area of town. All I know is its loaded with fast food joints. I'm looking for a quick and delicious little bite for lunch or early dinner. Ideas anyone???
Sassille

[Dommy]

Great recs so far... we are that way on occassion to go to 99 Ranch...

Last time we had to decide between..

1) El Polla Inka (Which won)
2) El Rocoto (Which we'll probably go next time, it's in the 99 ranch center)
3) Curry House (I love Japanese Curry!)
4) Shin Sen Gumi Robata (Perhaps if we are there in the late evening...)

There is also a food court at Murakai and other neat looking Japanese places for the adventurous... :)

--Dommy!

[DiveFan]

The food court(s) at Marukai are surprisingly good but, like the attached store, they Close Early (~7pm).
Sorry, can't add the Marukai location at 1740 W Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA - LTAP is still broken.

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Marukai Pacific Market
1620 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247

[DiveFan]

sassille, what do you think of Neno's, located at the epicenter of your request? I've heard reports that it's decent Neopolitan style pie.
Links for all other locs:

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Pollo A La Brasa
16527 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Al Noor
15112 Inglewood Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260

Eschbach Meat Products - CLOSED :-(
18045 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248

Bob's Okazuya
16814 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Bruddah's
1033 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247

Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop
15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Romanelli's
18222 Prairie Ave, Torrance, CA 90504

Neno's Pizza
3939 Artesia Blvd, Torrance, CA 90504

Giuliano's Delicatessen
1138 W Gardena Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247

Rice Things
2401 Artesia Blvd Ste 105, Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Tapioca Express
1425 W Artesia Blvd Ste 19, Gardena, CA 90248

Nino's Place
16104 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Porky's - cancelled
1314 W Rosecrans Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

Burnt Tortilla
1310 W Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248

El Rocoto
1356 W Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248

[sassille]

Haven't tried Neno's yet, but I have recently tried Bollini's all the way in Monterey Park and I liked it a lot!. So I now have something to compare it to. I live very close to Pizza Antica and did not care for them. Neopolitan pizza is their claim to fame. But I had a poor experience there that makes me not want to ever return.
If there's a place I do like, I usually try to host an event there for our dining group. When I try Neno's I'll post.
and...thanks so much for the great list!
Cecilia

[westsidegal]

for pakistani food, i really like

Al Noor

15112 Inglewood Ave, Lawndale - [phone]

it is north of artesia.

[Velvet Elvis]

Burnt Tortilla is on Artesia in the shopping center with McD's at the intersection with Normandie. Their service can be spotty, but they used to do pretty good Mexican.

If you want a great sandwich, you have to go to Giuliano's on Gardena Blvd. All of their subs are great and they have a pretty good bakery and italian deli as well.

I give a strong second to Gardena Bowl. I think their portugese sausage is awesome.

[Mel Gee]

I'm not sure how far you want to stray, but Porky's is supposed to be opening a new branch at 1314 W. Rosecrans Blvd., Gardena, sometime this month. (See: http://www.porkysbarbecue.com/restaur...) Search this board for comments on their outstandingly tender and juicy fried chicken.

[DiveFan]

South of Artesia on Prairie at about 182nd St is Romanellis, a decent deli for sandwiches.
On Western north of Artesia is Super Udon for a quick noodle fix.
South of Artesia on Western is Eschbach Meats, go for the sandwiches.
On Artesia west of Normandie, Tapioca Express has very good banh mi with those narrow baguettes similar to Lee's.
The Vermont strip (as I call it) north of Artesia has plenty of places. Bob's Okayu-za, Gardena Bowl, or Bruddahs for Hawaiian (the latter has Filipino dishes also). Ninos is Peruvian and Mexican in a former burger joint, obviously casual. Pollos a la Braza for Peruvian style roast chicken.
Following Artesia onto the 91 east of the 110 you won't find much. Close to CSUDH you could visit Big Burger or Tummy Stuffer, but these aren't destination places.
Just for starters :-)......

[leetmom7]

We like El Rocoto, but it is closer to the Harbor Fwy. Across the street from it (north side of Artesia) is a strip mall with tons of Asian places - our favorite serves Soon Tofu, a Korean tofu dish served unbelievably hot in an untouchable stone bowl.

If you want to stay fast, cheap and closer to the 405, try Rice Things on Artesia (north side, west of the 405).

Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/jWs_UXMwvUv5I...

[bulavinaka]

There are alot of eateries on Artesia as you approach the 91-proper, but many are chainy fastfood places. The one place I consider an exception and one of my favorites is El Rocoto. It's Peruvian cuisine with a fair amount of Chinese menu options as well (they're okay) - the owner is Chinese Peruvian. Being that Peru has a reasonably large coastline around some of the most fertile fishing areas in the Pacific, you can expect alot of seafood in Peruvian cuisine but a fair amount of chicken and beef dishes are great as well. Peruvian cuisine has some strong influences from Europe and Asia that will make you ponder what exactly it is you are eating. But the eclective mix of techniques and ingredients (especially the liberal use of potatoes) will take you back to Peru.

Its name, "El Rocoto," refers to a particular chile that is used in Peruvian food, particularly the red sauce that is served here. Like its green (and more famous) counterpart, ahi, it has a peculiar heat that tells you it is hot, but ends in your mouth and not burning in your belly.

The vast majority of patrons are Peruvian - a good sign - but like alot of us who are not from Peru, others have caught on to this cuisine, so it can be quite a mixed crowd at times, and quite crowded at lunch or dinner.

http://www.elrocoto.com/