PLEASE POST YOUR VOTES HERE: Ultimate Los Angeles Restaurants 2008
Earlier this year, I resumed the tradition started by Mr. Grub in 2005 of running an annual poll of Chowhounders’ favorite Los Angeles Restaurants.
To quote Mr. Grub:
"The concept is simple: everyone is asked to list, in rank order, your top 5 restaurants in Los Angeles County that you would recommend to houndly out-of-town visitors or to chowfriends for a special occasion. Since we worship at the altar of deliciousness, your ranking should be based 75% on food and 25% on everything else."
The 2005 poll results can be found here:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/76226
The 2006 poll results can be found here:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/357211
The 2007 poll results can be found here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/490712
After the last poll, several people complained that deciding between, say, Urasawa and The Oinkster was an impossible apples-and-oranges choice. So this year, I’m going to try a new twist: we’re going to vote for up to TEN restaurants – five restaurants in the category of over $25 per person for food, and five in the category of $25 or less for food.
For example, here are my choices:
OVER $25
Osteria Mozza
Comme Ça
Hungry Cat
Campanile
Musso and Frank
$25 OR LESS
Langer’s Deli
Caioti
The Oinkster
25 Degrees
Lawton’s Famous Frankfurters (RIP)
Your entries in each category will be weighted arithmetically: 5 points for your first choice; 4 points for your second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth and 1 for fifth.
You may choose to only cast votes in the over-$25 category, or in the $25-and-under, but please don’t vote for the same restaurant in both categories. If different voters cast votes for the same restaurant on both lists, the total points will be tabulated together and the restaurant will be ranked in the category for which it received the most points. (The $25 is meant to be inclusive of food only for an average dinner order per person.)
If you respond with more than 5 choices in either category, only your first 5 choices will be included. If you vote for fewer than five, your choice will be tabulated with as many points as the number you voted for (so if you vote for only three restaurants, your first choice will only carry three points, the second two points, etc.)
It’s okay to vote for a restaurant that closed within the last twelve months (I would appreciate if you flag defunct restos with an RIP tag, as I did for Lawton's). If two or more restaurants with the same name and basic menu get votes (e.g. Father’s Office on Montana or Helms), I will combine the results.
The more replies we receive, the more useful are the poll’s findings, so please do reply. I’ll keep the polls open until December 14 and post the results shortly thereafter.
Again, remember that first choice = 5 points, second choice = 4 points, etc. I will assume the first restaurant in your list will be the first choice and so on, so you don't have to number them.
Go for it!
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LA $25 and Under: Jitlada, Noodle House, My Taco, Pollos a la Brasa, Europane
But really, Elite, Oinkster, Langer's, 101 Noodle Express, Renu Nakorn, Huarache Azteca, Shamshiri Grill, Red Top Burgers, Father's Office, Casa Bianca, Din Tai Fung, Golden Deli, Banh Mi Che Cali, Barrio Fiesta/Fiesta sa Barrio, Skafs, Loteria, El Parian, Porto's, Zankou, Carnitas Michoacan, Pie 'n' Burger, Phillippe's, Mei Long Village, Tacos Baja Ensenada, Primo's Doughnuts, La Cabanita, Susina Bakery, Tender Greens, Puro Sabor, Tamales Liliana, and Krua Thai all have a case to make, and I still need to try Pann's, Bay Cities, Pho Minh, Izakaya Bincho, Spicy BBQ, Porky's, Santouka, Cassell's, Robata Yakitori, and Phillips BBQ!
What a city for eating reasonably.
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maxzook
Dec 10, 2008 03:59 PM
For those wanting to vote for Orange County restaurants, go to OCAnn's Ultimate OC Restaurant Poll:
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hyacinthgirl
Dec 10, 2008 10:03 AM
Thanks for doing this!
Over
1. Palate
2. A.O.C
3. Spago
4. Katsuya (Brentwood locale)Under
1. Amandine Patisserie
2. Cayenne
3. Aroma Bakery Cafe (on Sunset)
4. Portos
5. Antica Pizzeria -
Over $25:
1. Osteria la Buca
2. Akbar
... guess I don't eat at expensive places much. If I think of more in the next 4 days, I'll re-voteUnder $25:
1. Native Foods (I went to the one in Costa Mesa)
2. M Cafe de Chaya
3. The Griddle Cafe
4. Real Food Daily (I went to the one in Santa Monica)
5. Dino's (pizza place in Burbank)›1 Reply -
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RacerX
Dec 9, 2008 10:19 AM
Thanks for taking the time to do this Max!
<25
1Langers
2 Din Tai Fung
3 Bay Cities Deli
4 Philippes
5 Barones' Pizza>25
1 Lawry's
2 Mastros
3 Shibuya Sushi
4 Kings Fish House
5 OrrisRIP to Tama Sushi and Gorikee which would have made this list.
C'mon people, let's vote!!!
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maxzook
Dec 9, 2008 09:57 AM
The poll will close at about 6 pm or so on Sunday, December 14. Don't forget to vote!
›2 Replies-
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re: RicRios
maxzook
Dec 9, 2008 03:55 PM
I probably should've gotten the poll up a few days earlier this year. I'm leaving town next week till after New Year's and I won't have very good Internet access where I'm going so I wanted it up before I left.
We'll see if it affects the final turnout ... so far we're about on tract with last year.
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caveatempty
Dec 7, 2008 06:42 PM
Thank you for continuing this tradition, Maxzook.
Over $25
1) Spago
2) Palate
3) Providence
4) Madeo
5) Osteria MozzaUnder $25
1) Park's BBQ
2) Polka
3) Carnitas Michaocan
4) Langers
5) Makkah Halah -
over $25:
hatfield
joe's in venice
urasawa
sushi zo
stonehill tavern (does it count since it's more down there? if not, then orris)under $25 (all ethnic! :))
jitlada
bilal
indian restaurant (taiwanese place)
el super taco
simpang asia›2 Replies -
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Under $25
Joseph's Deli, On Ventura in Woodland Hills, used to be a Label's Table
Artisan Cheese Gallery (despite the awful service)
Miya Sushi
CaiotiOver $25
Mako
Spago
Seashell
Chaya Venice
Drago›2 Replies -
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UNDER:
Eduardo's Border Grill
CA Chicken Cafe
Clementine
Bay Cities
Sunin
El Super Taco
Tlapazola GrillOVER:
Providence
Ortolan
Fraiche
Josie
Angelini Osteria
A.O.C.›5 Replies -
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maxzook
Dec 2, 2008 08:30 AM
Someone asked me to clarify the five-restaurant rule.
If you vote for more than five restaurants, only the first five that you list will be counted (no "ties").
If you vote for less than five restaurants, the points will be apportioned as follows:
Four restaurants
1st choice: 4 points
2nd choice: 3 points
3rd choice: 2 points
4th choice: 1 point---
Three restaurants
1st choice: 3 points
2nd choice: 2 points
3rd choice: 1 point---
Two restaurants
1st choice: 2 points
2nd choice: 1 point---
One restaurant: 1 point
(This rule is so that people who vote for less than five restaurants don't skew the points.)
›3 Replies-
re: maxzook
Peripatetic
Dec 3, 2008 05:00 PM
Not to be too much of a geek, but most voting systems I'm aware of work in the opposite way:
Five selected:
1st choice: 5 points
2nd choice: 4 points
3rd choice: 3 points
4th choice: 2 points
5th choice: 1 pointThree selected:
1st choice: 5 points
2nd choice: 4 points
3rd choice: 3 pointsOne selected:
1st (and only) choice: 5 points
Anyway, it's easy to intentionally skew points for a single favorite if someone really wants to. Here's an (extreme) example:
1st choice: Langer's
2nd choice: Denny's
3rd choice: IHOP
4th choice: Tony Roma's
5th choice: Tom's Burgers-
re: Peripatetic
maxzook
Dec 3, 2008 06:34 PM
You left off Shakey's ;P
Anyway, the number of voters has declined in each of the Ultimate Restaurant polls since Mr. Grub started this four years ago, and as the sampling declines, the power of a single voter to affect the ranking increases. I'm trying to convince voters to put in enough thought to come up with the full five choices, and to think beyond their short lists. That's one reason I broke out the over-25-vs-under this year.
And you're right that a voter could skew his points the way you indicated, but I haven't seen any votes to date that would seem to reflect any such trend. Speaking for myself as a Langer's fan, if you DID intend that to be your vote I wouldn't object, seeing as how Langer's was in eleventh place two years ago but received NO VOTES last year.
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re: maxzook
Peripatetic
Dec 3, 2008 10:37 PM
I see your point, and in any case, there's probably little incentive for anyone to attempt to game the vote. It's not like turn-of-the-century Florida. :)
Also, yes, Langer's was my first choice for <$25 on my "ballot" (above). It wasn't a difficult decision.
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soniabegonia
Dec 1, 2008 02:32 PM
Over $25
Providence
Urasawa
Kagaya
Hatfield's
GraceUnder $25
Nanbankan
Square One
Clementine
Daikokuya
Ruen Pair -
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Grog
Dec 1, 2008 10:33 AM
+ $25.00
1. The Dinning Room at the Langham - Pasadena
2. Providence
3. Z Sushi
4. Angelini Osteria
5. Fraiche- $25.00
1. Viet Noodle Bar
2. Ruen Pair
3. Local
4. Polla a la Brasa
5. La EstrellaThis is tough because I'd also like to vote for the Pupusa vendor at the Hollywood Farmer's market (also at Atwater) on Sundays. Not only do I not know the business name (and there is one), I can't figure out which one they would replace...damn!
›1 Reply -
Hershey Bomar
Dec 1, 2008 10:14 AM
Less than $25
Langers
KyoChon
Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada
Jitlada
Phillips Q
Daisy Mint
Marouch -
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Schweinhaxen
Dec 1, 2008 07:19 AM
OVER $25
Osteria Mozza
Sushi Zo
Providence
Wolfgang's
Newport Seafood$25 OR LESS
Langer’s Deli
Din Tai Fung
Pann's
Vito's
Yuca's -
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SauceSupreme
Nov 29, 2008 10:41 AM
Over $25
Urasawa
Hungry Cat
Comme Ca
Park BBQ
Sushi IkeUnder $25
Jitlada
Izakaya Bincho
Oinkster
Asa Ramen
Sokongdong -
Hi maxzook,
I wanted to thank you for organizing this (and the effort to tabulate, organize it all, etc.). :) This should be fun and helpful.
(per maxzook, top-most entry is my #1, bottom-most is #5)
OVER $25
Urasawa
Providence
Craft
Valentino
Spago$25 OR LESS
Izakaya Bincho
Noodle House (Mian Hsiang Yuan)
Ichimian (also known as "Bamboo Garden" or "Ichimiann")
Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori (or "Robata-Yakitori" - not the Ramen side)
Sea Harbour›4 Replies -
lotta_cox
Nov 29, 2008 08:07 AM
over $25
Saddle Peak Lodge
The Bazaar
BLT Steak
Mozza
Lucquesunder $25
The Park
Urth Cafe
Say Cheese!
Daphne's Greek
Ford's Filling Station›8 Replies-
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re: lotta_cox
I think your concern/conundrum applies to a lot of places that do small plates. I'm thinking the same for Izakaya Bincho. I just went last night and the bill came to $105 before tip. We were a party of four, but two of them were our kids which nixes drinks x 2. The flipside of this is that we ordered two to three dishes too many. The weekend before, it was just my wife and me and the bill came to $80 before tip, but again - we ordered too much by about three dishes. If you include drinks into any restaurant's equation, then even some of the most modest places will break the $25 mark.
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re: maxzook
Peripatetic
Dec 3, 2008 03:54 PM
So votes for Izakaya Bincho in the <25 category will be added to votes for Izakaya Bincho in >25 category and vice versa?
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OVER $25
Urasawa
Totoraku
Providence
AOC
Saddle Peak LodgeUNDER $25
Asa Ramen
Santouka
Lucky Devils
Philippe's
Pie 'n' BurgerI was going to put down NBC as my #5 under $25, but I don't know what it's like since new ownership took over. If old ownership still counts, knock off Pie 'n' Burger.
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ElsieDee
Nov 28, 2008 04:28 PM
Under $25
- Daisy Mint
- Oinkster
- Merengue (new Cuban bakery in Monrovia)
- Tops (The Original)
- EuropaneHonorable Mention: Milano's Deli, RIP - Oh how I miss the falaffel and humus and everything else!
Over $25
- Fatty's in Eagle Rock(Will amend if more "over 25" occur to me - we really tend to eat at the less-expensive places.)
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Under $25 -- no particular order:
Porky's
Carnitas Michaocan (No. Broadway at 19th)
Bay Cities
Amandine -- croissant, best snack
Tacos Por Favor (westside)
Philly West -- burger or cheesesteak (honorable mention)Over $25 (barely):
Nook Bistro -- dollar per dollar, best value in fine SoCal dining by far (please, bring back the shortribs)
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SmokeyDoke
Nov 28, 2008 06:15 AM
OVER $25
Newport Seafood
Josies
Providence
Craft
Spago$25 OR LESS
Porto's Bakery
Jitlada
Big Wangs
Alondra Wings
Zankou Chicken -
Peripatetic
Nov 27, 2008 10:28 PM
OVER $25
Pizzeria Mozza
Otafuku Noodle House
Lou on Vine
AOC
Sanuki No Sato$25 OR LESS
Langer's Deli
Pann's
Elite Restaurant (Monterey Park)
Oinkster
Jeon Ju -
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<25
Bella Roma SPQR
El Parian
The happy hour at Napa Valley Grill
The hole in the wall Downtown LA at 719 S Los Angeles Street, at the back of the hallway, lunch only; ask for Doña Paty).
Dino's chicken ( do they serve anything else? )>25
Craft
Spago
Chinois
Fraiche
Bistro de l'Hermitage( and no, I'm not voting for any place with "zz" in the name; or for any SBE BS)
›9 Replies-
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re: maxzook
Das Ubergeek
Nov 28, 2008 01:56 PM
Darn Ric, you'll just have to suck it up and go back to the hole in the wall for lunch. :)
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re: Das Ubergeek
maxzook
Nov 28, 2008 05:05 PM
I'll be embarassed if it turns out the place is called "The Hole In The Wall". It's just that a Google search revealed the closest restaurant to that address is a Subway, and somehow I don't think that's what he had in mind.
(Seriously, people, I don't think it's unreasonable of me to require that you name the place -- even taco trucks have names ...)
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re: RicRios
maxzook
Nov 29, 2008 01:25 PM
It's not this place, is it?
I'm in a better mood today, I'll count it as the "hole in the wall"as long as people don't make a habit of it ("you know, that Italian place at Highland and Melrose, the one with the raw pork fat")
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re: floyd_the_barber
CookieEater
Dec 3, 2008 10:03 PM
Funny how all 3 of your total posts mention Robin's... hmm... After having the real stuff in the South, I could barely eat Robin's and gave most of it to my dog.
Over $25:
Osteria MozzaUnder $25:
Sea Harbour (dim sum)
Golden Deli
Porto's (ideal destination for pork followed by desserts)
Barrio Fiesta (another ideal destination for pork)
Din Tai FungActually, pretty much all of those are ideal destinations for pork. :)
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maxzook
Nov 27, 2008 08:13 PM
If you change your mind, just go ahead and post again, please re-cast your entire vote and not just the changes ... tell me it's a re-vote and I'll take care of it (I'm tracking names, dates and times on my tally, so I will always take your last vote).
