LA Institutions

[jdwdeville]

So, inspired by a recent post about Tito's mentioning "LA Institutions", and by the fact that I'm new to this city (and a food freak), I thought maybe we could come up with a list.
what is everybody's absolutely iconic LA eateries? any cusine, any price, so long as it typifies what makes LA unique.

[jessejames]

Lawry's...with "Beef Bowl" competitions between Rose Bowl squads going back half a century or more!

[Emme]

Spago
Moonshadows/Geoffrey's (somewhere on the beach)
Yamashiro (for drinks - the iconic view)
Monte Alban/Tlapazola Grill/Gilbert's El Indio
Donut Man/Primo's/Stan's in Westwood
Urasawa/Katsuya/Tama
Saddle Peak Lodge
Dim Sum in SGV - Elite/Mission 261
Monte Alban
Dan Tana's
Bay Cities Deli
Cynthia's (for the cobbler)
Pann's
Josie's for the farmers' market menu
Jitlada
Hungry Cat/Hatfield's/AOC/Providence
Park's BBQ/Soot Bull Jeep
Chung KIng - very spicy
The Griddle Cafe
Mashti Malone's for rosewater ice cream
Campanile's Grilled Cheese Thursday's
The Ivy/La Scala/Barney Greengrass/Polo Lounge
The Farmers' markets - any of them
Langer's
Daikokuya

[jdwdeville]

Bay Cities certainly is addicting, and Monte Alban is next on our Mexican Adventure list--
how does Daikokuya compare to the ramen place inside Mitsuwa Market?

[Adsvino]

Ten LA Classics:

Apple Pan, Pinks, Tito's Taco’s, Zankou, Philippe’s,
Langers, Mario's Peruvian, Musso & Frank, Sasabune, In-n-Out

[Chowpatty]

A thread on classic old LA restaurants:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/342786
Here's one on "Foodiest spots in L.A."
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/516232
And here's one for L.A. newbies:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/525469