Are Food Feuds (or Food Wars, depending what channel you watch) in Los Angeles?

[ipsedixit]

If you watch Food Network, you'll know about Food Feuds with Michael Simon.

If you watch the Travel Channel, you'll know about Food Wars.

But the idea is the same, two local favorites battle it out for "The Best" or supremacy in that particular food genre.

Like, Pat and Geno's for the Philly Cheesesteak. Or Juniors and Eileens for the NY-Style Cheesecake. Etc.

Are there similar food feuds or wars in Los Angeles?

Here's my very truncated and limited list and my educated guess at what the hoi polloi would consider the winner in parentheses:

- Pastrami Sandwich: Langer's v. Canter's (winner: Langer's?)

- Xiao Long Bao: Din Tai Fung v. Dean Sin World (winner: Din Tai Fung?)

- Best high-end burger: Father's Office v. Foundry (winner: FO?)

- Dim Sum: Elite v. Sea Harbour (winner: __?)

- Fish Tacos: Best Fish Tacos Ensenada v. Tacos Baja Ensenada (winner: __?)

- Korean BBQ: Park's v. Soot Bull Jeep (winner: Park's?)

- Omakase (traditional edomae): Zo v. Mori (winner: Mori?)

Thoughts?

Other food feuds or wars?

[ipsedixit]

We should probably add a Banh Mi battle (so obvious, how could I forget) ...

In the chain/franchise category: Lee's v. Mr. Baguette

In the Mom&Pop category: Baguette City v. Banh Mi My Tho

-----
Mr. Baguette
400 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754

Banh Mi My Tho
304 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Baguette City
9505 Garvey Ave, South El Monte, CA 91733

[Ogawak]

How about:

Bludso's vs. BigMista
Phillips vs Porky's

On ones previously mentioned:

I really like:
Stan's vs. Bob's vs. Randy's
Phillipes vs. Coles
Elite vs. Sea Harbour
Din Tai Fung vs. Dean Sin World
Parks vs. Soot Bul Jeep
Santouka vs. Daikokuya

Are there really peers/rivals for:

El Tepeyec Hollenbeck burrito
Langer's pastrami
Bay Cities Godmother
Vito's (Mozza doesn't really count)
Father's Office hamburger
Bulgarini gelato?

-----
Din Tai Fung Restaurant
1108 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

Daikokuya
327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Dean Sin World
306 N Garfield Ave # 2, Monterey Park, CA

Father's Office Bar
1618 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA

[ipsedixit]

Actually, I think Scoops gelato can give Bulgarini a run for its money.

I know people think of Scoops more for ice cream -- and Tai's outrageous creations -- but give his gelato a try sometime. You'll be surprised.

[Peripatetic]

FO vs Umami? They even have dueling service issues.

[DrBruin]

Bay Cities Godmother vs. Subway's Spicy Italian.

Kidding... about Subway. Is there a comparable italian deli meat sandwich to Bay Cities that people are equally passionate about?

[mdpilam]

Just had Wally's Italian Hero (in their cheese shop), and I'd say it rivaled Bay Cities - though I really like their spicy hot pepper relish. But I prefer Wally's ciabatta roll, as it is easier to eat.

[Peripatetic]

Fun topic! I'll add:

Bob's vs Stan's (vs Randy's)

Pann's vs Roscoe's

Kyochon vs BonChon

[ns1]

Kyochon

[Peripatetic]

Agreed, though the sport is to identify the rivalry, not pick the (sometimes obvious) winner.

[Peripatetic]

Maybe also: Pinkberry vs Red Mango

There are many other decent froyo places, but arguably Pinkberry pinched the concept from Red Mango, so it's something of a grudge match.

[ipsedixit]

"Maybe also Pinkberry vs Red Mango"
________________

Meh, that's so 2008. :-)

[Peripatetic]

Another possibility: BCD Tofu vs Beverly Tofu

I've never been to either, though, as I'm So Kong Dong devotee.

[taiwanesesmalleats]

If anything, it'd be Beverly vs So Kong Dong IMO.

-----
So Kong Dong
2716 W Olympic Blvd Ste 104, Los Angeles, CA 90006

[Peripatetic]

Google agrees with you:

"beverly tofu" "bcd tofu" site:chow.com = 29 results
"bcd tofu" "so kong dong" site:chow.com = 50 results
"beverly tofu" "so kong dong" site:chow.com = 53 results

[taiwanesesmalleats]

In that battle, my vote is for Beverly. ;)

[Mr Taster]

Beverly for the beautiful, smoky, perfectly cooked bbq squid!

Mr Taster

[Ogawak]

I think a classic battle in LA is:

Apple Pan vs. Pie N Burger and throw in a Jongewaard's Bake N Broil

I think Langers needs to go up against Brent's

How about New Moon vs. Paul's Kitchen?

Is there a Cut vs. Mastro's vs. Ruth Chris battle?

Or Vito's vs. Joe's?

-----
New Moon Restaurant
2138 Verdugo Blvd, Montrose, CA 91020

Apple Pan
10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Paul's Kitchen
1012 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[ns1]

Vito's v Joe's

= Vito's

[andytseng]

Does anyone really consider Canter's pastrami to be better than Langer's? I think people just go there because of convenience (hours and location).

I don't think there are many (if any) food "feuds" in LA, but maybe we could play host to an In-n-Out vs. Five Guys war.

[reality check]

I can understand why Five Guys and In N Out, wouldn't be on the list. Five Guys has only five LA area locations, and three of them opened up within the past 6-8 months. So not enough people have tried Five Guys.

I would add, Fosselmans vs Handels.

[Burger Boy]

Is that really a battle, they are both great! Maybe Scoops vs The Italian way up on Lake Street.

[ipsedixit]

"I don't think there are many (if any) food "feuds" in LA, but maybe we could play host to an In-n-Out vs. Five Guys war."

______________________________

I really don't think that's regional enough. In N Out versus Tommy's maybe?

I think you're right re: Langer's and pastrami.

Maybe a better pastrami question would be The Hat versus Oinkster?

Or if you want to stick with Langer's and pastrami, maybe it should be which Langer's sandwich is the best -- i.e. No. 1 versus No. 19?

[Burger Boy]

Who would you nominate for Sushi?

[Burger Boy]

Tito's Tacos vs Pepe's in Alhambra
Brooklyn Bagel vs Western Bagel
Casa Bianca vs Petrillos
Vito''s vs Village Pizza

-----
Tito's Tacos
11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230

Western Bagel
21749 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

[ipsedixit]

Is there really a battle between bagels? I think the general consensus is that either (1) they are all bad or (2) they are all about the same.

[Mr Taster]

Vito's vs. Village seems like an awfully random pairing when interloper Joe's of Bleecker is right up the street from Vito.

Mr Taster

[Burger Boy]

If you are gonna do burgers you need to include 26 Beach! The Katsu California Roll Hamburger and now The Yuki Spicy Tuna Burger. This place is doing the most innovative burgers in LA! Check this out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK401k...

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

[taiwanesesmalleats]

Philippe's vs Cole's

[ipsedixit]

Yes, of course. How could I forget that one.

[ns1]

"- Fish Tacos: Best Fish Tacos Ensenada v. Tacos Baja Ensenada (winner: __?)"

Ricky's VS All

Taco Zone vs La Estrella
Fabs Vs Slaw Dogs
Santouka vs Daikokuya

-----
Daikokuya
327 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Santouka
3760 S Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Tacos Baja Ensenada
385 W Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640

La Estrella Restaurant
330 E Orange Grove Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

Tacos Ensenada
24601 Raymond Way Ste 1, Lake Forest, CA 92630

The Slaw Dogs
720 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

[Burger Boy]

Fab's is a slam dunk on that one!