You would have a hard time finding _________in Los Angeles...

[orythedog]

You would have a hard time finding Turtle Soup in Los Angeles. MMMMM......turtle soup with a little sherry on top. OK, your turn...

You would have a hard time finding __________in LA...

[SamVee]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/818962 Sea Harbor San Gabriel has sea turtle soup Chinese style. Per Chowhound.

[SamVee]

Sorry about your turtle soup, I know they sell live turtles at many of the Asian markets in San Gabriel Valley and they will chop them for you....Not sure if that's the right turtle..
I would LOVE to find Razor Clams, The ones from Oregon, Washington and Alaska. These look like pocket combs, not the skinny Atlantic or Asian ones. Sometimes just the frozen meat is sold. It use to be under the "Sea Rock" name.
Also I' like to find Walleye Pike..in almost any form.
Where and when did you last have turtle soup?

[orythedog]

I grew up going to Brennans in Houston and Commanders Palace in New Orleans, to eat their turtle soup. The chowhound who suggested Brennans Jazz Kitchen in Anaheim was on the right track, except that I would have to go to Disneyland...and that ain't happening. So, I am looking for a dark brown, dark roux style turtle soup dish, thicker than soup, but thinner than gumbo, more like the consistency of etoufee, with some cajun flava.

[OCSteve]

"except that I would have to go to Disneyland...and that ain't happening"

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen is in Downtown Disney, outside the parks. You do not have to pay admission to go there (though you do have to pay for parking). Now if you mean that you don't want to have to put up with the Disney crowds, that's another story.

[khh1138]

I've never seen turtle soup at this Brennan's - unless maybe they offer it as the soup of the day on occasion? I'd love to try it!

[OCSteve]

I haven't been there in years, so I don't even remember if it was a special or regular menu item. I do remember it being very good but again, that was a long time ago.

[Hillbilly Moonshiner]

It seems likely that you would have a hard time finding proper turtle soup in Los Angeles. Sounds like you would have to make it. The recipe for Brennan's turtle soup (Mike Roussel, 1998, plus 3 more recipes from different New Orleans chefs), is described in 'New Orleans Chefs Cookbook' (http://www.amazon.com/Orleans-Chefs-Cookbook-Phil-Johnson/dp/0882896660), p.63. It looks like you could get turtle meat from Exotic Meat Market, which Servorg has linked previously (http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8086...). If someone made this for me, I would be happy.

[Juji]

Lobster newburg. I used to get it in Orange County, at Delaney's I think. Maybe it's more of an east coast dish? It certainly isn't the healthiest thing to put on a menu since it's so rich, but I wouldn't mind finding a good version of it somewhere.

[Servorg]

You may have to settle for Lobster Thermidor (which is still around at the old school places like the Dal Rae where my wife had it the last time we were there).

[kevin]

Dang you beat me to the punch. Yes, Dal Rae for lobster Thermidor. That reminds me that I have to visit there very soon.

[LostInLA]

Chinese Knife-cut noodles

[J.L.]

Recent thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847925

[LostInLA]

Thanks so much! I haven't had any since my visit to eastern China.

[BSW6490]

Clam Pizza

[aching]

Pizzeria Mozza has a version. I haven't tried it, though...

[tom2cat]

where to buy Red palm oil . Dat Moi Market in Gardena Ca 14415 Crenshaw Blvd

-----
Dat Moi Market
14415 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249

[the mess]

hen eggs with flavorful, reddish-orange yolks

guanciale

[bulavinaka]

Guanciale is becoming more available in LA. Norcino in The Market (on the top floor) of Santa Monica Place had it on my last visit there. The Curious Palate normally seasons their egg salad sandwich with guanciale - they're located on Venice Blvd in Mar Vista, and in the Market in Santa Monica Place as well.

-----
The Curious Palate
395 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[kevin]

Is there egg salad good and can you get it without the guanciale???

by the way how are the other joints there, is pierro salvaggio's charcuterie cold cut joint pretty good?

[the mess]

Their menu says "with or without." Unfortunately, it also says the guanciale is from Niman Ranch.

[kevin]

niman ranch is no bueno for guanciale?

[bulavinaka]

That went "swoosh" right past the top of my head...

[the mess]

Sorry... hope that didn't sound too snarky.

I have to say I've never tried any cured products from Niman Ranch; just not a fan of their beef.

[honkman]

Fresh Niman Ranch pork is quite good and so are their cured products

[bulavinaka]

Curious Palate's egg salad is very good - not Euro Pane crazy good, but very good. The guanciale bits are a really nice touch.

The charcuterie selection is very good, but I haven't been a a couple of months. They offer samplers that make a good lunch - great way to try some of their goods.

As for the other places, it's been covered in other threads. I personally think they need a redux on many of the vendors/eateries that they chose for this market. Ferry Building/Oxbow/Swift Street markets is what this market should strive for.

[BrewNChow]

Wally's cheese shop usually carries guanciale.

[orythedog]

I'm back...just 484 postings later. I would like to add to my orginal post. You would have a hard time finding stuffed Quahog clams in LA. I had some gigantic ones in Cape Cod this past July and they were sublime. Please point me in the right direction hounds!

[Mattapoisett in LA]

I end up having to make them myself. The hardest part is finding good Lenguica. I don't like the stuff from SLO which is found in local markets, so usually I end up having some shipped from Gaspar's

[david t.]

...a real patisserie in Los Angeles. There's Jin and that's pretty much it.

[bulavinaka]

Try Patisserie Chantilly in Lomita. The cream puffs are a good place to start.

-----
Patisserie Chantilly
2383 Lomita Blvd., #104, Lomita, CA 90717

[DrBruin]

Especially the black sesame cream puffs at Patisserie Chantilly... yum.

-----
Patisserie Chantilly
2383 Lomita Blvd., #104, Lomita, CA 90717

[Emme]

out of curiosity, has anyone been to Patisserie Eguchi?
http://www.patisserieeguchi.com/

[Emme]

technically Amandine bills itself as a patisserie. as does La Provence.

[imsound]

I haven't found Frozen Custard that is like the stuff from the midwest....I have seen the threads, but does anyone know of anything recent?

[cant talk...eating]

Anyone ever see wine cookies in Italian (or other) bakeries in town? Ubiquitous in RI/So. Mass, but I don't know if I've seen them here. You can buy them by the bag, red or white.

[J.L.]

Cuy. (Guinea pig on a spit, like they do it in Peru).

[tom borland]

has anyone found an Uruguayan Chivito sandwhich?

[tom borland]

Authentic Australian bacon

[J.L.]

Fresh-pressed sugar cane juice.

[JAB]

Get a Bahn Mi (or 3) and wash it down with a fresh pressed sugar cane juice at Bahn Mi Che Cali on Valley Blvd in SGV.

[J.L.]

Actually I just went there 4 months ago looking for freshly pressed sugar cane juice - I was told sorry, no more sugar cane juice. When did you last get the juice there, JAB?

[JAB]

How odd, I was just there last week and they were running them thru their machine which is located in plain sight right behind the registers.

[Servorg]

This little thread has reminded me of a field trip I took while still in elementary school (maybe 1957 or so?) to Olvera Street and we all got to buy little cut stalks of the actual sugar cane that was shaved down for us to "gnaw" on. I wonder if someone down there does sugar cane juice now days?

-----
Olvera Street
845 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

[J.L.]

OK, I'll go try it again... Maybe the press was down the last time I went.

[JAB]

Perhaps or out of product temporarily.

[cant talk...eating]

I too have had it at BMCC, but only at that Valley Blvd. branch, and >1 yr ago. I seem to remember that the giant San Gabriel Superstore on San Gabriel just south of Valley, at the boba stand just as you walk in. I'll try to confirm this.

-----
San Gabriel Superstore
1635 S San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA 91776

[maxzook]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/78868

The above thread is five years old, you may want to double-check before driving any distance. If all else fails, Google for "Vietnamese restaurants [your zip code]" and start calling for fresh nuoc mia. Or call Cuban restaurants for fresh guarapo.

[bulavinaka]

Any of the Vietnamese festivals seem to always have a stand selling the fresh-pressed stuff - and there's always a line for it...

[SamVee]

South Pasadena farmers market on Thursdays has someone pressing sugar cane. Is that fresh enough? might be pricey...

[J.L.]

Thanks SamVee, but I've found a steady supply of pressed sugar cane juice since my last post on this matter in March 2011... In case you're interested - Raw Cane SuperJuice Bar in Hollywood.

[katekd]

You would have a hard time finding a NYC bodega style egg sandwich in LA.
I'm talking about an egg, cheese, sausage/bacon sandwich on a hard roll thats been toasted with a ton o'butta... the fact that restaurants out here put egg sandwiches on wheat bread with lettuce, tomato etc is disgraceful and gross.

[happybaker]

Nope, just a different world.

The New York "egg on a roll" is fun and glorious. But it's new york.

The LA version is LA.

[veronykah]

YES! I've lamented this many many times. At great bacon, egg and cheese on a roll with cheddar and salt and pepper for breakfast, miss it so much! Why is there no real option in LA but for fast food when you want to get something quick?
Its a "real" restaurant or fast food. I miss bodegas.

[aching]

They're probably not authentic (I couldn't say, never having had the real thing) but I really like the egg sandwiches at both Bottega Louie and Short Order...

[veronykah]

I wouldn't doubt they are good but the point isn't that they are amazing culinary creations. The point is they are GOOD for what they are and you can get one in about 4 minutes at any store (bodega) on the corner while on your way to work for about $4. THAT is what's missing in LA. I don't have time or the inclination to go to a restaurant and get take out on my way to work. I want to run in the store and get something...quick.
No clue why that doesn't seem to exist here, outside of fast food, which isn't the same.

[happybaker]

veronykah -

My dad's family is from new york and I went there lots as a kid. Very different staying, on vacation, in home or big apartments, then working in the city - or visiting in the city and working. It was doing the latter I discovered "egg on a roll." Cheap, tasty, everywhere - convenient.

The Los Angeles equivalent is the breakfast burrito. You can get one almost everywhere, and they are surprisingly good for the cost. Next choice? Savory empanada's at latino bakeries. Yummy and easy.

[ba623]

Real Belgian waffles - the kind you find in Belgium or London, rolled up and served as street food.
A really good cannoli - been to *many* Italian delis around searching for a decent one, all had that refrigerated or stale taste.
Coke light - not "diet coke".

[New Trial]

http://bruxie.com/

[kevin]

u can get coke light at church and state.

[BrewNChow]

The Liege Waffle Company
Patrick Pirson
626 201 1742
[e-mail]

Contact this guy. He sells his waffles at farmer's markets, I buy it at the farmers market near sawtelle south of santa monica on sundays, but I think he's in Hollywood too. Contact him to find out when he'll be nearest you.

They are hands down the best waffles I've had, including several in Belgium. 100% authentic.

[aynrandgirl]

Tex-Mex

[LarryT]

Scandia used to have a steak with butter-fried onions called (pardon me if my Danish is not right on) bif med log. Any idea if anyone has it now?

And what happened to Howard Johnson fried clams? Is there a greasy substitute here?

[Mattapoisett in LA]

For the HoJo style clams, go to Neptune's Net in Malibu. They have clam strips on the menu.

[selfportrait93]

Hokkien Popiah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popiah

[orythedog]

Scrapple prepared in a restaurant. I know you can buy it frozen but I want it in a diner setting, fried crisp on a flat top grill with some eggs. Still haven't found any despite going to a lot of philly cheese steak places.

[Servorg]

Doughboys on 3rd: https://doughboyscafe.gimmegrub.com/#

scrapple with dirty eggs

$9.95
"pan-fried grits mixed with shredded braised pork. served with spicy eggs scrambled with caramelized onion and potato, served with our corn cake. no substitutions, please, you won't be sorry"

[Emme]

Paty's on Riverside in Toluca Lake serves it.

The Hollywood Corner has it, but I have no idea how it is there.

-----
Patys
10001 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, CA 91602

The Hollywood Corner
1156 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038

[orythedog]

I read an old post of my own, circa 2007, and I still have not found Scrapple:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/452357

Patys serves something called Scrabble, but real Scrapple does not have spinach in it.

I pulled up the Hollywood Corner menu from their website and did not see it.

Doughboys "Scrapple" while sounding good is what I would describe as an update on a classic, but lacks the texture and authenticity of real Scappple.

Still, thanks for trying to help me Servorg and Emme.

-----
Patys
10001 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake, CA 91602

The Hollywood Corner
1156 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90038

[TheBurgerBusters]

...a decent Chicken Fried Steak...

[Emme]

i dated someone a couple of years back that "had to order" the CFS if it was on a menu. as a result, i saw him eat a number of them... his preferences:

-Pann's - when it was great, it was great, but occasionally inconsistency produced a less amazing rendition
-Gaffey St. Diner in San Pedro - only ate here once with him, but man he loved it
-Jongeward's Bake'n'Broil - one he would make me drive for... if we had to get pies anyway
-Mickey Fine's Pharmacy in Bev Hills
-Aunt Kizzy's
-Roll'n'Rye
-Du-Par's
-Chili's or Claim Jumper was his "in a pinch, but pretty darn good" go-to restaurant

[JAB]

Johnny Rebs has a good version.

[JimmyC]

trenton pork roll sandwich on kaiser roll trenton is a brand name

[orythedog]

You would have a hard time finding Hot Pepper vinegar in Los Angeles. I grew up in Texas and this was a condiment found at most restaurants. It was a clear bottle with a yellow top, hot peppers and vinegar inside. Where to find?

[SeaCook]

orythedog

Albertson's in La Habra carries it in it's "Southern" food section. I know because I bought it there.

[orythedog]

Thank you Sea Cook.

[SeaCook]

You're welcome. :-) I like them on my greens. I top off the bottle off every now & then with some white distilled vinigar. Makes last longer.

[bughunter]

As a Carolina boy transplanted to LA (by way of CU in Boulder) 25 years ago, there are many things I've given up on finding here:

- A real Country Ham, you know, the kind that's covered in a thick layer of crusty fat, caked with salt, mold, and who knows what. After you pay the butcher to slice it up for you, you have to boil the salt out of it before frying up for breakfast. I doubt a butcher here in LA would even know what to do with a real Country Ham.

- Grits for breakfast out. Denny's doesn't count. (I have to make my own grits.) Firefly in So. Pasadena has great tobasco/parmesean grits for Sunday Brunch but they're not fluffy breakfast grits that I can shred two over easy eggs into, crumble my bacon over, and slurp up with a fork.

- A *real* NC pulled pork sandwich. Putting cole slaw on pulled pork slathered in texas or KC sauce is NOT a carolina pork sandwich. I've seen a lot of folks trying it all of a sudden, and have had some good smoked pork shoulder, but none of them have even come close to the vinegar-pepper sauce I get in Raleigh.

- Decent Pimiento cheese spread. Pimiento cheese on white toast was a staple when I was a chap. Nowadays, if I find it, it's bland, grainy and overpriced.

- Real southern peaches. I get my mom to fedex me some So. Carolina peaches every summer, but last time they got hot and fermented in the box. Sad. (And yes, I know this is illegal.)

- I haven't had a decent Key Lime Pie since I lived in Florida. (Except for the time we visited Ft. Myers five years ago.)

- Chitterlings. Good thing too. I hate chit'lins. You're not a southerner if you haven't woken up to the smell of your grandpa boiling chitlins and potatoes. (This *should* be illegal.)

And finally, not southern, but I miss it so:

- Konditori's Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberry Sauce. They've been gone for 15 years and I still crave it.

[But you know, there are benefits to LA living, too: I'm sitting here eating the rejects my wife is handing me from her box of See's Assorted Dark Chocolates. Even See's rejects are better than anything else I've had anywhere.]

Oh, and my wife says she can't find a decent GREEK style gyro since Sparta closed in downtown LA. I'm sure CH has entire threads devoted to gyros in LA, though. (This is my first day back to CH in a decade.)

[aching]

Not in LA, but if you're ever in Oregon, check out the Swedish pancakes with lingonberries at the Pig n' Pancake - they're really good!

http://www.pignpancake.com/

[orythedog]

Happy to be of service bughunter. Taken directly from the Original Pancake House menu:

Swedish Pancakes
Authentic lacy Swedish pancakes are always a treat. Served with lingonberries from Sweden and whipped butter.

I also really like the 49er Flapjacks.

-----
Original Pancake House
1756 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

[southernimplant]

I am from suthern Virginia, so I hear ya about craving some carolina style bbq. And, I have a solution: http://www.babyblueswh.com/#/menu
Trust me, it tastes like home.

[SamVee]

Good peaches will be coming soon Mid-May thru September at the Farmer's markets. You could look on Ctaig'slist for "you pick". In Pasadena at the Saturday farmer's market the guy in the south east corner has good ones. Not Yet but soon.

[cjelias]

1) Sloppy Joes (the New Jersey kind - double deckers on rye with thousand island dressing, cole slaw, swiss and the meat of your choosing)

2) Good Spanish or Portuguese food.

3) Echo everything above about new england food (lobster rolls, chowder)

[creamfinger]

Good call on the Sloppy Joes! Did you ever notice that for some reason they really taste best when cut in quarters and served on a large catering tray in quantities of 30 or more?

[junglekitte]

fresh sardines (like i've eaten in morocco).

[thursday]

I don't know about Morocco, but I've seen fresh sardines for sale at Whole Foods.

[maxzook]

Pretty sure I've seen them fresh at Tusquellas in the Farmers Market. But I don't know of any restaurants that serve them.

[WildSwede]

I think I may have had them at Spain Restaurant at the end of the 2 freeway in Echo Park but that was years ago. Menu just calls them "small fishes" so I cannot be certain whether or not they are sardines.
http://www.restaurantspain.net/prod01...

[hrhboo]

They had fresh sardines at Santa Monica Seafood yesterday.

[ecd]

High quality Caribbean, Trinidadian or Jamaican roti (please don't recommend Indian roti-it's quite different--and no referrals to Caribbean Treehouse-they used to serve passable roti, but not now...)

[Servorg]

You ought to check out the Sattdown Jamaican Grill out in Studio City: http://www.yelp.com/biz/sattdown-jama... and see what you think.

[Servorg]

Times review here: http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/...

[galeforcewind]

I've been to Coley's a few times and liked it - I've heard Jamaican natives say it was good - and they have several varieties of roti on the menu ...

-----
Coley's Caribbean
10842 Magnolia Blvd North, Hollywood, CA

[kiriann]

Blue Bell Ice Cream

[hnsbmg]

Apparently available at Outback Steakhouse. See: http://fresnobeehive.com/2009/08/hunt...

[SugarFrosted]

You would have a hard time finding authentic, great Creole food in Los Angeles. 'Aint that a shame?

[hnsbmg]

"Ain't that a shame" is the perfect lament, since it's the title of a song by New Orleans great, Fats Domino. (Note to younger Hounds: Fats was the piano player at George Washington's second inauguration. ;-) I've never understood why a city like Los Angeles -- with its love of spicy food, seafood, and good music -- doesn't have a permanent Louisiana culinary subculture. Are we going to laissez les bons temps rouler or not!

[Servorg]

"Are we going to laissez les bons temps rouler or not!"

The good times used to roll here, but now it's stuck on the LA Freeway in a monumental traffic jam - just like the rest of us... ;-D>

[hnsbmg]

A Commander's Palace here, a Pascal's Manale there, and soon we'd all be unLAXing with sazeracs and barbecued shrimp, even if a freeway runs through it. I hope entrepreneurs who can see the possibilities are reading this thread.

[coffeebrownies]

Oh, I just read "sazerac" and now I need one--anybody found a good one here in LA?

[ttoillenoj]

The Thirsty Crow in Silver Lake or The Varnish downtown!

[coffeebrownies]

Will try! I had one in San Francisco the other day and it was too sweet for me.

[mucho gordo]

Have you tried Mom's BBQ on Vanowen and Hazeltine?

[smiling ed]

Wise Potato Chips I have not seen them in LA . The orginal version from the fifties were
the ones most people bought in NJ. They were extra thin and crispy with lots of salt and
oil. Now I buy the costco brand. Wise has a website that outlines their history.

[maxzook]

Wise Potato Chips can be found at the Malibu Kitchen & Gourmet Country Market in Malibu, across Cross Creek Road from Nobu Malibu near the Civic Center. (They also have H&H Bagels.)

3900 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, CA 90265
[phone]‎

-----
Malibu Kitchen & Gourmet Country Market
3900 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, CA 90265

[wickedwilly]

To the person looking for St. Louis style gooey butter cakes ala Haas bakery, Bristol Farms in RPV used to carry it. When I worked there16 years a STL native living in RPV used to make it and sell at that store only.

[hnsbmg]

Said person here, willy! Thanks a lot for the pointer. Do you know if that Bristol Farms store still carries the cakes? -Harry

[aching]

Tim's dill pickle potato chips (from Washington). I found them once at Bay Cities but never saw them there again - but I was delighted to find them again at Mendocino Farms recently. That's the only place I know of that currently carries them. Yum!

-----
Mendocino Farms
300 S Grand Ave Ste Lp40, Los Angeles, CA 90071

[trvlcrzy]

Authentic Spanish (not Mexican) churros con chocolate ala Madrid's San Gines.

[J.L.]

... Or even Madrid's VIPS chain... Estoy de acuerdo.

[trvlcrzy]

Exactly! Photo posted is actually from Churreria Sta. Inez in San Sebastian..San Gines is still king.

[LakerFan]

that looks good!

[J.L.]

Update: Can it be? Spanish-style churros here in L.A.?!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/738641

[orythedog]

Hello? Hellooooooo? I started the thread and still want Turtle Soup with Sherry like they sell at Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Any ideas????

[kauma]

Hello.

(Aren't you the pot-stirrer...)

I can cook a mean baloney sandwich, but I can't do turtle soup. Why not call Melinda Lee?

Best from bK

[OCSteve]

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney used to have it. It's not on their current menu, but they may have it as a special from time to time.

-----
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
1590 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802

[JBC]

Mariscos Linda has Turtle Soup on their menu. I haven't been there or Commander's Palace so ? Why not give them a call ?

http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...

-----
Mariscos Linda Restaurant
995 W Mission Blvd, Pomona, CA 91766

[JPomer]

can't tell if anybody mentioned, but i never can find buns for chicago style hot dogs...the poppy seed ones. Also hot dog buns that are split on top, like for lobster rolls

[DrBruin]

A steak challenge like they have at the Big Texan in Amarillo, TX.

[cant talk...eating]

A bakery with Venezuelan-style cafe con leche (ubiquitous there), served in little plastic cups.

Found this entertaining and thorough description of the experience here: http://venezuelanfoodanddrinks.blogsp...

I realize I can get a latte anywhere, and Mexican pastries are everywhere, but is there a halfway-decent panaderia with one of these machines in town??

[Servorg]

I don't know if this place will fill the bill for you or not, but probably worth checking out if it's not too far away: http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...

[J.B.]

Have you tried Cafe Coupa? Or did they not have it?

-----
Coupa Cafe
419 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

[cant talk...eating]

Been to Coupa (not to Bolivar though). Not really what I'm looking for, which I guess is basically a good Italian espresso machine in a Hispanic bakery, the combination of which doesn't seem to exist in L.A. that I've seen. This should be a low-end affair, a cheap cup of espresso, a good warm palmera. I'll keep looking.

While we're on the subject of Vzla street food, I've never seen one of these in town: (cachapa):
http://www.recipesformeals.com/wp-con...

Big, hand-ground corn griddle cake served with a thick slice of soft white cheese.

[RicRios]

You're correct, no cachapas.

You won't find hallacas navideñas either.

Or an arepera store. Serving jugos and mondongo.

Or maíz pilado.

Or pan de jamón.

[Servorg]

Here is a link to Bolivar's menu (not complete obviously since it doesn't list their drinks). But at least you can get a pretty good idea what they offer in the way of food.

http://losangeles.menupages.com/resta...

[BeenThereAteThat]

Whale meat, now that The Hump is closed.

[J.L.]

Mentioned already on this thread (see kujira, above)...

[Bandini]

a doner kebab

[DrBruin]

Really, Bandini? You should head out for Spitz.

Spitz Restaurant - Home of the Döner Kebab
www.eatatspitz.com

[Bandini]

:)

i knew someone would reply with Spitz. I like Spitz but it's not like the Doner Kebab I grew up with in Scotland and the type of Doner Kebab that is popular in the UK which is a flat bread like a nan bread with the kebab meat, letteuce tomato and a chile sauce.

Spitz is nothing like that.. the bread is like panini and there is no chile sauce.

[Tripeler]

Organ Doner Kabab?

[DrBruin]

Well, I thought I'd try with a suggestion. I guess now that you're more specific on what you're craving from your childhood, we may be able to rustle something up. When you say chile sauce, do you mean Heinz chili sauce? ;)

[cant talk...eating]

Sofra on Venice: www.sofrakabab.com

[cant talk...eating]

Have you tried the version at Sofra? I really like their chili sauce.

-----
Sofra Kabob Express
10821 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

[mdpilam]

I too would love a good doner kebab (or im brot - as I had all over Germany). Tried Spitz a while back on the hopes of having it here in LA, but was disappointed. Also been to Sofra, and it was decent, but not great.

[worldcook]

Try the Turkish restaurant DonerG on Ball Road in Anaheim, they do their own doner spits. They also fly authentic frozen Semits (Turkish sesame bread rings) in from Izmir, and do a Turkish buffet with classic Turkish home cooking one night a week, I think Thursdays.

[Servorg]

Place Link for DonerG

-----
Doner G
2139 E Ball Rd, Anaheim, CA 92806

[dotrat]

fried big belly Ipswich clams

[happybaker]

Coconut bars, aka lamingtons (in Australia). Bea's bakery has them, fred's used to but now - not.

Also missing russian tea biscuits, which are like a giant rugula - but different.

Both items can be found in Ohio and Illinois, so there must be some midwestern/eastern european thing happening...

[ObseleteOscar]

Oh gosh, I've been craving a good lamington ever since my trip overseas. It's odd how that little cube of cake can make you go crazy : /

[tinnywatty]

real, fresh salt water taffy, in barrels by flavor. not the mixed flavors prepackaged stuff that's been around for a couple years.
Oddly enough, we have it in separate barrels back home in Minnesota- not fresh though.

[Jordan]

I've seen this at Fosselman's. I don't know how fresh it is.

[Peripatetic]

Outside LA County, but Mifflin's Salt Water Taffy in Newport Beach makes their own salt water taffy:

http://www.sendtaffy.com/aboutus.htm

I haven't been there, so can't vouch for the freshness or quality.

[tinnywatty]

Hmm.. I'll have to check this out next time I leave the city. Thanks!

[jadekarrde]

freshwater perch, sunfish, goggleeye (rock bass) and largemouth bass. grew up fishing these river fish and eating them that day in the midwest. in particular the roe was always my favorite (like the fish filets, it was dredged in a flour & cornmeal mixture and gently pan fried). A good mess of fish and subsequent fish fry is something I've not had in years. le sigh.

Catfish does not count, that's more of a pond/lake fish.

Nor does trout, that's a coldwater river fish and you only fish it in March in our family, and anyway where I'm from they're not truly wild and you can taste they were all raised in hatcheries. I'm thinking of summer river fish.

[eartha]

Yes! Freshwater Perch (Lake Huron)..........and how about those all night fresh smelt fish frys, smelt out of the St. Clair River after a few hard hours netting them ...on a warm spring night?

I've just dropped about 40 years to get to those memories ~~ I looked better then, too. One more "I've died and gone to heaven" moment.

[Dommy]

You can get fresh fried smelt at Quality seafood... Hmmmm! They are like Fish French Fries... :)

[jadekarrde]

the closest thing to freshwater fish I've had in LA was when my Japanese friend decided to cook Shishamo and rice. Shishamo are basically japanese smelt, but I've never actually had smelt when it was called smelt, myself. :)

[flylice2x]

Laulau Leaves

[J.B.]

Have you tried Marukai (www.marukai.com) in Gardena???

[dahulagirl]

I agree with J.B. I got some Hawaii Luau (Taro Leaves) from Marukai in Gardena last year. I would call first to see if they have them in stock because they dont have them every day.

[huaqiao]

I wish we could get Taiwanese apple milk here. It's fairly easy to find a reasonable facsimile of the more iconic papaya milk, but what I really crave are those cartons of apple milk you can get from any 7-11 in Taiwan.

I specifically picked a layover in Taipei once on a flight to SE Asia just to see if there was a 7-11 in the airport where I could get some apple milk.

[eartha]

Coney Island Hot Dogs
Indian Fry Bread
Pasties

[WildSwede]

YES! Indian Fry Bread. LOVE IT!!

[stopurmakingmehungry]

Second that emotion! We hit up all of the native American festivals - one at CSULB, another in oldtown Pomona to name a couple.

[ElissaInPlaya]

There is a Cornish Pasty shop in Los Alamitos. I don't love pasties, but a good friend swears by this place: Pasty Kitchen
3641 Katella Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA 90720-3106

-----
Pasty Kitchen
3641 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

[creamfinger]

Just out of curiosity, what is a Coney Island hot dog? I'm a New Yorker and this isn't a term I know, unless you just mean a hot dog from Nathan's.

[Mattapoisett in LA]

From Wikipedia:
Coney Island hot dog (also Coney dog or Coney) refers to a hot dog made from beef with casing, topped with an all-meat chili, diced yellow onion and yellow mustard. The variety is a fixture in Detroit, Michigan,[1] served there and in the "heartland" states of the American Midwest. Despite the name, the "Coney Island" preparation style has little direct association with Coney Island itself beyond recognition of the birthplace of the original hot dog.[1]

[creamfinger]

Thanks for the cut and paste job from Wikipedia, but I wanted to know what Eartha's definition of a Coney Island hot dog is. Food is very personal and doesn't often match the dictionary definition.

[Servorg]

I'm going to hazard another guess (which is an enjoyable pastime on a lazy 4th of July weekend Saturday) and say she meant: http://www.coneyislandhotdog.com/

[creamfinger]

Thanks, but I think "Coney Island Station" is just this restaurant's name. If you look at the menu, it consists of a plain hot dog, a hot dog with cheese and a chili dog... which of those is the "Coney Island"?

[Servorg]

Any dog from Coney Island is a Coney Island dog...It's a tautology dog! ;-D>

Seriously, I would say she meant to say Nathan's and just got its location mixed up with its famous product....

[creamfinger]

Servog, I appreciate your desire to help, but it's all guessing. Mattapoisett in LA linked a Wikipedia definition for a Coney Island that is most definitely not a Nathan's hot dog, and your guessing it is. Like I said, I'm really curious what the original poster (Eartha) meant.

Just out of curiosity, if you believed she was referring Nathan's, why did you post a link to a chain of restaurants in Wisconsin?

[Servorg]

Humor (which obviously missed its mark by a wide margin unfortunately). The world (especially these days) can always use a little more.

[mollyomormon]

Truly one of the most intense hot dog discussions I've seen.

If wikipedia says that's what a Coney Island dog is, then it's so.

[Servorg]

It's probably best if I bow (wow) out of this one now... ;-D>

[creamfinger]

Me too.

[Burger Boy]

Wikipedia is a JOKE! A encyclopedia of sorts that anyone can add to or edit. I think I might get my own wikipedia page. BurgerBoy, a Los Angeles native, raised on Cassell's, Jay's, Hampton's, Hamburger Hamlet and Orange Julius first had a 26 Beach hamburger around 1983. etc. etc. etc

-----
26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[eartha]

To MattLA and creamfinger, sorry for the LATE TO THE PLATE RESPONSE, but your both cut to the chase. I grew up in Michigan and Coney Island Hotdogs were a speciality in certain areas. Usually steamed buns, smaller dogs but bite-worthy and came with the condiments of your choice. Also, the restaurants were always steamy.

My favorites were the coney with mustard, streak of ketchup, lots of onions and sauerkraut.....or the coney with mustard, onions and chili. Always steamy, hot and sensatinoal. Usually had both with the deliciously limp fries that sent me to heaven. Mostly in the Detroit and Port Huron areas, and usually Greek in ownership. These Coneys are smaller in size than standard hotdogs.

One cousin just visited that part of Michigan and I begged her to go to Coney Island restaurants in Port Huron. These are not Nathens.

[SeaCook]

So how is a Coney Dog (mustard onions & chili) different than a chilli dog from Pink's or Cupid's?

[maxzook]

Several of the books in Jane and Michael Stern's Roadfood series go into detail about so-called Coney Island hot dogs.

Going back to the early twentieth century and the popularity of Coney Island as an amusement park destination, the name became commonly associated with hot dogs in the same way that, say, Philadelphia is linked with cheese-steak sandwiches. Throughout the U.S., hot-dog-stand proprietors adopted "Coney Island" or "Coneys" as a common slang term for hot dogs.

However, unlike Philadelphia cheese-steaks which tend to have certain commonalities of preparation, each region -- sometimes each individual stand -- had their own idea of what a "Coney" was. I know the term is common throughout New England, for example, and although most New England dogs were served with rolls that were split across the top, every Coney dog was differently prepared.

In short, there is no such thing as a universal definition of a Coney Island hot dog.

[ellen4441]

yup , and there's lots of good hot dog debates on those Roadfood.com forums ! You Chowhounders thought things were getting heated up on HERE , lol ?!?

[eartha]

Taste.

[huaqiao]

Dunno if this place is any good:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/carms-coneys-...

[amyzan]

I dare someone to find bierocks (aka runzas, bierochen) available in LA, except perhaps at some sort of festival with a German-American theme. If you can name a place, I will be duly impressed.

[LakerFan]

sesame pancake sandwiches

[E Eto]

You mean, like these?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4...
I can't remember which dumpling place this was in the San Gabriel Valley.

[ipsedixit]

Those are beef rolls, which I do not believe LakerFan was referring to.

As to where beef rolls can be found in SGV? They're basically ubiquitous, with 101 Noodle the de facto pioneer and champ, due in large part to a glowing review from Jonathan Gold.

[bulavinaka]

I don't know if 101's is rated the best or not, but since this was the first place I tried it, and since I did really like it, my tastebuds have been programmed to accept their type of beef roll. I've yet to find another that I can favorably compare to their version. Any suggestions? Thanks...

[ipsedixit]

Lots and lots of choices, let see ...

Noodle House
JTYH (called beef pancake, iirc)
Mama's Kitchen
Michelle's Pancakes

And countless others that I have yet to try.

Of course Taiwanese chain tea houses all now have beef rolls of one sort or another, e.g. Tea Station, Cha, etc.

[LakerFan]

Thanks for the replies, but sesame pancake sandwiches are a little different from the beef rolls you can find in SGV, but within the same family. The ones that I crave are from Vanessa's dumpling house in Chinatown NY.
http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2008/0...

They seem to spreading to other dumpling houses over there, so hopefully it makes the leap and comes this way.

[vayabobo]

Lakerfan, any luck finding a proper sesame pancake a la Vanessa's in SGV?

[Juji]

Danish sausage. Have to go to Solvang to get my fix. Unless someone knows otherwise.

[maxcatsilver]

Kewpie's sesame mayonnaise. And while on the sesame theme, commercially available black sesame ice cream.

[J.B.]

I've never heard of it... is that different than the Kewpie's you can get now at any Japanese grocery store like Marukai or Nijiya Market???

[malibumike]

Real Churned Buttermilk, disappeared from LA about 1960, you have to go back east or down south in quaker country to find it now.

[rcompton]

Boiled peanuts.

[Servorg]

Although I hated them, I believe you still get them as a little freebie starter at Nook in WLA.

-----
Nook Bistro
11628 Santa Monica Blvd Ste 9, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[E Eto]

I've heard you can get some at the Eagle Rock farmer's market.

[luckattack]

You can get boiled peanuts from those old ladies in Chinatown if you trust time. Otherwise, they are also at some of the Viet sandwich shops on the counter. I think I saw it at Van's Bakery once in San Gabriel.

-----
Van's Bakery
860 E Valley Blvd, San Gabriel, CA

[J.B.]

You can buy them at the Asian grocery store, Ranch 99, in the refrigerated section. If you want them warm, that's self-serve. Hmmm.... I'm getting hungry...

[kiriann]

Nook on Santa Monica Blvd. gives everyone boiled peanuts to start

[yogacat]

sure wish i could find a fragel in los angeles

[barryc]

i was just thinking about a fragel this week. the bagel factory in AA is long gone though.

[trimtab]

You'd have a hard time finding GOETTA in Los Angeles. God knows I've tried. It's a German dish found in the Midwest, comprised of shredded pork, oatmeal, and suet. Great with eggs and toast or potatoes.

[Aquirke]

Irish Coddle, I miss it, its so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://our-ireland.com/articles/tradi...

[J.L.]

Exotic Kit Kat flavors, like in Japan

Curry, Shoyu, Wasabi etc...

[2ndAvenue]

A restaurant that makes a good pasta puttanesca, fra diavolo, or alfredo. Fresh pasta spun in a wheel of Parmesan. Also, I rarely see tortellini in Italian restaurants.

If I see one more pasta stuffed with pumpkin or squash I'm gonna puke.

[mucho gordo]

Check out Gio Cucina in Encino

[2ndAvenue]

Gordo -
Am I missing something? I just looked up their menu online and they don't have a single one of these items on the menu. They do, however, have a pumpkin tortellini - strike one.

[mucho gordo]

I can only speak about the fra diavolo. When I was there I did not see it on the menu either but the special that night was jumbo prawns. I asked the waiter about fra diavolo. He thought it could be done and checked with the chef. Chef said 'no problem'. IOW, if it's not on the menu, ask; they'll accommodate if possible.

[huaqiao]

They have them sometimes at the Mitsuwa in Torrance. They're expensive, though. I was there a few weeks ago and they had maple and some sort of fruit milk flavors. I've seen strawberry, roast sweet potato, and a few other flavors there in the past.

[WildSwede]

Really, REALLY delicious Tortilla Soup like I had in Cabo San Jose several years ago.
Swedish Paron Glass (Pear Ice Cream - creamy), Swedish butter (salted - yum!), Swedish milk - hmmm, maybe I should just move to Sweden! ;-)
The "krokan" ice cream topping that they put on soft serve in Norway. '
Walleye sandwiches, Fish Frys, super-fantastic biscuits n gravy. Rosemary & Sea salt bagels. Knokkelost.

[sparkareno]

peameal coated real canadian bacon
real soft serve custard

[ipsedixit]

May I ask what "fake" soft serve custard would be?

Not trying to be snarky, but genuinely curious as I really like custard.

[sparkareno]

In Michigan I get this super rich eggy custard ice cream. I haven't seen it here.

[Ogawak]

Strickland's would be considered fake custard. As good as it is, there is no egg in the recipe. It does have the consistency of custard

[hnsbmg]

In fact, the Irvine Web site ( http://www.stricklands.info/base.cfm?... ) has the word "custard" in the page title, even though the recipe has never used eggs. Nevertheless, their turtle sundae is significantly better than any sundae I've ordered at a Sheridans. I once had them make it into a shake (with the nuts on the side), and it was delicious.

[Peripatetic]

I think the confusion is deliberate. Their "about us" page (http://www.stricklands.info/site.cfm/... ) talks about their "award-winning frozen custard", and goes on to say:

"In 2002, Strickland's Marketing Corp. was formed to duplicate the success of the original Strickland's. After reverse-engineering machines that produce the same great taste as the originals"

But they never say that it's no longer frozen custard! You have to read the nutrition information to work that out.

Personally I think this borders on dishonesty.

[B Minus]

L&P Soda for NZ.

[JosephEBacon]

This native Pittsburgher does have a hard time finding Pierogis, Primanti Bros. Sandwiches, chip-chopped ham, Wise potato chips, Isaly's ice cream, Tom Tucker Mint Ginger Ale, Victory or Kahn's Wieners, Snyders potato chips, Town Talk bread, Tambellini's hot sausage...oh, I better stop, I'm getting hungry :-(

[farmertomato]

I'm a big enthusiast for local food favorites, but I couldn't get behind the fries on the burger thing with Primanti Bros. It just tasted mushy to me. Is there some special secret appeal there that I didn't get? I thought their chili was surprisingly good.

I understand there's one in Fort Lauderdale, for what that's worth.

[tom borland]

You can wise chips at the Philly's Best Cheese steaks in Downey or Monrovia

[WisePix]

You would have a hard time finding Haitian food in LA... I just had Haitian cuisine for the first time in Miami, and it was phenomenal. Too bad I won't be finding much of that around here. :(

[Servorg]

"Too bad I won't be finding much of that around here. :("

Turn that frown upside down! http://www.tigeorgeschicken.com/

ADD: For a nice photo spread (and review) check out this link to "Man Bites World" on TiGeorges http://manbitesworld.com/articles/54/...

[WisePix]

Ooh thanx Servorg! I actually heard of this place and got turned away because it looked like a fine dining take... whereas the place we ate at in Miami, Chez le Bebe was straight up down home cooking, cheap and huge! But I will check this place out after seeing those pictures... only thing is, it looks like TiGeorge's is closed temporarily after a fire at the restaurant?

[Servorg]

Are they still out of commission? If so, hopefully they will rise again. The chicken really was worth the drive.

[WisePix]

Servorg, I just checked on Yelp and as of 6/28 they are still closed :( Although their website is still up and says they will be open... it's been a long time since the fire happened and it doesn't look like any remodeling is being done.

[Servorg]

I Haiti to hear that...damn fine chicken http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/upl... - perhaps they will rise again. Sometimes insurance settlements and getting city building permits takes a loooong time to come to fruition.

[Burger Boy]

Petrillo"s Pizza in San Gabriel took a year and a half to re-open after a fire. The owner, insurance and city BS made it take so looooonng. I hope Ti George's re-opens also.

[WisePix]

Thanks for the encouragement... I hope so too now that I've seen so many people recommend it, and I'm hankering for some goat!

[Burger Boy]

There is a place on Washington west of Western that does Jamaican goat and great patties, I forget the name, it is on the south side of street on the east corner. Naturalist or Naturalarts, something close to that.

[Servorg]

Place Link for Natraliart. They even have a nice web site (which I added to the place link). Their menu includes things like Ackee and Cod Fish and Curry Goat.

-----
Natraliart Food Market
3426 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018

[Burger Boy]

Thank You, your the best!

[J.L.]

Haribo Gummibarchen (Gummi Bears) which are made in GERMANY (not Hungary, not Turkey, not Spain, but Deutschland)...

[Ideefixed]

Cost Plus.

[J.L.]

Haribo Gummi Bears are made all over the world (read the fine print on the bag!), but I want the ones made in Germany. I've been to 4 different Cost Plus locations, and so far, each one sells the Turkish or Hungarian made varieties.

Tell me which Cost Plus location you found the GERMAN-made ones, ideefixed, and I'll make a beeline for it.

[honkman]

You can sometimes find Haribo stuff from Germany (not always the Gummibaerchen) at the Euro Market in the Old World Village in Huntington Beach or at Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad.

[J.L.]

Non-Gummibarchen Haribo stuff made in Germany, I can find easily in L.A. (Coca-Cola bottles, gummi frogs, etc.) ...

BUT for some reason, the Gummi Bears made in Germany are "verboten" in L.A.

I've tried Tip Top in Carlsbad - none.
I've tried Alpine Village - none.

The Amazon bag for sale online, which Servorg alluded to, is not made in Germany either (sigh):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/imag...

[Servorg]

In the deepest, darkest part of the rain forest one finds the shy and rare "German Gummi Bear" - http://www.amazon.com/Haribo-Gummi-Ca... ;-D>

[smiling ed]

You would have a hard time finding Blue Fish in LA.

[yinyangdi]

Blue Fish was a daily special at Tender Greens at Sunset/Vine (Hollywood) last week.

[Servorg]

We had it a couple of times during the (very) brief incarnation of Menemsha (now Beachwood) in Marina Del Rey. It was good, but really nothing I miss or would go out of my way to look for.

-----
Beechwood Restaurant
822 Washington Blvd, Venice, CA 90292

[citizenx]

Merkts cheddar cheese.
This is amazing on a burger.
TSA took it away from me last time I was in Chicago. I guess it wasn't solid enough for them.
Buggers.

[Dad4Three]

Try to find a good American buffet, impossible.

[Steve2 in LA]

I think "Good American Buffet" may be an oxymoron.

[hnsbmg]

That depends on the meaning of "may." Anyone from the South or Midwest should have a very positive view of buffets and cafeterias. I'd kill for a good one in Southern California.

[ellen4441]

Some good Sunday brunches, though...
like at the Universal City Hilton ....

the Mother's Day one is a real madhouse, set up in a HUGE banquet room...

But they have their buffet every Sunday, in the regular , smaller buffet room..
prime rib, beef ribs, usually...

[J.L.]

French Polynesian poisson cru

[Tripeler]

You would have a hard time finding
Blanche de Namur
in Los Angeles.

Or would you?

[ipsedixit]

Have you tried Hi-Time Wine Cellars and at the Cap N Cork Jr. Market in Los Feliz.

-----
Hi-Time Wine Cellars
250 Ogle St, Costa Mesa, CA

[mucho gordo]

Vendome Liquors. $7.99/bottle
http://www.vendomes.com/advanced_sear...

[Tripeler]

Ipse and Mucho,
Thanks for the response. I was curious about this beer once I saw this thread.
I think it is by far the best Belgian White beer I have ever had.

[thursday]

Ugli fruit! Don't know why no one imports it here.

[mucho gordo]

Someone does. I've seen them in Ralph's

[thursday]

!!! Which Ralph's? I've been looking for these for 10 years!

[mucho gordo]

It was either Topanga and Ventura or Coldwater and Ventura. Those are the only 2 we shop at. Most likely, the Topanga one. We're there every Sat.

[Servorg]

Have you tried the Wednesday Farmer's Market in Santa Monica?

-----
Santa Monica Farmers' Market (Arizona and 2nd)
Arizona Ave Santa Monica CA, Arizona Ave Santa Monica, CA

[Servorg]

There was also another fairly recent thread on this question: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6548...

[thursday]

I started that thread... =^_^= But I didn't have any luck with the carribbean markets listed this winter...

I'll have to try the Topanga Ralph's come December -

[yogachik]

Chili infused Olive Oil. The kind that, when you have a pizza in the South of France, is brought to your table. Real dried red pepper(and herbs) inside the bottle of olive oil, usually made by the restaurant, but that you can also buy anywhere in Nice or surrounding towns.

Bay Cities used to have a selection of chili olive oils (no longer), and I know A l'Olivier makes a chili olive oil, but it's not the same. And I know of no restaurant that offers it with bread or pizza. And I mean olive oil, not with Balsamic (because there are some bread dipping oil/vinegar mixes out there), and some restaurants that make this.

[MissCast]

Pitfire Pizza keeps chili olive oil on the tables.

-----
Pitfire Pizza
108 W 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

[Ideefixed]

Any TJ Maxx or Marshalls has this stuff, as does M. Marcel in the Farmer's Market.

[laliz]

1 Brick Cheese

2 Wise Potato Chips

[ellen4441]

don't feel bad about the Wise Potato Chips, cuz IMO, they dont make them like they used to !!!

[ipsedixit]

Big Turk ice cream.

Not just LA, cannot find anywhere in the contiguous U.S.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6824...

[WildSwede]

Toro Tomat Suppe med Macaroni in the red pouch. Damn, that is good. Cannot get here - tried Olsen's, Norwegian Seamens' Church, etc. They say it does not sell altho it is some of the best tomato soup I have ever had. My whole family knows that it brings back great memories of school in Norway for me so whenever they visit or Christmas comes around, I get a bunch!! But it would still be great to be able to run to a store and pick some up!

[ally bo bally]

Now that City Bakery has closed .... Pretzel Croissants!!

[Bria Silbert]

Those damn delicious Manhattan Specials-

What is this??? I don't even know what they are but because I can't have them I want them.

[kevin]

coffee sodas, you can get em at bay cities.

[hnsbmg]

Also at Gerard's in Redlands -- I have one but haven't tried it, yet.

[tnsquire]

goo goo clusters. i know you can get them online but wish i didnt have to pay to ship

[Calipoutine]

Ive seen these at the 99 cents store and sometimes Big Lots.

[happybaker]

Agree with Calipoutine.

You could also check Galco's in Highland Park.

[1newyorkguy]

stuffed shells

[SamVee]

Claros Italian Deli in San Gabriel, Arcadia and other locations has their own frozen stuffed shells and sometimes in the hot case. They cater also. The shells are vegetarian.

[flowergirl]

Hard Shell Crabs - Steamed Ipswich Clams - Steak Sandwiches on crispy bread (not sourdough)

[mrgreenbeenz]

Damn, they keep coming to me! Green Tea and Black Sesame mixed soft-serve ice cream. I could get it at the Mitsuwa in NJ - WHY NOT HERE!!! WE HAVE LIKE 7 MITSUWAS IN A 50 MILE RADIUS!

[mrgreenbeenz]

Oh yeah, and those good Argentine Alfahores.

[bulavinaka]

Try Grand Casino Bakery and Cafe in Downtown Culver City for alfajores. They usually have two sizes filled with dulce de leche, and certain times of the year they also offer them filled with membrillo.

-----
Grand Casino Bakery
3826 Main St, Culver City, CA 90232

[New Trial]

There is a Peruvian cafe on Michelson near Von Karman in Irvine called Renzo's that offers good alfajores.

[mrgreenbeenz]

Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crabs pan fried on white bread with mayo.

[burntwater]

Green tea donuts with black sesame seeds

[Jeddie]

While no sesame seeds, Gyenari in Culver City has pretty good green tea donuts though I'm not too fond of the choco-mint dipping sauce they serve with it

[cdub]

those chicken pitas that you find on every halal cart in ny. that yellow chicken in a pita with some salad and both the yogurt sauce and hot sauce for like $3. i'd like to think it exists in la and i just didn't know about it much like finding langers after having katz.

[WSB]

Haluski a dish of fried noodles,bacon and cabbage

[E Eto]

The NYC halal cart food is something that was invented in NYC, which is why you don't find it anywhere else. It is one of the recent food "innovations" in NYC, and has been copied and tweaked by people of different Muslim nationalities. It's like trying to find a Tommy's style chili-burger, or Pinks style chili dog in NYC. Doesn't exist.

[veronykah]

Out of curiosity, what's so special about a Pink's chili dog that you wouldn't find it in NYC?

[wienermobile]

nothing....

[aynrandgirl]

Pinks serves a rather mediocre chili dog in my opinion.

[jdwdeville]

-a good lechon asado and a cafe colada
-conch fritters a la Key West
-clam cakes a la Rhode Island
-guava/cream cheese breakfast pastries
-Dunkin Donuts iced "regular" coffees

[JAB]

OMG yes. Clam fritters.

[mollyomormon]

are guava cream cheese pastries different than what they sell at Porto's?

[jdwdeville]

not likely- Portos is Cuban, right? I haven't been there yet, just missing my everyday Miami breakfast of sweet strong Cuban coffee and pastelitos...

[mollyomormon]

definitely try them if you get the chance. they're fantastic, even if not what you were referring to.

[nomnomnoms]

sazae, or conch. i want to eat them off the grill with a little bit of soy sauce.

[exilekiss]

Hi nomnomnoms,

I love Sazae. :) You can find it at Maki Zushi (live!). :)

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/534352

Enjoy~

[nomnomnoms]

!!!

thanks exilekiss c:

[creamfinger]

Oyster stew. So simple to make, yet no restaurants do... at least not in LA.

[ciaolette]

Abalone served simply: pounded, light egg batter, sauted in butter, lemon....
Spiny lobster split and grilled, butter, lemon, salsa....
Neither of these should be a stretch, as the lobster you can get in Baja and abalone served like this can be found in SF.
And , what I don't dream I will ever find on the west coast, a real Maryland crab cake, such as Faidleys...o...m...g.........
I see a seafood theme here, and I guess that what I find lacking,really, since we are on the edge of the Pacific Ocean,is outstanding, old school seafood .

[jdwdeville]

" I guess that what I find lacking,really, since we are on the edge of the Pacific Ocean,is outstanding, old school seafood ."
Couldn't agree more! About a year ago, fed up, I took to the boards looking for some proper "Seafood Shack"-type cooking: fresh, no frills, no fancy sauces, compotes, and bisques. What we came up with was pretty much BP and the place on the ?Redondo? pier. Sad, really.

[ipsedixit]

There are a few places in the San Pedro harbor.

And depending on your definition of "old school seafood" Fisherman's Outlet Restaurant in DTLA might qualify.

-----
Fisherman's Outlet
529 S Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013

[jdwdeville]

my definition-
bowls of steamed clams and mussels with big hunks of bread for soaking up the sauce,
most seafood super simply cooked and served with maybe just lemon wedges,
the most complicated sauce is tartar (but that is homemade),
only a few things fried (and those so lightly it doesn't cover up freshness or hide freezer shrimp)....
i could go on.

[carter]

As long as you want grease with your fish- truly makes a seafood lover cringe. Seldom do you even get the seafood taste for the grease that is present.
Better off at Red Lobster, and that is saying a LOT.

[Servorg]

A couple of other places to you might give a try this summer and see what you think.

-----
Malibu Fish & Seafood
25653 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Neptune's Net Seafood
42505 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

[A5 KOBE]

Sticky toffee pudding
Champagne macrons

[ElissaInPlaya]

Waterloo & City has a lovely sticky toffee pudding on its dessert menu. I enjoyed it last Saturday with an Irish friend (He vouched for its authenticity.)

[DrBruin]

Hmmm...

1. A bialy (or even a bagel) that would give what you can find in NY a run for their money.
2. Gourmet food trucks without twitter, some patience, and a GPS (or mapquest, a Thomas guide, etc.).

[tnsquire]

dr.i ran the nosh of BH on roxbury and sm blvd now i have not been in there since i left 10 years ago but we used to make real ny bagels we hand rolled them bolled them in water and baked them and my friend made the bialys his dad did it in brooklyn. i know they dont have those but see if they still make them that way . most now a days they are machine rolled and steamed

[bad nono]

real French bread (totally impossible given that the flours and therefore the yeast are so different). A real saucisse sèche and any saucisson that isn't a sorry gloopy heap of tasteless goo. Real goat cheese that doesn't taste like plaster or ammonia.
And, of late, it's been impossible to find real blackberry jam (made with sugar, not HFCS). Mirabelles. Also, bootleg Calvados like back home. *sigh*.
Also, finding fresh lychees (spelling?) while not downright impossible, takes more time and energy than I would like to spend on the hunt.
real fromage blanc. I never found it in the US. re-*sigh*.

anybody ever found langoustines in LA?

[susans]

You can always buy French blackberry jam made with sugar and I've seen a new product from Knotts made with sugar only. Just looked it up, it is the Signature Collection. However, I have not bought it, so cannot say if it is any good.

[bad nono]

the Bonne Maman one has disappeared from the shelves a year ago. All the rest I've seen is made with HFCS. I can find blackberry preserves but it's not the same (I don't want whole blackberries in syrup, I want spreadable jam). Thanks for the Knotts info, I'll check it out!

[susans]

Is it just the blackberry? I bought Bonne Maman raspberry jam last week and it has no HFCS. The use by date is 12/17/2011.

[bad nono]

yes, it's just the Bonne Maman blackberry jam that has disappeared, I used to find it in most LA supermarkets, but not for the last 6 months or so.

[susans]

I was in Pavilions today and saw that their Organics brand blackberry is made with sugar only.

[khh1138]

I've tried every flavour of the new Knott's line. Definitely better with sugar than HFCS, but still just too sweet. I don't get why they don't have about 1/2 as much sugar in these preserves. It really gets in the way of the taste of the fruit.

[WildSwede]

Try E Waldo Ward for the Blackberry Jam. I have not had theirs, but all the jams I have had are delish - and they are local in Sierra Madre!! Good luck!

http://www.waldoward.com/Default.aspx

-----
Madre's
897 Granite Dr, Pasadena, CA

[bad nono]

hey, thanks a lot! I'm looking up their website, is there anything else from them you recommend? I'm eying the mustard relish and the olives too.
Maybe I should go on a mini foodie road trip and go there, and stop by Montrose on the way per Will Owen advice.

[WildSwede]

Everything I have had is great. The olives are fantastic! I always have them in my cupboard. They have been there for close to 100 years, iirc. Really great, family run place. It is fun to just go walk around the area. They also let me pick some of their Seville oranges when I wanted to make marmalade a few years ago. Great people.

[bad nono]

I'm very grateful to you for that link, and I've discovered my very good friends live round the corner. And, wow, the letting you pick the Seville orange. I'm totally patronizing the place next time I'm in Sierra Madre.

-----
Madre's
897 Granite Dr, Pasadena, CA

[WildSwede]

I am glad that you will be visiting them. They even were great early one Saturday morning when my car battery died in front of the house and they let me use their phone and hang with them (got a tour of the place) for several hours while AAA came, left and came back. Really great products and great people! You will have a great day in Sierra Madre - great little town. Also, during the Wistaria festival, they make a Wistaria Jelly which is really very good.

[SeaCook]

I second E. Waldo Ward. It's been there over 100 years and they will let you sample anything they make.

-----
E Waldo Ward & Son Marmalades
273 E Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, CA 91024

[carter]

Not sure how the Madre link ended up on your post, yet that place is gonzo about 6-12 months ago.

[Peripatetic]

It's the CH autolink feature thinking that the "Madre" in Sierra Madre is a reference to the departed. Discussion here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/663117

[WildSwede]

Yeah, this is J-Lo's now-defunct restaurant.

[Will Owen]

I just got some Summer Sausage from Schreiner's in Montrose that, while definitely not a French saucisse, is far from gooey or gloppy. You have to peel off the inedible casing, and then you have a fine-textured, very firm sausage that is dry to the touch, tender and mellow in the mouth, with a lovely meaty taste and just enough salt. I would happily put slices of this on buttered baguette (and in fact I think I will!). I do like the oily, chunky dry Italian stuff, but I can overdose on that pretty easily. This stuff I could sit down and eat a pound of, should reason and good sense not interfere...

[bad nono]

I think the closest I've ever come to saucisse sèche is some stuff I've found at Claro's. I should try Guidi Marcello sometimes, it's closer to me.

The thing is, I miss the edible casing and white powdery stuff, which I understand from reading some blog or other is washed off from US-made dry sausages because ordinary natives are scared. That's what makes the texture much more interesting (like olives are better with the pit inside and shrimps with their head on, etc).

And, thanks everybody for the jam recommendations!

-----
Guidi Marcello
1649 10th St, Santa Monica, CA

[SeaCook]

Nicole's Gourmet Foods in S. Pas carries saucisse seche.

-----
Nicole's Gourmet Foods
921 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030

[Burger Boy]

Calvados is everywhere Bristol Farms, Beverage Warehouse, Bev Mo etc.

-----
Beverage Warehouse
4935 McConnell Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

[ellen4441]

this is what I LOVE about this thread ...
a Chowhound cannot find a certain food in L.A., and they are led there by another Chowhounder!

[cant talk...eating]

I'm pretty sure I saw sugar-only blackberry jam at Howie's Ranch Market (San Gabriel Blvd. and Duarte) - they have their own label, and I got some boysenberry but I think there was blackberry too. Odd little market, sort of mom-and-pop yet gourmet (with a separate meat section).

-----
Howie's Ranch Market
6580 N San Gabriel Blvd, San Gabriel, CA

[thursday]

Proper Chicago deep-dish pizza.
Ricotta pie.
Light and airy French baguettes.

[Peripatetic]

Banh Mi Che Cali does light and airy French baguettes. They won't make a Parisian weep, but they're definitely closer in spirit to the original than La Brea and supermarket brands. And a good deal at $1 each.

[thursday]

Which Banh Me Che Cali, or is it a chain? I'm googling and a few different ones come up.

And Chicago Pasta House is the closest to authentic-LOOKING I've seen...shall have to make the trip to Moreno Valley to taste it! Thanks for the tip!

[Peripatetic]

It's a local chain -- there's three in the SGV and three in Garden Grove/Westminster. I've only been to Alhambra one, so I can't vouch for the quality of the bread from the others. The key thing is they haven't succumbed to the apparent American preference for dense, glutinous baguettes.

[ITry]

I've never been to Chicago, so I don't know how authentic it is. The owner is a friendly old Italian from Chicago, if that helps. The stuffed pizza and thin crust were both fantastic!

Chicago Pasta House (www.chicagopastahouse.com
)24667 Sunnymead Boulevard
Moreno Valley

-----
Chicago Pasta House
24667 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA 92553

[nachosaurus]

chicago-style pizza

chicken parmesan sandwich

really really good clam chowder

not exactly a philly cheese steak -- but the kind of grilled steak sandwiches they have back east. there are like 1000s of places all over that make a yummy grilled steak sandwich with cheese, etc. -- they don't have that here.

hot pretzels from a cart.

[DrBruin]

Really really good clam chowder?
New England Style - I liked what I had at Providence... it's more of an artsy type chowda.
Manhattan Style - I love the Crab Cooker in Orange County (one in Tustin, one in Newport Beach).

-----
The Crab Cooker
17260 17th St, Tustin, CA 92780

[OCSteve]

Agree on the Crab Cooker, and as long as you're in OC, check out the Chicago-style pizza at Tony's Little Italy.

-----
Tony's Little Italy Pizza
1828 N Placentia Ave, Placentia, CA 92870

[stopurmakingmehungry]

Agree with the Tony's rec - it's wonderful. I get the stuffed sausage, garlic and mushrooms. I usually do pepperoni, but you miss the charring with a stuffed pizza, and the flavor suffers.

For good New England style clam chowder, try the Original Fish Company in Los Alamitos, CA.

[gnarlex]

Victor Jr's in Culver City has an excellent chicken parm sandwich. Closed weekends

-----
Victor Jr's
10113 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

[Servorg]

They began opening on Saturday's too.

-----
Victor Jr's
10113 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

[mdpilam]

Dill Pickle chips.

[OCSteve]

I don't know where you are, but Slater's 50/50 in Anaheim Hills has them. I haven't tried them, but everything else I've had there is great.

-----
Slater's 50/50
6362 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807

[mdpilam]

Sorry, I should have been more clear; not looking for actual fried (dill) pickle (chips), but Dill Pickle Potato Chips.

[silleehillee]

I've seen the Pringle's version at Ralph's and Walmart.

[mangetoutoc]

- paprikas szalonna (not even at Otto's when I've checked)
- good, dense chewy bagels that aren't too damned sweet and cakey (winkers suck!)
- duck sauce
- Wise onion rings (which beat the hell out of Funyons)

Fortunately, we've found much of the other stuff we crave in the time we've been here.

[maudies5]

Fresh striped sea bass

[Burger Boy]

26 Beach does a whole striped bass. I think the flash fry it and the oven roast it. I tasted my friends and she loved it, I enjoyed it, very clean just lemons and limes.

-----
26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[maudies5]

Sounds good. Wonder if it was farm raised. I always look forward to the wild striped sea bass on the east coast. Definitely willing to try 26 Beach. That presentation sounds wonderful and delicate.

-----
26 Beach
3100 Washington Blvd., Venice, CA 90292

[jdwdeville]

Oddly, San Diego style "California" burritos are quite lacking here (no rice, no beans, the original "California" burrito has carne asada, cheese, salsa fresca, and french fries!)

[martyR]

You can get a burrito with fries in it at the Top's on Allen and Walnut in Pasadena

[ateawrecks]

and at Cinco de Mayo in culver city, across the street from tito's tacos

[Servorg]

"...across the street from tito's tacos"

Cinco de Mayo is on the same little stretch of Washington Place (but it is across two driveways) as Tito's...

[veronykah]

Mmm, like the ones they had at the restaurant formerly known as Santana's...now its Fresh Mex or something....

[J.L.]

Hokkien mee
Real Jamon Iberico / Jabugo de Bellotas
Pierre Marcolini chocolates
L'Aduree macarons
Frigo Pie (Spanish ice cream shaped liked a foot)
Linzer torte
Kujira (nowadays)
High end Scandanavian cuisine

[la2tokyo]

lol kujira.

[Peripatetic]

While Ladurée macaroons proper haven't made it here, Pauline (Beverly Hills) and Euro Pane (Pasadena) do acceptable versions.

I think Espanola Meats (Harbor City) and Surfas (Culver City) have real Jamon Iberico.

Agree about Linzer torte: I wish I could find Linzer torte as good as I used to get from Kleine Konditorei (RIP) when I lived in Yorkville (Manhattan) in the 80's.

[J.L.]

When it comes to macarons: "Acceptable" is not acceptable... Only Laduree will do.

While I adore the people and the paella at La Espanola (and I go there regularly for other Spanish groceries they offer), their best jamon isn't even in the same ballpark as real Spanish Jamon Jabugo de Bellotas. Surfas' jamon is just plain weak.

[Peripatetic]

This list will get exponentially long if you change it to: "you would have a hard time finding THE BEST _________ in Los Angeles"!

[J.L.]

Yes, but adhering to the original post, my original reply on Jun 23 simply referred to Laduree macarons. The whole argument about quality began only after you brought it up. I am fully aware that macarons exist (and in abundance) in L.A.

[Peripatetic]

It will also go exponential if you change it to: "you would have a hard time finding SPECIFIC PRODUCER _________ in Los Angeles" :)

EDIT:

I guess a few submissions (Yuengling Beer, Dunkin Donuts iced "regular" coffee) have been producer specific, so clearly my view isn't universal. :) I do agree that Laduree macaroons are outstanding, and that Paulette and Euro Pane, while good, aren't a match.

BTW, I was just reminded that the best macaroons I've had in LA were from Jin Patisserie. Have you tried theirs?

[J.L.]

I have tried Jin's macarons, and they're OK. My favorite macarons in L.A. are from Frances Bakery in Little Tokyo.

[Peripatetic]

I haven't tried theirs yet, but will make a point of it.

[Steve2 in LA]

I bought some Jamón Ibérico at the Beverly Hills Cheese Shop awhile ago. Beautiful stuff.

[mollyomormon]

I think they source theirs through La Espagnola, but I could be wrong. Btw, if the stuff from La Espagnola is the lower grade jamon iberico de bellota, i cannot wait to try the real thing!

[J.L.]

I can only describe the native jamon Jabugo in Spain as transcendent, otherworldly - Probably the best cured meat on this planet.

...And probably illegal to import to the U.S., given current laws. [sigh]

[trvlcrzy]

You mean like this??? Photo taken in Granada (check out the price).

[J.L.]

... And like this (photo taken in Valencia)...

[susancinsf]

When I first saw this post, I thought you meant Granada Hills and got very excited... :-)

[tnsquire]

seen iberico at bristol farms for a 100 a pound,i will stay with parma at that price

[J.L.]

I've tried that too. Expensive and not good... :(

[Servorg]

I believe the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills carries a couple of types (IIRC) too.

-----
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills
419 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA

[J.L.]

Tried that too (3 times!). Alas, no dice.

[aching]

I saw some at Surfas a while back - it was selling for something like $115/pound. I've also seen it at Rivera for something like $45 for an appetizer portion. I couldn't speak to the quality of either though - it's too expensive for me!

-----
Surfas Restaurant & Supply
8777 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Rivera Restaurant
1050 S. Flower Street, #102, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[mollyomormon]

This is the same stuff that's available at La Espagnola and Cheese Store of Beverly Hills and, according to J.L., not the jamon. Still, if you end up getting a windfall, I completely think it's worth it to buy it at Surfas!

[hnsbmg]

I had the Surfas Jamón Ibérico several months ago and thought it was merely OK -- not nearly as good as fine Parma or Smithfield hams (like the Smithfield my girlfriend and I had for Christmas dinner at Windows on the World in NYC in 1997 -- the only time I've ever been served a thick slice of country ham). Surfas cut my jamón from a nearly finished piece, so it might have been visiting LA too long.

[J.L.]

Tried Surfas jamon - Not good.

Tried Rivera's jamon too - It's not up to snuff (sadly).

[WildSwede]

I think Euro Pane's macarons are very, very good. For high-end Scandinavian, come on over to my mom's. Atho, come to think of it, I don't think I even know what would be considered high end! ;-)
Wonder if Berolina Bakery in Montrose does Linzer tortes. Maybe the bakery in Alpine Village?

[Honeychan]

I'm coming to LA next weekend for my Mom's b-day, when's dinner served??*lol* I promise to sing and dance for my supper ^__^

Yes, the last time I was in the bakery in Alpine Village (in April) they had Linzer torte. Looked divine! I forget about Berolina, and I used to work in Montrose many years ago! They- should- have it.

-----
Alpine Village
, Compton, CA 90221

[mucho gordo]

I believe Benes bakeries have Linzer tortes. I'm not sure if the original location on 3rd and La Cienega is still there but they are in all the Gelson's markets.

[kauma]

J.L. is so right! High-end Scandinavian cuisine! I've always wondered why Samuelsson hasn't opened a restaurant in L.A....

(Mind you, I'd be happy if someone opened even a LOW-end Scando place here...)

And I'll be delighted to be proven wrong, but I think one would have a hard time finding a good Wiener Backhendl in town.

[mollyomormon]

Would AK on Abbott Kinney would have qualified before it became the Tasting Kitchen?

[kauma]

I'll have to defer to someone else on that one, Ms. Molly - I've never been.

Heck, I'm going to have to dig out some recipes from the family...

; )

[WildSwede]

In the meantime, you will have to do with the dinners at the Sons of Norway.

-----
Sons of Norway
14312 Friar St, Los Angeles, CA 91401

[kauma]

Oh, you. You're such a promoter. ; )

Of course I'll be there...

Tusend tak!

[gnarlex]

Back when there were only a handful of high-end restaurants in L.A. (early-'70's, pre- Ma Maison), there was Scandia on the Sunset Strip. High-end, special occasion Scandinavian dining. Long gone, of course.

[kauma]

Dear gnarlex...I remember Scandia well. Wonderful dishes - and that lovely copper bar!

And I do miss (from more recent years) Gustaf Anders. Exquisite food.

(Mind you, I'm no Scandie snob - I'm a second-generation Angelena, and I love me some MANY cuisines!)

[WildSwede]

Well, people keep asking and since all the restaurants (except Ikea) that serve Scandinavian food are long gone, SoN is the only place to get it - and it is homemade!! If people stop asking the same question, I will stop answering! Before I was born, my mom was a waitress at Scandia!

[SeaCook]

Used to have high end Scandanavian here. There was a Scadia Restaurant on Sunset Blvd and one in Beverly Hills whose name escapes me but they had really good princess cake.

[SeaCook]

I remember the one in Beverly Hills was The Konditori. Does anyone remember it?

[WildSwede]

My mom talks about it all the time - okay, maybe not all the time, but she definitely mentions it when she talks about her hangouts before I came along.

[cant talk...eating]

Doesn't Yazmin (in Alhambra) have Hokkien mee? I think I ordered it last time. Thick round noodles, sweet soy sauce. Good stuff.

-----
Yazmin Malaysian Restaurant
27 E Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

[bulavinaka]

Yes they do, although it's been a while for us. So does Manja Malaysian Cuisine in WeHo.

-----
Manja Malaysian Cuisine
8165 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

[farmertomato]

a. Cincinnati-style chili
b. New Mexico-style green chile stew

[jdwdeville]

funny, cooking cincy-style "cheese coneys" for a homesick SO as I type this. Cincy chili is a surprising omission, considering the scope of chilli styles available here at the specialist restaurants.

[farmertomato]

There was a Cincy chili house on Van Nuys Blvd for a little while, run by a Skyline alum, and it was pretty good. I don't Californians out here quite get the concept. I begged the fellow who owned Chili My Soul to do a Cincy, and he promised he would--a promise he took to his grave. A bummer in so many ways.

I make a damned fine Skyline myself, substituting turkey for beef--a change which no one ever notices.

[Will Owen]

No, I don't suppose they would ;-)

One of the main Cincinnati chili houses (Queen City, Crown City, some name like that) opened a place on Elliston Place in Nashville, a 2-block backwater where for some reason everyone thinks you can sell out-of-town food to the natives and make money at it. The Coney Dog bombed, the NY Pizza bombed, the Sherlock Holmes Pub actually lived for a few years, but Cincy chili didn't have a chance. NASHVILLE chili was weird enough already, but cloves and cinnamon was too much to bear.

[farmertomato]

The last time I went to Nashville, I figured SURELY Skyline had established a presence there, but no such luck. They are in Indianapolis, at least. None in LA, probably ever.

[WildSwede]

How about that place in Burbank - crap, I cannot remember the name. They do Cincy chili all 5 ways.

[Servorg]

Chili John's?

-----
Chili John's
2018 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

[WildSwede]

Yes, thanks!!

[SeaCook]

Yep Chili Johns on Burbank Blvd. serves Cincy chili all 5 ways. Very good too. Not open on Sundays.

-----
Chili John's
2018 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

[WildSwede]

I think they are only open til 4 and then they are closed for about a month in the summer. I would definitely call before going over to make sure they are open.

[maxzook]

They close in July.

[reality check]

No way, is chili on a 5 way at Chili Johns anything like Cinncy chili. Cinncy chili has different spices and flavors than regular chili.

-----
Chili John's
2018 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

[ipsedixit]

I know that Chili John's in Burbank will do Cincinnati Chili for you, but it's not listed on the menu, however.

-----
Chili John's
2018 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

[farmertomato]

I've been to Chili John's, and while they will do chili with spaghetti, the seasonings are nothing like Cincinnati-style: cinnamon, chocolate, etc. Sometimes I'll have it just for the similarity, but then I have to go home and make my own.

-----
Chili John's
2018 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506

[cant talk...eating]

NM style green chili: can't remember if I've posted on it, but Leo's in Lawndale (just so. of 405 Fwy. on Inglewood Blvd.) does a decent green chili that's pretty similar to what I've had in NM/El Paso. Not saying it's going to be the real deal but worth having if you're in the area.

[WildSwede]

Hi cant. Does the green chili you speak of have chunks of beef and is pretty spicy? I had some at The Fry Bread House in Phoenix a few months back (it was served with Fry Bread and I thought I had died and gone to heaven!) and had it there (the owner is from a tribe in New Mexico and this was made with Hatch chilis). I have been craving it ever since. I need to find a good recipe since I plan on getting some hatch chilis next month. Thanks! BTW, if anyone has a good recipe, can you please post it on the recipe board? TIA!!

[SeaCook]

NM green chili stew should be made with pork not beef. If I ever did up one of my NM cusine cookbooks I'll post a recipe in the appropiate forum.

[WildSwede]

Hmmm, I looked at the Fry House's menu and it said they use beef. However, I can totally see how it would be made with pork (this was my first experience with it). If you find a recipe that is good I would really appreciate your posting it, especially since I plan on getting some hatch chiles next month! Thank you so much!

[cant talk...eating]

Wild - just saw this. It's pork, typical of what's pretty common in NM. Very spare - just meat in sauce (don't remember beans, but possibly), and not really spicy (i.e., really different from the ubiquitous chile verde plates and burritos out here). I may be out on a limb, but I think the green-ness is from green chiles and not from tomatillos like the north/west Mexican version we have in L.A./SoCal, but I'll pay more attention next time and report back.

[amberk414]

I second New Mexico green chile stew. I have yet to have a New Mexican meal in Los Angeles that I haven't home cooked.

[gbpniko]

Frozen custard. I know a few places had a go at it a few years ago.

[Peripatetic]

Totally agree -- I should have put this in my "surprising omissions" category. Silky Smooth claimed to have it, but I thought their product was a poor imitation. A moot point, as they closed around two years ago.

There's a Sheriden's in Henderson just outside Las Vegas. Apparently this is the closest proper frozen custard to LA. I sure wish one of the dozens of me-too froyo places would realize there's a real opportunity here.

[Honeychan]

THIS, a million times, this. Living in Vegas, i've gotten addicted to frozen custard at Sheridan's. My mom who's in Burbank is very jealous of my glowing praise of frozen custard, and would love nothing more than to try it finally.

Maybe 31 Flavors has it out for -any- competition in iced treat products in So Cal?? Is there any Hawaiian shave ice in LA either?? Hmmm, the mind boggles...

LA is missing a smorgasbord, great German food, but the frozen custard is the worst travesty they are denied.

[Ogawak]

Since you live in Vegas, I recommend Nielsen's for frozen custard. I plan to try Sheridan's as well.

Re: Hawaiian shave ice, I recommend Get Shaved in Northridge. The ice is authentic, shaved fine, as are the syrups.

[ellen4441]

What about that Danish Smorgasbord place on Ventura Blvd, in the Woodland Hills/Tarzana area...(the name escapes me)
Is it still around?

[ba623]

Brian's Shave Ice on Sawtelle, they have Dole Whip too! My Kama'aina hubby gives it a thumbs up.

[dahulagirl]

Take it from this local girl, Get Shaved in Northridge has DA BEST fo' real Hawaii shave ice in So Cal. Hands down. In my 15 years in LA I have sampled shave ice in many places and have been disapointed until I found Get Shaved a few years ago. The owners did their research all over Hawaii and it shows in their product. They make their own syrups too.

They also have a roaming truck which is how they started.

Here's a pic of their #4 Monkey Brains
Strawberry and Banana Shave Ice with Sweetened Condensed Milk

http://www.getshavedice.com/

[WisePix]

I've never had frozen custard, but here's a chow thread I found.... maybe this will help?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/416143

www.wisepix.com

[Peripatetic]

I remember this thread. More or less arrives at the conclusion that true frozen custard isn't available in LA. Lucky Devils apparently has a version, but it's not soft-serve. Silky Smooth had a version, but the egg content was comparatively low, and they have since closed.

-----
Lucky Devils
6613 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

[huaqiao]

Not sure how authentic it is, but it's pretty tasty:

http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2009/...

[Peripatetic]

Thanks! I actually have them on my list of places to try, but forgot about them. I just don't get to that part of OC very often.

It's still a mystery to me that Vancouver _Washington_ (suburb of Portland) can have a Sheriden's, but there's no frozen custard to be found in LA county.

[1newyorkguy]

they have it at Lucky Devil's in hollywood

-----
Lucky Devils
6613 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

[Peripatetic]

Interesting, I never noticed it before. The menu says "from Pennsylvania" so presumably not freshly made, but sounds like it's worth trying. It will be hard to pass up the toasted almond shake . . .

[hnsbmg]

I've visited several Sheridan's locations around the country and think they're good but not great -- somewhat bland texture and distant, as opposed to subtle, flavors, e.g. The deliciously intense Heath Bar and caramel-crunch hurricane (the Platonic Ideal of a DQ Blizzard) that I ate at Handel's in Upland the other day was infinitely superior to anything I've ever had at a Sheridan's.

-----
Handel's Homemade Ice Cream
373 S Mountain Ave, Upland, CA 91786

[wienermobile]

There is also a new Handel's Ice Cream that just opened on PCH in Redondo Beach.

[Will Owen]

Decent cornbread. Fresh field peas. Dry-cured bacon with some FLAVOR (sorry, Niman Ranch!). Chicago-style kielbasa. AYCE catfish. Lightning bugs... okay, those aren't edible.

Of course, you'll also seldom if ever be able to find a day when the temperature and humidity are both pushing 100... ;-)

[Jordan]

Can't help you with the other things, but try Nueske's bacon, available (for a price!) at Gelson's and How's.

[Peripatetic]

There's two sides to this: dishes that you don't expect to find in LA, and dishes that are surprising omissions.

Don't expect:
- Schweinshaxe (though I understand Jagerhaus in Anaheim has it)
- Semmelknödel
- Curry wurst
- Rijsttafel
- Bitterballen
- Käsekrainer (though someone should really open a käsekrainer chain here!)
- Tafelspitz
- Kedgeree

Surprising omissions:
- Mission-style burritos (I know there are some approximations, but not the real deal)
- New York-style egg rolls
- Crispy aromatic duck (though I believe Mr Chow's has a version)
- Smörgåsbord

[Servorg]

I believe that Ramayani on Westwood Blvd. just north of Santa Monica Blvd. offers a Rijsttafel. I have not had it so don't know the quality.

-----
Ramayani Westwood
1777 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[Peripatetic]

You're right; there's even photo evidence:

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/COWNd6...

Surprising to see it at what appears to be an otherwise authentic Indonesian restaurant.

[Will Owen]

It's authentic Indonesian, but it's clear the owners kinda miss the Dutch, judging from the mixture of Asian and European goodies for sale at the front of the place. Imagine a Macanese restaurant with Portuguese-accented dishes, or an Indian restaurant with Anglo-Indian... oh, that's right, there ARE some, aren't there?

We've eaten there once, and the cooking was excellent, especially for the prices; it looks fancy, but lunch is 'way reasonable. I would like to have a rijstaffel once in my life, at least, and this looks like one of the few spots left on earth.

[foodiemahoodie]

What's a "New York" style egg roll?

[Peripatetic]

It's a staple of Americanized Chinese food in New York and Boston. The kind I grew up with was filled with cabbage and iridescent roast pork, and had a thick skin that blistered during frying. Typically it's served with "duck sauce", which is sort of like sweet red dipping sauce you get here, but with a more apple / apricot tang.

Numerous threads have been dedicated to this elusive specialty over the years:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/76077
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/350293
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/457711
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/370251
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/347244
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/647551

[orythedog]

NY style egg rolls at Genghis Cohen

-----
Genghis Cohen
740 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

[Ciao Bob]

This is one of the best ch threads i've read in years! Keep 'em comin'

Re: Schweinshaxe - this is hardly trad. German, and yet, strangely, it is damn close. Either way it is the best pig knuckle I know in LA: German Pork ______ (the blank here is filled in with something, maybe "leg" on the menu) aka "kaa moo" at
Nad Pob Thai Cafe
4321 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90029

[Peripatetic]

Interesting! Is it roasted or stewed?

[Ciao Bob]

Very crunchy skin, might be roasted or possibly fried in some manner.

[huaqiao]

I saw some nice schweinshaxe in a Thai food court in Bangkok years back. I'll check to see if I still have the pic when I get home.

German pig knuckle is very well known in Asia.

[dahulagirl]

New Moon in Valencia, Downtown, and Montrose have very good New York Style Egg Rolls.
http://www.newmoonrestaurants.com/men...

[outshined]

Yuengling Beer.

[heckonwheels]

I'm sure Stuffed Sandwich would have it.

-----
Stuffed Sandwich
1145 E Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA

[mygirlbakes AL]

Doesn't seem to be on their beer menu, actually, but please do correct me if I'm just not seeing it (it's a BIG menu!) Easy to overlook I'm sure.

[outshined]

Nowhere on the West Coast. I have no idea why.

[ipsedixit]

Yuengling is sort of like the east coast beer equivalent of In-N-Out.

They don't distribute outside of the eastern seaboard b/c of limited distribution facilities and channels (and they don't ship their beer b/c of the Byzantine morass of state and federal alcohol laws).

[TracyO]

Way back to the pirogues. I'm Russian, not Polish, but the ones at Warszawa are REALLY great. My favorite are the mushroom. Better fried than steamed (like most things). If you want something non-traditional try their salmon dumplings which are sublime. This is the only truly European restaurant I've been to in Los Angeles. I'd love to hear of others.

-----
Warszawa Restaurant
1414 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[Servorg]

If you love Polish or European pierogies in general check out J & T European Gourment Foods on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica.

-----
J & T European Gourmet Food
1128 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

[maxzook]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/332293

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/587680

According to the above, Yuengling isn't distributed in California, but John's Philly Grille may still carry it.

-----
John's Philly Grille
16061 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

John's Philly Grille
20379 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

John's Philly Grille
550 Pacific Coast Hwy Ste 102, Seal Beach, CA 90740

[Octhemike]

I was just at the Brickyard Pub in Noho this weekend and they had it.

http://www.brickyardnoho.com/

[JAB]

I've seen at at Ramirez Liquor in EastLos as well.

[martyR]

Scrapple

[laliz]

I've found Jones (brand) scrapple in the frozen food section at the grocery store

[mucho gordo]

Tried it once. Maybe I didn't fix it right or the way they do in Philly but I found it to be tasteless and bland.

[Trager]

Philly's Best in Irvine serves up scrapple flown in from the motherland during AM Eagles games.

[kevin]

Is it alwyas on their menu?

Wow, never knew about that.

Thanks for the tip.

[Servorg]

By my count the Eagles have 9 "morning" games here on the west coast next season. That means 9 times you can get scrapple (assuming Trager is right about this).

[kevin]

Sadly, I didn't pay attention to the teams or games. I'll take food any day over sports. And that's my lot in life.

I'll only go to a sports event if I the eats are good, or I can go on a junk-food malaise.

[Trager]

I grew up in Philly, and have a good friend who's a huge Eagles fan. We used to get together at that PB to watch games, and it's a heck of an experience. There's a guy who pulls up to the store with a pair of seats salvaged from Veteran's Stadium mounted to the back of his truck. They also carry Frank's beverages, which I can't find anywhere else here in SoCal. You could probably call to make sure just prior to the first morning game, but I'd be surprised if they stopped with the scrapple tradition.

[Hillbilly Moonshiner]

I think head cheese is a better Philly-style breakfast meat than scrapple, though less popular, and I haven't seen it in LA either. Other possibilities include apple dumplings, shoe fly pie, Pat's / Geno's - style long rolls, the Le Bec Fin dessert cart, and a yearly bike race featuring more morning-drunkenness than Mardi Gras.

[Trager]

Le Bec Fin is still open? I haven't been there in yeeeeears.

[Peripatetic]

"The fate of Le Bec-Fin was sealed, however, after an unfavorable local review, prompting Perrier to announce his retirement in February 2012 and immediately sell Le Bec-Fin to one of its former managers, Nicolas Fanucci, who will re-open the restaurant in June 2012 after remodeling and making minor adjustments. Master chef Walter Abrams, formerly of the restaurant French Laundry, will lead the kitchen, stressing locally-grown ingredients and fresh produce."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Bec-Fin

[Dommy]

Lindy and Grundy's sometimes makes fresh scrapple. Call ahead...

--Dommy!

[Jase]

NY Style Chinese...heh, heh...

[wienermobile]

Roasted Chicken flavored Lay's potato chips. (Had them in Paris just cause I thought they sounder weird and unexpectedly they were really surprisingly good)

[blizz]

I don't know about LA specifically but these are definitely available in the US. I've seen them in a number of Indian grocery stores throughout the country. There's also a more gourmet brand called Tyrrell's which has similar flavors and is available in LA.

[wienermobile]

Thanks

[GenevieveCa]

Ketchup chips, or All dressed chips, we have them up in Montreal, sometimes i've seen them on the east coast, but never here. And the Ketchup Fries chips are NOT the same.

[Dommy]

I believe that Earls Gourmet Grub in Mar Vista has Ketchup Chips... Chips are their 'thing'

--Dommy!