70283 Mon Jun 13 22:21:04 -0700 2005 46 2 Los Angeles Area 0 384034 All of us on the board learn each others different tastes from their posts. I live in the Studio City/Sherman Oaks area and whats near me is a big decision in where I decide to eat. Here are my spots: Chinese: Mandarin Dish 5219 Laurel Cyn. or Bamboo Village 12910 Magnolia Japanese: Katsu Ya or Tama Sushi Thai: Swan Thai or Kruai Thai Mexican- Tequilla's or Don Zarape's on Burbank Blvd for their homemade corn tortilla's-tacos el pastor or homemade Birria Seafood- The Oyster House Fried Chicken- Miss Peaches Italian/Pizza- Mazzarino's, Georgio's, or Spumoni's Delivery-Santino's NY Square Pizza Indian- Great Indian Cafe Jewish Food- Brent's Deli Barbecue- Uncle Andre's Middle Eastern- Pita Kitchen or Cedar House Cafe Fish N Chips- Fox N Hound Any Comments? Stuart Mon Jun 13 22:21:04 -0700 2005 0 Stuart 1 384042 Love Great India -- Order the Mirchi Tikka, it is excellent. Tama Sushi is also great -- calmer atmosphere than Katsu-ya and great, fresh sushi. Try the Poke. Italian -- Try La Loggia on Ventura. Truly lovely with wonderful service and delicious food. Mon Jun 13 23:01:39 -0700 2005 384034 0 Julie 1 384053 Suggest you try Carnival for Lebanese food (really tasty lentil soup, very cumin-intense). Woodman between Moorpark and Ventura, east side, same center as to QT Chicago Dogs and the mini-mart. Actually there's a bar in that center too, don't remember the name, anyone been? Looks like one of those places with the afternoon-solo-drinkers. Also try Robin Hood for fish'n'chips, better than Fox and Hounds. Burbank Blvd. just east of Woodman. Noticed a fast food Japanese just opened, where there used to be a donut shop on Woodman also between Moorpark and Ventura, it's called Nori Roll or something like that, not usually my thing but who knows. Mon Jun 13 23:40:57 -0700 2005 384034 0 Debbie W. 2 384166 I second the note on Robin Hood for fish and chips Much better. Tue Jun 14 12:54:54 -0700 2005 384053 0 Diana 1 384054 Suggest you try Carnival for Lebanese food (really tasty lentil soup, very cumin-intense). Woodman between Moorpark and Ventura, east side, same center as to QT Chicago Dogs and the mini-mart. Actually there's a bar in that center too, don't remember the name, anyone been? Looks like one of those places with the afternoon-solo-drinkers. Also try Robin Hood for fish'n'chips, better than Fox and Hounds. Burbank Blvd. just east of Woodman. Noticed a fast food Japanese just opened, where there used to be a donut shop on Woodman also between Moorpark and Ventura, it's called Nori Roll or something like that, not usually my thing but who knows. Mon Jun 13 23:41:20 -0700 2005 384034 0 Debbie W. 2 384056 Carnival is good yet my suggestions I enjoy a bit more for middle eastern food. I love your comment about that bar next door to Carnival, I would describe it the same way you did :>) Mon Jun 13 23:44:20 -0700 2005 384054 0 Stuart 3 384103 I'm going to be a dissenting voice. I don't like Carnival. The food's not so much better than other places and I can do without the long waits and the miserable parking. I'm probably going to need to get my flameproof suit here. Tue Jun 14 09:13:41 -0700 2005 384056 0 Das Ubergeek 4 384111 I get where you're coming from. I tried it for the first time last week. Stuffed grape leaves app, feh. Spanokopita-equivalent-thing app, feh. I had the lamb (shank?) entree, which was definitely tasty, but not the orgasm that's been alluded to here. (off-topic: the carnitas at Taleo/Irvine...now THAT'S an orgasm! Woohoo!!) Atmosphere was a bit cafeteria-like. My friend's dish didn't impress me at all, not tasty, can't even remember the name. Service from the first waitress was really cold. The second one was more friendly, but both were impossible to flag down (restaurant was less than a third full at this time.) Could NOT get my water refilled to save my life. (Picky, perhaps, but this is a pet peeve of mine.) Location is feh. Prices, very reasonable. Value...I won't be back. Not bad for a middle-eastern fix for Sherman Oaks dwellers, but can't understand the raves at all. Tue Jun 14 10:44:12 -0700 2005 384103 0 Ted 4 384116 To the contrary, there are some of us who have preferences many other places. Their oversized lamb shank entree was good enough, yet not definitive, but everything else eaten during a dinner for 5 recently was just ok, period! In the area for lunch, try Crossroads at Burbank & Fulton. Quite tasty sandwiches and plates. Closes around 6 or so, and on Sunday I believe. As to Jack Flash's comments on Mezzomondo, I agree the food can be good, the comment at the bottom of Elio's wine list is perfection(life is too short to drink bad wine!), yet sometimes having to deal with Elio and his temperament can be a chore. Tue Jun 14 10:59:20 -0700 2005 384103 0 carter 5 384388 I love the Hummos Meat (densely seasoned lamb) and the lentil soup at Carnival. Other dishes have been disappointing. The chicken breast kebab at Koko's (NE corner of Woodman and Vanowen) is superb. The assorted vegetables which precede the meal is VASTLY superior to Carnival's. They include pickled cabbage, radishes, a pepper, a pickle, and beet-soaked turnips - colorful, tasty and healthy. The kebab is wonderfully seasoned and comes with onions, parsley and pitas. There is so much food that I never eat the pitas. The garlic sauce that comes with the plate of rice pilaf is close in taste to Zankou's, and you get roughly five times as much. The menu at Koko's is very limited, but I'd rate Koko's over Carnival. Wed Jun 15 02:07:44 -0700 2005 384116 0 Dogbite Williams 4 384398 Where can I find better taboule? Carnival's tabouli is the best I've ever had. That combination appetizer plate is hard to match. See ya Steve Link: http://www.hotdogspot.com Wed Jun 15 03:10:42 -0700 2005 384103 0 Steve Doggie-Dogg 5 384498 I don't know -- I absolutely, totally loathe tabouleh -- it's a taste thing AND a texture thing. Why people need to take perfectly good bulghur and ruin it with that much parsley is beyond me. Wed Jun 15 15:21:35 -0700 2005 384398 0 Das Ubergeek 1 384055 Here's where we end up: (We live in Burbank) Vietnamese:The pho place next to 99 Ranch on Sepulveda and Victory. We were there yesterday and had a splendid meal for 3 for under $20 including terrific iced coffee. Japanese: DaiChan on Ventura at Eureka in Studio City. Always good and fun for not so much $$ Sushi: Nozawa or Tama. Nozawa's my first choice always but hubby grew up on Katsu, so we switch off. Mexican: Casita Taco in NoHo or Burbank for grilled shrimp burritos, Sahuayo for chicken or carnitas burritos. Granada in Burbank for tostadas and salsa and chips ( short list of wonderful items on an just-average menu). All around good stuff: Hugos at Riverside and Coldwater. We go for the super breakfasts and the terrific "Create-a-plate" with a nice selection of veggies and sides to go with tofu, hamburger patty or chicken at lunch or dinnertime. The desserts are particularly good - try the scharfenberger chocolate ice cream! It's so dense and creamy and chocolate-y. Great cake and bread pudding, too. Gorikee for garlic chicken, beef salad, and hamburgers. Indian: On the cheap we go to Punjab Sweet and Spice on Topanga near Sherman Way. For a nicer meal India's Tandoori in Tarzana has been good, though we haven't been in a while (don't confuse with the India's Tandoori in Burbank, which isn't a favorite). Hamburger: Hugo's (above) makes a mean burger. Gorikee's burger is great if you can stand sweet flavors on your burger. Thumbs up from hubby but thumbs down from this no-sweets-on-burgers girl. Mo's burgers taste great but we can't hang with the football shape. French: La Frite in Woodland Hills. Better, we think, than the one in Sherman Oaks, for whatever reason. Love the fries and the chocolate souffle! Middle Eastern: Amir's Falafel on Ventura in Studio City. It's good, fresh and reasonably priced. Nothing's over flavored; there's a fundamental respect for the flavors of the vegetables. Nicer Italian: Ca del Sole. Almost always great but sometimes spotty just lately. The stinco (lamb shank) and osso buoco are highly recommended. Nice salads. Chinese: Mandarin Deli in Northridge. Pan fried dumplings, cucumber salad and a beer sound just perfect right now. Breakfast: Jumpin' Java in Studio City for the merguez(?) sausage and eggs and the nice rustic pancakes. Hugo's for the eggs with pasta and other creative items. Art's for fish plate with double bbq cod. Pizza : no comment : ) Mon Jun 13 23:43:43 -0700 2005 384034 0 NeNePie 2 384057 Interesting, I too like the creative breakfast dishes at Hugo's from the Pasta Mama to their breakfast pizza and my favorite their Desayuno Fuerte. Yes, I'm looking at their menu. How many others collect menu's to spots they enjoy? I like where this thread is going... Stuart ;>) Mon Jun 13 23:49:02 -0700 2005 384055 0 Stuart 3 385735 Absent from your list is Greek food... try Firehouse in Tarzana (corner of Victory and Reseda.) Owner Tony is originally from Cypress Island, and they've been in the same neighborly location here since '67 so you know they're doing something right. All dishes are prepared fresh daily, I reccomend the gyro salad, it will seriously blow your mind with huge chunks of perfectly seasoned gyro meat... and the homemade baklava is unlike anything you've ever had before, a triangle slice of heaven. Mon Jul 11 12:27:13 -0700 2005 384057 0 Stephen 2 384501 A hearty second to Daichan -- we love it, and I go whenever I have a jones for hojicha -- and for Ca' del Sole. Wed Jun 15 15:24:23 -0700 2005 384055 0 Das Ubergeek 1 384067 Head 'way across the Valley to Chatsworth to Woodlands Indian food for some fine Madras-style cooking. I agree with the poster who said Mandarin Deli in Northridge. I also love Falafel Palace too much for middle eastern fast food, though last time I went the falafel tasted a bit of old grease...downhill alert? I like Mulberry Street pizza in Encino but I am no pizza connoisseur. I just love the thin thin crust. I keep trying to go to Carnival but it is always insanely packed - which says good things about it. For Persian I also like Darband for a nice, elegant meal and Shamshiri for a more casual affair. Tue Jun 14 00:25:01 -0700 2005 384034 0 snackish 1 384072 Great list! Got a few more though: Chili My Soul (Ventura and Balboa, Encino), something like 30 types of chili, kind a strip mall cantina atmosphere. Jinky's - a good breakfast place along the same lines as John O'Groats or Uncle Bills, somewhere on Ventura in Sherman Oaks. 4 on 6 sushi - small, chef-owned sushi bar in Encino, Ventura near Hayvenhurst, usually has good fresh specials (baby yellowtail, toro, etc.); I prefer it to the Katsu-ya across the street. Tue Jun 14 00:48:37 -0700 2005 384034 0 BabyLitigator 2 384248 I ENTHUSIASTICALLY second the recommendation for Sushi 4 on 6. Along with Gorikee (Woodland Hills) and Carnival (Lebanese in Sherman Oaks), my favorite places in the valley...by far. Tue Jun 14 16:27:26 -0700 2005 384072 0 stretch 1 384097 An underappreciated Italian, which has been a favorite almost since the day it opened 10 years ago or so, is Mezzomondo in Studio City. It's on the N. side of Ventura, a block or two east of Whitsett. It's a place that "gets" it. It's very reliable, for both the food and service. Link: http://www.mezzomondotrattoria.com/docs/home.html Tue Jun 14 04:07:56 -0700 2005 384034 0 Jack Flash 1 384104 Indian: We like Bollywood on Ventura for "nice" Indian and of course India Sweets & Spices on Topanga & Sherman Way for dirt cheap, no-ambiance, no-frills veggie Indian food (where else can you fill up for $3.50?) Lebanese: we like Skaf's. Correction: my wife likes Skaf's. I love Skaf's and would happily eat there every day. Mexican: Tequilas on Victory/Woodman for "regular", Tortas de Mexico on Ventura for tortas, and Uruapan on Woodman between Victory and Vanowen for carnitas. Thai: Bua Siam in "Little Thai Town" on Sherman Way in North Hollywood Japanese: Maki Yaki 2 on Ventura and Tujunga (ignore the decor), or Daichan just up the street. Korean: plate lunches at Seoul Grindz in Glendale, sit-down dinners at Green Oak on Van Nuys and Sherman Way or else (not really the Valley) Ka-San on Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta Cuban: we go to El Criollo on Victory and Fulton but it's not so wonderful that I wouldn't go elsewhere, any suggestions that are not Versailles? Peruvian: Lau's on Victory in Burbank, or El Hatuchay (cheap cheap cheap, dinners include first course) at Coldwater Cyn/Sherman Way (NE corner) in North Hollywood Burger Shack: Tasty Burger on Vanowen near Whitsett in North Hollywood or the Great Grill across from Glendale College. Tue Jun 14 09:21:02 -0700 2005 384034 0 Das Ubergeek 1 384131 My choices generally run to the Encino/Sherman Oaks/Tarzana area, with a few exceptions: Mexican: I generally favor taquerias, and regularly went to Taqueria Los Tapatios in Tarzana. With it now closed -- I'm still in morning -- I usually go to El Jerezano in Van Nuys (Hazeltine, just south of Oxnard). I will sometimes stop at La Casita in Studio City if I'm driving the 101 from downtown. Indian: Tufaan in Sherman Oaks (Sepulveda just south of Ventura). I don't know why hounds don't rave about this place. The food is excellent and has a lot of dishes different from the mainstream. Chinese: A&W Seafood in Northridge (Reseda at Prarie). This blows away all Chinese restaurants in the valley. Lebanese: Alcazar in Encino (Ventura just east of Louise). I used to drive by this place daily, never tried it, and wondered how it could stay in business. Then a hound posted about it on the board and, a few days later, I inadvertently went to my regular sushi place a few doors down from Alcazar and it was closed. So I tried Alcazar and were not disappointed. I'm not much of a fan of middle eastern food generally, but I love Alcazar's food. Sushi: For a regular "nice" sushi bar, Hirosuke in Encino (Ventura just east of Louise). The fish quality is good. There is a nice assortment of items for both the purist and the fan of non-traditional sushi, and the price is reasonable for both. For inexpensive sushi, Cho cho san aka Revolving Sushi in Tarzana (Ventura, just west of Vanalden). I stick to the old and inexpensive favorites – the best spicy tuna I've ever had and the Rock 'n' Roll (baked scallop, mayonaise, salmon roe and avocado in a hand roll) -- and am never disappointed. Italian: I'm not a huge Italian fan, but I recently started going to Spumoni in Sherman Oaks (Ventura, just west of Van Nuys) because of the recommendations on this board. Thanks! The gnocchi is fantastic. Thai: Krua Thai in North Hollywood is amazing. For Thai barbecue, chicken and ribs only, I also will order from an old standby, Thai 'n' I, in Encino (Ventura, just east of White Oak). Pizza: D'amores. Maybe they do skimp on the toppings and are expensive, but I love the crispy crust on the pizza. I haven't found anything close. Chili: Chili My Soul in Encino (Ventura, in the Smart 'n' Final shopping center at Balboa). Not much more to say that hasn't been said, except that the Soul Nachos are decadent and wonderful. Hot Dogs/Sausage: Between Weiner Factory in Sherman Oaks for the sausage (Ventura, just east of Sepulveda) and The Stand in Encino (Ventura, just west of Balboa) for a Big Blue Dog, I'm spoiled. Spicy Chicken Wings: Rubin's Red Hots in Sherman Oaks (Ventura at Sepulveda). I always order an extra side of their extra spicy sauce. The wings are always made to order and have a great combination of heat and flavor. The only thing unusual is that they are served with slices of cucumber, not celery. French casual: La Frite in Sherman Oaks (Ventura, just east of Sepulveda). I rarely think of La Frite when I am coming up with places to eat, but it's one of my mom's favorite restaurants so we go there pretty regularly. It's good, steady bistro fare. Breakfast: I rarely eat breakfast, but More Than Waffles in Encino (Ventura just east of Louise, on the lower level of the Town Center shopping center) has very good Belgian Waffles. Cal/Fusion: I'm not sure how to classify Gorikee (Ventura at Topanga Canyon in Woodland Hills), Café Bizou (Ventura just east of Hazeltine in Sherman Oaks) and Max (Ventura east of Woodman in Sherman Oaks), but these are all great choices. Gorikee is a little too casual for a fancier meal, but the others are fine. I think the only thing I'm really missing is a a great burger place (though, I admit, I enjoy a Fatburger now and then) and someplace where I could get top-quality ice cream. Tue Jun 14 11:21:13 -0700 2005 384034 0 Jess 2 384136 Hi... Your burger needs can easily met at one of the restaurants you already mentioned in your post: Gorikee. For about $7 you get a huge and hugely satisfying gourmet burger, the Wimpy Burger, with fine garlic frites. Excellent meat, excellent bun, and excellent condiments (gruyere, chutney, sauteed onions). I'd pit it against the Father's Office burger anyday. Tue Jun 14 11:40:45 -0700 2005 384131 0 silence9 3 384179 I love the Wimpy Burger at Gorikee, but I'm rarely in Woodland Hills at lunch time, so it's not that much of an option for me. Tue Jun 14 13:19:18 -0700 2005 384136 0 Jess 2 384183 Go to the corner of Magnolia and Van Nuys and get a GREAT BURGER at Billy's Grill. Small burger shop but all is made fresh. Game burgers avail too. Great fries. Tue Jun 14 13:26:14 -0700 2005 384131 0 Wes 3 384187 I've driven past Billy's before. I'll have to give it a try. Tue Jun 14 13:29:33 -0700 2005 384183 0 Jess 4 384402 also, the burger at gorikee's isn't have bad, and it's called the wimpy burger although it ain't so wimpy in size and all. Wed Jun 15 03:26:06 -0700 2005 384187 0 kevin 2 385743 is rubins red hots still open or did the number change cause i cant place an order Tue Nov 29 20:26:31 -0800 2005 384131 0 david ashcraft 1 384182 Pretty nice list, although I quibble pettily at a few choices. Than again, people are free to quibble at mine! Indian: Anarbagh in Woodland Hills (I think) Even thogh they tried to kill me with ihidden pistachios, they have GOOD food. Or, Passage to India on Woodman and Burbank. Pub food: Robin Hood on Woodman. Closest to what I get when I go over the pond to visit grandad. OK beer selection, too. If I want to travel a little farther, I go to Lucky Baldwin's in Pasedena. Italian: Gotta be Il Tiramisu on Ventura. Peter is a doll, the food is fresh, well-priced, and yummy. Breakfast/healthy lunch: Hugo's. Although the lunch chef is more flexible when I ask for my healt-conscious requests, like tofu on the side and an order of grilled veggies (light oil, or no oil) instead of bread, the food overall is yummy. Japanese: Blow a wad: Katsu Ya. it isn't all that fabulous as people say, but the service is good and the fish is fresh. However, I hate the popular thing ith the mound of over salted crispy onions. ick. tey have a fabulous eggplant albacore appetizer, though. save some $$$- Yamato in Encino. I cried when Ted/toshi san moved on, but Shin-san and Peter are doing well. Good half price choices, reliable, frsh sashimi. fabulous sashimi salad and spicy tuna towers. Sushi with brown rice- it's GOOD! I go to that place in the same shopping center as Dr Blue Jeans and In and Out..it used to be Gen Mai, but now has a new name that I can never remember. Persian: Shiraz on Ventura. Kosher Med: Tempo Greek: The great Greek.. Pretty much because I like the dancing and the veggie combo thing, and my boyfriend digs the lamb. Korean: My Korean place on Sherman Way changed owners and now isn't so hot...any suggestions? Chinese: The veggie place in chatsworth whose name I also never remember for no meat. Hong Kong 88 on Sepulveda just up the street from me on Sepulveda. I need a better Chinese place, but since I don't eat it so much..ah well. Noodles: Kyushu Ramen on Sherman Way. French: That place in Panorama...near teh cr dealerships..Boy, I'm bad with names. Haven't been in a while, though. La Frite. The Crepe stand at the encino farmer's market. Tamales: Me Gusta tamales in Sylamar/San Fernando. Dang fine tamales Bakery items: Geson's or Portos. Or My Cakes in Sylmar. Quick salad bar: Gelson's. Whatever happened to good salad bars in restraunts? I guess the all you can eat salad joints wrecked that. I always get the runs after those places from all the germs. Deli food: I go to Jerry's or Solly's, deal with the noise and prices, and feel silly. I need a new deli. I think I need to explore more of the Valley, though. Tue Jun 14 13:23:52 -0700 2005 384034 0 Diana 2 384242 You definitely need a new deli... Try Marv's Deli for lunch (Magnolia near Colfax) or Billy's Deli in Glendale (Orange Street) See ya Steve Link: http://www.hotdogspot.com 10859 Burbank Bl. Ste. A Tue Jun 14 16:06:56 -0700 2005 384182 0 Steve Doggie-Dogg 2 384304 Can you be a little more specific about the sushi with brown rice place? My wife will shower me with kisses as we're doing South Beach and brown rice is OK, and boy does she miss sushi! What intersection is it at? Tue Jun 14 18:39:28 -0700 2005 384182 0 Das Ubergeek 3 384317 I can't remember the new name, and I haven't eaten there in like 10 years and don't personally know if they still offer sushi with brown rice, but the place is in the same strip mall as Mogo's Mongolian BBQ, and that bar Pineapple Hill, and Capitol Drugs for your homeopathic and herbal needs, and In & Out. Oh, also there's a teriyaki burger restaurant that my husband likes but I don't. Golden something, in the space that was briefly a Korean place. There's also the donut place across from In & Out but their donuts aren't very good. The center stretches east from Van Nuys Blvd. between Moorpark to the south and Milbank to the north. You can enter from Van Nuys, or Milbank, or Moorpark. The sushi restaurant is the last restaurant on the eastern end. You can see the back of it from the back (east) parking lot of Gelson's. p.s. Gelson's has spicy tuna cut roll with brown rice in the sushi case. I personally think the texture of brown rice doesn't add anything to the sushi party, but YMMV especially if that's all you can have due to South Beach. Tue Jun 14 19:24:38 -0700 2005 384304 0 Debbie W. 4 384334 Genmai sold out about a year ago, and it is now Kyoto sushi. But with Taka on Van Nuys and Iwata also nearby, its being tucked in the rear of a center that soon will have 5 floors of condos under construction to the east is not an inducement for trying to remember it. Tue Jun 14 20:08:54 -0700 2005 384317 0 carter 5 384425 Thanks, I appreciate it! We routinely go to Mogo's, so I know the centre, just didn't identify it as such! Wed Jun 15 11:26:23 -0700 2005 384334 0 Das Ubergeek 4 384368 They still do brown rice if you ask...I was there last weekend. Tue Jun 14 23:23:15 -0700 2005 384317 0 Diana 3 384323 Whole Foods has sushi with brown rice.... Tue Jun 14 19:29:05 -0700 2005 384304 0 markn 2 384502 We go to Anarbagh (which my little sister-in-law calls "Honour Bar") and I like it quite a lot... can't really second the Passage to India. The service was good and the prices are reasonable, but the food was just so-so. Maybe the meat is better -- I never order meat at Indian restaurants, it always just seems superfluous. I'll agree with the poster who recommended Billy's Deli in Glendale. We went the first time last week and the prices aren't as retarded as Jerry's or Solley's (which are owned by the same people), the service is much better, and they bring you full-sour pickles as an appetiser. It's on the little forgotten street between Brand and Central Aves. in Glendale, so it's easy to miss. Wed Jun 15 15:29:40 -0700 2005 384182 0 Das Ubergeek 3 384571 I had lunch today at Marv's Deli, on the corner of Whitsett and Magnolia. If you want to find a time capsule, that's it. Great pastrami and brisket... huge sandwiches... a fraction of Jerry's prices. ALMOST as good as Billy's. See ya Steve Link: http://www.hotdogspot.com Wed Jun 15 18:30:45 -0700 2005 384502 0 Steve Doggie-Dogg 1 384211 i'm a valley food snob as well,a dn here are my pickings: sushi: katsu-ya for well-made, awesome-tasting rolls, nozama or kazu for purist, sublime fish quality hot dogs/chicago style-italian beef, gyro: QT's Chicago Dogs on woodman, just north of ventura. ask for natural casing vienna beef chicago style dogs- heavenly and as a native chicagoan, just like they do it back home. italian beef is better at Taste Chicago, but dogs better at QT's and prices MUCH better at QT's indian- clay oven on Ventura is great trendy/fusion- max or firefly, both in ShermOaks. great ambience too ribs- RIBS USA in burbank. awesome salads- California Chicken Cafe in Encino or Mo's in Burbank. pizza- d'amores pizza or albanao's NY style is good too cheesesteaks/east coast grub- South Street on victory and verdugo in Burbank. great stuff steak- mortons in burbank or ruth chris in woodland hills still tops mexican- in my opinion, chains do it best: Poquito Mas in burbank or Baja Freshes all around burgers- fatburger or in-n-out still rule, and i've tried every local shack around Tue Jun 14 14:13:32 -0700 2005 384034 0 ec 1 384227 getting in on the food snob listings...weeeee... Steak: Mistral on Ventura and Dixie Cyn. Love the fries there too! Love the atmosphere. One of my Valley Favorites. Mexican: Las Fuentas, the best buritto this side of El Tepeyac. Fresh and cheap. Reseda and Vanowen. Thai: Krua Thai On Sherman Way. Wat Thai Temple on Saturday's and Sundays!!! Delicious food stalls. Papaya salad to die for! Coldwater at Roscoe..GO!!! Italian: Tony's Italian Deli on Magnolia in Burbank. Good subs. Mazzarino's Pizza on Riverside at Coldwater. Japanese: Asanebo On Ventura Blvd near Laurel Cyn. Good quality fish. Also do LOVE the spicy tuna and sizzling rice at Katsu Ya, albacore and crispy onions..amongst others. Now I am getting hungry!! Hot Dogs: Hands down.. The Stand in Encino. Especially dollar dog Monday's. Which I think are more than a dollar now but who cares! Prarie Dog here I come. Greek: Great Greek Ventura Blvd at Dixie Cyn. Desert: Leda's Cupcakes...try the Lemon and the "kids" chocolate!!! Ventura Blvd at Woodman. BBQ: Not everyone on this board likes it, but I do! The Bear Pit. Decent ribs, great BBQ Sandwich. Cuban: Guantanamera in Burbank. Great pork in Cuban spices...not so into the decor but we were thrilled with our meal! And I am sure I am forgetting TONS more. Need to eat now.Hungry...can't think. :) Tue Jun 14 15:07:05 -0700 2005 384034 0 ashlee 1 384240 Here's my list... at most of these places you can get stuffed for a ten spot. Thai Thai Kitchen (all you can eat) Krua Thai Khun Dang Jarin Thai (delivery) Chinese Chinese Delight (delivery) The place on Laurel & Colfax The tiny place on Burbank & Fair (super inexpensive) Mexican Casita Taco Indian The place on Magnolia just east of VIneland Coffee Shop The Coral (almost every night!) Pizza Dino's Pizza Hot Dogs Carney's The Wiener Factory Hamburgers Carney's In n Out Link: http://www.hotdogspot.com 10859 Burbank Bl. Ste. A Tue Jun 14 16:03:52 -0700 2005 384034 0 Steve Doggie-Dogg 2 384243 Chinese - The place on Laurel & Colfax typo? these don't intersect. Thanks for your website, btw. Tue Jun 14 16:08:34 -0700 2005 384240 0 David 3 384302 I assume he means China Lites, in the minimall at Laurel Canyon and Chandler (NE corner). Great food for a delivery Chinese place. Tue Jun 14 18:35:06 -0700 2005 384243 0 Das Ubergeek 3 384365 I need a brain with more RAM and a faster processor! It's China Lites on Laurel and Chandler (not Colfax). I just discovered it. The other Chinese place I like is Chinese Delight. Very friendly people, and I've liked just about everything I've had there (except for the white sauce... I always ask for oyster sauce instead.) It's a good place to dine in too. Not fancy, but large portions and good value. Thai Kitchen is in the old Thailandia place on the south side of Burbank Bl between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista. The phone book may still list them as Thailandia. This is my pick for the best deal in the area... $6.95 for all the Thai food you can eat. They serve from 11 am to 3 pm, but the food is freshest up to about 2. Their Nam Sod is killer good, and I like their beef and eggplant a lot too. The soups are often overlooked by folks, but I really like them. I chow down there at least once a week. Say hi if you see me there. See ya Steve (known in the Thai community as Perm Poom) Link: http://www.hotdogspot.com10859 Burbank Bl. Ste. A Tue Jun 14 22:54:48 -0700 2005 384243 0 Steve Doggie-Dogg 2 384366 I forgot the incredible appetizer plate at Carnival Lebenese Restaurant on Woodman near Ventura! See ya Steve Link: http://www.hotdogspot.com Tue Jun 14 22:56:49 -0700 2005 384240 0 Steve Doggie-Dogg 1 384271 Tend to be in mid-Valley/Reseda area with some exceptions: Middle Eastern/Persian House of Kabob--"It's All Good" Reseda & Vanowen Bakery French Bakery/Patisserie (Persian/French) [note: they have Mashti Malone Ice Cream there] Reseda & Barrett Porto's (Cuban) On Brand in Glendale Chinese A&W BBQ & Seafood Reseda & Sherman Way also branch in Northridge on Reseda & Prairie Thai Top Thai Reseda & Sherman Way Mexican Taco Llama locations throughout Valley Las Fuentes, Melody's Reseda & Vanowen [note: Las Fuentes, Melody's and Sol y Luna all owned by same family] La Parilla Reseda & Sherman Way (?) Vietnamese Pho So 1 Reseda & Sherman Way Indian India's Tandoori Ventura and Lindley Rocky's Indian Tandoori Reseda and Plummer Italian/Pizza Mazzarino's Riverside and Moorpark (?) Hot Dogs Carney's Ventura Bl & Whitsett (?) in Studio City Tue Jun 14 17:23:54 -0700 2005 384034 0 Chris 1 384301 I live in Porter Ranch & frequent many of the places already mentioned.....a few I would add or echo: Chinese: A&W (Reseda & Prarie) dim sum, good HK style seafood Mandarin Deli - scallion pancakes, hand made noodles with beef or chicken Sushi: Hyakumi (Plummer & Corbin) Yanagi (Corbin & Nordhoff) Tama in Studio City Thai: Anajak in Sherman Oaks Mexican: Los Toros on Devonshire Casa de Carlos on Devonshire (if there is a wait to get into Los Toros) Carillo's (Sherman Way & Corbin) Sabroso's (Vanowen & Corbin - last I saw they were closed for remodeling) Seafood: King's Fish House in Calabassas Sid's Seafood House in Canoga Park (not as good as King's but a lot closer) Italian: Alessio on Reseda Blvd. Viva Italia in Tarzana Italian Deli: Italia Bakery & Deli (Balboa & SF Mission) Cavaretta's (Sherman Way & Topanga) Both of these places have GREAT Italian subs.... Greek: Alexis Greek Cafe (Tampa & Nordhoff) Japanese: Small Island (Reseda & Plummer) Argentinian: Buenos Aires Grille (Corbin & Nordhoff) Middle Eastern: Carnival Pizza: no current favorite although I usually end up at LA's Best at DeSoto & Lassen or D'Amores on Winnetka. Burgers: Fatburger Steak: Monty's (Topanga & Ventura) Black Angus on Corbin (preparing for major flame - they actually have a very good filet mignon although the martinis are watered down big time) Subs: My Hero (Reseda & Plummer) Indian: Madras Masala (Reseda & Nordhoff) - great lunch buffet - both Northern & Southern Tue Jun 14 18:34:49 -0700 2005 384034 0 markn