July 4th - me and 2 kids downtown/Dodgers

[BillyBob]

Staying in a hotel downtown and going to the Dodgers game - which starts at 6pm. Kids will be on east coast time (we're from NYC), so I'm a little worried they will get hungry before the first pitch. They are adventurous eaters - any suggestions? Any ethnic works, but convenience matters given the tight timing.... Thanks

[sushigirlie]

I would take them to La Golondrina on Olvera Street. It's a bit touristy, but the kids will like it. And though it's not a Chowhound favorite, I've always enjoyed the food there. I love the chips and guacamole and the creamy hot sauce you can request.

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

La Golondrina
17 Olvera St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

[nosh]

My favorite taqueria is just north of downtown and Chinatown, very convenient to Dodger Stadium, and very fast. Head north on Broadway, thru Chinatown, and a few long blocks later Carnitas Michaocan will be on your left, on the N/W corner of No. Broadway at 19th. Parking behind. Order at one window, pick up on the inside window, eat at the covered seating or take with you. Very good carne asada, even better al pastor from a rotisserie spit. Soft tacos are small, I like the burritos, kids might really like the nachos which can be ordered with meat on top. But the real secret here is their hot sauce -- thin, smoky, complex, spicy -- my favorite in all of L.A.

[Servorg]

Really good food at Michaocan...great suggestion for Dodger Stadium bound hungry fans.

[cls]

wondered what that place was like. Good name.

[cls]

I say do a modern take on a Dodger dog and go to Wurstkuche.

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Wurstkuche
800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

[granadafan]

Seconded. Wurstkuche is a fantastic place.

PS, I hope the Dodgers honor your tickets!

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Wurstkuche
800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

[wienermobile]

Call first. Many places are closed on the 4th in downtown.

[AAQjr]

We always used to go to Philippe's for french dip sandwiches as a family before Dodger games back in the day. Freeway convenient, a piece of old LA, Lamb dip with spicy mustard, a glass of wine (for the adults) from their surprisingly decent wine list. Not a bad way to go.

[Phurstluv]

Be aware, the lines are LOOOOONNNNGGGG at Philippe's.

Chinatown is right there, to the west of Philippe's.

Or if you don't mind stopping by LA Live, where the Staples Center and Nokia Theater are, there are lots of places right there: Rosa's Mexicano & Yard House come to mind. If there's no show, it shouldn't be too crowded, and would probably be quicker than waiting in line at Philippe's.

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Staples Center
1111 S Figueroa St Ste 3100, Los Angeles, CA 90015

[wienermobile]

Even when Philippe's is very busy I've never waited more than 15 minutes. The lines move fast. Free Parking too. Plus another vote for the Lamb Dip and some pie.
http://www.philippes.com/

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Philippe the Original
1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

[Phurstluv]

I have. First and last time, too.

[perk]

15 minutes in "adult time" is a lot different than 15 minutes in "kids time."

[Phurstluv]

Isn't it though?? And I know we waited much longer than that, it was a weekend, that may make a difference. But once again, it was more hype than substance for me, once we got the food (lamb dip, potato salad). Glad I tried it, my FIL was happy as he has memories of the place, but now I've been there done that, and the kids enjoy El Tepeyac more than this place. And to us, that is worth the wait, Philippe's isn't.

[wienermobile]

Philippe's is something I grew up with so it has a warm place in my heart. It just makes me happy the moment I walk in their door. I get there maybe twice a year and I still really do enjoy that lamb dip and pie. A part of LA history since 1908 and coffee is still only 9 cents. Nostalgia can still taste good especially with their homemade mustard.

[Jack Flash]

I have seen longer-than-usual lines before Dodger games, but since nobody is going to the games anymore, I doubt that's going to be much of a problem.