Beat my street: best food within 2 miles of your house.

[meltedcheese]

Okay so I live on 19th street in the Westside of Costa Mesa. Just on 19th I have:

Taco Mesa
El Ganjanal
El Toro Bravo
TK Burger
Sushi Subicho
Jugos Frescos (home of the fruit shake where they give you the whole blender to drink from)
A Salvadorian place for Pupusas
A mexican pastry shop that honestly sells the best Flan I have ever eaten in my life for less than 2 bucks.
Plus Carn's Carney and a Kebbab place is opening in 2 weeks.

If I drive on other streets within two miles of my house I have:

The original Wahoo's (yeah it's just okay- but it's historical)
El Ranchito and their chicken soup
Lou's Oak Oven BBQ
The Golden Truffle
Super Loco Pollo
Avanti Cafe
Marekesh Morrocan (god I love the lamb with dates)

I'm not even going to include El Matador, Mi Casa, Mesa Grill, Greek Towne, Sushi Zen or any other places that I don't eat regularly at.

Beat my street.

[eliciare]

Eagle Rock/Glassel Park =
Spitz
Oinkster
Columbo's (good old-school vibe)
Zankou
Lemongrass
The Coffee Table
Larkins
Pizza Bianca
Auntie Em's
Senor Fish

[grendel20]

What's weird is that I was watching the movie "Beat Street" when I clicked on this thread.

Even weirder is that I live within your two mile radius as well. At 18th and Orange.

[J.L.]

...spoooky...

[grendel20]

That's what i said!!!

Anyways, I prefer El Toro Bravo above all else. And, afterwards, Goathill Tavern!

[schrutefarms]

I remember getting kicked out of Goathill Tavern when I was a teen-the ONLY place my trusty fake ID was denied!

[Food622]

Hancock Park (and sticking with in the two-mile challenge:

Marouch
soot bull jeep
Prado
Suisina
Terroni
kyochon chicken
pollo a la brasa
bcd tofu
sa rit gol
kushimbo
Roscoes chicken & waffles
Hungry Cat
Street
Pizzaria Mozza
Osteria Mozza
Le Petit Greek
Milk
Itacho
Angelini Osteria
La Buca
cobras and matadors
Zankou chicken
Ammo
In-N-Out Burger
Tommy's Original World Famous
Providence
Marinos
Lou on Vine
BLD
Campanile
Ca Brea
Luna Park
Chan Dara
Chosum Galbee
Cube
Foundry on Melrose
Hatfields
Mario's Peruvian
Teres
Girasole
Grace
Pinks
Guelaguetza
Village Pizza

[kevin]

you;re s is definitely a chowish area.

[subal]

Anaheim Hills

Del Taco
Pic Up Stix
Carls
Rosines
Von's Deli
Porky's Pizza

[Servorg]

You win the "mirror image" Universe prize from JL's neighborhood... ;-D>

[J.L.]

It's "Bizarro Sawtelle"!

[a_and_w]

Me so hungry...me want to eat.

[ozhead]

I live in Topanga Canyon, and there is -- quite literally -- NO food within 2 miles of my house. The closest is Inn of the Seventh Ray, which is about 3.2 miles (by road -- less, I suppose, as the crow flies), which is OK. Very close to there is Rocco's Pizza in the Canyon, which I think is better -- certainly more value dollar for dollar.

[J.L.]

We hope you have a car!

[ozhead]

Can't leave home without one.

[samtron608]

beverly/la brea:
just to name a few: grace, luna park, providence, ortolan, angelini osteria, hungry cat, unami burger, lawrys, foundry on melrose, pinks, campanille, and many many more. too bad i cant afford to try all of them!

[coffeebrownies]

I think you just got started! There are lots of affordable options around here, too. What about Loteria and Bob's doughnuts and the rest of Farmers' Market? Or Joan's on Third? Or Angeli Caffe? I live a little southwest of you and I have walked home from Luques--it might be a little more than 2 miles--but after dinner--its a downhill walk!

[Wheggi]

The contenders in my neighorhood:

Fab Hot Dog
Cupids Hot Dog (a chain, but it holds a special place in my heart)
QT Chicago Dog
(its a pretty good dog nieghborhood!)
Brooklyn Pizza
El Taco Llama
Brents
Pho So 1
Johnny Pacific Empenadas
Carillo's Mexican Deli
And this Thai place on Receda with a pretty expansive menu, can't recall the name but its good.

[martyR]

Altadena, Lake and Mariposa:
Big Mama's
Tonny's
Fredos Cheesesteak
Roscoes Chicken & Waffles
Little Red Hen
Pueblas Tacos
Bulgarini's

[Phurstluv]

Bulgarini's - is that the gelato place?

[maudies5]

Brentwood Restaurants near my home

Tavern
Toscana
Cynthia;s for fried chicken on Montana
Early World for breakfast
Amandine
Bandera for yummy ribs
Chabuya on Sawtelle for great ramen

[martyR]

Yep, that's the one. Just a block away from me.

[Phurstluv]

I must get there. Do they sell anything other than gelato that I should know about?

[kevin]

fri and sat nights they serve itlaian dinners and a movie

[Phurstluv]

No way, get out!

[kevin]

yep, they do. unless it's only a summer time thing???? i don't know abou that.

[sel]

They send out a weekly email with the name of the FREE movie and the dinner menu so get on the list!

[Will Owen]

RIP Fredo's. Empty, everything off the windows, no signage. Its glory days were long past, anyhow, but still...

I'm just a mile downhill from you and a block over, so what you got is pretty much what I got (though I have not yet sampled Big Mama's or Little Red Hen, and I'm so glad you skipped right over the utterly twee Fox's. But I would hasten to add La Caravana, considered by many to be the best Salvadoran restaurant in LA County, on Lake across from Food 4 Less. Also being farther downhill, I can add Europane, Malbec and Madeleine's. There's also a new place on Mentor between that theater and the Ice House that looks promising.

[WildSwede]

Hi Will. I just noticed yesterday that Fredo's is gone. Caput. So, we now have Pho in the 'hood. When we gonna meet to try it? LMK. L

[Will Owen]

That is as of tomorrow, if I remember correctly. Let's give it a few days, like maybe around this time next week? Email offline...

I still need to check out their CFS!

[WildSwede]

When I drove by yesterday, I noticed a lot of new pictures of food in the windows. Looks like they will be offering several Vietnamese options. Will be interesting to try!

[Harry Nile]

You're right, Will, Fredo's glory days were long past, but that doesn't make this news any easier. I wonder whatever happened to Dan? Probably runs a taco shop in Philly.

[travelingmansoul]

I'm in WLA so I've got everything that JL put on his/her list - great picks JL!
Nook, Nanbankan, Kiriko, Orris, Bar Hayama, Il Grano, Darya, Javan, Shamshiri, Zankou, Monte Alban are my main favs on list..some others are good but these ones here are fav WLA spots

I'd add to list (if within 2 miles)
Valentino
Il Moro
Chunk King (ok, average)

I think Westside Tavern is only 2 miles.
Pecorino in brentwood is about same.
Banderas - decent salmon and great old fashioned cocktails

i'm likely missing more,

[J.L.]

We West Los Angelenos are indeed very lucky - yes, I did accidentally omit those places you mentioned also. Whew! Our West LA list is growing!

[yogachik]

I'm Montana Ave area:

Father's Office
Rustic Canyon
Huckleberry
Riva
Anisette
Bar Pintxo
Fig
Wilshire
Cynthia's
Joe's Pizza

[andytseng]

Isn't this supposed to be the "best"? Not every dang spot in your hood.

I'm at MacArthur Park:
Langer's
Mama's Hot Tamales
Beverly Soon Tofu
Shibucho
Park's BBQ
Two Boots
Guelaguetza
Dino's Chicken and Burgers
Taco Zone/Tacos Arizas

I'll let someone else cover Downtown.

[jencounter]

I'm in Reseda:

Pho So 1
Pho 999
Nippon Ramen
It's All Good Kebab House
Shamshiri
El Taco Llama
El Indio
Top Thai
Vin Loi Tofu
Sandwich Express
Lum Ka Naad
Priyani
Fab's Hot Dogs
Brooklyn Pizza
Rincome Thai (this one might actually be 3 miles from me)
Pita Pocket
Falafal Palace
Emile's
My Hero
Brent's Deli
BCD Tofu House
Melody's Kitchen/Las Fuentes
The Firehouse
Ravanelli's
Mandarin Deli

a little further:
Hummus Bar and Grill
Kushiyu
Sam's Philly Cheesesteak

[meltedcheese]

Part of the reason I did this list was so people could see where they want to live or spend time on vacation or just walking around. Make sure to list the streets where you live. These are great so far. Thanks.

[johnnyshungry]

awesome idea also helps when we are in differant parts of the city and get hungry.

Hollywood and Vermont.

I don't like yucas shoot me but the taco's at Korner Kitchen are pretty good across from Thomas Starr middle school on franklin.
Pizza only: farfalla and il capriccio pizza
Sgt recruiter for some easy oysters and glass of wine.
thai: jitalda
japanese: saito sushi,
I know it is a chain Niko Niko for a quick cheap bent box lunch not the best sushi but works when cost an issue or want to sit outside just not crazy about it but the other half likes the ease and walking distance.
En sushi another chain but easy and 10.00 pitchers at H.H. decent sushi.
Hmm I see a bad pattern here.
( my fav Izayou and suhi gen but beyond 2 mile radius.)
Chicken: Zankou chicken
Indian : Agra
Bliars
Canale may be a bit more then 2 miles
Thats all I got
did I mention sizzler ? just kidding.

[maxzook]

Hi neighbor, I live three blocks from you!

I would add:

vermont
Il Capriccio on Vermont
Figaro Cafe
Fred 62 (for the mac & cheese)
Cobras Y Matadors (soon to be RIP if it hasn't already)
Square One
The Kitchen
All of Thai Town
Alcove (OK for breakfast and for the patio)
Intelligentsia Coffee
Pazzo Gelato
Cheese Store of Silverlake
Say Cheese
Blair's (most of the other places on Rowena like the Edendale are out of my radius)
Malo (not a huge fan myself)

and last but not least ... Yuca's (well, *I* love it!)

[schrutefarms]

Cobras and Matadors is going to close?? Why?? All the locations, or just Silverlake?

[maxzook]

Just Los Feliz (I think) ... closed the beginning of August. Not sure about the fate of the other branches, that's the only one I've ever been to.

It's going to be a Unami Burger, which I've not yet tried, but based on Chow opinions I hear both good and bad.

[schrutefarms]

Interesting! I've always been a fan of C&M on Beverly, but I did like the full bar at the Sunset location. Unami burger, huh? I've yet to try it, because, if I'm honest, a drive more than three miles from my house in this city mentally exhausts me before I've even started out. Any idea when it will open?

[maxzook]

If this is to be believed, the Los Feliz Umami is opening today!?

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/re...

[maxzook]

(continued)

Little Dom's
En Sushi
Farfalla
Tropicalia
Carousel
Chi Dynasty
Green Leaves
Best Fish Taco in Ensenada

[mlgb]

I'll play
Bake N Broil
Johnny Reb's
Walker's BBQ Smoke Pit
M&M Soul Food
Thai Corner
Super Mex
Kinokawa Japanese
Trattoria Limone
Il Poggio
Baba Ghanouj
Hole Mole/Ecco's
Babe's Kitchen
Baja Sonora
Bamboo Teri
Phil Trani's
Nino's
Porky's Pizza
Catalano Pizza
Z Pizza
Red Mango
I Luv Sushi
Golden Spoon Yogurt
Johnny's Yogurt
Polly's Bakery Cafe
Hof's Hut
Pollo Campero
Delius
Hokkaido
It's a Grind
Costco

Some good choices but not a great list, is it?!
However, I still haven't found a Thai place that serves gringo's hotter food than Thai Corner.

[Ogawak]

Walking distance of where I live (up to 1/2 mile)
(Disclaimer: Haven't tried them all yet.)
I guess living in the heart of Santa Monica isn't really fair.

Cora's Coffee Shop for breakfast and hamburgers
Bay Cities Deli for maybe the best selection of deli sandwiches
El Texate for good Oahuacan
La Grand Orange
The Lobster for lobster and a great view
Frito Misto
Joe's Pizza good thin sliced pizza
One Pico for dinner and a view
Warszawa for good polish/Eastern European
Whist
Chez Jay
Cha Cha Chicken for funky Jamaican
Tommy's for comfort food
Taqueria Chihuahua for good dorado tacos

Up to 1 mile away:
Annisette
Melisse
Jiraffe
Musha
Rustic Canyon
Ocean Ave Seafood
Houston's
Michaels
Ye Olde King's Heade
Tacos Por Favor
Boa Steakhouse
Catch

[Yes Please]

Cheesecake Factory (don't laugh, shrimp and bacon club, dutch caramel apple chzcake)
Charthouse (happy hour!)
Island's
Aunt Kizzy's (eat your feelings!)
Taco's Por Favor (really good actually!)
Mosto
C&O Trattoria and Cucina (I know, but the garlic rolls!)
Hinano's
Kifune (Love the chef Hide and really fresh!)
Gaby's Mediterranean Express and the non-express
Organic Panificio (I like breakfast there)
Warehouse
Joni's Coffee (great coffee and breakfast!)
Beechwood (all I know is drinks there!)
Johnnie's New York
China Bistro
Mao's Kitchen
26 Beach
Cafe Del Rey
3 Square
Alejo Presto
Joe's
Lilly's
Baby Blues BBQ
Gjelina (Pizza...)
Sugarfish (I liked it!)
Chipotle
Rose Cafe
Chaya
The Counter
Mercedes Grill
Terrace Cafe
Shanghai Red's
Rainbow Acres (I know its technically a market...)

And all the other places on Abbott Kinney, the Washington Pier, Admiralty, maybe some of Lincoln and Main St. Sorry I got lazy... as you can tell with the dying string of my descriptions!)

AND a McD's and Del Taco and Jerry's?! I have to have won!

[hyacinthgirl]

You live where I live, clearly.
Try the burger at Beechwood, and the sweet potato fries.
You left out:
Antica Pizzeria
Lemonade (so happy for the opening of this one!)
Abbot's Pizza
French Market Cafe

If you walk to the food, none of the calories count, right?

[1000steps]

Mine pales in comparison, but I like them nonetheless. Dana Point, basically Selva and Golden Lantern.

Stonehill Tavern
Savannah Chophouse
Gemmells
Harbor Grill
162
Aurora's Taquiera
Gen Kai
Bon Jour Cafe
Casanova
Salt Creek Grill

[jsl]

Ditto your list but I'll add.
Mario's by the Sea
Las Golondrinas
Agostino's

[J.L.]

I give you West L.A.: Corner of Santa Monica & Sawtelle.

Sawtelle alone:
Nanbankan
Cafe Dahab
Bar Hayama
Ketchy's II
Mizu 212
Chabuya
Robata-Ya
Orris
Sawtelle Kitchen
Asahi Ramen
Tofu-Ya
GR/eats
Hide Sushi
FuRaiBo
Place Yuu
Volcano Tea
Restaurant 2117
Blue Marlin
Hurry Curry
Ramen Kinchans
Manpuku
Crepe Nazi
Little Hong Kong Cafe
Pho-Reign
Tofu Villa
Bear Papa's/Mousse Fantasy
Curry House
Yakitori-ya
Kiriko
Cake House
Yogurtland
Zip Fusion
Daichan Kaiten Sushi
Yashima
Crepes Dusigne

Nearby, on Olympic (not counting major chains like Subway, Panda Express, Starbucks or Baja Fresh):
Hop Woo
Pazzo PIzzeria
Champagne French Bakery Cafe
Ramen-Ya
Raku

On the north end of Sawtelle (less than a mile from the corner):
Nook
Qusqo
California Roll Factory
En Sushi
Juquila
Terried Sake House
Cafe 50's
Gualzulgleta (sp?)
Vietnamese restaurant (the name eludes me)
Cacao Coffeehouse
Sasaya Izakaya
Benito's Tacos

Also on SM Blvd. (definitely within 2 miles):
Siam Chan
Echi-don't-go Sushi
Monte Alban Oaxaca
Ono Hawaiian BBQ
Eilat Bakery
Javan Persian
Il Grano
Darya Persian
Hamasaku
Zankou Chicken
Jin Jiang

Did someone say Persian? Westwood Blvd. is also within 2 miles of that corner!
Shaherzad
Persian Ice Cream
Flame
Shamshiri Grill
Canary
Baran

Now that we're on Westwood Blvd. (still within 2 miles):
Wakasan
Byblos Lebanese
Sushi Masu
California Chicken Factory
Pitfire Pizza
Philly's West
Attari Sandwich Shop
Zinio Brazilian Cafe
Pomodoro
Campagnola
Soleil
Mary & Robb's Westwood Cafe
Danube Bulgarian
Emporio Thai
JuJu Cereal Bar

Weswood Village proper (north of Wilshire, with all its eateries) is POSSIBLY within 2 miles, but just to be safe (since I didn't measure it out exactly), I'll leave it out.

Any questions?

[Servorg]

You forgot Hole in the Wall burger. Burp!! ;-D>

[a_and_w]

Great list! Two quick corrections -- I think you may be thinking of Juquila, not Guelaguetza. The Vietnamese place is Le Saigon -- love their pork bun.

Also, Westwood Village is indeed within 2 miles of that intersection -- in fact, it's closer to 1 mile. I live a little northwest of there and have walked to Westwood many times.

Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the food options within 2 miles of my house.

[toonoble]

That is a great list JL.
Question: which of these places are your favorite? I live and dine in that area so ive tried much of these places but its hard to decide which to try next.
My favorites are:
Hide
Nook
Kiriko
Javan
Orris
La Bottega
Terried Sake House
Zankou

[Wolfgang]

I'm happy to have Bay Cities and Father's Office within a few blocks of home.

[schrutefarms]

I hate you.

[peppermonkey]

you win

[havepixel]

I used to live in Costa Mesa/HB area on Brookhurst/Hamilton and I have to give credit to Taco Mesa and Lou's.

But now I live near the Sawtelle/SM corner and it's been a real treat to be so close to all those places mentioned above.

I'll add to that
-Amandine for amazing pastries
-Bar * Food for incredible happy hour
-Hachi (poor man's Nobu, on Wilshire/Brockton). This is a new favorite of ours
-Asakuma for amazing miso cod
-Emil's Swiss Pasties, which serves fantastic Lavazza coffee
-Yogurt Factory, recently remodeled and much nicer now
-Star Bakery, wonderful Persian treats
-Paris Pastry -- our favorite for fresh bread and tortes

[J.L.]

Yes, nice additions, havepixel.

I also accidentally omitted Tofu-Ya (also on Sawtelle).

I see that many 'hounds had a lot of time to compile lists & type them out today... :D

[Emme]

i wouldn't rate mine as *the best* esp in terms of cheap eats, but i'm in beverly hills near beverly and charleville... and in no particular order

nate'n'al's
spago
mako
sushi sushi
kippan
al gelato
il buco
kiyokawa
green leaf chop shop
mulberry
porta via
kate mantilini
ed's coffee shop
la provence
newsroom cafe
petrossian patisserie
wolfgang's
la scala
il pastaio
belwood bakery
beverly hills cheese shop
coupa cafe
frida
mastro's
il cielo
jack'n'jill's
xi'an
mickey fine
ruth's chris
tagine
urth caffe
beverliz cafe
barney greengrass

[pinpei]

J.L. can add Hiko to the list.