I have never, ever, had a bad meal at ____________and I have eaten there over a dozen times!

[orythedog]

I have never, ever, had a bad meal at the Original Pancake House and I have eaten there over a dozen times. Seriously, I have been going there for years and have eaten my way through at least 1/2 to 3/4's of the menu and it is awesome. The food is good, the service is good, the value is good. They know what they are doing!

So, the rules are simple:

1. You have never, ever had a bad meal there...and

2. You have eaten at this place over a dozen times. (and...RECENTLY)

No, I had a good dish there, or this place used to be great, or it's usually pretty decent, or historically it has been good but I haven't been there in a while, or my friend likes it...

OK, everyone, here we go...

I have never, ever had a bad meal at ______________ and I have eaten there over a dozen times!

[BrewNChow]

In'n'out
Santouka
Zam Zam
Bay Cities
Simpang Asia

[bulavinaka]

I've been absent from Simpang Asia for a little while - went last weekend and was surprised that they fancied up their eatery one more level. While the food was still good, I was a little disappointed by things like the portion size and preparation of the roti paratha - like they got one roti, folded it in quarters and cut it into several small pieces?? And the krokets were barely warm?? Thank goodness the nasi lemak and ketan item were still killer...

[dabruins07]

Brent's deli
Bay cities
Cupids
Tommy's

[reneemgreen]

I joined Chow for the first time today after years of lurking, just to reply to this post. Because no one has mentioned it before: La Petite Creperie at Grand View/Venice http://www.lpcmarvista.com/

Lovely people, lovely food, lovely to eat brunch on a Sunday during the adjacent Mar Vista Farmer's Market. From which they source many of their ingredients.

[J.L.]

Welcome to Chowhound! And thanks for the tip!

[Servorg]

There have been some good reviews of La Petite Creperie on the board before such as this one from a little while back: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/718182

[hbgypsy]

Naples Rib Joint in Long Beach...or is it Naples

[running pig]

Round Table Pizza!!!

[rickym13]

langer's
father's office
cook's torta
bollini pizza

[chez cherie]

canele

[LAmaggie]

Kiriko
Torihei

[poggibonzzi]

Tasty Garden (just the Valley Road branch),
Soot Bull Jeep,
Mario's Peruvian

[JosephEBacon]

Taylor's Steak House on 8th/Irolo
Damon's in Glendale,
Nate & Al
Langer's
Brent's (BLACK PASTRAMI REUBEN!)
Skooby's for Hot Dogs
Taix
Caveman Kitchen (great burger)

[J.L.]

Kiriko.

[ThatPat]

Can't afford dinner there but the lunch omakase makes me very happy even at the new high price of $40. And Ken and Shinji are really sweet guys.

[ThatPat]

I practically live at Tender Greens in Santa Monica. It's my "Cheers"--everybody knows my name. I've eaten there several times a week practically since they opened last year except when I went on a trip and never had a bad meal. Healthy and good tasting and cheap (everything $11 or less).

[VenusCafe]

Just three:
Nobu,
Spago
and Fish Grill.
Fish Grill being 'as kosher as you wanna be', closed at sunset on Friday and on Saturday.
The cleanest, brightest tastiest mesquite grilled fish tacos with excellently FRESH salsa
We eat there probably 2, sometimes 3X a week. (we are pescatarians, hence these choices!)
Also several other fish dishes including salmon. We have a 3X standard, eat there 3X and
if it is good 3X, it is probably a winner. Nobu, Spago and Fish Grill are great.
I'd love to include Providence, but I'm not yet at double digit there. (though i wish to be!)

[Servorg]

When you say "Nobu" are you talking about Nobu in Malibu or his more recent iteration in the old L'Orangerie space?

[VenusCafe]

I'm talking Nobu in Malibu, the only restaurant phone # that was ever emblazoned in
my mind (and heart), What a treat, I'm surprised nobody else included it here.

[VenusCafe]

After seeing your consistent support of Ricky's Fish Tacos, I looked it up online and it is quite
worth a visit, although it is a good distance, I do not do Twitter and I'd hate to go so far and be disappointed. Those tacos look great!
At Fish Grill the tacos are considerably more plain and without nearly as much 'adventure' piled on, and being kosher, no shellfish. Grill fish tacos are outstanding IMO, but not as varied as Ricky's. Do you know what fish Ricky uses in his fish tacos?

[Servorg]

As far as positive support for Ricky's Fish Tacos in THIS thread you are mistaking me for Wienermobile, ns1 and one other poster (scurvy perhaps?).

[budlit]

tilapia : (

[VenusCafe]

Ooops That doesn't sound too good. Thanks for the heads up.

[ns1]

unless he changed it up, Ricky's uses basa.

I know this because I asked him to his face.

note to all: don't get the lobster tacos

documented proof:
SI: And what kind of fish do you use for the tacos?

RP: A Vietnamese catfish. It's called basa.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/20...

[budlit]

just as bad as tilipia

[ns1]

it's okay to admit you were wrong.

[VenusCafe]

ns, I really need you to elaborate on the lobster taco as that is what I would travel across L.A. to order. Thanks!

[wienermobile]

No, what you want is Ricky's fish taco. It so tender, tasty and light. Trust me.

[PeterCC]

I am curious too. If I went all the way there, I'd definitely get the fish tacos, but I would also want to try the lobster tacos. Is it that they're bad, or just not as good in comparison to the fish tacos?

[Servorg]

If I was going to get "other" than fish from Ricky I'd get the shrimp tacos. Nothing against Ricky's lobster tacos, but lobster tacos in general don't do much for me since the flavor and freshness can vary so much (at least from what I've found over the years) that I no longer order them except under very specific conditions (that is it's "spiny lobster" season here and I know the lobster isn't one of those "long time no sea" versions you find around town).

[PeterCC]

Thanks Servorg. How large are the tacos (and how much)? For a first-timer who wants to try as much as possible, would getting one each of fish, shrimp, and lobster (I'm stubborn, want to try it for myself), be "too much"? I know "too much" is highly variable person-to-person, but just trying to figure out if the tacos are on the smaller side or the larger side.

[Servorg]

The lobster tacos are huge. Even the fish and shrimp are good sized. I can do 3 when I'm hungry but that should be a filling meal for you. Fish and shrimp are $3 and lobster are $7.

[ns1]

I have had several people (including myself) eat the lobster tacos and the result is always the same: the fish/shrimp tacos are vastly superior.

the lobster tacos are expensive ($7 or so) but huge (he uses half a lobster tail per taco). But you throw it in the deep fryer and then into a taco and the tail loses something. The texture of the lobster does not deliver the same "magic" as the fish or shrimp tacos.

Trust, the shrimp/fish tacos are a thing of synergistic beauty. The lobster tacos are an expensive novelty item.

[wienermobile]

agree......3 fish tacos is the my meal of choice and you will be very full.

[ns1]

oh yeah, ricky's special is a taco with both shrimp and fish. that said, i preferred them not combined.

i always want 3 fish tacos, but usually stop at 2...

[choctastic]

Happy Family, on Atlantic, in Monterey Park. I go there for the lunch special a lot and the food is always good, servers generally fast and pleasant, and the parking is great if you go before 12 pm.

[ns1]

FWIW, I stopped going to Happy Family and started going to Vege Gourmet (or gourmet vege? Can't tell). Felt VG was every bit as good as happy family but with less grease/msg.

[Steve2 in LA]

Yuca's, Silverlake
Versailles, Encino
Nat's Early Bite, Van Nuys
Popeye's, Sherman Oaks
and, if a sandwich counts as a meal: Artisan Cheese Shop, Studio City

[Beignets]

pizzeria mozza
sin ba la
gjelina
golden deli
in n out
nbc for dim sum

Not at all speaking about the experience (service could be downright atrocious in some of these places), just strictly about the food.

and not quite a dozen time yet but very close, animal.

[magiccat]

La Serenata - the one on Pico just west of the Westside Pavilion/Westwood Blvd.

First, they meticulous about the preparations of the ingredient (for example, i have a pet peeve about restaurants that include the nasty tip of a chicken breast - which is cartilage or something worse - in their chicken just because it is there and it is easier not to bother chopping it off). For that reason, I am wary when I order any shredded chicken dish. I spent half of my time the first couple of times I ordered chicken enchiladas con mole (as with every new dish) looking around the shredded chicken for bad bits, and never saw one, nor do I know of any now that I have eaten their shredded chicken many times. This may sound petty to those who don't mind an unexpected bit of texture in their sandwich, but makes me very happy.

But I would never dine there, even with its clean chicken, if I did not love the food. The restaurant is known for its sauces and they are authentic and generally deeply flavored, whether spicy or not. I am particularly partial to the spicy and very flavorful molcajete sauce, which they regularly use in several dishes but which works beautifully in a plate of chilaquilles. (Not on the menu, but no one has ever batted an eyelash at my request for a side any time of day.)

Wonderful food all the time. Also, La Serenata serves a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays with the various sauces, eggs, potatoes and the like, all complemented by the regular menu. As to dessert, the warm bread pudding with bananas and chocolate chunks does not offend, either.

[ThatPat]

I respectfully disagree. The last few times I have been the food has been extremely mediocre (to everyone in a group of 6) and the service terrible. Perhaps I should give it another try based on your praise, but there are too many other restaurants in that area I like.

[magiccat]

I would be happy to know what area restaurants you like - even if I do love Serenata, I can't eat every meal there. Although if the alternative was the Westside Tavern,
I just might. Cannot understand what anyone sees in that place.

Thanks.

[VenusCafe]

Hi MagiC,
Try the Emerald Restaurant on Venice. Pretty solid with an army of regulars who come
1-3 times a week. they go as a Thai restaurant, but it really feels more generically Asian
to me. But tastee. I didn't put it on my list as I stopped being a regular when I moved away.
I also really like Habiyat, in that general neighborhood, of which has been written;
'Sometimes, you cannot conceive of how much love can be cooked into a falafel. Many falafel are sad, desiccated creatures... it's the rare place that makes falafel from fresh ingredients. But Habayit Restaurant's falafel are beyond even that ...'
Habiyat is even closer to westside pavillion.

Habiyat 11921 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 [phone] ...

Emerald Restaurant
9315 Venice Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
Neighborhood: Palms

[ThatPat]

I almost don't want to give it away. There is a new izakaya on Pico across the street from the Landmark and slightly west called Backhouse. The food is fresh and terrific--haven't tasted a single thing I haven't liked--and I have been there 4 times in the last month. Everybody who comes with me loves it. It's cheap enough anyway but if you go before 6:30 they have happy hour which is soooo cheap. It's just one little plain room but they will be adding on an adjacent space in future. The other place I like in the area is The Six which is on Pico 3 doors east of Overland on the south side of the street. Great hamburger/sweet potato fries, very nice salmon salad, etc. Sports bar decor but actually very pleasant and not noisy if you don't go late. Westside Tavern is good enough but crowded and overpriced IMO. Jaipur IMO is better than La Serenata. I would only go there for a margarita.

[Servorg]

Backhouse has been briefly mentioned at least a couple of time here on the L.A. board (see linked thread for one): http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8489...

[ndukka562]

Jongewaard's Bake and Broil

[funkycold]

Colmao - Cuban on Pico
Cacao in Eagle Rock
Guisado's in Boyle Heights
Nick's Cafe on Pico

[risaz]

In n Out!

[honkman]

This is not the discusdion about places you tried a dozen times and never had a good meal

[New Trial]

I would add Jar and Waterloo & City to the mix.

[foufou]

really like Jar's duck fried rice and char siu pork chop...

[MSEats]

Ernie's Taco House - North Hollywood
There are other locations but not the same. The one in Eagle Rock doesn't even come close.

[blueline]

K-Zo
La Scala Presto (Brentwood)
Da Pasquale
Tender Greens

[antob]

Langer's
Metro Cafe C.C.

[bulavinaka]

Metro Cafe is always solid. As much as I avoid eateries in tiny slots where the tables are spaced elbow&asses, Metro is in our regular rotation. Always enjoy the food there. Some have complained about the food taking too long. But over a cup of coffee, glass of wine or beer, it's rarely seemed long to us. And Saša is the consummate host. I can't think of a dish there that I've considered mediocre, and his crepes are amazing.

[westsidegal]

concur with bulavinaka about those crepes. . . .
one of the few places that gets the correct flour:egg ratio.

[katydid13]

Marouch, Versailles

[EricDC]

Comme ca
Bay Cities
Santouka

Literally the only places I've ever gone that many times, at least that I can think of... a dozen?

Although, I guess that is testament to the places they've forged in my heart.

[silverlakebodhisattva]

Ditto on Marouch and Versailles, , at least if I limit Versailles to the Venice Bl., and LaCienega locations only. I've enjoyed very meal I've eaten there in the last twenty-two years (I remember a couple of mis-steps before that, when my office was up the street, and I ate there a LOT). Their effort to open a food-court version at Universal Studios was a dismal failure, though.

[Ernie]

Musso & Frank
Bandera
Din Tai Fung
Golden Deli

[wienermobile]

I just love Musso & Frank's Thursday night Chicken Pot Pie so much.

[ozhead]

Nat's West Cafe -- Topanga Cyn. just north of Roscoe. Breakfasts.

[whatsfordinner]

I'll play!
Langer's
Phillipe's
Barbrix
Apple Pan
Nanbankan
Musha
Bar Pinxto
Bay Cities

[westsidegal]

ayara thai cuisine
fig
coni'seafood
k-zo
800 degrees

[BubblyOne]

The Fountain (BH Hotel)
Nate 'n Al
Spago
Tommy's

[Titiany]

Cube
Tavern
Mulberry Street Pizzeria
In-n-out
BLD
Lou - last visit prior to management change
Finn McCool's
Larchmont Bungalow

[The Oracle]

In n Out

Julienne's (San Marino, b'fast)

Fosselman's (Alhambra) - who says ice cream isn't a meal?! :)

[TonyC]

Bludso's
DSW
Old Country Cafe
Pailin
Rocio's (soon to be a dozen)
Yoma

Beyond those, I try not to eat anywhere "a dozen" times. There are too many restaurants to explorer in LA.

[cdub]

Mozza
Yamadaya
Roma deli
Nat's early bite

[honkman]

Animal, Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza, Bistro LQ and it's pop-up versions, Gjelina,

[Porthos]

I would have also added Bistro LQ and the LQ@SK pop ups but I think I've only been 9 or 10 times and not technically over a dozen...

[zack]

Same here, LQ@SK was my go to dinner that I could always count on for creative and tasty food. The 5-course + cheese are a steal at those prices. I look forward to a continuation at his pop-up next at Good Girl Dinette (going Mon!).

[PattyC]

What did you think of the dinner last night compared to past dinners?

[zack]

Food was inventive and solid as usual, but pacing was a bit off. Understandable for night 1 of the pop-up due to different setting, space (double of Starry Kitchen), kitchen, staff. Glad I was in the 1st seating because the later arrivals did not get food until 9:30p. Sadly, cheese cart did not make an appearance this week. Favorites for me were the 2nd and 4th courses, market vegetables with halibut cheeks and lamb composition (kidney not for the faint of heart!). New menu here:
http://www.bistrolq.com/LQ/GGD/Menu/

[Servorg]

If you haven't been to Red Medicine yet I suggest you make it your next stop, without delay. We had the brussels sprouts, the foie gras, the porridge with uni and egg, and the carmelized black vinegar pork, finally ending with the giant brisket (plus 3 out of the 4 desserts of which the coconut bavarois was the clear winner to me). All of the dishes were excellent, with the porridge making the top of the list from my taste buds point of view.

My only regret is getting both the pork dish and the brisket. Too similar a taste profile and I wish the waiter had warned me about that fact (I asked him to let me know if any of our dishes were too similar or needed to be adjusted for any reason but I think he just sort of ignored that statement).

[ns1]

Looking at the RM menu, is it possible to get out of there under $100 after tip with only soft drinks?

[Servorg]

I would think it would be close, but the thing that surprised (and impressed) me was that the dishes were much more substantial than I thought they were going to be. For instance, the brussels sprouts dish easily fed 3 very hungry diners. And all the other dishes were also quite generously portioned.

[PattyC]

I was there for the first seating too and being our first time I was wondering if the pacing was due to the new setting. We got done close to 10:00pm and when we left our second seating neighbors had just gotten their first course. My favorites were the foie and dessert courses. I thought my halibut was slightly overdone as well as my sweetbreads (which I sort of also attributed to the new space). The tongue and kidney were really nice though. For the price, I definitely want to try it again. Thanks for your thoughts.

[JAB]

R&D

[foufou]

Marston's

Bay Cities

Oak Tree Inn (South Pasadena)

Popeye's (fried chicken)

Dog Haus

Bludso's

[Hillbilly Moonshiner]

I'm surprised about Popeye's. I've found that it's generally good in places like New Orleans and Atlanta, but every time I've eaten at one outside the deep south, I've been deeply disappointed. What's your preferred location?

[foufou]

Lake Avenue in Pasadena and either of the two locations on Valley in Alhambra....all three of these locations are high turnover locations and the chicken is great

[zack]

I want to love Dog Haus since the locations are close to me but every meal disappoints because of comparison to my gold standard Wurstkuche. From the sausages, toppings, beer selection, Wurstkuche wins hands down. Now if I can only get the DJ to turn it down a notch…

[foufou]

I will check out Wurstkuche when I have an opportunity....I compared it to Slaw Dogs which disappointed.

[flowergirl]

FarmShop - Mario's Peruvian - Kate Mantilini - The Rainbow (pizza) - M street Kitchen (formerly la Grande Orange) - Lawrys - Bandera - Coast at Shutters - Da Pasquale - 26 Beach - The Griddle for breakfast - Uncle Bill's (M B) for breakfast,

[yogachik]

Chinois
Catch
Via Portofino
Via Veneto
Bandera
Vito
Umami
Gjelina
Bar Pintxo
Tacos por Favor

(sorry, very Westside-centric)

[yogachik]

I meant Locanda Portofino (on Montana Ave) - won't let me edit it for some reason.

[latindancer]

Bar on 4
Mariposa
Langer's
Rustic Canyon
Fig
Frida Taqueria Brentwood
Grill on the Alley
Il Piccolino
In n Out
Nate 'n Al's
Chinois

[cookie monster]

Abbot's Pizza

Dagwood's Pizza

26 Beach

Gjelina

Hal's

[guess where I live]

[bulavinaka]

It used to be, "da 'hood yo." Now it's, "nice scarf, bro!"

imho, the mothership for Abbot's Pizza still is the best of the three I've tried, but the Culver City location is good too. The Pico location? It's been not so good to me on the few visits up through early last year.

26 Beach's burgers are always great, but I can't finish one without the bun disintegrating.

Gjelina. Big +1. The only place that makes me think that Ron Swanson's meatatarian rigor is wrong. The vegetable dishes are like sirens' songs.

[cookie monster]

So true! Hard to believe that when I first decided to move here 16+ years ago the common reaction from friends and family was "is that safe?"

Agree on the Abbot's Pizza mothership. Haven't tried CC but Pico has definitely disappointed.

The vegetables also draw me back to Gjelina again and again. Oh, and the lamb meatballs ...

[VenusCafe]

Hard for me to take the tude at both Gjelina and Father's Office.
Where I eat generally needs to be more accomodating.

I must be one of the few who thinks so.

[PeterCC]

Santouka
In-n-Out
La Playita
Tacos Por Favor
Versailles
Philippe's
Ding Tai Fung
Tender Greens
Gyu-Kaku
Islands
Killer Shrimp

I purposefully didn't look at the other comments until I wrote the above. Glad to see some repeats among the other replies.

I know some XLB enthusiats may balk at DTF, but while they may not be the best XLB, they are consistent, and I've never had a bad meal there.

Likewise with Versailles; a Cuban friend of mine scowled when I asked him what he thought of that place. He directed me to El Cochinito instead, which was very good, but I've not had a bad meal at Versailles for all the times I've been, so that qualifies it for this list.

If anyone has any objections to my choices, just apply my reasoning above, that while a particular place may not be the best as what it does, I've never had a bad meal at any of the above places, so that qualifies them for this list (for me, YMMV).

[bulavinaka]

I recently started to revisit Versailles and have to admit - the lechon and pollo are good. Used to go often in the 80s-90s, blanked on them for more than a decade, and been going back now for the past few months. The Moros y Cristianos isn't as knee-buckling as I remember - is it just me?

[condiment]

The moros were never knee-buckling; El Colmao was always the place to go for that. And the chicken and pork started to bite at about the time they started selling the bottled marinade - never figured out whether there was a connection. Still: not awful.

[WildSwede]

Cupid's Hot Dogs

Pho-Licious

Dino's Chicken and Burgers

The Monrovian

The Peach Cafe

Settebello

Roscoe's

Pho 79 (Char Grilled Pork Pho)

Carmine's

[wienermobile]

Yes, Cupid's Hot Dogs.

[VenusCafe]

WS, remember Roda Rumet? Back in the day it was a 12X pretty solid each visit.

[WildSwede]

Hi Venus. No, I don't remember it... but for some reason I have a memory of someone saying those words to me. I wonder if my parents used to go there. Where was is? I googled it and came up with a mention from a 1991 LA Times article stating it was on La Cienega... http://articles.latimes.com/1991-09-1...
It's weird as I keep saying the name to myself, I keep hearing someone saying it to me... but cannot tell who it is. When my mom gets back from Norway, I am going to ask her! Thanks!

[VenusCafe]

Yes, it was on La Cienega. Charming, casual, almost tea house style with enjoyable food.
It helped me get over missing my childhood weekly meals at Kungsholm in Chicago,
(Scandia helped even more!)

[bg90027]

Los Balcones del Peru

[scurvy]

Pizzeria Mozza
Cooks County
Ricky's Fish Tacos

[BSW6490]

Dan Tanas - (sure to cause an uproar)
The Brentwood (always solid)
Spago
Mastroes
Il Piccolino
Il Moro
Sasabone
Sushi Sushi

[Porthos]

In your dozen+ times did you notice it was Mastro's and not Mastroes and that it's Sasabune and not Sasabone? ;-)

[BSW6490]

Ima pour speller! I did notice though.

[bulavinaka]

Yur a gud rebownderer 2

[condiment]

I would go to Sasabone, totally.

[zack]

Luscious Dumplings
Sea Harbour dimsum
Souplantation

[EricDC]

I'm sorry - SOUPLANTATION?! You've never had a bad meal at Souplantation?

Yikes.

[zack]

I knew that pick would get flamed but I honestly enjoy Souplantation for what it is, cost considered of course.

[bulavinaka]

My mom loved Souplantation for the clam chowder. She'd literally put down five bowls. Souplantation may not make Chowhound's top five, but they are driven on consistency.

[Servorg]

The new advertising slogan for SP

"Souplantation..It beats the crap out of Home Town Buffet!" ;-D>

[bulavinaka]

What doesn't? :)

[Servorg]

My point exactly...I've been to SP exactly twice in my life. Once at the Marnia Del Rey location and once at the Brentwood location. I never found any reason to go back again.

[aizan]

i have fond memories of their pasta putanesca from way back when. did they ever bring back the pasta guy?

[EricDC]

To me, the food always reminded me of my college dining hall. Always the same; never terrible, but never something you'd choose if you could go elsewhere.

And I don't think I've ever been present when there were not also loud and/or crying children. Double negative for me.

[westsidegal]

although the food at SP is not chow-worthy,
the whole logistical set-up they offer really worked for me when i was a working single mother and my kid was a toddler/kindergardener.
also the price:quality:quantity ratios are better than i had any right to expect.
dunno how i would have gotten through those years without them. . . .

the place also works well in the later years when you are carting around athletic teams of young adults that need to be fed vast quantities of food on a moment's notice all at once.

i still recommend the place to working single parents with young children.
also,since i used to leave a $2 tip each time, the bussers would remember me and treat us like royalty. well worth it.

[ns1]

the pasta station is pretty awful, but whatevers. The cornbread is serviceable and they have the ingredients to make a mean beet salad, and there are always coupons in the sunday paper. Soooo SP = a light AYCE meal that's perfect post-hangover. I can get a full AYCE meal + drink for less than the cost of salad @ SweetSalt

[slomosi]

Souplantation is a solid choice. Chicken noodle soup and chili are always good. If your salad taste bad the only person you have to blame is yourself - you made it.

[A5 KOBE]

The Hat
In n Out
Joan's on Third (desserts only?)
Bludso's
Brent's
Pollo a la Brasa

[wienermobile]

The Hat is a guilty pleasure of mine...

[ns1]

oh man those chili cheese pastrami fries...perfect. Better than the sandwich IMHO

[wienermobile]

I know....

[A5 KOBE]

I have recently figured out (took me all this time) is to actually order chili cheese fries with raw onions and a sandwich and insert the chili cheese fries into the sandwich. Is that wrong?

[WildSwede]

Nope! ;-)

[aching]

I can't even think of very many restaurants that I've been to over a dozen times! The two that spring to mind for me are Bay Cities and Wood Spoon. Not coincidentally, these are two restaurants where I always order exactly the same thing (Godmother and Chicken Potpie, respectively) and every single time it's exactly the same - perfect!

[aching]

Oh, Versailles also falls into this category (roasted pork).

[raytamsgv]

Elite Restaurant

[maudies5]

Tavern
Milo and Olive.

[maudies5]

OMG, how could I have omitted The Apple Pan and Nate' Als. Now on third generation of both. That is a lot of years. Most recently, my most frequent visits are to Tavern and Milo and Olive. Easily, a dozen visits to both Tavern and M&O.

[wienermobile]

The Original Pancake House
Langer's
Brent's
M. B. Post
Gjelina
Rustic Canyon
Fig
Park's BBQ
Pann's
Plan Check
Sea Harbour
Ricky's Fish Tacos
and Pizzeria Mozza

[ns1]

Never had a bad meal @ Park's, I'd had a few @ Ricky's when he's been in the woods (lobster taco day 2)

[bulavinaka]

Sea Harbour has always been a no-brainer for us when picking a great food time in the SGV. But I haven't been in a couple of months. Word has it that the head chef picked up his toque and set it down in Hollywood? Someone posted this info on the "10 Best dim sum restos in LA" thread but it seems to have been retracted. I remember when (was it) Lunasia hijacked some of Sea Harbour's talent. Tell me this isn't so...

[wienermobile]

I have been there since the new menu and it's still wonderful.

[Porthos]

P. Mozza (30-40 times or so, last visit last week)
Elite
Yamadaya (20-30 times, last visit last week)

[soniabegonia]

Kagaya
In-n-out
Nanbankan
Santouka
Tender Greens

[soniabegonia]

one more: Carney's. Snappy dogs in soft warm buns doused with excellent low-brow chili...mmm.... gimme two Carney dogs and a coke, please. Does the job every time.

[aizan]

not many on my list. it's either an occasional treat that's awesome (e.g., bludso's), or a local place that's alright (e.g., seafood town). the neighborhood restaurant that's knock-your-socks-off great remains elusive. =(

[bulavinaka]

+1 for Bludso's - their consistency and kickassidness is worth the40-minute drive x 2.

[foufou]

Agreed,,,,Bludso's is worth the drive and the food is always great

[Clyde]

Cacao Mexicatessen... not one bad bite of food there ever. we've also gotten catering for holiday get togethers and it's always been fantastic.

[JAB]

Enrique's

[iheartcooking]

+1 on Enrique's. I never, ever crave Mexican food, it's just not my thing. But I've been coming here for ten years and it's always delicious and fresh!

[ns1]

Park's BBQ
In n Out
Mexicali Taco Co
Dean Sin World

[EarlyBird]

Fiddler's Bistro
http://fiddlersbistro.com/

[Servorg]

Pann's www.panns.com