BESTS

[veggietraveler]

Okay, here are the rules :)

1. It has to be a particular food item -- no "best Mexican restaurant." But instead, Best Chille Relleno.
2. Be specific. Super specific. If you like fake-y nachos with fake-y cheese sauce, yay for you. But write that. Like this: Best Fake-y Nachos with Fake-y Cheese Sauce - ___. Especially be specific about controversial foods, i.e. pizza.
3. Limit yourself. You don't have to be an expert on everything. This should be a food you love, that you have eaten all over town, that you have searched high and low for the very best. One great post is so much better than twenty posts about "bests" that are only just "most popular," or bests that are only the best you've had because you haven't had many.
4. Anywhere in LA County.
4. It has to be not only the best in L.A., but amongst the best anywhere. So, for example, if I were posting in San Francisco, I might write: "Best Movie Theater Popcorn: Red Vic's." But that's because it's fresh and fantastic, served in a big wooden bowl, with real-real butter (not "real" butter-sauce) and nutritional yeast and is super yum. Whereas in L.A. I've never had movie theater popcorn that was amazing. Thus "Best Movie Theater Popcorn" is simply not a category for me in L.A. (feel free to disagree!). Again, only post if it's not only the best in L.A., but would stand up pretty much anywhere.
5. Only one food item per post.

I'll do the first two to get us started. Let the posts begin!

[veggietraveler]

Best Chocolate Brownie (high quality, rich) - Sweets for the Soul - Atwater

[Burger Boy]

Second that!

[veggietraveler]

Best Grilled Artichoke - Little Dom's - Los Feliz

[goodhealthgourmet]

Best All-Natural (i.e. no artificial sweeteners, thickeners or other junk) Frozen Yogurt...sno:la in Beverly Hills.

their chocolate/sour cherry combo is the best fro-yo i've had *anywhere,* not just LA.

[veggietraveler]

Good one! How is it sweetened?

[goodhealthgourmet]

the plain isn't sweetened at all, and the other flavors are sweetened with fruit puree and/or fruit juice concentrate. the shop is totally eco-friendly - solar-powered yogurt machines, biodegradable cups, wooden spoons...even the counter is made from recycled computer chips.

i wish they had a location down here in San Diego - i miss it!

[Mr Taster]

I walked past sno:LA about a month ago and it looked as if they had shut down.

Mr Taster

[js76wisco]

Walked by there this weekend and it was certainly closed. It didn't look like they were still in business although they still had signage up.

[goodhealthgourmet]

noooooo!

you're right. i just called and the number's disconnected. why do all the good ones die?

[liu]

I also called both the Beverly Hills number and the Santa Monica number; both are disconnected.

I never got there, but it was on my list...I'm so disappointed.

Their website shows photos of their Kyoto shop; I wonder if that location has also closed.

[westsidegal]

completely agree with snola as best in this category

[goodhealthgourmet]

have a little extra for me when you go! i'm making a beeline for that place the next time i'm in town...

[Joe Blowe]

Best Fish Taco:  Tacos Baja Ensenada.

http://www.chow.com/restaurants/163/t...

Flame on.

[iluvcheese]

I second that! delish!

[liu]

Love TBE!

[MeowMixx]

Sorry. Best fish taco - Ricky's

[Mr Taster]

My one and only fish taco at Ricky's was, unfortunately, bland. TBE sometimes misses the Crunch Bus™, though occasionally I've gotten very good ones there. My only experience getting consistently crunchy, flavorful fish tacos in LA is at Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada.

Mr Taster

[Servorg]

Looks like it might be time for a reread of: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6766...

[Mr Taster]

Yeah, I'm fully open to the suggestion that Ricky had an off day, since I've only ever given him one shot. However, because of the absurd line waiting ritual, I am disinclined to try it again when Best Fish Tacos, in my experience, is reliably great.

Mr Taster

[liu]

MeowMixx...I love Ricky's!
Why do I have to choose?

[Burger Boy]

Best Hamburger 26 Beach Restaurant

Best Mac & Cheese Blue Star

Best NY Pizza Vito's

Best Pizza Petrillo's

Best Pastrami Langer's

Best Martini Musso & Franks

Best Beer with Topless Dancer's Sam's Hofbrau

[flylice2x]

Are the topless dancers the best too? I guess with enough beers, they will...

[mdpilam]

They most definitely aren't!!!

[Burger Boy]

comme ci comme ca

[westsidegal]

best mojarra frita : mariscos chente

[Ciao Bob]

OMG that is sooooo good westside gal - had it today...thanks. A nice change of pace from my Chente go-to's!

[degustateur]

Best Charcuterie – Church & State

[schrutefarms]

Best dessert-Butterscotch Budino @ Mozza.

[baloney]

I used to think so too, until I had the butterscotch pudding at Gjelina...

[budlit]

same here, i think one of the differences is gjelina is a pot de creme and mozza is a pudding.

[Mr Taster]

I recently had a slice of the butterscotch pie at House of Pies on Vermont.... good lord, was that delicious. Perfectly sweet (as in not too much) and just ever so slightly salty. A massive slice cost a few bucks.

Mr Taster

[baloney]

Wow, I just saw a pic of the butterscotch pie and it does look great. If you've tried the pies at Bake N Broil, how would you compare crusts and overall pie-y-ness at House of Pies? I need to get over there ASAP and do my own taste test!

[Mr Taster]

I've never tried the pies at Bake N Broil, but the pie at House of Pies was tops. Crust was wondefully light and flaky... it might have been the crust itself that lent the slight saltiness to the slice. The slice I ordered was probably a good 1/6 to 1/4 of the whole pie.

Mr Taster

[baloney]

I finally made it to House of Pies today and tried a slice of the butterscotch and banana cream and let's just say Bake N Broil does not need to worry about anything. Could've been an off day or maybe my timing was off(10-11am ish) but the slices I got had the saddest, soggiest crusts I've recently encountered. The butterscotch tasted really sweet actually, and no saltiness apparent. The BC fared a little better but I hated that they were clearly too lazy to slice the bananas any smaller than in half! The cream tasted like jello vanilla pudding and BnB's whipped cream is also far superior to HoP's. And a final insult, the two slices almost cost $10! BnB's is much cheaper. Again, coulda been an off day but I probably will not be going back.

My rating of butterscotchy desserts: Gjelina, Mozza, Jar

[schrutefarms]

Mmmm....I just had a salted ameretto gelato at Gjelina....so good....

[Tripeler]

Years ago I had a "salted Galliano" dessert. Wow. The salt really amped up the anise flavor in a highly unusual way. Gelato certainly benefits from imagination.

[aching]

I agree - the butterscotch pot de creme at Gjelina has ruined me for all other butterscotch desserts, including Mozza's budino!

[Funwithfood]

Better than Jar's, please describe...

[Emme]

Best Store-Bought Chocolate Cake: Pavillon's Mile High Chocolate Layer Cake
Best Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken: Costco
Best Cobber: Cynthia's
Best Salad: Ivy's Grilled Vegetable Salad (w/ or w/o shrimp)
Best Over-the-Top Pancakes (or breakfast really): Griddle Cafe
Best Matzah Ball Soup: toss-up Mel's Diner and Naten'n'Al's
Best Tarte Tatin: Ivy
Best Glazed Old-Fashioned Donuts: K's Donut Emporium in Sherman Oaks
Best Chocolate Souffle: Bistro Garden (was Le Dome RIP)

[Joe Blowe]

Aww, go ahead! Rule No. 5 wasn't important anyway ;-)

[goodhealthgourmet]

you know, i was going to say the Ivy salad, but ever since i discovered that my home version is even better, i don't want to call it the "best" anymore! ;)

but i will add one more that i can't believe i neglected to include in my initial reply...
Best Union of Unrelated Traditional Breakfast Ingredients in One Dish: Egg White Oatmeal Frittata at Hugo's.

[Emme]

Sshhh don't tell, my favorite Egg White Omelette with caramelized onions and tomatoes and spinach (and formerly mushrooms) is at Jerry's Deli. Yes, sad I know, but they do it just the way I like it. Egg whites dry, cooked, then folded around my cooked ingredients, no filling cooked into the eggs. I like Hugo's well enough, but they don't put enough filling in their omelettes for my tastes.

[goodhealthgourmet]

no, no, the dish at Hugo's isn't an omelette...it's an airy, baked pancake-like egg-white frittata base with their multi-grain oatmeal folded into it. they serve it with sides of cottage cheese, applesauce & strawberries, but i always ordered it with yogurt, which i would sweeten a little and spread onto the frittata, before topping the whole thing with sliced strawberries. sooooo good! of course since it's not GF i cant eat it anymore. boo.

http://www.hugosrestaurant.com/menu/b...

[mollyomormon]

Best chilaquiles -- Pepy's Galley

[aventinus]

Best butter croissant: Le Pain du Jour on Pico in Santa Monica.

[ipsedixit]

Best chili fries guaranteed to give an insatiable urge for Tums and to turn your fingers a freakish flourescent yellow-orange can be found at .... The Hat.

[mollyomormon]

Best blue crab handroll = Sushi Zo

[westsidegal]

best monkfish liver = sushi zo

[mollyomormon]

mmm...I love Sushi Zo's monkfish liver but I think I have to give the edge to Echigo on that dish.

[westsidegal]

tried echigo's on your recommendation.
gotta admit, it's sublime.

[mollyomormon]

oh, fantastic! So glad you enjoyed it. I was just there on Saturday night and it's as good as ever.

[westsidegal]

best homemade tofu = musha santa monica

[mollyomormon]

have you had the cheese tofu at Musha? Or if that what you're referring to? If it's a different dish, then I have to try it. I really, really love the cheese tofu.

[westsidegal]

i haven't tried the cheese tofu.
the dish i'm talking about is called PURE TOFU.

[mollyomormon]

I will definitely have to try it.

[will47]

Yeah - the cheese tofu is something different. The "pure tofu" at Musha is really delicious.

[choctastic]

Have you guys bought tofu from Meiji Tofu in Gardena? The freshly made tofu in the bamboo basket is like a rich custard. Out of this world. Best I've had in the States. I love the rich, creamy, unsweetened soy milk as well. Tiny shop.

[hyacinthgirl]

I'd also put Musha down for best veggie laden feel better when you're sick miso soup

[MeowMixx]

Haven't had Musha's but Mori Sushi's homemade tofu was out of this world

[mollyomormon]

Agreed. Mori-san's homemade tofu kills Musha's.

[jdwdeville]

Totally agreed! I avoid tofu religiously- you should've seen the astounded look on my wife's face when I put that dish away in seconds flat.

[choctastic]

Since I am a plant-eater, I'm stuck with the veggie stuff.

Best Soy Ice Cream Flavors ever: Scoops
Best Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcake and Warm Chocolate Dipped Donut: Babycakes
Best Fake Mongolian "Beef": Loving Hut, Alhambra branch.
Best vegan/gluten-free Mac & Cheese (only when they've freshly made it): Veggie Grill

[rickym13]

Best: green chili and cheese burrito : al & bea's

[peppermonkey]

I say Lupe's #2 for green and cheese

[1newyorkguy]

Didn't care for VG's m & c. A much better vegan version can be found at Stuff I Eat in Inglewood.

[goodhealthgourmet]

but is the m&c at Stuff I Eat also gluten free?

[choctastic]

I haven't been to Stuff I Eat. Thanks! I will say that the quality of VG's mac and cheese is variable, depending on the location and also depending on the time of day. That's unfortunate.

BTW, if you want the M&C gluten-free at Veggie Grill, you have to specify NO BREADCRUMBS ON TOP. I think it's crappy that you have to specify that, but apparently everyone wants a crispy top.

[1newyorkguy]

check it out! yummy place...definitely get their black eyed peas.

[lil mikey]

Best vegan/gluten-free mac & cheese - A Taste of Life

[flowergirl]

Best Pizza - still searching
Best hot turkey sandwich - Kate Mantilini
Best Burger - Richmond Bar and Grille - El Segundo
Best Waffles - Rosco's
Best Dessert - banana pie at La Grande Orange in S M
Best Soft shell crabs - The Ivy on Robertson
Best Asian soup - Tofuya in West L A

[ReelMike84]

How does the banana creme pie at Le Grande Orange compare to Apple Pan's versio?

[aventinus]

Best gourmet pizza = Zelo in Arcadia

[arrowheadguy]

Best Pastraimi Sandwich-Langers !

[mdpilam]

Best (BBQ) brisket: BigMista's
Best al pastor tacos: El Chato
Best Philly Cheesesteak: South Philly Experience
Best (Taqueria) al pastor burrito: La Taquiza

[Mr Taster]

Best breakfast hash browns = Harry's Family Restaurant in Burbank.

Mr Taster

[orythedog]

Have you had the hashbrowns at Pacific Dining Car? or at Sugar Shack on Main Street in Huntington Beach? They are CHOW worthy.

[Honeychan]

Best old-fashioned waffle (not Belgian) EVER is at Harry's!

Best curry fried rice: Koraku in LT

[martyR]

XLB - Dean Sin World
Pork shoulder sandwich - JayBees
Spare ribs - J n J's
Chile en Nogada - Babita
Chicken fried steak - Eat at Joes

[la tache burger]

nice list

[Servorg]

Best sweetbreads and bbq pork belly slyders - Animal Restaurant on N Fairfax

[lil mikey]

Also best Pig's Tail with Buffalo Sauce at Animal.

[orythedog]

Best rib tips - Bludso's BBQ

Best pancakes - 49ers at original pancake House

[mdpilam]

Best cemitas: the truck on Venice & Clarington (in front of Smart & Final).

[A5 KOBE]

Chorizo and Eggs - Ciro's

BBQ Pork Buns - Sea Harbour

[kelleywith2ees]

Are the pork buns at Sea Harbour baked or steamed?

[bruinike]

Best Lobster Baked Hand roll - Sushi Kiyono
Best Flour Tortillas - Pacos
Best Yellowtail - Bastide
Best Brown Rice - Soi56
Best Hummus - Skaff's Grill
Best Cookies N Cream Frozen Yogurt - Penguins
Best Gourmet Pizza - Pizzeria Mozza
Best Pizza by the Slice - Tomato Pie
Best Turkey Burger - Hinano
Best Sashimi Platter - Sushi Gen
Best Raw Kale Salad - Food
Best Healthy Smoothies - Bodyfactory
Best Stuffed Squid - tie between Echigo/Sasabune for Japanese version and La Botte for Italian version

[mollyomormon]

I tried that yellowtail last night. Delicious.

[bruinike]

Best Fake Meats/Tofu - Vinh Loi Tofu in Reseda. Just tried it last week and am now obsessed with their chicken curry and their black pepper fish.

[westsidegal]

i agree that the food they serve at vinh loi tofu is terrific

[mollyomormon]

Best Prepared Salad case -- Huckleberry

[bruinike]

Speaking of Huckleberry, they have the Best Pastry with Bacon in their Maple Bacon Biscuit (more of a scone though really)

[kauma]

Best grenadine of beef: Musso!

[redrover]

Best chocolate croissant/pan au chocolat--Amandine Patisserie

[js76wisco]

Best Chinese brocoli with cripsy pork - Ruen Pair.

The pork isn't crispy as much as it is deep fried to crunchy perfection. The sauce ties everything together. As much as I enjoy Jitlada and some other Thai places I can't go anywhere else when craving Thai.

[maxzook]

Best medianoche: Porto's

[Burger Boy]

Try Tropical Bakery in Silver Lake. They make a medianoche like you should, in a press!

[maxzook]

Best "California pizza": lamb sausage pizza at Caioti

[maxzook]

Best Jewish-deli pastrami-on-rye sandwich: Langer's
Best house-made pastrami sandwich not from a Jewish deli: Oinkster
(two different things, imho)

[wienermobile]

Best English Toffee- Little John's Candy- 3rd and Fairfax- Farmers Market
http://www.littlejohnscandies.com/

[orythedog]

Try enstrom almond toffee www.enstrom.com It is a best in class type of item

[veggietraveler]

Best Tofu Dish - Rice Cakes with Crispy Scallion Tofu at Good Girl Dinette in Highland Park

[bulavinaka]

Copied and pasted my post under the "Best Sandwich" post for this category as well:

Best sweet sandwich: Strawberry and homemade nutella stuffed croissant at Bite Bar & Bakery in Santa Monica. Sliced farmers' market fresh strawberries and super dark rich homemade nutella stuffed and spread in probably the best croissant I've tried in LA in a while. So simple in execution, but the quality of the ingredients speak for themselves.

[Sandra W]

Poutine with oxtail and cheddar cheese. Animal, on Fairfax. Go to the bar, order a drink and poutine. You'll thank me.

[Funwithfood]

Best chocolate ganache raspberry cupake: Vanilla Bake Shop

[maudies5]

Best croissant: Bite Bakery
Best hot breakfast: toss up: brisket hash or eggs benedict at Tavern
Best Springtime appetizer: polenta, asparagus with breaded poached egg
Best mayo-free tuna salad: Huckleberry
Best chocolate cake: SusieCakes
Favorite new sandwich item: Crab panini at Bite
Dessert which makes my husband so happy: salted carmel thing at Huckleberry

[Funwithfood]

The salted caramel bar at Huckleberry is memorable!

P.S. I've never eaten a SusieCakes cake, but was unimpressed with their cupcake samples. What makes their chocolate cake a stand-out IYO?

[bulavinaka]

The cake portion is really moist, and it's six layers of cake and of course another six of frosting. And I think the multiple thin layers not only works the decadence factor, it also makes the cake itself more architectually sound. It's not so chocolatey in flavor (I personally prefer more), but has a nice medium chocolate tone to it. The cake is truly sultry when cutting it with a fork - there's practically no resistance from the cake itself - each layer just gives way with almost no resistance to the fork. And once in the mouth, it has a really nice combination of mouthfeel and rich flavors from the frosting and cake that hit high points with a true cake lover.

[Funwithfood]

They ought to hire you as their marketing rep, I'm hungry just reading the description! (...and perhaps recommend they work on their food photography: Their photos are an incentive NOT to buy!)

[bulavinaka]

:) I tend to ramble too much.

[ApprenticeGourmet]

Huckleberry also has the best carrot cake and lemon bars. Out of this world!

[RicRios]

Best tacos de asada: El Parian
Best risotto nero: Drago SM
Best cannoli: Valentino
Best sushi (meaning both rice AND fish): Mori

[kelleywith2ees]

Best tamale: Green Tamales at Border Grill in Santa Monica.

These are nothing like any tamales you've ever eaten and so, so good. Almost more like a steamed sweet corn pudding. I could have just kept eating and eating.

(The chocolate chip cheesecake with berries was great too!)

[sammycakes]

Best salami sandwich: Larchmont Wine and Cheese

[jdwdeville]

"Best Korean Pork Ribs or Is That the Soju Talking experience:"
Dan Sung Sa- I think we've been through 12 orders or more of these things in the last 4 visits.

[rmb123]

Best Chile Relleno Burrito: Lalo's in Ventura.

[goodhealthgourmet]

for all you fans of Travis Lett's butterscotch pot de creme at Gjelina:
http://www.latimes.com/features/food/...

[Funwithfood]

Mmm that sounds really good.

I didn't know that L.A. Times had their recipes online--thanks so much for the link!

[goodhealthgourmet]

really? you didn't know? i'm so glad i posted it then! FYI, there are tons of web-only recipes on the site as well. between the LAT & NYT, one could probably stay busy in the kitchen for a lifetime without ever opening another cookbook or newspaper food section :)

[Funwithfood]

I used to love their '10 Best Recipes of the Year'. Do they still publish those at the end of the year?

[goodhealthgourmet]

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/...

;)

[Funwithfood]

Thanks they look delish, but the recipes don't open when I click on them. Am I doing something wrong?

I can't wait to get back to cooking more...since I started doing food photography, I hardly cook anymore! :)

[goodhealthgourmet]

see the row of numbers across the top of that photo collage? starting with 2, each one links to a single dish. so click on one, and when you get to the page, click the blue hyperlink below the photo of the dish that says Click here for the recipe.

[Funwithfood]

Ha, the finished dumplings as the first recipe messed me up-the cover photo is just the prep shot! All good now :).

P.S. That 'Crack Pie' sounds divine!

[goodhealthgourmet]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/687144

[Funwithfood]

Thanks, I read the entire thread. Wow, quite the controversial pie!

[tissue]

Best bibim naeng myun - Western Doma Noodles
Best seafood pancake - Park's BBQ
Best braised daikon - Torihei
Best rice porridge - Good Girl Dinette
Best lasagna - Angelini Osteria
Best sandwich - Mendocino Farms asian pork belly
Best salad - Tender Greens Harvest salad with peaches and goat cheese, Urth's farmer's salad with the fennel
Best mac n cheese - tie between Rush Street and Akasha
Best handroll - Sushi Ike's king crab handroll and the tuna handroll, Sushi Zo's uni handroll
Best grand marnier souffle - Polo lounge
Best oreo cheesecake - Porto's
Best ceviche - Black Snapper ceviche at Boss Sushi
Bestt uni pasta - Providence
Best chicken soup - Din Tai Fung
Best steak frites - Church and State

[goodhealthgourmet]

Best Polenta: Creamy Polenta with Fricassee of Truffled Mushrooms at Scarpetta.

[Onara]

I'm visiting LA next month. Just wanted to thank you all for this thread. Feel free to have my reply deleted after you've read it, since it just clutters an otherwise succinct bank of information