Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in the Greater Los Angeles Area (including Orange & Ventura Counties and SW San Bernardino County)
Start New ThreadWill be visiting friends in the Southern cal area (at USC) Any recommendations for good cheap eats? Have car so driving is no problem. Particularly looking at Japanese and Mexican.
Thanks!
By JT
on May 14, 2004 06:05 PM
Story
Supertaster Daily: 5 Grilled Hot Dogs in 3 Minutes for Memorial Day
Story
Oreo and Hershey's Dessert Icings
Story
10 Spicy Snacks
Recipe
Easy Philly Cheesesteaks
Recipe
Easy Chicken Stir-Fry
Recipe
Spicy Oven-Roasted Chickpeas
View »
In the USC neighborhood there's a great little Mexican spot called La Barca, on Vermont Ave, a few blocks north of Adams. Family owned, great food. There's a large Mexican population living in the area, so there are a lot of good, very authentic places to eat.
A 10 minute drive will get you to the legendary El Cholo at Western and 12th. Great maragritas and green corn tamales, it's a big place, food is very good, lively atmosphere, it's an LA landmark, been around for nearly 100 years, worth checking out.
Permalink | Reply
And El Cholo offers a 50% discount to anyone with a USC id card.
Permalink | Reply
THAT explains why the last time I was at that El Cholo it was like being in the middle of an overcrowded frat party. It was absolutely miserable.
It's also an excellent reason to avoid that location, unless you're an SC undergrad. (We walked in, walked through, realized a sane experience would be impossible, and walked right back to the valet.)
Permalink | Reply
Can you prove this?
Permalink | Reply
USC Card discount is only good on weekdays. I used to use it once in a while when I was a student and my friends wanted margaritas somewhere else besides La Barca.
Permalink | Reply
Nevermind. I just searched and found this on USC's site:
El Cholo. USC students receive 50% discount Monday-Thursday after 4 p.m.
Never knew....
Permalink | Reply
Respectfully disagree that the food at El Cholo is "very good."
Permalink | Reply
La Barca has food that is fair with a very "lively" (read frat) crowd. Eli Cholo, however, is worse than overrated. Certainly overpriced. How they have maintained such an excellent reputation is am mystery.
Permalink | Reply
Head about 4 blocks north on Vermont, then left a block on Pico, and you'll find Dino's.
Link: http://home.pacbell.net/dagravy/html/...
Permalink | Reply
2nd Dino's and also Pollos el Brasero down the street. I miss those places.
Permalink | Reply
La Taquiza at 3026 Figueroa is cheap and good; I can make a potato and egg burrito, wet, go for two meals quite easily. I think it's four bucks. It's amazing to me how the potatoes stay crisp even after being scrambled with beans and rice and salsa and wrapped in a tortilla and baked with sauce and cheese.
Mmm. Hungry.
Permalink | Reply
Try the Mercado La Paloma, just across the freeway east of USC. There is free parking avail. They have several food stands inside. My favorite is Chichen Itza, which is Yucatan style Mexican.
Also, as someone else mentioned, do try La Taquiza. The mulitas are great (I like the al pastor).
Permalink | Reply
Vegisoul is a fairly new establishment with excellent soul food... that is... vegetarian. Highly recommended.
Permalink | Reply
I'm not a vegetarian, but I'm very curious to check this place out. I love greens, but so rarely find them in my usual haunts. Anything in particular you recommend?
Their website:
http://www.vegisoul.com
Permalink | Reply
La Taquiza has fantastic chilequiles. The Mercado La Paloma has about 10 restaurants will meals right around $7. There are reviews and more about the neighborhoods around USC and Exposition Park at http://www.universityparkfamily.com = University Park Family.com.
Permalink | Reply
There's a fantastic Indian place called 23rd street cafe... it's on 23rd north of Adams. I discovered it after my husband finished grad school at USC. We go whenever we are remotely near. I wish we could go there tonight...
Permalink | Reply