What restaurant dish if you have to eat it for 30 days straight...GO

[ElJeffe]

Alright, I feel like I've got a good one here. If you have to choose one dish from one LA restaurant to eat for 30 consecutive days, what would it be? First instinct is to choose your single favorite dish, but its deeper than that, it has to be something you wouldn't tire of for that duration either.

Let's hear it.

My nominations:

1) Fish ceviche tostada at La Playita (I've already done it 3 days in a row once)
2) Malibu Seafood fried fish & chips
3) Arby's roast beef sandwich (embarrassing, I know)
4) Decent Bun Cha (China Beach)?

[ErikaK]

Nam sod with crispy rice from Thai Nakorn
I can't stop eating it .. yum

[ElJeffe]

Mmm...that sounds good, I'll have that. What is it?

[ErikaK]

it's awesome: ground pork, onion, ginger, ground peanuts, lime juice, with cilantro & lettuce leaves and crispy rice. kind of spicy/sour/savory.
I can eat an order by myself .. might have to balance with mee krob & either crispy catfish mango salad or papaya salad.
Man, now I want Thai food.

[MaryT]

I got to drive by the new location yesterday on a trip to the OC, lamenting living now far away from my old haunts. Lucky to all you who get to go to Thai Nakorn regularly, enjoy.

Does anyone know, is there anywhere that makes good nam sod near Pasadena? I used to get it at Chandra once in a while, but the last 2 times, the ginger was completely cooked and very underportioned, and the pork hadn't been drained, it was really greasy, and there were hardly any peanuts or lime, and the taste was off, sorry to go on and on. I prefer cabbage, really fresh and crispy to go with. The last time I had it, I cannot remember where, sorry, there were no greens at all, not even green onions, and it was really bland.

I really miss a really spicy gingery nam sod. (Some places put both ground and peanuts both, yummm.)

[kingkong5]

Besides Thai Nakorn, I had good nam sod at the Wat Thai temple in North Hollywood; they do that food festival on the temple grounds every weekend. Unfortunately, I heard that the festival no longer takes place anymore.

Regarding eating one dish for 30 days straight - yuck! I'm not sure I could do that. When I first started college, I discovered the In N Out across the street. I fell in love with the double-double. I ate one for dinner for 5 days straight, and that's about the most I've ever eaten the same food in a row. I had to lay off for like 3 months before I could go back.

So I figure if that's the best I could with a double-double, probably ain't no other dish that would come close to that kind of longevity.

[Sam Fujisaka]

Sounds like Lao/NE Thai laab with peanuts added and fish sauce subtracted.

[Quincetessence]

Actually, Nam (Sod) Khao Tod. Similar region in origin, but an unrelated dish, as the meat is soured in a different fashion than just the lime itself, the crispy rice is different from the toasted rice, etc.

A lot of NE Thai dishes will sound very similar upon a casual reading of some of their ingredients, but actually taste fairly different.

[siamro364228]

Nam Sod - is sour because it is raw fermented ground pork.
"Nam" - means fermented meat, usually pork, in Thai
"Sod" - means raw in Thai.

[yummyrice]

In Lao language (and Thai), "Nam" refers to fermented meat (i.e. pork) and "Sod" actually means fresh...it doesn't mean raw.

Sam Fujisaka is actually partially correct. Nam Sod is a generic name used for two different, but similar Lao dishes.

It's either a version of the Lao dish called Nam Khao, but with more fermented pork and less crispy deep-fried rice.

However, it's also commonly used to refer to a slightly different version of a Lao minced meat dish called Pork Larb, but with sliced, raw ginger as a key ingredient, which gives it that fresh ("sod") quality. Toasted rice is omitted from this recipe. Peanuts are also added to give it some additional texture. These changes give the Pork Larb a "Nam Khao"-like taste, but with the flavor of ginger.

----
Basics of Lao salads/wraps:

Nam Khao (Thod) = deep-fried rice balls with fermented pork.

Larb = minced meat with toasted rice, but without ginger and peanuts.

Nam Sod = two different versions
1) Larb with ginger and peanuts, but no toasted rice.
2) Nam Khao with more fermented pork and less deep-fried rice.

"Tam"-type salad = pounded salad made with shredded, unripened fruits like papaya. (i.e. Tam Mak Hoong / Som Tam)

"Yum"-type salad = spicy and tangy salad.

etc...

[a_and_w]

Spicy chicken border burrito at Eduardo's. I'm a burrito freak and this is by far the best chicken I've had at an LA taqueria. Possibly the chicken shawarma at Sham, provided it's always moist and comes with an unlimited supply of garlic sauce.

[mrshankly]

This sounds delicious and by a burrito freak's endorsement!! Where is Eduardo's???

[a_and_w]

Westwood just south of Santa Monica Blvd. in the mini-mall with Peet's. My advice is to order your burrito "to go" even if you plan to stay so they'll wrap it in foil. Otherwise, you run into my one complaint, which is that the tortillas sometimes break. One caveat -- I'm a "mission" burrito freak, which isn't always the preferred style in LA.

[mrshankly]

Thanks!!! I've got a burrito for you (and it's worth driving for)... the truck parked on Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock just west of Eagle Rock Blvd in front of the Comfort Inn. It's there from 8pm to 3am and I've been eating the all-meat burrito for over 20 years. This stuff is amazing!!! Give it a shot and see what you think.

[WildSwede]

What kind of meat do you usually get? I will have to try it - thanks mrshankly!

[mrshankly]

They only have carne asada... but THAT has kept this place running for at least 20 years. I usually get it with just meat and cheese, but if that's not for you you can get it the standard way... meat and salsa (ask for cheese if he doesn't put it in on the standard burrito). BTW, the guy who owns the truck makes his own salsa as well. Also, try the meat quesadilla... the tomato sauce he lightly puts in the quesadilla makes it taste fantastic!!! I think you'll really enjoy it. Let me know what you think... [e-mail]

[WildSwede]

Will do!

[a_and_w]

Belated thanks for the tip, mrshankly! There are a number of places I've been meaning to try in Eagle Rock, and this truck just joined the list. A word of advice re Eduardo's -- you may want to order the traditional burrito rather than the "border" if you prefer all meat.

[aching]

What is a "mission" burrito?

[SauceSupreme]

It's a San Francisco Bay Area burrito, named after the Mission District, known most for its size in my opinion, but I think Mission Burrito fans will point to the inclusion of rice, whereas a lot of San Diegans like to eliminate rice outright.

[aching]

Sounds delicious! I get my car washed at the place next door, so I definitely will plan my next car wash to coincide with lunch!

[a_and_w]

Sauce is right about the rice and they are certainly larger than most So Cal burritos as a result. But there's a common misconception that "Mission" style means "enormous," which really isn't the case. Standard ingredients include rice and beans, salsa fresca, and cheese. Guacamole and sour cream are usually extra (i.e., a "super" burrito). The tortillas are typically grilled and sometimes steamed to melt the cheese and make the whole thing stay together better when rolled and wrapped in aluminum foil to make a "silver torpedo." Also, in marked contrast to many So Cal taquerias, chicken at Mission joints is usually marinated, cooked, etc. with the same care as asada, al pastor, etc.

[Oh Robin]

Juan Pollo Lunch Special

Dark Meat Only
Rice & Beans
Mild Salsa
No Tortillas
Diet Pepsi

[nick_r]

Breakfast: Pretty sure I could have the eggs benedict with vegetarian sausage and perfect home fries from Overland Cafe for breakfast for 30 days straight and still be asking for more.

Lunch: Tough because it's my least favorite meal, but I'd say the veggie burger at Novel Cafe; or the dearly departed Melrose Burger from Urth.

Dinner: It's probably a cop-out to say the vegetarian thali at Star of India, since that's several dishes, but I'd gladly eat that or the veggie plate from one of the Ethiopian places every night indefinitely. For a single dish I'd probably have to go with enchiladas verde from Lula or the Tostada Pizza from, yes, CPK.

[Gingerleen]

I love the Tostada Pizza from CPK! I have tried it with chicken, but prefer it without.

[nick_r]

And thank goodness that they haven't changed the recipe one iota since its inception. It never disappoints.

[mrshankly]

-Gourmet Sabzi stew on rice at Shiraz Restaurant in Glendale (I'll take Shamshiri's version as well)... this is my all-time favorite food on the planet!!
-Village Pizza cheese pizza
-Lamonicas Sicilian pizza
-Poquito Mas shrimp scampi burrito

[debra]

My options, in no particular order, and not considering the fact that some of these could literally kill me, if I ate them for 30 days...

1. XLB from Mei Long Village
2. Langers Pastrami Sandwich
3. Asada burrito from Las Fuentes
4. Chili dog from Carneys
5. Gioia (sp) burrata on fresh bread at Bay Cities

[WildSwede]

I went to Las Fuentes a couple of weeks ago and got my norm - Burrito de Bistek Encebollado. Unfortunately, they have apparently stopped putting cheese and avocado in it. I was very disappointed (I have been eating this burrito there since they opened in the early 80's and have never had it without those two items).
My 30-days straight item - Pho Tai from Pho 79 in Alhambra. I could eat that for 60 days straight! So good!!

[debra]

That is really disappointing to hear about Las Fuentes. I've been loving them since then as well. I might begrudgingly be able to forgive that as long as the quality of their grilled meats and fresh salsa stay in line. I still love this place. I'll have to ask about it next time I'm in the neighborhood. That's for the update.

[mrshankly]

Can you still ask for cheese and avocado in it or is it just unavailable? I've never tried their burrito... I usually go for the carne con queso taco and the carnitas taco and have no room left for the burrito.lol.

[WildSwede]

I just assumed it would have come the way it always has been (I never had to ask - just ordered the burrito by name): meat, grilled onions, avocado and cheese. Have never had to ask for it, so it did not even cross my mind. Next time, I will definitely be mentioning it. It is a good burrito with just the meat and onions (slathered in their avocado salsa and some hot pico de gallo), but the wonderfulness of the slices of avo and the cheese all melty just takes it over the top! ;-)

[gsw]

I could definately eat Pho Tai for 30 days straight! I like Pho So 1, though.

[Clinton]

Any dish? Well, Chinese roast duck (preferably Peking duck) with hot steaming fragrant jasmine rice served after a bowl of savory shark fin soup.

[maxzook]

Every weekday I wake up early for a pre-dawn powerwalk, topped off with a breakfast burrito with egg whites at Fred 62.

Would I recommend you drive from San Juan Capistrano for this dish? No.

Is it the best breakfast I've ever had? Hardly.

Am I interested in going anywhere else or changing my order? Absolutely not.

[globlamega]

I would easily eat the Crispy Chicken Breast with Carrots and Whipped Potatoes at teh New Melrose Bar and Grill. They've only been open two weeks and I've had it three times already for dinner. I've also had thier Duck Burger with Cherry Ketchuop and Gouda Cheese for Lunch twice. Their french fries are a must have

[Obessed]

Pizza from:
#1 Mozza
#2 Vito's

[Cinnamon]

Ceviche for 30 days sounds too much like being stranded on a desert island. Calories aside, I'd be tempted by:
Rubio's Fish Taco Especial combo
or if it was freezing outside, maybe a shrimp tempura udon noodle soup with duck from somewhere

[Cinnamon]

I would like to update my 2007 reply to say:

Beef panang curry

[Dommy]

Have you tried the Rendang at Belacan Grill in Redondo Beach... my absolutely favorite rendition of dry beef curry... ever.... EVER...

http://www.belacangrill.com/

--Dommy!

[Diana]

Hrm..do I get to magically avoid absorbing calories?

Lemme see. well, in no particualr order:

Lychee and mango shave ice from shave it.

Salad from Gelson's salad bar

Whole Food's Seasme ginger tofu sticks

Hugo's Create-a-plate (cheating? well, it's a dish on the menu!)

Hummus Bar's hummos with pine nuts and yummy pita to dip.

Asanebo's silky house made sesame tofu.

Billy's grill Tuna or Ostrich burger

Anything with eggplant.

Once, when my sister and I were kiddies, my mother was in hospital for a week and a half. Dad was given cooking duty. he made an omlette with cheese , it was our first, and we loved it. then he made omlettes every night till mom came back. I refused to eat any sort of omlette for 6 years!

[avena]

I'm with you Diana on "anything with eggplant." Its my favorite savory fruit! Oh, how I love eggplant. I could survive and be very happy with an eggplant diet (braised eggplant with short ribs, eggplant curry, eggplant parmesan, eggplant caviar...). Yum!

[Diana]

oohh, yeah. Not in LA, though.

veggie burrito at Sabor a Mexico!

[Father Kitchen]

I'd do rice and beans in most any combination. My two favorites being Hoppin John and a Korean dish of adzuki beans, brown rice, and chestnuts. But just plain boiled beans and steamed rice would suit me fine.

[Suebee]

Mozza's Meatballs al Forno - tried it last night for the first time and I'm in love!

[Emme]

Roast Chicken from Costco
That discontinued Eggplant salad Koo Koo Roo used to carry... wish I could get THAT recipe.

[hungry_hippo]

Pho! I can eat it morning, noon and night!

[ElJeffe]

From which place and what kind (chicken, beef, etc.)?

[hungry_hippo]

Beef all the way! The soup is clear and delicious...very little MSG.

Pho Huynh
9706 E. Garvey Ave.
S. El Monte, CA 91733
[phone]

Hours: M-F 8AM - 7PM, SAT-SUN 8AM - 5PM

[SauceSupreme]

This would be my choice. Pho Dac Biet from Pho 79 in San Gabriel takes top honors but I'm kind of fickle so ask me next week where I want my beef-noodle fix.

Incidentally, pho is a traditional breakfast dish, brunch if you want to stretch it. Take away some broth, add in more meat and you have a nice hearty dinner. Its water-content makes you a lot fuller than usual, so honestly all I need is one great big bowl once a day, and I'm set.

[WildSwede]

Haha, that was my choice, too! But from the Pho 79 in Alhambra! Could eat it for 60 days straight!!

[Veggietales]

Breakfast-Breakfast burrito with ham from Corner Cottage, Burbank

Lunch- Soon tofu spicy with the raw crab from Sokongdong

Dinner- Veal Milanese from who know where cause I have yet to find a place to replicate what I had on Sunday night dinners when I lived in Brooklyn

If I had these 3 meals for 30 days straight, I would need lipitor for my cholesterol, for sure.

[afinkle]

I second korean tofu stew and pan chan. You get the best variety that way!

[goodhealthgourmet]

this is sort of a fantasy list so i'm going to pretend i can still have gluten...

breakfast: hugo's - oatmeal frittata with yogurt & strawberries
lunch: houston's - veggie burger [no cheese, side of hickory bbq sauce]
dinner: the ivy - grilled vegetable salad with shrimp [i would have said sushi, but that's not "one dish"]
dessert/snack: sno:la frozen yogurt

[OliveRuth]

how is sno:la? and what flavors are best? i'm thinking of trying it for lunch today.

[goodhealthgourmet]

it's awesome. oh, how i miss it! my favorite is the chocolate/sour cherry combo.

[goodhealthgourmet]

OliveRuth, did you have a chance to try it? i'd love to know what you thought.

[westsidegal]

i adore snola.
they will happily let you try all their flavors before you make a selection.
that way, you can select the 'best' flavor for your very own palate.
be aware, though, that this is a tart style of frozen yogurt, as opposed to one that is an ice-cream-copy.

[aventinus]

some downtown picks:
1) a turkey & cheese croissant from Nazo's Bakery for breakfast
2) a chicken gyro greek salad from George's Greek Cafe (very healthy and balanced)
3) chef's choice sashimi at Sushi Gen
healthy, balanced, and tasty.

[Ogawak]

I guess no one thinks sushi is an everyday/30 days food. I would pick the nigiri special at Kaido in Santa Monica. At $8.00, a real bargain.

[mollyomormon]

I have no doubt that I could eat the crab cake from Water Grill everyday for a month without getting sick of it.

[PayOrPlay]

I'd be looking for one of those "every bite is a little different" type of dishes. The one that keeps coming to mind is the al bap (assorted caviars over rice) from Odaesan in Koreatown--especially if you get to count the panchan as part of the "one dish". (Hate to think what my cholesterol would look like after 30 straight days of fish eggs, though!)

[ns1]

fish tacos from best fish tacos in ensenada, located on hillhurst

so refreshing and tasty

[brieflunchcounter]

30 days?

Definitely, the Lasagna Verde from Angelini Osteria. Then I would pop across the street to Milk and have a a malted milk shake 30 days in a row. Man, would I be fat and happy!

[Diana]

This would be even better if we combined this and the Gold thread, so that it was 30 days and then the world would end. Then I would eat whatever I wanted, price and calories be damned. And put it all on my Mastercard!

[GCL_grilledchzlover]

supreme pizza bread from Lil' Gourmet.

[avena]

Banzai Bowl from Wahoo's. With blackened fish and black beans.

[Rizza]

Tacos with crumbled veggie burger, black beans and rice from the Green Temple or the Spot in the South Bay. This post is going to make me expand my horizons though. It all sounds so good!

[recovering_vegetarian]

ceviche trio (no shrimp, double seabass) from border grill
lobster cavatelli from grace
chilean seabass skewers from katana
chocolate croissant bread pudding from chaya

[foodnmusic]

The Veal Wiener Schnitzel from Spago. I wish I had some right now...

[heinous]

The chow fun at A-1 Chinese BBQ in Lomita. I've actually had dreams about climbing on top of a large mountain made out of their chow fun and eating my way down. 30 days of chow fun sounds like heaven.

[malibumike]

1) Carls Jr Bacon Swiss Crispy Chicken Sandwich
2) In N Out double double animal style
3) Most mexican restaurants combo- rice, beans, taco, chili rellano, cheese enchilada.

[silverlakebodhisattva]

Have to be something that I could eat in differing order/arrangement, day to day, to keep it interesting:

chirashi sushi at takumi, or sashimi deluxe special at gen,
maybe taquiza's burritos if I get the run of the salsas. . .
someone's pad thai, but i'M NOT SURE WHOSE...

[chowmominLA]

Here are my top five that I'd die from heart stoppage before tiring of it:

1) Butter- poached king crab legs from Providence
2) Butterfish or Spanish mackeral nigiri from Sushi Zo
3) Chicken chili verde tamales from Gallego's
4) Egg custard tarts from Elite
5) Pineapple froyo from Yogurtland, or blueberry froyo from Farm Boy (both Pinkberry knock-offs)

I almost included the crispy shrimp in rice rolls from Elite, the corned beef from Magee's and the Gigi salad from the Palm, but I think I might get sick of those dishes after a couple days. I also love the homemade tortillas from Paco's or El Torito Grill, but I had similar ones in Mexico last week that I tired of after four days -- couldn't go the distance with those.

[lotta_cox]

i love the gigi salad from the Palm

[donnival]

Hmm, this is a good question ...

In no particular order:
1) Suh-kuh (mixed) soon tofu at Sokongdong Soondubu
2) Brown rice bowl with veggies and tofu at Nook Bistro
3) Steak frites (hangar steak) at Mimosa
4) Bibimbap at Yongsusan

[NAspy]

Well right now I'm craving one so I've gotta say an In n Out double double protein style.

Would also have to double my time at the gym.

[noahbites]

Right now? The baked catfish at Phong Dinh. With all of the ways to customize the way you eat it, plus the bright flavors and range of textures, I might have to go with that. It's really, really delicious.

[schrutefarms]

Definitely a veggie platter at the now gone (and sorely missed) Noura Cafe. Falafel, pita, pita chips, hummus, dolmas and greek salad with extra feta. With maybe an orange Fanta to wash it all down. I really don't think I would ever get sick of it.

[Phurstluv]

Okay, I can speak for my husband, I think! He'd eat the pulled pork sandwich and macaroni & cheese from Baby Blues in Venice. He'd also eat my carnitas every day straight, but I'm not a restaurant!!

My noms:
Breakfast burrito w/chicken sausage at Green St., Pasadena;
In & Out Double-double w/cheese, grilled onions, lo-carb; (maybe just a single!!)
Roasted marrow bones at Church & State;
Sliced pork sandwich w/slaw on garlic cheese toast a la Bear Pit in Mission Hills;
Sunday Lasagne at Pizzeria Mozza;
Any pasta (sans cream) by Giorgio Baldi;
Avocado Eggrolls from Cheesecake Factory (one reason I moved to LA!);
Spicy tuna tartar w/avocado & wontons & the Halibut Sashimi w/Jalapeno Ponzu from Pearl Dragon.

Now I feel satisfied. Anyone have a smoke?!

[J.L.]

The takeout Paella mixta from La Espanola. I actually ate that for 9 days in a row (sans tastebud burnout) - that was my record, and it ended then only 'cuz I ran out of paella by then...

Beverage-wise, the yuzu concoction at Sushi Zo and (if my liver was made of steel) the pineapple infused sake at Matsuhisa.

[mamajenna]

I would have to go with Bravo Style Chicken Tacos from Baja Fish Taco or Bali Bliss Burger from Veggie Grill! YUMMMMMMM to both!

[maudies5]

Roasted asparagus dish at Tavern. I could eat that every day, for sure.

[Muskrat]

Assuming there's no health/caloric penalty, I at least used to fantasize over the pounded steak and country gravy at Musso's. With diplomat pudding, of course.

[toonoble]

I could eat a Roscoe's waffle or salmon sushi from Hide everyday.. im pretty confident about that.

[huaqiao]

House Special Noodles at Trieu Chau in Santa Ana.

I don't live anywhere close to it anymore so sometimes I'll go down on the weekends and get 4 orders to go and eat it for 4 days straight for dinner. Even if I lived close by, I'd have to get it to go since they close so early, but I could refresh my 4 day supply much more often!

[Melvin Surdin]

Versailles: Garlic Chicken Dinner .... ate this meal almost everyday for about six months. Absolutely delicious.

[westsidegal]

i just had this last night.
the lemon tart served at hatfields that comes with a little scoop of cream cheese ice cream that sits atop on a dollop of sweetened. slightly stewed blueberries.
OMG

[schrutefarms]

Arby's is NOT embarrassing :)

[PurpleTeeth]

The duck noodle soup from Daisy Mint. I crave that thing right after I have had it.

[la tache burger]

Right now:
that 68 degree egg on french toast with some truffle at Ludobites

10 years ago:
1 baja fish taco and one bean and cheese burrito (pinto beans, easy cheese) at the baja fresh in bev hills (way more than 30 days!)

[lotta_cox]

i could eat that spft boiled egg on toast from ludo for an eternity. b'fast every day for life.

[MikeLee]

The dried beef slices with hot numbing sauce at Chung King in Monterery Park

[meltedcheese]

Not sure where in LA you can get this but I get mine in Little Saigon, but I could eat an egg banh mi with maggi sauce and a viet iced coffee every day for a month easy.

[travelingmansoul]

i'd not look forward to gaining like 40 lbs in 30 days but if I could eat one meal, same one for 30 days....

lamb chops with the garlic at nanbankan

king crab at orris....

calamar steak at paco's on centinela

nook burger

[noahbites]

Who makes a nice plate of steamed vegetables?

[1munchy1]

This is hard, because I feel not so experienced.

1) tiger tail at Donut Man from Glendora
2) That salad from Animal-I went there a week ago-it was great!
3) Steak and Kindey pie at Robin Hood on Burbank in Van Nuys
4) Scallop Burrito at Senor Fish in Eagle Rock
5) Sesame Bun thing from 99 Ranch Market

[maudies5]

The roast asparagus with poached egg over a bed of soft polenta at Tavern

[Melvin Surdin]

Chicken plate at Zankou Chicken
Garlic Chicken dinner at Versailles